10: Elle's Revenge

Elle ripped her arm free of the large sailor's grip as he hauled her up from the ladder and onto the deck. She nearly fell to the floor, feeling so detached and disoriented from the horror she had just witnessed that her whole body was numb.

Mias is dead.

She felt a sharp twisting in her chest at the very thought, and she wanted nothing more than to crumple to the floor and cry. She looked towards the island, only able to see the outline of the cliffs and the glimmer of waves as they drifted onto the shore. Elle wanted to hurl herself over the side of the ship, to swim back to Mias and hold him in her arms one last time. But she knew there would be no point in it, that all the wishing and crying, all the promises and kisses in the world would never bring him back. All she could do now was hope that Mias knew what she felt for him. That his love for her was matched by her love for him.

She watched as Elias climbed up the last few steps of the ladder with a wide grin on his face, his shoulders pulled back confidently. He showed not even an ounce of remorse, not a flicker of shame after what he had done. Elle's numbness melted away when she saw him, rage bubbling up inside her as his eyes met hers.

He had barely stepped onto the deck when she launched herself at him, not caring about the consequences of what she was about to do. She wanted to see him bleed, wanted to cause him pain, she wanted to kill him.

"You bastard!" She screamed, bringing her tiny fist up with as much strength as she could muster, slamming it into the side of his face. His head jerked to the right from the force, and he staggered to the side only slightly before he turned to look at her. She brought her hand to her chest, cradling it in her other hand as a sharp ache spread across her knuckles. Ignoring the pain, she threw her fist at him again, only to have the large sailor from the beach grab her arms and tug them behind her back.

"Let go of me you pig!" She shouted, struggling against his hold. "How could you let him do it? How could you just stand there and let it happen?"

"You'd be wise to shut your mouth before you meet with a similar fate," the man behind her warned. She glared up at him and knew from the look on his face that he wasn't threatening her. He was watching his captain with wary eyes, clearly concerned about what he would do.

Elias wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, glancing at his fingers. His lip twitched when his eyes met hers, and he took a step closer. Though her heart pounded, Elle wasn't afraid. She was blinded by fury, blinded by a hate so consuming that it made her head spin. She braced herself for whatever he planned to do. If he wanted to hit her, so be it. She would be ready for it, and she would fight back with every ounce of strength she had. There was nothing to lose, nothing to fear, because Elias had already done his worst.

"Doesn't it feel wonderful," Elias murmured, gazing at her as though they shared some special secret.

Elle held her breath, eyeing him warily. He looked haunted, like a man who had seen and done too much in his life to ever come away clean.

"It's soothing, is it not?" Elias went on. "The hatred. The rage. Do you feel how it slithers inside you, how it fills you? Can you sense how it swallows up any glimmer of peace that builds within your soul?"

Elias stepped forward, licking at the blood which trickled from the corner of his mouth and down his chin. "You are like me now, dearest. Driven by your lust for revenge. Let it consume you, my darling Elle. Let it sustain you."

Elle shook her head violently, bile rising up in her throat. "I'm nothing like you, Elias. You're a deluded, sick coward who just murdered his own brother!"

And the man I loved! Elle's heart screamed.

Elle's breath hitched and she glanced around at the sailors on deck, going about their tasks as though nothing was wrong. She wanted to scream at them, wanted to demand that they look upon their captain with her eyes and see him for the monster that he was.

"Mias never would have left us alone," Elias said, matter-of-factly. "He never would have let you go. We would have gone through life always looking over our shoulders, wondering when he would steal our happiness away. Don't you see, dearest? I did it for us."

Elle laughed humorlessly, a cold cackle that sent a chill through her. "You're pathetic."

Elias glared at her, shaking his head. "It is fortunate for you that I am in a forgiving mood this night, dearest. Otherwise we would both have a split lip."

Elias took a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his mouth and chin. The man who had been restraining Elle let go and inched back, remaining close enough that he could grab her if he needed to. He cast her a warning look, concern clear in his eyes. He knew how volatile his captain was, and in spite of everything that had happened Elle couldn't help but wonder what Elias had done before this to make the man fear him so.

"We will reach Tearny within two days time," Elias said, stuffing the handkerchief back into his pocket, his eyes hard. "And once I settle my business affairs, we will be married."

