My wrists fought against the twine. I forced myself to ignore the discomfort and rapidly building fear. My unhappiness didn’t matter to Daniel. He only saw what he wanted—a girl to torture and daddy’s approval to do it.
It’s all over.
Jethro had come back from the dead. But it was too late.
Cut placed his goblet on a side table, standing upright. “Are you ready to begin, Nila? Ready to pay the Fourth Debt?”
What answer could I give? I reverted to illiteracy. I forgot how to talk because speech never saved me. Only actions would, but I couldn’t do that, either. My arms were fastened tightly.
Daniel pushed me forward. Cut caught me but I refused to look him in the eye. Instead, I looked over his shoulder—back ramrod straight, chin tilted with defiance.
Cut’s golden gaze glowed. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Chuckling, he stroked my diamond collar. He bent closer, his breath echoing in my ear. “It’s a new era, Nila. And I can’t wait to share my secrets with you when we get to where we’re going. Tonight you’ll pay the easier part of the Fourth Debt. And later…you’ll pay the rest.”
I shivered. The depths of depression I’d crawled from tried to tug me back. I had to look strong, even if I didn’t feel it.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll find out when we get there. But I’ll give you a name…Almasi Kipanga.”
My nose wrinkled. It didn’t give any hint. “What the hell is that?”
He smiled. “You’ll see.”
Bonnie stood. The rap of her cane was a third footstep as she inched toward her family and victim. Her hazel eyes met mine.
Without the black blanket covering her legs, her outfit was visible: a maroon skirt and dark brown jacket. Cynical thoughts ran riot in my head. She’s wearing colours that won’t show blood.
My heart unhinged, racing erratically.
What the hell will they do?
Bonnie smiled, showing yellowing teeth and far too much smug exhilaration. “Let’s begin, shall we?”
Daniel wrapped his fist in my hair, yanking me against him. The long strands licked around his wrist, binding us together. “I’m up for that.”
Horror consumed my reflexes, nulling me from intelligence.
Think.
There must be something—
There is something.
I could call for Jasmine. I could scream as loud as I could for Bonnie’s protégé and hope to God she could save me.
But then I’d ruin her life, too.
How many more people had to die before this was over? Kestrel was dying. Jethro was healing. Jasmine had already paid more than I knew.
Bonnie snapped her fingers. The door behind me opened and shuffling feet announced we had visitors. I held my breath as the guests made their way to stand by the fireplace.
“No…” My heart layered in tar as Vaughn marched to a stop, courtesy of the mountain of malice, Marquise. His black eyes met mine and in twin language we held an entire conversation. Possibly our last conversation forever.
I’m so sorry, Threads.
I’m so sorry, V.
I love you.
I love you, too.
“Mr. Weaver here is going to help us extract the first part of the Fourth Debt,” Bonnie said, limping closer. “You’ve paid the First, Second, and Third—well, not quite, but we’ll get to that—you’ve paid debts for our ancestor, his daughter, and son. But you’re yet to pay for his wife.”
“Whatever this is about, just leave her alone.” Vaughn struggled in his identical bindings. Hands behind his back, wrists locked together—I felt a kinship with him that I hadn’t had in the other debts.
All of those, I’d been on my own. Jethro had been beside me, but he wasn’t family.
This one was personal.
My brother would see just what I’d been dealing with.
I hated that but was grateful, too.
His presence would force me to be stronger than I might have been.
Jethro…I’m sorry I lied to you.
Cut cleared his throat. “Daniel will inform you of your history lesson, and then we shall begin. You will consent to this debt being claimed, Nila. Just like you’ll consent to the rest.”