Page 54 of Perilous Healing

Yarrow chuckles. “Fine, big boy. Nice and protective, aren’t we?”

We hit the top of the stairs and sunlight momentarily hurts my eyes since they’re adjusted to the dim light of the basement. But a few seconds and some rapid blinking later, and I see that we’re standing in a large, gleaming fully stocked kitchen. Terra cotta tile covers the floor, and the countertops are made of thick pale granite with flecks of gold and copper veins.

There is a woman standing at the stove wearing a long dress, a black apron over the front of it. She pays us no mind as we move through her space and out into an open dining room. River gestures toward two chairs on the right side of the table. “Please, have a seat.”

Silas pulls out my chair, and I sit, then he takes a seat beside me as Yarrow sits across from us and River takes the seat at the head of the table—at my right side.

Before I even have the chance to ask where we are, two women dressed in black and white dresses similar to those you’d see maids wearing in old movies come in with two plates. They set one in front of me and one in front of Silas, then rush away to retrieve the others.

“Where—”

“Not yet,” River interrupts. “Patience, Bianca.” His choosing to call me Bianca is a game, of that I’m sure, but it does still give me an illusion of control, something I’m quite grateful for at this particular moment.

The women return and place a plate in front of River and one in front of Yarrow, while the woman who’d been in front of the stove comes in with four mugs of coffee. She sets one in front of each of us, then the waitress pours steaming hot liquid into them before all of the women vacate the room.

“Good. Now we may talk.”

I bow my head.Lord, thank you for this food and for keeping us alive. Please continue to watch over us and guide us so that we may safely return home. Amen.When I raise my head, everyone is looking at me.

“I didn’t take you for a praying woman,” River says. “If that is what you were just doing.”

“You don’t know me at all.” I pluck a berry from the plate and slip it into my mouth. The flavor is beyond appreciated, given the hunger burning a hole in my stomach.

“Well then, I do hope to change that.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” I reply. “Because I don’t plan to be here long enough for that to happen.”

River chuckles. “Dear, you will be here as long as I deem necessary.” His gaze turns serious. “Now. Onto business. You’re here because I need the services of both of you.”

“Services?” My thoughts drift back to the last time this organization needed my ‘services.’ I’d let their leader die—something I’m fairly certain I would do again.

“You’re a spectacular doctor, niece, and I find myself in need of someone to help innocent people who are struggling with health complications and injuries.”

“Innocent people?” I snort. “I very much doubt they’re innocent if they’re associated with you.”

River grins. “You don’t know me either, Bianca, so do us both a favor and don’t pretend you do.”

“And what about me?” Silas questions. “What services do you think I can offer you? I’m not a doctor.”

“No, but you work private security,” River replies. “And it just so happens that Bianca here is going to need a bodyguard.”

“I thought these people were innocent?”

“Some of them are,” he replies. “Others are less appreciative of what I offer them here and would just as soon take you out to get to me.”

“So you want me to play the part of bodyguard? You have men for that, why choose me?”

“Two reasons. One, because you want her alive and safe,” River replies. “My men are more volatile, and I need Bianca to survive long enough to do her job.”

“And two?” Silas asks.

“Your presence is motivation to Bianca. She either cooperates, or you pay the price.”

Dread nearly drowns me where I stand. “Then what? You’re just going to let us go?”

“I am,” River replies. “As soon as I’m finished here, I’ll return you both to that tiny coastal town you seem to love so much.”

“And our people there? Are you still lurking outside waiting to burn the place to the ground?”

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