"There isn't going to be a wedding," Elle hissed, hands clenched at her sides. The sailor took a step forward, but Elias lifted his hand to stop him.

"Really," Elias said, the corner of his mouth tilting up. "And why is that?"

"Because I'm going to kill you," Elle spat. "I'm going to slaughter you the way that you slaughtered Mias. Or I'll die trying."

Elias shook his head, laughing. "No you won't, dearest. You wouldn't risk attempting something so foolish."

Elle's lips trembled, but she kept her gaze cold and unwavering. "Why wouldn't I? I have nothing to lose."

Elias shook his head again. "On the contrary, dearest, you have something very precious to lose."

Elle's heartbeat quickened, but she tried to keep her emotion from showing. She already knew what Elias had meant, she only prayed that she was wrong.

"Bring him over!" He bellowed.

Elle's heart sank as she watched Mr. Jones come down the stairs from the quarterdeck, pulling Thomas along beside him. Thomas' foot caught on a pile of rope and he tumbled forward on hands and knees with a yelp.

Mr. Jones leaned down to help him up, but Elias grabbed Thomas by the collar of his shirt and lifted him roughly to his feet. Thomas glanced up at Elias, giving Elle a perfect view of the large purple bruise forming on the boys' cheek.

"You son of a bitch!" Elle screamed, throwing herself at Elias, clawing at the arm which held Thomas, slamming her fist against his chest. "He's just a child, you monster!"

The sailor grabbed Elle around the waist and pulled her off of Elias, grunting when she turned on him and slapped him in the face. He grabbed her arms and turned her to face Elias, who still held Thomas by the collar.

Thomas looked at her wide eyed, tears streaming down his cheeks. He was terrified, his eyes darting from her to Elias as he watched the scene unfold.

"Don't you dare hurt him!" Elle cried.

"Whether or not I hurt him will be up to you, dearest." Elias said calmly.

"W-what do you mean?" Elle breathed, not taking her eyes from Thomas' face.

"What it means, dearest, is that if I even suspect that you are plotting against me," Elias grated, twisting his hand more tightly in Thomas shirt, "I will do to him what I did to my brother."

Elle ceased her struggling, icy terror slipping down her spine. Her eyes widened as she watched Thomas, his face ghostly pale as his eyes pleaded with hers.

"You wouldn't," Elle rasped, shaking her head. "He's just a little boy."

"A very clever little boy," Elias sneered, looking down at Thomas. "Helped you escape, did he not? The two of you have already conspired against me once. It will not happen again."

Elias placed his hand lightly on the hilt of his dagger, the very dagger that he had used to kill Mias. Elle watched in horror as he pulled the blade slowly from his belt with a menacing grin.

"It won't happen again! I swear it won't!" Elle shrieked, swallowing her tears. She had to be strong. Even though every fiber of her being was screaming from her loss, even though every part of her wanted rip out Elias' black heart, she had to be patient. For Thomas' sake, she had to stay strong and do everything that she was told. For now.

Elias slid the blade back into place and released his hold on Thomas, crossing his arms.

Thomas ran the small distance and wrapped his arms around Elle's waist, burying his face against her shirt so that his sobs were muffled. The sailor that held Elle released her arms, and she immediately wrapped them around Thomas' trembling shoulders.

"See how easy that was?" Elias smirked, turning towards the stairs. "Get us under way, Mr. Jones!"

The deck came alive around them, men rushing across the deck and along the ratlines above, blurring by as Elle held Thomas in her arms and let him cry to his heart's content.

"I'm so sorry, miss!" He wailed, his face still pressed against her stomach. "Please forgive me!"

Elle pulled him away and knelt down in front of him. "You have nothing to apologize for, sweetheart," she said firmly, giving his shoulders a gentle shake.

He wiped his eyes, wincing as his palm grazed across the purple bruise on his cheek. "I didn't tell him, miss. I swear! I don't know how he knew!"

Elle pulled him close, wrapping her arms around him and shushing him as he cried against her shoulder. "I am so proud of you, Thomas. You were a brave boy tonight."

"Thank you miss," he sniffled, his shaky sobs subsiding.

Elle looked up towards the quarterdeck to see Elias, his arms behind his back, staring down at the deck as his men pulled up the anchor, while others tugged ropes with shouts of encouragement, the sails rising high on their masts.

