Page 4 of Kiss the Dawn
“I suggest you let me see the contract.”
“One moment.” The line went silent for so long that I was ready to chew my nails before she spoke. “I have consulted with the others, and we agree to your proposal on the condition that Miss Lighthart accompany you.”
Lorenzo’s mouth turned up in a wry smile. “That sounds very much like a trap.”
She sighed again, heavier this time, as if this whole process was a tedium. “You know we can’t hurt her now. Not without breaking theMundi Ending Res.”
“I’m glad you realize that, as I’m sure you realize that Miss Lighthart will have nothing to contribute to my investigations there.”
“No, she won’t, but…there are people here who wish to meet her. Family who’ve mourned her loss for too long.”
My heart stuttered. How had I not considered this fact? I was the seventh daughter…One of seven. I had family on the Isle, people who were a part of my heritage. People who looked like me…were my blood…
“I’m putting you on hold,” Lorenzo said. He hit the mute button and turned to me. “Take a moment.”
I breathed evenly and slowly, waiting for the rushing in my blood to subside. “I’m good.”
“I won’t tell you what to do here, but I can say that the best option is for me to take a look at this contract and try and find a way out of it.”
And for him to do that, I needed to go with him. In fact…Iwantedto go. Yes, these people had been willing to put me down less than an hour ago, but there was a part of me that could respect their willingness to do whatever it took to protect the majority.
Like she’d said, they were fighting a war. If I took this personally, what kind of soldier would I be?
“Yeah, I’ll go.”
Chapter 2
Lorenzo took the call off mute and went into the other room to finalize the logistics.
“This is shady as fuck,” Holly said. “Like, she didn’t even ask about who took you or raised you. Like they either don’t care or…” Her eyes widened. “Maybe they know?”
“They thought I was dead.”
“And then they realized you weren’t,” Holly said. “They probably found out who took you.”
“If that was the case, they would have been able to grab me much sooner.”
Holly deflated. “Yeah, that makes sense.”
“They just don’t care,” Merry said apologetically. “Because their war is all that matters.”
“What are you going to do about the Order?” Holly asked. “Someone there took you from your family.”
My stomach tightened. “I’m going to ask Hemlockto investigate it. My parents…the people that raised me are dead. They may be the only people who know the identity of whoever gave me to them. And why take me anyway?”
“Maybe you’ll figure that part out once you’re on the Isle,” Merry said.
Lorenzo returned. “We’ll leave in two days. You’ll be under my protection and the protection of the consortium. It’s in the Circle’s best interests to adhere to theMundi Ending Res.”
“What is the Circle?” Merry asked. “And what’s a Mundi…what you said?”
“The Circle is the governing body on the Isle. The consortium and the Circle have an agreement when it comes to matters ofMundi Ending Res—world-ending events.Any individuals essential to prevent a world-ending event must be released to the relevant side. In your case, you’re essential to Dracul territory, so they can’ttakeyou from us, but you’re also important to keeping the virus on the Isle in control so the consortium is obligated to meet any reasonable demands they have. Execution isnota reasonable demand.”
“So the whole ‘we don’t condone kidnapping and mutilation’line was bullshit?” Merry said.
“Not necessarily,” Lorenzo replied. “They would have a humane way of ending life. But that won’t be happening. Trust me.”
“Wait a second…” Holly said. “Are you saying that if you can’t find a loophole, they’ll make her marry some witch dudes once the Loviator thing is done?”
