Chapter 89: Three Days

The words are barely out of my mouth when the air over head explodes with blue fire. I look up as Femke and her Enforcers appear, holding my place as she plunges to the ground and runs to me headlong. Another enthusiastic embrace, another moment of tears as she hugs me tight, rocking me back and forth as she chokes her own sobs into my ear.

When we pull apart, she turns me slowly around, examining me, though all my physical hurts are now healed. Her sorrowful eyes tell me she's aware I didn't escape this entirely unscathed, but I shake my head at her, scattering the tears from my cheeks as I deny the questions she wants to ask.

"Andre was here," she says. "I have Enforcers rounding him up. He'll stand trial and be executed, if he harmed you in any way."

I take her hand, pull her to me. "Let him go," I whisper. "Send him home and ban him from your territory if you feel the need, but don't harm him."

She stares into my eyes. "Charlotte-"