A clang of the door and I’m alone again.
I drink some more water, trying to remain positive. But it’s difficult not to be afraid. Something has obviously happened to Lucy, and I’m starting to think this is curtains for me too. That I’m going to cark it in this dungeon, and I’m never going to see Sadie again.
Chapter 24
Sadie | Highlands, present day
For the first time in my long life, I have no idea what to say. I stare at Tim’s smiling face, bewildered. He wants me to turn him? And he’s happy about that? Going off-grid has really made him lose the plot.
Someone behind us clears their throat and thankfully interrupts the moment. I yank my hands away from Tim’s and glance around to find Damian standing there, looking at us curiously.
‘It’s getting on. We should do that hypnosis session, Sadie,’ he says.
Tim looks from him to me. ‘Hypnosis?’
‘Long story. We’re trying to find someone,’ I explain.
Tim raises an eyebrow but doesn’t ask questions. ‘I need to start on dinner anyway. Is there anything you’d like ...?’
‘Meat, rare,’ I say promptly.
He nods. ‘I can do that.’
It’s weird how quickly Tim has adjusted to me being avampire. He’s not reacting how I would expect him to. Maybe he’s sick of being human or just really bored living in the country and needs some excitement.
‘What’s going on with you two?’ Damian enquires as I follow him up a short flight of stairs to the first floor landing, where a tall narrow window looks out onto the darkened forest.
‘Nothing.’
‘Didn’t look like nothing to me. You were holding hands,’ he states mock accusingly.
I sigh. ‘There’s a slight complication. Your uncle is still in love with me and wants me to turn him.’
Damian gives a short laugh.
‘It’s not funny!’
‘It kind of is under the circumstances. Are you going to?’
‘Of course not! If I’m going to turn anyone, it would be Elliott.’ I stare at the back of his vulnerable neck. ‘But I am feeling a little hungry, and you did promise I could feed on you, remember?’
Damian pauses on the stair above me, and I hear him swallow.
‘Uh, yeah. But maybe after you’ve had dinner.’
When we’re in his room, I settle on the bed, and he pulls up a chair. The bedcovers are rumpled, so I assume Floss hashad a feeding session from Damian, and she’s feeling nice and satiated. Lucky cow. She’s currently next door with Hester, helping her learn her lines for herTwelfth Nightaudition. I hope she gets it. Seeing Hester act in a play would be quite amusing, and of course, we should go to London with her for moral support. After we rescue Elliott, of course. It’s going to happen. The buzzing in my brain is steady and comforting, letting me know he’s still with us. Still alive.
‘OK, Sadie. It’s the same process as before. Relax and clear your mind. I’ll count backwards and take you under.’
I nod and close my eyes. Damian does his hypnosis spiel in a calm, steady voice and starts counting down. One minute, I’m looking at darkness. The next, an inner eye opens; and suddenly, I’m looking at a different room.
‘What can you see?’
‘It’s kind of dark, but I can make out stone walls.’
‘Great, Sadie,’ says Damian. ‘Anything in particular about the room that you notice?’
I strain to see. But I’m dependent on Elliott’s limited human vision since I’m perched in his head. ‘Straw on the ground. A stone floor. A bucket. Sorry, that’s not much help.’