"What happened on that island, miss?" Thomas hiccupped. "I heard you screaming about murder. Did the captain kill someone?"

Elle's heart ached as she recalled what had happened, her heart aching as she pictured Mias' face as he looked up at her and professed his love.

Elle knew Thomas wanted to know what had happened because Elias had promised that Thomas would meet the same fate. But Elle would never do anything that would put Thomas in harms way.

"Don't you worry about any of that, Thomas." Elle murmured, patting his back gently. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Thomas nodded against her, letting out a shaky sigh. The bulkheads creaked beneath them, the sails flapping wildly above their heads before the wind caught them and the ship moved forward.

Elle looked up to find Elias' icy gaze on her, his hair whipping around his face as the ship lurched to the side.

Elle met his gaze, refusing to show any hint of fear or apprehension. She was determined not let him frighten her ever again, knowing with certainty that she couldn't afford such a weakness. She would bide her time, let him think that he had won, and once they made port and she had spirited Thomas safely away, Elias would pay for what he had done.

~~~

I love you, Elle.

"Mias?"

I didn't get to tell him!

"Mias, wake up!"

I have to tell him, I have to!

"Mias, open your eyes!"

Mias gasped, the pressure in his abdomen making it difficult to breathe. He coughed several times, groaning as pain lanced through his side. He cracked open his eyes to find Abernos sitting in a chair beside the bed, holding his hand.

"You have to stay awake," Abernos said, squeezing Mias' hand. "At least until the doctor finishes up and gets some healing salve on your wound."

Mias let out a shaky breath as he glanced at the doctor leaning over him, his hands working quickly as he stitched the wound closed.

"Only a few moments longer," the tiny white haired man squeaked, his white beard seeming too large for his face. "Try and hold still, young man."

Mias looked down at his wound just as the man slipped a needle through his skin and tugged a strand of glimmering thread through the mangled flesh.

Mias pressed his head back against the pillow, baring his teeth against the pain. It subsided for a moment, returning threefold when the needle was plunged into his flesh once more.

"Can't you give him something for the pain?" Abernos asked weakly, his skin pale as he watched the needle dip in and out of Mias' wound.

"I'm afraid I don't have any numbing ointment," the little doctor said, glancing at Mias over his horn rimmed glasses. "Used the last of it on that old sailor O'Grady. Tore up his leg something awful after the storm last month. Nearly drowned, poor man."

Mias closed his eyes, images of Elle's ashen face flashing through his mind. Had he managed to tell her how he felt? All he could recall was the searing pain as the knife tore into his body, and being carried along the beach moments later. And screaming, he could remember screams cutting through the haze, demanding a chance to tell him something. But what?

Mias glanced at Abernos."How long was I out?" Mias croaked, licking his lips.

"Nearly four hours," Abernos said. "You lost a lot of blood, Mias. We didn't think you were going to make it."

Mias shuddered as the needle dove into his skin, his thoughts drifting to Elle once more. He knew she was probably terrified, especially after what she had witnessed. She probably thought he was dead, and his heart ached at the thought of what such a belief might do to her. Her love for him became clear the moment she threw herself at Elias, promising to do anything he said if he would only spare Mias' life. As he recalled the love in her eyes as she gazed at him, so desperate to save his life, he wished that he would have told her then that he loved her too.

Thinking back over the events that unfolded that night, Mias realized that what bothered him more than Elle seeing him get stabbed was the fact that Elias had struck her. His blood boiled as he recalled her trembling lips and wide eyes as she looked at him helplessly, too shocked to do anything but stare. Mias determined then and there that he would not kill Elias for stabbing him like a sniveling coward, because he had expected nothing less from him. No, he would kill him for raising his hand in anger towards Elle. Mias felt numb as he considered what else his brother might do.

"He has Elle," Mias breathed, the pain in his heart more agonizing than the wound in his abdomen. "I had her, Abernos. I promised her I would protect her, and I failed miserably."

"There, there," Abernos said, patting Mias on the shoulder. "We'll get her back, I'm sure of it."

Mias was furious with himself for being so careless. He should have known that Elias would come after Elle the second he realized that she was gone. But he had been so relieved to find her, so eager to seek comfort in her arms that he had been blind to the threat. It was his fault that Elle was in danger, just as it had been his fault the time before.

