“No need,” Andrei answered, pushing to his feet as well. “I know where that is.”
After saying our goodbyes to Nimia, and Drake writing a check to her for her services, we locked Silvyn back in her cell until we could find a better solution for the problem she raised. After securing her, we headed to the armory in the castle, wordlessly loading ourselves up with weapons and ammo. I strapped on a bulletproof vest and forced them all to do the same, just in case. I wasn’t taking any chances.
“Follow Andrei to the house,” Drake instructed, filling his ammunition belt to the brim with loaded clips. “Once we get there, hang back until I give you the signal to advance. We take our time to get a proper understanding of the situation and try to locate Lo and Serena to ensure they aren’t hurt in any crossfire that may ensue.”
After we all nodded our understanding, he tapped his fingers against his temple. “No speaking out loud. Communicate anything and everything through our bonds.”
I rushed to give them each a kiss before we made our way out of the castle. Never did I think I would see us all working so cohesively as a unit. I was so damn proud of how far we’d come in such a short time, and despite the uncertainties and fears I had of how this situation was going to go down, I felt a strength in my men and I that I hadn’t previously.
It’s time for you to pay for your sins, Jeoffrey.
Chapter25
ALINA
Ipushed my body to move as fast as I could, my feet flying over the ground. The wind grabbed at me like an icy claw as I ran, and chills covered my body despite the blood pumping through me at the exertion. The longer we ran, the harder I could feel my pulse racing. My breathing grew ragged and desperate until we finally stopped in the shadow of a small forest. As Andrei slowed and held up a hand, I drew to a stop near him and caught my breath. Crouching low, I scanned the perimeter of the house, searching for signs of life or movement.
The home was a two story, standard brick structure, with a few of the upper shutters hanging at a slant. The white paint on the shutters had long since faded to a dingy brown color with paint peeling off the edges. Several windows had been shattered, and debris and garbage littered the property. From what I could see the roof had large gaping holes in it, and overall, the house looked like it might collapse at any moment. The property was overgrown with hedges and tall grass, but despite all of this, it was easy to picture how charming it was once upon a time.
Sothiswas the home that produced a monster. I wasn’t sure what I expected to see when I’d found out we were going to Jeoffrey’s childhood home, but it wasn’t a house that spoke of warmth.
The front door creaked as the wind pushed it on its hinges and I all tensed, waiting for someone to appear.
“Close the fucking door!” Jeoffrey screamed from inside, his voice carrying easily out to us from the many holes in the structure. “Get ready to move out. There’s no way that bitch doesn’t take the bait and come, but I know she’s going to bring muscle with her. She’s not brave enough to face us alone.”
I found it hilarious, honestly, hearing him act like bringing back up made me weak. It made me smart, but whatever helped him sleep better at night, I guess.
A low growl rumbled from Lincoln on my right.
Don’t let his words bother you. They’re spoken by a man who hides and lets others do his bidding. He’s the one who isn’t brave enough to face us alone. I could very well run in there with Devorare and fuck shit up, but why would I when I have a team around me? What Jeoffrey thinks of me does not matter.
At my words, Lincoln’s bunched up shoulders fell before shaking his head as if to clear away the anger.
“Let go of me, you fucking bastard!” Lo roared, a split second before glass shattered, echoing out to us.
Lo. She was alive.
My heart leapt into my throat at the sound of her voice, and Drake moved like he was acting on instinct to rush in and save his sister. Andrei’s hand snapped out to grab his arm. They shared a look, and I knew Andrei was reminding him of the plan that Drake set himself.
It was damn hard to not let emotions control you in these moments, and I was reminded so much of my inability to let go of my overpowering emotions when I stumbled into my family home and found my mother. I’d been instantly overwhelmed by sorrow and let go of all the training and knowledge I had in that moment, giving the vampires the perfect opportunity to turn me without a real fight from me.
Who knows what might have happened differently if I’d only stuck to protocol.
Fate and destiny, remember?
Incapable of using that concept as a way to ease the pain of my family and friend’s deaths, remember?
One day you’ll understand.
My eyebrows hitched as I let out a huff of air. I wasn’t sure I ever would accept or understand the concept, but now wasn’t the time to argue it with her.
“Baby, don’t talk to me like that,” Rin said, actually sounding offended by her tone. My stomach turned. “I love you.”
“You don’t know what love is,” she spat back, right before the cracking sound of skin on skin rang out.
Fury rolled through me like a vat of acid being poured out.
Jeoffrey’s snarling voice met my ears. “If you don’t keep your pet in check, I will.”
