Page 17 of The Great and Terrible

Perspiration moistened my palms. I had no argument. “What is it you plan to do to me?”

His grin reappeared and widened. “That depends. Are you a good girl or a bad girl?”

Oh, no. We weren’t playing that game. “I would rather lose my head than my dignity.”

“You’ll change your mind, my pretty.” He smirked, his eyes glittering with challenge. “Your kind always does.”

“My kind. You mean those you have the power to help but only harm?” Disgust surged to the forefront. I suspected that, to him, women were merely dolls to break and discard.More heartless than Jasher.

Now why’d I have to go and think of him again?

“Exactly.” The governor’s son drained the contents of his glass, then selected a cookie from the plate. As he bit into the treat, he watched me as though he hadn’t a care. Finally, he stood and leisurely closed the distance to crouch before me. “One day, I believe you’ll even thank me for it.”

Unnerved, I reached up without thought and clutched the water maiden’s compass. My eyes widened as her words replayed inside my head.When you’re ready to leave, open the compass.

“I’ll give you a choice.” Henry dragged his knuckles along my arm, purring, “Amuse me tonight, or deliver Patch’s lashes. To start.”

So, climb into bed with him or harm the girl with healing grains. Had Patch suspected the choice that would be presented to me and sought to garner my good will? Not that it mattered either way. I wouldn’t do it. I had expected to stay a few days, learn the lay of the land, and gather supplies, but here and now, that plan changed.

Deep breath in. Out. Then, I did it. I opened the compass,ready to hit the bricks. Staying here, even for a night, came with a price tag I refused to pay.

A puff of pink smoke curled from the compass’s insides and wafted to my companion’s nostrils. He jerked and mumbled, “The Wests hereby release you from your contract,” as his lids slid shut. He crumbled onto the floor, unconscious.

CHAPTER 5

MORIAH’S CHOICE

Ipressed my scarred palm to my mouth. Was Henry West dead? Had the smoke killed him?

Did I have another crime to answer for?

I squatted, reached out and, with a trembling hand, jammed two fingers into the hollow of his throat, searching for... A pulse! Oh, thank goodness.

When you are released from your contract, you’ll have a three-minute head start. No more, no less.

Were Henry’s words enough to free me from the verbal contract, despite the lack of witnesses? They must be, or the so-called water maiden wouldn’t have touted the merits of my head start. She hadn’t steered me wrong so far and the clock was ticking, so...

Go, go, go!I erupted to my feet and reached out to swipe the letter opener, only to close my fingers before contact. Could I really risk another theft? Even to acquire a weapon.

Frustrated and resolved, I blasted from the office. The bath babes lined the hallway. They burst into a haunting melody. As soon as they clocked my identity, they switched to a fast-paced song. Something I might hear in a movie during a high-speed chase destined to end with a lethal crash.

I hurried on, following Elaine’s directions. Left, left, right, left. Several servants noticed my mad dash through the mansion, especially in the kitchen, but as promised, no one attempted to stop me.Tick tock. I made it to the backyard and dashed through the bee garden.

In the distance, the sun framed the stable with a golden glow. I sprinted for it, certain an alarm would screech at any moment. But dang it, I didn’t want to leave without those healing grains.

I rushed inside the stable. No sign of Hogg, the stablekeeper. How much time remained on the three minute clock? Hunting for Patch, I ran down the aisle between stalls. Cliques congregated here and there. Some played dice games. Others talked. A few huddled in a corner alone to read a book. No one paid me any heed.

I found my target observing the others from the loft, where the old woman had stood earlier. Up the steps I bounded. “I want to buy the serpens-rosa,” I blurted out. Forget pleasantries. No time. “At least one grain.” I would protect it with my life. “What’s your price? Tell me! My father is dying, and I’m going to save him.”

Patch gaped at me. “You told Henry West no? He must be losing his touch.”

“Is hearing my response to him what you require for payment?” I demanded, glancing over my shoulder. No sign of Hogg.Still. My anxiety cranked up another notch.

The girl snorted. “Hardly.”

“Then I won’t waste time explaining.” Since Patch never offered a straight response, I continued with my best idea. “A water maiden is helping me reach the City of Lux. Iris.” If I had to name drop, I would. “Any silvers I find or earn along the way, I’ll hand over to you. All of them. I’ll guard your back, and I won’t betray you, even when you annoy me.”

“West has my contract,” she reminded me.

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