Chapter 261

The stupid tears started again and I dropped my gaze to the floor.

Christof took my face in his hands and pulled it up so I was looking at him. He smiled down at me with calm benevolence.

“Basin and his brothers,” Christof said not releasing my face, “would be more upset if their slave was taken. They adore the girl you call Rose. It would be a tremendous blow to them to lose her. Since they are already doing badly, the General will not risk their health.”

I nodded and smiled wanly up at him.

“We do not like this preoccupation you have developed with death. It concerns us,” Christof said dropping his hands to stroke my shoulders. “You must concentrate on living. Do you understand me?”

I answered him affirmatively. He hugged me and held tight.

As we flew toward our destination on the transport I thought about what Christof had said. The General wasn’t going to hurt his men. If losing Rose would hurt them, he wouldn’t do it. I just hoped he had anot