I stared after Jake/Michael, trembling. It took a few minutes for me to realize that I had dodged a bullet. He was leaving me alone. And then a tear fell as I replayed Jake's trauma. He was still in there, and he still loved me. He didn't want to hurt me. I could rely on that. Maybe if I played this right, Jake's love would protect me from Michael. Maybe I could even get Jake to let me go. A timid hope entered my chest, elbowing in beside my broken heart.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
When Jake returned a few minutes later, his hand had healed, and he had regained control, but he was different.
“I'm so sorry, Indie,” Jake said. “For all of this. I'd get you out of here if I could. But . . .” He looked away.
“You're a prisoner now too, aren't you?” I asked.
“Not exactly.” He grimaced, then cursed, “Fuck! I wish I had never brought you here.”
“I forgive you.” I took his hand. “I know you're a good man, Jake. You've been tricked and manipulated, and it's twisted you a little, but you're still in there. That's enough for me.”
“Thank you,” he whispered. Then he clasped my hand. “I'm with you now, Indie. We're in this together. Maybe.” He groaned and then, through clenched teeth, said, “All right! Fuck, let up.” He sighed in relief.
“Is he hurtingyounow?” I growled, some of my spirit finally coming back to life.
“It doesn't matter,” Jake said. “You're safe with me. I won't hurt you, Indie, and I won't let him hurt you either. I promise. Michael has agreed to back off as long as I don't set you free.”
Well, there went my hope for escape. But at least Jake was trying.
“Okay. Thank you.”
“We have to go down to lunch—”
A boom cut him off.
I flinched, then ran to the window, Jake beside me. A huge, black truck was roaring up the long driveway, the metal grill in front dented all to hell. I gaped when I saw Gage standing in the truck bed, braced behind an enormous gun. Maybe a missile launcher? I don't know. It was big. Then he fired it.
Nope, not a missile launcher. Gage shot off rounds of bullets, sweeping the gun from side to side. Meanwhile, Gideon leaned out of the passenger window and fired another large gun. People screamed and shouts echoed up to us through the floorboard. The house thundered with footsteps. Then more gunfire came. Returning fire.
“Holy shit,” I whispered as I gaped at the Hounds of Hades, hardly believing they were there.Why the fuck are they here?
The truck pulled to a stop sideways before the house and the hounds got out, not even trying to hide behind the vehicle. They roared wordlessly as they fired on the Host, who shot at them through windows. Gage remained on the truck, but Gideon and Garret approached the house with their big guns and even bigger attitudes. Gage swung his gun around on a metal stand, and I glimpsed white writing on its side—Erect-Gun.
I made a surprised little laugh. “Fucking Gage.”
“Those bastards!” Jake growled.
I looked over and saw that it wasn't Jake. He turned and looked at me, then he grinned.
I ran, but it didn't matter. Michael wasn't chasing me in Jake. He abandoned that body and slammed into me as a ghost. I stumbled into the hallway, then Michael steadied me. He chuckled and straightened my dress.
“So, they came for you—their bitch,” Michael said in a deep voice that shouldn't have come from my body. “That means they'll leave for you too.”
He took me downstairs, then navigated the chaos casually, moving around people who ran from room to room. The sound of gunfire grew louder and louder.
Then Jake grabbed my arm. “Stop! I don't know what you're planning, but—”
Michael slammed a hand into Jake's chest and sent him flying down the hallway. Jake hit a wall, slid down it, and didn't get up.
Jake!I screamed inside my head.
“He's fine,” Michael muttered as he turned back toward the front of the house. “Calm yourselves!” he shouted at the Host. “I will handle this.”
People noticed us then. They drew back. All but Silas, who stepped forward.
He looked me over, then snorted a laugh. “It's about time you did something intelligent.”
