Page 109 of Escape Velocity

“I understand your worry,” Paulette said.

“Then why did you keep me from going with the search party.”

“Because of what the men who came back said. You were the one who saved your companions from Tudor, non?”

When it was put that way, she wanted to deny it, but under Paulette’s watchful gaze she had to say, “Yes.”

“Being saved by a woman is hard for a man to deal with.”

Amber started to speak, but the woman kept talking. “He may be glad you kept the monster from killing him. But in his own eyes, he needs to do something to redeem himself.”

Amber sucked in a breath. “He has nothing to redeem.”

“He thinks he does. Let him be the one to finish things.”

She could understand the logic of that and nodded.

“And you will come with us.”

Paulette led her to the hut where she had waited before the raid on Tudor’s house.

The two other young women, Maura and Jacqueline, were waiting for them, along with Camille.

Amber looked at the head man’s wife. “Did you know what was going to happen?” she demanded.

“My dreams gave me a warning. But I could do nothing to change things.”

“You knew men from the camp would be killed?”

“Oui.”

“And you said nothing?”

“Would they have believed me?” She answered her own question with a quiet, “I think not. And if I had said something, they might have decided that I was involved.”

Amber sucked in a sharp breath. “No.”

“They were worried about a spy. Maybe it was me.”

“No,” Amber said again, but she could see how they might have used her words against her.

Camille gestured toward a pile of comfortable looking cushions. “You look worn to the bone. Sit down.”

The moment the older woman said it, Amber felt a wave of fatigue sweep over her. She swayed on her legs, and two of the others caught her and helped her down. Suddenly she felt light-headed, and she knew she had been going on grit for the past few hours. If she had gone with Max, she would have been a hindrance, not a help.

Camille came over with a cup of something that smelled pungent.

“Drink this.”

“It’s not another sleeping potion, is it?”

“No, this will help restore your strength.”

She took a cautions sip. It was strong but not unpleasant.

She leaned back, closing her eyes, allowing herself to relax for the first time since she’d thought Max and Rafe were going off by themselves to take down Tudor.

For long moments, there was silence in the room.

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