THE car rattled softly as it sped down the quiet road. Orlanda sat uncomfortably in the back seat, wedged between Kaylan, Carlson’s loyal guard, and the door. The silence inside the vehicle was palpable, broken only by the occasional hum of the engine and the faint whisper of wind as it passed through the slightly cracked windows.
Orlanda shifted nervously, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that wherever they were going, it was for Carlson’s benefit. Her eyes flicked over to Kaylan, who sat stoic, his face hard as stone. She opened her mouth, ready to argue again about this forced trip, but decided to wait. There would be another opportunity, there always was.
As they turned down a darker, less traveled road, Kaylan reached into his jacket and pulled out a black blindfold.
“Ti
