Threatened [W&W Book 2]

Chapter 30

There was no way Anya could convince him not to believe the evidence that had been before his eyes, so she gave up some pretence.

"I am," she agreed. "I hid it because everyone despises witches. I had no choice if I wanted to find work." It was partially the truth.

Jim did not look any happier. "You drugged Lord Wildwood." It was not a question.

"No," she denied, although she knew he knew. She could not bear to look at him any longer.

"I don't believe you," he said sadly.

Anya felt panic for the twins fill her. If they stopped her now, what would happen to Kallie and Damani? Would Thorne keep his word if she was caught? She had no way of being certain.

"Let me explain," she pleaded.

"Fine. I'll hear what you have to say before I speak to Lord Wildwood."

"In here," Anya said imploringly, looking at the library. She had to force him to silence.

Jim did not look impressed by her plea, but then he nodded. Jim moved and allowed for Anya to walk in first.

Anya's brain was working frantically. She could not tell Jim the truth and she could not allow him to tell Lord Wildwood what he had discovered. She had to stop him.

Jim followed Anya into the room and stood stiffly, his entire attention on her. Anya tried to force her mind to think of what to say, something that would make everything right again. She tried to make her voice sound calm, but there was a betraying quiver in every syllable as she spoke. "Jim, I've wanted... I didn't..."

There was nothing that she could say and she knew it. Anya moved her hands on her arms as if to rub them. Her fingers touched her familiar vials and she selected the one she needed.

Jim spoke and his voice had none of its characteristic warmth remaining. His tone was calm and even, but the words stung like a whip. "I can't understand why you would try to kill Lord Wildwood. While it would still be wrong, I could at least understand why you might harbor a grudge against one of the corrupt nobles that are so common in our country. But why would you try to kill someone like him? He is a good man, the sort who would befriend a commoner on a scholarship, one who would bring orphans into his household for protection. Is there some reason that you hate him?"

"I don't hate him. I can see he's good."

"Then why are you doing this? I don't believe that you're this sort of person, Anya. Why?"

"I'm..." Anya deftly removed the stopper from the vial she had carried since even before her life had been twisted inside out. The potion for self defense felt cool in her hand. It would stop a wolf or a bear... or a man.

Without letting herself think, she flung the entire contents of the bottle towards him. The spray hit directly and he looked surprised for a mere second.

"What potion is this? What have you..." he said, his voice slowing and thickening. "I'm... What have..? Anya..."

Anya watched as Jim's body hardened and froze. His face was an unmoving mask of shock and horror. He would never forgive her for this day's work.

She could feel tears running down her face.

His eyes stared up at her blindly. She was sure that his mind was as paralyzed as the rest of his body. She knew that he could not hear her.

"Jim, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry that it came to this! I hate it, I really do. But you'll be okay. It'll wear off in a few days or so. I wish that things were different. But they're not and if I don't do it, then he'll kill them. I can't let that happen. But I really do wish... I have to go—"