Adele put her hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze before she leaned over the balcony with him. “We’ll find her James.”
“I hope so.”
“Remember what I told you at the beginning of all this?”
James let his head drop. “No.”
“I told you that you needed faith and hope. Ally didn’t know who she was or what she was, and there was danger all around her. But you and I kept her safe, and if you think about it, the same thing is happening now. She has no idea who any of us are but we are still going to keep her safe.”
“How can we keep her safe when we don’t even know where she is?” James paused before voicing his worst fear. “What if she’s already dead?”
Adele shook her head forcefully. “No, she isn’t. Think about it James. If Vincent was just going to kill her straight out he wouldn’t have bothered to go to all this trouble and create such an elaborate and well thought out plan.” She shook her head in disgust. “No, what he wants is to have some fun first. To make a statement. He’s telling us that he’s smarter and more powerful than the immortals and the idea of having the prophecy girl under his command…Well no doubt he’d enjoy that too so, no I don’t think she is dead nor will she be for a while. We’ve got time to save her.”
James visibly shuddered. “I should be relieved but I’m not. I just want to get her home, Adele.”
“And we will James. But this is going to take some planning, some finesse and a lot of cunning. We can’t just swan in there and drag her out. Then he would kill her just to spite us.”
“Yeah you’re right,” James agreed. “We have to lure him out into the open once we find him.”
“Exactly. And don’t forget we’ve got one furious grand enchantress on our side.”
James almost smiled at the thought of Arabella finishing off Vincent. “Let’s hope that Tristan can shed some light on his locations once he gets here.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Vincent had many hideouts over the years that I was with him, but he always had a few that he rotated. A few that he found special in some way or another,” Tristan said as he paced back and forth in front of the gathered residents of Carlisle Manor. “The mines, God knows why, was one of the places he enjoyed returning to. Another was his underground cavern on The Isle of Skye.”
“Where abouts exactly?” James asked.
“The fairy pools,” Tristan replied. “He has a fascination with all things magical, so that place was perfect for it.”
“A fascination with magic?” Adele inquired, seeming genuinely surprised.
“I think it’s a jealously thing. It’s the one thing that he will never be able to achieve. That’s why he went after the immortals and part of what makes him the perfect leader for the vampires. He isn’t just evil, he’s envious and has a deep seeded desire to possess every kind of power there is in the world.”
“This guy has serious issues,” Caleb said smartly.
“That’s the understatement of the year,” Chase retorted.
“He’s right though,” Kat said entering the discussion. “He is envious and that is something we can use against him.”
“How so?” Damian asked.
“If we can find something that he wants bad enough, we can use that to lure him out of his hiding place,” she said as she looked around the room at each person. “Maybe even something he wants bad enough that he’d be willing to trade Ally for it.”
“That’ll never work,” James said. “He wants Ally more than anything. He’d never give her up willingly.”
“No he won’t,” Tristan agreed. “But what if we modified Kat’s plan just a little bit.”
“How?” James asked.
“Go with me on this,” Tristan said then began to pace again. “What if we found something that he wanted enough that he would bring Ally to the surface. Bear in mind he has no intention of exchanging but taking. Now we would know this, so it doesn’t present any problems. But all we need is for Ally to recognise James and then the spell is broken. Right, Arabella?”
“Yes,” she answered.
“So Ally sees James, remembers everything and we have an ambush waiting to take him out whilst getting her and Madison to safety.”
Everyone remained silent for a moment, and then one by one, they all turned to James for his thoughts. He noticed their heads turning his way and found himself hesitant to speak. Control over the situation was what he wanted but he wasn’t sure that he wanted the safety of Madison resting solely on his shoulders. Arabella was one dangerous grand enchantress and he didn’t want to be on her bad side now that he knew what she was capable of.
He took a deep breath and thought about the possibilities. “There are a lot of variables in that plan, but I think it’s something that we can work with and mould into a workable plan.” He turned to Caleb. “What do you think? You’re our warrior and I think the council members need to have a say in this. ”
Caleb smiled grimly. “I think it could work, but as you said, we need to hash it out. Go over every scenario and try to guess what his plan is to pull this off.”
“We also need to work out which hideout he is at,” Adele added.
James nodded. “So the fairy pools on the Isle of Skye. Where else?”
“A cave in Cornwall and a hillside that has a secret entrance and a very complex tunnel system built into it in Yorkshire.”
“Well at least that’s three possible places instead of the entire known universe.”
Tristan cleared his throat. “Before you decide to go to any or all of these locations, there’s something you need to consider first.”
“Such as?” James drawled.
“First of all, wherever he is, he is going to be crawling with vampires and all sorts of security. Now that he has her he’ll be making it incredibly difficult to get her back. None of us will be able to sneak in and out without being noticed. And sheer force won’t be an option either. We’d be outnumbered.”
“How can you be sure we’d be outnumbered?” Caleb asked. “I’ve taken out a few nests in my time. If you’re quick and careful it could possibly be done.”
