Page 15 of A Raven Revived (The Raven’s Den #4)

Chapter Fifteen

D aisy was woken by the sound of her cell door opening. Her whole body still ached as she opened her eyes. Samantha was already standing, seemingly awaiting instructions. The man in the white coat stood in the doorway.

“Are you going to cooperate today, Jane?”

She closed her eyes for a moment, but eventually, she nodded. Perhaps she could cooperate, at least for a short time, without giving them her soul. She didn’t want any more punishments and pain.

“Good.” He held up a pair of slippers. “These give you the privilege of walking around outside of your cell. If you go back in the tub, you will lose them. Is that clear?”

She nodded and he handed them over.

“Do you have a name?” she asked quietly as she slipped them on.

“I’m Dr. Mickelson. Now, on your feet, and no more talking. It’s time for breakfast.”

Apparently, it was morning. At some point, as she’d dropped in and out of sleep, she’d completely lost track of what time of day it was, or even how long she’d been in this heinous facility. It felt like an eternity, but she was pretty sure it had only been a couple of days. Slowly, she pushed herself off the bed, every part of her protesting as she stood.

“Lead the way, Samantha,” he instructed.

Daisy followed her out of the room and down the long corridor, Dr. Mickelson right behind her. She didn’t waste the opportunity to scan everything with her eyes as they passed. There had to be a way out. As they made their way to another long hall, she spotted what must be the passage that led to the front door and made note of it in her mind.

Eventually, they entered a large dining room. A handful of women, all wearing matching white nightgowns and slippers, were seated in chairs situated along three rectangular tables. Dr. Mickelson had apparently stopped following her at some point, because he was nowhere to be seen. There was another man—one of the many nameless large men in tan suits who always dragged her to the tub—standing next to the door, keeping watch.

Samantha led her to a sideboard where a stern-looking woman dished them each a bowl of porridge. Samantha then took an apple from a large bowl and Daisy did the same before following her to one of the tables.

Porridge had never tasted so good. Daisy hadn’t eaten since she’d arrived. She’d had that warm milk yesterday, but her stomach was so grateful for real food. After the porridge, she savored every bite of the apple and was disappointed when it was gone.

Samantha gave her an encouraging smile, but didn’t say a word. Given the silence in the room, talking must be forbidden at mealtime. A part of her wanted to stand up and shout, just to prove that they hadn’t broken her. But perhaps they had, because the knowledge of what would happen if she did made her hold her tongue.

The other women in the room got up as they finished and left without any kind of escort. Presumably, that meant if she cooperated for a while, she could have more freedom. But how long would that take?

When Samantha had eaten all of her food, she pushed in her chair and collected her dishes from the table. Daisy followed her and they deposited their dirty dishes and apple cores into a receptacle before leaving the room.

No one followed them as they made their way down another corridor, which eventually led outside. They entered a small yard surrounded on all sides by a tall, red brick wall. The air was chilly, but the sun was shining, and its warmth was heavenly. Daisy raised her face, closing her eyes to soak it in.

Samantha grabbed her hand and tugged. All the other women were moving, single-file around the perimeter of the yard. Daisy nodded and fell into step with them. With each footfall, the fresh air and sunlight replenished her soul. It was yet to be seen whether it would give her the strength to fight again, or simply make her more complacent.

They completed three circuits around the yard before Samantha walked back inside. Daisy wanted desperately to stay in the sun, but if she didn’t follow, she’d undoubtedly lose this privilege, so she reluctantly trailed along behind her, back into the shadowed hallway.

When they reached their cell, Samantha immediately dropped to her knees on the side of her bed. No one closed the door behind them. She should run, or hide, but she just couldn’t do it. With a sigh, Daisy followed Samantha’s lead. She didn’t want to go back in the cold water. Not that she’d be praying. She’d done that countless times in the days leading up to her wedding day with Geoffrey, and it hadn’t done a bit of good. In the end, she’d had to take matters into her own hands.

Instead, she thought about Fitz. She hadn’t known it was possible to miss someone so much. As she imagined his arms wrapped around her she could almost feel his warmth, his love.

