Lawless

Chapter TwentySix

The odd sound of silence wakes me early in the morning. I look towards the balcony windows and note that it's still dark outside, the moon lighting up the floor of the bedroom.

The alarm clock on the bedside table reads 6.30am. Pitter patter on the tin roof can be heard as the rain begins, slowly before speeding up.

The coolness to the bed hadn't gone unnoticed by me. I reach a hand over, running it over the sheet and noting the lack of human contact.

I don't hear anybody else within the house moving about, easing my nerves. I assume if something had gone wrong everyone would be flying around in a panic like they had when Ryder had come back injured.

I do my best to go back to sleep, knowing that Sage for sure would be back by the time I awake again.

It's no use though. I'm wide awake now; even the tiniest thought that something had gone wrong ruined my chances of returning to sleep.

I roll over and blow out a deep breath before sitting up and making my way to the bathroom. I take a shower, keeping my hair out of the water as the braid Ivy had done last night still looked presentable.

I brush my teeth and wash my face before throwing on one of Sage's shirts, the length falling to under my butt making pants not needed.

The sunrise slowly creeps up behind the forest, shining through the trees. I open the balcony doors; the slow drizzle of rain continues to hit the balcony. Fog breathes out my mouth and the air sends full body shivers through me.

I gather the large blanket from the bed, wrapping it tightly around me before I take a seat on the chair that resides on the balcony, my body covered from the rain by the overhanging roof.

I keep my eyes firm on the driveway, waiting for headlights to light up the gravel or for the sound of boots crunching the ground to be heard.

*

My eyes shoot open; the sound of the front door slamming shut jerks me awake. The sun is high in the sky; clouds covering the rays making the atmosphere gloomy.

I throw the blanket off, slip on some pants then make my way towards the door. The only people in the hallway are the maids, going from room to room. They look up as the wooden door slams behind me, echoing in the hallway.

If something has gone wrong they give nothing away and continue on working.

My feet hit the cold ground, my heart beginning to pick up as I make my way through the house. I hear the chatter of voices in the dining room. I round the corner and watch as everyone is sat at the table, eating breakfast.

Everyone, except Sage.

My heart sinks, the mix of emotions within me unsure what to do. Everybody at the table appears calm and in control. What is going on?

"Morning, Dove" Ivy smiles at me. A few more good mornings are murmured through the room as I give one back.

I take my usual seat besides Sage's empty chair. A plate with two pieces of toast are placed in front of me. I say nothing to the maid, thanking someone being the least of my worries at the moment.

Serge sits at the opposite end of the table talking with the men on either side of him. The sight of everyone, especially Serge, being so calm when something had obviously gone wrong when Sage failed to return at the expected irritates me.

"Where's Sage?" I ask, looking across the table at Serge. The talk at the table ceases while everyone turns to face me. Serge looks from the person he was talking to, to me. His brows pull together as he continues chewing the food in his mouth.