Hupotasso (Vampire Bachelor Games #2)

77

77

“How did you find me?” I ask quietly as he sits on my bed and looks into my eyes.

I can hear a skirmish in the hall, Adam shouting.

“We’re just securing the area,” Jag says quickly, seeing my worried expression. “No one’s being harmed, I promise you.”

I lean back and hold my baby close. It’s been twenty-four hours since my daughter was taken, and although I have my son, my heart bleeds for the little girl I won’t get to know. But at least I had this small reprieve, this tiny amount of time for myself and my family. Even if I can’t tell them anything now, my tongue once more tied, it doesn’t matter. I’d told Yin everything, and I’d given a brief rundown to Adam and Marianna. Yin could fill them in on the rest if she chose to someday.

Now, steeling myself for the inevitable, I call for Adam to tell Jag what we’d rehearsed. He’ll tell him I’m under Viper’s control, and fingers crossed, Jag will save me.

“Jag, my brother needs to talk to you.”

He shakes his head.

“I don’t have time for that. I’ve let Falcon know I’ve found you and his son. He’s not a patient man, Angie…”

“He’ll hurt my family if I stay here,” I nod, “I know that. But it will only take a second, Jag. Adam has important information.” My throat begins to constrict, and I have to whisper. “Please, just listen to what he has to say.”

“No, I’m sorry, I can’t. And no, Falcon wouldn’t hurt your family, Angie. But he’s desperate to have you back, and I have to get you into the chopper.”

I want to scream ‘NO!’ I want to fight and bite and do anything in the world to stay away from that castle of hell. I’ll do anything to stop what I know is coming; the destruction of this vampire who cares for me and the vampire I still care for, despite everything. I try another tack, to see if I can impress upon Jag that Viper is controlling me. Maybe, just maybe, his bite is still not in full force…

“You didn’t answer my question, Jag. How did you find me?”

“Viper had a tip-off,” he says, his eyes still on my son.

“How would Viper know where I was?” My tongue immediately grows thick and threatens to choke me.

‘Oh fuck. The link is still strong.’

“I didn’t think much of it,” he says, shrugging, “like most things that idiot says, but I was in the neighbourhood…”

“Jag,” I smile weakly and shake my head. I know he’s not being truthful; I can always tell when he’s lying.

“If you must know I acted the moment he told me,” he sighs, “even though I suspected it was a false lead. I’ve never stopped looking for you, Angie.”

“And now you’re going to take me back.”

“I must, yes. That will be for the best.” He shakes his head as though he knows what he’s saying is bullshit, but he, too, is bound to do something he doesn’t want to do.

I open my mouth to argue, but Viper’s instructions settle over my mind like clingfilm on an egg.

I don’t struggle as Jag squeezes my hand before scooping me into his arms and lifting me from the bed, I can’t. I’m too weak from the birth and still bleeding, and Viper’s grip on my mind is now complete.

As we step outside I see Adam and Marianna, and her sisters. They’re about two hundred metres away and being held back by a wall of black-garbed men with guns. Adam’s shouting to Jag, but the sound of the chopper blows his words away.

I point to him, desperate for Jag to notice, to just listen, but he shakes his head and keeps striding towards the helicopter, whispering into my ear as he walks; “I’m sorry, Angie.”

I can’t tell him what I’m thinking.

‘No, I’m sorry.’