Chapter Four

Chapter Four

I held that thin report, and my fingertips went cold.

The bouquet had been laced with a scent designed to drive animals into a frenzy.

That night with the tiger and the wolf had never been an accident.

I folded the report and tucked it inside my clothes, against my skin.

In two days, I’d be free.

Julian’s hand stilled on Rosalind’s arm. His eyes had landed on me.

He looked at me for a long time, as if he’d just noticed the sorrow that wouldn’t leave my face.

Without thinking, he pulled me into his arms. “Honey, cheer up. I’ll always be here for you.”

I slipped out of his embrace without making it obvious and smiled faintly. “I’m fine.”

He pushed down whatever was troubling him and kissed my forehead. “Okay. Let’s go home.”

All the way home, his eyes kept returning to me.

He was reaching for my hand when Rosalind suddenly screamed. “Look out!”

Bang!

A black SUV slammed into us head-on and flipped our car over.

As the world spun, my head smashed into the window.

Before I blacked out, I saw a pair of polished leather shoes step out of the SUV and stop among the broken glass.

A man’s voice, amused. “Mr. Blackwood. Long time no see.”

…

I had a long dream.

In it, I was back where it all began, more than five years ago, the first time I met Julian.

I could still see then. My favorite thing in the world was strapping on a backpack and heading into the wilderness.

Deep in a canyon in Utah, I came across a man who’d fallen from a ledge. His leg was broken, he was burning with fever, and he was barely breathing.

I gave him every scrap of food, every drop of water, every pill I had, and kept him alive.

He was unconscious for three days. By the time he woke up, I’d collapsed from exhaustion.

He fed me the last half canteen of water, mouthful by mouthful, licked the dew off the canyon wall himself, and held on until the search-and-rescue team found us.

When he was courting me later, he said that walking out of that canyon together meant we were meant to be. That we’d been through life and death together.

Vivian, from now on, no matter what happens, I’ll always choose you first.

Then the dream shifted, and he was throwing me to the beasts to save Rosalind.

I woke with a cry.

My hands and feet were bound. Something black was tied over my eyes. I couldn’t see a thing.

I could only hear voices.

“Mr. Blackwood, your family stole the Kane family’s land and drove us into bankruptcy. Don’t you think it’s time you paid for that?”

“Victor Kane. You actually kidnapped me? You have a death wish.”

It was Julian.

Victor laughed, high and unhinged. “If I’m going down, I’m taking you with me. But just killing you would be letting you off too easy.”

“Why don’t we play a little game?”

“I’ve got three little punishments lined up. And you, Mr. Blackwood, get to choose who to save.”

Rosalind and I were dragged to his feet. The gravel tore open my back. I clenched my teeth and didn’t make a sound.

“Let them go. This is between you and me. Leave them out of it.”

“Punishment number one. A little swim.”

“Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. Just let them go.”

“Shut up! If you won’t choose, I’ll throw them both to the sharks!”

The next second, someone kicked me into the freezing sea.

“No!” Julian roared.

Salt water flooded my nose and mouth. My lungs felt like they were being ripped apart.

In. Out. In again. Three times.

I was barely alive.

As they were about to throw me in for the fourth time, Julian’s voice cracked. “Victor! Stop! I’ll choose!”

“Oh? And who will Mr. Blackwood save? Vivian? Or Rosalind?”

Victor ground his heel into my fingers and added, taking his time:

“Think carefully. The one you pick goes home. The other one, I’m going to kill slowly. Bit by bit.”

The sea wind howled. I lay on the rocks, soaked through, so cold my teeth were chattering.

I could hear Julian’s ragged breathing.

I could feel his gaze moving back and forth between Rosalind and me. He hesitated for a long, long time.

And then his eyes settled on me, and stayed there.

In that moment, I almost wanted to laugh.

Five years ago, in that canyon, he’d promised.

No matter what happened, he would always choose me first.

Even though I’d already decided I didn’t want him anymore, even though I knew better than to hope—

my traitorous heart began to race.

Julian opened his mouth and said, word by word:

“I choose—”

The gag fell out of Rosalind’s mouth. She let out a piercing wail.

“Julian, save me! Save our baby!”

The words died in Julian’s throat.

After a long moment, his voice came out hoarse. “Rosalind.”

In an instant, all the strength drained out of my body.

My racing heart dropped straight to the bottom of that icy sea.

Victor grabbed me by the hair himself and threw me into the water.

Four times. Five. Six… Ten.

“Are you trying to kill her?” Julian’s eyes were bloodshot.

“You chose this, didn’t you? Punishment number two: ninety-nine lashes. So, Mr. Blackwood—who do you save this time?”

They dropped me on the ground. Seawater filled my chest. Every breath was like swallowing knives.

Anyone could see I couldn’t take much more.

But his next answer pushed me straight into the abyss.

“Rosalind.”

Beside me, Rosalind wept with relief and gave me a timid glance. “I’m so sorry you have to go through this, sis.”

I didn’t hear her. I could only stare in his direction, unable to believe it.

The whip came down.

My ten fingers clawed at the rough ground and left ten trails of blood across the stones.

One. Two. Three… Fifty-five!

Blood soaked through my back in great dark patches. I nearly passed out.

“Stop! I said stop!” he screamed in despair, tearing free and lunging toward me.

But Rosalind suddenly cried out and clutched her stomach. “Help me! I—I think I’m losing the baby!”

He froze, and reached for her hand without thinking.

In that one moment of hesitation, another lash came down, and I coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“Vivian!”

Victor was having the time of his life. “Mr. Blackwood, as it happens, I have a medical team on standby. But you still only get to save one.”

“Is it Rosalind again this time?”

The lashes kept coming. All I could hear was a high, piercing ring in my ears. I couldn’t hear his answer.

I forced my eyes open, and saw Julian and Victor exchange a few words.

Victor nodded. He agreed.