I had to jog to keep up with Lochlan’s long strides. He didn’t slow down or even glance to check if I was following, but he had to know I was there. We passed the hammock I’d strung up for myself and kept going until we were nearly at the forest path.
“Slow down,” I panted.
Lochlan stopped so abruptly that I nearly ran into him. For a moment, neither of us spoke. He kept his back to me, shoulders hunched and fists clenched.
“You didn’t need to try and take my place,” I finally told him. “I can take care of myself.”
He whirled around, looking uncharacteristically angry. “You taking care of yourself is getting you sold into slavery tomorrow morning.”
I shrugged. “You three will be coming to extract me. It’s not like I’m really going to be sold.”
He grabbed my arms. “What if the slavers strip you when they take you in? They might be looking for weapons. What then?”
I twisted so he was forced to release me. “Then I’ll figure it out. I’ve been in tight situations before and I’ve always survived.”
“And you expect me to just turn away and leave you to men who will—” Lochlan drew in a long, deep breath. “Do you truly think I’m so dishonorable that I would leave a young woman in danger?”
There went my traitorous heart again, thumping against my chest and forcing heat up to burn my ears and cheeks.
“I told you not to call me that. Just…just treat me like you treated me when you first met me. Nothing has changed.” Even as the words left my mouth, they felt all wrong. As silly and girlish as it seemed, it felt flattering to have a man offering to go to such lengths for me.
“You say that, but it’s not true. Thingshavechanged. Ican’ttreat you the same way I would treat a boy. I have too much respect for you for that. Outlaw or not, I do still have a code of ethics,” Lochlan assured me. “As should you. It isn’t too late to get out of this. I’m willing to go in your place.”
“No. Iwantto go.”
“Why?” Lochlan said, running his hands through his hair. “Why would you put yourself in that sort of danger?”
“My family was sold fifteen years ago,” I shot back. “And I have it on good authority that those slavers sold my mother. I want her back, and chances are, there are records in that building.” My words hung between us, heavier than they had any right to be. I immediately wished I could snatch them back andshove them into the same locked box where I kept every other thought that made me feel like this.
Lochlan stopped walking. The darkening sky threw shadows across his face and made him look older and more dangerous. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
I stiffened and tightened my jaw. “I’m not in the habit of trusting anyone.”
Lochlan mulled that over. “Do you trust me now?”
“I didn’t say that.” His face fell a little, and I added, “But I hope I can get there.”
“Would you like my help with finding your family?” Lochlan held my gaze. “I’ve been around Roderick for a long time. I know where he keeps things.”
His offer was so tempting. “Why would you help me?”
“Because if I had family members that actually loved me, I’d want to find them too.” Lochlan started walking again, staring straight ahead. “I’m sure yours miss you and have been worried.”
I fell into step beside him, touched by his sincerity. All my life, I’d become accustomed to people using and betraying me, but Lochlan was different. I could only imagine what it would be like to have a father like Roderick who forced his child to follow in his footsteps.
“Yes, I want your help,” I told him. “But I also need to do what I can. I want to be the one inside that building tomorrow. If it gives me any clues that would help me find my family, I need to know.”
“Jillian,” he began in a placating tone.
I nearly scolded him for using my actual name but then changed my mind the moment I opened my mouth. I liked how it sounded coming from Lochlan’s mouth. I wished I could shut out the world and have time to examine the confused feelings battling against each other in my chest. I wanted to touchLochlan and run away all at the same time, and every thought that came through my mind was torn in two.
“I really don’t feel comfortable with this plan,” he said. “Is there any way I can get you to reconsider?”
I shook my head. “No, but I would gladly accept being extracted. I don’t like cages.”
“You can count on me, then. I’ll get you out.”
We continued in silence for some time, until we reached the edge of Knorrwood Forest and I caught a glimpse of the lights speckled throughout the city of Banebridge. With how the ground gently sloped down, we had a good vantage point. I could even see the lighthouse near the shoreline.
