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“What are you going to do?” I ask, forcing strength into my jelly legs as I push off the wall and walk back towards them both.
“There’s a place I go to get clean again,” he replies, flicking his gaze to me before gently tucking Konrad’s cock back into his trousers, covering him back up. It’s such an intimate place to touch, and such a kind thing to do that I’m rocked by it. Leon doesn’t notice my inner turmoil as he crouches before Konrad, and squeezes his thighs. “It’s going to be alright, brother,” he says.
“Can we do anything to help?” Five asks.
“I can’t move Konrad on my own. I need Jakub.”
Five shakes her head. “He’s gone.”
“Into the forest?” Leon’s head snaps up as he looks at her.
“Yes…” Her voice trails off as she turns her attention back to Twelve.
“Fuck!” he exclaims, glancing at me, worry scattering across his features. He shakes his head, as though trying to clear it.
“Master?” Five questions, waiting for further instructions.
“First I’ll deal with Konrad, then I’ll go find Jakub. Will you help me to move him?” he asks her.
“Of course.” Five steps forward as Leon wraps an arm around Konrad’s back and lifts his arm over his shoulder, hauling him to his feet. Surprisingly Konrad manages to stand as Five ducks under his other arm. Despite her slight frame, she’s strong.
“What can I do to help?” Thirteen asks.
“Get Konrad’s room ready. He’ll need something to help him sleep, and his fire will need to be lit. Can I leave you to do that?”
“Yes, of course.” She flicks her gaze to me.
“Christy, go with her,” Leon says.
“No. I want to help him.” Those words leave my mouth before I can even comprehend them.
I do?
Leon thinks for a moment, then nods his head. “Okay.”
* * *
“What is this place exactly?”I ask, momentarily stunned by the crystal clear water that seems to sink endlessly into the depths of this huge cave that sits beneath the castle.
“It’s an underground lake. It’s been here for centuries, way longer than Ardelby Castle,” Leon responds as he and Five ease Konrad onto a sunlounger situated by the water’s edge. It seems an odd piece of furniture to have given this cave is illuminated by a run of lights drilled into the cave floor and not the sun. In fact, as I look up at the ceiling of the cave I see thick tree roots growing downwards, a canopy of them. Some of the roots have grown down the wall and reach below the surface of the water, drifting there.
“Is that…?” My voice trails off as my eyes widen.
“The Weeping Tree? Yes. The courtyard is directly above us,” Leon confirms as he struggles to remove Konrad’s shirt.
“Do you need help undressing him?” Five asks, flicking her gaze between us.
“We can manage, but I’d appreciate it if you locked up the cell with Twelve’s body in it,” Leon says, searching Konrad’s pocket and pulling out a key before passing it to Five.
“And One?” she asks.
“Not a word to One for now, or the Numbers. I need to deal with Konrad then we’ll decide how to handle what’s happened.”
“Of course, Master.” Five dips her head respectfully, then turns on her heel. Before she leaves I reach for her, pressing my fingers into the bare skin of her arm. She feels like silk even though I know she’s as deadly as the knives she wears strapped to her chest.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Her gaze meets mine, understanding that I’m not thanking her for helping Leon to move Konrad, but because she helped save my life. “You’re welcome, Mistress.”
