Queen Ascending (Ace of Queens #2)

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

As the scream left Gemma's mouth, Exton came running into the room. His eyes first landed on Gemma and then on Tobias.

The man stood by the corner of the room in a slick topcoat and black gloves on. His face was calm and collective, as if he had been prepared for this moment for a while now.

As Exton's eyes focused on Gemma again, he watched in horror as a portal opened up next to her.

Gemma gasped in shock as Lafayette stepped through and grabbed her. He wasted no time in pulling her through the portal again.

Exton sprang into action and jumped into the portal before it had a chance to close.

Everything happened so fast, it was impossible for Gemma to comprehend all at once. Once second she was standing in the Palace in India and then the next second, she was in Xavier's greenhouse with Lafayette.

"What the fuck?" Rye said as she watched multiple portals open around the room and people just drop in. Xavier and her were trying to have a moment but Lafayette came through with Gemma, followed by exton and then Tobias.

"Exton?" Xavier asked in surprise. "What is this? Where have you been?"

"You son is a liar!" Lafayette accused Xavier. "He had my niece the whole time!"

Rye's eyes widened in shock. Xavier, not so much. He had a feeling Exton was up to something.

"Lafayette, please," Gemma begged. "You're hurting me." She tried to wiggle out of his death grip.

"Let go of her!" Exton demanded. He tried to take a step towards them, but Lafayette's lips moved and flames appeared at the palm of his hand. Xavier leaped forward and held Exton back.

"What is your explanation for this?" Tobias demanded in rage. "You attacked me. You kidnapped my bride. You-"

"She is not your bride!" Exton laughed in anger.

"Kidnapped?" Gemma said at the same time.

Exton's eyes darted to her.

"Exton, what are they talking about?" She asked.

"He's been holding you against your will," Lafayette informed her as if he was telling her what to say at court. "We've been looking for you for months, but he hid you."

"No," Gemma shook her head in confusion.

Everyone looked around the room. Exton had his eyes glued on Exton.

"No, that's not true," Gemma said again. "He told you I was with you. Why are you lying?"

Lafayette looked appalled. "He told us no such thing!"

Gemma stilled. After a momentary pause, she shook her head.

"No, you're lying." She said. Her eyes darted to Exton and then to his parents who stood behind him with the same confused expression as Lafayette.

Aniexty don't worry started to bleed into Gemma's heart.

"He told you we were mates and that I was with him...you all accepted it." Gemma told Lafayette.

"What?" Tobias boomed. "Mates?"

Gemma jumped in fright as the ground trembled beneath her feet slightly as Tobias's anger flared.

"You are not his mate," Tobias laughed as if Gemma was a child.

The poor girl looked to Exton but he watched her with painful eyes as his lies unfolded in front of her.