157
Chapter 157
Anna
"What are you talking about?" Duncan asked.
"Duncan, I have to tell you something very important. Please don't hate me " I said,
Duncan's lips thinned and his brows knitted together.
"Are you okay?"
He asked, his eyes filled with worry.
"No," I said, shivering,"
"Then tell me what it is? You're worrying me, Anna."
I played with my thumbs, trying to figure out the best way to tell him
Azeal caught my attention, he was staring at me with a small smile on his face and then he mouthed.
Don't do anything stupid.
"Anna?" Duncan questioned...
"Uh... I'll tell you later."
"Let's welcome, the owner and founder of the iron Vine, Duncan..."
The entire crowd clapped and Duncan sighed.
"Stay here. We'll talk about this when I'm done with my speech."
I nodded. Duncan ran up and a round of applause exploded as he found his way to the podium.
I scanned the party looking for Azeal but he seemed to have disappeared.
"Anna," i felt someone grab my hands.
It was Celia.
"What are you doing here?" I gritted out, glancing at her.
"Relax,"
"Relax? You tried to kill me, you and that bastard Azeal."
"You look very much alive to me,"
I glanced at Duncan on the podium. Heookrf powerful and in his element.
There was an authoritative tone and quality to his voice that captured the entire room into a trance.
"What are you two doing here? How did you even get past the guards.'
"Oh, Anna. We have our ways," she chuckled.
God, I hated this bitch...
"What are you doing here?" I asked again, my first clenching along with my jaw.
"I have to go, Have a fun night, Anna," Celia said and walked off.
I wanted to follow her but I couldn't. Troy was watching me. So instead of following, I watched as she walked towards Azeal who was standing at the far right corner of the room.
I waited, staring at Duncan as he gave his speech. And then from the corner of my eyes noticed Azeal walking out of the hall.
Celia followed shortly after.
Without wasting time, I made my way to the bathroom, knowing Troy would follow me out if I let him
I touched the knife strapped to my thighs and the small pistol that contained four rounds of silver bullets and made my way to the bathroom.
Troy stood at the entrance while I proceeded to lock the bathroom door.
I took out the screw driver from my purse and quickly started to screw the vent cover loose above the sink. My heart thuded in my chest as each turn of the screwdriver echoed too loud in the silence. I slipped the corner off and tossed it gently onto the floor, revealing the narrow crawlspace behind. With one last glance at the door, 8 hoised myself up, legs trembling from adrenaline. The metal bit into my skin, but I didn't stop. I needed answers, and revenge.
Celia and Azeal thought they were clever, but they didn't know I was done playing games. Crawling forward, I gritted my teeth and whispered, "Let's end this."
I jumped down from the Vent onto a bed of grass and groaned at the impact.
I rose, groaning in pain. That was a far jump and it didn't help that I wasn't completely healed.
I glanced around. No guards
That was good. Of course they wouldn't be around the shrubs and gardens.
I turned the corner and came face to face with Azeal.
"You bastard!" I slapped him across the face.
He flinched but said nothing, just sighed.
"How dare you?" I slapped him again.
I was about to slap him the third time when a pair of hands grabbed me from behind.
It was Celia.
"Enough of that princess," she glared at me.
"What are you guys doing here?" I whisper-shouted at them, my eyes blazing with fire
"To finish what we started."
Azeal said but there was no malice in his eyes. Almost a benevolent look graced his face.
"Are you here to kill Duncan?"
"Kill him? No, no, no. On the contrary, I am here to take what belongs to me with him watching helplessly."
He said.
"You're insane. You betrayed me. You have someone else on the inside, don't you? Who is it?" I demanded, trying to struggle out of Celia's hold but I was practically locked in.
"Oh, I can't tell you that, Aviana,"
"Tell her to let go of me," I seethed. I gave you what you wanted and you betrayed me,"
"It's not what it looks like, Anna but Duncan is closing in on us. This is the only way we can take what belongs to us "
"What are you planning?" I yelled.
Azeal sighd. "Release her, Celia,"
"Why?" Celia spat.
"Because we are not here to hurt her, Celia. We are here to save her."
"Save me? You're insane, I should have never made a deal with you."
"In time, you'll understand that you made the right decision."
This had to be some kind of nightmare.
What had I done to deserve this besides what I had actually done.?
I twisted sharply and slammed my elbow into Celia's ribs. She let out a grunt, loosening her grip just enough for me to break free. Without hesitation, I yanked the pistol from my thigh holster and spun around, aiming it straight at her head.
"Move and I'll blow your damn brains out," I hissed, my hands steady and eyes trained on the price.
"And yes, these are silver and iron bullets."
Celia raised her hands slowly, smirking like she didn't believe I'd do it. Azeal stepped back, eyes wide but calm, calculating. He was always calculating.
"Anna, put the gun down. You don't want to kill her,"
"And why the hell wouldn't I want to? She's done nothing but tried to destroy me ever since we met?" I spat.
"Killing her is the only thing I want to do,"
"Anna!" a voice thundered behind me.
I froze.
Duncan.
He stood at the edge of the clearing, eyes darting from me to Azeal and Celia, his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might crack.
"What the hell is going on here?" He thundered and before I could answer.
Azael had moved towards me and grabbed me by the neck, pressing a knife at the base of my throat.
"Hello, Duncan." Azeal said with amusement. Hate to crash your party but we need to talk,"