I SAT ALONE IN THE kitchen. Sean had followed them all outside. I knew he needed to be there. Whether to see harm come to those who dared take me or through eagerness to gather the information required to finish what needed finishing, I didn’t know—I just understood he needed to participate in some way.
My ears twitched as they demanded Thomas tell them what they wanted. Each non-answer preceded a thud, followed by a grunt, a gasp, a cry. I should have flinched, felt distaste or disgust as a result of what I knew to be happening outside, yet I felt nothing. To defend my life, to protect my and Sean’s future, it was a means to an end and unavoidable. Already, in my mind, it was as simple as that.
Ten minutes later, I found myself standing in the conservatory. Although the rain had ceased,
