Page 14 of Legacy Ascended

His eyes sharpen. “You’re certain?”

“They know I’m alive. They won’t stop until they find me.”

Elise looks toward the door. “Does Frances know that?”

“I haven’t had much opportunity to explain anything since my kidnapping.”

Benny ignores that. “How close are they?”

“I can’t tell. The bonds don’t give me distance.”

“Can you speak to them through it?”

“No. I can feel them. They can feel me. That’s all.”

“Then how do you stop them?”

“Get me out of here. Once they reach me, I’ll tell them there are families here. I’ll tell them you helped me escape. I’ll convince them to leave with me.”

“After we kidnapped you,” Benny says.

“I didn’t say I’d lie.”

“If you tell them what happened, they’ll come through that gate.”

“No. They’ll want to. I won’t let them.”

“You’re asking me to trust men I’ve never met.”

“I’m asking you to trust me.”

That stops him.

“I won’t tell the Council how to find this valley,” I say. “I won’t lead anyone back here tonight. I’ll get my mates away from your gate and make sure nobody comes looking for revenge.”

“And after tonight?” Elise asks.

“I won’t promise that this disappears. My security was shot. People died. You have records about my family that I have a right to see. All of that still has to be dealt with.”

Benny’s expression hardens, but I keep going.

“I’m promising that I won’t bring violence back to the people living here. You wanted to serve my family? Start by believing me when I tell you what I need.”

Silence settles over the room.

Benny glances at the ring on the table, then back at me.

“You sound like Frances.”

“I’m much angrier than Frances.”

Elise almost smiles. Benny doesn’t, but some of the tension leaves his shoulders.

“If we let you go,” he says, “Klaus will send men after you.”

“Then don’t let him know I’m gone until I have a head start.”

“He’s changing the corridor guard.”