Hostage

by Rachel Manija Brown

  “They turn transparent sometimes,” Kerry said. “It must have been invisible when her hawk flew over it. After the battle, Father commanded her to stay hidden above Las Anclas until Pru figured out how Ross had managed to defeat his elite attack squad. And Father knew when Ross was going to the ruined city because the hawks flew close enough for her to hear people talking about it.”

  Mr. Preston’s heavy brows pushed together. “And that’s how he spies on his own citizens?”

  Kerry nodded. “Father encouraged my little siblings to make pets of the town gophers. It’s become a fashion—everybody feeds them, and nobody dares trap or poison them. With all those fat, slow gophers to eat, there’s hawks all over Gold Point.”

  Felicité appeared with a tray of glasses. She passed them out, setting Kerry’s down last and with a little bang.

  “Is anyone hungry?” asked the mayor. “We have some tea cakes, and there might be some smoked fish left.”

  The Sheriff declined, but Kerry said, with a bright smile to Felicité, “I would love some fish.”

  Felicité had just sat down. Her obliging expression didn’t change as she rose and went out, but Kerry hoped she was boiling inside. That’s for Jennie, she thought.

  “Thank you, Kerry,” Preston said. “That explains a number of things that have been puzzling us. So. You said you had to break Ross out of jail. I’d like to hear more about that.”

  Sheriff Crow held up her hand. “Let’s hold it for the council.”

  Felicité reappeared with her tray of smoked fish. Kerry waited until Felicité had offered it around, again bringing Kerry’s last. As Felicité sat down, Kerry said in her politest voice, “I would love a tea cake after all, if it’s not too much trouble.”

  Felicité got up and headed out, with a tiny sigh. Mom was completely right. Courtesy was a weapon.

  Kerry chatted politely until Felicité returned with a plate of tea cakes.

  This is for Yuki, she thought.

  She said brightly, “One regret I have is that I couldn’t bring back the horses I took. They were too tired to take on another journey. I’d like to pay for them instead. With this.”

  Kerry reached into her pack, and brandished her golden crown.

  Chapter Fifty-Three. Las Anclas.

  Jennie

  Jennie looked around the cell where she and Mia had lived for two miserable weeks. Finally, it was almost as bare as when they’d first been locked inside. She squatted to gather up the last tools.

  The jail door opened, sending in a warm breeze. Mr. Vilas knocked on Sheriff Crow’s door. The sheriff came out, then stood there without speaking.

  “Got something to tell you.” Mr. Vilas caught Jennie’s eyes and gave his head a jerk toward the front door.

  Jennie grabbed the half-empty box. She’d seen enough of Sheriff Crow and Mr. Vilas to know there was something going on between them, and she had no intention of being a witness to whatever romantic quarrel or making up—or worse, making out—was about to happen.

  Sheriff Crow folded her arms across her chest, like a shield. “There’s nothing private between us, Vilas. Finish packing your tools, Jennie.”

  Jennie began cramming tools into the kit as fast as she could.

  Mr. Vilas leaned his rifle and backpack against the wall. “It’ll take Voske years to rebuild. I don’t think he’ll be bothering you any, so I’m off.”

  “Thanks for staying till now,” Sheriff Crow said.

  “Listen, Elizabeth. I’m sorry I took that order from Preston. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it. I don’t want to get between Voske and Preston anymore.”

  “All right.”

  “I’m done with this town,” Mr. Vilas went on. “I’m done with taking orders. From anyone. I’m going up north, to the mountains. Why don’t you come with me?”

  Jennie froze, praying that they would forget she was there. As the silence stretched, she wondered what Sheriff Crow was thinking. She couldn’t possibly be tempted to go off with that man. Could she?

  Sheriff Crow finally spoke. “Thanks. But no. My home is here.”

  Cloth rustled. “Take this.”

  Jennie had to look. The bounty hunter’s weathered hand was outstretched, cupping a little beaded pouch. “If you ever need to find me, go north and show this around. I’ll be wearing the other one.”

  The sheriff took the pouch. Jennie hastily looked away, feeling more like an intruder than ever.

