CHAPTER NINE

Trudy picks up a basket and leads me down the corridor.

We walk out the doors, into the sunlight.

The sun is bright.

I squint against the glare.

Trudy guides me, firmly, leading me to the riverbank. To my destination.

There are wooden steps leading down to the water's edge.

The water looks inviting.

It looks like freedom.

I know it is not.

The water is only a mirage.

Blinding me.

Luring me.

Trudy puts down the basket. There is a white towel and some clothe inside. She pulls them back to reveal a knife hidden underneath the towel.

I gasp. My heart beats harder.

"What is that for?" I ask.

She smiles at me. "I have my instructions."

"Instructions?" I ask.

"Yes," she says. "If you try to run, I am to kill you."

I am too shocked to speak.

She takes out a knife and holds it to my throat.

"See?" she trills. "Just like this."

She is crazy, I realize.

As crazy as Lucius.

Perhaps everyone in the mansion is.

I try not to show any fear.

Then Trudy removes the knife.

She is unaffected. She does not care.

"Is everything all right?" she asks.

I take a deep breath. I touch my neck.

"Yes," I lie. "I am fine."

She puts the knife away, as if it never happened.

"It is a wonderful day," she says.

I feel sick inside.

"Are you nervous about the wedding?"

"Yes."

"No need to be," she says. "Lucius is a wonderful man."

I think of the cell I slept in last night. He is definitely not wonderful.

"There is a waterfall," Trudy says. "Not far from here. It is the best place to bathe."

She senses my reticence.

"The alpha will not be angry," she adds. "Come."

She puts her arm around me and leads me to the waterfall. The water looks bright and fresh and full of life. I can see fish swimming underneath me.

"See," she says. "Do you like it?"

I nod.

But I do not know why she took me here.

I do not trust her.

Trudy stands there, against the rock, and gestures for me to enter.

I walk to the edge and dip in my hand.

It is warm.

I push my dress down past my waist and I dip myself into the water.

Then I submerge my body beneath the current.

It feels good.

And suddenly, my plan changes in my mind.

I decide to swim.

Far away.

I kick my legs, I pull my arms through the water.

I am swimming.

I swim in a straight line, swimming as fast as I can.

It is like flying.

I want to get away.

Get away from all this madness.

Get away from Trudy and Lucius.

I feel like I could swim the whole way down the river.

I spot Trudy, running, frantically searching for me.

I kick my legs harder.

I pull my arms through the water.

I feel the water's power. I can feel its vibrations.

"Where is she?" I hear someone calling.

Lucius.

"I don't know," Trudy says. "She started to swim. I lost sight of her!"

I hear a crack. Lucius has struck her.

That's why I see it.

The plant.

The poisonous plant.

I do not have to swim away.

I can avenge Tanner's death.

I can kill Lucius after all.

I can do this.

I grab the plant.

I swim back to the river bank.

"I'm here!" I say.

Lucius runs to me.

His face is clouded with anger.

He grabs my arm.

He pulls me out of the water.

I hold on tightly to the poison plant.

I flop, naked, onto the riverbank.

Lucius glowers down at me. "You tried to run."

"No," I say. "I was swimming. That's all. The water was so beautiful."

"You got your hair wet! It is ruined!"

I sit up.

Touch my tight braided hair.

"It will dry," I say. "Trudy did it tight enough. Don't worry."

I look at my maid, standing behind him. She clutches her cheek from where he hit her.

"Did you hit her?" I ask Lucius.

"Of course I did!" he barks. "She should have stayed with you. She is not fit to be a guard."

"It was not Trudy's fault."

"I am your master," he snaps. "You will not question me."

Lucius pulls me to my feet.

He grabs my arm and twists it behind me.

He is getting impatient. His whole body is shaking.

"Bring her the towel," he tells Trudy.

The woman scurries to the basket.

She hands me the towel.

I am dripping wet.

I wrap the towel around myself.

"Let's get inside," I say, trying to sound happy. "Put this misunderstanding behind us."

Lucius looks at me with eyes of distrust. Then he nods."Okay."

Lucius escorts me back to the mansion.

Trudy follows, her eyes downcast.

I clutch the plant in my hand as I go.

I feel stronger somehow. I feel clever.

I feel like I will win.

That I will avenge the death of my true mate. Of Tanner. And I will kill Lucius the cruel alpha.

We get inside.

Lucius calls the guards over.

"Take Trudy to the cell," he says.

I watch her get dragged away. I feel responsible. But I also know she hated me. And I hated her in return. I cannot let myself feel to much sympathy.

Lucius spots another maid, coming into the hall with a silver platter.

"You," he says. "Come here."

She looks terrified.

"Come here," Lucius snaps again.

She walks over, her eyes wide.

She is slighter than Trudy. She looks delicate. I do not trust this one either.

"What is your name?" Lucia asks.

"Marissa."

He looks at me. "Marissa will be your maid now."

She smiles nervously. I notice her large eyes, her petite nose.

She is pretty, in a pale, delicate way.

"Marissa," Lucius commands. "Take Kayla to her room and dress her for the wedding."

"I will be happy to serve you," she says with a bow.

We head upstairs.