Summer Knight (The Dresden Files #4) - Jim Butcher Page 0,40

in the face of my frustration.

"Thrall," Elaine said quietly. "Hed have wrapped you in enough spells to guarantee your loyalty. To make you his thrall."

"And thats worse than dead. And you helped him."

Her voice crackled with anger of its own. "Yes, Harry. I helped him. Thats what thralls do. "

My rising ire abruptly quieted. "What what are you saying?"

I saw her dim shape bow its head. "Justin caught me about two weeks before he sent that demon to capture you. That day I stayed home sick, remember? By the time you got home from school, he had me. I tried to fight him, but I was a child. I didnt have enough experience to resist him. And after he had enthralled me, I didnt see why I should fight anymore."

I stared at her for a long minute. "So youre telling me that you didnt have any choice," I breathed. "He forced you to do it. He made you help him."

"Yes."

"Why the hell should I believe you?"

"I dont expect you to."

I rose and paced back and forth restlessly. "I cant believe youre trying to tell me that the devil made you do it. Do you have any idea how lame that excuse sounds?"

Elaine watched me carefully, her grey eyes pensive and sad. "It wasnt an excuse, Harry. Nothing can excuse the kind of pain I put you through."

I stopped and frowned at her. "Then why are you telling me?"

"Because it needs to be said," she murmured. "Because thats what happened. You deserve to know that."

It was quiet for a long time, then I asked, "He really had enthralled you?"

Elaine shivered and nodded.

"What was it like?"

She fretted at her lower lip. "I didnt know it was happening. Not at the time. I didnt have the ability to think clearly. Justin told me that you just needed to be shown what to do and that if I would hold you still long enough to let him explain things to you it would all work out. I believed him. Trusted him." She shook her head. "I never wanted to hurt you, Harry. Never. Im sorry."

I sat down and rubbed my face with my hands, my emotions running high and out of control again. Without the anger to support me, all that was left inside was pain. I thought I had gotten over Elaines loss, her betrayal. I thought I had forgotten it and moved on. I was wrong. The wounds burst open again, as painful as they had ever been. Maybe more so. I had to fight to control my breathing, my tone.

I had loved her. I wanted very badly to believe her.

"I I looked for you," I said quietly. "In fire and water. I had spirits combing the Earth for any trace of you. Hoping that youd survived."

She pushed away from the wall and walked to the fireplace. I heard her putting in wood, and then she murmured something soft and low. Flame licked up over the logs easily, smoothly, low and blue, then settled into a dark golden light. I watched her profile as she stared down at the fire. "I got out of the house before you and Justin were finished," she said finally. "His spells had begun to unravel, and I was struggling against them. Confused, terrified. I must have run. I dont even remember doing it."

"But where have you been?" I asked. "Elaine, I looked for you for years. Years."

"Where you couldnt have found me, Harry. You or anyone else. I found sanctuary. A place to hide. But there was a price, and thats why Im here." She looked up at me, and though her features were calm and smooth, I could see the fear in her eyes, hear it coloring her voice. "Im in trouble."

My answer came out at once. For me, chivalry isnt dead; its an involuntary reflex. It could have been any woman asking for help, and Id have said the same thing. It might have taken me a second or two longer, but I would have. For Elaine, there was no need to think about it for even that long. "Ill help."

Her shoulders sagged and she nodded, pressing her lips together and bowing her head. "Thank you. Thank you, Harry. I hate doing this, I hate bringing this to you after all this time. But I dont know where else to turn."

"No," I said, "its all right. Really. Whats going on? Why do you think youre in trouble? What do you mean, youre paying a