“As you say,” Maura replied, a single brow arched as she fixed Becka with her stare. “But, how did you break the Unbreakable?”
Was it a trick question? “That’s a stupid name for an object made of crystal, don’t you know?” Everyone continued to stare. “I mean the floor is marble. Gravity is a proven force. Quartz is only about a 7 on the hardness scale. Obviously, the impact did the artifact in. This isn’t rocket science, people!”
Sigfrid let out a short laugh.
No one else so much as smiled.
Maura gave Sigfrid a firm look, and then turned her attention fully back to Becka.
“It’s named the Unbreakable, a gift symbolizing the fidelity from House Hawthorne from the time of the Great War,” Maura said. “Hawthorne pledged their unending support to our house with the phoenix symbolizing that we will always overcome our losses together.”
“A poignant display of allegiance,” Quinn replied. “To be sure.”
“But ridiculously fragile,” Becka said. “What moron would use crystal to symbolize unending support?”
Maura frowned. “We had a contest at the time to see if any could break it. Many tried. They burned it. Pounded at it with hammers. Threw it like a spear. All attempts failed.”
Becka looked down at the crystal dust on the floor. “So...Unbreakable is more than just the name?”
“It’s supposed to be impossible to destroy. Imbued with fire everlasting.” Maura smiled the slightest of smiles. “Obviously, we were wrong.”
“My deepest apology, Maura.”
“Oh, it’s an invaluable loss, to be sure,” Maura waved her off. “But I am more concerned over how you, an ungifted outcast, managed the feat.”
“I’ve become concerned she might be hexed or cursed, my Lady,” Quinn replied. “I have additionally requested the services of a tester.
Maura shook her head, eyes afire with renewed purpose. “No, I do not believe that for one moment. Something else occurred here, and I am going to get to the truth of it. The call for a tester does indeed feel most timely.”
Becka held up her hands, the pit of her stomach sinking at the suggestion. “Look, I didn’t do anything besides knock it over.” She looked at each of them one by one and was met with doubt and disbelief. “Something else must have happened to it.”
“I believe you when you say you do not know what occurred,” Maura replied. “But simply saying ‘all you did was knock it over’ does not make it true.”
Maura turned to the guards. “Please escort Becka back to her room and ensure she remains there. She may not leave the estate for any reason.”
Becka’s heart sank. If only she’d demanded to Quinn to take her away from here, or refused to return in the first place! Now she was jailed, more or less, until the testers had their way with her. She shuddered at the thought. Perhaps she could still find a way out before the testing was scheduled? Quinn seemed eager enough to get her out of here, although she feared the reasons. Perhaps they could make a deal?
Maura turned back to Becka. “I will send for you when the tester is ready. Being late in the day, you likely will have until the morning before the process is prepared. You will not leave House Rowan until my curiosity is satisfied. And by all that is sacred, do not touch anything, or anyone, else.”
Chapter 18
The door to Becka’s room closed with a heavy, resonant clang. She waited to hear the bolt thrown, but no additional sounds came.
“They will not lock us in,” Quinn said. He leaned against the dresser near the door, watching her for reactions.
Head still throbbing, Becka crossed to the table where she had her bags and fished out a bottle of hot sauce. “Why not?”
“Two guards are posted outside. With the door unlocked if anyone needs access to you, they have the option to walk in unannounced and catch you off guard. If they had opted to lock the door, then we would hear it and have time to prepare. My guess is they want you on edge.”
“I’m close enough to the edge I might fall off this cliff.”
Becka’s hand shook as she raised the bottle to her lips and took a swig. She replaced the cap and hid the bottle away. She walked out onto the balcony and breathed deeply, taking in the expansive horizon. Her headache slowly disbanded, as the hot sauce and the open air worked their magic. The late afternoon view of the manor gardens made her wistful. If only Tesse hadn’t died out there. She’d never see these grounds in the same light again.
“Feel better?” he asked, leaning against the ornately carved balcony railing.
Becka turned towards him. “I’m not up to making small talk with you right now. You said you’d explain what I overheard on your call. Heck, while you’re at it, why don’t you try explaining the call the night before too.”
There was so much emotion roiling under his skin, it was like a storm cloud had raced across his features, and yet a moment later he was tranquil as the sea again. It happened so fast, Becka almost thought she’d imagined it.
“Tell me what you heard.”
Becka shook her head. “Quit your bullshit, Quinn. That’s not how this is gonna work.”
The flash of shock running across his face over her candor was soon replaced by a slight smile and twinkle in his eyes.
“And no,” she wagged a finger at him. “I’m deadly serious. You can’t charm your way out of this one!”
He schooled the humor out of his expression. “So you do think my smile is charming?”
Fed up with his seeming inability to answer her questions, a low growl issued from her throat. “Explain, Quinn, and while you’re at it, make some unequivocal statements about how you’re not out to kill me.”
He took a step forward and reached out
