She nodded to the other woman, who turned and walked from the room.
“The police?”I swallowed, wishing I could wash away my dry throat as well as the stale taste in my mouth.“Why do the police want to see me?”
It was only when I went to lift my hand and wipe at my eyes that I realized my left wrist was cuffed to the side of the bed.Blinking at the metal bracelet, my mind reeled.
“W-why am I handcuffed?”
“I said,rest.”She emphasized the final word and encouraged my hand to lie on the sheets.Fortunately, the length of the metal chain between the cuffs meant the deed was easily achieved.“No more questions for now.You might be used to having power, but in this place, Adam,my wordis law.”
Chapter Two
Caroline Craness
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HAD THERE EVER BEENany feeling worse than the hopeless frustration burgeoning in my chest?Though, even as the question flitted through my head, I knew the answer.It was as obvious as my exaggerated heart rate and nervous anxiety.
Of course there had been worse.
All the months I’d spent languishing in Fortorus, struggling to get by on the rotten rations and fearing the brunt of every sentry and commander who passed me by had conditioned more fear into me than any of the minutes that had passed since Adam Harper had been rushed to hospital.Yet staring out of the window into the black of night, I couldn’t recall any terror as tightly wound as the uneasy serpent curling inside me at that moment.
“Please.”I glanced back at the officer left in charge of me in Kaspar’s absence.“Is there any update on Adam?”
Michel’s jaw tightened.“Nothing since the last time you asked me.”Five minutes ago.
He never said the final three words, but they were there, flashing in his eyes.
“But I can’t just sit here.”I rose from my chair and paced toward the wall.“It’s been hours.There must be some news!”
Not for the first time, I glanced toward the door, considering whether I should just walk out and find the hospital myself.I wasn’t in custody, after all.They couldn’t hold me there.
“Sit down, Miss Craness.”Michel blew out an irritated breath.“And please, do not think about leaving.You are a guest in our country, but those privileges come with certain responsibilities.”
My throat dried at his thinly veiled threat.I’d just about had enough of men throwing them my way.“What does that mean?”
“It means, as a refugee, you must stay where we tell you.”He leaned back against his chair.“We are trying to look after you.”
