“My escort?”

“He wants to keep a specific eye on you. Not my choice, but I do not get a say in the matter.”

“Who?” I ask quietly, already fearing the answer.

“The Hunter. So I suggest…”

“I do everything he asks and answer his questions.” I answer quickly

He nods. “You will be over in the gardens today, checking the fruits and veg and doing some weeding.”

“I can do that.” Though I wasn’t quite sure how I will feel with Abraxas breathing down my neck.

“Here,” Mum holds out a paper bag for me. “I made you some lunch.”

“You didn’t….”

“I know. I will see you later.”

A new feeling was bubbling up inside of me and I was certain I was going to cry again but not from anger or sadness. From something else entirely “Thanks.” I whisper, but she had already turned away.

I open the door to see Abraxas rubbing his temples. “So you didn’t try to run then? I was counting on it.”

“So you would have another reason to kill me?” I ask

“Maybe. Though it does seem like you are catching on. Let’s go. I hope you have green fingers.”

I follow him to the gardens, rows and rows of different plants that multiple people were working on. They all look up and glare at me. Abraxas nods to a woman with long red wavy hair. She slowly makes her way towards me with a bucket of small tools.

Pulling off a glove she holds her hand out to me. “I’m Maddie.”

“You’re the woman they talked about. The one that was stripped of her abilities?”

“Yes. Shall we get to work.”

Surprisingly, Abraxas doesn’t follow

me

though the crops. He s

the end, watching me from

made me even more

at

but

“You don’t have to keep looking at him.” Maddie mutters from my side. “He is just here to keep an eye, that’s all.”

“It’s just, I messed up his life and I know he wants to kill me. But I’m trying.”

“I know. Just the fact that you are even here means you are trying.” She winces as she bends over.

“Are you okay?”

“He thinks it’s too early for me to be doing this, but I had to. I can’t stay inside all day.”

“Too early?”

She lifts her shirt high enough to show me bruised ribs.

“Did he do that to you?” I scoff

“No, not a chance. I’m still healing from Cooper.”

“I hope he gets what’s coming to him. To do this and take away who we are, it’s worse than death.” I sigh.

“I’m sure they will find a way to deal with him. Neah is pretty smart and so is Dane. They always win.” She gives me a big smile.

“I really hope that they win this one.” I was still so unsure.

I work for hours, letting Maddie show me how to do certain things. Not once did Abraxas stand over me, but he always stayed where he could see me.

He walks me to my new home in silence. I wanted to say something, anything, but ultimately decide to keep my mouth shut.

He knocks on the door and waits for

Ryken to answer. As soon as he does, Abraxas walks away without a single word and that’s worse than when he does speak.