Coulter, Catherine. Rosehaven / Catherine Coulter.

He wanted Eloise. No, she wouldn’t give her up to that monster. “You may not have Eloise. You would only abuse her. She will remain within the walls, safe.”

“I don’t want that miserable little Devil’s spawn. I merely asked about her. No, Hastings. I want you.”

Hastings saw one of Beamis’s men gently pull back on his bow. “No,” she whispered, “no. You could harm the Healer. We can’t take that chance.”

Beamis shouted down, “Lady Hastings goes nowhere. You will take your wretched band of outlaws and leave Oxborough. Lord Severin will return soon.”

“I count on that,” de Luci shouted back. He then lifted the knife and set it against the Healer’s neck. He sliced. A thin line of blood appeared, beading and flowing down into the Healer’s gown.

The Healer didn’t move. “Don’t come out, Hastings,” she shouted.

^55t ‘

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