Fourth Debt (Indebted #5)(68)

I shivered. The depths of depression I’d crawled from tried to tug me back. I had to look strong, even if I didn’t feel it.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out when we get there. But I’ll give you a name…Almasi Kipanga.”

My nose wrinkled. It didn’t give any hint. “What the hell is that?”

He smiled. “You’ll see.”

Bonnie stood. The rap of her cane was a third footstep as she inched toward her family and victim. Her hazel eyes met mine.

Without the black blanket covering her legs, her outfit was visible: a maroon skirt and dark brown jacket. Cynical thoughts ran riot in my head. She’s wearing colours that won’t show blood.

My heart unhinged, racing erratically.

What the hell will they do?

Bonnie smiled, showing yellowing teeth and far too much smug exhilaration. “Let’s begin, shall we?”

Daniel wrapped his fist in my hair, yanking me against him. The long strands licked around his wrist, binding us together. “I’m up for that.”

Horror consumed my reflexes, nulling me from intelligence.

Think.

There must be something—

There is something.

I could call for Jasmine. I could scream as loud as I could for Bonnie’s protégé and hope to God she could save me.

But then I’d ruin her life, too.

How many more people had to die before this was over? Kestrel was dying. Jethro was healing. Jasmine had already paid more than I knew.

Bonnie snapped her fingers. The door behind me opened and shuffling feet announced we had visitors. I held my breath as the guests made their way to stand by the fireplace.

“No…” My heart layered in tar as Vaughn marched to a stop, courtesy of the mountain of malice, Marquise. His black eyes met mine and in twin language we held an entire conversation. Possibly our last conversation forever.

I’m so sorry, Threads.

I’m so sorry, V.

I love you.

I love you, too.

“Mr. Weaver here is going to help us extract the first part of the Fourth Debt,” Bonnie said, limping closer. “You’ve paid the First, Second, and Third—well, not quite, but we’ll get to that—you’ve paid debts for our ancestor, his daughter, and son. But you’re yet to pay for his wife.”

“Whatever this is about, just leave her alone.” Vaughn struggled in his identical bindings. Hands behind his back, wrists locked together—I felt a kinship with him that I hadn’t had in the other debts.

All of those, I’d been on my own. Jethro had been beside me, but he wasn’t family.

This one was personal.

My brother would see just what I’d been dealing with.

I hated that but was grateful, too.

His presence would force me to be stronger than I might have been.

Jethro…I’m sorry I lied to you.

Cut cleared his throat. “Daniel will inform you of your history lesson, and then we shall begin. You will consent to this debt being claimed, Nila. Just like you’ll consent to the rest.”

“Stop. Wait! Leave her alone.” Vaughn struggled against Marquise, his eyes frantic. “Whatever you’re about to do. Fucking stop it. She’s suffered enough, goddammit!”

Bonnie sighed. “Marquise.”

The big man quirked an eyebrow, holding on to my brother as if he were a fly on a string. “Yes, Madame?”

“Gag him.”

“Of course.” Marquise let V go with one hand and dug into his back pocket. With inhuman strength, he slammed my brother against his mountainous chest and forced the black bandana through his lips.

“Wait!” I launched forward, only to be jerked back by Daniel. “This is between us. Let him go.”

Bonnie sneered, “Oh, he’ll be let go, alright.”

My heart slipped from tar to fossil. “What do you mean?”

Please don’t mean death. Please!

“I mean if you play this game correctly, Vaughn can go home tonight.”

My heart exploded with hope. “Truly?”

Do I dare believe them?

Disbelief shook its head, but the cruel spark of optimism begged it to be true.

Bonnie smiled. “Play correctly, and he goes home, untouched. He returns to his family because of your sacrifice out of love.”

Vaughn mumbled something unintelligible behind the gag.

“However, if you play incorrectly, he’ll stay here. He’ll suffer right along with you and we’ll end his journey the same moment we end yours.”

He’ll die with me.

That could never happen. I couldn’t be responsible for my brother’s death.

“You have my word, I’ll play. Send him home now. You don’t need him to make me behave.” I couldn’t look at Vaughn while I traded my life for his. He’d be full of guilt and rage at not being able to stop me.

Cut rubbed a hand over his mouth. “If you are a good girl, Nila, and he goes home, don’t think he’s untouchable. Don’t think this is mercy or that we’ve overlooked his ability to bring havoc to our world again. This is another checkmate in a game you’re too stupid to understand.”

A question burned in my chest. I needed to know the answer, but at the same time, it led to such confusion. “Why?”