Nat sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Alright. I assume Stalo has reached the city by now and gone into hiding, so it doesn’t change the situation much. What is the second condition?”
“That when Stalo is caught, you’ll take me back for good.”
“Of course.” Nat flashed a smile. “I wouldn’t keep you here against your will.”
“Okay then. Let’s get back to my house, then come back to sort out this Stalo business.” Anouk pushed herself up.
“As you wish, my lady,” Nat replied and jumped up.
Anouk snorted.
“Put your arms around me and close your eyes,” Nat instructed. “By the way, what is your katana?”
“It’s a Japanese sword.”
“Do you know how to use a sword?” Nat sounded surprised.
“Yes, some.”
Nat whistled.
“Why are men always so incredulous when a woman can use weapons?” Anouk crossed her arms, glaring at him.
“Ulda women know how to use weapons, but you look more an Anglean, so I was jumping to conclusions. My apologises. Your fighting skills could be of great assistance.”
“Who or what are Ulda and Anglean?”
“Ulda are the native people of Anglea while Angleans are conquerors and now in the majority. I will explain it all later because now we are ready to take-off… hold tight.”
Anouk wrapped her arms around Nat and closed her eyes. A few seconds later the same strong pull jerked her forward, pressing her tighter against Nat, and gusts of wind beat against her back. She wished she could open her eyes to check what was happening, but the flashing lights were too bright and she didn’t want to risk another night disgorging, so instead she pressed her eyelids tighter shut.
* * *
Her home was in chaos—the door to the staircase hung wide open, a bullet hole had pierced the wall, and the small side table and picture had toppled over. Smaller bits and bobs of Anouk’s life lay scattered on the floor. It was like returning to the scene of a crime… which it actually was. Anouk shuddered. Would she ever feel safe in her home again?
Anouk lifted the table and knelt to gather up her knickknacks. Tears burned her eyes. It had been a horrible morning.
The door clicked shut behind her. She started up, half expecting Stalo to be back. It was Nat, scanning her hall as if seeing it for the first time.
She gripped the edge of the table in sheer relief. “Door wasn’t broken?”
Nat shook his head. “It was slightly ajar when I kicked it in.”
Anouk nodded. At least she didn’t have to explain what had happened to the caretaker. The bullet hole, though, would have to wait until she came back, but she could putty it herself.
She made a quick phone call to her boss and Alison saying that when she recovered, she had to travel away from London for a couple of weeks for an urgent family matter.
“It’s my father. He just contacted me and he needs my help in Amsterdam. I promised to go.” Anouk frowned. She hated lying.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Alison said. “Is he ill?”
“Yeah.”
“Of course, you must go. He must feel guilty leaving you and wants to make amends.”
“Yes, I guess.” Anouk suppressed a snort. Her father had had nothing to do with her and her mother after he had left when she’d been five years old. The only explanation her mother gave was her daddy was a typical sailor. Later Anouk learned her father had another family. “I don’t know how long I’ll be in Amsterdam, but a couple of weeks at least.”
After a few motherly comments from Alison about family coming first but that Anouk should take time for herself as well, Anouk hung up and turned to Nat. “That was awkward.”
Nat gave a nonchalant shrug. “If it’s any consolation, telling the truth would only bring you more trouble.”
“Well, I sure hope it’s worth it.” She turned the mobile off and threw it on the bed. “I don’t suppose I have time for a quick shower? I mean, since I’m coming with you.”
Nat gave her a flat look.
“I’ll be quick. I really need a shower after being so ill all night.”
Nat narrowed his eyes. “Alright, but I’ll come to get you if it takes too long, no matter whether you are naked or not.”
“You should take care to respect people’s privacy. Besides, I’ll be super-fast.” Anouk ran to the bathroom.
The stream of warm water caressed her aching body, and she wanted to stay in the shower longer, but she didn’t dare. Nat’s threat had been convincing enough that she didn’t want to test whether he would see it through to fruition. She slipped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around herself, and headed back to the bedroom. Nat stood in the hall leaning against the wall, his face unreadable.
“I’ll just change clothes, grab a quick bite, and then we’ll pop to the cemetery and get back to Anglea,” she said over her shoulder.
Nat grunted. Anouk wondered what he was thinking, seeing her wearing only a towel. Embarrassed, enjoy the sight or just ignore her? She glanced at him when she closed the bedroom door. Nat was staring at the Gadget.
Embarrassed or ignoring.
At least he was more of a gentleman than his friend. The memory of Stalo nibbling her earlobe made her insides flip in mutual disgust and terror. She hurried to her wardrobe. Thinking of what they were proposing turned her stomach. What was she getting herself into? She took a deep breath. Nothing
