“Well,” he pauses, looking me over. I tense up, waiting for his response, my heart jumping. “As tempting as it is, I have to turn down your generous offer. Because there’s nothing you can do to make me want to return to my past.”
I fall into a temporary stupor. I truly don’t understand this guy.
“Please,” I blurt out. “Help me.”
“Nope. It’s not happening, no matter what you say or do.”
I know I’m losing my last hope of rescuing my friends, so I lean in closer and wrap my arms around his neck. He doesn’t move, looking into my eyes, his expression hesitant yet hopeful. Thinking of Trent, I press my lips against his. He remains motionless for a second, then his hands move slowly onto my waist. My body becomes stiff and I begin to panic, but don’t try to stop him. I have to do this because I don’t see another way. So I sit unmoving, persuading myself that I can survive this, trying to block out my thoughts. He slowly pulls me in closer, and I feel his wet tongue parting my lips. I have to suppress a growing impulse to fight. I’m disgusted. My increasing anxiety is almost overwhelming because I do know what is going to happen next. He wraps his arms around me, trapping me, his grip strong and forceful now. And I want to scream, realizing I can’t escape, can’t even allow myself any resistance…
A moment later he pushes me away. We stare at each other.
“Dang it, Kora,” he says. “What was that all about? I said I’m not gonna help you.”
I wipe my lips, rising to my feet, feeling dirty and angry.
“Coward!” I hiss. “You’re nothing but a coward! You’re still the same little boy afraid to go outside.”
“You’d best shut your mouth, Kora.” He stands up. “I really don’t want to have to hurt you.”
I take a step forward, my fingers finding Gabriel’s knife inside my pocket. “I’m not scared of you, Wreck.”
“You should be. I’m a cold-blooded killer.”
“So am I.” I glare straight into his bleak gray eyes. “And you wouldn’t be the first prince I’ve killed.”
We face each other, and for an instant I can envision him charging into me. I’m frightened, yet prepared to fight.
But he doesn’t attack me. He smiles and says with an eerie calmness, “Kora, get the hell out of here while I still remember you’re a friend. Because if you don’t, I might soon forget.”
His cold soft voice carries more menace than shouting would. I turn and walk outside, not feeling my legs. I suppose I’ve just lost my only chance to kill Samuel and rescue Trent and the others.
CHAPTER 37
I walk through the dark woods, heading toward Jin’s house and thinking about Wreck, my recent obsession.
I really hate the guy.
I can’t believe how desperately I begged for him to help me. How could I have done that? How could I offer myself to him and then try to kiss him after his refusal? What if he tells the other rangers? What if they all start mocking and shaming me? Wreck must despise me now after everything I’ve done. But even as I regret doing so, I realize I would try the same thing facing a similar situation. Well, I guess I’ve never been what one would call a good girl.
Noises coming from the brush disrupt my neurotic thoughts. A wolf steps out from the shadows, his yellow eyes watching me. I brandish my knife and leap toward the animal, yelling, “Get the hell away!”
Startled, the wolf flees.
I begin running down the lonely path. Running, yet no longer scared by wolves, darkness, roamers or anything else. I’m furious and want to kill something. I now realize that I won’t be able to rescue my friends nor avenge my mother. The very thought hurts my heart.
Half an hour later, I sit crying in Jingfay’s living room. My fury having turned to self-pity upon seeing Maxine and Jin. I know they won’t think less of me because of my tears. It’s relieving to cry when somebody is sympathetic and kind toward you. I wish I could see Tanya, but the little girl is asleep.
“You knew he was the high master’s son,” I sob. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We promised Kris not to share his story with anybody,” Maxine sighs, sitting in a chair in front of me. “I can’t believe he didn’t agree to help you. He used to spend hours telling me how badly he wanted to kill his uncle.”
“Does anybody else know who he really is?”
“We don’t think so,” Jin answers. “Kris didn’t want anybody to learn his secret. He was very careful about that. Samuel would send soldiers to kill him, if he knew his location. Kris is still a threat to his leadership.”
“Why is he hiding? Why doesn’t he want revenge? I thought he was tough and brave… but he refused to help me. He just flat out refused…”
My voice breaks. Talking about him makes me anxious.
“How can he be such a coward?” I blurt out angrily.
“Don’t judge him too harshly, Kora,” Jin says, handing me a cup of warm tea. I take a long sip, calming myself. “He’s been through a lot in his life, and has earned the right to choose what’s best for him.”
“I’ve been through a lot too,” I look up at her. “But I’m not scared by the ghosts of my past.”
“Well, perhaps you’re stronger.”
Am I? I don’t know. But I do realize that nobody else will free my friends. They can’t escape Samuel because the idea of slavery is implanted too deeply in their minds. They’ve been taught to obey for so many years that they’ve forgotten they’re
