Blood Lands (Savage Lands #5)(19)
“Get the fuck up, 839!” A guard was suddenly in my face, snapping me out of my trance. He grabbed me, tossing me back onto my seat, slamming reality back into my face. I was overwhelmed with the loud sounds of the machines and peoples’ stunned stares. Curiosity. Trepidation. Confusion. I could feel them from everywhere, so many wondering if they really saw that girl come back to life.
Feeling jittery, I peered around as other soldiers dragged her body away, no more than trash to them. My gaze landed on Ash and Lukas, but it was Tracker next to them who twisted my stomach. Most might chalk it up to the last throes of death or some other explanation, but his gaze pierced through me. He showed no emotion, but the way his jaw was set, the way his eyes held mine, it was as if he were saying, “I see you.”
“I need someone to fill this spot,” a guard yelled, twisting me back to my area, not even waiting until the girl’s dead body was completely removed.
Nora stood instantly, moving from the overcrowded press machines to the vacated spot. Silently claiming it, her head bowed, picking up exactly where the girl left off.
The guard huffed, clicking his tongue. “Get back to work! All of you!”
Feeling Scorpion’s shadow brush up behind me, my gaze met his across the room.
“What the hell happened?”
“Later,” I muttered under my breath. I didn’t have the strength to link or explain right now.
He nodded, turning back to his duty.
Nora cleared her throat, shifting next to me, her gaze going up, noticing most of the guards were chatting at the far end.
“You all right?” she muttered.
“Fine.” I kept working, not physically responding to her question.
“You saved my daughter twice now.” Every word was between her teeth, watching the movement of the guards while we worked. “I’m in your debt.”
“She’s my friend. Even if she doesn’t believe it right now.” I tried to still my shaking hands as I threaded my needle. “You all have been in my life for a long time. I’m sorry about Mr. Molnár.”
Nora stiffened, her jaw clenching, holding back her emotion. She dipped her head with thanks, taking several moments before speaking again.
“You and Andris saved Hanna’s life that night. It would be what Albert wanted.” Her voice wavered. “I wanted you to know how much it means to me. And I’m sorry I believed the lies about you. I see clearly now. And I’m sorry for the girl who sat here…if you knew her.”
I didn’t, but sensing her soul, experiencing her pain, felt personal.
My gaze darted to the soldiers, still in conversation.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything,” she replied.
“What is happening in Leopold? What happened to Rebeka?”
Nora sucked in, only pausing a moment on her stitching.
“Soon after Samhain, after Istvan declared the fae ruler was killed, things changed quickly. Rebeka saw it, but I was too blind to take her seriously. She had been having sleepless nights and episodes since Caden was taken. We were each other’s solace at the time, afraid for our children and what was happening to them, if they were even alive. So, I chalked her paranoia up to exhaustion. She invited me to tea one afternoon and told me she was scared, that Istvan was no longer the man we knew, and if she disappeared, it was because she knew things she shouldn’t.”
“Did she say what?”
Nora shook her head. “No. She said she would not put my life in danger.” Nora swallowed. “The next day she was gone. Just vanished. Her clothes and items were boxed up, her room emptied. That night, Istvan threw a party, announcing his engagement to Olena. He moved her in immediately, as if Rebeka never existed. Of course, I demanded he tell me what happened to my friend, that I would not stand for such a thing.” Nora scoffed, her head shaking. “I thought years of friendship would mean something. As you can see, it did the opposite.”
“That’s why you are here? Because you demanded to know where she was?”
“Partly.” She glanced over at the sentries still grouped up. Without Joska, Samu, and Boyd, the guards seemed less inclined to stomp around us continuously, instead enjoying their gossip time.
“Years ago, Albert was losing money in his factories. A lot. We couldn’t pay for basic necessities, let alone Hanna’s training. We were desperate. Istvan stepped in with a deal to save us. He took possession of the underground space and rights to the building in exchange for a bailout. We agreed, thinking he was our friend. Rebeka and I had been friends for years.” A sadness watered her eyes. “Istvan made sure we succeeded. Albert and I stupidly looked away as money rolled into our bank accounts, while workers and other factories suffered at our expense.” Her lips pursed. “I can’t say I’m proud of my actions now, but we did what we needed to and continued to look away when things shifted at the factory. Albert was never good with money, so I would come in and do all the books. It wasn’t just odd influxes of huge amounts of money in and out, it was people disappearing, factory workers found drowned in the Danube, trucks hauling in things late at night, and screams from deep below the office floor.”
“Did you know what was happening down there?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I see now I purposely kept my head down. Albert kept reassuring me all was fine. He was lying to me to keep me in a safe, protected bubble, but I saw his fear grow each day.” She tied off her thread, starting on a new patch. “When Rebeka disappeared, and Hans and Petra also vanished, Albert confessed he knew what Istvan was doing below his factory, and he said he discovered a secret.”