22. Rose

22

Rose

I stared at the glass door, heart racing. I could have left by now. Should have left. I should have taken the keycard and run the second I realized Sebastian wasn’t coming back.

But I couldn’t. I felt frozen in place, wracked with terrible guilt. If Sebastian was out in the wilderness following my directions, he would be dead very soon. In fact, he may already be dead.

Unless…

I sucked down a deep breath and forced myself to my feet, grabbing the keycard as I went. There was a chance I was wrong. Perhaps Sebastian hadn’t left the property yet. He could have stayed in the house for a while to change his clothing or eat lunch before he hiked back up to Alderwood.

If he was still here, he’d find out I stole the card the second he spotted me out of the cage, and then I’d likely face a severe punishment. But it would be worth it just for the knowledge that he was safe. I’d committed a terrible sin in letting him go with my false directions, and I’d regret it forever if he was truly dead.

After the door was unlocked, I dashed up the stairs and ran out of the underground shelter, feet flying over the wet grass. When I reached the back of the house, I found the sliding door unlocked.

My heart instantly soared. I’d once been told that outsiders always locked their homes when they weren’t around, so this was a good sign. I’d probably find Sebastian sitting at the table eating a sandwich without a single scratch on him, and everything would be fine. I could go back to being my regular old self—innocent, honest, and righteous. Not a lying, evil murderess with a man’s blood on her hands.

“Sebastian!” I called out, hurrying into the house.

I was met with silence.

Refusing to give up just yet, I searched high and low, checking every inch of the enormous house. Sebastian was nowhere to be seen. When I finally went and peered out the front window, I saw no trace of a car anywhere.

“No, no, no,” I said in a broken murmur, shoulders sagging as I caught my own reflection in the window. “What have you done?”

A sob bubbled up past my lips, and I sank to my knees, eyes closing as I clasped my hands in front of me.

“Eternal Master, please hear my fervent prayer,” I said with a tremor in my voice. “I have committed the most wicked sin. Only you can stop what I have put into motion, and I beseech you to do just that. Bring Sebastian Thorne back. Don’t allow him to suffer for my terrible mistake. In return, I will do anything he asks of me and take any punishment that awaits me. No question, no complaint, no hesitation. I will accept that while you are my Eternal Master, he is my earthly Master.” I paused, throat clogging with emotion. “Please… just bring him back to me; I beg of you. Please, please, please. Save him.”

I opened my eyes, sniffing as tears clouded my vision. The house around me remained silent.

I stood on shaky legs and peered out the window again. I could flee right now. Run down to the road and make my way back home.

No.

I gritted my teeth and shrank backward. I’d made a promise to my god. That meant I had to remain here until I knew Sebastian was safe.

I took one last, longing look at the trees outside. Then I turned, left the house, and made my way back down to the underground shelter. I trudged into the cage, climbed onto the bed, and curled into a ball.

Come what may… this was where I belonged now.