Page 59 of Seduce & Destroy

“She’s a Karstein.”

His jaw fell. “Wha–WHAT?... How– how do you know?”

“I just do. There was always something about her. Alluring but off.” I shook my head. “As if the words she’d say meant something entirely different to me than to her. You can’t tell anyone.”

“I can’t keep that a secret! She’s the traitor. We have people looking for her.”

“You have to!” I shouted too loud. “Neenan, you have to.”

“Laney…” He trailed off.

I held up a pinky finger. “I’m dealing with it. Promise.”

“Is she planning something?”

“I don’t know.”

“Does she have access to our armament room?”

“Yes, armed and trained in our tactics.”

“And security clearance?” He said louder. “Does she have it? She could open the gates.”

“God, Neenan, I didn’t quiz her on it!”

“Well, someone’s gotta. She could be inviting her whole family here. Or even a whole army. Laney, didn't you think about this?”

I stayed quiet. Sadness spread over my features. I just wished that for once, I could be more. More than a pawn. A strategy. For once, I wanted not to be of use for somebody. Tears pricked me.

“Oh, Laney, you really liked her, huh?”

“No.” Not yet. I couldn’t. Not at all. Not even an inkling of like. But a whole spilt ink bottle of love. God fucking dammit.

“Hey, it’s okay. You like who you like…”

“I didn’t want to lose another person.” My voice cracked. “I can’t. Neenan, I just…” I took a deep breath, and my thoughts shifted. By replacing water with fire, I smoked my tears, reaching out to swipe my hand out to knock over a pile of books from the table, causing a violent crash. “I’m so sick of fucking losing people!”

Between the attacks, that strange guy in the hallway and Kenna’s betrayal, I wasn’t safe. Neenan hugged me then, but the formality of it all caused the fracture of my heart to widen.

?

When the sun fell behind the treeline, I was ready. Not long after, my father and I set out on our walk, Neenan following not far behind. He insisted on arming us before we left. I touched the knives tied to my thigh for good measure.

Passing the drawbridge, we turned right and followed the road over the steep Gothic bridge, heading west to reach the deserted village and the torched ruins of the Karstein house.

“Sunshine?” Father said. “Don’t lose touch with your family legacy.”

Stunned to silence, I paused for a moment. “What makes you say that?”

“You’re my only daughter. I should’ve known they’d come for you in particular.”

“Excuse me– What?”

“Don’t be dense, Laney. You’ve been at the centre of our strategy for years.”

“But…but I was never given much authority. How could I be at the centre of it?”

“With heart.” He nodded. “I didn’t want to give you the stress or ego that being the heir can bring. It was your grandfather’s idea.” Granddaddy, you always knew me best.