Alice covered her mouth briefly, her eyes closing as she took deep breaths through her nose. “What the hell is wrong with me?” She wept. “I’m hurting for a man I know in my head I shouldn’t want. The thought of him dying is gut-wrenching for me.”
“That must be the sire bond. It’s probably not helping that you have genuine feelings for him.” Sally motioned between her and Kara. “And we’re not judging you for that.”
“No offense, but your judgment is the least of my worries.” Alice leaned back in the chair. “Why did you come back?”
“For you,” she motioned towards her. “And Lizzy, and Finn, and everyone else that Cain has taken, either by coercion or force. Fane is going to destroy this place, and if he doesn’t, Peri will.”
“That would be bad.” Kara’s eyes widened. “We donotwant Perizada coming and doing a cleanup, as she would no doubt call it.”
Sally nodded. “Agreed.”
Alice’s face scrunched up. “She’s a bit off her rocker, isn’t she?”
“Girl, she tossed the rocker off the side of a mountain and hopped on the crazy train.” Sally’s words might have been funny, but Kara saw the worry in Sally’s brown eyes. Whatever was going on with Peri, it was affecting all of them.
“Can you tell us about Lizzy and Finn?” Sally changed the subject. “Are they ready to bust out of this place?”
Alice nodded. “A hundred percent. Finn’s already killed a handful of vampires.”
Kara’s brow rose.
Alice looked at her. “Cain separated them.”
“Ahh, that makes sense.” Kara shrugged. “Is Cain dumb, or does he just like poking dominant, newly mated males?”
“He’s let them be together now. I asked him to,” Alice told them.
Kara’s heart beat a little faster as she thought about how close she was to seeing Lizzy again. “How is Lizzy doing?”
“She’s strong, mentally, emotionally and now physically. Feisty.” Alice smiled.
Kara chuckled. “That sounds like her.”
Alice frowned. “You know her?”
Kara nodded. “I’m pretty sure she’s the same Lizzy I grew up in the system with. We were best friends.” Kara told Alice about how she’d thought Lizzy had died at the hands of one of her foster parents. “I’m so scared to see her, but I’m also desperate to lay eyes on her.” Nick’s phantom arms enveloped Kara, and his scent surrounded her.“I’m okay.”
“I’m not. Hush and let me have a moment.”His voice was gruff with emotion.“You’ve been in her head long enough. Come back to your body, and let’s go to bed. I want to hold my girls.”
“Lizzy won’t blame you. I haven’t known her long, but what I do know is that she’s a better person than that. She’s going to be thrilled to see you.”
“Thanks, Alice.” Kara lips turned up in a small smile.
“Is there a number you can give us that’s secure so Fane could call you? You’ll need to know when the cavalry is coming.” Thankfully, Sally was able to stay focused.
Alice rattled off her cell phone number, and Kara gave the number to Nick so he could write it down.
“We’ll be in touch,” Sally told Alice as she stood from where she’d been sitting. “You just hold on. And don’t be too hard on yourself.”
Alice snorted. “That’s one of those easier said than done tidbits.”
“Try it anyway,” Kara demanded, suddenly very agitated and frustrated with the scientist.Damn pregnancy hormones.She grumbled her new mantra. Out loud, she grumbled some more. “You’re not going to be able to walk away from him unless you decide what you really want in this life, Alice.” Kara’s tone was firm and no-nonsense. “If we send our mates in here to rescue your ass and you haven’t made a decision, and that indecision causes one of ours to get injured, I will come back here and drag you out by your cute hair. Are we clear? Because I don’t play when it comes to those I love.”
Alice’s eyes widened. “Which one is the real you? The quiet, soft spoken one, or the one who just handed me my ‘pity party’ having ass?”
Kara’s voice grew cold. “I cut my captor up into pieces. Which one do you think is the real me?”
Alice stared at her for a minute. “I think you’re capable of being whomever you need to be in order to survive or keep those you love alive.”
