[I'm sorry this chapter is so short, I've been very busy. But we are so close to the end! I expect to finish by Chapter 30 or 31.]
Odette knew her arrest was coming.
It had been a week to the day since she overheard Basil's plan. It was the day Isaac was supposed to be assassinated, and her arrest would quickly follow. Even the people seem to know: they had begun to cling to the iron gates of the Estate, waiting.
For the past week, she'd laid out her plan. She imagined every way it could go; every scenario. She refused to be taken by surprise.
She refused to believe that John wouldn't return with Isaac.
She needed to force Basil's hand. She needed to make him arrest her where and when she wanted it; that was key.
So, she decided to give him the hint that she knew what was coming.
Late that afternoon, she packed a bag, and proceeded to "sneak" out of the Estate, fully knowing Basil would have eyes on her.
A guard posted near the rear door stopped her, as she expected.
"Your grace, may I inquire as to where you are going?"
Odette acted as if she was flustered, "out," she said, flatly. She began to push past him, and he put a hand on her shoulder.
"I would suggest you return to your room."
She shook it off and pulled the door open, heading into the garden.
People were pushed agaisnt the fence, watching her. She needed to get out there, she needed to be surrounded by them. They were part of her plan.
Guards began to walk behind her, quickening their step as she reached the gate. As she pushed it open, they dove for her. She felt her bag pulled from her shoulder, and she yanked herself free falling into the crowd. The people back away, leaving a space around her.
She fell to her knees in front of them, knowing this is exactly what needed to happen.
There she was, surrounded by people from the City, with guards at her back, pulling her to her feet: disgraced.
"Odette Hale, you are under arrest for plotting the assassination of the Governor," she felt handcuffs close around her wrists.
She faked a sob, pathetic and lowly. "No," she gasped, as the yanked her backwards.
"the baby!" she screamed, a shrill cry that echoed through the crowd.
The guard who held her was as stunned as the rest of them, loosening his grip. She tore away from him, hands still bound together. She flung herself away from him, making as much as a show as she could.
She gritted her teeth in a sneer, "keep your hands off me," she growled. "I am the Governess and I carry the Governor's heir," she nearly yelled, letting all those around her hear. "Kill me," she breathed, "and you kill the Governor's heir."
The guards were clearly unamused, shaking their surprise from their shoulders. They dove for her again, grabbing her by arms and dragging her toward the Estate. But she wouldn't let the crowd forget, no, they needed to know. "The baby!" she screamed, "be careful, the baby!"
She was locked in the same cell John had been. The guard who had slammed the cell door in her face had reminded her.
It had been a day, at least, before Basil came to visit.
He swaggered into the basement as if he'd already been pronounced Governor.
"Ah, Miss Odette, don't you think you're smart."
She stood from the dirt she sat in, brushing the mess from her pants, trying to remain as dignified as she could, as a prisoner.
"It's 'Your Grace' now, if you don't recall," she reminded, unhinged by his predator demeanor.
"Not for long," he said, stopping in front of her cell, "I must say, a baby? How very smart of you, the entire city is talking about it."
She smirked proudly, "as they should be."
"Of course," he began, "we both know this will only buy you a few months."
"Because you killed Isaac," she played along, swallowing deeply.
He tilted his head, "now, now, we don't have to say it so bluntly? do we? It was his time. His father should have given me the Governorship and we all know it. I deserve it. I worked my entire life for it." He sighed, "it's a shame he had to die, it truly is, but it was necessary."
Odette grabbed the bars in a show of anger, "no, Isaac was a good Governor, he deserved it, not you."
Basil chuckled, "well, it doesn't really matter anymore, does it? I don't want to know how you found out, I don't need to." He took one step closer to her cell, "but know this: he is dead, and you are soon to follow."
She smirked again, "not too soon, though."
He stepped back, clearly annoyed, "no, not too soon. But in a few months everyone will know you are not pregnant, and I will get to kill you." He turned on a heel and made for the door.
"And if I am?" she asked.
He stopped and turned again, facing her, "you aren't, not with Isaac's at least. I have eyes and ears everywhere. If you are pregnant, it's not an heir, it's a bastard."
She kept a straight face, hoping to keep him guessing, "well, I guess you'll have to deal with nine months of me in this cell, living beneath you, having a child that will have more claim to the Governorship than you. The people know their heir is coming, and they will back him, not a usurper like yourself. Don't get too comfortable."
Basil cocked his head, "we both know it's not the Governor's heir."
"The people don't know that," she reminded.
"They will," he said, flatly. He turned again, and began to climb the stairs.
She watched as he went, "it's a shame you'll have to wait until I have the baby to kill me."
Basil stopped on the stairs and turned to look at her, "yes, I supposed I will have to wait a while to kill you. Good thing I am a patient man."
And with that he continued up the stairs, leaving her in the still silence. His words didn't scare her, she knew John was coming.
She knew John would come for her.
Her boy from the sky, he would come for her.
