Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(32)

“But I'm afraid how I was raised won't change who I am, even if I get a chance to see things differently.”

He doesn't give me a chance to think of a response. He hurries back toward the house quicker than he's moved before.

Does that mean he's more a risk to us than even those people who may join us? He doesn't seem to be a threat, not like I thought he was, just lost. What can I do to help him see the way? To see these new thoughts and ideas are good things, not bad? If I can figure it out with him, maybe I can figure it out with others. Maybe Chardonian warlocks are not such a lost cause after all.





Chapter Twenty-One





Chadwick and I were right. The others do want to help this group trying to avoid the law like us. But they also seem to take Jack's warning seriously. Pernilla is the exception, agreeing entirely with Jack, but with everyone else wanting to help, that's what we're going to do.

We make quick arrangements of how we're going to fit all five them in the house and feed them, for the short term at least. Tawny is the best at arranging things. I suppose living in a castle where there are constant visitors would make her good at that, though here there's not nearly enough room.

While she finishes up, I meander to Jack and Chadwick, who are preparing to go back to the group of people and invite them to come here. I sure hope this is what we should be doing.

“Let me come with,” I suggest.

“I don't think that's such a good idea,” Chadwick says.

I glare at him.

“You can come if you'd like.” Jack's response is so calm and reasonable, I have to wonder if my talk earlier about how you say things made an impact. “But you are clearly an Envadi, and while that's not as bad of a thing as I used to believe, people still fear you.”

Not as bad? “Gee, thanks.”

“He's probably right,” Serena says, joining the conversation. “You know how much I love and respect you, but Envadi used to terrify me. Perhaps I should go instead.”

“Zade wouldn't like you risking yourself,” Chadwick says.

“Let her go,” Jack replies. Maybe the two of them just like to do whatever they can to contradict one another. “People do respect her.”

“Chadwick is an Envadi too,” I throw out there.

“I'll stay out of sight,” he counters.

Men.

“But I really should go,” Serena says. “I think they need me to.”

She looks more nervous than I have ever seen her before. “You'll be fine,” I tell her. “Chadwick and Jack will take good care of you.”

She eyes them before pulling me outside where they can't hear us. “That's not what I fear. Of course I don't want anything to happen to me, but if it does, then it does.”

“Then what has you so out of sorts?”

“There are people looking up to me. I haven't done anything to make people look up to me. It all just happened.”

I place my hand on her arm. “I know, but you're better at this than you think. You've been doing more to lead your sisters than anyone else. Just think of these people as being like your sisters.”

She gives me a nod but is pale.

“And if anyone gives you guff,” I say, “we can soften them up with a cup of warm milk.”

Finally she gives me a smile. “Torture them more like.”

“Hey, there's not a thing wrong with warm milk.” But I'm glad to see her more like herself.

We both somber back up as I think about the task ahead of her.

“Keep my siblings safe for me,” Serena whispers to me.

That's a good reason for me to stay behind. Again. Even though we have a couple of guards, there are a lot of children here. Bethany could use the help. “I will if you promise to keep yourself safe.”

“Agreed.”

“Don't put yourself in any trouble while we're gone,” Jack says as he comes out the front door.

“Or go looking for it,” Chadwick adds, following right behind him.

“Go on you three.”

As soon as they leave, things are anxious. At least the girls and Ben keep me busy. It's wonderful to reintroduce them to life and how it should be. I only wish they didn't need the reintroduction.

We laugh and play, choosing first a game of tag. Then I teach them a game where one person hides, and the others have to go find that person, joining them in the hiding spot until everyone has found them. Trying to squish into a cupboard with the tiniest girls always results in too much giggling to stay hidden long.

I keep Abigail with me while Bethany keeps little Ben. It makes hiding all the harder when one of them starts to yell. At least it keeps our mind off of things until the girls grow bored of the game. Then it's back to trying to keep everyone happy.

Many hours later, which feel like days, they finally return, a group of strangers with them. Both male and female, though more women than anything else. Most look tattered and rough like they've really been through something. Though their faces are lined with the stress of their situation, they also lighten as they see the house. Until they spot me. Instantly, their guard is up, and none of them say anything.

“Nelly,” Annabelle says, going straight to a girl who came in with the group. “How did you come to be here?”