Page 53 of Outcast

“What’s wrong?” I tilted my head to read its contents.

Someone had printed out a photo of him shirtless and tied up. Beneath the picture was a scrawled note demanding twenty-five thousand pounds in cash to be deposited in the nearest phone box… or else.

My heart shuddered to a stop, and I gasped out, “The kidnappers.”

A muscle in his jaw flexed, and his hand closed around the paper. “Yes,” he said, his voice tight. “It looks like they’ve already spent the ransom money.”

“What are you going to do?”

He shrugged. “Track down Father for money, I suppose. And stay within the academy grounds.”

I clenched my teeth. If he gave in to their threats, they would never leave him alone. The words I had etched into my brain tumbled to the forefront of my mind. It was time to call the police and tell them what had happened.

At first break, I rushed back from the main teaching block to Elder house and bumped into Blake in the reception hall. He grabbed onto my arms. “Emilia, are you alright? You look troubled.”

I glanced over his shoulder. A group of students were approaching through the hallway. “Can we talk somewhere else?”

“Of course.” He swung his arm out toward the open door.

I stepped out of Elder House, and Blake gestured to the right. “There’s a quiet spot between here and the tuck shop.”

“Right.” I glanced in the direction of a one story building at the end of a long pathway that edged the lawn. A few buildings stood to the right of the path, but they weren’t crowded with students. “Thanks.”

Blake and I walked in silence, our feet crunching on the gravel. I folded my arms over my chest, holding down the anticipation thrumming in my heart. Maybe Blake would have a better idea of how to deal with the kidnappers. He had links to royalty, and had probably been briefed on what to do if under threat.

When we reached a building similar to Elder House, he stopped and gestured at a wooden bench opposite. “What’s on your mind?”

“It’s Henry.” I lowered myself onto the seat and stared into my lap. “The kidnappers sent him a letter. They want twenty-five thousand pounds or they’ll take him away again.”

“I see…”

My head snapped up, and I stared into Blake’s unconcerned, chocolate-brown eyes. “They have an inside man at the academy.”

He nodded.

“Well?”

“It’s a rather tricky subject.” He tilted his head to the side. “Did they say anything else?”

My head jerked back and I blinked hard. “Isn’t that enough?”

“You’re right.” He gave me a side-long look. “Maybe the four of us need to spend a little more time hidden away. Edward has a cozy, little study—”

“I have to call the police.”

Blake winced. “I’m sure that will enrage the kidnappers.”

I shot to my feet and paced up to the empty building. “They need to be behind bars where they can’t hurt anyone else!”

“Come back.” He patted the seat. “Emilia, you’re over reacting.”

“They’re desperate and dangerous. I can’t just do nothing while they’re out there, circling the academy.”

“You’re underestimating Henry. He’s the captain of the rugby team and tougher than any boy in our year. If a pair of kidnappers come close, he’d fight them off and raise the alarm.” Blake grinned. “There’s no need to call the police. Henry can take care of himself.”

A frustrated breath pushed its way out of my nostrils. How could Blake be so stupidly optimistic? Henry had been all of those things during the school trip, and the kidnappers had managed to abduct him then. Now that these people had a sure way to extort money, they probably wouldn’t leave Henry alone until they had accidentally overdosed him with those drugs.

Blake stood, placed his hands on my shoulders, and gazed in the direction of the main teaching block. “I’m glad you’re calmer. It’s time for class.”