Chapter 18: eighteen

Cole

I’m perched at my desk, my mind a whirlwind of rescue plans for Raven and fantasies of exacting revenge on Annabelle. A tragic accident at the gala, perhaps? A glass could shatter, its shards embedding in her neck. I’d rush to help, of course, but then—oops.

Leaning back in my chair, I close my eyes. Kaden had thought it wise to show Olivia the ropes of the top floor. It seemed harmless enough, but I couldn’t see the point. She’d never be anywhere without me or Brayden.

A smile tugs at my lips as I sense her just outside my door. She’s a curious one. Once her presence fades, I make my way to the dungeon to speak with Raven.

I take a different route, using a series of hidden hallways, and arrive before they do. Olivia will never be in the hallway, but I don’t want her to accidentally stumble upon it either.

As I descend the stone spiral staircase, the scent of blood and the echo of screams fill the air. The guards nod in acknowledgment, and I see the cages filled with humans to my right. To the left are vampires who have broken one law or another.

I walk down the long line of cages until I stop at one holding a single human. She’s curled up in a ball, but it’s unmistakably her. Her hair is wild and dirty, but its bright red shade is unmistakable.

“Guards!” My voice echoes in the stone prison. A short, bulky vampire appears promptly. “Open this cage. I’d like to go in.”

“Right away, Lord Vallen.” He fumbles for the keys and swings the door open.

As soon as the door opens, she springs to her feet, brandishing a makeshift dagger. I roll my eyes at her futile attempt before she lunges.

She’s fast and strong, but I’m faster and stronger. I grip her by the base of her neck and force her to sit. Her eyes blaze with hatred.

“Don’t fucking touch me, leech.”

“Calm down, Raven. I’m here to talk.”

“How do you know my name?”

“Olivi—” Before I can even finish her name, she lunges at me again.

“What did you do to her—if you laid one hand on her, I’ll rip your head off.”

“SIT DOWN.” My voice startles her into submission, but the fiery hatred in her eyes remains.

“I have a proposition for you. And before you open your smart-ass mouth, let me finish speaking.”

She opens her mouth but quickly shuts it, crossing her arms.

“It’s my understanding that you are to be dinner at this year’s Gala. Along with all your other fellow captives.” I wince for a moment. Olivia is scared.

Brayden immediately lets me know they’re in the black hallway. Okay, she’s just a little scared. I glance down and see Raven staring at me, puzzled.

“Now, this would make my pet very sad, so I’ve been trying to come up with a suitable solution. And I have one, but it requires some acting and discipline on your part.”

I pause to gauge her reaction.

“Get on with it, bloodsucker.”

“You become a pet. Not to me, but to my cousin. You can be on the same floor as Olivia, and once it’s time to leave, you’ll be free to go, if you wish.”

“You’re out of your fucking mind if you think I would agree to that, leech!”

Suddenly, Brayden appears.

I look at him, confused for a moment.

“She was tired, so I took her back to rest,” he shrugs.

“Get. Fucked. Both of you.” Raven is seething, and I—

Olivia.

“Cole? What’s wrong?” Brayden looks at me, worried, and Raven tilts her head at me.

“Olivia, something is…wrong. She’s scared and hurt.”

They both look at me with wide eyes, and before I can rush away, Raven reaches out and grabs my arm.

“I’ll do it. Just let me be close to her. Don’t let her die, please, she can’t die.”

I just look at her and zoom away.

It’s seconds before I’m at the door, punching in the code and rushing inside.

“Olivia?!” I shout over and over. Brayden and Kaden suddenly appear.

“Search every room. Hurry!” I bark at them, and we all begin searching the rooms.

“She’s not here!” They both shout, and I quickly formulate a plan.

“Kaden, you go down to the main floor and search. Brayden, you search five and up, and I’ll search this floor.”

“Start at your office. I told her to go there and hide if she was ever in trouble.”

We all nod and rush out to find her.

With every passing moment, I can feel her slipping away. Whoever took her must have known she was mine. I marked her, so my scent is on her, and she’s wearing my fucking collar.

Rage starts to build as I finish searching my office. I flip the furniture; my claws slice into the chairs, leaving jagged marks.

I race down each hall, trying to pick up her scent. The boys mind-link me, letting me know they haven’t found her. I swear I’ll burn this entire house down with everyone in it if she isn’t found soon.

I make my way back to the room, and that’s when I hear it. Her tiny little whimpers. I swiftly turn the corner and see her. Her small, limp body is slumped against the doorframe. In an instant, I’m kneeling beside her.

“Olivia?!” I call out, but her eyes flutter shut and she succumbs to unconsciousness. I signal to the boys that I’ve found her and gently scoop her up in my arms.

Brayden is the first to arrive, swiftly opening the door, with Kaden hot on his heels.

“Where was she?”

“Is she alive?”

“She was just lying there when I returned from my office,” I explain, laying her tenderly on my bed. I direct Kaden to fetch the first aid kit from the bathroom.

“She’s bleeding.” Brayden’s voice is tight as he points to her leg. I draw in a sharp breath. It’s settled—I’m going to burn this house down, along with every motherfucker inside.

I lift her dress and feel a small wave of relief that her underwear is still in place. But that relief is short-lived when I spot the large bruise on her inner thigh and the two puncture marks.

Kaden is standing there, his face mirroring our shock. It’s only when we start to clean her up and check for other injuries that we notice the bruises marring her body.

She’s so delicate, so pale, that every bruise stands out starkly.

Her thigh, wrists, around her neck, even the backs of her legs and her back are marred with bruises.

I administer some antibiotics and change her clothes. I try to send the boys home, but they refuse. Kaden agrees to my plan for Raven, and we decide to put it into action tomorrow.

Brayden keeps apologizing, but I’m not ready to forgive him or trust him with my little dove just yet.

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her to my chest, careful not to press too hard on her bruises. She stirs slightly in her sleep.

“Co-cole?” Her voice is raspy, laced with panic.

“Shhh, little dove, sleep. You’re safe now. I’ve got you,” I whisper in her ear, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

~Don’t worry, little dove,~ I think to myself. ~Whoever did this to you will pay, and they’ll pay with their life. I promise you that.~