by Doug Welch
* * *
Later that evening, Alex and I sat in the living room, waiting for a phone call I feared would never come.
She sat on the couch and looked anxious.
“Are you sure he agreed to do it?” Alex asked.
“Yes. It took a while to convince him.”
“Then why haven't they called?”
We were startled by the ring of the phone. “Don't answer it yet,” I said.
I waited until it had rung three times, picked it up and said calmly, “Fox residence.”
“You know why I'm calling slave. Consider yourself fortunate.”
I conjured a vision of his arrogant face during the confrontation at the farm.
“Cut the attitude, Luca. I know who you are.” I heard his breath hiss over the phone. “You want what I've got. – I'm willing to trade. My friends for my father's work. – That's the deal.”
Luca’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “Maybe I don't care. The female is a delectable piece. Maybe I’ll keep her as my concubine. The muscle and the invalid will have to go though. I've no more room in my stables.”
I ignored the threat. “I don't think the Houses will be happy, not to mention the Council. In addition, I’ll hunt you down. Whatever it takes. If you harm the Rowans, you won't be able to venture from your house, let alone your stable and I'll make damn sure your death is slow and nasty.”
“I don't recognize threats from my slaves. – Very well, where do we meet?”
“First, I want to talk to Elizabeth,” I said.
“Why should I agree to that?” he asked.
“I want to assure myself they’re alive and unharmed. Elizabeth will know how to get to the meeting place. The items are there. You’ll not be able to find it if she doesn’t lead you. If they are harmed in any way, you die. If you come to the meeting place without them, I’ll kill you immediately. Put her on the phone.”
The phone went silent for a while.
I waited, tense, every muscle in my body tight.
I nearly lost control when Elizabeth’s voice came on the line. “Paris, they won't let us leave. They said they were putting us in protective custody, but I know they're not police.”
“I know.” My voice was hoarse. “Listen, sweetheart. We’re meeting for a trade. The meeting place is where the deer went. Do you understand?”
“I understand. Where the deer went.”
“I'll be with you soon.”
Luca's voice came back on the line. “What time, slave?”
“First, I want you to take Edward back to his house. If I don't deliver the material, you can always pick him up again. Come with Beth and Caesar. You may think you can force Beth to tell you where it is. She can't. Even if she told you, you'd never find it. She can only lead you to it.”
He remained silent for a moment. “Very well. Just make sure you have the material there.”
I named a time two hours later while it would still be daylight, and I ended the call.
“It's arranged?” Alex said.
“Yes, at the clearing,” I said.
“Good choice,” Alex said.”– Do you think we have a chance?
”Yes, Better than we had before. Be prepared. Do you remember what you’re supposed to do?”
She swallowed and nodded. “I love you, Brother.”
I couldn't reply for a moment. “I love you, Sister. – Let's go.”