Queen of the zodiac ( zodiac city duology #1) [ undergoing revamping]

Denisha

Relief washed over me. Ramon hadn't faltered; he hadn't let Brooke's manipulative tactics cloud his judgment. I knew he was vulnerable to Brooke, given his feelings for her. He could have easily been swayed by her charm, but he wasn't. Why did I ever doubt him?

I whispered to myself, my voice filled with astonishment and admiration, "He did it. Ramon did it"

The scene unfolded like a macabre ballet of despair. Renee stood, her trembling form framed by the harsh light, casting haunting shadows on the walls. The guards, their faces stoic masks of duty, circled around her, their eyes devoid of emotion, betraying no hint of remorse for the pain they were about to inflict. With practiced precision, the guards approached Renee, their hands firm yet gentle as they secured her to the towering stake. Her dress, once a symbol of her royal status, hung in tatters, exposing her back to the room.

The guards faces, hardened with resolve, raised the whip with deliberate and calculated motion. Their hands, calloused and steady, gripped the leather-bound handle tightly. As they lifted the whip, it arched gracefully through the air. The whip itself was a fearsome instrument of punishment. Its long, braided leather strands tapered to a cruelly pointed end, designed to maximize the impact of each strike. The leather was weathered and stained, evidence of its frequent use in meting out discipline. The whip crackled with an air of menace as it sliced through the stillness, a sound that sent shudders down my spine and that of those present.

As the first strike landed, Renee's body convulsed, her cry of pain a raw, heart-wrenching sound that cut through the silence like a dagger. With every motion, the guards brought the whip down upon Renee's back, the leather strands unfurling like vengeful serpents seeking their prey. The impact was sharp and unforgiving, the sound of the whip meeting flesh reverberating through the hall. Each strike left a raw, red welt in its wake, the skin breaking under the force of the blows. Her cries became more desperate, more primal, as if pleading for mercy from a world that had abandoned her.

"I wouldn't want to be her," Celeste joked

A sinister grin spread across my lips, hidden behind the façade of concern. Inwardly, I was ecstatic, my heart pounding with adrenaline-fueled delight. With every pang of Renee's suffering, my spirits soared higher, intoxicated by the taste of vengeance. Perse's memory urged me on, a silent cheerleader in the depths of my consciousness. How I longed to share this triumph with her, to see her proud smile as I exacted justice upon The Radiance.

"Stop! Stop it, please!" Morrison's desperate screams cut through the air, his voice hoarse with a mixture of anger and despair. He fought against the guards, his futile attempts to reach Renee mirroring the futility of their situation. Renee's voice, was now a mere whisper, choked with sorrow. "Morrison," she gasped, her eyes locking onto his with a profound sadness. "I love you. I'm so sorry." Her words hung in the air, heavy with regret

His fists clenched and unclenched, his nails digging into his palms as he watched the woman he loved endure unbearable torment "It's not your fault, Angel," he whispered, tears streaming down his face like a relentless rain. His voice cracked echoing the depths of his despair. "It's not your fault," he repeated, his words a desperate plea to absolve her of the unbearable burden she carried.

I looked up at Ramon, tracing the path of his gaze to where Jamal stood. Ramon's eyes were clouded with guilt, his head bowed low, his tears threatening to fall, his locs concealing his face. "I hurt him," he whispered, his voice heavy with remorse.

I gently cupped his face, guiding it to meet my eyes. "Look at me," I urged, my touch tender. "This isn't your fault. You did what had to be done. Jamal's sorrow shall pass, and in the long run, you saved him from a monster like Renee ."