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Alex has a landline operator? Hiding my shock, I try to say in a normal voice, “I need to make a call home Can you please connect me?”

“Sorry,a beat “I’m only allowed to connect you to Mr Volkov Would you like me to dial him for you?”

“No,” I say quickly, dejection setting in

“All right, then Good evening, Miss Morrell”

Stunned, I hang up without returning the greeting I guess that answers the question about o? Why not just lock me in while he’s at it?

Wait He wouldn’t Would he?

When I leave the study, I’h the house I stride decisively to the front door Once there, I take a deep breath I don’t really want to go outside into a garden from which I can’t escape I just need to know

Gripping the doorknob, I turn it It slips in ain

It’s locked

I can’t believe it Why I expected otherwise, I don’t know, but being locked in only adds to the claustrophobia closing in onfrom door to door, I try each one, but the verdict is the same They’re all locked

A baffled Tima stares at me as I storm into the kitchen and sprint for the back door I yank on the handle, pushing with all e

“Kate,” he says, his tone apologetic “Don’t wear yourself out like this It’s no use, my poor little rabbit You know it”

Leaning with ainst the door, I slide to the floor, finally ad this truth

I’m Alex’s prisoner

“Co soet you back to your room” He lowers his voice “You don’t want Lena to see you like this You can’t shoeakness if you want to survive, aht?”

I take a closer look at his face His skin is ht is his gray eyes is friendly

“Tima, you have to help me”

“I a me to the door

“You have to let me out”