ZEDKIEL.
Wherever they brought us, it took a minimum of half an hour at the least to get here.
We were put in three different vehicles. The poison has now managed to stop me from being able to mind link the others, and with them all bound, they wouldnât be able to mind-link either.
Adonis was in the same van as me and Evelyn, lying on the seat in front.
Once we got to the location, we were taken from the van and led inside. I kept on alert, despite being blindfolded, making sure to pick up on all scents, rock, and damp earth⦠we are near water, I can hear itâ¦
We are being led through what seems to be like some man-made tunnels and I can feel us travelling deeper and deeper beneath the surface.
Soon the sound of water disappears, along with the smell of wet earth, and only when I am placed in a chair and bound, is the blindfold removed by Ziahra. We are in some sort of underground warehouse.
âWhat do you have to say?â She asks, pulling up a chair and sitting down on it backwards, resting her arms at the top of the backrest as she observes me.
I glance to the side to see the rest are all bound to chairs. Only Evelyn is untouched, clearly refusing to let anyone near her.
Theyâre all watching her warily. Iâm relieved to see Adonis has been brought in and is lying on the floor to the side, his breathing far steadier than before.
âCan you at least tend to him or bind his injuries?â I ask.
âNo.â Ziahra replies coldly. âStop dragging this out.â
âThis is foolish.â Evelyn hisses, âI can snap their necks.â
âKeep your little mate on a leash,â Ziahra warns me.
I frown. âIâd respect her if I were you, Evangeline⦠doesnât really listen to others.â
She frowns. âI thought her name was Evelyn?â
F**k, did I?
I glance at my men, and Ragnar nods. âI second that.â
âJust a play on her name.â I reply smoothly.
I can feel several pairs of eyes burning into me, but no one questions it further, however, I know itâs not something that Ragnar will drop. He had already remarked on her change of behaviour on our way here.
I had filled Dad in, but I had made it clear to him not to mention it to anyone. With the scriptures already pointing to the Gemini bane, this did not come as a shock.
âGet talkingâ Ziahra says to me.
âIâm here to look for a possible solution to put an end to the brewing war. Iâm willing to come to an agreement. You seem to be the leader of your people, then Iâm certain that you know that if this war occurs, we are both going to lose many of our people needlessly.â I say.
Her jaw clenches as she looks at the men in the room.
âThe war is inevitable, but you are right⦠if we can avoid it, then why not? And that is exactly what will happen when I hand you to Exxodus.â She stands up and turns her back to me.
âWhat has he got on you?â I ask.
I sense her stiffen but she doesnât move. Her heartbeat is harder to figure out than that of a werewolf.
âNothing.â
âDonât lie.â I growl. âLetâs talk.â
âShe said thereâs nothing.â One of the men steps forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.
âYou donât need to deal with this. We should take him back.â He mutters.
âStop putting words in her mouth.â Kash says. âCanât she handle the conversation herself?â
âShut the f**k up, you dickhead.â The man hisses.
Kash simply scoffs and I internally shake my head. He really does want another beating.
âBlade⦠stand down.â Ziahra murmurs, placing a hand on the manâs chest as she turns and looks at me, âItâs none of your business what the deal is between us, but rest assured, once I-â
âHe asked, what does he have on you?!â Evelyn snarls, she moves faster than I could comprehend. The darkness filling the room as she pins Ziahra to the far wall, her aura rages around her and no matter how much the vampires in the room shout or yell, they are unable to move towards their princess. Evelyn is a force to be reckoned with and even as she simply stands there, Ziahra is useless in comparison.
âLet her go!â Blade shouts, his fangs out. âI said let her go!â
âShut your f*****g mouth.â Kash snarls. âIf your precious princess answers the
question, she may just let her free.â
âEveâ¦â I say quietly.
âAnswer his question.â She growls in response.
Ziahraâs eyes are blazing red as she glares at Evelyn, but I can tell her resolve is breaking.
âThe condition is, I bring the true heir to the vampire throne to the steward and in return, he lets the Queen and our people free!â She snarls and Evelyn drops her.
âSo let me get this straight. He wants me dead, so he can remain ruler. Correct?â I sneer as I lean back in the seat, the chains clanging as I shift position and look at her keenly.
âAnd if the true ruler takes his place, wonât he be forced to step down?â I challenge.
Unease flits across her face and she scoffs.