  The sound of footsteps prompted her to look up. Mr. Vilas was heading out the door. “Goodbye, Elizabeth.”

  “Goodbye, Furio.” Sheriff Crow shut herself into her office.

  Jennie couldn’t get out of there fast enough. She felt bad for Sheriff Crow, but mostly she was relieved to have the bounty hunter gone for good.

  She dropped off the tools at Mia’s empty cottage. The windows were open, letting in rays of late afternoon sunlight. The Ranger candidates would be running the obstacle course right now. Her entire body knew it was practice time, but she had nowhere to be and nothing to do. The space behind her ribs hollowed out.

  For lack of a better place to go, she headed home, wishing she could think about anything else besides the Rangers. But as she passed the surgery, she recalled her talks with Dr. Lee. If there was one thing he’d taught her, it was that denying the truth didn’t work. She’d been banned from the Rangers for life. She couldn’t pretend that hadn’t happened.

  Some things hurt, and you had to let them hurt.

  She began to run, enjoying the rhythm of her feet hitting the ground. Not everything hurt. Ross was back. Jennie had saved Kerry’s life, and in turn Kerry had saved Ross. Mia was happy again. Jennie’s family was proud of her. Even more importantly, she could respect herself again.

  Though she’d been banned from the Rangers, she hadn’t been banned from teaching. In all the free time that used to belong to Ranger practice and patrol, she could contribute to the newspaper again—it had been months since her last article had been printed.

  She considered headlines as she ran. Heroes Hailed! Villain Voske Vanquished! Maybe less alliteration. Ross would rather have his teeth pulled out than have the town read about him. But maybe Kerry would do an interview.

  And there was the former princess herself, riding her magnificent golden stallion. Jennie raced up, wondering how much of a grudge Kerry still held for kidnapping her.

  Kerry gracefully dismounted. “Jennie, I wanted to thank you for letting me go. I’m sorry you were locked up all that time on account of me. If there’s anything I can do to repay you, just say the word.”

  It was the last thing Jennie had expected. “You brought Ross back. That makes us even.”

  It came out sounding flatter than she meant. What would Voske do to Kerry if he ever caught up with her? Now she was in as much danger from Gold Point as anyone in Las Anclas.

  Jennie tried again. “My parents are fixing dinner. Want to join us?”

  Kerry gave Jennie a slightly forced smile. It was strange to see Kerry’s pointed nose and prominent cheekbones, so like Paco’s, but with such a different set of expressions. Jennie wondered if she would ever get used to the half-siblings’ resemblance to Voske.

  “Thanks,” Kerry said. “But I already accepted an invitation from Brisa and Becky.”

  Jennie could tell Kerry was dying to get back on her horse and away, but she couldn’t resist offering her hand to the stallion. He held back, then, after a click from Kerry, condescended to let Jennie stroke his velvety nose. “He’s beautiful.”

  Kerry smiled, more sincerely this time. “His name is Nebraska Gold. But I call him Nugget. I raised him from a foal.”

  Like the other royal horses, Nugget was exquisite, with long legs, a slim body, and a coat like polished metal gleaming in the sun. Yuki would love him. Poor Yuki. Miserable as Jennie had found the last two weeks, it had been even worse for him. And he hadn’t even gotten a reunion at the end, except with Kogatana.

  Jennie eyed Kerry
. Had the princess meant it when she said she’d do anything? What if it required a real sacrifice?

  “There is a way for you to repay me,” Jennie said. “It might be too much, though.”

  Kerry glanced up from nuzzling her stallion. “What is it?”

  “You could give one of your horses to Yuki Nakamura.”

  Kerry’s hand froze on the stallion’s shimmering neck. “Seriously?”

  Jennie was tempted to snap, You asked. But Kerry clearly didn’t think of her horses only as valuable possessions, but as animals that she loved.

  “I can’t tell you the details,” Jennie said. “But take my word for it, he gave up a lot to save your life. And he loves horses.”

  Kerry gave Jennie a sharp look. “Gave up a lot? Oh, you mean Paco.”

  “Who told you Paco broke up with him?” Jennie demanded. Then she remembered Kerry’s trick of mentioning something that might be relevant, and letting other people’s reactions tell her what she wanted to know. “Right. I guess I just did. Don’t pry into Yuki’s life, okay? He hates that.”

