His weathered face was tired as he turned to us. “Etarla, Stefano,” he greeted in that raspy voice. “It’s good to see you here in one piece,” he said, addressing me.
I forced a small smile in response, unable to stomach anything more.
“Are you sure you want to do this today? If you need to recover, you should take time.”
He wouldn’t make an offer like that if he’d been the one to leave that note. Out of my periphery, I searched for someone hiding in the shadows. For us to get away, they would have to hurt him. I’d have tolet it happen.And if there wasn’t someone there to aid my flight, I’d have to incapacitate Jac all on my own, or figure out some way to separate myself from him.
Skies.
“I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine,” I said.
He nodded once and began tightening the straps of my saddle. “Well come on then. Let’s get started. Stefano, we’ll see you at the regular time.”
Stefano shook his head at the dismissal. “I’m not to leave her. Harthon’s orders.”
Dammit.“Jac can keep me plenty safe,” I tried reasoning, but Stefano stubbornly crossed his arms.
“If seven men show up again, at least two of us are needed to fend them off.”
Jac finished with the saddle and approached us, looking completely unbothered by Stefano’s resistance.
“It’s the middle of the day. No one’s going to sneak in and try to take me now.”
Stefano’s lips compressed into a hard line. “Because no one would expect that, it’s actually the perfect time for someone to sneak in and try to take you.”
“Stefano has a point,” Jac affirmed, stopping just before us. “It would be safer for you if he stays here.”
Stefano turned to me, an eyebrow raised as if to say, “See?”
And then Jac moved quicker than I’d ever seen, winding his arm around Stefano’s throat and yanking. Taken completely by surprise, Stefano was late to move, scrapping at Jac’s face with arms that were quickly weakening. Eyes full of worry and alarm met mine, and it physically hurt to stay still and not help him as he lost the battle and slipped into unconsciousness. Jac released him, and while Stefano’s chest moved, his eyes didn’t open.
He would never forgive me for that.
Jac gently lowered him to the floor and dragged him into an empty stable, grabbing a rope that lay near the entrance.
“Why?” I asked quietly, partly relieved I wouldn’t need to forge my own escape, and partly shocked by Jac’s treachery.
He came out of the stall with a look of grim determination. “Koerlyn’s men have my family. They’ll kill them. I can’t allow that to happen.” He grabbed my arm and steered me to my horse.
“I thought everyone’s family lived in the Citadel.”
I mounted as Jac shook his head. “Usually. But my sister is my only surviving family, and she refused to leave her village. She has three children. When I visited last, I was greeted by Koerlyn’s men, disguised as locals.”
And I knew full well that Koerlyn would carry through on his threat if Jac didn’t cooperate. “Why didn’t you go to Harthon?”
Jac scoffed as he lifted himself into the saddle. “Why didn’t you go to Harthon when you received the note?” he asked quietly. I looked away from him, suddenly interested in my reins. “It’s too great of a risk to take. Her oldest child is only five. I must do what needs to be done.”
How could I blame him, when I was nearly doing the same thing? Succumbing to Koerlyn’s threats in secret, and betraying Harthon as a result.
“Did you let those men infiltrate the citylast night?”
He didn’t answer, adjusting his reins instead. That was answer enough.
“Are you going to come back and kill Stefano?”
“No.”
Stefano would awaken and tell Harthon what had happened. Jac had to know this.
