Page 149 of The Defiant Curse

Not yet, anyway.

What he did know was that Ethan was somewhere on the property.

They saw him exit hours ago on the security cameras, and when they went off to buy Ethan’s things, they took turns checking on their phones to see where he was.

The last spotting of him was when he took Hamlet out of the barn, hours ago.

“We’ll carry your things in,” Graham said. “Why don’t you take a walk? The grounds are peaceful in the afternoon. The sun sets early, and you have a view.”

She blinked.

“Alone?” she asked.

Michael turned in his seat.

“I mean, we can go with you if you want the company by your side.”

She stopped him.

“No, I was caught off guard as to being able to do it alone. Normally, I’m under lock and key.”

He patted her leg.

“One, the grounds are safe. The wildest animal here is a fox or two. Second, you are vicious. I’ve seen you defend yourself. You can hold your own, and lastly, you own this too. This is home. Go enjoy it.”

She looked…happy.

Part of the problem was Ivan had her locked down so hard she felt like she couldn’t breathe. Michael could see that it had been killing her.

While he got that the man wanted her to live, was it really living if you were suffocated?

Knowing Elizabeth, she’d rather fight for her life and enjoy it than be a caged animal.

“Here, you can spread your wings. My only suggestion is DON’T GO IN THE LAKE,” he said, laughing. “Lesson learned on my behalf.”

Oh.

Hell.

No.

There was no way she was doing that.

Call her crazy, but not that crazy. The second they told her there were remains in there, that became a no-go zone for her. This was a big place.

There would be more places she could explore.

In fact, there was nothing she wanted more than to explore, be safe, and have freedom.

“This is wild. Here, I avoided this place, and now I know I should have come sooner. I can’t believe that I can wander.”

Yes, yes, she could.

Ethan was somewhere on the lands, and he hoped they crossed paths.

He was betting that would be the catalyst for the rest of her way back to being whole.

Elizabeth needed to see that someone would rescue her.