Sienna took one last glance at the cottage that had been her home for her entire life.Sadness filled her as she reflected on how they’d mostly had a good life here until the mayor had brought change.The indistinct murmur of voices drifted to her seconds before two hunters appeared.Sienna didn’t dart, but glided to the right until she was out of sight.They’d been lucky this morning.Very lucky.
They kept moving in single file, with Sienna taking up the rear.They didn’t speak, each aware of the danger of voices carrying.She promised herself they’d keep the land taxes current because if they ever returned, she wanted the land and cottage to be there for her parents.
It took an hour to walk to the campgrounds.Sienna didn’t initially see the campervan because Jules had parked it behind a tall hedge, which did an excellent job of camouflage.
Sienna burst into a sprint when she saw her younger brother.“Kitto, how is Liam?”
Kitto frowned as she pushed past him.“His forehead is hot, but he’s sleeping comfortably.Jules thinks it’s best to let him wake naturally.He’s not due to have more antibiotics until tonight.Come and see for yourself.I’ll introduce Jules before we pack and take off.Jules, have you met my sister, Sienna?”
Jules was a pretty blonde with bright blue eyes and loads of confidence.She didn’t hesitate to shake hands with Sienna.
“My parents, Hedrek and Tamsin Teague,” Kitto said, and Sienna realized Kitto had confidence too.His friendship with Jules helped him blossom.“You’ve met Calan already, and this is my older brother, Jago, and our friend, Jamie.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.Kitto talks about you often, so I feel as if I know you already.”
“Where is Liam?I want to see him,” Sienna said.
“He’s in the back.Kitto will show you.I’ll help everyone stow your gear,” Jules said.
“She’s bossy,” Calan muttered.
Jago grinned and brushed past, lugging a heavy pack.Calan and Jamie followed while Sienna darted after Kitto.
“How is he?Truly?”she asked.
“He didn’t sleep much during the night.I think he had bad dreams.He shouted a few times.Honestly, Sienna.I worried someone would hear him and come to investigate.”
Kitto opened a side door and stood aside to let her enter before him.
She gasped because the entire vehicle interior was luxurious, with the rich scent of leather.Everything appeared top-of-the-line.No expense spared.Wheredidthe mayor get his money?
Liam lay buried beneath a pile of blankets, only his ruffled dark hair visible.Sienna crossed the room in two strides and sank beside him, her nose wrinkling at the mix of antiseptic and sweat.She pressed a hand to his forehead and winced.Heat poured off him, and her feline instincts stirred, sharp with alarm.Dark shadows ringed his eyes, and his breathing was too shallow.
“You said he’s on antibiotics?”
“Yeah, the vet told us to keep him comfortable and get him to drink plenty of fluids.He seemed fine last night.Tired, but he spoke to us.”
“Okay, Ma and I will keep watch over him.”
“No, you and Ma will need to sit up front with Jules.None of us can sit up there because we’re taking the fastest way to get away from Stoneford.Jules can drop us somewhere quiet, and we can hire a vehicle to take us north.I’ll watch Liam.”
“But—”
“No, we have to appear normal.Anyone searching for us will look for men and women.”The distant sound of engines made Kitto’s jaw tighten.“No arguments.We need to move.”
Sienna smoothed a lock of Liam’s hair off his forehead and nodded before backing up and exiting the campervan.She made way for her father, brothers, and the few bags that hadn’t fit in the side lockers.
Her mother hovered, her discomfort clear in her shuffling feet and lip biting.
“Ma, it’s going to be all right.Kitto wants us to travel upfront with Jules.”
“Can we trust her?”Ma whispered.“She’s the mayor’s daughter.”
“Just because I’m his daughter, it doesn’t mean I’ll turn you in to the hunters.Kitto and I have been friends for months.”She paused, and the attitude seeped right out of her.“I’ve never told my parents about Kitto and me because they would disapprove, but I think my younger sister saw and told my father.My father gave me a lecture about choosing friends wisely, and my parents sent me to boarding school.We kept seeing each other, but only when I was at home for the school holidays.”
“Your father called in the hunters.”Sienna tried not to sound accusing, but it leaked into her words.
“I know.Look, we can talk on the way.Kitto and I studied the map last night and have picked out three different campgrounds.We can discuss and choose the one you think will work best.”She rounded the front of the vehicle and climbed into the driver’s seat.
