AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And Mistress. I mean,Christy…” Five says.
“Yes?”
“What about after you leave?”
“I’ll need you to keep an eye on her and take care of The Masks until I return. I’ll figure out what to do about One then.”
“When will that be? I’m not sure they’ll survive without you for long.”
“As soon as I possibly can. Ipromise…” My voice trails off as I look at her. She’s worried, I am too. There’s so much I don’t know. I used to despise my gift, now I just want to be able to see how this all pans out. I need to know we’ll all be okay. “Will you watch over them?”
“Of course I will,” she agrees, pressing her hand to her heart and giving me a warm smile.
“Thank you.”
“No, it is me who should be thanking you,” she argues.
“What for?”
“For healing the hearts of three men that I care about.”
She moves to leave but I reach for her, my fingers curling around her hand. “Wait, can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
“When this is over, will you tell me your story?”
“When this is over I will gladly do that. I would even like to be a part of a new chapter in your own story if you’ll allow me.”
“You mean to stay here?”
“This is my home, but I would never assume it will remain that way when you return.”
“Of course this is your home. I would be glad of your company, and your friendship, but don’t you want to find your family?”
She shakes her head. “My family sold me. I have no desire to ever see them again.”
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“I’m not…” Her voice trails off as she regards me. “What will become of the rest of the Numbers?” she asks.
I sigh. “I guess that’s up to them.”
“You mean to free them?”
“I know my sister, she will give them a choice to leave here. It’s more than they’ve been given in the past,” I say gently.
Five presses her lips together in a firm line. “I understand. Is that all?”
“There is one more thing.”
“And what’s that?” she asks, tipping her head to the side, her long black plait falling over her shoulder.
“What’s your real name?”
“Raksha,” she answers immediately.
“Raksha? That’s beautiful. What does it mean?”
“It meansshe who protects, and I promise to do that,” she replies with a gentle bob of her head, before spinning on her heels and striding from the room.
