“Do you know what drug they used on her?” asked David.
“No. There are several strong sedatives for humans and I suspect it’s one of them,” Ian said.
“Will there be any side effects?” asked Zane.
“Not that I know of, except she’ll tire easily so the best thing is for her to get plenty of rest in the next couple of days.”
“I’ll make sure she does,” David said. “We both will, right love?”
“Absolutely,” answered Zane. “Ian, can David sit next to his mom?”
“Of course,” Ian said, getting a chair and placing it near the head of the bed. “It would help if you hold her hand and talk to her. Let her know she’s safe.”
“Go ahead babe,” urged Zane, watching as his mate sat down and began to speak softly to his mother.
Logan moved closer to Zane, then murmured, “We need to go back to the convent as soon as Slate and Dakotaarrive because Brenda has a prisoner in the dungeon who’s associated with your mate somehow.”
“What about Brenda?” asked Zane.
“She’s been arrested along with all the Priestesses courtesy of Dylon.”
“Fanfuckingtastic! So what do you need me for? Why doesn’t Slate get him?” asked Zane.
“The convent has been secured as a crime scene so Slate can’t access it. We need you to bop in, find the man, then ghost walk him out,” Logan answered.
“So let’s go now. Are you flying me there?”
“Yes, but I want Slate here before I leave,” Logan said. Seeing his brother’s concern, he continued, “No, there isn’t any threat, but I’d rather err on the side of caution.”
~/~/~/~/~
Once Logan landed behind the church, Zane jumped down, checked the floorplan and then disappeared, landing in the entryway. With only his phone’s flashlight to guide him, he walked down deserted hallways, footsteps echoing off the old stone walls. Passing by all the doors which led to rooms on the first floor, he sought the one that would be an entry to the lower floor. After trying a few and finding only closets, Zane retraced his steps until he found another hallway.
Repeating the process without any luck, he was now back where he started from. Spreading the floorplan out on a table, Zane studied it, running his finger along other hallways he hadn’t yet explored. Mumbling to himself about the stupidity of the person who designed the fortress, an idea flashed into his mind.Fuck, yes! Ofcourse, the dungeon is in the original part of the fortress, not in the convent that was added on later.
Spotting what he was looking for, he grabbed the floorplan and headed to an alcove partially hidden by a tapestry. Pushing it aside, he followed the narrow hallway until he reached a steel door at the end. Yanking it open, Zane shined his light downward and found worn stone steps descending into the dark. Grabbing the handrail, he carefully made his way down them until he reached the bottom. Pausing, he listened but heard nothing. He flashed his light around and found a row of doors on his right with small, barred openings. Grabbing the handle on the first one and pushing, the door slid open easily and, after finding nothing inside, Zane closed it and moved on to the next.
The damp dusty air was tickling Zane’s nose as he opened the fifteenth door, groaning when he found that cell also empty. As he walked inside, his eyes landed on a dusty stone slab that must have served as a bed.No one has been in here for ages.Kicking the dirty straw on the ground in frustration, a giant cloud of dust filled the air, enveloping him. It was too much for his nose and several loud sneezes echoed off the stone walls.
Quickly leaving the cell, Zane slammed the door shut causing the noise to reverberate through the dungeon. Covering his ears, he waited until it grew silent again, then lowered his hands. Was that a faint call he heard? “Hello!” Zane shouted. “Is anyone here?” There it was! Another faint call. “Keep talking so I can find you,” he yelled. Moving fast, Zane used his wolf hearing to zero in on the cell from which the voice was coming. When he reached it, Zane looked through the bars and found aman, dressed in tattered clothes, his features hidden by dirt, looking back at him.
“Who are you?” the man said, his voice cracking.
“I’m going to get you out,” replied Zane. “What’s your name?”
“Adam.”
“Adam, do you know where the key to this cell door is?” asked Zane.
“I think it’s somewhere down here but I don’t know where.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
“Promise?” asked Adam.
“Yes,” Zane said, then flashing his light on the opposite wall, he slowly walked, looking for keys. If he couldn’t find them, he’d bop inside, and ghost walk Adam out but knew it would raise too many questions he’d rather not answer until he found out who Adam was. About two-thirds of the way to the steps, he found a key sitting on a stone ledge. Grabbing it, he ran back to the cell. Inserting the key, he met with resistance at first, but then the bolt drew back and the door squeaked open.
Adam tumbled out and would have fallen if Zane hadn’t caught him. Regaining his balance, Adam braced one hand against the stone wall, peering at his rescuer. “Who are you?”
