Page 47 of Blood Weaver
I shook my head, frustrated. “Then what is going on?”
She sighed. “Prince Marcellus is … concerned with your relationship with Selene and has paid for her protection. She is not to leave the Rose Petal until he says so.”
My eyes widened at the news. I tried to look over their shoulders to see her, but Selene was nowhere in sight.
“I suggest you leave, Leila … before I decide to turn you in, after all,” Madam Rose threatened.
I glared, wanting nothing more than to unleash my blood magic to attack this establishment and finally free Selene, but I couldn’t. It wasn’t the right time. No one could know who I was.
“I’m leaving,” I said, defeated. “Just … tell her I came by. Please.”
Madam Rose nodded and waved for her security guard to escort me out. Shrugging off Thomas’ apologetic fingers, I stomped back down the steps and onto the street. If anything, I was even more worried about Selene than before.
As I walked the streets of Lomewood, I noticed the town folk behaved differently than they used to. They would glance up, notice who I was, and quickly look away. I found it odd, but brushed it off and hurried back to my clinic. It was probably stupid to return to the places I was known to frequent, but my clinic was the only place I had. It was my home.
I unlatched the wooden gate and crossed the lawn to my door. I opened it to find Henry lying down on the cot I used for my patients, illuminated by the scant light provided by the gas lamp outside.
“Henry?” I called out in the darkness. I quickly lit a candle and peered around the space.
Henry scrambled off the cot and to his feet, clearly startled. Then he ran to me and hugged my mid-section. “Oh, thank the gods you’re back!” he exclaimed.
I brushed his hair and patted his back. “What are you still doing here?”
He pulled back and smiled sheepishly. “I’ve been staying here, waiting for you. I hope that was okay.”
I smiled down at him. “Of course, Henry.”
His smile brightened. “How is Ronan?”
“He’s … good,” I replied. “You don’t need to worry about him. Now, tell me: what’s going on at the Rose Petal? Did you take my message to Selene?”
He nodded. “I did, and she was about to leave the pleasure house when a group of soldiers stopped her. Then Prince Marcellus appeared and made a deal with Madam Rose. The soldiers dragged Selene back to her room, and I haven’t seen her since.”
“I see …” I went to sit down.
His version matched Madam Rose’s, so at least I knew the infernal woman wasn’t lying. Marcellus’s motives were simple to decipher. He was infatuated with Selene, but it didn’t excuse his actions. He couldn’t keep her prisoner. I decided to pay my dear brother a little visit tomorrow.
“I won’t be opening the clinic for a few days,” I said. “You can stay here if you want.”
Henry nodded quickly. “Thank you, Miss Leila!” His face was excited, but then he turned serious. “You might have noticed thewanted posters with your face on them, but you don’t have to worry. The town folk have been ignoring the soldiers’ inquiries about you and refusing to talk to them. No one has sold you out.”
I chuckled. “Well I’m glad to hear it, but there’s really nothing to report.” It was nice to know my neighbors supported me, even if the army of my homeland didn’t. It comforted me to know I could roam Lomewood’s streets with a small degree of safety without glancing over my shoulder. “Get some sleep, Henry. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”
I wokethe next morning before the rooster crowed, though I tossed and turned all night. I’d grown used to having Ronan beside me on the floor, but now I was alone and his comforting presence was clearly missed. I shook away those thoughts and got dressed, fully intending to visit the governor’s house to speak with Marcellus. When I shared my plan with Henry, he stopped me.
His eyes were wide and frightened. “You can’t go there, Miss Leila! They’ll arrest you!”
“They can do whatever they want, but I need to see Prince Marcellus.” I bypassed him and strode to the door.
“Then why has everyone been protecting you if you’re just going to turn yourself in?” Henry countered shrewdly.
“While it’s very much appreciated, Henry, I never asked anyone to protect me. I have nothing to hide,” I lied. “Besides, I refuse to sit idly by while Selene is kept prisoner.” With a firm nod, I left the relative safety of my clinic and walked purposefully down the street toward the governor’s house.
Many of the shop owners and neighbors I’d worked with and lived alongside waved hello and shouted words ofencouragement as I walked by. I appreciated them more than they would ever know.
When I arrived at the governor’s residence, Marcellus was walking out the front door with the governor following closely behind. The governor and I made eye contact and his eyes widened in disbelief. He pointed at me with terror in his gaze and yelled, “There she is! Leila! She’s there! Someone catch her!”
Before the soldiers could descend, I strode to Marcellus and grabbed his arm. “What are you doing?” I exclaimed. “You can’t keep Selene prisoner at the Rose Petal!”
