Page 397 of Reign

The path curves ahead of us.

Once we get behind those hedges, the house won’t be able to see me. I can’t go back there.

I know that.

My brothers taught me at least that. Never let someone take you to a second location.

After Vasilisa was attacked, they taught me self-defense and how to use a gun too. Yet here I am with no weapon, and every lesson except second location has vanished from my head.

If I scream, he can shoot me. If I run, he can shoot me. If I drop to the ground, he can shoot me. If I grab his arm, maybe I can knock the gun away.

Or maybe we struggle and it goes off.

Every plan ends the same.

My sandals scrape against the stone. The gardener pushes me forward.

My arm hurts.

Luciano will be home soon.

I have no idea how to make sure I’m still here when he does.

The hand on my arm disappears.

So does the gun.

I stumble forward from the force of it.

For one stupid second, I think he let me go.

Then I hear a grunt behind me.

I turn.

Luciano.

I don’t understand how he got there.

The gardener is against his chest, Luciano’s arm locked around him from behind.

The gun is on the floor.

There’s something in Luciano’s other hand.

Silver.

Then red.

So much red.

The knife opens the gardener’s throat in one violent sweep.

Blood sprays across the front of my dress.

Warm droplets hit my cheek.

My mouth.