“I can’t say anything now,” he shook his head, “I just need to get you to the Bunker.”
Mina’s mind released a silent scream. Hendrik was working for Dante! The whole Bunker club was working for him. Now, he would take her there and Dante would be waiting. There was no other explanation. She cursed herself silently for having such lousy judgment about him. She even slept with him! She was furious with herself and with him.
“I know what’s going on,” she growled at him, completely forgetting about the magical moment they had just shared. All that was left was rage.
“You do?” he wasn’t expecting her to say that.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment since I came here. I’ve actually been wondering how come it came so late,” she spoke confidently.
She felt ready. She knew everything there was to know in this place, so prolonging the inevitable was painful to everyone. It was best just to get it over with. It’s just that she wasn’t expecting Hendrik to be on the opposite side. She trusted him. She fell for him, hook, line and sinker. How could she have been so stupid!
“He couldn’t reveal himself to you just yet, the whole plan would be ruined,” Hendrik explained.
“Oh, God forbid his plan is ruined,” Mina snorted.
“Well, you’re here because of his plan…”
“No, I’m here because of my plan!” she shouted angrily. “Because he threatened to hurt the one person I care about more than life itself. So, fuck Dante and fuck his plan!”
Hendrik watched her spit her venom for a few seconds, then started laughing.
“What’s so funny?” she growled at him again.
“You thought I was taking you to see Dante,” Hendrik couldn’t stop laughing, but then quickly turned around, to make sure they were still alone. “Come on! We don’t have much time!”
He wanted to grab her by the hand, but she pulled away in time.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she hissed at him. “If Dante wants to see me, he’ll have to come to me.”
“I wouldn’t be so cocky, shouting his name so loud, if I were you,” Hendrik spoke a little more quietly now.
“Who the fuck cares!?” she shrugged her shoulders.
“Kellam…” Hendrik worded her brother’s name and the very mention made her heart skip a beat.
Mina jumped at him, pushing him hard against the lockers. Her thin, wiry fingers were now wrapped around Hendrik’s neck so tight, that he could barely breathe.
“Where’s my brother?” she whispered.
“Bun….ker….” Hendrik managed to squeeze through half parted lips.
“Is Dante there?” she continued, pressing just a little tighter.
“No…” Hendrik tried to shake his head, as much as her grasp allowed it. “Alone… help... “
“What?”
She released his throat only enough for him to speak properly.
“He came to us for help. Asked us to keep his presence here a secret from you, until it was time for you to meet again,” Hendrik explained.
Mina was listening but she could barely understand what she was hearing. All sorts of questions started swarming inside her mind, when she finally realized that she alone couldn’t provide a single answer to any of them. Kellam was the only person who could do it.
“Take me to him,” Mina pulled away forcefully and Hendrik lowered his head, trying to catch his breath.
“Trust me, we’re on your side,” he assured her.
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”