"I should have known that this would happen," Mias growled, Digging his fingers into Abernos hand.

"Uh, Mias," Abernos whispered.

"But like a fool I took my time, too arrogant to even consider that Elias—"

"Mias!" Abernos shrieked, cutting through his thoughts. Mias glanced at the little fawn to see that he was clawing at Mias' hand, trying to pull his furry little fingers free of the vice-like grip.

Mias released his hold, and Abernos let out his breath in a whoosh, shaking his hand and stretching his fingers.

"My apologies," Mias muttered, and Abernos nodded weakly.

"We will get Elle back," Abernos promised, looking at Mias with concern. "I'm certain of it."

Mias turned his head to look at him, noticing how exhausted the little fawn looked, his hair a tangle around his antlers, his eyelids heavy over his eyes.

Mias frowned as he recalled the encouragement shouted to him as he lay bleeding, Abernos' voice calling to him from the depths, demanding that he hold onto life, for Elle's sake.

Mias looked away, clearing his throat. He knew there was no getting around it, so he should just get it over with so that the two of them could continue on their paths of mutual disregard.  

"Thank you." Mias growled, before he lost his nerve. "You saved my life."

Abernos smiled wide and leaned forward in his chair, taking Mias' hand in his. "Of course, Mias. After all, what are friends for?"

Mias lips thinned. "I'm not your—"

"All done," the doctor said, cutting the thread and Mias' statement short, after which he reached into his bag and produced a small jar filled with a dark green substance.

"What is that?" Mias asked, as the doctor unscrewed the lid and scooped a heap of the stuff onto his fingers, smearing it across the wound. Mias gritted his teeth against the painful sensation, taking the sheets in his fists. It smelled awful, like a mingle of rotten eggs and fish.

"A healing salve of my own invention," the doctor said simply. "Now sit up."

Abernos took Mias by the arm and helped him sit up in the bed, and the doctor placed a thick piece of gauze over the wound and then wrapped a long strip of linen tightly around Mias' torso several times, before securing it in place.

"I need to get above," Mias said, trying to swing his feet over the side of the bed. His head was spinning, the pain in his abdomen excruciating, but he had to move. Elle was in danger.

"You must stay in bed young man," the doctor said, pushing Mias' shoulder to force him back down onto the pillow. "At least until the healing salve can do its work."

"That bastard has Elle," Mias growled, struggling against Abernos and the doctor who were trying to hold him down. Mias knew they only wanted to help him, but he saw them as yet another obstacle standing between him and Elle. "You expect me to lie in this bed and do nothing while at this very moment Elias has his hands on my Elle?"

"I have everything under control," Abernos said confidently. "We are at full sail, headed for Tearny as was our original plan. We can still make out the sails of the Revenge on the horizon. Everything is under control Mias, I assure you."

Mias hesitated, meeting Abernos' gaze. "I can't just sit here and do nothing."

Abernos nodded, but still forced Mias back down onto the bed. "You must rest so that you can regain your strength. If you spring into action now, you will most surely pop out your stitches and start bleeding again, and then you will be of no use to anyone, especially Elle."

Mias laid back against the pillow, defeated. He hated to admit it, but Abernos was right. Just from his small struggle against them pain seared across his stomach, making him nauseous. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead and upper lip as he struggled to keep his breathing steady as an uncomfortable sting crawled over his wound as the healing salve went to work.

"Very well," Mias grated, glaring up at Abernos. "Enjoy your small victory, fawn. But rest assured that once I am well, you will not enjoy such a privilege again."

Instead of Abernos cowering away or averting his green eyes shyly as he usually did, Abernos' lips quirked up into a warm smile that made Mias uncomfortable.

"That's the spirit!" Abernos said, slapping his hands together. "Brood and get angry! It lets me know that you are feeling almost like your old self again."

"How long must I stay in this damn bed?" Mias barked, Abernos' lack of fear grating his nerves.

"I would recommend a week of bedrest before the salve will have completely healed the wound," the doctor said hesitantly. "But since I know your situation requires haste, I think you should be well enough to be up and about when we make port in Tearny, as long as you do nothing to aggravate the wound."

Not likely, Mias thought.  

Two days confined to a bed while he knew Elle was trapped with Elias? Time seemed to slow in its tracks as that thought settled in. Mias ran a shaky hand through his hair, comforted only by the image of driving his blade through Elias' heart, and the sweet reward of having Elle wrapped in his arms.

