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“You should sit down,” Olivia suggested. “I can manage.”
“I’m fine. Now, let’s retrace your steps. When was the last time you saw it?”
“Yesterday. I thought I put it on this nightstand,” Olivia said, her mind rewinding from that magical night all the way to the morning hike. When she thought more about the hike, she gasped and glanced at the two women.
“The bear attack! What if . . .” She lowered her voice, nibbling on her lower lip as she thought. “Could I have somehow dropped it in the woods during the attack?”
“It seems logical.” Elena walked over to Olivia. “You know how terrified you were; it’s very easy to miss these things.”
“Not that necklace.” She sighed and went back to the nightstand by the bed.
“I thought I had it on last night, when I took it off and placed it here,” she touched the nightstand. “Or . . .” She paused. Or could it have been elsewhere? She was sure she’d had it on last night. But it made more sense to have lost it during the attack.
Disheartened, Olivia reached for the bed and sat down. “I have to go back and look for it. If it’s not here then it must be out there.” She felt racked with guilt, like she had abandoned her mother while she had the night of her life.This is supposed to be our journey, and I left you behind.
“That’s a good idea,” Elena said. “I will send Mihai to go with you. And Alina as well. Three pairs of eyes are better than two.”
Alina lowered her eyes, grumbling. “I don’t want to go out there.”
Elena’s eyes snapped to her daughter. “What was that?”
“I . . .” Alina tried saying but swallowed the words without completing them.
“Fine!” Elena sighed. “I will go help look for it.”
“That’s not necessary, Elena,” Olivia said. “It’s fine, really. Mihai and I will go while you wait here.”
“No, my dear, I’ll go with you,” Elena insisted, her voice softening. “It’s the least I can do. After all, I was the one who arranged for you to stay in this castle. And the doctor said exercise will do me good.”
There was no point trying to argue with Elena, and a third party seemed like a good idea. Olivia glanced at Alina, who was still staring at the floor, her brows drawn together tightly, her eyes filled with fear.Was she that terrified of the woods?
“Thank you so much for your help.” Olivia smiled. “We should head out soon. I can shower later.”
***
Elena watched Mihai and Olivia through the small hallway window. They were waiting outside for her in the courtyard.
The necklace shimmered as it slid from Alina’s soft hands into Elena’s wrinkled palm. Alina’s face was full of worry. She hesitated before letting go of the necklace.
Elena’s grin morphed into a scornful look when she saw the expression on her daughter’s face.
“Stop it, Alina.”
“But—”
“But nothing!” She clasped her hand, covering the necklace. “I’ve told you I’m not going to hurt her. Just a little scare, that’s all.”
Alina’s lips shook.
“Oh, now what?” Elena asked. Alina sniffled, then sobbed, and then she was full-out crying.
“Get a hold of yourself!” Elena jerked her gaze back to the window, panic on her face, but when she saw that neither Mihai nor Olivia had heard the sounds of her daughter’s blubbering, she grabbed Alina by her arm and dragged her down the hall.
“Like so often, I wonder if I was the one who suckled you. Stop crying! You’re ruining everything,” she snapped at Alina, throwing her hand high into the air. But Alina wouldn’t stop sobbing; she jerked herself free from Elena’s grip and ran off with her face buried in her hands.
“Stupid girl,” Elena mumbled to herself when Mihai suddenly appeared down the hallway.
“We are just going to scare the American girl, is that true?” he asked, his fat fingers clasped together. He growled and his eyes narrowed.
