Page 19 of A Raven Realized (The Raven’s Den #5)

Chapter Eleven

M adelene’s heart soared when she heard the front door open and close softly. He said he’d be late tonight, and he certainly was. She was just finishing up a fresh pot of tea, hoping it might somehow make Simon appear. Somehow it always seemed to.

With a smile, she placed the tea on the table along with a pair of scones and some jam. She hadn’t even bothered to tie her robe, in the hopes that their late night snack might lead to an even more tempting indulgence.

It wasn’t Simon who appeared in the kitchen doorway, though. Madelene gasped and stumbled backwards. It was the large man who had accompanied him when he’d taken her from Auburn Ridge.

“Apologies, miss. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

She continued to shuffle away from him until her back was against the far wall. She reached over and snatched a knife from the cutting board, holding it out in front of her. It trembled along with the rest of her as her heart thundered against her ribs.

His mouth twitched. He was not the least bit intimidated. She wouldn’t stand a chance against him, even with the knife.

“Do you remember me?” he asked.

She nodded. Simon had assured her he was safe, but what was he doing here?

“I’m not going to hurt you.” He didn’t move any closer, and slowly, she lowered the knife.

After a moment, she put it back in its place. Looking down, she quickly pulled the sides of her robe closed and tied the sash tightly at her waist. Not that it mattered. At least this nightgown wasn’t wet and mostly transparent like the one she’d been wearing the other time this man had seen her.

“You need to come with me.”

Madelene shook her head and folded her arms across her chest.

“It’s Allister… Simon. He’s not well. He sent me for you.” He held up a key.

Madelene’s stomach filled with ice. “What happened?” She took a step toward him. “Where is he?” Simon was strong and more than capable of protecting himself. “Is he hurt?” Panic made her skin prickle. Something was very wrong.

The man sighed but spoke softly. “Suffice it to say he’s alive for now, and he asked for you.”

He’s alive for now. A band cinched around her lungs. “I’ll get changed,” she said frantically as she moved toward the door.

He shook his head. “We need to go now, and where we’re going, no one will care if you’re in your nightclothes.”

Pushing her countless questions aside, she nodded and followed him out of the house, praying this wasn't some kind of strange trap.

A black carriage waited for them, and the man helped her to step up into it. It was strangely luxurious. Obviously not Simon’s. It quite clearly belonged to a rich man, and every inch of it was black and polished.

For a few minutes, they rode in silence, but then Madelene remembered something. “I thought you didn’t like carriages.”

He laughed softly. “I don’t.” He looked much less intimidating with his lips turned up in a smile. “But I’ve been tasked with making sure you’re delivered safely, and if my boss learned that I left you alone on the journey, I doubt I’d be fond of the consequences. Besides, it’s not far.”

None of this made any sense. Who in heaven’s name was this man’s boss, how was he connected to Simon, and why did he care about Madelene’s welfare?

Only a quarter hour passed before the carriage came to a halt beneath a porte-cochère behind a nondescript building. Was this where Simon worked? The office he always went to?

“Wait here,” Brennan instructed before exiting the carriage. He spoke with another large man who seemed to be standing guard before disappearing inside the building.

Every minute felt like an eternity. She needed to see Simon. Eventually, the door opened again, and a beautiful blonde woman hurried through followed by Brennan. She was also dressed in her nightclothes, so perhaps he’d been right.

Brennan opened the door to the carriage, and the woman climbed inside. “Madelene?”

She nodded.

“I’m Gwen,” she said, reaching for Madelene’s hands. “I’m sure this is all very upsetting, but I promise you’re safe here.”

“Is Simon here?” Wherever ‘here’ was.

“Yes, but I need to warn you, he isn’t well.”

She swallowed hard, biting back tears.

“The doctor believes he was poisoned. Injected with something.”

Madelene clapped a hand over her mouth. “May I see him?”

“I’ll take you to him, but he’s not conscious.”

“I don’t care.” She shook her head. “I need to see him.”

Brennan helped her to step down and the other large man held the door as they walked through.

