The twisting, wrenching feeling in my stomach stokes my rage. I struggle not to lose my focus and reason for being here. “How is that any different from what you’re doing?” I snarl. “You send out Richiamos, teenagers you practically stole from their families and brainwashed for your own purposes, to kill Godlings who’ve done nothing to harm you! How are you any better than David?”
“Godlings who have done nothing?” the woman snaps. “Do not stand here and tell me you or your brother were innocent. Oscar murdered your parents. You murdered your girlfriend, Lisa. Neither one of you were innocent, and you know it!”
“What happened to Lisa was an accident!”
“Possibly,” she concedes, “but there is no defense for your brother.”
I press my hands against my head in frustration. “He lost control when he found out our parents lied to us about what we were.” I shake my head. “We tried. We aren’t monsters like you’re trying to say we are. And Van… Van is innocent. She’s never done anything but help people.”
The woman leans against the table and says, “We are well aware of what Van has done for her friends. Your sister is the only reason we didn’t kill you sooner.”
“What?” I ask. “How long have you known about us?”
“We’ve known about you your entire life, and we were happy to leave you alone, outside the influence of the Godlings, until you and your brother started killing people.” The woman pushes away from the table and stalks over to me. “You want to stand here accusing us of being the killers even after I’ve offered you proof about what the Godlings really are, but you seem to be forgetting something, Zander. You came here asking us for help.”
“I had no other choice,” I say, barely managing to keep my voice civil.
“Have your choices gotten any better after having listened to me?” she asks.
My fingers curl into fists. She knows she has me with my back to the wall. “No.”
“We will protect your sister…”
“But you want something in return, right?”
The woman smiles. “It’s not every day we get the chance to turn a Godling.”
“You’re just as bad as they are,” I snap.
Marching right up next to me, the woman presses a finger to my chest. “You will have one chance to negotiate for your sister’s safety. I suggest you don’t waste it. You can either agree to give us information on the Godlings, or you can take your chances trying to escape.” She presses one finger to her ear, and then looks back at me with steely eyes. “If you’re having a hard time deciding, I would highly encourage you to turn around and see what refusal will cost you.”
My eyes close as I slowly turn to face the door, knowing exactly what I will see. Blood hides in my core, turning my hands cold. I open my eyes and feel my legs go weak at the sight of Van held captive with a gun pointed straight at her head.
Chapter Thirty: Gone
(Zander)
The desire to run to my sister and snatch her away from this place is almost too much to resist. It’s the guns that stop me. “Are you okay?” I demand.
“I’m fine,” Van says shakily. “They didn’t hurt us.”
Us. It takes me a moment to even process that Van isn’t alone. My eyes drift slowly over to Ketchup, who looks understandably furious and terrified. A subdued movement draws my eyes next to Annabelle. Her normally gentle eyes are fiery as she bristles at being held captive. I almost stop there, but something directs my gaze upward. I freeze in surprise.
“Oscar? What are you doing here?” How did they even get him out? I wonder silently. And why does he look so bored?
“Little Annie thought they would need backup to break you out of here,” he says with a surprisingly mild tone of voice. “Obviously, she didn’t expect an armed escort to meet us at the base of the canyon like I did. Oh well, I was happy for the field trip either way. It suits my purposes just fine.”
Not sure what to make of Oscar’s presence or his blasé attitude… or his purposes, whatever those may be, I turn my focus back to Van. An apology forms on my lips. I want to tell her I’m sorry for dragging her into this mess, but my words fall away as I realize there was no avoiding this, especially not after learning about David’s true work. There is no way I could have run from David for long with the assets he has.
The sharp click of the woman’s heels on the concrete floor electrifies my frustration. I spin around to face her before she gets too close to me. The pleased look on her face pulls my hands into fists. If she notices my agitation, she doesn’t show it.
“It’s time to make your choice, Zander.”
“It’s not much of a choice knowing you’ll kill us all if I say no.”
