“Why?”
“Because I gave you a task, and how can you make an informed choice if you shy away from making it?”
“But I’ve made my choice.”
My voice is soft, serene even, and she shakes her head. “You have not made a choice, Tiffany, because there is nothing to choose between. I will not allow you to stay until you sample life outside these walls, and the safest way to get you to your destination is with this man.”
I am trying so hard not to cry, and as I peer at him through half-closed lashes, I tremble inside. He is not a man; he’s a monster, and nothing about him feels safe to me.
“There is another reason why you must leave, Tiffany.”
All the time she speaks, he is staring at me with no hint of emotion in his expression at all.
“What reason?”
I decide to focus my attention on Sister Agatha instead, wondering how she can be so cruel when she has been nothing but amazing since we arrived on her doorstep.
“Because your stepmother has requested, you are to return to her. She tells me you are required at home.”
“But why? My home is here and there is nothing I want to say to her.”
For some reason, Sister Agatha falters, and yet her eyes are kind as she says serenely, “It appears that your birthmother has been in touch and wants to meet you there. She has information you must hear firsthand, and it concerns your sisters.”
“What do you mean, are they okay?”
The man speaks, and it causes my soul to shiver.
“Your sisters are safe, which is more than can be said for you if you go anywhere without me by your side.”
“London?”
I angle my head as my mind races with excuses why I should remain here, and he nods. “Yes, London, because your stepmother does not have your best interests at heart, and yet we have a problem I suspect only she can solve.”
“What problem?”
I am giddy with fear, and he stands, an action that sucks all the air out of the room, and if anything, it’s as if a dark demon has unfurled its wings.
“I believe you possess three keys. One for each sister. They will be the keys to unlock the secrets of your past, and Morgan Sorcusi may be the woman with the instructions.”
“May?”
My mind is racing as I remember the keys that we entrusted into the care of Sister Agatha, and her low gasp causes us both to turn and stare as she says slightly nervously, “The keys are gone.”
“With my sisters?”
I can’t believe it could be anything other than that, and she shakes her head, apparently on edge.
“I’m sorry, I no longer have them.”
Joseph Ravera turns to her, and from the expression on his face, Sister Agatha may not be long for this world as he hisses, “Then who does?”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
I swear I fear for her life right now, and as he shifts as if moving toward her, I call out, “Fine, I’ll go with you. We’ll head to, well, where she is and demand answers.”
I catch Sister Agatha’s desolate expression and wonder what the hell is going on right now. She exhales sharply as he glares in her direction and whispers almost apologetically, “It was for the best. When you find the answers, the truth will present itself, and the keys are too valuable to hand to a stranger.”
I admire her bravery and wonder if God is guiding her hand right now, and it’s suddenly the most important thing in my life to get this man away from her.