“I left an extra bottle of your birth control potion on the kitchen counter, just in case you run out before I return,” Sahira said.
“You don’t have to do this,” Lexi said.
“Yes, I do. The Lord has to be taken down, and Orin can help with that. And Cole needs to get the Lord off his back.”
“If, at any point, you think it’s too risky to continue, promise me that you’ll return.”
“I will, but there’s no danger in the travel.”
Lexi wasn’t so sure she believed her. Sahira would never tell her the truth if she thought she was protecting Lexi.More protection and more secrets.
Though, with Sahira, she doubted it would change. The woman had helped raise her; she would always see Lexi as a child whose scrapes and bruises she kissed to make better. Lexi could never change that.
Her aunt kissed her cheek before releasing her. Lexi stepped back to stand beside Cole as Sahira and Brokk disappeared into the portal Sahira had opened to the outer realm they were traveling to. Once they were out of view, the portal closed behind them.
“Now what?” she asked.
“I have to return to the Gloaming soon,” he said as he took her hand. “I have duties I must attend to, but I can’t leave you here alone.”
Lexi stared at the barn as they approached the manor. “I can ask George to stay on to help. I have to make sure Orin knows he’ll be here for a while.”
She’d have to figure out how to pay George. For now, she had enough to keep him on for another week, and by then, Sahira should be back. They could figure it out together as she suspected George might have to become a permanent fixture here.
“I can’t stay away long,” she said. “With Sahira gone, this place will be vulnerable without at least one of us here.”
“I’ll send men to watch over it.”
“Aren’t you concerned about them possibly encountering Orin?”
“As long as he’s not a fucking moron, he’ll be okay.”
“So… yes.”
Cole chuckled. “We’ll make sure he knows George and my men are here. He’s gone undetected this long; I’m sure he can figure out how to keep doing it.”
“I’ll go speak with George now then.”
She squeezed his hand and released it before hurrying away to the barn. Cole’s horse lifted his head to watch her before returning to grazing. He hadn’t traveled far.
When she reached the barn door, she pushed it open and entered the shadowed interior. George was in the tack room, cleaning the saddles she and Brokk used.
He looked up at her, and his weathered face broke into a grin. “Good afternoon, miss,” he greeted.
“Good afternoon, George.”
“The horses are eating their dinner, and I’m about to head home to have mine. Is there anything else I can help you with today?”
“No, we’re all set for today, but I’d like it if you would stay working for us for a little while. I won’t be able to pay you much, but we have some extra food you and your family can have.”
He put down the sponge coated with leather soap and wiped his hands on a towel. “I’d like that, miss. As you know, times are tough, and any money and food we can get is always helpful.”
And she would do her best to help him as much as possible. “Thank you, George.”
“Anytime, miss.”
She left the tack room and was almost to the door when the jingle of saddles drifted to her. The hair on her nape rose, and her step faltered. The last time she heard that many riders approaching, they were the Lord’s men.
She practically ran the rest of the way to the door. With her heart hammering, Lexi stepped outside and shaded her eyes against the fading sun. A knot formed in her stomach when she spotted the riders.
