He swiveled the chair so he could see me.

“And up until now you haven’t ever felt anything. No emotion whatsoever.”

“Right.” My bottom lip trembled. He rose, taking my hands again.

“And then you got a message from your mom?”

“Yes.”

“But you don’t know where your parents are?”

“No.”

“Can I hear the message?”

My cell phone rested on the bedside table. I picked it up, found the message, and played it on speakerphone.

While my mom spoke I watched Adam’s face. He seemed to be taking all that I’d said very well. He didn’t seem freaked out. He wasn’t treating me differently. At least I didn’t think so.

When my dad told my mom to hang up because she’d already said too much, Adam’s eyes scrunched together, but he didn’t say anything.

“Why aren’t you freaking out?” I asked him. I appreciated that he wanted to honor his contract, but if the roles had been reversed, I would’ve run away already.

Adam shrugged. “To be honest, I think the whole thing is extraordinary.” He took my hands. “When I watched you fall from the second floor of the shopping center I thought you were possibly suicidal.”

“How did you catch me? Why didn’t you get hurt?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I saw you fall and I reacted. I didn’t debate, I just knew I needed to save you.”

A rush of gratitude for Adam filled my insides. “Thank you,” I breathed.

Adam stepped closer. “Of course, Miss Cavanaugh.”

“I think you’ve earned the right to call me Beatrice.”

Adam leaned back, but I held his hands tightly.

“If you want. You don’t have to.” I exhaled. “The truth is you don’t even have to stay.” With the rush of emotions came the realization that I didn’t want to hurt Adam anymore. In fact I couldn’t understand why I’d had such a hateful desire in the first place. And the fact that I’d lied about the diamond made matters worse. I was a rude, immature girl who needed to figure out what Vaktare meant. Adam certainly didn’t need to be a part of whatever was happening to me. “See, your mom, she didn’t—”

Adam pressed a finger to my lips. “I’ve signed a contract agreeing to stay until such time as you release me. I’ll abide that.”

I smiled, knowing the right thing was to release him. “Thank you, but that’s what I’m trying to say. You don’t need to stay. I am releasing you.”

Adam stepped back. Disappointment rolled over his gorgeous face. “Already? I’ve done nothing to make up for what you believe my mom did. I researched red diamonds. They’re worth millions.”

“I know. But she—”

Mrs. Dotts pushed open the door. She was humming. “You’re out of bed.”

“Yes,” I said.

Mrs. Dotts set a tray on the table. On it were two steaks. “I thought you might be hungry.”

I hadn’t even thought about eating.

“Thank you, Mrs. Dotts. ” I went over and cut a piece of meat. Then realized I should’ve asked Adam which he wanted first. “Sorry I didn’t let you choose, Adam,” I said when he came to stand beside me.

Mrs. Dotts dropped the napkins she’d been about to hand over. “Is there anything else you need, Miss Cavanaugh?” Her voice quaked with surprise.

“Have you heard of the word Vack-tare?”

Mrs. Dotts froze. “Um, well.” She stuffed the napkins in the front pocket of her apron.

Isaac walked in. “Miss Cavanaugh. May I have a word with you?”

I glanced over mid-bite. He held a strange box in his gloved hands. Adam squeezed my shoulders. I knew he was thinking the same thing I was—that Isaac might know what the word Vaktare meant. I dropped the fork and rose.

Mrs. Dotts scurried out of the room, closing the door behind her. Isaac stepped further inside.

“What is it, Isaac?” My heart began to race, pushing the pain out and back in with each thump.

He cleared his throat, glancing at Adam.

“He’s fine to remain here.”

“Very well, Miss Cavanaugh.”

“When I came to work for your father fifteen years ago, you were just a small child. And while your parents were never kind to me they were never unkind either.” He coughed. “I knew I was luckier than most. Your father paid me well. Very well. I came to respect, even admire him.” Isaac cleared his throat again. “On your sixteenth birthday your father and mother came to me and asked if I would be willing to keep something for them.” He lifted the box in his hands. “They made me promise that if anything bizarre began to happen with you and if the two of them suddenly vanished I was to give you this box.” Isaac set it on my desk.

“Do you know what’s inside?” I asked, goosebumps tightening my skin.

“No, Miss Cavanaugh, I do not.” He stepped back. “I’ve witnessed many peculiar events in my life. I know your family is different.” He paused, pulling on the bottom of his vest, uncomfortable. “Have you heard anyone use the word Vaktare?” Isaac was suddenly nervous. He gave Adam a cursory glance.

I nodded, excitedly, taking a step toward him. “Do you know what that means?”

He shook his head. “I only know that I overheard your parents say the word on many occasions.”

I felt my face fall. It was weird. Normally my face didn’t move much.

“Miss Cavanaugh, your parents—you are different. Your parents knew I knew. Being in this house, I’ve heard things, even seen things.” He clasped his hands together. “Please know I would never do anything to betray your parents or you. I owe your parents my life. My allegiance is, and will always be, to your family.”

“Thank you, Isaac.” My eyes were misty. I wondered what my parents had done for him, but now wasn’t the time to ask. I quickly dabbed at the edges of my eyes. Crying was fast becoming annoying.

“You’re most welcome, Miss Cavanaugh. And if there is anything you need, you have only to ask.” He turned and left the room.

I scooted my chair closer to the box. It was beautiful. Not much larger than a sheet of paper. The latch had the head of a roaring lion. On the lid was carved the letter C. I guessed for Cavanaugh. Thorny vines wrapped around it and a single red rose bloomed in the center. Behind the C and the rose had been carved an intricate background. Creatures that appeared to be part man and part beast were in a forest.

“Aren’t these amazing?” I said touching one of the heads. As soon as my hand brushed the wood, the latch clicked open. I gasped, clutching my chest. And then laughed.

Adam smiled, crouching down so his head was even with mine. That must’ve been uncomfortable.

“Wait a sec.” I picked up the box and took it over to the bed. “This will be better.”

Adam seemed surprised by my actions. In truth, I was too. In the past, or even yesterday, the comfort of others hadn’t mattered to me.

I took a deep breath, eager for the answers that were sure to be inside.

“Go for it,” Adam said, noticing my hesitation.

Taking hold of the latch, I lifted it.

I didn’t know what I expected to find. The inside smelled like fresh cut wood. It had been stained to match the outside.

I glanced at Adam. He rocked back, appearing to be as confused as I was. I reached in and picked up the only thing in the box: a piece of paper. It’d been torn out of a notebook. On the paper, scrawled in black ink were a name and a number.

“Is this you?” I asked.

He shook his head. “My last name is Haddox, remember?”

All of my courage deflated.

Adam squeezed my hand. “So you call the number. Your parents thought the name and number were important, right?”

“I guess.” I placed the number back in the box and closed it. Exhaustion overpowered my limbs. “I’m tired, Adam. Would you mind giving me some time by myself?” I knew the pain would increase with him gone but it was becoming more bearable.

“Of course.” Adam glanced at his watch. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He got off my bed and went to the door. “It’ll work out. Everything happens for a reason.