Page 16 of The Defiant Curse

IT.

WAS.

EMPTY.

As she tore out of there, she hit the hills and enjoyed as the darkness was falling on the mountains ahead of her. The chill caught her off guard, and she made a mental note to find some warmer clothes.

The air felt wet, like snow was coming. It seemed that the higher she went into the mountains, the more likely that was going to be.

Unfortunately for her, she’d not been able to pack before she left, so tomorrow, she’d need a little retail therapy.

Well, it gave her something to look forward to. The last time she’d done something alone…

It had been decades.

Normally, she had a husband by her side, or she was locked down like a prisoner. If she wasn’t taking a child somewhere or helping a husband with one of their side quests, she was working.

Tomorrow was a new day, and a new beginning for her. When the sun came up tomorrow, she knew the truth.

She didn’t have to answer to anyone, or have to micromanage anything.

This was going to be an adjustment.

As she was riding the bike to the castle, there was that peacefulness all around her. Hopefully, after a few days, that sorrow would stop pressing down on her, crushing her soul.

She needed a break from it.

For now, though, she was focused on the ride. Elizabeth loved speed so much, and as she rode like the Devil himself was chasing her, she felt…at home.

And it was odd.

While she’d never been to this place or the castle before, knowing it waited for her, offering quiet, solace, and protection was cathartic.

Already, she was adjusting to being alone, and finding herself.

Up the incline, and through the rocky cliffs she headed, her watch giving her directions. MATE wasn’t on her arm, currently. That tech was back in Damascus in Gene’s pocket, and she was just wearing normal gear.

Here, she would be Elizabeth not the Deputy Director of the FBI, or a hunted woman. Here, she was just some normal person.

That in itself was a miracle.

No one knew where she was, and that was for the best. Maybe she’d have time to work on herself, and to figure out what she’d done to deserve all the shit that was heading her way.

Because someone’s karma needed a clean-up.

And fast.

When she rounded the curve, that’s when she saw it up ahead. Looming there, Elizabeth knew she’d found the place.

Yeah, the irony wasn’t lost on her.

Not.

At.

All.

When she told the men that she needed to find the raven, that had been her clue as to where she’d be.