Chapter 38

Everyone in attendance was eating and drinking. All wore masks except the kings. Danika’s eyes took in the five kingdoms that attended.

Behind her mask, Danika checked them out freely. They divided the gigantic hall into six different parts: five for each of the kingdoms and one for the people of Salem.

Each section consisted of each king and his slaves—three privileged families.

The hall was packed.

Ever-y other person’s mask was locked behind their head except hers. The king had told her not to put the padlock on until after the unmasking. She didn’t understand what he meant by that.

Dread and fear wrapped around Danika like a cloak. Sitting on the floor beside the king’s throne, she had the urge to clutch his big garment and hide from the world. It was an urge she resisted. She recognized two kings already and wasn’t surprised that they were there. 

King Moreh, the king of Ijipt, and King Philip, the king of Gordon. Her two tormentor