"Jae.."
"How could you?" Jae asked, her voice barely above a whisper, quivering with fury.
"Jae, please."
"My own sister!"
"Jae, we didn't-"
"Jae?" a sharp English accent called.
Jula and Wade froze, staring in fear as Col.Tavington came riding up next to Jae.
"Jae-"
Col. Tavington stopped suddenly, the icy shards of his eyes coming to rest on Jula and Wade.
"Jula, get over here. Now." he said slowly, emphasizing the 'now' as he pulled out his pistol and pointed it at Wade while Jae continued to pierce her sister with the hatred and hurt in her eyes.
Wordlessly, Jula started toward the colonel, but Wade grabbed her arm, pulling her back.
"No! You can't have her! You're a monster; you'll hurt her!" he shouted bravely at Col. Tavington, drawing his own pistol.
The colonel smirked sadistically, and Jula winced at the evil glimmer in his eyes.
"Put the gun down, boy, and let the girl go." he commanded, cocking his pistol. "She is in my care, and I am much faster a shot than you."
Wade lowered his pistol, a look of confusion crossing his face.
"Jula, what does he mean that you are in his care?"
"Wade, just let me go." Jula replied, trying to pull away from him.
"No, Jula. What is going on?" Wade demanded.
"Please Wade, let me go!" Jula cried desperately.
"Let her go! Now!" Jae commanded coldly, pulling out a pistol and pointing it at Wade; Jula gasped.
"Jae, stay your pistol. The only killing that will be done here tonight will be done by me." said Col. Tavington calmly, placing a hand on Jae's shoulder, who slowly lowered her weapon. "Now boy, you heard her, let the girl go!"
Wade tightened his grip on Jula.
Col. Tavington's eyes narrowed. Re-positioning his aim, he quickly fired a shot into Wade's arm. Jula screamed in horror as Wade let out a cry of pain and released her.
"Jula, get over here! Now!" the colonel ordered, grabbing Jae's pistol and taking aim again at Wade.
Speechless, Jula made her way over to the colonel and her sister who both glared coldly at her.
"Jae, take your sister and return to the estate."
Jae nodded wordlessly and motioned for Jula to follow her. Against her will, Jula mounted Phantom and followed, not even daring to try and run, for she knew her efforts would be fruitless, but before she was completely out of sight, she turned to catch one last glimpse of Wade, who was now, cowering on the ground before Col. Tavington who had dismounted and was now holding the barrel of his gun to the young soldier's forehead.
"Hurry up, Jula..." Jae snapped coldly.
Bowing her head, Jula followed her sister out of the woods, fresh tears forming in her eyes as she heard the sound of a gunshot, followed by an eerie silence.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once in the estate, Jae guided her sister in stony and tense silence upstairs to Col. Tavington's quarters where his wife stood outside waiting for them, arms crossed, a stern look on her face as her emerald eyes glittered with concern.
"Jula, inside." she said curtly.
Jula nodded silently and stepped inside the room.
"Jae, will you be coming in as well?"
"My apologies, but I don't believe I will. I need to be alone for a while." Jae replied softly.
"Very well. To your room then, and if you like, I can have William come for you when he's ready to do so."
"Yes, my lady, I would like that, thank you."
Lady Tavington nodded at Jae with a small smile which she returned with a nod before heading soundlessly to her room and closing the door behind her.
Once the door was closed, Jae broke down on the floor in a flood of hot tears, crying until she was so exhausted that she could barely move, so she stayed on the floor until Col. Tavington entered the room.
"Jae?" he asked softly.
Jae let out a choked sob in response and the colonel knelt down next to her, gathering her in his strong protective embrace.
"Everything will be all right, dear one." he whispered, gently kissing her forehead. "I promise."