28. Screams in the Dark-2
417 Words
“Mother!” Emilia woke up screaming, her bed drenched with sweat.
“Don’t be afraid, my Emilia.”
Emilia squinted at the figure sitting at the foot of her bed.
“Did you have a bad dream?” LeFay reached for her, but she pulled away. He smiled grimly and stood up. “It is such a pity I wasn’t there when you were a child. If you had been with me, I would have made sure you were never afraid of anything. But alas, we cannot change the past.” He sat down at the table, which was laden with a much fancier breakfast than Emilia had been given on the other mornings she had spent locked in the stone room. “Please join me. We must do something to celebrate this special day.”
“Special?” Emilia asked, her lips pressed flat as she joined LeFay at the table. “The only thing I want to celebrate is you letting me out of here.”
“Not possible. I know you are a very determined and strong-willed young woman, which pleases me immensely. But in this case, Father knows best.” LeFay poured them both orange juice. “A toast to the protection of my only child.”
Emilia didn’t raise her glass.
LeFay put his glass back down and folded his hands under his chin, leaning on the table. “You see, Emilia dear, I have formed such a clever plan. It will ensure you remain safely in the protection of the Dragons. It will solidify the allegiance of a very important family, and it will eventually bring you much joy.”
Emilia already didn’t like the sound of his plan. Not at all. “What would bring me much joy would be going home.” She stood up, no longer hungry enough to stay at a table with him.
“That is not a possibility right now. However, if you sit down and eat with me, we will discuss your being allowed out of this room. I am prepared to offer you free rein of the compound.”
The Pendragon’s gaze didn’t falter as Emilia stared him down. He seemed to be telling the truth.
“All I am asking is to eat a meal with my daughter. After we eat, we will discuss how best to maintain your security while giving you a chance to see more of your father’s home.”
Emilia sat down grudgingly. Getting out of the room would get her one step closer to escaping and getting home.
LeFay raised his glass to toast Emilia again. “To my growing family.”
Emilia toasted and took a sip. She was unconscious before her glass shattered on the floor.
- Writer
