Page 29 (2/2)

She had never experienced a life of safety and security, never experienced a life where she wasn’t fighting and running on a daily basis But she had been told stories of the world before the vah she was certain that soht that world sounded sied for that world, as an adult she had thrown aside childish dreaht and how to hunt In favor of learning how to survive

In her world, love was not freely given, hugs were not exchanged, and the only praise she had ever received was for her far superior skills with a bow and arroever, though love was not freely given, she knew that it was there Her brothers would want to risk everything to get her back; her father would want to do the same But her father would also know that it could not be done Her father could not risk the lives of so many, for one Even if that one was her It would kill him to lose her, but he would make the sacrifice, just as he had sacrificed so much in his life

No, Arianna had no grand plans of rescue, no dreae recklessly in, yelling like a banshee, just as he charged so wildly into everything She did not have these dreams because her father, and ever sensible Daniel, would never allow William to do so In fact, they would probably have to tie him up because it would be the only way to keep him away from here

It would be the only way to keep him alive

A twinge of regret and pain filled her at the thought of her brother, her twin Her other half They had always been so close, inseparable since creation He would not get over this, just as she never would have gotten over his loss, if their roles had been reversed

She never should have allowed herself to be captured But then, she hadn’t had a choice The child…

Arianna’s gaze slid slowly to Mary Beckins Mary stood proudly, her shoulders thrust back, her chin jutting out as she stared unblinkingly across the sea of heads before her If it weren’t for the tears streaking silently down Mary’s dirt and soot sht her fearless But even with those tears she still looked proud, defiant; unbreakable

See to sense Arianna’s stare, Mary’s eyes slid slowly toward her It was Mary’s child, John, Arianna had saved It was John’s place that she had taken in this cramped hell of nearly certain death and terror Arianna had forfeited her life for young John’s, and she would do it again if she had the choice She just wouldn’t have been so reckless about it She wouldn’t have plunged carelessly in again, and she would have thought out a way to ensure that she and Mary were not ensnared also

But, like her twin, she rarely thought out her actions and often charged thoughtlessly forward, heedless of the consequences But these were by far the direst consequences she had ever faced They would also be her last Or so she hoped

Mary held her gaze for a longin her wide, brown eyes She briefly nodded her thanks, and ed a tremulous smile that Arianna returned

The vampire’s did not knoho Arianna ho her father was, and she was certain that no one that knew her would tell them The people had always respected and admired her father, but today, with her actions, they had also come to admire and respect her too They would all die before they handed her over, even if handing her over would mean a pardon on their own lives Even if it meant a chance at freedom for them