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“So we won’t say anything. Now, how do you want to do this? Do you want me to send Brien up here so you can tell him?”
I met his eyes. “I’m not going to tell him. You are.”
“Ah.” Comprehension flickered across his face. “So you think they really do have someone watching you?”
“Yeah. Think about it—they know too much. Like how did they know Eden would be visiting her parents yesterday afternoon? And why are they trying to make me think she’s on their side?”
Cain nodded thoughtfully.
“So, you talk to Brien, and I’ll arrange the boat. It’s less than twelve hours until dawn. We have to move.” I was already fading into the shadows. “Not the Cove marina,” I added. “They could be watching it, too. The cavern under the castle.”
Brien kept a speedboat in the cavern that only we knew about. Might as well keep them guessing as to whether I was coming or not.
“Got it,” Cain said and followed me into the shadows.
33
Eden
Time passed with a dreamlike slowness. I slept in fits and starts, unable to get comfortable on the packed dirt. I was cold and my lower back ached.
The next time I was awake, I explored the cellar, working my way around the outside and counting off my steps until I returned to the door again. My prison was a 10-by-15-meter rectangle (give or take a meter) with a neck at one corner that led to the door and the hall beyond.
On the far side of the cellar, I came across a pair of metal cuffs fastened to the blocks. Lower down I discovered another, single cuff, this one attached to the wall by a thick chain. I shivered, guessing they were silver cuffs. God, vampires could be cruel. No one—even a blood-mad vampire—deserved to be chained up in the dark, unable to move freely.
I needed to pee again. I made my way back to the door and hammered on it until Esposito responded.
“Here.” He thrust a plastic bucket and a roll of toilet paper at me. “Take this. And be quiet, damn it,” he added in a harsh whisper. “I’ll bring dinner when I can.”
“When?” I whispered back, clutching the bucket and toilet paper.
“Two, maybe three hours.” He glanced around and lowered his voice even further. “It’s almost sunset—they’ll be up soon. Try not to draw attention to yourself.”
I blocked the door before he could shut it. “Please—I need water. I’m so thirsty…”
He blew out a breath. “Fine. I’ll get you another bottle but you have to let me shut the door.”
Could I trust him? But what choice did I have? I stepped back and he closed the door.
I put down the bucket and toilet paper and leaned against the wall, waiting. The minutes ticked past. I’d almost given up hope when he returned with two bottles of water.
“Stay quiet, okay?” he muttered in a strained voice as he handed them over. “They’re up. I heard them moving around.”
“Got it.” In the hours I’d been in here, I’d calmed somewhat, but seeing how anxious he was, my fears came roaring back.
With the light behind him, I couldn’t see his expression, but he ran a hand down his face in a very Talon-like gesture. “I’m sorry about this. I didn’t mean—” He shook his head and shut the door.
I stood there, limbs icy, chest heaving, the water bottles clutched to my chest for I don’t know how long.
The vampires were up, so Talon was, too. He’d have seen the video by now.
What if he didn’t come? Even if he wanted to, Brien might forbid it. Twilight was Brien’s mate, after all—and I was only a thrall. Why would they choose me over Twilight?
It was the baby moving that brought me back to myself. That, and the urgent need to pee. I took care of that first, then drank a half bottle of water, conserving the rest for later, even though I was still thirsty.
Beads of sweat prickled my face. I swiped a hand over my forehead.
You could die in here.