  But Kerry didn’t look smug. She drew in a deep breath, then another, as if she was controlling some emotion. When she spoke, her voice was calm. “He loves horses, huh? He does ride beautifully.”

  “We all think he’s never more princely than on horseback.”

  “I do owe him. And you.” Kerry twined Nugget’s mane around her fingers. “But these horses are all I have. Let me think about it, okay?”

  Naturally, the princess wouldn’t give up one of her royal horses. Or would she? Eyeing Kerry’s troubled face, Jennie wondered if she might feel guilty enough over Yuki to reconsider.

  But Jennie didn’t want her to feel guilty. Kerry had given up her entire life to save Ross. To protect Las Anclas. No wonder she was hanging on to her horses. To Jennie’s own surprise, she wanted to cheer Kerry up.

  “Now that we’re not on opposite sides of a jail cell, you should train with me,” Jennie suggested. “You’re a good fighter. It would be fun.”

  “I’m not staying in Las Anclas. But while I’m here, sure. It would be fun.” Kerry rode away.

  At home, Jennie’s entire family had gathered in the kitchen. The warm air was scented with turnip greens, fried fish, and corn bread.

  “Jennie,” Pa said. “Have a glass of barley water?”

  “Let me,” Dee exclaimed. “Let me!”

  Pa laughed as he passed Jennie an empty glass. On the surface, everything seemed back to normal.

  But Jennie would never again be a Ranger. And Sera was still gone.

  Dee took the pitcher in both hands, and scowled at it. The tea began to swirl into a whirlpool. A water spout lifted from the center of the whirlpool and made a graceful arc into Jennie’s glass. Barley water filled the glass nearly to the brim, then the spout withdrew into the pitcher. Not a single drop was spilled.

  Life goes on, and things can change for good, as well as for bad. I have to remember that. Jennie clapped. “Your control is fantastic, Dee.”

  Someone knocked at the door, and Tonio sprang to open it. Ross stood in the doorway, his hair wet. He wore a new shirt and clean jeans. Everybody called greetings, and the kids pelted him with questions.

  Ross shot Jennie a look as if he hoped she would rescue him. And some things don’t change. She grabbed his hand. “Let’s go to my room.”

  “Ooooo!” Dee crooned. She sang, “Ross is going to Jennie’s room! Oooo-oooo! Hey!” That last was a protest as Yolanda sent a gust of wind into her face.

  Jennie escorted Ross out of the line of fire and into her room. Once they were alone together, Dee’s silly little song replayed in Jennie’s head, making her self-conscious. If she felt awkward, Ross had to be petrified.

  But he was the one who closed the distance between them. The kiss was satisfyingly long. In the jail, she’d been so overwhelmed with surprise and relief that afterward, she couldn’t remember any details. This time, she let herself sink into it, running her fingers through his damp hair. She could feel her own heart beating, and they were pressed so tight together that she thought she could feel his, too.

  Oh yes. Some changes were definitely good.

  She stepped back, and looked straight into Ross’s eyes. Once again she got that image of him falling. But with his kiss still warm on her lips, the memory didn’t hurt so much. Maybe she could let it be in the past, because here he was, standing in front of her. Alive.

  “Watch this.” Ross walked to her bookshelf, pulled out a book, and opened it at random. He read, “I might as well enquire,” replied she, “why with so evident a design of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character?”

  He read slowly but fluently. Jennie applauded.

  “Voske had me locked in a room with two whole bookcases full of books,” Ross explained. “I kept thinking how much you would have loved them. So I read some of them.” His gaze dropped to the floor. “I thought maybe . . . someday . . . I could tell you the stories. If you wanted.”

  “Of course I want!” She sat on her bed and patted the coverlet. “There’s something I should tell you.”

  Ross dropped down beside her. She took his good hand in hers, so warm and strong, and stroked up his wrist inside his sleeve, until she hit the taped edges of a bandage.

  She pulled her hand back and caressed his palm. Dr. Lee had kept Ross in the surgery for a long time before he went to the council meeting. Afterward, she and Mia had caught him up on what had happened while he’d been gone, but he hadn’t said one word about his injuries.

