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Sophie nodded, sadness creeping through her at the thought that this woman, whom she’d known for noto protect her "I understand that But I wronged hie"

And then she opened the door to reveal Eversley

Except the man outside wasn’t Eversley

The men outside weren’t Eversley

Relief was quickly replaced by trepidation While the trio were not her pursuer, these men were decidedly less well dressed than thethan he She blinked "Who are you?"

"I’ll be askin’ the questions, boy," the one farthest away announced "It’s nice you’re willing to be all hero-like, but just step aside and give us ant"

Understanding dawned "You’re highwaymen"

"Not exactly," he said

"You stopped aus and, I can only iasps and shrieks that cahway block "What have you done with the driver?"

"He ran like the coward drivers always are"

Oh, dear That was not ideal

"Don’t let them kill us!" came a little cry from inside the coach

The leader stepped forward "I didn’t have plans to kill you But now you’re irritatin’ aze, his eyes cruel and ice blue "I ain’t lettin’ some nob’s errand boy stand between me and what I want Get out of the way before I decide to kill you to get to it"

Sophie did not knohere her bravery came from "What is it you want?"

"He wants me" The answer came from inside the coach, from Mary She looked past Sophie to the man outside, her voice even as she said, "Don’t hurt anyone, Bear" But Sophie saw the fear in the woman’s eyes

"I don’t want you," the ust in his voice "I want the boy"

John

Sophie’s gaze flickered past the woman to where the child had been The seat next to hers was now empty--the boy nowhere to be found Mary descended froe "He’s not here"

"Bullshit," Bear spat, and Sophie inhaled deeply at the foul language "You took hi hi you, he’s not with ot close "But the little one is"

Sophie heard the threat in the words, the cool iet what he wanted, he was not above hurting Bess She descended the carriage, coest you step back"

He turned to Sophie, eyes wide "Or what?"