Brooke had no such qualms. She raised her chin and straightened up her spine just a little bit, an expression of defiance crossing over her features. Planted images? Toying with emotions? Those were things that Brooke Aurelia Wyngarde had some experience in, either through her mother, her father, or her own self.

Calmly, she glanced at both Alexander and Stephanie - two of the strongest people she knew, and then looked back at the man.

"Please," she said darkly. "The oppressed are usually worse than the oppressors. The French proved it when they wanted Marie Antoinette's head on a platter and you're proving it now."