Chapter 22 Let's Talk
Elara grabbed Adrian from Betty's arms and ran toward the staff quarters while the alarm continued blaring and smoke rose from the front gates.
"What's happening?" Betty shouted over the noise.
"Someone broke through the perimeter, you guys should get to the safe room now," Elara said, pushing Adrian into Betty's arms again.
"Run to the wast wing basement behind the wine cellar, code is 4793, don't open it for anyone except estate security."
Betty nodded and hurried away with Adrian crying over her shoulder reaching for Elara.
"Mama needs to help," Elara called after him. "Betty will keep you safe baby."
She ran to find Kai who was already at the entrance with Darius and six armed security guards, all of them watching through the windows as an armored vehicle sat smoking in the destroyed gateway.
"How many?" Darius demanded into his radio.
"There are four visible hostiles, possibly more in the vehicle," a guard's voice crackled back.
"And they are all armed with automatic weapons, they're demanding we send out someone named Sera Seahawks."
Elara's blood went cold and Kai turned to look at her.
"This is about you," he said.
"It's about a debt they think I owe," Elara said carefully. "I told you, the man from the borderlands believes my son belongs to him."
"Mandivus Swathi," Darius said. "I had my people research him after your questioning yesterday, he's wanted in three territories for trafficking and extortion."
"And he's here for me," Elara said.
"No one is handing you over," Kai said firmly. "This is Silvercrest territory and we don't negotiate with criminals."
Through the window they watched the armored vehicle's doors open and four men stepped out carrying weapons, and then a fifth figure emerged that made Elara's breathing stop.
Mandivus Swathi himself is out, he's even looking taller and scarrer and radiating the kind of violence that came from years of surviving the borderlands.
"I want to speak with Sera Seahawks," Mandivus's voice boomed across the driveway. "Send her out or we start shooting."
"Lock down all exits," Darius ordered the guards. "No one leaves, no one enters, and call local authorities immediately."
"They won't get here in time," Elara said. "And when Mandivus starts shooting people will die."
"Better than handing you over," Kai said.
"I'm not suggesting you hand me over," Elara said. "I'm suggesting you let me talk to him."
"Absolutely not," both Kai and Darius said simultaneously.
"He wants me, which means I have leverage," Elara said. "Let me negotiate."
"He'll kill you the moment you step outside," Kai said.
"No he won't, he needs me alive or he loses his claim on Adrian," Elara said. "Just let me try."
Kai looked like he wanted to argue but Darius cut him off.
"Give her a wire so we can hear everything," Darius said. "And position snipers on the roof in case this goes wrong."
One of the guards handed Elara a small microphone that clipped inside her shirt collar, and she took a deep breath before walking toward the front doors.
"Stay behind cover," Kai said quietly. "And if anything goes wrong, hit the ground immediately."
Elara nodded and stepped outside onto the entrance steps, keeping her hands visible as Mandivus's men raised their weapons.
"There she is," Mandivus said with a smile that made her skin crawl. "I have been looking for you for two years, Elara."
"That's not my name and you know it," Elara said.
"Oh... I guess the Alpha heir doesn't know your real name yet?" Mandivus asked, his eyes flicking to the mansion behind her. "Does he even know who you really are?"
"What I am is none of your concern," Elara said. "You need to leave Silvercrest territory now."
"I'll leave when you give me what's owed," Mandivus said. "The boy, hand him over and we're done."
"He was never owed to you," Elara said. "That contract was signed under duress."
"A contract is a contract," Mandivus said. "You agreed to mate with me in exchange for protection and medical care, I held up my end."
"You threatened to let me die if I didn't sign," Elara said. "That's coercion, not agreement."
"Prove it," Mandivus challenged. "You have no witnesses, no documentation, just your word against mine."
"I have medical records showing the complications you withheld treatment for," Elara lied, gambling that he didn't know what evidence she actually had.
"I have testimony from the doctor who treated me, and I have recordings of your threats."
Something changed in Mandivus's expression. "You're bluffing."
"Try me," Elara said. "I've spent two years preparing for this moment, you think I didn't collect evidence?"