Hell, they turned off the lights in our cells for a bare six hours, and only then because they’d finally realized Egan wouldn’t come near me unless it was dark.
“Does the no-lights factor mean they have already left?”
“God, I hope not.” But my heart began to race at the thought. It would have been ironic indeed to have come all this way for naught. Ironic, cruel, and yet somewhat fitting, given the way my life had been turning out of late.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the sick fear that was churning my stomach and not entirely succeeding.
“I could do a flyover and check,” Trae suggested.
I was shaking my head before he’d finished. “Too risky. Besides, there’s a better way.”
I let go of his arm and stepped a little deeper into the water. The waves tugged against my legs, as if urging me to go deeper still. I smiled and squatted, slipping one hand into the water and caressing it with my fingers.
Ripples of power ran away from my touch, a steady vibration of energy only one other would notice or feel.
If she was close to a source of loch water, that was, and wasn’t out of her mind with the drugs.
And she should be near water. The scientists had learned very early the importance of water to us sea dragons. While they’d originally used tap water in our ponds, they’d quickly discovered that if they wanted happy sea dragons, then they’d at least better use the loch water.
I continued caressing the water, and the power grew, until the night seemed filled with a sense of raw expectancy.
And then something stirred across the far side of the loch. An energy that was almost lethargic, and yet whose very presence made the dark water shiver in anticipation.
Mom, responding to my call.
What, she said, her mind speech slurred, but nevertheless strong and filled with so much anger, the fuck are you doing here?
Chapter Thirteen
I blinked. To say I was surprised by her response would be something of an understatement. I’d spent so many years trying to contact her and not being able to, that to do it so easily now was shocking. Almost as shocking as her words, in fact.
It could only mean that she was no longer being drugged. But why would they do that, when they knew how dangerous she could be?
And if she wasn’t drugged, why had she not called the loch and escaped? Or did she, like me, fear that the little ones might not survive the experience?
I told you I’d come back.
And I told you to go to your father.
I did. He—I hesitated, gulping down pain. He awaits you on the forever plains.
She was silent for a long moment, then said, So you reached him before he died?
Yes.
Thank the Gods of sea and loch.
The relief, the loneliness, and the sheer and utter tiredness behind that statement had my eyes stinging. She’d been locked away from everything and everyone she’d loved for well over twenty years, and yet somehow, she’d clung to life. That must have taken more strength than I could ever imagine owning.
I’m here to get you and the kids out, Mom. Just like I promised.
Don’t. You’ll be caught again. She hesitated again, and the thick sense of energy that was her presence seemed to fade from the water. It’s too late for me anyway.
The words were soft, filled with a weariness that spoke of an acceptance of fate. Fear rushed through me and, for a second, I couldn’t even breathe. Because something was wrong. Something was horribly wrong.
Damn it, what had they done to her now?
I couldn’t lose her now. I wouldn’t lose her now. Not so soon after losing my dad.