“What does thatmean? I want to see them and the man your people captured,” I demanded.
“I promise I’llanswer every one of your questions in time. Just not tonight, okay? Right now,you need to get some rest, and we’ll figure everything else out tomorrow.”
“Right.” Inodded. “Iamactually really tired…”
“The effects ofthe sleep suggestion,” Phin replied. “Come on. I’ll show you where you cansleep.”
“Thanks.”
I followed himdown the hall and into a small room with a double bed, the headboard andfootboard had been carved from wood, and the bedding was a dark blue and greentartan. There was a dresser just under the window, a chair beside it and a doorto a closet was on the opposite side of the chair.
To the left ofthe bed was another door that led to a surprisingly large bathroom, which wasshared by the only other bedroom in the home. It also appeared to be the onlypart of the house that had been updated in years.
“I think thetowels are clean,” Phineas said. “If not, I’ll have some brought down from thehouse.”
“I’m just goingto sleep, so don’t go to any trouble.”
“Right. I’ll bedown the hall if you need me.”
I nodded andPhin left me, but the second he was gone, I went about looking for an escape.The window appeared to be sealed shut, so that was a no-go, as was the window inthe bathroom. “Well, there are an alarming amount of fire hazards in this tinyspace. OSHA would have a field day,” I grumbled as I moved as quietly as Icould to the next room.
With the windowin that room way too small for my ample rear end to fit through, I eased thedoor open, and tiptoed down the hallway, toward the front door.
I was ten stepsfrom freedom, maybe twelve, when I heard Phin say, “Where ya goin’, love?”
I squeaked,spinning to find him right behind me. “Where did you come from?”
“I’ve beenfollowing you the entire time.”
“There’s noway.”
He smirked,crossing his arms. “It’s a little late for a stroll in the woods, isn’t it?” Henodded to my bare feet. “Without shoes and a coat?”
“I was going togo back to the castle and find my way home.”
“If youcouldfind your way back to the castle, through a maze of forest, thistle, and brush,I don’t like your chances with the bears.”
“Bears?” Irasped.
“Aye, love.Wild, Highland bears. They have gotten used to us, and tend to leave us alone,but a small,humanwoman all by herself out there?” He leaned closer tome, gnashing his teeth together. “They wouldn’t hesitate to devour you.”
I shivered. “Youdidn’t tell me there were bears.”
“You didn’task.”
I pressed mylips in a thin line before whispering, “I want to go home.”
“It’s not safefor you to go home, Lennox.”
I squeezed myeyes shut and rubbed my temples, my head suddenly pounding. “I don’t know whatto do, Phin. I just can’t—”
He wrapped hisarms around me and pulled me against his chest and my headache disappeared asmy heart rate eased. I immediately felt safe and also stupid for feeling scaredin the first place.
“You’re notstupid,” Phin whispered. “And youaresafe.”
“Stop reading mymind.”
He chuckled.“Sorry.”
