I’m frozen to the spot, my eyes flickering between Eliza, my father and the other hybrids as they walk right past the stunned guards and out into the corridor. “Don’t bother trying to find us Richard, you’ll never be anything more than a danger to Areyna.” Jason says as he too walks right past me. Rourke is the last to leave, picking the crown up from where Jason dropped it. “I believe I know who the rightful owner of this is. I’ll make sure it ends up in the right hands.” He pats my cheeks mockingly as he leaves.
I stare down at the man who has made my entire life a living hell. I never thought he’d be taken down so easily, yet there he lies, lifeless and turning white. “I won’t let this happen father, that crown and all its power will be ours, even if I have to go through the woman I love to retrieve it.” I vow before turning on my heel and motioning for the guards to get after the hybrids and Eliza.
To my surprise the guards shake their heads. “Can’t do that sir. They’re not prisoners and were free to leave any time they chose.”
“What are you talking about, they were locked in cells less than thirty minutes ago. That’s the very definition of prisoners.” I snap, rounding on the guard who spoke.
“No paperwork. No crimes committed. Not prisoners. As far as the guards are concerned those people were volunteer medical test subjects and now that Mr Talon is no longer with us, they are free to leave.”
“I’m still here!” I shout.
“Yes sir, you are.” The guard says deadpan before walking out of the room, his fellow guards following closely on his heels.
“Where the fuck are you going?” I glance back at my father’s body. “This is all your fucking fault!”
THIRTY-FIVE
Torren
We gotsome funny looks carrying an unconscious girl out of the prison, but surprisingly we were escorted out by the guards and told to have a nice day.
Have a nice day.
Like we didn’t just fucking escape with our lives intact with an unconscious girl and a stolen crown. A crown which no one seems to want to touch. Jason placed it on Areyna’s stomach between Remmie and her, as though trying to hide it, but it’s not like it’s covered or anything. Just sitting there for the world to see. I can’t understand why the guards just let us go. Nor can I figure out why we were all there in the first place. This little adventure has proven one thing, Areyna cannot be let out of our sight for any amount of time until we figure out the bond. It’s far too dangerous for all of us and we also need to figure out if what that crazy man said is true.
Are we really experiments, created to rule the breeds and what the fuck was all that about Richard having a brother? I swear his father was looking at me when he said it, but that can’t be. Remmie was behind me at the time, maybe I misunderstood.
Areyna stirs just as we’re all getting into the taxi a block from the prison. I’m not sure if one of the guards sent for the taxi or if it’s just a coincidence, but after everything I’ve seen in the last few days, I don’t believe anything is a coincidence anymore.
“Cabin?” Derrin asks as we all buckle up.
“It’s safer than anywhere else right now.” I mutter in reply. Derrin rattles off the address and we all remain quiet for the two-hour drive. It’s not until we’re pulling into the driveway that I realise I don’t have my wallet on me.
“Fairs been covered. Have a nice day.” The driver says opening the door and getting out. He comes around to Remmie’s side and opens his door, while everyone else climbs out. “Take care of her. She’s going to need more than just protectors if the rumours are true.” He’s back in the taxi and pulling away before any of us can even open our mouths.
“Ok, so what the fuck is going on?” I turn to face the man who asked and it’s only then that I realise our group is far bigger than I remember. Rourke isn’t that big of a surprise, but the other guy is. “Who are you?” I ask, moving closer to Remmie but never taking my eyes off the giant.
“Manny. I’m Raynie’s mate.”
“Table it for later, we need to get her out of the cold and figure out our next move.” Rourke says cutting over any protests we all no doubt have after that declaration.
Remmie carries Areyna into the cabin, only pausing long enough for Derrin to open the door. As we follow him inside, I wonder aloud, “Do you think Richard knows about this place?”
“I didn’t know about it, so I’m going to say no.” Jason says, then adds, “Although if it’s in any of your names then he might be able to find it.”
“It’s not in any of our names. It’s in my Mother’s name as being land only. No one besides us knows there’s a cabin here.” Derrin says as he walks past us into the small loungeroom. Apart from the dust coating everything the cabin hasn’t changed much since the last time we were here. The loungeroom is still far too small for my liking, with only just enough room for a L-shaped couch and a coffee table. As I walk through to the kitchen and dining area, I shake my head over how much of the red dust, common to this area has managed to make its way inside.
“We’re going to have to clean up a bit before Areyna wakes. I wouldn’t want her thinking we’re a bunch of slobs.” I joke as I grab the broom from beside the door leading from the dining room to the side patio. I used to love coming here, all we’d do is play in the lake and lounge around.
After giving the floor a quick sweep, I wander into the loungeroom and stand here, staring at the old gaming system still plugged into the tiny TV.
Two years ago…
“Come on Rem, show us what you’ve got.” I tease knowing he won’t touch the game at all while we’re here. It’s like the moment we come inside he’s a complete bookworm, burying himself in non-fiction as though his life depends on him understanding everything.
“Leave him be, it’s good to see a boy reading.” Derrin’s mum says patting Rem on his head. Rem cringes, always having hated being touched.
“Rem’s never going to play with us, he thinks he’s too good for games.” I laugh as I grab the controller. The cable on it has never been long enough to sit on the couch, but we’ve never complained. The hardwood floor is just as comfortable on a hot day like today.