Page 56 of A Raven Revived

“Just get her out of here. We’ll cut it off outside.”

Fitz scooped her up into his arms and her eyes filled with tears as they met his. “I’ve got you now, love. You’re safe.”

“Fitz.” Her breath feathered across his neck.

“Daisy,” he whispered back. He was relieved to have her in his arms, but his heart broke at the state of her.

“Don’t leave Samantha. Please.” Her head lolled and she was asleep.

He turned back to Ash. “If that’s Samantha, get her too.”

“I need a knife,” he yelled as he exited the building. He didn’t address anyone in particular, but someone would make it happen. As soon as he got her into the carriage, Michael climbed in behind him, knife in hand.

“Just hold her tightly so she doesn’t move. I’ll cut it off of her.” Fitz pulled her securely against him as Michael set to work. He sliced through the straps holding her arms in place and then slowly released the buckles all the way up her back.

She didn’t wake, even when he finally pulled the horrible garment from her body. He threw it out on the ground, never wanting to see the horrific thing again. Patrick appeared at the carriage door and handed a young woman up to Michael, who helped her onto the seat beside him. She was wearing a matching thin white gown to Daisy’s and both of them had bare feet.

“Tuck your feet up here,” Michael said softly to her before covering her with a fur blanket. He handed another to Patrick as he climbed in and he tucked it around Daisy, making sure her feet were also covered. Sadness filled his eyes as he gazed down at her.

Ash climbed in, immediately pounding his cane against the ceiling and the carriage lurched into motion. It was a tight fit with six of them and Michael ended up pulling the other woman snugly against him to make room.

“You’re safe,” he assured her. “I promise we won’t harm you.”

She was obviously afraid, but oddly calm, under the circumstances. What kinds of hell had she been through that being trapped in a carriage with a group of large, strange men didn’t have her fainting or in hysterics?

His heart ached. What would Daisy be like when she woke? What kinds of hell hadshebeen through?

Ash sat down next to Samantha and nodded toward Daisy. “Is she alright?”

“I don’t know.” Fitz continued to caress her ear and the side of her face as her head rested limply against his shoulder. “They must have drugged her.”

“They did,” Samantha said softly. “Dr. Mickelson injected her just before you came in. She won’t come round for a few hours.”

He held her tightly against his chest and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You’re safe now, Daisy.”

“You must be Fitz.” A sad smile tugged at Samantha’s lips. “She said your name over and over again in her sleep.”

Fitz nodded, but the knowledge was like a hot poker in his chest. He’d failed her and still she’d called out for him.

“So,” Ash said, looking down at the young woman beside him. “What is your surname, Samantha?”

“Allister,” she said quietly.

Ash’s brow raised, uncharacteristically. That answer had surprised him, apparently. “Any relation to Simon Allister?”

“Yes. Simon is my brother.” Her brow furrowed. “Do you know him?”

Ash shrugged. “Not well, but we’ve met. Does he know where you’ve been?”

She nodded. “He took me there, but his intentions were good. I’m afraid he just didn’t know what else to do with me.”

Ash's eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond.

“Are you going to take me back to him?”

“I’m going to make sure you’re safe,” Ash vowed.

Silence fell, but Fitz continued to whisper words of love and assurance into Daisy’s ear. She gave no response. Her body was slumped heavily in his arms, her head rocking against his shoulder with the movements of the carriage.

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