Chapter 5
Sadie | Edinburgh, present day
Hester and Floss stare at me blankly when I tell them that Elliott is alive and we’re going to rescue him. Or maybe it’s because I called them ‘bitches’. It’s a figure of speech. They’ll get over it. Damian just looks blank because he doesn’t get anything. He’s a liability.
‘So let me get this straight,’ says Hester. ‘You want us to go on a wild goose chase based on the fact that you’ve heard buzzing?’
‘The buzzing is Elliott trying to contact me,’ I explain through gritted teeth. ‘He’s letting me know he’s alive.’
‘How come you can’t talk to each other telepathically?
’ asks Damian, sounding interested. Do I deign to reply to him?
Floss is giving me the evils, so I’d better.
I need her help as she’s the one with the blood bond with Alexander.
And for moral support, since we’ve been friends for over a century.
I trust her like a sister, though I probably don’t give that impression.
I know I’ve been acting cold and heartless to her about Damian, but it’s only because I don’t want to see her get hurt.
And as far as I know, he hasn’t agreed to being turned yet.
He’s liable to fuck off and leave her like men do in my experience.
I’ve always had a niggling fear that if I hadn’t compelled Elliott to do my bidding for all these years, he would have left me long ago.
I shrug. ‘I don’t know. It’s always been that way with us. I can compel him, but I can’t read his mind or project my thoughts to him. But at least we know Alexander’s keeping him alive. For now.’
‘What about trying hypnosis?’ suggests Damian. ‘I know it sounds a bit woo-woo, but with your heightened perceptions, you might be able to pick up on something. I did a self-hypnosis course last year to help with my anxiety, so I’m happy to put you under and supervise. It’s quite safe.’
‘That’s a great idea!’ says Floss, looking at him fondly. ‘You’re so clever.’ She squeezes his arm, and he gives her a quick kiss on the lips.
I’m annoyed at them having a PDA in front of me when I’m obviously distressed, but I have no better ideas. ‘OK, Doctor, you’re on. But I’m warning you, my mind is difficult to control when it comes to the power of suggestion.’
I tip the mug to my lips and swallow the rest of the blood to bolster my strength. And to satiate my appetite so I don’t accidentally bite him when I’m unconscious.
***
‘Listen to my voice,’ intones Damian. ‘Your eyelids are starting to feel heavier.’
I crack open an eye from where I’m lying on the couch and look at him sitting beside me. ‘Seriously?’
‘Just try it, Sadie,’ pleads Floss, hovering behind him. ‘Do you want Elliott back or not?’
I snap my eye shut and try to relax, but my nerves feel like wire bands criss-crossing my body. But as he continues talking to me in a bland monotone, my fists unclench, and my shoulders lower from around my ears.
‘Good, Sadie, very good,’ Damian murmurs soothingly. ‘Allow yourself to yield, just for a bit, and think of Elliott. His face, his smell, his jokes ...’
A smile flits across my lips. He’s so funny, and he smells so good. ‘Imagine that he’s here with you now, and he’s holding your hand.’
My eyelids flutter, and my fingers curl instinctively. Elliott’s hands are warm and strong.
‘Now I’m going to count backwards from ten, and with each number, you’ll feel even more relaxed. Ten, nine ... Sinking deeper ... eight, seven ...’
At that point, I seem to drift off. Then I hear Damian’s voice loud and clear. ‘How are you, Sadie?’
‘Good,’ I mumble.
‘What do you feel?’
‘A slight rocking motion.’
‘Excellent. Can you see anything?’
‘No, it’s ... it’s cramped and dark. And there’s something pressing against my face.’ I stiffen slightly.
‘That’s OK, just relax. You’re safe and in control.’ Damian’s deep voice infiltrates the space. ‘Tell me what you can hear.’
‘A muffled thumping noise. It sounds like a drumbeat. Now there’s talking, like a radio announcer.’
‘Good, that’s very good, Sadie. Can you hear what they’re saying? Try and focus.’
I struggle to hear. ‘No, it’s too muffed. But—’ Two words suddenly jump out at me clearly: ‘Tay FM’.
When I open my eyes, Damian is smiling at me, and Hester and Floss are excitedly scrolling on their iPhones.
‘What happened? Did it work?’
‘I think you managed to connect with Elliott—’ begins Damian.
Hester interrupts excitedly. ‘You heard Alexander listening to Tay FM in the car. It’s a local Perth radio station, so he must be up that way. He’s driving north, to the Highlands.’
‘That motherfucker!’ I growl. ‘If he touches a hair on Elliott’s head, he’ll have me to answer to.’