Eve held her wrist up proudly to show me her bracelet. It was easy to see she had nothing but that these bright red pieces of gathered threads made herhappy.
“Do you like it here in Stonewald?” Iinquired.
Eve looked torn, unsure of what to say. Poorgirl.
“Eve, you do not have to answer in a way that Lochlaan or anyone else would expect. You can answer with what you feel in your heart andsoul.”
I had eaten part of my bread roll by the time shereplied.
“I miss…home,” shewhispered.
“Wester Lea,” Irecalled.
She looked as though she wanted to elaborate on the home that she missed, but perhaps felt she could not. I wondered how long she had been here and away from her home and what she had waiting for herthere.
“How long have you been in Stonewald?” Iasked.
“Too long. It has been several years.” Eve looked down at her wrist for a moment and then back up at me. “I have been here for too manyChristmases.”
She worded it in a way that led me to believe she had a family back home waiting forher.
“Do you have someone waiting for you in WesterLea?”
“Yes,” she said with a faintsmile.
I left it at that, and if she chose to tell me more, then I wouldlisten.
“In many ways, I am like you,” she started to say and then glanced at thesteps.
“How so, Eve?” I played along andasked.
“I am a prisoner, too. I am not permitted to leave the castle. Master requires me to work during the day and be ready for him at night,” Eve whispered. She was not able to hide hershame.
“Eve, how do you manage to come to seeme?”
“While I am sweeping this area, I sneakup.”
“Is there no one guarding thistower?”
“No.”
“Are you certain?” I asked her to be sure. I still found it hard to believe the Carpe Noctem would not be carefully guardingme.
“I am certain. If there were guards, I would not risk it. Master would hurt me,” shemurmured.
My mind raced back to last night when I saw the backs of her legs and to waking up to the sounds of a womanscreaming.
“Has he hurt youbefore?”
She nodded and looked down. I reached out and took hold of her frailhand.
“I want to help you, Eve, but I need for you to helpme.”
Eve nodded frantically. The poor girl just wanted out ofhere.
“Do you know what your name means, sweetheart?” I asked. She quickly shook her head. “Eve, means life,” I told her. I had hoped that the little truth behind her name would give her a dose of confidence. Her smile appeared and touched her eyes. “You will help give me my life back, and in return, I will help give you yours back. How does thatsound?”
“Yes,” she replied as the tears fell. “Please, I want to go back to WesterLea.”
