Page 96 of Dark Shaman: Eternal Hope
"Poor dear," Liliat said. "It's such a difficult time under the best of circumstances, and these are hardly those."
If only they knew how far from ideal the circumstances truly were.
Tamira took her place at one of the restoration tables, picking up where she'd left off the other day. The book in front of her was a history of somewhere she'd never been, but if their escape plan worked, she might visit the place one day and see with her own eyes what she'd only read about in books.
39
ELUHEED
The dining room felt suffocating despite the efficient air conditioning. Eluheed forced himself to take another bite of eggs, though they tasted like sawdust in his mouth. Across the table, Tamira was moving food around her plate with the same false attention to eating, while Tula sat pale and tense, holding Tony's hand under the table.
This was it. Their last breakfast in captivity—or their last breakfast alive.
"The indoor garden looks more beautiful every day," Beulah said, directing the comment toward Eluheed. "You and Tony have worked miracles."
"Thank you." Eluheed set down his fork. "But there is still a lot to be done, and we should get back to it." He rose to his feet.
Tony stood as well, wiping his mouth with his napkin. "Elias is a brutal task master."
Eluheed admired the guy's ability to joke under any circumstances. It was a gift.
"He's dedicated," Liliat said with a warm smile, which cut through Eluheed like a knife.
These women had been nothing but kind to him, welcoming him into their family, trusting him. And he was about to disappear without a word, leaving them to face whatever consequences might follow.
"We'll see you again at lunch, ladies," he said with a slight dip of his head, the lie smooth on his lips and guilt churning in his stomach.
As they walked toward the interior courtyard, Eluheed's heightened senses catalogued everything—the soft sound of their footsteps on carpet, the hum of ventilation, the distant murmur of servants busy with their daily routines. Would this be the last time he heard these sounds? Or would they become the soundtrack to his execution?
In the garden, they headed toward the large planter where they'd hidden their supplies yesterday, wrapped in waterproof material and buried beneath a transplanted fern.
The door to the garden opened, and Eluheed's heart stopped before he recognized one of the maids heading their way with two tall glasses filled with water.
"Lady Sarah asked me to bring these out to you," the maid said.
"Thank you." Eluheed took the glasses from her. "And please thank Lady Sarah for her thoughtful consideration."
"I will." She dipped her head and turned on her heel.
Tony let out a breath. "I'm not even thirty yet, but my heart feels like it's going to quit on me."
Eluheed shook his head. "Just breathe deeply and imagine success. Tamira says that you need to believe in your goals for them to manifest."
"I'm trying." Tony watched him check the waterproof bundle that held everything they'd managed to gather. Four flashlights, a rope, wire cutters, a knife, the latex fingerprints, and some basic provisions in case they needed them. It wasn't much, but it was all they had. He and Tony weren't even taking a change of clothing. Space on the submarine was limited, and there were more important things to take.
They hefted the potted fern onto a wheeled cart and waited for the signal.
Eluheed's palms were sweating, and he wiped them on his pants. The moments stretched into infinity, every minute feeling like an hour.
Then he saw them, Tamira with her arm wrapped around Tula, who was hunched forward, one hand pressed to her stomach. They paused at the door, and Tamira caught his eye through the glass and nodded.
It was time.
Areana had arrived at the dining room, which meant that Navuh had left and was traveling through the tunnel.
They didn't have much time.
"Let's get moving," Eluheed said to Tony.
