Tess urged something into my hands. “Here. It’s old but still works.”
I curled my hands around the ancient dagger, wincing against the ice-cold hilt and running my thumbs over a giant emerald inlaid in the end. “Where on earth did this come from?”
Tess shrugged as she headed toward Suzette and passed her a similar blade; however, hers was shorter with a wicked hooked barb on the blade tip. “Who knows? Q has a collection on his mantel.” She pointed at the large fireplace with deer and who knew what else carved into the surround. Above was a rack of swords and old-style muskets. “I love the sexist view Q has of protecting the weaker sex—that weaker sex being me.” She laughed softly. “But we all know women aren’t damsels in distress. I have a son to protect. I’ll rip out the entrails from anyone trying to harm him.”
Her ferocity scattered goosebumps down my arms. I loved her confidence that women were just as capable as men in defending their property.
Stroking my new friend the dagger, I eyed up the rest of the bedroom. It might seem odd to have medieval weaponry overlooking the bed but it fitted perfectly.
A tower.
The only tower on the estate and the only room inside it. The floor area ensured the master suite impressed with its massive space, hidden enclaves behind hand-painted screens, and apparatus tucked behind thick velvet curtains.
Suzette had eyed up the items as we’d entered, knowledge dancing over her sweet features as to what lurked behind their wrappings.
Unfortunately, I only had my imagination to guide me. If what Tess had hinted at about her and Q’s sex life, I dreaded to think what sort of ‘toys’ or more like torture equipment existed hidden away.
Settling back on the bed with her own knife of choice—a simple dagger with blue scroll painted on the hilt—Tess smiled at Suzette as she jiggled Lino in her arms.
Luckily, the baby had his thumb in his mouth and clutched a piece of Suzette’s hair, fast asleep with chubby pink cheeks and dusky delicate eyelashes.
He was the only one unfazed by what was coming.
Everyone else in the room shifted nervously, never staying in one spot for long, legs jiggling and fingers twirling.
I was no exception. Although, thanks to my recent captivity and the common occurrence of living in high-doss circumstances of stress and silence, I did the opposite to fidgeting.
I locked down.
I barely breathed.
I found it hard to look around the room rather than fixate on a spot that wouldn’t get me into trouble. I didn’t care if my joints started to ache from being in one position for too long. I didn’t mind I grew lightheaded from scarcely breathing.
I merely sat and waited for the worst to come.
Tess turned to face a girl on the opposite side of the massive bed. “How are you doing, Caroline?”
The brunette flashed her a weak, feather of a smile, shaking her head once. “I’m fine.” Her voice hinted she was anything but fine.
Her obvious discomfort didn’t faze Tess who nodded sympathetically. “Despite what might happen downstairs, we’re safe up here. Okay? No one is going to hurt you again.”
She bit her lip. Her eyes searched Tess’s as if desperate to believe her but not quite able to. I didn’t need anyone to tell me that Caroline was a recent addition to the Mercer household and someone who’d walked in my shoes.
The moment she’d entered the bedroom, our eyes had locked, and we’d known.
She had the same bruises.
The same shackle marks.
The same cuts and chain imprints.
I’d given her a sad smile but also a happy one because no matter what she’d lived through, she was free. She’d been found, and I had no doubt time would repair her mind just as it had mine.
If the Chinmoku are defeated, of course.
My heart drummed an alarm button as I looked at Lino again. We had no choice but to win, because if we didn’t, it wasn’t just us who would die tonight but everyone—no matter age, race, or sex. Even baby Lino.
I stood, running my fingers along my newly acquired blade, allowing rebellion to fill me instead of previous slave training.
I slashed the empty air, getting a feel for the weight and precision of my new weapon just in case I would have to use it.
I wouldn’t shy from drawing blood. I wouldn’t qualm over taking a life.
I’d pulled the trigger in the white mansion.
I would stab someone here if it came down to it.
As I fileted empty air, a fist pounded loud and heavy on the massive wooden door.
I jumped, almost cutting myself with the knife. My heart wheezed with anticipation and preservation.
Tess sprang to her feet as Lino woke and grizzled. Suzette clutched him close, murmuring into his tiny ear while glancing at Tess with terror in her eyes.