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Cassie. My pregnant fucking partner.

No one has seen her. Her parents are hiding out in the church, ready to perform whatever deluded rituals these people believe in.

I’ve been sick twice since the ritual ended, unable to find her. I can only hope she’s with Jordan and the others. My throat has been permanently constricted and my eyes hurt from keeping tears inside.

Lacey was dismembered the minute she was found on the border of Blackcastle, her parents didn’t even care, in fact, all of them were pretty much jumping for joy that they had another soul to sacrifice. Her desperate hands as they ran all over Kain’s body as he tensed flash in my mind. Something else to add to the list of things I failed to protect him from.

God, what else has he been through?

Heath’s been frantic in searching for his missing laptop and gun, and I have a feeling I know exactly who took it, who shot Lacey in the head, and then left her to rot on the outskirts of town. Kain got his revenge and it was a task keeping Heath out of his office that day.

I can’t have them knowing Cassie is missing. They’ll go after her, too.

“This right here shows the power of the divine. You were meant to live, my son. This is your destiny. You may only die when you fulfil the prophecy,” Heath drones, his voice grating through every nerve ending in my ears.

Father Michaels performs prayers next to his bed, clutching a rosary in his hand. “Soon, Heath. Her time will come.”

Fuck.

“Where is she?” Vivian’s scream from down the hallway carries into the room before the door bursts open, and she stalks into the room. Blonde hair mussed and eyes crazy, like she hasn’t slept in days, and the blood red vestment flowing behind her.

“We will find her, my love, don't worry.” Heath places a comforting hand on her arm, but when she shoves away from him, his face transforms into something evil.

I sink into my seat, not wanting to be involved in one of their power-play arguments.

“You shove me away again, woman, and our deal is off. Do you hear me?”

That scares Vivian because she straightens and shuffles closer to Heath.

“Good.”

“Have they not found her yet?” Samuel cuts in, feigning concern. They pumped him full of adrenaline. You would never guess he almost died.

Vivian sighs. “Not a trace.”

I close my eyes with a silent sigh of relief.

“I’m sending out a search party for her. We have to find her before dawn, otherwise all of this would have been for nothing!” She’s frantic.

“Do you not believe in the power of the divine?” Heath lays a hand to his chest like she physically hurt him.

I suppress a smile. I watched them Kain and Jordie together, so I know they’re both safe. Safe and hopefully miles away from this corrupt calamity.

All I ever wanted was for Kain to be kept out of this. I needed to drive him away. As much as it pained me to, I needed to scare them. I succeeded in one aspect, only I didn’t do it fast enough. It was already too late by the time the ritual started tonight.

“Dorrian. I’d like you to go with them.” Vivian spins, bringing everyone's attention to me and sucking all the air out of the room.

Truthfully, I don’t know where they are, I can only hope they’re far enough away where we can’t find them. Or, at least if we do find them, I can drive the party away.

But… I’ve caused both of them enough hurt. I don’t want another thing on my conscience if I go searching for them and somehow fail in protecting them. If they get caught… I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop the members. I only have one last safety net, and if that fails…

But… I should listen to Heath. I need to protect Cassie from them. I’ve been ripped apart for years trying to protect Kain and Cassie. Only to have Jordan added to the mix.

I should’ve done fucking better.

I will never forgive myself if I can’t protect Cassie and our baby.

My baby.