I stopped in mytracks, confused as to why she was awake so soon.
“It’s okay,” Isaid before once again commanding, “Sleep.”
Lennox went limpin my arms again, and I continued running.
I rushed throughthe hidden paths my siblings, cousins, and I used to frequent as children,ending at the tiny little blacksmith’s cabin on the edge of my uncle Connall’sland. Although the original shop was still intact, the cabin was now used asthe family hunting lodge. The thatched-roof home was over a thousand years oldand had seen better days, but it was remote, well stocked, and unknown toanyone outside the family, which is exactly what I wanted for the moment.
I lay Lennoxdown on the wooden bench next to the cottage door as I retrieved the key, fromunderneath a rock in the garden. The same rock the key has been hidden undersince before I was born.
I bent down topick Lennox up, and once again she began to wake.
Why the hellisn’t my power of suggestion working on her?
I tried again,focusing every ounce of strength I could. “Sleep, love.”
CHAPTER SIX
Lennox
IAWOKE SLOWLY to the sounds of a crackling fire and a Scottish man’s voicespeaking quietly nearby.
“How many didyou capture?” I heard him ask, followed by, “What about Trask?” and then astring of what I assumed were Scottish curse words. “I have his daughter…wait aminute…let me call you back, Ali.”
I tried to openmy eyes, but I was so, so tired.
“Oh, fer fuck’ssake,” the voice groaned as I struggled to gain focus on my surroundings. “Whywon’t you stay asleep?”
I sat upquickly. “Where am I? Is that you, Phineas?”
“Aye, love.Don’t be afraid.”
“Where are myglasses?”
“They’re righthere,” he replied, our hands touching as I reached out for them, sending whatfelt like an electric shock between us.
“What ishappening?” I asked as I put my glasses on. “Where have you brought me?”
“Some placesafe. Away from your father and his men.”
“Away from myfather?” I frowned. “What about away from you?”
“I promisedyou,” he said, almost in frustration. “No harm will come to you.”
“Yes, you did.”I jabbed a finger at him. “You promised no harm would come to me, but right nowI feel like I’m going to die from a panic attack, so if you could please moveout of the way of the door, so I can leave. I need to get back to the castleand find my father.”
“No,” hereplied.
“No? And why isthat?” I squeaked out through the gigantic lump in my throat.
“Because I’d begoing back on my word if I let you leave. I promised to keep you safe andtaking you back to the castle would potentially put you directly in the line offire.”
“No problem.” Ishrugged. “You don’t have to take me back. Just let me go out that door, pointme in the right direction, and I’ll walk back.”
“The castle isover forty kilometers from here.”
“Fortykilometers? How many miles is that?”
“Abouttwenty-five, give or take,” Phineas said.