She followed Gwen inside and partway down a long hallway.

Identical doors lined both sides of the corridor, reminding her of Auburn Ridge, and making it difficult to breathe.

Gwen held a finger over her lips before quietly opening one of the doors.

Madene had never seen one before, but this was definitely not an office.

It was a bedroom, and Simon lay on a small bed that jutted into the room, its head against the far wall.

A man stood on the opposite side of the narrow bed, dressed in all black and radiating command and confidence.

His gaze swept over her face before a sad smile turned up his lips.

She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, he was Brennan’s boss.

And he was powerful. But she still had no idea who he was.

“You must be Madelene,” he said softly.

She nodded. Speaking was still difficult for her, especially with someone as intimidating as this man. Who was he? What was this place? And why was Simon here?

“I’m Ash. Gwen’s husband.”

Madelene desperately wanted to get to Simon, but she wasn’t sure if she was allowed. She took a step nearer, and Ash nodded, giving the permission she’d been waiting for.

She rushed to the side of the bed, tears trickling down her face. Simon sucked in a sharp breath, but his eyes didn’t open. After that, he didn’t breathe again. Madelene’s stomach clenched and she reached for him, but then his chest moved slightly. A sheen of sweat covered his gaunt face.

“Is he going to be alright?” she asked desperately.

Ash looked down at Simon’s face and let out a long sigh. “I hope so.”

“He will be.” She reached under the blanket and took his cool hand in hers. “He will be.” He had to be. She needed him.

“I want you to know, Madelene, no matter what happens, you’ve nothing to worry about. You’ll be safe here. We’ll see you have everything you need.”

“Are you a friend of Simon’s?”

He tipped his head before answering. “Of sorts.”

He walked around the bed and pressed a kiss to Gwen’s forehead. “It’s about closing time. I’m going to head over and make sure everything is taken care of. Keep her in here until the others are all settled, please.”

“Of course,” she said with a nod.

Closing time for what? In the middle of the night? Who were the others? What was this place?

It didn’t really matter. The only thing that mattered right now was Simon.

Madelene stood there, staring down at him and holding his hand, silently begging him to wake up and look at her. He was so strong, but right now, he struggled to even breathe. Each time he stopped for more than a second or two, she squeezed his hand, willing him to keep going.

She didn’t move from that spot, even as the darkness faded and the glow of sunlight filled the room.

She heard sounds around her; voices in the hall, the door opening and closing a few times, but her eyes never left Simon.

The prospect of facing whatever this life was, without him, was too daunting.

She didn’t even want to know what it might entail.

He’d said she was strong, but what he failed to realize was that he gave her that strength.

Eventually, Gwen placed a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you sit for a few minutes? I’ve brought you some tea and scones.”

Madelene looked at the tray that sat across the room and burst into tears. She didn’t want scones without him.

Gwen wrapped her arms around her. “It’s alright, love.”

After a moment, she pulled herself back and wiped her tears. She didn’t even know this woman and was burdening her.

“Who are you? Why are you all being so kind to me?”

She rubbed Madelene’s upper arms and nodded. “Have a seat, and while you eat, I’ll explain a few things.”

She hated leaving Simon’s side, but after a moment, she acquiesced.

When they were settled, Gwen let out a long sigh. “I don’t really know where to start,” she admitted.

“How do you know Simon?”

“The truth is, I don’t. I’d never met him before last night, and he wasn’t conscious then, so I’m not sure that really counts. But Ash knows him.”

“But not as friends?”

Gwen shook her head. “I don’t know the details. I’ve learned not to ask a lot of questions,” she said with a shrug. “But Ash seems to trust him, which means he must be a good man.”

Madelene nodded, tears starting down her cheeks again. “He is.” She looked over at him. “He’s the kindest, most honorable man I’ve ever met.”

“We’ll take good care of him,” Gwen promised.

The warmth of the tea was soothing as she sipped on it. “What is this place?”

“This is Raven House. It’s essentially a dormitory for women.”

Madelene placed her scone back on her plate, her mouth suddenly dry. “Is this an asylum?”

