Deathstalker 02 - Deathstalker Rebellion

tightly, as though trying to draw strength from them.
    She was sitting with the one woman she'd hated the most, and was closer than ever before to telling her secret, the one thing she'd never told anyone, even Finlay. Because perhaps only a woman like Adrienne could hear it and not judge.
    Hear the pain and the horror and not the shame. And, surely, only a woman like Adrienne wouldn't give a damn that she was only a clone…
    "Tell me what it is, dear," said Adrienne, keeping her voice calm and steady so that Evangeline wouldn't realize how much her grip was hurting her hands. "We girls have to stick together. It's a man's Empire, even with an Empress on the Iron Throne, but we don't have to take any shit from anyone. Men may have the power, but we're smarter than they are. Whatever it is, I'll find a way around it. He's been locking you up here, hasn't he? That's why we only ever see you together, right? Take out an action against him. Divorce the bastard. Society would stand with you. They don't have any time for that kind of petty bullying."
    "You don't understand. He doesn't… hurt me. Not like that."
    "What way, then? What has he done to you, to put you in such a state?" And then Adrienne stopped and looked at her. Evangeline braced herself for a look of pity, or even disgust, but instead she saw only shock, giving way to anger. "My God. He's been bedding you, hasn't he? Shitty little bastard. He's been forcing you, hasn't he? Don't you worry, pet. Society will crucify him for this!"

    "No!" said Evangeline sharply, fighting back the tears so she could speak clearly. "No one must ever know. If Finlay ever found out, it would kill him. Or he'd try to kill Daddy and be killed anyway. I've kept the secret this long. I can keep it a little longer. To keep Finlay safe. I can't help you, Adrienne. I can't even help myself."
    "Now, stop that," Adrienne said briskly. "All right, we can't go to society, but there are other ways. I never met a man yet who couldn't be outthought and outmaneuvered by a woman who put her mind to it. Let me think for a moment. I'll find a way out of this that won't involve Finlay. You're quite right. He mustn't know. He'd only overreact. Men are like that, bless them."
    "And if you help me, I have to help you," said Evangeline. "Is that the deal?"
    "No deals," said Adrienne. "Not this time. I'd help anyone in your situation.
    Now, let me have my hands back and dry your tears; then we'll figure out how best to stick it to the Shreck."
    "Will you, my dear?" said Gregor Shreck, standing in the open door of the apartment. "How very intriguing."
    Both women looked around, startled. Evangeline jumped to her feet, her hands rising to her mouth. Her skin was white as a sheet, and her eyes were very wide.
    Adrienne took her time getting to her feet. She didn't want the Shreck thinking he could fluster her. She gave Gregor her best icy glare.
    "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"
    "In my own home?" said the Shreck, smiling widely. "Now, why should I do that?
    The tower is mine, along with everything and everyone in it. I own them. Isn't that right, Evangeline? Now, be a dear, and tell your new friend to run along. I have so much to say to you."
    "No," mumbled Evangeline, staring at her shoes.

    "What was that?" said Gregor. "I don't think I can have heard you correctly, my dear."
    "No," said Evangeline, lifting her head to stare at him defiantly. "I'm tired of being scared. You lied to me, Daddy. You swore to me you were protecting Adrienne and her children and all the other surviving Campbells. Now I find out from Adrienne that you've been threatening them, to get at Finlay. You lied to me."
    "It's politics, dear. Things change. I don't expect you to understand. All you need to know is that I'm doing what's best for the Family."
    "If your Clan found out that you've been screwing your daughter, they'd disown you," said Adrienne calmly. "Such a tacky crime, Gregor. And backed up with a coward's threats and lies. I'm disappointed in you, Gregor. I never thought you were much of a man, but I never suspected you had to bully women into your bed.
    Now, turn around and get out of here. You ever lay a hand on this poor dear again, and I'll see everyone in your Family knows your dirty little secret.
    They'll remove you as head and throw you out of the Clan. They can do that if enough of them agree, and I can't see any of them disagreeing over a nasty little mess like this. Without a Clan, no one will talk