Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(30)
Not that we are either. It still doesn't even seem real. How can I even tell Mom and Dad? That was the worst thought I could have had. I can't tell them. In Dad's weakened state, the shock and strain of it could kill him. Zade wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for Dad getting sick. The guilt of having Zade come in his place because of falling sick would be even worse. I can't tell them he's been captured.
But if the worst should happen, if Serena and I don't succeed…
“I wish we could keep them from it.” It takes me a moment to realize Serena is talking about her sisters and not my parents. “Not to keep them in the dark like women always have been kept, but so they don't have the fear and worry we do.”
Exactly. “If only such a world were possible without becoming like the warlocks here. We can send them to Envado where they can at least be safe while we try and rescue Zade.”
“And who's to take them? You're the only one I trust that knows the way, but I know I can't ask you to take the time off when it could be spent helping Zade.”
And I can't bring myself to offer. “There's Chadwick.”
“Please. He's more like a sibling to Zade than I sometimes think you are.”
“They don't fight enough for that to be true,” I counter. And then I think on all those times I did fight with him. The moments that didn't even matter, but I still got so upset over. Why did I ever yell at him? “I should have never fought with him. What have I done? I may never see him again and that's all he'll remember of me.”
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. He knows you care, probably more so because you aren't afraid to say what you want to around him and are comfortable teasing him.”
It's true, even if guilt is bothering me now. And here she is, comforting me when it's her fiancée that's in danger.
“How did you spring the girls from your father's?” I ask.
She shrugs. “I was going to get them today anyway. It just ended up being good timing with all that's going on. I figured I couldn't leave them there any longer. It was too hard on them. Plus, I thought if Mother had a baby girl…”
I give her shoulder a squeeze, remembering how punishment from their father can get.
“Since father had a council meeting today,” she continues, “it was the best chance to help them escape. It was easier than I thought. He didn't even leave any guards.”
“Thank goodness the man doesn't know how to protect his most precious possessions. Did you check with all the girls and your mother to make sure they didn't leave anything important behind?”
“I did. It turns out father destroyed all of their things in a fire. Even Mother's. They only had one change of clothes. Nothing else.”
“Well, we'll have to fix that the best we can under the circumstances.” I want to spit on that horrid man.
“So you think your family needs to stay here for now. Do you think that it is safe?”
“Nothing is safe.”
Chapter Twenty
Contrary to how Serena reacted to finding out the baby is a boy, the other girls are all excited to have a brother. They ohh and ahh over him as much as they can. Serena was right. He’s going to be a very spoiled boy, though his sister is getting just as much attention. Abigail, or Abby as the girls like to call her, and Benjamin. Ben is a fussy baby but sleeps well, while Abby is a content little girl who doesn't like to sleep at all.
Still, everyone pitches in to help and love the babies. Pernilla, on the other hand, doesn't seem to know how to react to having a boy. She seems numb to it like Serena was at first, only it doesn't seem to want to pass.
A few days pass quietly this way, the girls fawning over the babies and everyone trying to keep up with the chores. Cynthia comes to me after spending a long time talking with Serena.
“Lukas and I are going to try and find out information on Zade and Daniel,” she says without any preamble.
“Do you think it's safe?”
“Nothing is safe in this country, but I can't just sit back and do nothing.”
That's true, but still. I don't want her in danger if she doesn't have to be. Of course, I also want my brother. “What does Serena think?”
“She wanted to go herself, but I insisted she let me. I have more power and knowledge. I should be able to get in and out of places better than she would. Besides, I've been learning more about the safe houses and people we're working with than she has. I will know where to go to find answers.”
“Maybe I should go with you.” I'm so torn. I want to be with her, but I've been so busy here helping take care of the girls and Ben. Zade needs me, though. He needs us all if we're to save him.
“If you think it's best, though there's a lot that needs to be done and watching over here. I'd feel better if you were with my family.”
My throat tightens. “But Zade is my family. I have to take care of him. I have to save him.”
She takes hold of my hand. “I promise we'll do the best anyone can do.”
I bite my lip and nod, unable to say anything further. I gather her into a hug. “Stay safe.”
“We will.”
She and Lukas leave. It's a sad farewell. The days start to pass, slow and agonizing. The longer they're gone, the more I worry. What if something happens to them? What if they're not able to get any news on Zade and Daniel? Or worse, what if they get news but it's bad news? I try not to dwell on it, but it's hard not to.