by L. S. O'Dea
“Conguise is not a trusting soul. He’s sent his own Guards to help protect the Producer.”
“I’ll see to it that they have a visual of her, but they will not have access until she is no longer my responsibility. I don’t trust Guards I do not know, sir.”
“Good boy.” Benedictine slapped him on the shoulder. “Make sure that Jethro makes it to the house safely,” he said as he walked away.
“Yes, sir.” Why wouldn’t Jethro make it to the house safely? Was Benedictine worried about the break-in at Kim’s or Conguise’s Guards?
Jethro came out of the barn, moving slowly. Benedictine turned and walked back to him.
“Let’s get you inside.” Benedictine grabbed the handles and pushed the chair to the house.
Jethro never let anyone push him. Something was definitely off. Jackson shrugged. He had other concerns at the moment. He turned and went back inside the barn.
Viola was still pretending to sleep. He shut the door.
“It’s clear,” he said.
Viola sat up. He opened the cabinet and Trinity crawled out.
“Hand me Jethro’s leftovers,” said Viola. “I’m starving. I didn’t have time to eat.”
He shoved the tray closer to the cage. “Don’t get caught eating that.” He pointed to the meat.
“Why?” asked Viola, inspecting the meat.
Trinity turned away.
“Oh, right. Sorry.” Viola put the meat back on the tray and picked up the juice.
“We should go.” He led Trinity to the door. “I’ll be back after I drop her off at Hugh’s. I’ll send Casper in to guard you. Your father’s Guards will be able to view you through the window, so keep your skin hidden, but we won’t let them any closer.”
“How are you going to hand me over without being caught?” Viola chugged the juice. She wrinkled her nose, and set the empty container back on the tray.
“I haven’t quite figured that out,” he said. “Don’t speak to Casper if you can help it. Remember, you’re a prisoner.”
“Got it. And Jackson...let Hugh know what I did.” Viola flashed a quick smile. “I may need a friend to stay with after my father disowns me.”
He nodded. It took guts to defy her father, especially in this situation. He hoped Hugh appreciated the gesture.
When they stepped outside of the barn he called Casper over. He had to take a chance that the old Guard was loyal to him. “Listen,” he whispered. “I’m taking the Producer to High Hugh.”
“Benedictine will kill you,” said Casper, glancing around.
He touched his battered face. “He’s going to kill me anyway. You too. You’re getting to the age that you’re becoming useless to him.” Benedictine did not keep the older Guards. Once they could no longer do their job, they were taken away and put down.
“I still have a few years left,” defended Casper, standing a little straighter.
“Leave with me,” he said. “I’ll come back after delivering her to Hugh and take any of you who want to come. Hugh has already agreed.” Hugh kept all his Guards until they passed on their own, whether they could still work or not.
“Hugh agreed to take us all in?” asked Casper.
“Yes. He really wants this Producer.” He must, because the care for an additional ten Guards was not cheap.
“I heard he is kind like his mother,” said Casper.
He shrugged. The Almighty had greeted him with a gun. “Not entirely. But he’s better than Benedictine.”
“I’m in,” said Casper. “What do I need to do?”
He relaxed a bit. If Casper hadn’t agreed, he would’ve had to incapacitate the old Guard and then make a run for it. “Viola has switched places with Trinity.” At Casper’s confused look he pointed his thumb at the Producer. “This is Trinity.”
“Oh.” Casper’s eyes widened. “That’s not going to work. Conguise has sent Guards.”
“Calm down. You’re to stand guard. I should be back in a couple of hours. I’ve already told Benedictine that Conguise’s Guards are only to have visual access to the Producer. They can view her through the window, but don’t let them inside the room. That way they won’t be able to smell her. Plus, Viola and Trinity have switched clothes so her scent will be somewhat masked. Don’t say anything to anyone until I get back.”
“Hurry.” Worry was clear in Casper’s voice.
He patted the old Guard on the shoulder and led Trinity toward the forest. Casper was scared and he should be. If anything went wrong while he was gone, Casper would pay for it. He didn’t think he could live with himself if that happened, so he’d have to make sure that everything went smoothly from here on out.
CHAPTER 34
JACKSON PULLED TRINITY into the brush. “We’ll travel through the woods. Once we’re away from Benedictine’s property we can go through town.” He looked her over. “No one should pay much attention to you as long as you keep covered by the cloak.”
“Does everyone know that we’re meat?” she asked.
“No. Why?” He continued moving through the forest, glancing back to make sure she was following.
“You know,” she said. “And Viola.”
“Yeah. Conguise must have told her. I know, because I work for Benedictine. He obviously knows and some of the other Almightys, but most don’t. They only know that they eat meat. They never ask where it comes from.”
“Does Jethro know?”
Ahh, now her question made sense. “No. But he’ll be told soon. He’s to take Benedictine’s place one day. It’s the family’s business.”
“Oh,” she said sadly.
They followed a hidden trail. When it forked, he turned to the left and continued parallel to the road that ran through town.