“What?” Van squeaks behind me. I hear her struggling against her captor and turn around swiftly to warn her to stay put. A gesture from the woman causes the guards to stand down and holster their weapons. Their hands stay ready to pull them at the slightest provocation, though.
Van lurches away from the Eroi guards, looking slightly wobbly, but strong enough. She marches over to me and points at the woman. “Who are you, and what choice are you talking about?”
I’m surprised by the quick smile the woman flashes Van. There is even a hint of respect. It makes no sense until I recall her earlier comment about knowing Van’s dedication to helping people. She steps forward and says, “My name is Isolde Zara. I am in charge of this compound, and I am offering your brother the only way out of here alive.”
“And what are you asking for in return?” Van demands.
“Information.”
Van folds her arms and glares at Isolde. “You want us to inform to you about the Godlings? What makes you think we know anything you don’t? We’ve been a part of their psychotic little clan for all of a few months, and it wasn’t by choice. We have way more questions than answers.”
“Yes,” Isolde says, “but if you continue in their ranks and prove your trustworthiness, eventually, you will have all the answers we seek.”
Scoffing, Van says, “What on earth would ever make you think David would trust us—wildlings—enough to tell us anything important?”
Isolde smiles, a frigid upturn of her lips. “David Vidor trusts only one thing, my dear Vanessa. Power. And you and your siblings have more power than David has ever seen. He will pull you into his elite ranks, and he will give you the highest clearance and all the answers you could ever want.”
“If he trusts us enough. If not, he’ll kill us to contain a threat,” I counter.
Turning and taking a step toward the table, Isolde faces us again once she reaches it. Her blue eyes could freeze fire. “Then I suggest you do whatever it takes to make sure David trusts you absolutely.”
I hate the idea of putting Van’s life in this woman’s hands. She is no doubt as twisted as David, but I have some hope that her admiration for Van will impact her decisions when it comes to protecting her. I have argued with Isolde, but we both know what my decision will be. I wouldn’t have come here in the first place if I wasn’t willing to make the sacrifice she demands. There is precious little I would not give up to save my sister’s life, and Isolde knows it.
Even still, this is Van’s decision as well. Stepping in front of Van, I glare at Isolde. “I need a minute to discuss this with my siblings.”
Smiling, because she knows she has already won, Isolde nods. The click of her heels on the floor echoes through the room as she steps away from us and toward the guards blocking the exit. As she retreats, Ketchup, Oscar, and Annabelle crowd in around Van and me. Our voices are low as we discuss the inevitable.
“Van,” I say, “I will do whatever it takes to protect you. I don’t like allying myself with these people, but I don’t know what else to do at this point. If you don’t want to do this, though, we’ll find another way.”
I look over at Annabelle, but she is quiet, her eyes downcast.
Van bites at her bottom lip. “We can’t fight our way out of here.�
�
“Oh, I don’t know,” Oscar says, sighing as if this whole ordeal is beneath him. “I’m feeling pretty confident about our chances.”
Everyone’s eyes drift up toward Oscar. They look away just as quickly. Yeah, like we’re all going to trust the opinion of the guy who just escaped from a mental hospital. I don’t doubt my brother’s strength or power, just his relationship with reality.
“If you’re working for both,” Ketchup says, “and both of them are promising answers, maybe we’ll finally figure out which one of them, if any, are the good guys. If not, we’ll at least know more than we do now.”
Van frowns and winds her hand around Ketchup’s. “I hate to say it, but I think you’re right.” She looks up at me and says, “Make the deal.”
I nod, and everyone slowly straightens.
Isolde, who has been watching us closely, motions for her guards to follow her. She walks the short distance back to where we are standing, folding her hands in front of her body. “I trust you are all in agreement?”
“Well,” Oscar says drily, “I’m on a day trip from the mental institution, and I have no contact with David or any other Godlings for that matter, but sure, we’re all in. I just wouldn’t count on me being much help.”
