His eyes widened at that. “I…how…”
“Cecil, she is missing. All traces of her have disappeared, starting, I would say, around the time she ‘left’ you.”
“So what?! She could just be hiding!”
“I do not think that is the case. From what I have been told by a man who read your father’s mind, he is involved in her disappearance. He hired someone to take her. But what happened to her after that, we don’t know.
“Ernest thought that if he knew nothing of what actually happened to her, he couldn’t be charged with anything. I wish I had news that we found her, but right now, we don’t know whether she is alive or dead. We do have someone tracking down the person your father hired.”
Cecil wasn’t sure if he believed Sin. No, it was more that he didn’t want to believe him. Because that would mean the many disparaging thoughts he’d had about her over the years were toward a woman who hadn’t really abandoned him, but had been taken. One that had who knows what done to her—a woman who may be dead.
And what would happen if they did find her alive? What if she was alive and free, and she had just never come back for him? It was what he had always believed, but knowing it was true would be worse than just assuming it was.
Sin did not think he would ever understand why some criminals chose places surrounded by trees for their activities. While he supposed it would keep nosey people out, it made it easier for others to sneak up on them.
Sin, however, was about to announce himself to the criminals inside, which would ruin the element of surprise. His team was in place, hidden out of sight around the large, seemingly innocent house.
A slight buzz of energy was running through everyone, as they were anxious to head out. The constant dark flickering at the back of his mind told him they weren’t the only ones.
But Sin felt none of the usual adrenaline that came before a battle. He was too worried about Cecil. The man was angry—he just wasn’t sure how angry.
Hyde and Jekyll sauntered over to where Sin was hiding, both grinning.
They stood six foot tall, with short, dirty-blond hair, and bright, easy-going smiles that hid how dangerous the two were. Both had a medium, muscular build. Their eyes were the only physical feature that held them apart. Hyde’s were an eerie light-blue that appeared white under certain lights, while Jekyll’s were a deep-navy.
“So how did Cecil take it?” Hyde asked.
“As one would expect. He was upset.”
“Naturally,” Jekyll drawled.
“Well, I like him! You definitely should keep him, he’s so precious,” Hyde hummed.
“He’s not a puppy, Hyde,” Jekyll snorted, rolling his eyes.
Hyde stuck out his bottom lip. “I didn’t say he was, did I?”
Jekyll ignored his brother’s pout and said, “Though I do agree, he is a good fit for you, Sin.”
Sin smiled. “I’m glad you think so.” Clearing his throat, he pushed Cecil from his mind and announced, “It’s time.”
“A waste of time,” Jekyll grunted.
“Most definitely. But there is always a chance someone in there knows something useful, and it is pretty hard to question someone once they’re dead,” Sin stated.
“Think on this, brother. If they do surrender, their deaths will be much more painful and fun for us.” Hyde chuckled.
“True,” Jekyll conceded.
Hyde was right. It would be death for the individuals inside either way, but announcing that surrendering would lead to a more painful demise would be counterproductive.
Rolling his eyes at the two men, Sin cupped his hands to his mouth and cast a spell that would allow his words to carry. “This is the Zaytari, surrender now or face death.”
His words were met with gunfire—how predictable.
Smoothing down his suit, he clicked his headpiece and said, “After such a rude greeting, why don’t we show them some manners?” His words were met with chuckles, and an explosion rocked the side of the house. Wood debris flew everywhere, but it gave them an instant entrance. His people set off.
Preferring swords over guns, Sin pulled out his and jumped into the fray. He easily finished off less experiencedopponents. None of the men in the house appeared to have the training to withstand his skilled soldiers.
