Page 47 of A Raven Revived

Once again, they had to dry her off because her body wasn’t capable of the task. They slipped a fresh gown over her head. They seemed to have an endless supply of them.

Walking was difficult, and she stumbled halfway along the corridor, but she managed to recover and continue the rest of the way without being carried.

Samantha was still kneeling beside her bed when Daisy entered the room. She didn’t even look up at Daisy’s return. How long had she been in this place? How long before Daisy was just as complaisant? Sooner than she’d like to admit, probably. She didn’t want to go back into the tub, and she certainly didn’t want to be sedated with those drugs again.

Every inch of her burned with pain as she climbed onto her bed and wrapped the blanket around her trembling body. Would Fitz somehow come for her? Would he ever even know where she was? Would he just assume she’d run away again? She’d done it before, so why wouldn’t he? That thought finally broke through the gates she was using to keep her emotions at bay. Sobs burst from her mouth, hot tears burning her frozen skin as they flowed from her eyes. Part of her worried that they might punish her for crying during quiet time, but she couldn’t stop it even if she tried. Thankfully, no one came in to drag her away.

Eventually, she must have drifted off, because the next thing she knew, she was opening her eyes. She groaned quietly. How was it possible for her entire body to throb?

“Are you alright?”

Daisy slowly turned her head. Samantha was sitting on the edge of her bed across the room. She could barely bring herself to nod. Apparently quiet time had ended.

“If you stop fighting them it will be a lot easier. One way or another, they will win, so there’s just no reason to make it even harder than it already is.”

“Did you fight?” Daisy’s voice was hoarse, probably from screaming and crying.

Samantha nodded. “Not as much as you, but we all fight in the beginning.”

“He said he’ll drug me if I do it again.”

“My last roommate fought like you. She was drugged, and along with that came the jacket. You really don’t want that, Jane.”

“My name is Daisy.” She swallowed, trying to soothe her throat.

“Don’t correct them like that. It won’t end well for you.”

“I have to get out of here.”

Samantha breathed a defeated sigh. “The only way you’re getting out of here is if the person who brought you comes back to collect you.”

Her father would never come back for her. There had been true hatred in his eyes when he’d talked about the piece of land she’d cost him. Apparently, that was far more valuable to him than his daughter. Not to mention the embarrassment she’d caused. Nothing mattered more to her father than his reputation.

This couldn’t be happening. She could not spend the rest of her life in this place. She would have to keep fighting, no matter what it cost her.

* * *

Fitz wandered aimlessly for at least an hour. At first, he’d been relieved that she hadn’t run away from him, but then guilt soured his stomach. Asylums were not good places. What were they doing to her in there? How could her father have done something so horrific? She was his daughter, for God’s sake.

How was Fitz going to get her back? That was the only question that really mattered.

He wouldn’t be able to do it on his own, but he was angry and didn’t want to ask for Ash’s help.

With a sigh, he turned back for Raven House. He was going to have to put his anger aside. Daisy was more important than anything else, and they needed to find her and bring her home.

Fitz took a deep, calming breath before approaching Ash’s office. Starting a fight with the man would not help anything. Not to mention, he didn’t stand a chance against him.

Without a word, he closed the door and sat down in front of the desk. “I need your help.”

“I’m sorry, Fitz. I should have told you, but I had completely forgotten about it. When she said it, I thought it was an exaggeration or even a joke.” He looked Fitz in the eye. “I am sorry.”

He nodded. Ash wouldn’t have intentionally put her in danger. He knew that. “How are we going to get her back?”

“I’ve sent for Patrick. We’ll come up with a plan after he gets here. We’re going to need to talk to Litchfield and find out where he sent her.”

“But if he’s refusing to even let us in, how will we ever get him to tell us where she is?”

“He may have refused entry to you, but he wouldn’t dare to refuse Lord Ashdown, Lord Dalinridge, and Lord Patrick Woodcombe. We could sink his reputation at the drop of a hat.”

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