Tristan contemplated. “I believe it could be done by you from what I’ve heard, but the rest of us no. And you’re too valuable to the greater plan to send on a potential suicide mission.”
“I see your point,” Caleb agreed begrudgingly.
“And secondly, he may not be at any of these locations. The more that I’ve been thinking about it, the more I’m inclined to believe he will find somewhere new that I know nothing about. Do something that he has never done before.”
“Why?” Isabella voiced the question on everyone’s lips.
“It’s too much of a risk,” Tristan answered. “He would be stupid to think that I won’t join forces with you. He knows about Kat’s connection to Ally and would know that I will follow her wherever she goes. In his mind, using somewhere I know about just isn’t worth the risk. If I was him, I’d find somewhere new as well. I also spent enough time with him to know how he thinks, and what kind of patterns he normally follows. Whatever he chooses will be something grand, something off the wall and completely unpredictable in my opinion. And trying to guess what he’s done or where he is would be a waste of time right now.”
“So what are we supposed to do then?” James fumed. “Just sit around and wait for her to come home when he’s through with his game?”
“Of course not. We need a plan but trying to guess his exact location right now would be a waste, is what I meant.” He hesitated for a moment. “If I know Vinny, then we’ll be receiving a message of sorts very soon. And it’ll probably be something dramatic if the past is any indicator.”
“Why send a message?” Isabella asked.
“To boast about his achievement,” Caleb guessed. “It also shows an arrogance that we could use to our advantage. Anything we receive we can pick apart for clues as to where they might be located or held.”
Tristan’s face was slightly concerned as he answered. “He won’t be able to wait long, so tonight I’d suggest.”
James nodded and sat down on the couch next to Isabella. “Then we wait.”
Chapter Fifteen
Soft candlelight filtered into Ally’s eyes as she slowly opened them. She blinked once, then twice trying to clear her sight. Shadows danced off the walls and she jumped when something crackled and popped. Her eyes darted towards the source of the sound. Logs in the fireplace. The flames danced to their own hissing beat. She attempted to calm her nerves and cautiously moved her legs and arms that felt heavy and tingling, causing the sheets to move around her.
She looked around the room again and took in the high pale blue walls, thick damask curtains and the wall sconces. Her gaze settled on the wingback chair near her bed, shrouded in darkness. The candles there had been snuffed out or weren’t working, she wasn’t sure which. Goosebumps rose on her forearms. A shadow was in the chair…
Her heart kicked into overdrive and clutched her chest.
“Alessandra,” the shadow whispered as it leaned forward.
She scrambled back. “Who are you?”
Moments of silence ticked by before she heard him move and watched as he leaned forward and lit the lamp by her bed, illuminating his face. “I mean you no harm,” he cooed to her and held up both his hands, palms facing out.
Her brows furrowed and her eyes widened. She clutched the sheets closer to her chest and asked again, “Who are you?”
“Vincent. Do you recognize me?”
Her eyes raked him over from head to toe. He was sinfully attractive, but she didn’t recognise him. She shook her head in answer to him.
“I had hoped,” he sighed dramatically. “But I was expecting this. Oh, Alessandra, you don’t know how I’ve worried for you these past months.”
Alessandra? Is that me?
Her mind swirled with panic and dread as the realisation hit her. She didn’t know who she was.
“What did you do to me?” She demanded. “Where am I? Where is…”
Vincent eyes held a faint wariness and excitement that she couldn’t make sense of. “Where is who?”
Ally shook her head, trying to clear the fog in her mind. “I...I don’t know…I can’t remember…anything!”
“I know,” He stood up and rang a bell. The door opened a moment later. “Ah, Mabel, can you make Alessandra a tea tray and something to eat. She’s obviously had quite a shock.”
“Of course,” Mabel replied. She leaned past Vincent in the doorway and looked at Ally with a heartfelt smile. “We’re so glad to have you back sweetheart.”
Ally gaped and watched the woman leave.
Vincent returned to his chair by her bed.
“I’ve never seen that woman before in all my life!”
“You have, you just don’t remember,” Vincent corrected.
Ally glared at her captor. “So I have amnesia or something, is that it? What the hell happened to me?!”
“My darling, please try to calm yourself. The doctor said we had to take things slow and too much excitement was bad for you.”
“Doctor?” She sputtered.
“Yes, Dr Reid. He’s been your doctor for a while now.” Vincent looked so concerned and worried for her that she almost felt sorry for him for a split second, but that was quickly washed away out of self-interest. She was the wounded party here no matter what was going on. At least he knew who he was. Her hands went to her temples. Her head felt like it was going to explode.
“Who are you?”
“Vincent.”
She groaned internally. “You said that already. How do I know you?”
He hesitated briefly. “I’m a friend of sorts.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
A knock on the door stopped his answer. “Ah, saved by the bell.” He swiftly opened the door and allowed Mabel entry. “Would you mind sitting with Alessandra while I go and call Reid? He’ll want to know she’s awake.”
“Of course,” she said with a smile and carried the tea tray closer to Ally.