“I’m sure you’ll do your best,” Isolde says as she pats Oscar’s cheek.
In a flash, Oscar snatches her hand away from his face and holds it between them. His twisted grin makes her visibly flinch. “Ever seen those signs about not feeding the bears?” he says, still smiling his disturbing smile. “Replace feed with touch and we’ll get along much better.” He flicks her hand away from him. “I’m the bear, just in case you didn’t catch that.”
“Yes,” Isolde says stiffly, “I caught that.”
Oscar winks. “Good.”
Stepping away from Oscar, she turns back to face the rest of us. She takes the phone containing the pictures and newspaper articles from her pocket. Immediately on edge, my fingers twitch. Van doesn’t need to know everything on that phone just yet. I don’t relish the idea of keeping something from my sister, but I know playing double agent is going to be difficult enough for her as it is. If she finds out Chris, the man who has spent day and night helping her control her new hunger, who helped her dress and undress at the hospital, is a cold-blooded killer, she’ll never be able to face him without revealing herself.
Isolde is too sly not to catch my reaction. Her eyes narrow at my response, but she wisely chooses not to comment. Instead, she holds the phone out to me. “I will personally manage this arrangement. This phone is a direct line to me.” Her eyes dart over to Van before settling back on me. “Use it however you feel it will best benefit our deal.”
Van’s face scrunches a bit at that last comment, but I understand her clearly. Taking the phone, I slip it into the pocket of my jacket. I am about to ask if we can get the hell out of here now, when Van reaches for the table, looking exhausted. Ketchup is at her side in an instant. He catches sight of the chair I was sitting in on the other side of the table and starts leading her to it. Halfway there, Van starts shaking uncontrollably.
“Van, what’s going on?” Ketchup demands.
Van raises her head high enough to glare at the opposite side of the room. Her eyes are literally glowing with unrestrained hunger. “What is she doing here?” Van growls.
A frenzied burst of strength pulls her right out of Ketchup’s grip. Oscar and I both launch ourselves after Van. Isolde’s guards charge forward as well, but Oscar reaches her first and wraps her up in a massive bear hug. Screaming and kicking, Van struggles to get out of his grip and tear Ivy apart. Knowing that Oscar will be able to keep control of her, my eyes dart over to Ivy standing in the corner of the room with wide eyes.
She was tucked away so still and quiet, clear across the room, that I forgot she was even there, and so did my hunger. I stare at her now, fighting my own hunger. The feel of someone’s hand sliding into mine makes me jump and tears my eyes away from Ivy.
Annabelle looks up at me with fearful eyes. I want to reassure her, but slowly, my gaze slides back to Ivy. I am not prepared for the brokenhearted expression plastered across her face.
Suddenly, a million questions are racing through my mind, but before I can voice even a single one, Isolde’s guards crash past me and drag Ivy out of the room. I spin around and take a step toward her. Annabelle’s grip crushes my hand, holding me back as she pleads, “Zander, no.”
I rip my hand out of hers and take a step forward. Isolde blocks my path with a cold expression that leaves no room for bargaining. “Our deal is made. You and your siblings are excused.” She steps back, opening the way to the door. “I will be in touch very soon, and I expect you to have something useful for me.”
Isolde’s eyes pass over everyone, stopping on Oscar’s only briefly before darting away. She looks back at me and says, “I hope I don’t have to remind you that backing out of this deal is not an option. We know everything about you. Running won’t get you far at all.”
With that, she stalks out of the room, her guards staying behind to act as our escort. None of us are interested in staying a moment longer than necessary. Oscar easily sweeps Van into his arms and together, we walk out of the compound feeling heavy, but harboring a sliver of hope. It is a strange thing to be turned loose by the Eroi. Everyone is silent, burdened by their own thoughts, as we make the trip home.
