Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(34)
No one speaks as we all absorb the new information. If this had been when we first met, I would have suspected him of trying to get us captured. But Annabelle's old house probably isn't being carefully watched like it was before. There'd be enough room to slowly sneak people there, I think. Besides, if these people want to stay in Chardonia, none of our safe houses are big enough. We have to give this a try.
“That could work,” I say.
“It just could,” Chadwick reluctantly agrees.
“Would you take me there?” I ask Jack. “We can look over options and make certain it's ready. And that it hasn't been found by the Grand Chancellor's men.”
“Of course.”
“No point in waiting. Let's go.”
While we are gone, the others plan to talk to everyone about staying in Chardonia or leaving to another country. Whether or not this cave will work, changes have to be made, and soon. At the rate we're going, we'll be found by the Grand Chancellor's people very easily.
We walk through the forest for quite a while. I'm on edge the entire time, worrying about if someone else is out here. If we'll get caught. But we make it without a problem.
The cave is close to the lake by Annabelle's house. The house itself isn't visible, which is fortunate for us. The entry to the cave is covered by a bush, but once inside, it's a huge network of caves, big ones and small ones.
“I think this should work. I only worry that we're going to be too close to a house that has been taken over by those against us,” I say.
“We will need to be careful about that, but they won't be expecting us to be here either,” he says.
Like what I was thinking of before. “Thank you for showing this to me, Jack.”
“It was nothing.”
“No, I mean it. You didn't have to do any of this. I know you've been reluctant about everything we've done, but I want you to know I’m very grateful for all you're doing to try and help us.”
“You're welcome.” The tone of his voice makes me think more progress is happening than I thought.
***
Over the next week, we move everyone to the cave. I make certain Serena's family has a little cavern with lots of space so they have plenty of room to roam about, though Ben's cries can be heard just about anywhere in the system of caves.
I also help with some newcomers, one of which is a Chardonian man who's been helping us since before I joined the group aiding Chardonians. Theodore, a man with a bushy beard, brings not only a few people with him but some desperately needed food.
At this point, I'm starting to wonder how many people are going to be left in the country to do the Grand Chancellor's work. I try not to think on him too much, though. It makes me livid.
The people flock to Cynthia and Serena. While they may be famous, Tawny and I are to be avoided like condemned warlocks even though we're anything but. Each encounter is worse than the last. Still, I try. How else will they know I mean them well if I don't keep trying? This particular morning is a tedious one.
One woman is struggling to get all her things in the cave along with her seven children.
I hurry over to her. “Here, let me help.”
As I near her youngest daughter, perhaps five years of age, she screams, a blood curdling sound that chills my very bones, and throws herself on the ground away from me.
“What did you do to her?” the mother shrieks at me. “Get away.”
Nelly rushes over, picking the young girl up and whispering in her ear.
Heat flames my cheeks, wishing I wasn't so tall and distinguishable as an Envadi. “I was just trying to help.”
“You can help by disappearing,” the mother yells.
Very well, then. I hurry outside. What was I thinking, trying to help a people that still thinks I'm a barbarian? Why can't they see that it's the Grand Chancellor that's the barbarian? That all I'm trying to do is help?
Tawny walks out of the cave and comes straight toward me. “The people are just trying to get used to us still.”
And how much more will we have to do for them before they are used to us? “Maybe. But I think the people would be happier without me.”
“They're just still getting accustomed to having both an Envadi and a woman be as strong yet caring as you are.”
“As we are.” For she's just as strong, if not stronger than I am. She just knows how to make her strength apparent in the background of things while I run headlong into idiocy. How am I supposed to get them accustomed to it? It's not as if we have time. Every day Zade and Daniel are gone from us is another day their lives are in jeopardy.
Chapter Twenty-Three
A few days after everyone is settled and assigned their tasks, I take Cynthia and Chadwick to try to get more information on Zade and Daniel. And if possible, to help them escape. That's what I really want. What I ache for. I miss my brother more than I thought possible. And it is an excuse to get me away from people who hate the sight of me.
I don't tell Serena or Annabelle how badly I want to be able to help them escape, only that we'd get her more information. They both take it so bravely, but it's easy to tell by the look in their eyes they're both hurting.