Page 36 of Abducting Sarah

Before we returned to the dump, I had to ask, “You don’t have questions for me?”

“You’re a mercenary, Jacaranda, so I presume you did this on Deacon’s behalf, yes?”

“Yes.”

“That is all I need to know. You’re taking me to be executed by your best friend for betraying him, and quite honestly, I am grateful for it.”

I frowned. “What?”

“The prison…” she shuddered. “It was worse than death. At least on Halla, I’ll be reunited with Valor. That’s all I can hope for now. Youwillburn my body there, won’t you?”

“Silence, that’s not why Deacon wants you.” I explained his plan and watched confusion overtake her.

“I…I don’t deserve any of this. You have to stop him. He will ruin his family, if he does this. My father will take everything from them, if he doesn’t execute them, which is just as likely. He can’t do this!”

“You’re worried for his familynow?” I asked incredulously, considering her betrayal.

She nodded solemnly. “I know what I am, Jacaranda. I know what I’ve done and how I betrayed Deacon. But, I love Valor Ladrang. I never want anything bad to happen to his family.”

“Youhappened to them,” I said petulantly.

Kapok nudged my shoulder. “Deacon said to treat her like his father’s widow—”

“She’sthe reason Deacon’s fatherhasa widow,” I growled at him.

He backed off to let me handle her.

She gulped and said, “No matter the past, I don’t want Deacon to ruin his family for me.”

“He has made his mind up, Silence. If I could have talked him out of it, I would have because you’re right—you don’t deserve what he’s giving to you. All I ask is that you make it worth this sacrifice.”

“Nothing is worth this sacrifice, Jacaranda.”

“I’ve been saying that for days.”

CHAPTER 11

Deacon

“It looks like a hotel made of glass,” Star/Sarah cooed in awe, as we approached the Ladrang estate.

I smiled proudly. “If you are impressed by this, wait until you see a proper Ladrille hotel. This is only a large home.”

She laughed. “A large home? It’s bigger than Ryan’s family’s mansion, and that place was obscene.”

“My family often hosts our extended family, so we need a home appropriate to the task.”

“How big is your extended family, because this is ridiculous,” she said, indicating the structure once more.

I frowned. “How is it ridiculous? We have 124 relatives who—”

“What?” Her head dropped in disbelief.

“126, if Placid has had her twins.”

“And so,” she spoke slowly, “you need rooms forallof them?”

“No, we have rooms for half.” I cast her a curious glance. “Your extended family does not visit?”

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