I roll to a stop behind Peak View Hospital, bracing myself for the fight I know is coming. The click of the rear door closing snaps my attention behind me. For a brief moment, I hope it is just Oscar making things easy, but I feel my heart stop as I see his sleeping form and realize Annabelle is gone.
THE END
Of Book Two
Check out a Sneak Peek of Book Three:
Wicked Glory
Chapter One: Gone
(Zander)
The terror of being captured by the Eroi will be nothing compared to the horror of David’s wrath. Making a deal with the proverbial devil pales in comparison to what David will make us do as penance for betraying him. Our deaths won’t be the cost of our choices. Slavery will be.
All because of one girl.
Zander’s panicked words ring in my ears as I take them in. Gone? How can she be gone? Movement from Ketchup in the backseat makes me flinch. Oscar stretches next to him, his eyes rolling open slowly, as if Zander’s shouting was beneath him.
“Did Little Orphan Annie run away when you weren’t looking?” Oscar asks lazily.
Zander immediately bristles at the nickname, but Ketchup just blinks in confusion. He looks from Oscar to Zander. “What happened to Annabelle?”
“She’s gone,” Zander snaps.
Ketchup’s eyes dart to the space next to Oscar where she was sitting before we all fell asleep. “What do you mean—gone?”
“I mean she took off!” Zander’s fingers strangle the steering wheel, making it groan under the pressure. “I was about to wake up Oscar and send him back into the hospital when I heard the door close. I thought it was Oscar, at first, but when I looked back there, Annabelle was gone.”
“I’m not going back to the hospital,” Oscar interjects. His bored expression is strangely convincing, yet the steel underlying the casual tone makes it obvious we’re in for a fight.
“We’ll discuss that later,” I say before a fight can erupt. Gently, I push myself up to face the others more squarely. Pain ripples through my worn-out body and, for the millionth time since my stupid hunger decided to show up full force, I curse being a Godling. Biting back the pain and fear alike, I look at Zander. My voice is trembling by the time I finally find the strength to speak. “Why would she run away? I thought she was all in on this plan.”
“She was!” He shakes his head.
The confusion and doubt are clearly eating him up. Ketchup and I share a look. We’re right there with Zander on the confusion, but outweighing it is straight-up fear. Everything we just went through will be for
nothing if Annabelle double-crosses us. My hands start shaking. She knows everything—about the deal we made with the Eroi to spy on the Godlings in exchange for my safety and where the Eroi compound is… where Ivy is.
I try to understand, but I can’t. “How could she do this to us?” I demand, my voice suddenly gaining strength.
“We don’t know if she’s done anything,” Zander says. His body language says something entirely different. Uncertainty is crushing him.
“Why else would she run if not to tell David everything that just happened?” Ketchup snaps. “Wake up, Zander! Your girlfriend just betrayed us to the Godlings! This feels a little too familiar, doesn’t it?”
Zander’s head starts shaking back and forth. “No. No, she wouldn’t. She doesn’t trust David any more than we do. She wants to get away from him, too.”
“Is that what she told you?” Ketchup demands.
The anger coming off him in waves stirs my hunger, begging it to lap up his fear and act. Focusing becomes difficult. Somewhere in the distance, I can hear Zander and Ketchup arguing about Annabelle, but the words don’t penetrate my rising hunger. My fingers dig into the seat cushion as I try to restrain myself. The full-body ache that has plagued me for weeks intensifies, tempting me to gather in my hunger and make Annabelle pay for running.
Suddenly, Oscar’s hand clamps down on my shoulder. His harsh grip is enough to momentarily grab my attention, but he isn’t looking at me. Instead, he is focused on Zander and Ketchup. “If you two want to keep arguing, by all means, go ahead. Just don’t blame me when Van turns your girl-squabble into a bloodbath.”
They both blink, and then turn to look at me. I don’t know what I look like, barely holding onto rational thought as I fight against my hunger, but they both freeze. Their anger drops away in an instant. I gasp, as if I have just come up from drowning, and fall back against my seat.
Wicked Power Page 31
