Change of Heart 05 - Forging the Future by Mary Calmes Read Free Book Online Page A

now.”
    Everyone was pleased that I was being so agreeable, as evidenced by their relieved sighs and halfhearted smiles.
    Walking out of the back of the restaurant, I was silent and stayed that way through the entirety of the car ride to the Garden District. If the semel asked a question, I answered. Anyone else, I ignored.
    “When we reach the semel’s home,” Dov directed, “you must ask his yareah for sanctuary in her home.”
    Nothing.
    “Did you hear him?” Alaine asked.
    “Yes, semel,” I responded quickly. “I will prostrate myself before entering your home.”
    “That’s not necessary,” he said curtly. “You need only perform the aforementioned protocol.”
    “Certainly,” I responded, staring into his eyes so he knew I was absolutely listening.
    As he glanced away, I saw the muscles in his jaw clench.
    When we reached the semel’s enormous Double-Gallery house and spilled from the SUV, everyone went to the right, to walk around the back, but I darted up the steps and rang the doorbell. Dropping to my knees on the welcome mat, I waited for the yareah to come out.
    “Reah,” the semel snapped. “Come away from there!”
    “I only seek admittance,” I replied. “You would have duty above all else.”
    He growled behind me and would have said more, but the door opened, and the beautiful stately blonde woman I’d met the day before stood there. She appeared different than she had, though. Gone was the perfectly made-up haughty yareah, and in her place was a woman with puffy red eyes, a furrowed brow, and pursed, unsmiling lips.
    Flustered, she gave me a quick bow. “Please don’t make a spectacle on my doorstep, reah. Simply enter and remove yourself to your quarters.”
    I was to be out of sight. “I need permission to enter your home,” I reminded her.
    “You have it,” she said brusquely. “Just stay out of my way and my semel’s.”
    “Catherine,” Alaine sanctioned.
    She inhaled quickly, crossing her arms, and seemed like she was on the verge of crying.
    “Thank you for your hospitality,” I mumbled, turning and walking down the stairs, moving to Dov’s side to follow him through the back gate.
    I was led down a flagstone path that ended at a small courtyard surrounded by a lush garden. It would have been lovely if I could leave and return of my own volition, but as a prison, I had no fondness for it.
    After moving to the door of the small cottage, Dov held it open for me.
    “Am I to be accompanied inside or will I be allowed my privacy?”
    He and Wick exchanged glances.
    “We would make sure you’re comfortable,” Alaine flared irritably.
    I coughed. “How could I not be, semel? This is your home, after all.”
    “You will need to eat,” he ground out, furious.
    “I’m sure whatever your cook prepares will be acceptable. It can be left on the doorstep as they do in jail.”
    His gaze met mine, and I bowed my head in deference to him.
    “Surely this will please your yareah.”
    He pivoted and left then, and the others stood there, staring at me.
    I walked through the door Dov was holding open and would have closed it behind me, but Nazar caught it and held on.
    “Forgive me, my reah.”
    My eyes flicked to his dark brown ones. “Your loyalty is to your semel, sheseru. There is nothing for you to apologize for. I’m sure my sheseru is just as loyal to me.”
    He screwed up his face. “My reah, I—”
    “Good night.” I cut him off, closing the door behind me.
    After I locked it, I started shedding clothes. Stalking through the house, one moment I was a man, the next a panther. I moved easily to the open window and went out. Scaling the tree beside the small house, I was up and on the roof moments later. Crawling to the edge, I watched the men from the darkness and saw them all lingering in the courtyard in front of the cottage.
    “No one wants to be a prisoner,” Dov reminded Nazar, who was beginning to pace.
    “He doesn’t trust me now, and I would give my