Don’t worry on my behalf.
I have a plan.
If it works, then I’ll see you again.
If it doesn’t, then I’ll forever be your Nila.
I didn’t sign it. I just folded it in half and left it unaddressed on the table.
I spun to face my kidnapper for the second time in my short life. At least this time, I wasn’t petrified of the unknown. I knew exactly what I’d agreed to and how hard it would be.
Jethro clenched his jaw. “What plan, Ms. Weaver?”
I suffered a mental image of him thawing and falling in love with me all over again—no hidden lies, no secrets. I imagined him holding a black-haired baby girl with a combination of his perfect white skin and my tanned heritage. A Hawk-Weaver. A new legacy that would erase the sins of her forbearers.
Am I strong enough to make that happen?
“No plan. Just a hope.”
“Well, whatever hope you have, you might as well leave it here. It’s useless baggage that will only upset you.” Silently, he stole my wrist again and carted me from my room.
I’d thought he’d sneaked in using my window—after all, it was a fairly easy climb up the façade of the manor—but he’d been bolder. He’d used the front door.
The two servants we employed had their rooms downstairs. It was sad to think even now, in this day and age, our help was still housed in the basement. Had we learned nothing from our past transgressions?
They have an apartment down there. Private suites, a bathroom...it’s not as if it’s a dank cellar.
That was the truth, but it still couldn’t hide that they lived below us. Below our high and mighty rank as Weavers.
Perhaps this was my karma.
For allmywrongdoings and not my ancestors.
Without a sound, Jethro opened the front door and guided me out. I looked one last time at my childhood home before the door clicked shut, casting me out.
Jethro didn’t give me time to mourn. Dragging me down the front steps, he nodded at Kes. The front courtyard housed three bikes and two darkly dressed men.
Kestrel touched his temple in greeting, his light coloured eyes looking like moonbeams in the darkness. “Nila. Pleasure to see you again.”
I smiled once, still dreadfully unsure if Kes was on my side, his brother’s, or his father’s.
Jethro tugged me close. Grabbing my hips, he tossed me onto the back of his bike. A small puff of air exploded out of my mouth at his rough handling. My skin tingled where he’d touched me, but he seemed unaffected.
I’ll break you again, Jethro Hawk. I did it once. I can do it a second time.
And then I’ll save both of us.
I swallowed hard as the reality of my pregnancy scheme slapped me with doubt. It would take nine long months to hatch. I doubted I had nine months tolive—let alone breed in the hope it would keep us alive.
I need a back-up plan.
“We’re done here,” Jethro muttered, throwing a glance at Flaw before taking his helmet from the handlebars and jamming it on his head.
Flaw said, “If we’re done. Let’s go.” His gloved fingers wrapped around his throttle.
I was back with the men who’d claimed me.
Back with my enemies.
