“Why, if you care so dearly about Langston and vice versa, haven’t you both shared all the information with each other?”
Because he’s wrong about us. We don’t actually care about each other.
“For the same reason you won’t let us both live. Us both only having a piece of the puzzle has ensured our survival to this point.”
He nods and then leans back on the couch, waiting slightly more patiently for me to continue. He almost looks bored with my tale.
“There was something about meeting a man in Egypt where he’s hidden a clue. A partial password 862. And to follow the stars if you ever get lost.”
Rowan looks at me suspiciously. “Was there anything else in your half of the letter?”
“No,” I lie. Most of what I gave him was a lie, but it all rattled off my tongue with confidence. There is no way to tell if I made everything up or told the truth. That is until he speaks to Langston and none of my information fits with his.
“I’ll go speak with Langston and then be back shortly,” Rowan says, standing.
“How will you get him to speak to you?” I’m afraid he’s planning on torturing him to get him to speak.
He grins at me. “By making the same deal with him.”
“What?” I breathe.
“I’m sure he’ll spill his guts to save you. Although, I suspect he’ll be more truthful.”
He stands and heads to the door, but I can’t let him leave, not until I’m assured that he won’t hurt or kill Langston.
I jump up, suddenly full of strength, and run to him.
“You made a deal with me! You can’t hurt Langston.” I grab his arm, trying to get him to stay and talk to me.
“You lied to me, Miss Dunn.”
“I didn’t,” I plead.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Don’t hurt him. You promised to let him go. Please.”
He shakes his head. “I’ll do what is necessary to get the information I seek.”
I don’t know what his words mean. Have I been a fool for trusting him? Should I have told him the entire truth? Would that have ensured Langston survived, or was his plan all along to kill us both?
“Don’t worry, I still plan on keeping one of you alive; I just haven’t decided who yet.”
“Him—keep Langston alive.”
“Maybe you should have told me the truth, and I would consider your plea.”
He goes to open the door, and I grip his arm, trying to keep him with me. If he’s with me, he can’t hurt Langston.
“Let go,” he orders.
“Promise me you won’t hurt him, and I’ll tell you the truth.”
He pauses, as if considering my deal, but then I see his fist coming at my face.
I try to turn, but the impact hits me all the same. He knocks me hard in the jaw, forcing my feeble body to fall back to the floor.
Before I know what’s going on, Rowan is gone. My tears fall immediately—not from my own pain, but from the fear of losing Langston. I failed in saving him, and I don’t know what to do to fix it.