“I’m proud of you, Jane.”

It wasn’t Fitz who spoke the words, though. It was Dr. Mickelson, and his voice ruined her moment of respite. He stood in the doorway, watching her.

She wanted to rail against him, but she couldn’t bring herself to. She wasn’t brave enough to face the consequences. Eventually, she simply lowered her forehead onto her hands on top of the bed. For now, at least, he had defeated her. The door closed, followed by the scraping of the lock.

“Fitz,” she whispered to herself. And even though he wasn’t there, her mind conjured the sound of her name whispered from his lips. She would get back to him. Somehow.

Eventually, Daisy’s knees began to ache from being on the hard floor for so long. Just as she was about to get up, there was a light tap on the door, but no one entered.

“That means quiet time is over,” Samantha explained.

“We can talk?”

“Yes.”

Daisy groaned as she got to her feet. She stretched her arms in the air, and eventually sat on the edge of the bed. “How long have you been here?”

Samantha shrugged. “I think something like six weeks.”

Daisy hadn’t even been there six days yet. Six weeks must feel like a lifetime.

“Why are you here?”

“My brother brought me here to keep me safe.”

That didn’t make any sense. How could anyone think a hellish place like this could ever be safe? “Safe from what?”

After a moment, she pulled up one of her sleeves. Her wrist was marked with a long red scar. “From me.”

Without hesitation, Daisy crossed the room and wrapped her arms around Samantha. “I’m so sorry for whatever you went through.” Suddenly, she felt like the lucky one. Even when she’d been desperate to get out of her impending marriage to Geoffrey, she’d never considered taking her own life. “I won’t pry into your personal business, but if you ever want to talk about anything, I’m happy to listen.”

“Why are you here?” she asked, obviously not wanting to talk about whatever had driven her to such lengths.

Daisy let out a long sigh and moved back to sit on her bed. “A few years ago, I jilted a man I was supposed to marry. In the process, I brought scandal down on two very powerful families. I humiliated my father, and cost him a piece of land from the neighboring estate.” She shrugged. “This is my punishment.”

“Why did he wait a few years?”

“It’s a long story, but essentially, I ran away and found myself a new life. A wonderful place where I was surrounded by the most amazing people. People who are supportive, caring, and kind.”

Samantha smiled. “That sounds lovely.”

“When I find a way out of here, I’ll bring you with me,” she promised.

“I hope you do find a way out, and would like nothing more than to go with you, but it’s not so bad here if you cooperate.”

“How do you do it?”

She looked down at her fidgeting fingers in her lap. When she spoke, her voice barely made a sound. “I’ve been forced to endure far worse than anything they make me do here.”

What did that mean? Before Daisy could respond, the lock scraped and the door to their cell swung open. Samantha got to her feet, so Daisy did too. Dr. Mickelson looked pleased, and she hated herself for it.

“It’s time for some movement. Lead the way to the yard, Samantha”

“Am I going too?” Daisy asked.

“Yes, but no more talking.”

She nodded and followed Samantha out of the room and eventually back out into the fresh air. The warmth of the afternoon sun was divine. The women spaced themselves out in three rows this time, rather than walking the perimeter. Another woman stood before them, moving her arms in small circles. They all copied her, so Daisy followed along. Despite the lingering soreness, the movement eased the stiffness in her muscles and felt so good. A sense of peace settled over her as she moved her body and filled her lungs.

Over the course of an hour, they progressed through a variety of exercises. At the end, they stretched, leaning from side to side and reaching over their heads and bending down to touch their toes. She enjoyed every minute of it. Was it worth giving this up to keep fighting? She chastised herself for even asking the question. Of course it was, but right now, she was biding her time. She was saving up her energy so she could fight again. Or at least, that’s what she told herself.

After a couple more hours of quiet time in their cell, Daisy followed Samantha back to the dining hall. Something smelled delicious and her mouth watered. Each of them was handed a steaming bowl of stew by the same woman who had dished their porridge at breakfast time. At the end of the counter was a tray of bread, so she grabbed herself a piece and headed for the table.

