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Emersyn gets up from her chair and walks to me on shaky legs. Sinking onto the couch cushion beside me, we stare at one another, having more in common than we ever thought possible. “Can I… touch your hand?”
I nod, reaching for her. Our hands clasp, fingers locking together, joining in a type of shared solidarity from the trauma we experienced at the hands of that insane cult leader. An inhuman monster worse than the devil.
“Why don’t you tell me everything? And then, I’ll tell my story.”
“One condition. Can Chase come in to hear this? Rosario saved him… We owe our lives and escape to her.”
“Of course.” A small smile spreads over her face. “I’m so glad to hear she survived. I’ve thought about her many times over the years, wondering what happened to her.” Her eyes grow distant, a vacant look in them as she gets lost inside her head. “The black veil you described… I was shrouded in black lace inside the coffin. I flipped out, somehow tearing my arms and hands from it in terror. When the lid of the coffin was opened, two men pulled me out. I was wrapped in black lace.” The vacant look disappears as she meets my eyes. “I’m fairly certain the veil Rosario wore came from that same lace.”
“Sounds like something she’d do. I could tell she cared for you. She sat with me in the dark, during a storm, and talked about you. Her sadness and grief were palpable.” Biting my lip, my chest tightens and my limbs grow heavy as sadness fills me. “I hope Rosario is alive. She vanished.”
“What?” Her expression contorts into horror.
I told her about our last moments with Rosario in Orpheus’s car and how, when we returned, she and the car were missing. Chase had pulled the keys from his pocket. “He still has them.”
Emersyn shakes her head, squeezing my hand. “It would be helpful if they joined us. And now that I know Rosario is alive, I’m certain the cult has taken her.” Shifting on the couch, a worried frown line creases between her brows. “There’s a psychiatric facility named Crow Vaunt Sanitarium that Dr. Lawson consulted at numerous times. He mentioned to me he had a bad feeling about the place.” She blows out a breath.
“You can call him Liam. I don’t mind.”
Emersyn nods, giving me a distracted smile before she continues. “After conducting several sessions, Liam said the treatment and abuse of patients was rampant and reminded him of the inhumane methods used in the 1950s and earlier. We believe it has ties and is likely funded by the Divinity of the Chosen Ones cult. Several patients who were institutionalized that he met with used to be part of the cult, in one form or another.”
My spine is rigid, even though hope flares inside my chest that maybe Rosario is there, and we can somehow rescue her. “Let’s get Chase and Liam. We have a lot to discuss.”
86
MACKENZIE
Isit beside Chase, clinging to his hand, while Emersyn and Liam sit across from us, holding hands. Liam’s concerned eyes roam over Emersyn, studying her intently, as she details our conversation, bringing them up to speed on what has transpired.
Turning my head, I meet Chase’s eyes. I smile warmly at him, knowing he’s thinking the same thing. Emersyn and Liam are an older version of us. Their love and concern for each other is palpable. The way Liam stares at Emersyn with concern, a fierce protectiveness in his posture and tense muscles, it’s as though he’s ready to go to war with anyone or anything that hurts or causes her sadness. It reminds me so much of the way Chase is with me.
“I’ll certainly check into this,” Liam rubs a hand over his face and then through his hair, looking distressed. “I must warn you that I suspect the Crow Vaunt Sanitarium has deep ties to the cult, and not just with funding. I suspect that Orpheus was controlling the decisions that were being made, including who was admitted to the facility. Once admitted, those people never seem to get out.”
A heavy silence falls over the room. I exchanged a look with Emersyn.
“That’s not good enough. Not when it comes to Rosario.” I squeeze Chase’s hand, who nods in agreement.
“She saved our lives, Dr. Lawson. Mackenzie and I would like to return the favor. She doesn’t deserve to be in there.”
“I have to agree,” Emersyn says, rubbing Liam’s hand. “There has to be some way we can get her out of there.” Emersyn’s voice is low as she turns to Liam. “What if you and I begin consulting there? You can get me in, maybe running individual and group sessions under your supervision?”
Liam gives a slow nod, his expression grave. “If we get involved, we must be careful. The cult has deep ties to some important political and wealthy individuals from all I’ve ascertained.” He stares at her for a few minutes. “No going off the rails. You need to play it the way I tell you to. It’s not just for your safety, but for Rosario’s.”
Chase has a distant expression on his face. “Daemon has likely taken over as the leader since Orpheus is dead.”
Liam and Emersyn turn their attention to him. “Do you know anything about him?”
Chase nods. “I had to spar with him as part of the training to fight Gage. He was different from Orpheus. Not nearly as crazy. During the fight, he offered encouragement to me when I feared I’d lose.”
Liam leans forward in his chair, eyes pinned on Chase. “He’d recognize Mackenzie and you?”
“I’m sure of it. But isn’t it risky for any of the leaders or inner circles to go to the sanitarium?”
“Not if they are a board member. I’ll do some research.”
“I’d really like to go in and see Rosario if she’s there. I don’t care if I need to wear a wig and disguise myself.” I bite my lip, thinking about them hurting her. “She’s likely in grave danger. Orpheus referred to her as his queen. He referred to himself as the dark lord.”
Liam gives me a smile. “Noted. I’ll see what I can do. It may take quite a while for us to get you in to see her if she’s there. As long as this remains confidential between the four of us, we will update you if she is.”
