𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒

41. 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀

𝖁engence is a true manipulator.

Rilynn saw it firsthand, knowing it drew from the scepter clutched in Audrey's hand. She doesn't part from the scepter, almost like it was glued to her hand.

"You took away my memory," Rilynn kept her distance from Audrey, but it wasn't like she wasn't safe from her using the scepter. Rilynn eyes it wearily. "You didn't want me to tell them you were about to spell them."

Audrey grins. "What's the fun in that? I'm just giving her the same treatment I got," her lips slowly curled into a snarl, and her eyes darkened dangerously. "I had everything taken from me. I'm just giving her a taste of her own medicine."

Rilynn narrowed her eyes, trying to look threatening, but failed miserably. "What did you do to them?" She balls her fists by her side, keeping her distance from Audrey. "What did you do to Jay?"

Audrey rolls her eyes. "This is your problem, Lynnie," she said with disdain. "I told you not to trust them; they're nothing but liars, only thinking about themselves."

"What are you talking about? They changed for good and helped save Auradon. It's better than what you're doing."

"And why do you think they had to save Auradon? Hmm?" Audrey stepped before Rilynn, forcing her to step back, but Audrey followed. "Who was responsible for Maleficent escaping the barrier and attacking Auradon? Who was the one who provoked and brought Uma to Auradon? It was all Mal's fault. It was all their fault. They're the reason why Auradon was always in trouble."

"The first time was different. They were different people then," Rilynn defended. The VKs were fresh out of the Isle with the mindset of their villainous parents. It was different then. "And Uma . . . That was an accident. Evie said Uma found Mal's spell book, and she can also turn into a giant octopus."

"Did you know she spelled Ben?"

Rilynn paused. What?

She didn't know what Audrey was talking about. Since when was Ben ever spelled? She doesn't remember that happening. Besides, Ben would've told her if he'd ever been under a spell.

"You're lying." She's just trying to turn me against my friends.

As if finding the crack in the wall, Audrey grinned excitedly.

"Why do you think Ben and I broke up? Because your little friend put him under a love spell, he humiliated me in front of the entire school. I had everything then. Ben and I were in love. I was going to be his queen.

Rilynn didn't know what Audrey was talking about but didn't want to know. Whatever Audrey was going to say would only be lies fed by the scepter, and she wasn't going to take her side.

"Audrey, please," Rilynn attempted to reason. What else was she supposed to do? Audrey was doing nothing but taunting her, keeping her by herself for fun. "You need to put the scepter down. Can't you see what it's doing to you? You're mad, I get it, but this isn't how to do it."

She cackles so loud that thunder rumbles over their heads.

Rilynn kept her head high and her stance tall, braving through whatever. She needed to stall and give Mal time to find them. Rilynn can't fight Audrey, not when Audrey has the scepter.

"What's the point of being Queen when everyone's either asleep or turned to stone," Rilynn retorted. Audrey's laughter seized, and her glare hardened.

Clearly, Audrey doesn't like looking like someone who didn't think her plan through.

"Oh, don't worry about that, Lynnie," Audrey turned away from Rilynn, who was still puzzled. "I'll get them later."