Samantha sat beside her and Daisy smiled. What was wrong with her? She shouldn’t be smiling. She should be fighting. But she wasn’t going to pass up this meal. She savored every single bite. She just needed it to replenish her strength.

After they finished eating, they returned to their cell. Dr. Mickelson handed her a book of scriptures.

“You may read or anything else that’s silent until we turn the lights out in an hour.”

With a sigh, she nodded her understanding. She didn’t want to be silent, but she also didn’t want what she knew would happen if she wasn’t.

Tomorrow, she would fight again.

* * *

“Why are we bothering with this? We need to go after her!” Fitz threw his hands up and stormed away from the table. Ash and a whole group of other men were gathered around a piece of paper that was spread over a table in The Raven’s Den, with a drawing of Litchfield’s estate and different props placed around to identify landmarks. It felt like such a waste of time.

Ash walked up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I know you’re frustrated, Fitz.”

He turned to face him. “While we’re standing around making a plan, God only knows what they’re doing to her.”

Ash nodded slightly. “We don’t like to think she might be hurting either. But that’s why we have to do this. We can’t just go in blind. If we get this wrong, it could take us far longer to track her down. It’s better to spend an extra day now to make sure we can get her safe and home as quickly as possible.”

He was right, of course, but that didn’t make it any easier. With a resigned sigh, Fitz returned to the table.

Michael patted his shoulder. “We’re going to get her back.”

Fitz was of two minds. He was infinitely grateful for their support, but it also made him feel more ashamed. She wouldn't be there, wherever she was right now, if he hadn’t left her.

“Now,” Ash said, continuing where he’d left off. “McKinnon, you and your men are going to go around to the back of the house. Once we’re in, give us five minutes and then you’ll enter through the service door. Your first priority is to find and secure Lady Litchfield to make sure she’s safe.”

McKinnon nodded. “Understood.”

Fitz only half listened as Ash continued to go over every step of the plan. He was distracted by all the scenarios in his mind of what Daisy was going through. His sweet Daisy.

“We’ll head out at dawn. Make sure you’re all punctual.”

Those words snapped Fitz back to what was happening. “Tomorrow? No, Ash. We are not waiting until tomorrow!”

Ash looked at him briefly before turning back to the group. “I’ll see you all in the morning.”

Knowing themselves to be dismissed, they all made a quick exit. They didn’t want to be witness to Fitz’s lecture. Even the other partners left.

“I’m sorry, Fitz,” Ash said quietly. “I know this isn’t easy.”

Fitz folded his arms across his chest, trying to hold the pieces of his heart together as it broke. “I love her.” His voice cracked and tears pooled in his eyes.

“I know.” Ash tapped his cane softly on the wooden floor. “And I know it’s different, but I do too.”

Fitz felt himself deflate and he nodded. He was so wrapped up in his own grief, it was easy to forget that these men cared for her too.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, Fitz, but I need your word again. I need to know you won’t try to do this on your own.”

“I don’t know why. The last time you sent someone to follow me anyway.”

“Well, he didn’t do a very good job then. You weren’t supposed to know he was there.”

“Anderson is very observant.” Fitz dropped his arms and rolled his shoulders. “I won’t go off on my own, Ash. As much as I hate waiting, I trust that you’re right, but what are the rest of you doing tonight?”

“We still have a club to run.”

Fitz nodded. “It’s hard to imagine the rest of the world has just kept moving. It feels like everything should have stopped with her missing.”

“There’s furniture in your townhouse. Why don’t you go there and get a good night’s sleep?”

He shook his head. “I can’t. Not without Daisy. That’s supposed to be our home.”

Not that the inn was any better. All he could think about as he lay there was the night she’d come to him. But this time he was filled with grief rather than lust. Tears dripped from the corners of his eyes. How had he failed her so completely? What kind of horrors was she enduring while he was lying in this bloody bed? He slammed his fists into the mattress on both sides of him. He couldn’t even drink himself into oblivion or he’d be worthless for her tomorrow.

What he needed to do was stop feeling sorry for himself and sleep so that he could be what she needed. “We’re coming for you, Daisy.” They would find her. Soon, he’d have her in his arms, once more.