“Zack, please have a word with her as to how to voice her worries without the attitude. Eliza, I would have loved for you to have learned something from your previous stint in isolation. You're always allowed to say what you think, but respectfully please and be under no illusion that you can stop any decision that is made by us. What we decide is what happens, whether you or your mum like it or not.”
Zack nodded but Markus hadn't finished yet.
“However, you made a fair point. Of course we'll protect your mum from harm. Her involvement will stop as soon as we have introduced you into the life of your father.”
I considered his answer for a minute before answering, starting with an apology.
“I'm sorry about the way I worded my concerns. I'm fully aware that I cannot stop you from doing anything, but feel my frustration. It's my mum you're talking about. The woman who has always been there for me and has supported me through everything life has thrown at me. She won't be fully safe, as you won't be able to control what my father will do. What if he decides he wants her back in his life? What if she wants to be back in his life? Stranger things have happened! What if the organisation my father works for gets wind of her existence. She could become a pawn for them, something to use in controlling him. You cannot cover every angle as to how this will end, surely? So I'm asking, no, begging you not to involve her. Please?”
I tried to keep the emotion and desperation out of my voice, but failed miserably. I dared to glance at Zack and even though his face looked like thunder, I did detect something else. His scent and demeanour had changed, it wasn't just anger I could smell. It was admiration.
“She has a point, Markus." Zaphire piped up.
“We can do our utmost best to keep Alice safe and in 99% of cases that's enough, but we cannot guarantee her safety.”
I was grateful for her support, but I knew the decision had been made already and Markus confirmed my fear.
“I do take your point Eliza and Zaphire, but it's the best and probably only option we have. We don't compromise on that. As always, the mission comes first. But as I said, we will make sure your mum is safe as best we can. You'll just have to accept that and move on now.”
There was no budging him and as he said, I had to put it aside and concentrate on making sure I would carry out this task as safely and efficiently as possible and get my mum back home as soon as possible. Out of harm’s way.
CHAPTER 34
I felt happy the leaders had agreed my plan. It was the only way in, without arousing suspicion and they had realised that too. I had hoped the careful discussion about it between the leaders, where every angle was explored in front of Eliza, would have convinced her. That's why I hadn't mentioned it to her before, to avoid an argument. It was a risk, and feeling her frustration and fear, I was surprised she handled it pretty calmly. For her. Remembering how I lost my cool when I thought she would be in danger, which resulted in our detainment, I felt proud of her and the way she managed to stay in control of her emotions. Just about.
“I know that was difficult for you in there Eliza, but you are going to have to work on how you phrase your concerns without sounding disrespectful or defiant, so I am going to give you some exercises to work on now.”
She nodded her head.
I sensed her relief about just receiving some work to do. I think she was scared I was going to add more days on her punishment, but I remember having to do the exercises myself and it did teach me an awful lot. Some things don't come naturally, and have to be learned.
She worked hard all afternoon and evening and before she went to bed I decided to tell her that from tomorrow she could stand down. She could call me by my name again and she didn't have to ask permission to do everything any more. I did give her a stern warning though, that if I detected any disrespect towards me or in fact towards anyone else, I wouldn't hesitate to reinstate the punishment again. Soon after she went to bed I received a text from Markus. D-Day was going to be the day after tomorrow. Alice was already booked on a plane to join us.
Eliza's emotions went through the roof when she set eyes on her mum the following day. She ran up to her and threw herself in her arms and the warmth and love was felt by everyone in the room. I thought they were never going to let go of each other, so intense was their reunion. I felt a little stab of envy as although I knew Markus and Laura loved me, there was no closeness and warmth like I witnessed here before me. Zaphy and I loved each other and had an incredibly strong bond, but to feel so secure and safe in someone's arms was something both of us had missed out on growing up.
“I have missed you so much, sweetheart. How are you doing? Here. Let me look at you." Alice said when Eliza's grip loosened a bit.
“You look so strong!”
Admiration trickling through in her voice, though quickly replaced by a worried tone.
“But also exhausted! Are you feeling okay?" still
