Page 79 (1/2)
But when he reached his vantage point, he was once again stymied Everyone else he knew seemed to be in attendance, but Olivia was nowhere to be found There was Sebastian, still char-do Edas at his elbow, trying to appear older than he really was Olivia’s friend (whose nalass of leentle at her And there was Olivia’s twin brother, leaning against the back wall, his expression bored
Even Vladireat purpose, not bothering to excuse himself as he shoved aside various lords and ladies He did look rather serious, Harry thought, and he ondering if he ought to investigate when he realized the giant Russian was heading for him
"You colish?"
"Nyeh tak khorosho, kak tiy govorish po-russki"
Not as well as you speak Russian
"What is going on?" Harry asked In English, just to be careful
Vladimir’s eyes met his with steely purpose "I know Winthrop," he said
It was alh to convince Harry to trust him
And then Vladimir said, "Lady Olivia has disappeared"
Suddenly it didn’t matter if he trusted hiot there
Or why her hands were tied behind her back, and her feet were bound together, and a gag had been wrapped around herfrantically to adjust to the di on her side, on a bed, staring at a wall Maybe whoever had done this to her had figured that if she couldn’t move or make a noise, it wouldn’t matter what she saw
But who? Why? What had happened to her?
She tried to think, tried to calan had been there, and then she’d left, and Olivia had been alone for how long? At least a few minutes Maybe as o back to the party, but the door had opened and then…
What happened? What happened?
Think, Olivia, think
Why couldn’t she ree had been wiped across her memory
She started to breathe more heavily Quick and deep Panicked She couldn’t think straight
She started to struggle, even though she kneas fruitless She ed to flip over, away from the wall She couldn’t seem to calm down, to focus, to-
"You’re awake"
She froze In an instant she went still, her only movenize the voice And when its owner canize the man, either
Who are you?