“Soon, we’ll cut through.” There was only silence behind him. He stopped. Where was she? He was going to kill her if she’d ditched him. He raced back around the bend and there she stood right where the trail separated, staring off into the distance. “Come on,” he said in a hushed tone. “We have to hurry.”
She turned toward him and then glanced back at the trail that led farther into the woods. “Kim is right. It does no good to be ashamed of who...what you are. It doesn’t change anything.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Kim’s in love with you and you her.” She stared at him, her golden eyes seeing far more than they should.
“Don’t say that, ever. It’s not true.” The lie was bitter on his tongue, but those words, if overheard, would be his death sentence.
“I know love when I see it. My parents love each other. They let nothing stand in the way of their being together.”
“You know nothing of how the world works.”
“I know you should be careful. You can’t change what you are or how you feel but your love can harm more than you and Kim.” She looked back toward the other path. “I’m not going to Hugh’s. Not yet, anyway. You should go back. Help Casper.”
Araldo, save me from the workings of the female mind. “Please tell me you’re joking.” His life depended on delivering her to Hugh.
She shook her head.
“Many are risking everything for you.” He strode over to her.
“That’s the problem. Mirra and Gaar are in cages because of me. I have to free them.” She stared up at him, unblinking.
“And how do you think you’re going to do that?” The arrogance of the little shit was unbelievable.
“I don’t know.” She fidgeted in place. “I think, I can sneak into the camp and pick the lock or something.”
“You think?” He threw up his hands and spoke to the heavens. “She thinks she can sneak into the camp.” He lowered his hands and glared at her. “Have you ever picked a lock before?”
She shook her head, biting her lower lip.
“Have you ever snuck into a camp protected by a group of Guards? Not to mention Trackers who can smell you miles away.”
She shook her head again, her e
yes watering.
“Don’t cry now.” He ignored her tears and focused on his anger. “Wait until the Guards or the Tracker are tearing you limb from limb. Then cry.” He stomped away. “Unbelievable.”
“I have to try,” she muttered.
He walked back to her and grabbed her shoulders, shaking her so hard that her teeth clanked together. “No. You don’t.”
“I will not leave them trapped and awaiting death.” She pulled away from him, clenching her fists.
“Then you will die,” he said, enunciating each word.
“We all die. I’d rather die helping my friends than die for someone’s dinner.” She brushed past him and continued straight into the forest toward the Lake of Sins.
“You have got to be kidding me,” he mumbled to himself as he trotted after her. He could force her, but it was a long way to Hugh’s with an uncooperative Producer or even an unconscious one. He grasped her arm. “What about your mom? She’s waiting for you.”
She hesitated. He held back a grin. He had her now. She really wanted to see her mom and after what she’d been through, he didn’t blame her.
“I’ll...I’ll see her later. I have to do this.”
She tugged on her arm, trying to break his hold, but he maintained his grip. It was going to be a long trip to Hugh’s.
“I’m going to deliver you to Hugh, whether you like it or not.” He began dragging her along behind him.
“Don’t do this,” she said. “I’m warning you, let me go.”
“Or what?” He snorted as he continued towing her down the path.
She raised her free hand and struck him on his injured arm. A sharp pain exploded through his limb. He released her and she darted away. She’d torn through his jacket and had opened one of his stitches. The cut wasn’t too bad. He’d had worse, but what had she struck him with? Had Viola given her a knife? It didn’t really matter. He’d figure it out once he caught her. He raced after her, putting pressure on the injury to stop the bleeding.
She was fast, but he was faster, his long legs eating up the ground. Another few steps and he’d have her. He reached out and his fingers brushed across her cloak, preparing to grasp the material when she launched herself into the air. She landed on the side of a tree and stuck. He stumbled, falling to his knees as she quickly climbed to a high branch and then leapt to the next tree.
“What in the name of all that’s holy are you?” he whispered as he stood and darted after her, realizing that he’d just discovered why the Almightys wanted her so badly.
He jogged through the brush, scanning the trees. Somehow, he’d lost her. He paused, straining to hear any noise. There was a rustle and a bird flew out of the leaves in a nearby oak. Then there was nothing. He tipped his head back and inhaled deeply. Ahh, there she is. He raced forward following her scent.
She was headed directly toward the lake. He stopped, panting, hidden in the brush near the clearing. She would have to come down from the trees or circle the water. It was a large lake. That would take time. She was young and anxious. She would come down. He waited. He was faster and stronger than her on the ground. All he had to do was get her away from the trees.
There was a movement ahead and to his right. There she was, half hidden in the foliage. She was searching for him. He shifted deeper into the shadows. Her golden eyes caught the moonlight and glowed emerald green. She waited. He steadied his breathing, remaining perfectly still. He understood the patience of a hunter.
After several minutes, she dropped to the ground and moved cautiously into the clearing. His muscles bunched and tensed in anticipation of the chase, but he waited. She needed to be farther away from the trees. If she managed to leap back into them, he’d never catch her. Just another step or two should do it. He grinned eagerly. Now.
He raced silently through the vegetation, staying in the shadows. He picked up speed once he was out of the woods. Her ears tipped back, catching the sound of his approach. She burst forward, but she was no match for him. Another step and he would be close enough. He tensed, preparing for the tackle that would take her down when she spun around to face him. Her hands were in front of her, claws bared.
