“We’re going back in with the same number of women we left with,” said Lucian. “So long as we can keep them away from her for the rest of this trip, there shouldn’t be any problem.”
Atticus groaned. “We’ve got a long two days ahead of us.”
The group finally dispersed to get what sleep they could, and Val caught Justin’s attention before he retired to his room. “You and the good senator painted us a very rosy picture back there,” she said softly. “How much of it was true?”
“All of it,” Justin assured her. “We’re going to return to the RUNA as heroes, uncovering international plots and freeing young girls. Hope Dag’s finally ready to make an honest woman of you because you’re going to be hip deep in suitors after this.”
Val rolled her eyes. “And you’re hip deep in bullshit. Both of you. How much trouble is Mae in?”
“None, not so long as she succeeds.”
“Succeeds in getting a group of girls through a hostile country and through a highly protected border, you mean?”
“Yes.” Justin started to turn away, and Val pulled him back.
“I’m serious,” she said. “Please tell me Mae has more to go on than a wish and a prayer.”
“A prayer? I never took you for a religious woman, Val.”
“After what you guys told us?” Val shook her head. “I just might have to become one if it’s the only way to get us out of this mess.”
Back in his room, Justin was spared any awkwardness with Hannah since she’d already fallen asleep curled up on the floor. Or at least, he assumed she was asleep. It was hard to say, with all the concealing clothing. He would’ve let her have the bed if given the option, but without it, he gladly sunk into the covers, fully dressed, and fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. Too much physical and mental exertion, not to mention the Exerzol crash, sent his body to a much-needed slumber . . . that unfortunately only lasted a few hours.
He knew what was happening, as soon as the shouts outside woke him up. Hannah, sitting bolt upright, did as well. “It’s okay,” he told her, hoping it was the truth. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
“They’ll find me,” she whispered. “There’s nowhere to go.”
”You’re going with us.” Justin made a half-hearted attempted to smooth his wrinkled shirt, then wondered why he was bothering. A few seconds later, a Gemman knocked at the door, and he found one of the praetorians there.
“They’re searching the entire compound,” she said, face grim.
“One of the concubines is missing.” He assumed there were Arcadians within listening distance.
“We’ll be right out,” Justin replied. He took Hannah’s gloved hand and squeezed it. “It’ll be okay.”
In the guesthouse’s common area, the other Gemmans were congregating by gender, and Justin led Hannah to a spot beside Val before joining the men. The Cloistered attire was useful for a lot of things, he decided, because he was pretty sure Hannah had a terrible poker face. Concealed as she was, all she had to do was stay quiet and still and hope that no one thought to have her reveal herself.
“What’s going on?” he asked, stifling a yawn.
“They lost one of their women and want to make sure she didn’t wind up in any of our beds,” said George.
Carl strode in, overhearing the comment. “We didn’t lose anyone. She was taken.”
“Or she ran away,” said a smirking Jasper, following behind his father. “I always told you she was an insubordinate bitch.”
“She was taken,” Carl repeated, though it was clear even he didn’t really believe that wholeheartedly. “None of my women would run away.” He glanced over the Gemmans to make sure they were all accounted for and then directed his sons to search the bedrooms. The young men took to it with relish, turning over bed and chairs, possibly hoping to find some sort of illicit treasures hidden away. Justin noticed Carl giving quiet directions to Walter, and a moment later, the young man disappeared into one of the bathrooms, presumably to search the emergency escape tunnel they didn’t think the Gemmans knew about.
After an hour, they declared the building Hannah-free, and Carl stormed out muttering, “I’ll kill her.” Apparently he was having to face the reality that she might very well have run away. It would’ve been far easier on the ego to accept abduction, Justin supposed.
None of the Gemmans slept well after that, and things grew increasingly weird the next morning when a messenger came from the temple demanding to know everyone’s whereabouts the previous night. Justin was the only one who’d been out, but he had Hansen as an alibi for part of the time and had apparently checked back in at Carl’s during whatever timeframe was of concern to the messenger. At first, Justin wondered if they were under suspicion for the salon raid, but something in the messenger’s manner made Justin think this inquiry stemmed from a different matter altogether. Whatever it was, he was never enlightened, and the messenger left without finding any answers.
Justin and his companions soon found themselves falling into the long two days that Atticus had warned about. Hannah’s disappearance was a personal problem for the family, one they spoke little of to the Gemmans, though it poisoned the atmosphere for the rest of the stay. Of course, Justin knew he and his party wouldn’t have been all that comfortable regardless, what with their complicity in the matter. The Gemman men continued the scheduled diplomatic events, and the women went on with their mix of chores and regulated outings, except for Hannah who, posing as Mae, was excused from the former. She wanted to stay behind and hide in the room during the women’s outings too, but Justin pointed out that wouldn’t be in character with Mae, plus he wanted to minimize any chance of someone speaking to her alone.
Meanwhile, arrangements were made on both sides for the Arcadian diplomatic group to return home with them, and Hansen visited once to brief Justin on the public details, confirming that all was in order. When they had a private moment, the Arcadian man also let Justin know that all was well with his handpicked group of delegates and that those left behind were still keeping the faith to Odin.
What have I done? Justin wondered after Hansen left. What have I gotten these people into, only to abandon them?
You did good work, but don’t think they’ll flounder without you, chided Magnus. All-father has been connecting with his followers long before you came along. There will be other priests, other dreams.
Hansen also reported that no one suspected a set-up was taking place and that Cowlitz’s men were still going to attempt their disabling of the media stream. Lucian looked relieved when Justin relayed that, meaning the senator was on track to get his public accolades when the plot was revealed. The other half of Lucian’s hoped-for fame, Mae’s rescue, remained shrouded in mystery, and all they could hope for was that no news was good news. When Justin tentatively asked Carl about the raided salon one day, the Arcadian simply shook his head and said, “Looks like they got away with it.”
The day before the Gemmans were scheduled to return home, Justin asked the ravens something that had been on his mind for a while: You’d tell me if you knew which deity was helping Mae, wouldn’t you?
If All-father allowed us, said Magnus.
What’s that mean? asked Justin. You do know and aren’t telling me?
No, we don’t know, and that’s why we aren’t telling you.
Justin wasn’t sure he could buy it. Or maybe you’re not telling me because the goddess helping her is an ally of Odin’s, and this is all terribly convenient for you guys and part of some set up?
That would be very convenient, said Horatio. Which ally do you think it is?