Two splashes erupted next to you and you felt hands grab you, forcing you back to the surface. You tried to get air in through your nose, but it was a struggle. Arms lifted you into the air, and another pair of arms pulled you completely out of the water. The tape on your mouth was ripped off. You gasped for air.
"[Y/N]! Dear God, [Y/N]! Can you hear me? Are you okay?"
You nodded, looking to your rescuer.
Jin.
He started to untie your hands and feet. "Get him!" he commanded to the other two boats filled with guards beside you. "Drag him back to me so I can beat the hell out of him myself!"
His hands cupped around your back and neck as he pulled you into him. He pressed his forehead against the side of your face.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, [Y/N]." he repeated. "I should have been here to protect you."
Air was finally beginning to fill your lungs. You touched his hand with yours and tried to steady your breath as your heart raced. You wanted to cry from both the fear and the relief of the last few minutes, but you couldn't cry or say anything as Jin held you tight.
You were taken back to shore. A multitude of hands reached for both you and Jin to pull you up to the dock.
"Get her inside!" Jin barked. "Find the guy responsible and bring him back to me! I don't care if you have to put a wall of men around the entire lake! Do it!"
His hands grazed the sides of your face once again. "Should I get a doctor?"
You shook your head.
"Can you breathe okay?"
You nodded.
His hands wrapped the back of your head and back as he brought you into his chest. "This is all my fault, [Y/N.] I should have known. I should have protected you."
You finally found your voice.
"It's not your fault." you whispered.
He grunted. "I --"
"Sir!" one of the guards yelled. "They found the culprit. They're getting him now."
He pulled you back and looked into your eyes. "Go to your room wait for me. I'll take care of him."
He turned back to his men. "Bring him back to the castle! Let him know it'll be the last building he ever sees."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You paced in your room.
You were supposed to change clothes and settle down, but you couldn't hold still. You couldn't even sit down.
Did they catch him? What was Jin going to do? Were there others? Were you really safe?
You couldn't handle it anymore. You couldn't sit around and hear what happened. You had to go see it yourself.
You left your room and started to walk down the stairs. The closer you got to the ground floor, voices were below. You peered over the side of the staircase.
You saw Jin and a half dozen guards circled behind him. In front of him, a figure was held on his knees by two guards, another four guards on each side.
Jackson. Even from the stairs you could see his crooked smile.
Jin lurched forward and punched Jackson in the face. Twice. There were no courteous smiles. No diplomatic speeches.
Just a really, really pissed off Jin.
"You'll pay for these crimes." Jin said, his breath jagged. "Assault, kidnapping, attempted murder. This is treason of the worst kind. Did you really expect to get away with this?"
Jin punched him again.
Jackson laughed. His eyes scanned the room, settling on the staircase. You shifted. You held your breath as he stared at you, grinning at you with blood in his teeth. He looked back at Jin.
"Then what about you, Your Majesty?" he said. "Will you be charged with treason? After all, you're the one that hired us."