~~~

"That ship's following us, Captain," Mr. Jones said, touching a match to his pipe and letting out a puff of white smoke from the corner of his mouth. "I'm certain of it."

With the morning sun hot against his skin, Elias watched the small schooner through his spyglass as it cut a path through the waves. It was a merchant vessel, of that he was certain. Normally he would have slowed his ship and run up the flags to indicate they needed aid. And once the schooner got close, he would have attacked, stealing whatever goods he found onboard and killing any who resisted.

But he had no time for such things now, he had a schedule to keep. After all, nothing was more important than his wedding day. And he certainly didn't want to have any angry bride on his hands if their ceremony was even the slightest bit delayed.

"I saw that ship docked in Port Town before we set sail, Captain," Mr. Jones went on. "And I spotted it last night, stopped just as we were near that blasted island."

Elias froze, lowering the spyglass to gaze at Mr. Jones. "And you're just sharing this bit of information with me now?" He growled.

"I knew you had other…pressing issues on your mind, Captain," the old man said, scratching his cheek. "Didn't want to bother you with it, is all."

Elias raised the spyglass and watched the tiny vessel once more. It was clear to Elias that Mias had commissioned the merchant ship to track them down, but now that he was dead Elias doubted that he had anything to fear from the small vessel. After all, it was a trade route frequented by many merchants from across the world. The tiny ship he stared at now had probably been headed for Tearny to begin with, which was why they had agreed to take Mias along. But it was better to be safe.

Elias snapped the spyglass closed and handed it to Mr. Jones. "Let me know of any changes immediately. If that ship alters its course even the slightest degree, I want to know about it."

Elias turned before Mr. Jones could say anything, and headed down the stairs. He wouldn't waste anymore time worrying about the mysterious vessel that trailed too far behind to be deemed as a real threat.

After all, Mias was dead, Elle was his, and the wind was in their favor.