âThere is no other ruler but him, and you will be given to him. You will remain here until tomorrow.â Sheâs about to head to the door when I call her.
âWait! Thereâs something else. One of my men is bitten, which you already know. How do we cure it?â
She pauses at the door before she looks over at Kash. âThere is no way.â Thatâs all she says before they all troop out, and the door clangs shut, and I hear it being bolted with chains and padlocks.
âThat wonât keep us here.â Evelyn hums as she comes over to me and raises her hand.
Her eyes glow and she destroys the chains that bind me.
I push them off and walk over to Adonis, removing my shirt to bind the gashes that are partially healed. If I stop the bleeding, heâll be able to regain strength faster. I tear the shirt up, as a shadow falls over me and I look up to see Kash crouch down opposite him.
His face is emotionless as he checks his pulse before removing his own shirt and tearing it into strips.
I donât say anything. Even if his and his fatherâs relationship was strained, Iâm sure he cares for his siblings to an extent. No matter how much he might try to deny that.
âHeâs going to be fine.â I say.
âYeah.â He brushes it off and I tilt my head, looking at him.
âAnything you want to tell me?â
âYeah, that vampire chic is your sister, in case you missed the memo.â He says with a smirk. 1
âYeah? And whatâs going on between you two, looked like a loversâ squabble when you were both going at it, or more like she was beating the shit out of you.â I mock.
He frowns. âSheâs as vicious as you are.â
Once again, he doesnât answer that question.
âSo is anyone going to explain whatâs going on?â Ragnar asks and I turn to him, cocking a brow as Evelyn frees Jeremiah.
âLike what?â I ask, standing up.
âLike why her aura is way darker than what weâve seen before.â He says looking at Evelyn, âIs she even Evangeline? She smells different, too.â
More people knowing isnât safeâ¦
âI am Evangeline. I have simply unlocked. my powers.â Evelyn says, her eyes flashing as she glares at him.
âZedkiel⦠weâre supposed to be working as a team. I donât see that happening if you continue to hold information from us.â Jeremiah says quietly.
âYou even called her Evelynâ¦â Ragnar reminds me.
Iâm about to tell them the truth when a part of me decides against it.
âYeah, letâs not trust anyone.â Zerachiel mutters.
Iâm glad heâs been quieter for now. I have enough crap to deal with.
âAs I said, itâs nothing.â I say firmly. âGet some rest. Iâll keep watch.â
A tense silence falls and I suddenly feel⦠alone. Evangelineâs smile comes to my mind, and I miss her⦠I f*****g miss her.
With that final command, I turn and head to the door, leaning against it.
I can feel Evelyn watching me, but right now itâs Evangeline I need.
She comes over to me, and I canât tell her, knowing it might trigger her and so I give her a tight hug. It satiates her and she walks off to a clear space.
She and Ragnar glare at each other, and he mutters something before he turns his back on her.
âKeep muttering, Iâll tear your spleen out.â She hisses. He sits up and gives me a scathing glare before turning to her.
âIâd like to see you try.â He sneers, and they glare at one another. Her eyes turning black.
âQuit it, both of you.â I command.
She frowns and her eyes return to normal.
I sigh inwardly as everyone settles the best they can. None of us are afraid because if push comes to shove, we will get out of here with ease.
We talk quietly for a bit, but until the effects of the poison wear off, we wonât be able to converse safely without the risk of being overheard.
Itâs a short while later and theyâre all quiet, save Kash, who sits on the other side of the entrance massaging his shoulder.
âThereâs definitely a cure.â I murmur.
He shrugs.
âIâm OK if there isnât one.â He says quietly,
frowning as he stares ahead.
Just then, I hear something on the far wall. Instantly, Kash and I go over.
Only for a panel to swing open a crack, and I turn to see Blade standing there.
âThe Princess wishes to speak to you.â He says quietly, looking at me.
I glance at Kash, wondering why he was using a smaller hidden entrance.
âKeep watch.â I say, before I step out with Blade.
Itâs obvious heâs not surprised weâre untied.
Guess they knew their chains wouldnât hold, especially with Evelyn around.
âWhy does she want to see me?â I ask quietly.
âJust follow.â He replies, his eyes scanning the area.
I frown, but say nothing. If I can get through
to her, then Iâm not going to let the chance slip by.
Itâs obvious she wants to see me in secret, but why?
âOne way to find out.â Zerachiel says.