Lucia's eyes widened. Her heart dropped. She couldn't speak. Tears pricked her eyes.
"He's dead?" She choked back the lump in her throat.
Keitel nodded soberly. He could see the anger sweep over Lucia's body.
Her body convulsed. She clenched her fist. Tightening hard to control the shaking, her eyes diverted rigidly in front of her. Her chest began to rise. Unbridled rage rattled at her very core. How had she let this happen?
"I'll kill that fucking brat." She hissed.
Keitel looked at her with a look that neither pitied nor patronized. He believed her words.
----------------------------
The ride back was unbearably tense. As expected, nothing useful had been found at the shack. Neither had the duchess been located. Several days after Victor left for the capital, still no word came. The energy between everyone was solemn and apprehensive.
