Page 13 of Legacy Ascended

“You don’t command me.”

“No, but Frances does, and he’ll agree once he starts thinking about the children instead of a dead House.”

“Get out,” I say.

Klaus looks around Benny at me.

“You don’t give orders here.”

“Neither do you, apparently, or I’d already be underground.”

His mouth tightens.

“The shift changes soon,” he tells Benny. “Have her ready.”

He leaves. The door remains open behind him until Benny pushes it shut. This time, he turns the key.

For several seconds, none of us speaks.

Elise begins putting the medical supplies away. Her hands are no longer steady.

“He’s not taking you underground,” Benny says.

I stare at him. “He just ordered you to do it.”

“Klaus doesn’t command me.”

“Sure. You are just like everyone else here, telling yourself you are ‘helping’ me.”

Benny takes that without looking away.

Elise closes the medical tin. “Klaus just lost his brother this morning.”

“I know,” I say. “And I’m sorry his brother is dead. But I’m not letting Klaus bury me with him.”

“He won’t,” Benny says.

“You expect me to trust Frances to stop him?”

“Frances would never allow it.”

“Frances allowed men to shoot me full of tranquilizers and drag me into a van.”

Benny’s jaw tightens.

“He ordered me brought here,” I continue. “Klaus has armed men who agree with him, and now he’s angry and scared for the children. Both emotions make people do stupid things very quickly.”

Neither of them argues.

I look at Elise. “You saw what happened at the gate.”

“Yes.”

“Believe me now. I don’t want anyone else here hurt. I just want to get back to my mates.”

Benny shakes his head. “Your mates are the reason Klaus is afraid.”

“They’re coming whether you release me or not.”