Page 93 of Freed By Fire
I keep replaying the nightmare until I feel sick.
I cross over to the door and wrench it open.
I glance down each side of the empty hallway, reaching back inside to retrieve the robe from behind the door. My hands are shaking as I tighten the sash and step into the hallway. Katia steps forward, and her eyes sweep over me.
“Let me guess, you’re going to tell me not to do anything stupid.”
Katia raises an eyebrow. “I’d say we’re way past that point, Blondie.”
“Then you know that you have better things to do than play babysitter,” I say. “I need to find him, Katia. We need to talk.”
She studies me. “You didn’t handle any of this well.”
“I know.”
“He needs time,” Katia says. “The best thing you can do is wait for him to find you.”
“No offense, but this isn’t your call. You have to let me through.”
“I have my orders.”
I throw my arms in the air, and a rush of anger bursts through me. “Like hell you do. You’ve broken the rules for less important reasons. We both know he shouldn’t be off doing… whatever he’s doing to process all of this. He needs me.”
Katia chuckles, irritating me more. “You make a passionate case for yourself, Blondie, but it doesn’t change the facts. I work for him, not you.”
I swallow. “He could be in danger.”
Katia’s expression remains smooth and impassive. “He isn’t.”
“It’s past midnight,” I press. “If anyone else gets wind of this…”
“If I were you,” Katia says, “I’d spend less time worrying about him and more time trying to figure out my next move.”
I reel back as if I’ve been slapped. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“You know what it means.”
“I am not going to get rid of the baby,” I hiss, color creeping up my neck and cheeks. “That isn’t your call.”
Katia frowns. “See, that’s where you’re wrong, Blondie. The baby will affect everyone here. It’s not just your call.”
“Fuck you.”
“You can get yourself all worked up if you want, but you know it’s the truth,” she says evenly. “If you won’t give up the baby, you can at least give them a better life.”
“Give them up?”
“Offer them a chance at a good life with someone else,” Katia replies, her expression softening slightly. “You know it’s the right thing to do. They won’t have any future in this world, at least not one where they aren’t hunted.”
I swallow. “But I… it’s my baby.”
“And you have to do right by them.” Katia shakes her head. “Clock’s ticking, Blondie.”
I grab Katia’s arm. “Where is he?”
One by one, she pries my fingers away. “I have no idea, but even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. Neither of you is in a state to talk.”
I grab at her again, but she steps out of reach. “Damn it, Katia. This is humiliating enough. Just let me pass.”
