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"Yes, I’an counting down from ten silently By the time I hit three,colour and i back the small wash of sickness, I smiled at the maid andinto the corridor

The attack had been the first one today

I didn’t want to admit it, but the last two days of peace locked in ood I would never tell the truth to Jethro, but my episodes seemed to have relaxed their lunatic need to torture th or just the vacation fro…my body had found a sustainable equilibriu around, I frowned

No one

The corridor was e polished weapons and immaculate tapestries for company

Where is everyone?

Mr Hawk did say I could roam free Should I see if that was true?

Hesitantly, as if I expected someone to jump out from behind a suit of armour and attack ed iventhat I’d had ent serenity I lacked that drive to run, because I knew there would be no point As ation of trying to get free by knowing it was iet it balanced in my head But there it was

Another truth I’d been made to face--another facet of o outside, despite the pleasant sunlight, I turned right down another corridor Following the ribbons of pathways, I moved toward the bowels of the house

After a few minutes, the rumble of voices caht doing so I wasn’t supposed to, but I couldn’t stopcloser, I peeked inside

There were two uns into a satchel I leaned forward for a better vantage Guns?

The floorboards creaked beneaththeir heads up

My heart sank Kestrel and Flaw

"Nila," Kes said, dropping the bag on a wingback chair Striding quickly to the door, he dragged me into the room

The décor was best described as old-world colass cases full of antiquities and soaring shelves of leather-bound literature The huge s perhtly faded geoled beneath his touch

I backpedalled, tugging on his hold "Let rinned His broad jaw, dimple in one cheek, and muscular frame was so different to Jethro Jethro was sleek, refined--a true diaers squeezed ain" He poked his head back into the corridor "And wait…no brother to fight for your affections?"

I couldn’t untwist ue to reply; s deception Kite Is he Kite?

When I didn’t reply, Kes let , he asked, "Exploring the place?"

My heart raced at the way he watched er, interested, and…inquisitively kind The crude text led in , but he see in person

Of course, he understands He’s been talking to you for a es you sent

I shuddered in disgust and embarrassment

It’d been fun e’d had the power of anonyht et you to admit what I know? Correct that--what I think I know

How could I be so sure that the tall, strong Hawk before ue?" Kes cocked his head

"I think she’s bowled over by your welco charm," Flaw chuckled

My attention diverted to hiraphs and standing by as I fell prey to a heartless hellion

I wanted to tell the so nice to me all of a sudden, but the only word I could catch hold of was Kite

Kite

Kes

Kite

Get it together Until you know for sure, don’t let on

Straightening ue, and I wouldn’t kid yourself that I’m speechless thanks to a welcome frorinning

Kes’s golden eyes, so like Jethro, Daniel, and Mr Hawk, searched mine "She has more than that Her entire body is made up of steel"

My knees locked into place I wanted to screa to me

What did thatwith soers? That he was uise

I couldn’t letan uppity heiress, I said, "You’re just like the rest of them"

Kes blinked "Pardon?"

"Don’t ‘pardon’ es, you idiot

Flaw stepped forward, looking at both of us Standing just outside ot off on the wrong foot I’o by birth na my cheeks "You think I wish to shake your hand? The sas, and wrote a note to er "Technically, that wasn’t for your father but for the paparazzi who followed you around But I will take responsibility for breaking into your roo"