“And Cain is implying that despite your age and power, you are not capable of protecting those under your care?” Alice asked.
“It’s a fair question.” Sally shrugged. “Granted, it doesn’t seem that he’s offered up information about his involvement in the Order of the Burning Claw.
Alice looked at Cain, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t know what kind of club that is, but the name alone is sending out some serious red flag vibes.” Alice then looked back at Peri. “And if what he’s saying is true, then I’m getting red flag vibes from you as well.”
Peri glanced at the healer and then back to Alice. “I said I’m powerful, not infallible. I am not a god. I am created just as you were, and I have flaws, faults, and a boatload of transgressions. But I also care deeply for those whom I claim as my responsibility.”
“What happened to me wasn’t Peri’s fault. However, your vampire played some part in it, considering he was batting for their team.” Sally turned her body so she could see Alice but still keep Cain in her line of sight. “It’s not something I like to talk about, but for you, I will.”
“Is it worse than what Lizzy or I’ve been through?” Alice sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting in her lap.
Peri snorted. “What you and Lizzy are enduring is a cakewalk compared to what our Sally has been through. Not to mention Kara. Yes.” Peri waved her hand. “She’s a gypsy healer, too. You guys are a hot commodity in the supernatural world. Congratulations on getting to be the most desired of all supernaturals.”
“I don’t think that’s something I should be excited about,” Alice said flatly.
“Alice—” Cain started, but she held up a hand, and he stopped.
“If I mean anything to you at all, you will let me hear these women out.” Alice’s voice was strong, although she looked ready to pass out. “I know I have feelings for you, but I don’t understand them. I don’t understand any of this, and it’s driving me crazy.”
Anguish filled Cain’s eyes as he stared at Alice. After a very long pause, he finally nodded. “Okay. Just promise me you will talk to me after. Can I have your word?”
Alice nodded. “Yes. We will talk.”
Peri took a step toward Cain, her light beginning to shine brighter again. “This is your only warning,” she bit out. “If you hurt Lizzy, Finn, or Alice, what Kara did to Ludcarab will look like child’s play when I’m finished with you. I’m done playing nice.”
Peri played nice, Sally asked herself. When?
For a breathless moment, Sally thought he would challenge the high fae. Instead, he took a step back, his jaw clenched. His eyes were filled with rage and something else that Sally couldn’t put her finger on. Without another word, he turned and stalked away, leaving through a doorway behind him.
Sally slumped down onto the bed in relief before turning back to Alice. “Are you okay?”
Alice stared at her wide-eyed. “No. I’m confused. I don’t like being confused. And who the hell are you, and how did you get here?” This question was directed at Peri.
“I already told you who I am. Keep up. I thought you’re supposed to be some kind of genius,” Peri quipped. “You and Jewel will need to have a battle of wits.” Peri held out her hand and snapped her fingers. A chair appeared beside the bed. She sat down, moving as gracefully as a cat. “Now, as for Cain being in your head—you do realize that this is all happening in your head, right?—he only has the power you give him,” Peri explained. “If you don’t want him in your head, you can keep him out.”
“His blood is in me. Doesn’t that make him my sire or something?” Alice picked at her shirt nervously.
“You aren’t a vampire.” Sally detected exacerbation in the fae’s voice. “Didn’t you hear that part?”
Alice frowned at the fae as her back straightened. “I was a little distracted by the two females who just suddenly showed up in my head, and then realizing that I think everything that has been happening, the life I thought I was living, wasn’t really happening. Are you trying to tell me Cain has me playing house with him in my head?”
“Why are you shocked?” Sally asked, unable to quell her ire. “You’re in a government lab with a bunch of people that Cain abducted and has expirimented on while using you to make his experiments work. How could you not see thosemassivered flags? I mean, they’re practically yelling at you.”
“That’s not the Cain I’ve been seeing lately.” Alice’s voice was not as strong as it had been. “The Cain I’m with takes care of me. He loves me.”
“The Cain you’re with is the same Cain that had plans to enslave the humans to the supernaturals,” Peri said, her tone sharp but not cruel. “He’s the same Cain who’s killed countless humans and supernaturals alike. And apparently, his treachery doesn’t end there. He’s also the same Cain who has kept you unconscious and used your sleeping mind as a way to make you have feelings for him. The blood running through your veins doesn’t make him your sire, but it does create a supernatural bond, and he’s been using that to keep you from waking up.”
The gamut of emotions that moved over Alice’s face were numerous and fast. But the one that settled there was cold as ice. She looked at Peri and then Sally. “Can you wake me up?” It was clear the doctor wanted to change the subject. “Is that possible?”
“Anything is possible,” Peri offered. “We’re going to try. Sally has another healer sitting outside of your mind. She’s going to help. But first, I think Sally should share with you what Cain was talking about. You need to trust us if we’re going to get you out of this as a whole sane human being.”
Alice chewed her lip but nodded. “Okay.” She looked at Sally. “I’m all ears.”
Sally took a deep breath, steadying herself. She hadn’t told this story in so long. But Alice needed to understand she wasn’t alone. She needed to know that everyone went through trials similar to hers, and they came out stronger on the other side.
“Several years ago, I was abducted by a group we mentioned, The Order of the Burning Claw.” Sally’s heart beat painfully in her chest as she thought about what she now considered the worst time of her life. “They took me from my mate and pack and wiped my memories of them.”
“You don’t have to tell her,”Costin growled into her mind.“She can either trust you or not. I don’t want you hurting like this, Sally-mine.”
