Penelope POV“Sit down,” Elder Judson says.He does not look at my face. His eyes drop straight to my collarbone, heavy and slow.My skin crawls. Inside my head, Aria bares her teeth, a low, vicious snarl vibrating against my ribs. Mutt. Rip his throat out.I do not sit. I stand right in front of his massive mahogany desk, my fingers resting lightly on the polished wood.“With looks like yours, it is no wonder Lord Cooper pushed past the entire Council to give you this seat,” Judson says. He leans back, his mouth twisting into a dry, yellow smile. “A very pretty face, Miss Penelope. Seduction gets a woman far in the Westview territory.”I keep my hands perfectly still. I do not flinch. I do not let the heat rise to my cheeks.“You think your little smile frightens me?” Judson asks. He taps his thick, silver signet ring against the desk. Thud. Thud. Thud.“I am waiting for you to reach the point, Elder Judson,” I say.His smile vanishes. The skin around his jaw tightens, a tiny vein pul
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