Page 66 of Pageant

After, she tossed her hair and walked out of the judging room with her head held high. Intoxicating to witness. Magnificent to behold. Mesmerizing even after the door had closed behind her. Today, after a few questions to shatter her confidence, a little pain, and a few words of praise, she fell apart. I was in charge today. She understood how to play Elyah and Kirill with her sass and her pussy, but I’m a different beast entirely.

“I think we all saw someone’s true colors today,” I tell my jewels, finally looking away from Number Eleven.

Behind me, Elyah shifts on his feet. I hope to fucking God he’s working his darling blonde bitch out of his system. I want the man I know he can be once again. Elyah, when he’s focused, is an unstoppable force.

“Numbers One, Five, Six, Seven, Ten, Twelve, and Fifteen, you have all done so well this week that I have a treat for you. Many of you must have already realized that there’s something strange about this pageant. Rather than let my precious jewels fight among themselves, I’m going to come clean.” I pause for effect. “There’s a rat among you. One of you is a spy and she’s been reporting back to me everything you say and do.”

“Why would you admit that?” Number Ten bursts out angrily. “Why should we believe anything you say?”

I narrow my gaze at her. I haven’t beaten her, forced her, starved her. I’ve shown Number Ten every reasonable kindness under these circumstances, yet she still doesn’t trust me. I mentally move Number Ten to the bottom of my list.

“Because I don’t need her anymore. She sought to ingratiate herself with me for special favors. I instructed her to encourage you all to obey me without question. I have cut you down from sixteen women to seven, and I’m thrilled with my selection.” I glance at Number Ten. “More or less. You are all obedient, loyal, strong women who value yourselves as highly as I hope to value you one day.”

The seven women look between each other, pride and pleasure flickering on some of their faces. Others seem sickened, but I shall eliminate them soon enough. The tasks from now on will only grow more demanding.

“I have one final task today before my little jewels are fed and put to bed.” I stride over to Number One. “Who is the rat?”

She cringes away from me. “I—I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do. Isn’t there one woman here who’s been acting strangely from the beginning? One woman who has been persuading you to obey me without question?”

“I don’t know,” she says again, but with an uncertain look toward Number Eleven.

“Either say her number, or Kirill will beat you.” I hold out my arm toward the dark-haired man, who swaggers forward with a menacing grin lighting his features.

Number One shuts her eyes and whispers, “Number Eleven.”

I move onto the next woman. Number Five is prompt with her answer. “Number Eleven.”

I regard her with my head on one side. Ever since the lie detector test, she’s accepted her fate with her head held high. She could well be the eventual winner. How beautiful the pink diamonds will look crowning her raven hair.

I move on, and Number Six answers before I can even ask my question. “Number Eleven.”

“Why do you think it’s Number Eleven?”

“She’s screwing you all. She says she’s helping us but everything she does is weird.”

“Correct.” But I haven’t forgotten that she volunteered to be the rat herself.

I move in front of Number Seven. “And you? Who do you think the rat is?”

She replies right away. “Number Eleven.”

“And what makes you so sure?”

Number Seven shoots Number Eleven a look of loathing. “She’s been telling us from the start to go along with whatever you say. To obey you. Make you happy. She’s obviously on your side.”

“You don’t want to make me happy?”

Number Seven reddens, her eyes darting around the room. “I mean, of course I do. I just want to do it for my own reasons, not because one of these bitches is trying to manipulate me.”

I laugh and move on. Nice save.

When I reach Number Ten, her eyes are glittering with fury. “Who is the rat?”

“There isn’t a rat,” she seethes. “You’re messing with us so we turn on Lilia before you kill her. It’s a dirty trick and it’s not going to work. Lilia’s done nothing but try to help us.”

My, my. Another one who’s too clever for her own good. I glance from Number Ten to Number Eleven. I doubt it’s a coincidence that she’s sticking up for the woman in the cell next to her. Number Eleven has probably been pouring poison into her ear night after night.

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