Page 12 of Sacrifice

“That’s a very good idea. I’m sure they’d appreciate the help,” Augustus said.

Rose averted her eyes. “I’ll go and wash my hands,” she muttered.

Five minutes later, we were walking down the main street together, heading for the library. Countless people stopped to say hello to Rose, stars in their eyes as they stared at her, and she smiled and gave polite responses to every single one of them. She didn’t say a word to me, though. Just acted like I wasn’t there.

When we reached the library, she pushed the door open and peered around, presumably checking if anyone else was inside. Alderwood didn’t have a librarian, as the book-borrowing worked on an honor system, and the front half seemed to be empty. The back half was impossible to see from the door, though, because of all the rows of high shelves.

“Let’s go to the back,” Rose said loudly enough for anyone in the library to hear. “There’s lots of very old books there. I think you’ll find them very interesting.”

We walked down the middle aisle, checking between each row of shelves for people. All of them were empty. When wefinally reached the last row and found it empty too, Rose’s stiff demeanor instantly changed.

“You… youbastard,” she spluttered, shoving me in the abdomen. I didn’t budge an inch.

“Careful,” I said, lips twitching with amusement. “You wouldn’t want to damage any of these old books.”

“How could you?” she snapped, eyes alight with fury. “This whole time, you had an outsider woman, and you didn’t tell me?”

“Ah. I rubbed my jaw. “That’s why you’re mad.”

“Does your lady friend know about me?” she spat. “Is she all right with you keeping another woman trapped in a dungeon? Is she all right with you having sex with me?”

“She doesn’t exist,” I said, unable to help myself from grinning at her jealousy. “I made her up.”

“What?” Rose drew back, eyes flashing with confusion. “Why?”

My smile faded. “Because I have a feeling I’m treading on thin ice here in Alderwood. Especially when it comes toyou. So I figured I’d tell your father that I’m spoken for,” I said. “People tend to trust men around their daughters much more if they think they’re already taken by another woman. And you saw the look on his face when I told him. He was practically giddy with joy.”

“Oh.” The anger melted out of Rose’s face, and her shoulders sagged with obvious relief. “That… that actually makes sense.”

“Yeah. You know whatdoesn’tmake sense?” I took a step closer to her. “You didn’t turn me in. Even when they drugged you and burned you, you didn’t breathe a word about me. This entire town still thinks I’m a nice guy. Why?”

She swallowed audibly and looked down. “I knew they would want revenge. I worried they would hurt you.”

“You left me. Why would you care if I was hurt?”

“You know why,” she murmured.

“I want to hear you say it.” I put a hand under her chin, forcing her to look up at me. “Why didn’t you turn me in, Rose?”

“Because—” She faltered and began again. “Because I care about you, Sebastian.”

“Is that all?”

“No.” Her voice hitched. “I… I can’t…”

I moved even closer, barely a breath away. “I love you, Rose,” I said in a low voice. “I’ve fallen in love with you, head over fucking heels, and you feel the same. I know it.”

Tears were pooling in her eyes. “Y-yes,” she whispered. “I do.”

“Say it,” I commanded.

“I… I love you. I think I loved you even when I hated you,” she said breathlessly. “I didn’t leave you because those feelings went away. I left because I felt like I had to, for the sake of my people. But it was a mistake. A huge mistake. I know that now.”

“It’s okay. I’m here now, and I’m going to get you out of here.”

She shook her head. “You can’t do that. They need me for the sacrifice, so they won’t let me go.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll come up with a way to get you out of here without anyone getting hurt,” I said. “That’s what you want, right? Freedom for yourself without any of your people being hurt?”

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