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When Tally caarden by the fountain and pool She was in a plain room somewhere, hands and feet tied, tethered to a chair It was dark in the rooh the shutters at the ere closed, she knew it had to be dark outside In the desert sunlight always penetrated the shutters and blinds but the room was eerily dark, almost black, and Tally felt fear But also calm

Tair would come Tair would find her Tair would save her before it was too late

It was a long night but she did sleep for a while and when she woke again light outlined the square s and poked through cracks and holes in the weathered wood shutters

Tally glanced around the room and discovered she wasn’t alone, either

“So you’re awake,” the man said

It was a differentTally stared at hi ould happen next

“How is your throat?” the man asked “Sore?”

She sed, her gaze holding his and nodded

“Sadiq wasn’t to hurt you He’s been punished”

Tally just continued to hold his gaze and looking at hi hi him she didn’t like it

“It’s for your safety,” he said aletically “This way you will be protected”

“Froh, bruised, but her words were bitter and they betrayed her anger “I certainly wouldn’t hurt myself So ould hurt me?”

He didn’t answer her question, he ed and offered her an affable smile “I am Imran I want to help you” He extended his hands, de his friendliness, trustworthiness “Tell o I will personally see you there”

“Tell me what you want first”

“Details about Sheikh el-Tayer’s hos of that nature”

“I don’t know any of that He doesn’t talk to me—”

“You’re his wife, aren’t you?”

“Yes but he’s Sheikh el-Tayer He doesn’t confide in women”

I “We just want him We don’t want to hurt you”

But they would hurt her They’d do anything they could to get to Tair

Tair was in trouble