  “What did you want to tell me?” he asked.

  “I wanted you to know why I avoided you after the battle.”

  “Mia said you were close to Sera Diaz.”

  It was still hard to hear Sera’s name. “Yeah, but that’s only part of it. I was falling to pieces and I didn’t think I could tell anyone. Every time I looked at you, I felt like I was back in the battle, when I thought you were dead. When I was in a Ranger training exercise, I actually thought I was back in the battle. They declared me unfit for duty.”

  Ross closed his hand over hers. “I wish you’d told me. I get it. I really do.”

  “You do?”

  He nodded, but didn’t elaborate. Some things were not easy to talk about. Maybe they never would be. But she was glad not to feel so alone anymore. She had to make sure she never let herself get that way again.

  Jennie tried to remember if she’d left anything out of her confession. She’d promised herself that she’d tell Ross everything. “Oh, and I threatened to kill Mr. Vilas.”

  “Fair’s fair.” Ross grinned. “He threatened to kill me. A couple times.”

  Jennie laughed. “I’m doing better now, but I wanted you to know. I guess I was afraid of having everyone . . . having you . . . find out that I’m not as strong as I seem.”

  His fingers tightened over hers, squeezing harder and harder until she could feel the pressure in her bones. “I’m not that strong, either.” He was sitting so close to her that she felt his breathing quicken. “I told you Voske was planning to execute me. I didn’t tell you he said it would take all day. I was hurt, and scared, and I gave up.”

  Ross indicated the bandage on his neck. “Voske didn’t do that. I tried to kill myself.”

  Jennie pulled him into her arms and held him tight. “I wish I’d been there for you.”

  “I don’t want anyone to know,” Ross said into her shoulder. “I didn’t even tell Dr. Lee. Don’t tell anyone.”

  Jennie sat back and peered into his face, then cupped her hands around his cheeks. “I won’t tell anyone. But I think you should.” And when he stiffened, “Not the world. Just Mia.”

  Ross pulled away. “I told her Voske’s guards used her weapon to break my arm, and she started crying. I didn’t even get to the hell cells, let alone . . .” He wrapped his arms around his chest and muttered, “. . . what happen
ed there.”

  Hell cells? Jennie shuddered. “Yeah, it’ll upset her. But she’ll end up a lot more hurt if you start hiding things from her. Besides, this isn’t something you should carry alone. I learned that the hard way.”

  Ross looked down. She watched the long lashes hiding his eyes, and wondered what he was thinking. The turn to his mouth was so unhappy she wanted to pull him tight and kiss him again.

  “Maybe you’re right,” he said at last.

  He was tensing up, so she sat back, giving him space. The first time he had kissed her, she’d thought about inviting him to spend the night. But now she knew he wasn’t ready.

  “Did you have anything planned for the evening?” she asked, to see how he reacted.

  “I’m having dinner with Mia and Dr. Lee. Would you like to come?”

  Jennie smiled. Definitely not the right time yet. “Another day? Tonight I want to stay with my family.”

  They kissed once more before he left. She stood by her window until she saw him walking away. Back to Mia. They’d promised not to be jealous of each other, but Jennie was, a little. Not just of whatever Mia and Ross would do tonight, but of the two months they had spent together while Jennie was busy avoiding them both. But she couldn’t turn back the clock.

  She touched her lips, imagining the warmth of Ross’s kiss lingering there. He would be back.

  Chapter Fifty-Four. Las Anclas.

  Mia

  Mia stood at her window and watched Ross walk away, angrily swiping yet another tear from her cheek. He’d trusted her enough to tell her that whole horrible story about being tortured and trying to kill himself, and had she comforted him? No! She’d cried until he’d ended up comforting her!

  Ross vanished into the surgery, to go sleep in his own room. Alone. Mia kicked a screwdriver across the floor, then flung herself on the bed, beside the engine, and stared miserably up at the ceiling.

  The ceiling! After Ross had been locked up for a month, she bet he wouldn’t want to sleep under any sort of ceiling. He’d be back in her yard in two minutes.