Page 83 of Dark Sold Mate

“What’s going on?” Elle demanded.

“We are trying to figure out how to question him.”

Elle’s eyes narrowed. “By questioning him, does Javi think of 'torture'?

Javi scoffed. “I think we need to get some answers. By whatever means necessary.”

“Absolutely not.”

Javi swiveled around to her. “Elle, this isn’t your decision to make.”

“The hell it’s not. I am also involved in this investigation.” Elle stepped in between Javi and the boy. “And I can tell you, torture will not work. He is scared to death already. You begin beating him, and he will tell you anything he believes you want to hear in order to get it over with. That does not provide us with credible information.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Javi’s voice was full of sarcasm. “That we nicely ask him to tell us the truth.”

“I would recommend that we use my magic.”

“Your magic?” Rael asked carefully. Elle, you said that your visions are random. That you can never know when they will occur or what they will reveal to you”.

“I know what I said. But my magic has been coming around. Getting stronger.” Elle’s voice started to sound more confident, but Silas knew it was just a front. “Maybe I can figure out if he’s lying.”

“Maybe?” Javi scoffed. “We should bet our whole investigation on the possibility?”

“You were going to bet it on torture.” Elle fired back. “At least I do not have to hurt a frightened child.”

Silas watched the exchange, his mind racing. Elle was right that torture was unreliable. But he also knew she was reaching, offering a solution she wasn’t sure would work just to protect the boy from Javi’s anger.

It made his heart ache with pride and love. “Everyone out,” Silas ordered. “Except Elle.”

“But—” Silas shut Javi up with a single glance. Without further ado, Rael and August walked out of the room, and after a moment of tension, Javi did the same.

Silas turned to face Elle as soon as they were alone with the boy. “Can you really do this?”

She exhaled sharply. “I don’t know. But Silas, we can’t torture him. He’s just a kid.”

“I know. I was not going to allow Javi to do so. But Elle, if it doesn’t work, if we cannot get answers out of him, my pack will swing into action, and I will not be able to stop them when they find out.”

“Then my magic better work.”

She faced the boy, who was staring at them, looking scared. Elle dropped to her knees in front of him and asked gently, “What’s your name?”

The boy swallowed hard. “C-Carter.”

“Carter. I’m Elle. And I would like to help you. But you have to help me first. Can you do that?”

Carter nodded hesitantly.

“Good. I am going to touch your hand now, and I want you to think about the person who hired you. Can you do that for me?”

Another nod.

Elle made contact and then covered Carter’s hand with her own. Her eyes fluttered closed and her face screwed up in concentration.

Silas waited, feeling uneasy. Seconds ticked by. Then minutes. Her breathing became labored, and Elle started sweating.

But nothing happened.

Five minutes later, Elle opened her eyes and drew her hand back with a scowl on her face.