Hostage Read Free Page B

learn a few simple procedures and carry them out religiously. If you do, then you will be safe—we will all be safe. I will take care of the rest.”
    “What procedures?” Rowan asked, intrigued now.
    Ragnor directed Rowan to the side of the bed and showed him the apparatus that controlled the drugs being constantly pumped into Astrin’s body through the tubes in his arms.
    “First you press this button here—Rowan, are you paying attention?” Rowan tore his eyes away from Astrin and nodded.
    “Sure. Yes. Totally. That button there. The green one.”
    “No, Rowan, the red one.”
    “Okay… the red one. I’ve got it.”
    “Then, you wait fifteen seconds.” Rowan nodded. “Then you disconnect here.”
    “Do I have to?”
    “Yes, you do.”
    “Okay… what do I do then?”
    “Nothing. Within a few moments, Prince Astrin will wake. I suggest you introduce yourself and give him his food, then get him up and outside as soon as possible. It will take your mind off the great chore of having to talk to him,” Ragnor said dryly.
    “Ha-ha. What about the other—oh, it’s gone.”
    “I’ve changed the medication to one that is much more aggressive. It is extremely quick-acting but has a very short metabolizing time. Essentially, as long as he’s attached to the pump, he’ll be deep under, but as soon as he’s disconnected, he’ll wake.”
    “Why haven’t you been using these all along?”
    “They’re too aggressive for long-term use. It would damage him. With the last stage of the peace talks starting tomorrow, I’m hoping we won’t need to keep him for much longer.”
    “Okay.”
    Rowan turned away.
    “Not so fast, Rowan. I haven’t finished yet.”
    Rowan sighed, turning back. “Okay… so what? Press the button, disconnect, feed, and exercise. I can deal with that as long as you aren’t going to hold me responsible for cutting him down when he tries to escape.”
    “He will not try to escape, Rowan. Now, listen.”
    “I’m listening. I’m listening,” Rowan grumbled. Ragnor sighed and shook his head.
    “When you bring him back, reconnect the pump and press the green button.”
    “Then what happens?”
    “He’ll lose consciousness very quickly. Wait until the number on that screen reaches fifteen, which should only be a few moments—make sure it doesn’t go any higher than twenty—then you can leave.”
    “What if it goes higher than twenty?”
    “Call me straightaway.”
    “And you’re sure he won’t try to run?”
    “Yes, Rowan.”
    “Okay, do I start now?”
    “No. He has to be prepared. I’ll take him down to the treatment room in a few minutes. The procedures will take some hours.”
    Rowan’s eyes sparkled. “Procedures? Will they hurt?”
    “That was beneath you, Rowan,” Ragnor said, tight-lipped.
    “I make no secret of the fact I hate him. After what House Raphael did to my parents, I would like nothing more than to thrust my dagger through his heart right now. I know I can’t do that, but forgive me if I really don’t care whether he’s hurt or not.”
    “Not caring is one thing, actively wishing harm to another human being—especially one in his position—is another, and it is not acceptable,” Ragnor said severely. Rowan shrugged.
    “That young man has done no harm to you or anyone else as far as we know. He is not responsible for the actions of his father. Because of you—because of your stubborn determination to hate him no matter what, and for no reason other than to teach you a lesson you really shouldn’t need to learn—an innocent boy is going to be hurt tonight, and yes, it will hurt.
    “More than that, Rowan, because of you I am forced to inflict pointless suffering on someone who in no way deserves it. I will not take pleasure in it—and the day I do take pleasure in it will be the day I hand in my badge and walk away.”
    “What? I’m expected to feel guilty?”
    “No, Rowan. No one is expecting you to feel guilty. No one is expecting