The Rise and Fall of the Red Whore

Chapter 22

Past, 1900s

After some time had passed, Cordelia was able to move her body again.

She knew right from the start the whole meeting was a trap, but it did not help the mild ache in her heart at the betrayal.

Slowly, she stood up and began to descend the stairs.

Jack had rushed into the throne room and started to ask questions, but she ignored him.

In all honesty, she felt like she was under water.

Everything felt slow, hollow, and cold.

In order to snap out of her daze, she needed to see what the trap was for.

Though, deep down she already knew.

With Jack barking out orders and sending numerous soldiers out, Cordelia continued on her way, leaving them in her throne room.

The walk felt daunting, like she was about to forever see the shift in the dynamics of Wonderlust.

As she came up to the balcony, she looked out at all the rose bushes in the gardens.

From up there, she could see many of her patrons enjoying the beautiful day.

But as she looked farther and farther out, she recognized the familiar figures of Chester and Albus. And one of them carrying someone over their shoulder.

"My Empress?" Jack asked.

Cordelia could not tear her eyes away from the two figures.

"Send out only one Gryphon..." She commanded.

"If I may, the odds would be better if we send both," Jack suggested.

Shaking her head, she still did not take her eyes off them.

"No... Madness was never that fond of them, so he will kill them both if he regains consciousness. One is enough to do the job as long as he remains as such."

Bowing his head in understanding, Jack turned to give the command.

Putting her hands on the railing, Cordelia watched the sky turn red and the roses turn back to red spider lilies.

"You want me to be the villain?" she whispered.

"Fine... I gladly accept."

The sky darkened to a red around them, tinting everything in a blood like color.

"She knows," Chester stated, breathing a little heavily from transporting several people and carrying an unconscious one.

Clutching onto Madness, he took a knee as the sweat rolled down his forehead.

Kama leaped to the nearest flower, lighting up his pipe almost immediately and taking a long drag.

"Set him down," Kama commanded, blowing out the condensed smoke with a tinge of pink in his green cheeks.

Chester did as he was told, gently putting Madness down on the soft grass with extra care.

As he pulled away, Chester glanced at Madness' face, only to freeze as his stomach plummeted.

The sight was horrifying.

Madness was missing an eye.

And it was not just the eye being gone that was terrible.

It was what had been done to it.

A large red button, large enough to cover the ghastly wound, was sewn on in an amateurish way.