Go to Hell (on hold)

TWENTY

When we got back to the manor, Kota cut open my dress from the back and I changed into cotton shorts and a shirt. They became bloody in seconds, but it allowed for Dr. Green to treat the many wounds Jade had inflicted on me.

"We should have never agreed to let North propose to her," Kota grumbled. "We knew she was violent. We knew she'd be a problem around the other brides." He seized up and looked at me, nerves and embarrassment playing on his face.

"So Silas told you he pretended we were married in front of Jade?" I asked. That wasn't exactly information I wanted everyone to know, but at this point I was beyond caring.

"Of course he did," Kota said in a clipped, tight voice. He took up pacing, and the words he muttered under his breath sounded suspiciously like numbers.

"Interesting," Dr. Green mused. I looked down just as he started the first stitch on my thigh. Funny enough, I didn't even feel it.

"You're lucky she didn't hit an artery. That would have put you out for days."

"But she cut my head off and I woke up a few hours later." Dr. Green frowned.

"Yeah, that should have taken weeks to heal on its own. She must have done something to speed up the process."

"But Jade isn't a doctor," Kota said.

"Maybe it was the masked person," I said.

"The what?"

"There was someone else there. They were wearing a white mask. They're the one who allowed me to get away."

"Shit." I startled. Kota didn't usually curse like that.

Dr. Green turned startled green eyes to Kota. "Do you think it's—"

"Yes, I do."

"Who?" I asked.

Dr. Green squeezed my hand in reassurance and shook his head. "You need to tell Owen about this as soon as possible."

"Can't you do it?"

"No, he'll want to hear it from you. We also need to call a family meeting."

Kota scowled. "That's one of many things we need to discuss."

Dr. Green turned his attention to my neck. The blood had been wiped away, but a clean, thin scar ran around the circumference of my neck.

"That should go away within a week. I can hardly believe how well it healed up. Your head isn't lopsided or anything."

Kota's phone chirped. He frowned at the screen. "They're here. Sang, I'll take you to your room to clean up, then we'll go to Mr. Blackbourne's office."

After I changed into clean clothes and smoothed down my rats' nest of hair, Kota led me to Mr. Blackbourne's office, located in the west wing. The one place in the whole manor I wasn't suppose to go. Kota held my hand as we walked through the cold, stark halls. Every so often I would squeeze his hand tighter and tuck myself closer to his side.

We came to a set of double doors and Kota knocked in random intervals. I looked at him quizzically.

"It's just a thing we do," he said. "So we know it's one of us knocking."

Owen opened the left door, looking as imposing as ever. But he didn't have roses surrounding him to soften his affect. Now he just looked too sharp and cruel.

"Ms. Sorenson. Mr. Lee."

"Mr. Blackbourne," Kota greeted. He nudged me and I nodded in greeting, not trusting my voice.