“I’ll return soon,” Vincent called out and closed the door.
Ally looked at the woman incredulously. This isn’t real…this is all just some messed up dream…right?
“Bed or the fireplace?” The older woman asked with a kind smile.
“Huh?”
“Where would you like to have your tea and something to eat?”
“Oh, right.” Ally quickly checked that she was clothed. “The fire please.”
Ally got up and followed Mabel to the wingbacks beside the fireplace. She sat down as the tray was placed with a rattle on the small table between them.
“I suppose this must all come as a bit of a shock.”
“That’s an understatement,” Ally replied grimly as she stared into the fire.
Mabel handed her a cup of tea and placed a plate of sandwiches in front of her. “Strong and sweet. Good for shock.”
“Thanks,” Ally said with sincere gratitude. She had no idea what was going on, but the woman before her was a kind soul and obviously trying to help Ally. “Mabel, please don’t think me rude, but how do I know you exactly?”
“Of course I don’t think you’re rude my dear girl. You’ve been through an awful ordeal, the last thing you need to worry about is offending me,” she reassured. “But to answer your question, I’m Vincent’s housekeeper, so we’ve gotten to know each other over the past few months that you have been staying here.”
Ally sat stunned for a moment processing what she had just been told. “I live here?”
Mabel nodded.
Ally looked around again, trying to find one thing that might jog her memory. “I don’t remember it, but apparently I have good taste.”
Mabel laughed quietly. “Now that sounds like Ally.”
“Ally?” She questioned. “Is that my nickname?”
“Yes, although Vincent always insists on calling you Alessandra. He thinks it’s a beautiful name and suits you.”
“Nothing is familiar to me at all…not even my name. It’s maddening!”
“That’s to be expected after what you’ve been through.”
Ally paused and pinned Mabel with a look. “That’s the second time you’ve mentioned that. What exactly happened to me?”
“I can’t say. Doctor’s orders.”
“Oh for the love of God,” Ally cried. “Won’t someone tell me?”
Vincent’s voice filled the room and she jumped. “I will tell you. But not until after Reid sees you.”
Ally groaned internally. “What difference does it make?”
He studied her intently. Goosebumps began to rise over her arms and the hair on the back of her neck rose again. She didn’t know how it was possible at that distance but she saw his eyes flick over her arms and an eyebrow raised slightly. His gaze trailed back up her body and rested on her face once more. His eyes were unreadable but a grin that appeared to be smug settled on his lips. She shivered in response.
Ally watched the woman leave. Vincent took the seat that Mabel had just vacated.
Vincent leaned forward resting his arms on his knees. “Alessandra,” he started. “I don’t have all the answers that you want. I wasn’t there when they had you. All I know is what happened once I managed to get you back.”
“They had me? Who are they?”
“The Carlisles,” he spat the words out in disgust.
“I’ve never heard of them! How do I know anything you are telling me is real? For all I know you’re a serial killer who clubbed me over the head, caused brain damage and memory loss and now you’re holding me captive!”
Vincent worked hard to hold back the smirk that threatened surface. She’d never know just how close to the truth her hysterical rantings were. “My dear Alessan
dra,” he crooned to her. “If I was a serial killer I don’t think I’d be keeping you captive in such a luxurious place. Firstly, it would be stupid because this is my house and secondly, why would I give up my own room? Thirdly if I’d clubbed you in the head on the odd chance that it might give you amnesia, don’t you think you would have a lump on your head?”
Ally cocked her head to the side and studied him before she spoke. “Well when you put it like that, then no probably not. You’d have to be a very stupid serial killer. You don’t strike me as stupid.”
His gaze sharpened and she was all too aware of him in that moment. She looked away to hide the crimson that she was sure was staining her cheeks. He chuckled quietly at her innocence. “So now that we have established that I’m not some psycho intent on murdering you in my own bed, do you think you might try and trust me?”
At this she did look up. “I’d be mad to trust a total stranger. I have no idea who I am and you still haven’t told me what happened. I’m at a disadvantage here, but you still have to earn my trust if you want it.”
His face shone with approval. “Good girl. It seems I’m not the only one who is intelligent here.”
Ally rolled her eyes. “If you want to start earning that trust, then start talking Vincent.”
She could see the hesitation and wondered why it was there. What was he hiding?
“The do-gooder Carlisles took you from me,” he answered with a voice filled with pain and torment.
“Carlisles…” Ally said, testing the name but felt nothing. Whether Vincent was telling the truth or not, she could tell his hatred of the Carlisles was genuine. She watched the disgust and anger swirling in his eyes.
Wanting to keep him talking, she reached and took his hand in hers. Her hand wanted to flinch away from the intensity that she felt, but she fought it.
His head whipped to the place that she had touched and he appeared as stricken as she felt. Fear and wonder ran through his eyes. She couldn’t understand his reaction. Things were starting to get…strange, so she continued with her questions. “So the Carlisles are do-gooders but why me exactly? What did I ever do to them?”
Immortal Fate Page 5
