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AS THEY APPROACHED the village of the Lake of Sins, Hugh said, “Turn here.”
“That’s not the way to the Remore place,” said Bruno.
“We can’t drive up to the door. I’m a fugitive, remember?” He pointed to a faint trail that headed into the brush. “There.”
“That doesn’t look like a road.”
“Trust me. It leads to the Remore house.” He visited this place in his nightmares. It was the route they’d taken when they’d fled from the Trackers.
Bruno gave him a dirty look as he turned the carriage.
He stared out the window as they drove down the overgrown path leading to the Lake of Sins. The forest was dark and spooky, spookier than before because now he knew exactly the kind of things that lurked in the shadows, waiting to eat the unsuspecting.
“Stop here,” he said.
Bruno halted the carriage near the lake.
“When do you think you’ll be back?” He jumped to the ground. He didn’t want to wait here any longer than he had to.
“It’ll take a little over an hour to get home and back.” Bruno was frowning at him. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll be fine.” It was a short distance to the Remore house, just a quick jaunt through the forest in the dark, alone.
“Townsend will kill me if I let you go by yourself.” Bruno shook his head, grumbling as he got out of the carriage.
“Thanks.” He wasn’t going to argue.
They headed into the brush and could see the Remore house when Bruno stopped, a slight rumble in his chest.
“Run,” whispered Bruno.
Hugh pulled his knife as Guards moved out of the bushes all around them.
“I’ll stall them. Go.” Bruno shoved him.
“Hugh? Is that you?” Carla stepped into a clearing.
“Carla?” His shoulders sagged with relief.
“What are you doing?” She held up her hand and five other Guards came out of the bushes. “It’s not safe for you to be here.”
“Is Jethro home?” he asked.
“Jethro? No. He doesn’t live here anymore.”
“So, I heard.” He smiled, extending his hand. “It’s good to see you, Carla.”
“I’m glad you didn’t die, but you have to leave.”
“I need to talk to Martha.”
“Why?”
“It’s personal.” He moved closer to her. “Can you escort me there? If she doesn’t want to talk to me, I’ll go. No arguments.”
Carla glanced around. A few of the Guards shook their heads.
“Please. I mean her no harm. I swear.”
“If I do this, you make sure Jackson stays away from here,” she whispered.
“He’s been hanging around again?” He thought that’d ended when they’d moved to the war camp.
“Yeah. I haven’t seen him in a couple weeks, but I’m sure he’ll be back.”
“I’ll do my best.” There was nothing he could say to keep the Guard away from Kim. “It’ll be fine. I promise.” He gave her his most persuasive smile.
“I know I’m going to regret this.” She frowned as she turned and headed down the trail. “Come on.”
“Bruno, you can—”
“I’m not leaving until I know you’re safe in that house.”
“Thanks.” He’d hoped the Guard would say that. If Martha didn’t want to talk to him, he’d have to leave and he didn’t want to wait in the forest alone for an hour.
Carla and her team escorted them through the woods to the Remore house. He couldn’t help fidgeting as the Guard knocked on the door. He was going to speak with his mother—his biological mother. She’d always been pleasant to him when they’d met at social events but she could hate the sight of him.
Martha opened the door. She was dressed in a housecoat. It wasn’t that late but he should’ve never come at night. He should’ve never come at all.
“He wanted to see you, ma’am,” said Carla. “I wasn’t sure what we should do.”
“Of course.” Martha patted Carla on the hand. “You did the right thing. Now, go rest for the night.” She grabbed Hugh’s arm. “Come inside.”
“We haven’t finished patrolling, ma’am,” said Carla.
“Yes, you have.” Martha started closing the door behind Bruno. “There won’t be anything else to see around here tonight.” Her eyes narrowed a bit. “Make sure of that.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Carla left, taking the pack of Guards with her.
Martha closed the door, sighing as she leaned against it.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come so late, but I...I wanted to talk to you.” Talking about his birth, his father and her rape had seemed like a good idea when he’d been in the lab but not now.
“Of course. I wasn’t sleeping. I just didn’t expect company.” Her eyes landed on Bruno.
“Oh, sorry. Martha Remore, this is—”
“Someone who’s got to go.” Bruno put his hand on the doorknob and hesitated. “You can stay here until I return? It’ll only take an hour or so.”
They both looked at Martha who paled slightly.
“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have bothered you. I’ll leave.”
“No. We need to talk and of course you can wait here.”
“I’ll hurry.” Bruno slipped out the door.