With a heavy sigh, Rem replied,"Gran would never want youhere. And since I am the Silver, it only makes sense that I be the one to stay, if one of us does. We do what we have to. I can't explain much, but they aren't letting me leave. They'll hunt me down if I run. And if I do, they'll hurt you for it. If I become a shifter, they will set you free. So that’s what will happen."
She hated to say it aloud. Now that he was here, within a foot of her, she didn't want to let him go. If she became a shifter, then he would be gone forever—just like their farm and all of her gran’s goods, her parents.
No, I can’t think like that. I’ve got a plan to tell the Alpha where you are, Oliver. He might save you and me. Maybe I can visit home, if I can’t return there for good.
"Rem, no."
"Oliver," she began, "this is not up for negotiation. They won't let me go. Do you understand? I can run, but they'll follow. It's like..." she began and looked around. "It's hard to explain. I don't want to be here, but I cannot leave. You, on the other hand, you'll go home one day."
"Promiseyou will find a way, too."
She wanted to promise him, and she nearly did. But that was not their father's way. Oliver was just old enough that if something happened to her, he might have to find a way home on his own. "No. I can't promise that."
"Why?" He started to tear up again.
"I don't want you to wait for me. I will try everything I can, but you need to go home if you ever get the chance—with or without me. Tell father and mother that I love them, if you get back home before me. Okay? And take care of Tobin. He’ll stick by your side for an entire week when he sees you come back home to him.”
They both attempted to laugh, but the furthest they got was to a pathetic smile with tears welling in their eyes. She wiped his hair that was not yet long enough to be in his eyes.
Men behind Oliver moved towards him, but she didn't take her eyes off of him.
"Don't lose spirit, you hear me? You're a Walker. We don't break. Live for revenge, if you must." She grabbed his cheeks and kissed his forehead.
Hands clasped her shoulders, tearing the two apart faster than she liked, both of them screaming.
"I never stop thinking of you! I will protect you. Stay strong, Ollie! I love you!"
"REM!"
They carried her off until they let go of her, tears streaming down her face as she fell to her knees in the cool grass, immediately turning around to see that Oliver was gone. Her chest swelled with a mixture of hope and despair, all at once. The shifters that grabbed her pulled her back to her feet, guiding her along the dirt path.
There, she saw Fiona standing next to Jackson, his only eye burning brightly with satisfaction.
A drive to maim these two, no matter the cost, scorched Rem’s heart. No matter her rank once turned or mated. Who cared if such an action killed her, like they killed Josephine? These two ruined everything for herandfor Oliver.
"So, we have a deal?" Fiona asked when Rem was brought to her.
"Obviously," she grumbled, not letting on about how she planned to take Ronan here.
"Good. Come back with Ronan thinking only of you."
Rem faintly nodded, salty tears streaming down her cheeks.
Fiona stepped forward, bowing her head to get closer to Rem, and said, "And just so you don't tell or show anyone about being here"—Rem's blood ran cold—"We have to add another curse on top of the one you carry. It will only take a second."
Rem uttered, "No.”
She fought the Gammas that held her, her back in pain, but she paid no mind. Fiona cut her finger, and Rem cried out, moving her head around to avoid the blood from entering her mouth.
Jackson grabbed her face and held her still, and Rem seethed through clenched teeth. Jackson moved both of his hands—one on her back, and the other opening her mouth. He pricked her back with his claw, and she cried out in pain as he dug into the barely healed wound. With her mouth opened in a cry of pain, Fiona dropped the blood on Rem's tongue.
The Elder Witch spoke once again in a deep, foreign language, Rem's body on fire from the curse.
Then it subsided, like before, and everyone let go of her.
"Bring anyone here, or tell them about this inanycapacity, and you will lose not only your voice, but your eyes as well. It will be rather hard to exist as a blind and mute girl. Poor Oliver would never go home, then."
Rem stopped crying, teeming with indignation as she stared at the grass. It seemed there was no recourse other than to win Ronan over as they commanded, damn the repercussions if the Alpha ever found out. Once Oliver was safely sent home, Rem could unleash every bit of rage on these two, with no care of consequences.
