A rat squeaked somewhere in the room. Footsteps clamored above before voices filtered into my ears. When I heard Roman’s, vengeance made me suck harder.
“Ernie, take the babies’ things to the car,” Roman said. “We’re leaving here shortly.”
“Roman, what are you doing?” a man asked. “The babies stay with Maeve and me until you give us the witches we asked for. And why did you unplug the cameras?”
“Because, idiot, if the authorities or even the media get ahold of the footage, we’re done. Not that I care, but Adam does. Now, I would suggest, Warrick, you get your wife and leave. The farm is compromised,” Roman said.
“Where are you moving your operation?” Warrick asked. “It seems anywhere you and Adam go, either the Feds or the Vampire Navy SEALs are right on your asses.”
“My contact from Europe is here. He’s taking Adam to the new headquarters as we speak,” Roman replied. “Right now, we need to clear this place out.”
“Boss, the babies’ things are in the SUV. I’ll round up our prisoners.”
“No, Ernie,” Roman said. “I need you to help me with the babies. Warrick, get your wife and daughter. They can help load the prisoners in the van. It’s parked in front of the SUV.”
I retracted my fangs. “Layla, we have to go. We’ll take Patricia with us.” This witch would be glued to me until I got my elemental powers back. “Agnes, you need to show Layla how to break down the wall for the exit.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Patricia ran and stumbled her way to the metal door.
With vampire speed, I blocked her. “Nice try.”
When Agnes was finally free, she and Layla hurried in my direction. Agnes stopped to scrutinize her sister. “Layla, in order for that spell to work on Maeve, you need to give her your blood. Otherwise, all it will do is weaken her powers.”
Layla didn’t blink an eye as she looked to me for help. “I need a fang, vampire.”
I dragged Patricia with me and punctured Layla’s fingertip with a canine.
“Please don’t do this, Aunt Agnes,” Patricia whined.
“Why? So Maeve can hunt Layla and her children and kill them like she did my mother-in-law?” Agnes asked.
Layla and I exchanged knowing looks. Agnes’s father-in-law, Everett, had believed Maeve was responsible for his wife’s death.
Layla dripped her blood onto Maeve’s tongue. “Anything else?” she asked Agnes.
“No. She’ll die a slow death. Once she’s gone, I’ll have my powers again. I’m sorry, Maeve.” Agnes stood over her sister, her tone mixed with sadness and anger. “You left me no choice.”
“Wait,” I said. “If Patricia dies, then I get my powers back. Is that right?”
“No,” Agnes replied. “Since you’re not a witch, Sam, Patricia has to return your powers.”
Fuck. I wouldn’t have any problem killing Patricia right now.
Layla placed a hand on Agnes’s arm. “I know this wasn’t an easy decision for you. But Maeve would’ve obliterated anyone who got in her way of becoming the Mystic.” Sorrow etched Layla’s tone.
“You’ll regret this, Aunt Agnes.” Patricia spat blood at Agnes.
Agnes glowered at her niece. “Sam, we’re not taking her with us. She stays with her mother.”
“Then do you have a way to return my powers?” I hauled Patricia with me as I wound around the crap in the basement and over to the wall behind the table where one of the exits was located.
I had no desire to use the one that led to the other farmhouse. Orion and Luna were right above us, and it was best to use the exit that led outside.
Patricia tried to pull away from me. “Without your powers, you won’t get past my father. He’s ex-military and knows how to kill.”
Chuckling, I yanked on her arm and was about to say something sarcastic when her body jerked into me. I felt something hard in her back pocket. Before I realized it was her cell, she had it in her hand.
I was attempting to take it from her when she threw it across the room. “Ha. You didn’t think I would make it easy for you, did you?”