What could he possibly have to worry about?

~~~

Elle rested her head against the window, letting out a small sigh of exhaustion. She hadn't slept at all, unable to get the images of the night before out of her mind.

I do not wish you to remember me this way, Elle thought, remembering how Mias' eyes had pleaded with her.

She sighed, trying to push those last moments of his life out of her mind, and instead focused on how it had felt to be in his arms the night they danced together. She recalled the way he had held her that first time in the living room, trying to kiss away her fear. She felt a smile creep across her lips when she remembered how he had laughed at her when she tried to launch herself through the front door in the hope of breaking through his protection spell.

He loved me even then, she realized. That's what he was going to tell me, before—

Elle opened her eyes and stared out at the sea, just as two dolphins leapt up out of the water and disappeared below the crystal blue waves.

"Did you see that, miss?" Thomas asked, his nose pressed to the glass, a wide grin spread across his face.

"I did," Elle said, managing a smile for his benefit.

"Mr. Jones says seeing a dolphin jump up out of the water like that is a sign of good fortune to come! And we've just seen two!" Thomas said, grinning up at her.

Hopefully they don't cancel each other out, Elle thought dryly.

She pushed the negative thought aside, not liking the cynical turn her thoughts had taken. She had never been that way, had always tried to see the glass as half full. She supposed that watching the man you loved die had a way of changing one's view of the world.

"A ship!" Thomas cried, breaking through Elle's thoughts.

"Where?" Elle asked, pressing her nose against the glass just as Thomas did.

"There!" He said, tapping his finger against the glass.

She blinked several times and stared out at the horizon. She was about to tell Thomas that she didn't see anything, but then she noticed something moving among the waves.

It was nothing but a smudge that bobbed in front of the horizon, but it was there. Elle felt a tiny flutter in her chest when hope swallowed up the dark clouds forming in her heart.

"Abernos," She breathed, a small circle forming on the glass from her warm breath. "Please be Abernos."

She wiped the smudge away with her hand and squinted out the window, unable to tear her eyes away from the ship.

"Who's Abernos?" Thomas asked, his little eyebrow raised when he looked up at her.

"He's my friend," Elle said.

"Is he coming to rescue us?" Thomas asked, clearly excited.

Elle couldn't bear to crush his hope with any of her own doubts. She didn't even know if it was Abernos, but she wouldn't tell Thomas that. She would keep his hope alive as long as she could, even if her own had already begun to dwindle.

"I think he is," Elle said, mussing Thomas' hair. "And once he does we will get far away from the Captain and this horrible ship, and start a new life someplace wonderful."

"What are you up to now, dearest?" Elias said from the doorway. "Plotting against me already?"

Elle turned to find him leaning against the wall, his arms crossed as he watched her. Thomas sidestepped so that he was pressed against her side, and she placed her hand protectively around his shoulders.

"No," she said, keeping her voice steady. "We were just talking. Spotted a few dolphins in the water, and Thomas was explaining to me how they meant good fortune was on the way. Isn't that right, Thomas?"

Thomas nodded emphatically, his little hands shoved in the pockets of his breeches.

"Good fortune to come?" Elias said, raising his eyebrows. "Ah, yes. Our coming wedding. That should please you, knowing that the fates smile upon our plans."

Elle bit the inside of her cheek to keep her harsh retort from escaping. She wouldn't do anything that would put Thomas in jeopardy, no matter how much it twisted her insides to keep her hatred at bay.

Elias studied her, clearly pleased by her silence. He glared down at Thomas. "Leave us."

Thomas glanced up at Elle apologetically, then rushed past Elias and disappeared into the hall. Elias closed the door behind him and turned back towards Elle.

"I was very disappointed when I did not find you waiting for me in our bed," Elias said casually, his arms behind his back. "Where did you disappear to last night?"

Elle's heart sank, her cheeks heating in anger. Did he actually imagine that she would ever—? Her skin crawled at the thought of him touching her, his rough hands on her skin, pawing at her body in the dark.

"I slept in one of the other cabins," Elle said flatly. She wouldn't say which cabin, unwilling to give him anything more to go on. But she knew deep down that if he wanted to find her, he would.

"I can understand your apprehension," Elias said calmly, taking another step towards her.

"Can you really," Elle said through clenched teeth. Her heart was pounding in her ears, her hands trembling. It was taking everything she had in her to keep from throwing herself at him and clawing his eyes out. She glanced at the desk, already determined that if he tried anything she would smash him over the head with the large marble paperweight. To hell with the consequences.

"Indeed I can, dearest." He breathed, rubbing his chin as he stared her up and down. "But I assure you, I would be a most gentle and attentive lover."

Elle cringed when he grabbed a strand of her hair and brushed it under his nose and along his lips.

"Mmm, you smell like sunshine," he murmured, looking at her dreamily.

Elle was going to be sick, she was certain of it. She glanced towards the paperweight on the desk but it was too far out of reach. And even if she somehow managed to get her hands on it, what if she failed to kill him? Then it would be little Thomas who would suffer the consequences.

"Since I did not have the pleasure of your company last night," Elias murmured, twirling her hair around his finger. "Perhaps you would like to make it up to me this morning?"

Elle shuddered, wanting desperately to drive her knee so hard into his groin that he sang soprano for the rest of his days, which were already numbered in Elle's eyes.

Don't do it! You must be strong, Elle! Her mind commanded. Be smart! For Thomas!

But before she could come up with a response, Elias laughed and let go of her hair.

"Come now, dearest." Elias said. "You must learn not to be so susceptible to my teasing nature."

Elle shook her head in disgust, and he laughed harder.

The bastard is toying with me!

"It's alright dearest, don't look so distraught," Elias said, taking a seat at his desk, his eyes still on her face. "You can have your own cabin, and your little secrets with the whelp."

He glanced down at the charts on his desk, sorting through the papers before him.
Heart pounding, Elle inched around the desk, eager to escape the confined space and her nearness to Elias.

"But when we make port and we are wed," Elias said darkly, "I will expect you to behave like a devoted wife, eagerly warming my bed every night."

Elle froze, her hand trembling on the door handle. She looked over her shoulder at him, hunched over his desk, his gaze crawling over her body.

She threw open the door and slammed it behind her, running down the hallway and down a short ladder to the small cabin that she had slept in the night before.

Elle closed the door behind her, and let the strangled sob rip free from her chest. Angry tears spilled down her cheeks, and she dug her fingers into her hair, tugging at the strands with frustration.

She didn't know how much more she could handle before she snapped. Every time she saw Elias' face, every time she heard his voice, she wanted to kill him.

Just a while longer, she thought. Once Thomas is safe, Elias is as good as dead.