Page 208 of Valor

“Trek where?”

“You will see when the time comes.”

“Are we taking them somewhere safe?”

“Who?”

“Hedvika and her brother, of course.”

“They had met their contact already.”

“Who? And where are they?”

Mark used a stick to push the burning logs closer together. “You will have to stop asking so many questions, cousin.” He added another piece of wood. “Got to keep the fire low. If anyone spots the smoke rising from the mountain, they will come looking.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“Fred.” His cousin looked up. “Let me make one thing clear. I know only what I need to know. And you will know even less. Stop asking. Follow orders. Do you understand?”

“But I need to know where she is. I need to?—”

“What?” Mark held his gaze unwavering. “Tell her you love her?” He scoffed. “Marry her, build a house, have kids?”

Fred glared.

“I saw you by the river.”

Anger rose in Fred’s chest. Mark had watched them as they tried to cross the raging waters. Why had he not helped? His fingers curled into fists. His cousin held up both hands in a mocked surrender.

“Have you forgotten what world we live in?”

“I don’t care that she is Jewish.”

“And I always thought you were the smartest one in our family. Her being Jewish is the least of your problems. You helped them escape and joined the resistance. My dear cousin, your lifespan outside this cave just shrunk to the length of one bullet. Forget about normal life; there is nothing like that anymore. And to be frank, I can’t see that it will ever return. Thinking that Hedvika and you could be together is pure crazy talk. This is your life now. You better accept it since you have no other choice.”

Fred clenched his teeth. He could jump his cousin and pummel him with his fists and make him take those words back. Yell at him that he would never give her up, that they had a future, only if he could speak to her. They could get married, he would get a job and help her raise Jakob, and maybe one day, they would have children of their own. Even as his mind spun down the fantasies, he realized it was impossible. A lone tear slid down his cheek. He would never see her again. Hedvika was lost to him, hidden somewhere under a floor or in someone’s basement, waiting for the tide of this terrible war to turn around. He was here, in the mountains, with no choice but to join his cousin in the resistance. Fred bit his lip till he tasted blood. There was one more choice. He could go back to the mill. Could he be just like his father? An informant? A collaborator? For the promise of favors and extra food rations. Would he sell his soul, just like Father sold his sister? No, he would never do that. Never.

Fred stared into the fire. As the flames slowly devoured the dry logs, the realization sunk deep into his soul. Today began his new life, the one that he never envisioned or planned for. If he got caught, no matter how strong his resolve, he would talk. Fritz would make sure of that. The Germans had their own methods.

“Just tell me she is safe,” he whispered.

“No one is.” His cousin pushed off the ground. “Hungry?”

He shook his head.

“Here.” He tossed him a chunk of bread. “Eat that. And that’s an order.”

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Northern Moravia, 2025

Oliver got out first.He shut the door to his car with a firm thud and surveyed the area. Was he checking they were alone? Meghan unbuckled reluctantly, then pushed the passenger door open. Rushing water claimed the silence of the clearing, yet the birds, used to this ancient sound, chirped overhead, undisturbed.

A gust of wind rustled in the trees as if the forest was trying to warn her. She carefully shut the door and walked up to Oliver. Had she not been afraid that he would think her childish, she would have gripped his hand. The remnants of an old mill burnt out long ago towered in front of her.

What was Grandpa thinking?

She walked toward what had once been a barn. Meghan peered inside through the wide opening, void of doors. “I don’t know if anyone would even buy this,” she let out a pent-up breath. “Do you think it’s safe to walk inside?”

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