I looked over at the transport and saw Josiah scurrying out the doors and quickly pacing towards us wearing a determined look on his face. I turned back to the scene in front of me to see Cyler gripping the Walker by the throat. He then started to squeeze until the Walker’s face turned blue.
“Do you like feeling scared? Do you like knowing that if I squeeze for a little longer, you’ll no longer have to live your miserable, little life?” Cyler whispered in a tone that caused gasps to echo around the courtyard. If Cyler wanted to create an excellent first impression on his new people, he was failing miserably.
“Master Black, please release him,” Josiah pleaded with a shaky voice. Cyler immediately complied and dropped the suffocating man in the dirt. After checking to see if he was alive, he made quick work of dusting off his coat and hands.
“This Walker threatened Ashleigh. I simply wanted him to know that his behavior would not be tolerated. I assumed that you, of all people, would understand.”
I watched as Josiah’s temple throbbed angrily. His lips turned white from pressing them together. I’d only seen him this livid a handful of times, but as always, he managed to keep his voice steady. My ever diplomatic and image-conscious Josiah refused to let anything derail him.
“Thank you for protecting Ashleigh,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear. “The Galla province deeply values our Walker community, and we want to ensure that everyone feels safe and cared for. It is our responsibility to make the Walker Zones a safe place which means we must police ourselves during these trying times and report unruly citizens to the nearest Archés.” Just as Josiah finished his speech, a group of Archés guards stormed up to our group and cuffed the Walker that had nearly stabbed me.
Many of the Walkers that were watching everything immediately dispersed, and Josiah lowered his voice for only Cyler and me to hear. “Relations with the Walkers are in a delicate state, right now. We want to maintain the peace as much as possible. Thank you for protecting Ashleigh. Unfortunately, this is why we have such rules about intermingling. Once again, I encourage you to join your sister and me back in the transport. It is the safest place for you both. Come.” Josiah then stretched his arm out for me, but as I went to grab it, Cyler snaked his arm around my waist and guided me to the transport. Josiah remained silent and allowed Cyler to carry me away.
Even though I recognized Cyler’s forward actions towards me to be a test of Josiah’s intentions, I couldn’t help the flutter that stirred to life in the pit of my stomach. “Thank you,” I whispered. His wide eyes looked me over before responding as if to double check that the deranged man didn't harm me. “I should have been paying closer attention. That was too close.” I merely shrugged, which seemed to frustrate him. Then we wordlessly boarded the transport and headed back to the Stonewell manor while thoughts of Josiah, and Cyler’s offer, made my head pound with nervousness.
Chapter Six
The drive back was spent mostly in silence. Jules tried to ease the palpable tension with charming stories about her childhood, but the effort felt wasted on the two, brooding men in our company. I still shook with fear and wanted to scrub my skin clean of the nasty things that the Walker said to me, but there was a lot of work to be done once we got home.
I fled the transport the moment it parked, not allowing Cyler to assist me in exiting the vehicle. His nearness spent sparks down my exposed skin, and I needed a break from the confusing tension he caused within me. I quickly prepared dinner and forced myself not to obsess over what was happening.
The ultimatum Cyler had in store for Josiah made me nervous. A small part of me hoped that Josiah would choose me, but the more realistic side knew that he was duty-bound. His position required certain sacrifices.
Once again, I daydreamed about Josiah and me running away to one of the more primitive provinces. We would start from scratch and build our lives together. Our children would have my eyes and his hair.
I wished this life for us daily. If I were a braver woman, I would beg Josiah to run away with me. Give up his father’s legacy. But I’m not nearly that bold. Nor that selfish. Whatever childhood love existed between us would never matter.
Too soon, the moment came for Josiah to decide. Everyone settled in at the kitchen table, and the stress from the earlier Walker Zone visit was still evident in their weary expressions.
Mistress Black wore a long, elegant evening gown which pushed her tiny chest up almost to her chin. She flaunted her body like it was all she had to offer, and I noticed Josiah occasionally peeking at what she so proudly displayed on a golden platter of silk and makeup. Josiah dressed in a suit that made my mouth water. Twice, he caught me staring at him, and the hint of a smile curved the corner of his lips. He knew he had my full attention, and he reveled in it. Even Cyler cleaned up. If it weren’t for his beard and fiery eyes, I would almost have thought that the crisp shirt and ironed pants made him looked refined, handsome almost.
"I'd very much like for Ashleigh to accompany me back to Dormas” Cyler’s voice boomed over the table. “Her cooking is divine, and our leadership council is seeking to hire a new cook. She would be a free citizen in my province. We will agree to the trade under that condition."
His voice was final and demanding, and he spoke with such confidence, as though he already knew what decision Josiah would make. After a second of pure agony, I turned to look at Josiah and gauge his reaction. Aside from his fiery eyes that burned hot, scalding my heart, the rest of his face remained expressionless. He gave the impression that Cyler’s offer meant nothing to him. I waited for him to say something, anything, but surprisingly, it was Mistress Stonewell that replied.
"Oh, how lovely. We are truly flattered that you've taken such a liking to our dear Ashleigh. We, too, think she is an amazing Walker. I think this might change some parts of our deal, though, yes?" Her menacing eyes twinkled, and I coughed in discomfort. Josiah still silently sat while clutching the handle of his fork with force. Linda Stonewell was never one to pass on an opportunity.
"Well, what would you have in mind, Mistress Stonewell? Or may I call you Linda?"
Linda blushed at the informality of his request but refused to let it show how much he disgraced her. This trade deal was a game, and we all knew that Cyler chose informalities to gain some psychological upper hand intentionally.
"Well, Ashleigh has been a part of our family for almost a decade and a half. In fact, she grew up with Josiah. It will be challenging–almost downright impossible—for us to part with such a sweet and hardworking girl. Not to mention, her cooking is divine.”
I openly gaped at her. Not once had Mistress Stonewell made me feel like anything other than a burden, so I was surprised by her sudden affections for me. My entire childhood was spent listening to how much of a waste of talent and space I was. But now I was a pawn on the board, and she would use me to get whatever she wanted.
"Oh, yes of course! I want it to be a fair trade . . ." Cyler stroked his chin in mock contemplation and turned to address Josiah who had a stoic look about him. My heart pounded in anticipation for his reaction. "What would you like for Ashleigh? I'm sure she has a special place in your heart. I want to make sure our trade is equal” Cyler grinned at me.