He skidded to a stop. She had claws. That explained her ability to climb trees. “So, that’s what you cut me with.” He touched his arm.
“Yes. I don’t want to, but I’ll do it again.” She stepped backward.
“I’m not afraid of your claws.” He moved closer. She was not going to get away from him.
“Don’t.” She bared her teeth, showing her long, sharp canines as she continued backing up.
He tipped his head. How had he not noticed them before? “Mine are bigger.” He smiled, displaying his large, white fangs. He took another step closer. He had to keep her moving away from the trees. “Where are you going to go? The lake is behind you.”
She stumbled and almost lost her balance.
“What the hell are you anyway?” He needed to keep her focused on the conversation and not his advancement.
“Producer.” She continued moving away from him.
“Producers can’t launch themselves into trees.” He matched her step-by-step, but what she didn’t realize was that his strides were longer. She was only a leap away. Another moment and she’d be close enough. His muscles quivered.
“But House Servants can.”
He froze. She couldn’t be saying what he thought she was saying. “I don’t understand.”
“My father is a House Servant.” She continued moving away from him until she stood at the edge of the lake.
“No. That impossible.” He stalked forward, closing the distance until she was again only a foot away. “I’ve heard of pregnancies between different classes, but they don’t usually go full term and if they do the young are always stillborn.”
Something large burst out of the water and straight at him.
“Look out,” she yelled.
He was already throwing himself backward, away from the large, gray creature. This wasn’t happening. There was nothing in the lake that big. Obviously, he was wrong and unfortunately, it was no longer in the lake. He stumbled and fell to the ground, crab crawling away as quickly as possible. It lunged at him; its webbed hands only inches away when Trinity flew between them. It engulfed her in its arms and twisted its body as it dropped into the lake, taking her with it. In a second, they disappeared under the water.
What was that thing? It had happened so fast. He staggered to the water’s edge. “Trinity,” he screamed.
The waves on the lake calmed until all that was left were small ripples. He ran along the bank, but there was no sign of life in the dark, silent water. Just like that, she was gone. If she hadn’t jumped in the creature’s path, he would be immersed, struggling to free himself, trying to hold his breath while his lungs screamed for oxygen. There was a small disturbance on the surface. He backed away.
Trinity’s head popped out of the water and she gasped for air. She was alive. He had to get her out of there before that thing came back. He ran into the lake.
“Don’t,” she called out as she swam toward shore. “Wait there.”
She didn’t have to tell him twice. He climbed onto land and scanned the water for any sign of that thing. She was moving fast, but she needed to move faster. Where did it go? Were there more of them in the lake? When she was close enough, he grabbed her hand and dragged her to shore, pulling her into a tight hug.
“Thank Araldo,” he mumbled against her wet hair. His heart beat rapidly in his chest. “I thought you were dead.” She smelled of fish but he didn’t care. He let her go, his clothes now soaking wet. “How did you get away?”
“I don’t think Christian will hurt me.” She looked back at the lake.
“Who? What?” She must be in shock; she wasn’t making sense.
The creature rose head and shoulders out of the water.
“Shit. It’s back.” He shoved her behind him and moved them farther away from the water. “Wh
at is that thing?”
“It’s okay. Christian’s a friend.” She stepped to the side and waved.
That thing waved back.
He blinked several times, his jaw hanging open. She used her thumb to gently close his mouth. If he were going to be around her for very long, he might as well leave it open.
“I am going to free Mirra and Gaar.” She walked back toward the lake. “You can’t stop me. He won’t let you.” She smiled at Christian, who lurked in the water near the edge.
“Would you get back over here? I don’t trust that thing.” She was too close to the lake. That creature could snatch her in a heartbeat.
“Well, I do. He’s a friend.” She shot him a disgusted look as she continued walking around the lake.
That hurt. It shouldn’t but it did. He risked his life to help her escape. Of course, he only did it so that Hugh would take him in, but she didn’t know that. He frowned as he walked parallel to her but several feet farther away from the water.
“He won’t make me go to Hugh. He might even help me.” She stopped and faced the lake. “Christian, will you take me to the Tracker camp?”
She had to be kidding. She was asking this fish-thing for help. She was starting to get on his nerves.
Christian bobbed in the water.
“You know, Tracker.” She bared her claws and hunched her shoulders, hissing and swatting.
Christian wiggled as he rose from the water. He moved forward and back with his torso out of the lake.
“Good. You do know,” she said.
“I don’t believe this.” He’d never seen anything like this creature and here she was communicating with it. At least, she thought she was. He wasn’t too sure that this Christian understood a word that she said.
She turned to him. “It’s quite a distance to the Tracker camp through the forest. Is there a faster way?”
“The camp isn’t that far by road and carriage.”
“Can we get a carriage?”
“It would be too risky. We’d have to steal one.” So much for his plan running smoothly. It couldn’t get any rockier. “Wait a minute. When did this become we?” More importantly, when had he decided to help her? It was only because he couldn’t arrive at Hugh’s without her. At least that’s what he told himself.