Gwen laughed in earnest then, shaking her head.

“No, although it might feel like it sometimes.” But then she looked at Madelene, and sobered, her smile falling as she seemed to suddenly understand something.

“Oh. Oh dear. I’m sorry.” She came around to crouch beside Madelene. “Did you come from Auburn Ridge?”

Shame filled Madelene’s belly. She didn’t want to admit the truth, but couldn’t bring herself to lie. Slowly, she nodded.

Gwen squeezed her hands. “This isn’t an asylum, Madelene. Raven House acts as a stepping stone to help women get off of the streets and into safe positions, so they can be independent.”

“I’m still not sure I understand.”

Gwen smiled. “It’s all a bit complicated, but I promise you are safe here, and you will never be a prisoner. Now,” she said, getting to her feet. “This is a good time for you to get some rest. I’ll take you to your room.”

Madelene shook her head. “I don’t want to leave him.”

“Someone will be with him every minute, and if anything changes, we’ll wake you. You must be exhausted. When was the last time you slept?”

She didn’t care when she’d last slept. She couldn’t leave him. “Please not yet.”

Gwen let out a long sigh. “Very well, but the other ladies will be starting to get up soon, so if you don’t go now, you’ll be stuck in here for a few more hours.”

“I don’t mind.”

Gwen nodded reluctantly. “The lavatory is across the hall. I’ll stay with him while you at least take a moment for that.”

Madelene rushed, even through that. She was terrified something might change while she was away from him. Terrified she might lose him.

Gwen placed kind hands on her shoulders. “People will be in and out to check on him, and you. You can trust everyone here.”

“Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say. She was so incredibly grateful for all her kindness, but she felt utterly lost.

Gwen hugged her, collected the tray, and left.

Madelene went back to Simon’s side and took hold of his hand once more. It was still cold and completely limp as she lifted it, his arm not holding any of its own weight. “You can’t leave me, Simon. I’m telling you no. Do you hear me? I’m saying no, Simon.”

As the hours passed, she moved from one side of the bed to the other and back again. Different people came and went, just as Gwen had said they would. Ash tried to convince her to sleep, but once again, she refused to leave.

Simon wasn’t getting any better. At least, not much. And she feared if she left, she might lose him. Gwen brought food in and sent her to the lavatory again, but otherwise, she didn’t leave his side. Daylight turned to darkness and as dawn came again, so did Ash.

This time, he stood right beside her. “It’s time for you to get some sleep, Madelene.”

She shook her head.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. It was gentle, but she could feel his strength. He spoke softly. “I know you don’t want to leave him, but I wasn’t asking if you wanted to. You are going to go to bed now.”

She stepped back from him and looked up into his eyes, tears threatening. She shook her head again, furrowing her brow.

His dark eyes were filled with sympathy as he sighed. “He’s going to need you when he wakes. That means you need to sleep.”

She looked down at Simon and shook her head more adamantly, panic setting in. She couldn’t leave him.

“I really don’t want to carry you out of here, Madelene, but I will if I must.”

She took another step back, still holding onto Simon’s hand. But she wasn’t going to win this battle. She didn’t doubt for a second that Ash would do exactly as he’d said. With a defeated sigh, she nodded.

She pressed a soft kiss to the back of Simon’s hand and tucked it under the blanket. She bent down and whispered into his ear, “Please don’t leave me.”

Ash rested a gentle hand on her shoulder. “He’ll be looked after. I promise.”

But what about her? She felt selfish even thinking that, and perhaps she was, but she needed him. And not just because he took care of her. Her heart needed him.

Gwen was outside the door waiting for her. She led her to another room and tucked her into bed. Even with the sun rising, she could feel exhaustion settling over her like a heavy blanket.

“Please promise you’ll wake me if he—” She couldn’t bring herself to say dies. “If anything changes.”

“I promise, but I also need you to promise me you won’t leave this room until I come to get you.”

She nodded and gave a silent prayer as her eyes slid closed and tendrils of sleep dragged her into darkness.