“Let’s hope so.” I didn’t miss the sadness in my father’s voice. “We need to bring her home, Ty. We owe her that much.”
Nodding, I clutched the journal as if it were a lifeline. I skimmed through the worn pages, my eyes darting over the writing as I searched for any clues that could lead us to Liza. The scent of old leather and ink filled my nostrils—a reminder of thesecrets held within its bindings. As I flipped through the pages, my heart raced, each word holding more significance than the last.
I paused on a page that sent a chill down my back. My blood ran cold as I read the words written about Liza, the implications twisting my stomach into knots. It was worse than anything I could have imagined. What I held in my hands was a ticking time bomb—one that threatened not only Liza’s safety, but also the very foundation of our pack.
“This just got even worse.”
Dad’s brow furrowed with concern as he leaned closer, trying to catch a glimpse of the page that had so thoroughly shaken me. But I didn’t want to reveal it to him—not yet. I needed time to process the information before I shared it with anyone else.
“What is it?” he asked. “What did you find?”
“Something dark.” I swallowed hard. “I can’t tell you yet, Dad, but this has raised the stakes much higher.”
He sighed, a look of resignation crossing his features. “Very well. Just remember that you don’t have to carry this burden alone.”
“Thank you,” I said, my gaze returning to the damning words on the page. As much as I wanted to confide in my father, I couldn’t bring myself to speak the truth out loud just yet. It was too terrible. Too dangerous.
As I continued to read, my mind raced with thoughts of Liza entangled in a web of darkness and deceit. She was out there somewhere, likely unaware of the secrets hidden within her past. Unaware of the danger that loomed over her head like a dark cloud.
100
LIZA
Asharp knock jolted me from my uneasy sleep, and I blinked groggily at the bathroom door. Streaks of sunlight filtered through the tiny window near the ceiling onto the cold tile floor where I’d made a makeshift bed for myself. Unwilling to trust my captor enough to sleep in the bedroom they’d provided, I’d sought refuge on the bathroom floor again before I got too comfortable on the soft bed.
“Breakfast,” the familiar female voice called from behind the door, making me pause before getting up from my makeshift bed. I ignored the discomfort in my muscles and gritted my teeth. I wasn’t about to let them see any weakness.
“Coming.” I opened the door and nodded at the same girl who had delivered my meals before.
Her dark hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and she held a tray laden with steaming food. The scent of bacon and eggs wafted toward me, making my stomach grumble involuntarily.
“Thanks.” I accepted the tray with a tight smile. “So, Anna,” I said, making a concerted effort to start a conversation. “Howlong have you been working here? Apart from delivering food, what else is included in your job description?”
“Uh, well.” She glanced nervously at the door as though expecting someone to barge in at any moment. “I’ve been here for about two years now. I mostly clean and help with other tasks around the house.”
“Two years?” I tried to hide my shock. “That’s a long time. How old are you?”
She didn’t meet my eyes. “I’m twenty-two.”
“Really?” Her admission surprised me. “You don’t look a day over eighteen.”
“Thank you,” she said, her cheeks flushing pink.
“Did you grow up around here? Do you have a family nearby?” I continued, hoping to establish some sort of rapport with her.
“Uh, no, I’m not from around here.” She fidgeted with the hem of her uniform. “I don’t really have any family left.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I whispered gently, feeling a pang of sadness in my chest. I knew what it was like to lose loved ones, and I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone. “So, uh, earlier you mentioned that the master saved your life. Could you tell me more about that? How did he do it?”
“It’s nothing,” she said quickly, a nervous smile playing at the corner of her lips. “It’s not important.”
“Come on, Anna,” I pleaded gently. “You can trust me.”
She shook her head. “Sorry, I can’t talk about it.” Her face paled slightly as she glanced at the door again. “Please, let’s not discuss this. I shouldn’t be talking to you about these things.”
“Anna, I need your help.” My desperation became more pronounced. “I don’t know what’s happening or why I’m here. You’re the only person who’s shown me any kindness since I arrived. Please, just tell me something, anything that might give me a clue about who the master is or what he wants with me.”
She looked torn, her gaze darting between me and the door as though weighing the risks of revealing more information. Finally, she said, “All I can say is that the master has his reasons for everything he does. He’s not a cruel man, but he’s also not someone you want to cross. I suggest you do as you’re told, and maybe, just maybe, things will work out for you in the end.”
