Kill them. Kill them all.
What the hell was she supposed to say to that? Lisa might just be capable of doing what she wanted to do if Jane believed Caleb. But it brought up a host of questions. Would Lisa’s fledging talent be enough to take down the people she was facing? Caleb had kept it smothered and she was only now aware of its power. If she tried and didn’t succeed, it could get her killed. And Caleb had said that the people who held her mustn’t be made aware of her capabilities. Added to the fact that there were all the psychological and moral ramifications. But there were all sorts of complications in communicating with Lisa.
And are you going to tell me to whom you made that promise?
Why? You have to know already. I feel him whenever I reach out to you. It’s Seth Caleb.
Okay, but you haven’t been very forthcoming about anyone or anything concerned in all this.
I didn’t have time. I didn’t trust you to protect him. But I may have to trust you. Things are … changing.
I can see that by the bruises, she said drily. How badly are you being hurt, Lisa?
Silence, then: Not bad. I’m fine. I just need to get out of here.
I’m not sure I believe you.
Believe what you like. I’m fine. And I might be able to stop them without you.
I don’t think that’s wise. I believe you have to do what Caleb wanted you to do. We’ll work out something else.
What? The question was passionate. It’s all about him. They want me to call Seth and tell him to come here. And not to warn him that anything is wrong. I’ll never do that. I’ll never let anything bad happen to him. Not ever. No matter what they do to me.
Love and passionate dedication and the willingness to sacrifice. It was all there in those few sentences. Jane was unbearably touched and she could feel her throat tighten.
As I said, we’ll find a way to get around it. Just don’t do anything that could get you killed until we figure it out. You may not have any respect for me, but I’m going to make sure that I get you out of this.
Silence, then: I suppose I might have respect for you. Seth must think you’re okay, to have such a strong link with you. You were the only one I could reach when I was trying to get help.
And avoid reaching out to him.
He mustn’t come here. You promised me it would be only you.
I’ll keep my word, unless you give me permission to break it. She added, But you know Caleb will be looking for you. He cares about you as much as you care about him. Don’t you think that it would be safer not to let him go at it blind?
Not if you get me away from here right away. She was silent; then she suddenly burst out: He knows, doesn’t he? That’s why I’m not having any trouble keeping you with me. That’s why you’re trying to persuade me to let Seth help me.
Jane felt an instant of pure panic. So much for Caleb’s assertion that Lisa wouldn’t guess that he was involved. Now she didn’t know which way Lisa would jump.
Look, I kept my promise. I just had to know more than you were telling me. I didn’t even know he was your brother until I pinpointed the resemblance. And Caleb already knew something was wrong. You must have known he would when you cut off your link to him. He’s been searching for you.
Only you!
I told you I’d keep my promise. I won’t let him come near you. But he’s not going to stop until he knows what’s happening.
Listen to you. You’re asking me to trust you. I don’t like having to trust anyone.
I know that, but you don’t have many options. Neither do I. I can’t let you be alone in this.
There was no answer, and Jane was holding her breath.
I don’t want to be alone. Then Lisa went on quickly: Not that I’m afraid, but I might need someone else to take care of Seth if something happens.
Then I’ll volunteer for that, too. Just don’t think you have to face this by yourself. Okay?
Okay. The word was definitely grudging.
Then I need to ask a few more questions and then we have to work out a strategy. Agreed? She didn’t wait for an answer. Where were you when you were taken?
At the Romano estate. I went to bed one night, and when I woke up, I was on a helicopter and had a bad headache. And my hands were tied behind my back.
Drugs?
I don’t know about that. Maybe.
Were your guardians taken with you?
No, I was alone at the estate except for a couple servants. Teresa and Gino went to Rome two days before that. The only one on the helicopter was the pilot and a man who said his name was Leon Santara. He said that I wouldn’t be hurt as long as I did what he said. Then a couple hours later he blindfolded me and later we landed here. That’s how it started.
And how did it go on?
They treated me okay for the first few days. Gave me a bedroom, fed me. But Santara kept bringing me into this tower room upstairs and threatening me, telling me what I had to do.
And what was that?
Seth. I told you: He kept saying I had to call Seth Caleb and tell him I needed him to come here. It was all about Seth. They didn’t want me; they wanted Seth. He kept saying that they didn’t want to hurt him. That they only needed him to do something for them. But they think I’m just a stupid girl and will believe any lies they tell me. Why should I let him get hold of Seth? she added fiercely, And that’s why it has to be only you. I won’t give him Seth.
Shh. Jane could sense the anger and force that was electrifying the girl. You don’t have to keep repeating that. But I think you know that Caleb can take care of himself.
No one will use me to hurt him. I won’t let that happen. Even if I break my promise to him.
What promise?
Ask him. He’s the one who made me give it. But he’s wrong, he’s wrong.
Then I’m sure that the best thing would be to let—
Santara! Panic. He’s coming! I have to go. I hear him in the hall.
At this time of night? Are you sure?
Of course I’m sure. He hasn’t let me sleep much the last few days. He’s opening the door. He’s coming into the room and he—
Lisa was gone.
Jane drew a deep breath and slowly closed the sketchbook. A disturbing and revealing episode and she still didn’t know enough to have a clue about finding Lisa. She would have to wait and see if she could learn more the next time.
She glanced at the clock. It was 4:35 in the morning.
He hasn’t let me sleep much …
Bruises. Sleep deprivation. What else was in store for Lisa?
And it was clear she wasn’t going to be able to give them what they wanted. Not a promising picture.
Promise.
Ask him. He’s the one who made me give it.
And she would, but she wasn’t going to jump up and run down to Caleb’s tent again tonight. It was close enough to morning to lie here and try to get her thoughts together before she exposed herself to the disturbing force that was Caleb.
She reached out and turned off her lantern. She lay staring into the darkness while her mind skidded at top speed from thought to thought. Lisa. Caleb. What they were together and apart. How she was involved with both of them and was somehow caught in the middle.
But it was that last fact that was the only important thing. Caught in the middle and she had to ignore everything else and concentrate on extricating herself and Lisa from the center of this mess.
Okay, she thought. Go over everything and see what you can come up with before you talk to Caleb.
*
But she was too on edge to wait any longer than six before she left her tent and walked down to the campfire.