Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“They died because of me?”
“They died because they were ignorant and running their mouths with the utmost disrespect.”
“Their families too?”
Aunt Suzi walked over to me, grabbed my hand, and squeezed it. “We are going to fix this, Monique. Do you understand?”
Panic rose within me. My heart pounded against my ribcage like a trapped bird. Suddenly, the luxurious Palace felt more like a gilded cage.
Aunt Suzi quickly placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “There's no need for you to worry, child. Such power plays happen often in the East. It's. . .unfortunate collateral damage.”
“But. . .children died?” The thought made my stomach churn.
“Yes,” Aunt Min replied curtly. But there was a hint of sorrow behind her usually stern gaze.
Aunt Suzi added, “It was a message meant for everyone. The East, as you will understand, is not a forgiving place. It is a place where power and respect are everything. And those who disrespect the powerful must pay the price.”
“But no. . .not over me—”
“Monique.” Aunt Min’s gaze did not waver from mine. “Never get fooled by our jewels, designer clothes, and even old traditions. In the East, we are ruthless. Bloodshed is nothing to us. This is the world you have stepped into.”
I shivered. “Death is too steep of a price to pay for disrespecting me.”
Aunt Suzi’s voice softened. “I’m glad you feel that way. . .because you are now in a position of power to change things.”
“Additionally, now more than ever, Monique,” Aunt Min continued grimly, “when those cameras show up today, you must be strong and appear unshaken. Let no one see your fear or sadness. We will guide you through this.”
What the fuck? No one else can die over me.
I shook my head. “I’m not getting in front of cameras, not after—”
“You want things to change?” Aunt Min raised her eyebrows. “Do you want no more death when it comes to you?”
“Y-yes.”
“Then, you’ll have to step up on your terms, not anyone else’s.” She nodded. “Leo, Lei, Chen, and the rest. They are men. What is it about humans with penises that make them so brutal and violent? So hard headed? That is a question for God.”
Aunt Suzi squeezed my hand again. “When it comes to them, you take the reign. Get full control.”
“And how do I do that?”
“Get dressed.”
“And then what?”
“Then, we’ll have tea.” Aunt Suzi winked.
Suddenly, my ladies-in-waiting returned to inform us that my shower was ready.
Amanda spoke and she looked awkward, nervous even as if she weren’t sure, it was her place. “So. . .if you don’t mind. . .I would love to say something.”
I put my view on her. “Go ahead.”
“You would never know this but there is a decent population of browner folk in the East.” Amanda hugged herself. “Many of us are mixed race. Others are orphans that the past Mountain Mistress brought into the East’s orphanage to have cared for. Regardless, we’re treated a certain way here.”
I parted my lips.
“And not everyone is mean but there is a certain ignorance that I would like gone.”
“I understand.”
Amanda shrugged. “I love that you’re here so I hope that. . .you don’t leave. No matter what is said or done to you. It would be amazing if you just. . .fight it all and. . .change the East.”
My heart beat wildly within my chest.
After hearing about these deaths, I did not want anything to do with the press or even the East but I also knew that there would be no escape from this.
Lei would not let me go and against all logic, that made my heart warm.
But even more. . .I was scared to face all of this bullshit but, I didn’t want to step back from this either.
It was a power that I had never had before. The sort of power that could change not just my life and my family’s future, but as Amanda explained other people’s lives.
Slowly, I nodded meeting Amanda's gaze. “I. . .I'll try to make a difference.”
Amanda's face lit up like a thousand suns. “Thank you.”
Damn. What have I really gotten myself into?
As my ladies-in-waiting led me away towards the lavish bathroom, I took one last look at Aunt Min and Aunt Suzi.
They watched me with unreadable expressions, a mix of concern, hope and determination etched on their faces.
Alright. God, please help me figure this out. Walk with me through each step. . .hold my hand even.
Chapter five
The Secret Path
Monique
The chill of the secret passageway seeped into my bones as Aunt Min led us deeper. Our footsteps clicked and clacked on the stone floor.
I had always imagined secret passages to be the stuff of fairy tales and old ghost stories, not real paths that wound their way beneath a modern palace.
Yet here I was, trailing behind Aunt Min, her confident strides echoing off the narrow stone walls.