Thyla - Kate Gordon [72]
For a hundred and sixty years that flew by as minutes I fought by his side. I lived in the forest, only emerging at night-time to patrol the city. I protected the humans – first the convicts, then the prisoners, then eventually the civilian women.
When Isaac told me it was time for him to join the human world again, as Beagle had, I told him I would stay behind. Keep things running in the bush.
I sometimes fought the Sarcos. They were our natural enemies. They wanted our land. They wanted our food. They wanted to be top of the food chain. It was my instinct to hate them.
I killed a few Sarcos. I killed Rhiannah’s kin. But I wouldn’t do that any more.
Instead, I would try to help them. I would try to help Rhiannah. She was my enemy, right enough. But she was also my friend and it was my duty and purpose to find her.
I could do it. I was certain. With Isaac’s help. With Cat’s help. Maybe even with Perrin’s help.
I could do it.
I was Tessa. I was strong. I could save Rhiannah.
I needed to start now. I could not simply lie idly in my bed while she was out there. While she was suffering. I jerked upwards, ignoring the throbbing, pounding, sickening feeling in my head.
You were there. Looking down at me like you had been the first time. ‘How you doin’, Tess?’ you asked gently.
‘Fine,’ I said, ignoring the rasp that was scraping in my throat. ‘I’m fine. I need to get up. I need to find her. I need to help her. Where’s Isaac … Vinnie? Where’s Cat?’
‘Cat?’ Your face went white. ‘What do you mean? My Cat? What do you mean, Tessa?’
My stomach dropped.
When Cat had disappeared into the shadows, she hadn’t come back into the light.
I didn’t want to lie to you, Connolly. But I did. And, if you ever read this, I’m sorry. I really am.
I looked at you. I thought of how you had done so much to protect me from hurt. I looked into your eyes and I saw they were searching; pleading for some scrap of knowledge about the child you loved so much. I couldn’t give it. Your world had been turned upside down today. I couldn’t tell you about Cat. I couldn’t hurt you more, have you know that she was out there but did not wish you to find her. Instead, I would make her come back to you.
‘I didn’t mean Cat,’ I lied. ‘I don’t know why I said that. I am woolly headed just now. I meant to ask after Laurel. I wanted to know if you had rescued her from Lord.’
Your brow furrowed. ‘What do you mean, Tess?’ you said. ‘Lord? You mean Edward Lord? Tess, Laurel is still missing, I’m sorry. But it has nothing to do with Mr Lord. Why would you say that?’
I remembered the look Isaac had given me; the one that told me to keep Mr Lord’s activities secret.
‘I’m confused,’ I said, feebly. ‘I think I hit my head. It’s all muddled.’
‘Don’t give me anything else to worry about!’ you snapped, and I noticed for the first time the tension in your jaw and the dark shadows beneath your eyes. ‘Sorry,’ you said. ‘It’s just that this is hard for me. I am going to try to understand what is happening with you and Vinnie. I can’t promise I ever will, completely. But I love you both. So I will try. But all of this – Cynthia and Laurel and Rhiannah going missing – it’s a lot to deal with. And that’s not even … Hell, Tess! You and Vinnie are werewolves. Or were-tigers. Or whatever. That’s big, Tess. And on top of all that I feel like Cat is slipping away from me. Like somehow this is all tied together. What happened to those girls – maybe that’s what happened to Cat. Something horrible is going on out there in the bush. If Cat was involved in it, then maybe she’s gone. For good.’
‘She’s not,’ I blurted. ‘I mean, I believe she isn’t. And I’m going to work to get her back to you. And the others. I’m going to get them back too.