“That’s Zoe,” Jonus says. “Ellie’s daughter.”
“Hi, Zoe,” I manage. “My name is Sloane. Don’t worry, I’m okay. Jonus is holding me because my feet hurt and it’s still hard for me to walk. But I’ll be better soon and walking again.”
She nods and smiles at me but doesn’t speak, and I don’t blame her. A stranger appearing at nearly eight o’clock at night, carried by her orc uncle, looking like I’ve been through a war — I’d be shy too.
Aldar brushes past us, already inside, tablet in hand. “I’ve updated Lucy that we’ve arrived safely.”
Garlen and Ellie step aside to let Jonus carry me through the door. Ellie reaches out with one hand to squeeze my arm gently as I pass.
The house is warm and inviting. It looks very luxurious and yet lived-in and comfortable, with toys visible in corners and a corgi bed near the fireplace.
It smells like a home.
No one asks me questions or demands explanations or details about what happened. They just... accept me.
“Thank you.” My voice comes out thick. “All of you. I don’t know how to?—”
Ellie cuts me off with another gentle hand squeeze. “You don’t have to know anything right now. You just have to rest.”
My eyes sting. I blink hard.
“I’m going to take Sloane to her room,” Jonus announces. “She looks tired and still needs to rest.”
No one questions him and soon he’s marching me away and we’re away from the main rooms of the house and down a back hallway.
“That is my bedroom,” he motions with his head toward a door we pass by. “And this one,” he stops, “is your bedroom, next door to mine.”
He nudges the door and it opens. The guest room is simple, with queen-sized bed, a soft blue comforter, dark wood nightstands with lamps, and a window that probably looks out on the mountains in daylight. Clean and comfortable and more welcoming than anywhere I’ve been in twelve days.
He sets carefully me down on the edge of the mattress.
“My room is right there.” Jonus points to the door directly across the hall. “Don’t forget that orc hearing is better than a human’s so if you need anything, just call. I’ll hear you.”
“I will.”
He lingers in the doorway. Neither of us quite ready for this moment to end. “Get some sleep, Sloane.”
“You too.”
He nods once, holds my gaze for a moment longer, then pulls the door closed quietly behind him.
I sit there for a minute, just breathing.
Then I change into the soft pajamas someone — Ellie, probably — left folded on the pillow. Cotton and warmth and the clean smell of laundry detergent. I climb under the covers. Real sheets. Real mattress. Despite the nap I took in the car I’m still so very tired.
For the first time in twelve days, I sleep in a real bed.
Chapter Eight
Jonus
Something wakes me.
I lie still in the darkness, listening. The house is quiet. All I can hear is the faint whisper of wind through the pines outside and the distant sound of Aldar’s snores.
But something pulled me from sleep. Then I hear a sound from the room next door. A whimper, then a cry.
She screams.
