Chapter 81
Elara's POV
The taxi driver kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror. His knuckles were white on the steering wheel.
"Miss, are you sure about this?" His voice cracked slightly. "Maybe we should call the police."
I watched the black SUV three cars ahead. Its taillights cut through the darkness like red eyes.
"Not yet." My voice came out flat. Cold.
The SUV turned off the main road. Heading toward the outskirts of town.
I pulled out my phone. Typed quickly.
Victoria was taken. Black SUV. Heading east on Route 7. I'm following.
I hesitated. Then added: Need to confirm location before they go dark. Wait for my signal.
Kael's reply came instantly.
Where are you? Don't do anything stupid. Wait for me.
The SUV suddenly veered left. Into what looked like an overgrown forest path.
I shoved my phone into my pocket without responding.
"Stop here."
The driver hit the brakes. "You're getting out? In the middle of nowhere?"
I pulled out two twenties. Dropped them on the passenger seat. "You didn't see anything tonight."
He stared at the money. Then at me. "Kid, I don't know what kind of trouble you're in, but—"
"I said you didn't see anything."
I got out. Slammed the door.
The taxi's red taillights disappeared down the road. Leaving me alone in the dark.
The forest path was barely visible. Overgrown with weeds and low-hanging branches.
Fresh tire tracks cut through the mud. Deep grooves. The SUV had gone this way recently.
I started walking. Kept to the side of the path where the undergrowth was thicker.
My boots made almost no sound on the soft earth. Years of training in the Northern Territories had taught me how to move silently. Even in this weak Omega body.
The night air was cold. It bit through my jacket. Made my breath visible in small white puffs.
I focused on controlling my breathing. Slow. Steady. No wheezing. No gasping.
Helena's treatment had worked. My lungs felt strong. Clear.
That was the only advantage I had right now.
The path curved ahead. I slowed down. Dropped into a crouch behind a thick oak tree.
Through the branches I could see it.
A mansion. Victorian style. Three stories tall with peeling white paint and broken shutters. Half the windows were boarded up. The garden was completely overgrown.
But there were fresh tire tracks leading to the front entrance.
And lights. Second floor. Two windows glowing yellow against the darkness.
The black SUV sat parked near the front steps.
I counted three men outside. Patrolling the perimeter.
They moved with purpose. Military precision. Not the sloppy movements of common thugs.
Professional security.
One of them stopped. Tilted his head. Listening.
I held my breath. Pressed myself against the tree trunk.
He scanned the tree line. His hand moved to his hip. Where a weapon would be holstered.
After ten seconds he resumed his patrol pattern.
I waited until he was on the far side of the building. Then I moved.
The mansion's east wing looked abandoned. No guards. No lights.
Perfect.
I approached the wall. Ran my fingers along the old stone. Looking for handholds.
There. A drainage pipe. Rusted but still attached to the wall.
I tested my weight on it. It held.
I started climbing. Hand over hand. My arms burned but I kept going.
The second-floor window was just above me. Partially open.
I pulled myself up onto the narrow ledge. Pressed my back against the wall.
Voices drifted through the window. Muffled but audible.
I shifted closer. Peered through the gap in the curtains.
Victoria sat in a wooden chair. Her hands were tied behind her back. Her hair was disheveled. Mascara streaked down her cheeks.
A man stood in front of her. Middle-aged. Expensive suit. Gray hair slicked back.
He was talking. His voice was cold. Controlled.
"Did you really think leaving Pinehollow would make you free?" He circled her chair slowly. "That the agreement would just disappear?"
Victoria's voice shook. "I kept my silence. For twenty years I kept my silence. What more do you want from me?"
The man stopped. Leaned down until his face was level with hers.
"Your son is asking questions. Dangerous questions."
My chest tightened.
Kael.
"He's looking into his brother's death."
I almost lost my grip on the window frame.
Brother?
Kael had a brother?
Victoria's face went pale. "That wasn't my fault. He came to me. I didn't—"
"Shut up." The man's voice turned sharp. Cutting. "I'm not here to discuss the past. I'm here to deliver a warning."
He straightened. Adjusted his cufflinks.
"Make your son stop investigating. Or he'll end up like his brother."
Victoria started crying. Quiet. Broken sobs.
The man walked toward the door. "This is your only warning, Victoria. Next time we won't be so gentle."
Another voice spoke up. Deeper. From somewhere I couldn't see.
"Boss. I think I heard something outside."
My heart stopped.
I froze. Didn't breathe.
The man turned. "Check it."
Footsteps. Heavy boots on wooden floors. Coming toward the window.
I needed to move. Now.
I shifted my weight. Preparing to climb down.
My boot slipped on the wet stone ledge.
A loose brick tumbled free. Clattered against the wall.
The window flew open.
A hand shot out. Grabbed my jacket collar.
I twisted. Tried to break free. My hand found purchase on the wall but the grip was too strong.
Behind me I heard running. At least two guards. Coming up the stairs.
The hand yanked hard.
I was pulled through the window. Lost my balance. Hit the floor hard.
Pain shot through my shoulder.
I rolled. Came up in a crouch.
The room was bigger than I'd thought. Four men. Plus Victoria still tied to the chair.
The man in the suit looked down at me. His expression didn't change.
"Well." He tilted his head slightly. "Another little mouse wandering into our trap."
He smiled.
It didn't reach his eyes.
"Tonight just got more interesting."