It wasn't long after our arrival in Penzance when the ultimatum came; Ashley and I were to be surrendered to the Nightstalkers. Otherwise, anyone harbouring us would be destroyed.
Naturally, this frightened the life out of us, but Stephanie assured us we'd be safe. "No one is going to take you anywhere you don't want to go," she promised us. "And Gertrude's further protections are going to give anyone who tries a nasty headache." She sighed. "I'm getting horrible flashbacks. I was a prisoner at Samuel's mercy, and then, just when I thought I'd broken free, Ethan and Finn betrayed me, and I spent nine years across the Channel. It was not fun, and I don't recommend it." She firmed her shoulders. "History isn't going to repeat itself; I've learned my lesson, and I'm going to make sure anyone who comes here is someone we can absolutely trust. I'm not making the same mistake twice."
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Ashley and I decided our best bet was to just enjoy the hospitality. So we did. Stephanie had given us the run of the impressive mansion - with the caveat that we weren't to go into the forest, something we were fine with. We couldn't see the boundary encircling the estate, but we could feel it, like a subliminal thrumming just out of the range of human hearing. It wouldn't hurt those who truly intended us no harm, but those who came here with intents to harm would get a nasty electrical shock. Stay too long, Stephanie told us, and the electrical shocks would grow worse, until the offender was cooked alive in their own skin. It was nasty, and a bit nauseating, but a necessary measure when Ashley's and my future was on the line. And it wasn't as if such a fate wouldn't be well deserved when it came to the Nightstalkers and their allies.
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It wasn't long before we were diving in the pool and enjoying ourselves. Most of the Whitewaters joined us, taking advantage of the constantly warm pool house despite the colder weather, and it soon became our favourite place to be. That didn't mean there wasn't trouble brewing outside, but when we were splashing, diving and swimming, we forgot all about that, just being in the moment. And the Whitewaters definitely made us feel at home.
As we all swam and played together, I could say with certainty that these were among the happiest days of my life since first escaping Brody's clutches the year before. I wasn't ashamed to admit I was definitely at my best when I was in or under the water, and I needed that familiar feeling more than ever. That Ben wouldn't rest until he had me back was a given. That he would likely tear the world apart to do so was also a given. That the Whitewaters wouldn't give up without a fight was definitely a given.
But I refused to let that bother me.
As spring approached, we were bolstered when Harry sent three of his Beasts to help. Billy and Darcy were remaining with Harry as he recovered, but Jonah, Christian and Andy were a welcome reserve, and we were all very relieved to have them nearby. Andy in particular was a mean sonofabitch, but he had good reason to be; all his family had been killed, leaving him the sole survivor, and he'd spent years as a prisoner of the Lightshards before finally escaping around ten or so years ago. He hadn't hesitated in joining the Darkshards, and he held grudges like nobody's business. Being from Glasgow gave him a further reputation as being hotheaded; in fact, he was more hotheaded than most Glaswegians, and he knew some truly nasty spells which sent a shiver down my spine when Ashley and I met with him later that day. "I don't use them without cause," he reassured us. "But given some of those fuckin' bastards gave me hell when I was their prisoner... I've got good fuckin' reason to use those spells. And I don't forget a face. Nor do I forget... never mind. Point is, if they come showin' their faces around here, they're gonna get more than electrocuted from the inside out."
I grimaced, but I knew where he was coming from; Ashley's face was pale, but she scooted over and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. "I trust you," she said, smiling. Andy blinked, and then a look of understanding came over his face. Sensing the mood, I quietly left them to it.
Stephanie intercepted me on my way out to the rear courtyard. "Sarah wants to talk to you," she said tersely. "I told her this wasn't the time or place for apologies, but she insisted.
I sighed. I really didn't have the time for this. "Fine," I said reluctantly.
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As it turned out, Sarah had a lot more to say than just an apology. 'I know you don't trust me,' she said, her image wavering slightly before us. 'And I don't trust myself. But for what it's worth, if you need me to stand against Father, I will. I've ... managed to get my life turned around, and I know now how much of a bitch I was to you. I don't expect you to forgive me, or take me up on my offer, but it's there if ever you need it. And you're going to need all the help you can get.' This last was said somewhat condescendingly, and I bristled. But I did my best to keep my distaste from showing. Remembering all she did helped bolster my resolve, and my ever-present prosthetic was another constant reminder of the damage she'd done that fateful night all those years ago.
"I appreciate the offer," I said, "but we've got it covered. Your best bet is to just lay low for the time being. You don't want Ben trying to snap you up."
Sarah rolled her eyes. 'I'm not stupid,' she said crossly. 'Fine. Well, like I said, if ever you need me, I'll be there. Just don't leave it till the last minute, freak.' Then her image winked out, and I swore.
"I don't trust her," Sarah said sternly.
"Me neither," I assured her. "She's never going to change her spots, and quite frankly, she and Ben deserve each other. They're both a pair of backstabbing little bastards, and they both need to be put down. Odds on she's already found herself a new position in the Nightstalkers, and is busy fucking her way through the males as we speak."
Sarah laughed. "I wouldn't put it past her," she said. She firmed her shoulders. "Add her to the list, then. She's to be given the same warm welcome as her friends."
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