I took the water gratefully because my throat felt dry and scratchy.Itook the protein bar too, thoughIhad no appetite.
"Thank you."Ihesitated, then decidedIhad nothing to lose."Jimmy, please…you have to help me."
His expression tightened immediately.
"LadyJamison?—"
"Please."Istepped closer."Justunlock the door and let me go.Iwon't tell anyone it was you.I'llleave town immediately—you won’t get in trouble."
His face fell andIcould see genuine sympathy in his eyes.
"I’m real sorry, ladyJamison, butIcan't."
"Jimmy—"
"Ican't,"he repeated, shaking his head."Harrisordered that you be kept locked up."
The words made me feel sick.SoHarriswas running thePacknow and otherAlphaswere listening to him, even though theAlphaChallengehadn’t even been held yet.Ifhe was in charge,Ireally was in trouble.
Feeling desperate,Itried a different approach.
"Then tell me aboutKor.Ishe all right?"
Jimmy shifted uncomfortably and his eyes wouldn’t meet mine.
"I don't know.Honest,Idon’t."
"You must knowsomething."Itook another step toward him."Please.Ishe hurt?Ishe alive?Atleast tell me that!"Iheard the edge of hysteria in my voice and tried to tamp it down.“Please,Jimmy—Ineedto know.”
At that, he finally nodded.
"He's alive, all right.Harrismade sure of that."
The relief that washed through me was so powerful thatIalmost started crying.
"Thank theGoddess,”Iwhispered brokenly.“Atleast he’s alive.”
"He is, but that's allIknow,"Jimmysaid quickly."Iswear it.Nobodytells me anything."
"Where are they keeping him?"Ipressed, hoping for even a tiny bit more of information.
But he only shook his head.
"Don't know."
"Please,Jimmy."
"Idon't know."
I could tell he was telling the truth, and my shoulders slumped.
"Then…what's going to happen to us?"Iasked.“Doyou have any idea?”
Once again, his eyes wouldn’t meet mine.
"I don't know exactly," he admitted."ButHarriskeeps talking about tonight."
"Tonight?Whatabout it?"
