Chapter 24
Twenty-Four
VAUGHN
Imust be the craziest motherfucker on the planet to fall for the enemy’s daughter. It’s not pure lust or a quick infatuation that I’ll forget about tomorrow either. There’s more to my connection to Sophie. It’s strong, and it’s making me risk my life to find out where it will lead.
I have no illusion that my actions will have grave consequences. I doubt the Red Guard will look kindly at me helping Sophie escape, and without any of my friends around to intercede for me, I’d rather not get caught just yet.
“Do you have any idea who that warlock was who helped us escape the dragon shifters?” Sophie asks.
“No.” We’re in the thicker part of the forest, so I have to push branches out of the way.
“Maybe it was Solomon who sent that guy to help us.”
Not likely with him presently in Ellnesari, but she doesn’t know that.
“I doubt it.”
“Then why would the warlock bring us close to Bloodstone?”
The forest begins to thin out, and I see the shape of the institute’s building, but that’s not what gives me pause. There’s someone standing on the path leading to it. “We’re about to find out.”
Sophie grabs my arm, stopping me. “There’s someone there.”
“I know.”
I want to add “don’t worry,” but I can’t really say that with certainty.
Mauricio Libell, King Raphael’s familiar, is the one waiting for us.
The seven-foot-tall male used to be a bear, and he’s equally massive in his human form.
He knows we’re here, so running is pointless.
I keep walking until we break through the forest and into full view.
“You took your time,” he says by way of greeting.
My face becomes hot. Shit. Does he know what Sophie and I were doing before coming here?
“I didn’t realize you were waiting for us.”
“Who are you?” Sophie asks.
Mauricio switches his attention to her. “So you do exist.”
Sophie flexes her hand in mine. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“We’ve heard rumors that Tatiana had birthed a second child. We didn’t know the gender or if it was even true, but looking at you, there’s no doubt.”
“Whoa. You can tell she’s Tatiana’s daughter by simply looking at her?”
He touches his nose. “And by her scent.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” she grits out. “Who are you?”
“Forgive me my manners. My name is Mauricio Libell. I’m King Raphael’s familiar, and here on his behalf.”
Sophie pulls her hand from mine and backs away. “You’re here to take me prisoner.”
“Sophie, wait,” I say.
“That’s not it at all,” Mauricio replies, unfazed.
“Who do you take me for? My father warned me about the usurper king’s treachery.”
“Whatever Jacques told you isn’t the truth,” he says.
I can’t imagine it’s easy for her to accept that everything she’s been told is a lie, even though she knows her father did some shady stuff. Mauricio works for a male Sophie believed her entire life to be the enemy.
“King Raphael isn’t treacherous,” I cut in. “He’s a worthy guy. Don’t you want to know the other side of the story?”
She nibbles on her lower lip, frowning. “Are you here to take me to your king?”
“No, my instructions are different. I’m here to escort you to see your mother.”
SOPHIE
I was ready to bolt, but Mauricio’s words get my undivided attention. How can he take me to see my mother? There’s only one explanation—Queen Tatiana isn’t ill like my father told me. She’s been captured by the usurper king.
“What has he done to her?” I grit out, not hiding my aggression.
Why are you protective of a female who gave you up and not once acknowledged that you were her daughter, Sophie?
“Nothing bad, I promise.”
Footsteps approach from behind, putting me on high alert. Someone else is coming—a vampire male. I pivot on the spot. “This is a trap.”
Vaughn turns as well, and he’s tense too. At least he’s just as surprised as I am.
“This isn’t a trap,” a smooth voice replies before he emerges from the shadows.
A tall male with tanned skin and green eyes materializes in front of us wearing a sharp dark suit that’s at odds with the woodsy area. He looks familiar, but I can’t place him.
“Derek? What are you doing here?” Vaughn asks, relaxing his stance.
“I’m your ride.”
Derek… Where have I heard that name before?
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I say.
Vaughn touches my arm. “It’s all right, Sophie. Derek won’t hurt you.”
His eyes are sincere, but in the short time I’ve spent with Vaughn, I learned he’s naive to a fault.
I look at Derek. “Where are you keeping my mother?”
“She’s in her residence. Didn’t your father tell you when you woke from hibernation?” Derek narrows his eyes, studying me.
“What my father told me is none of your business. I don’t even know who you are.”
“I’m Derek Blackwater, the owner of Havoc. Surely you’ve heard of my club?” The hint of a smile appears on his lips. He’s amused at my expense, and I don’t like it.
“Yes, it was mentioned to me a couple of times. I haven’t visited your establishment yet.”
“I’m not surprised considering your father kept you hidden all these years. I am astonished that he allowed you to live on your own.”
This guy knows too much about my family. I doubt he’s only a club owner. I don’t trust him at all.
“Were you the one who hired the warlock to help us escape Larsson’s crew?” Vaughn asks.
Derek switches his attention to Vaughn, allowing me to breathe more freely without the weight of his scrutinizing stare. It’s almost like he can read my thoughts, but surely that’s impossible.
“Yes, and it wasn’t cheap,” Derek replies. “I don’t know what you two did to piss off Larsson, but I wouldn’t step foot in his territory for a long time, if ever again.”
“We weren’t planning to,” I blurt out, and it’s only when Derek arches a brow and smirks that I realize I said “we” as if Vaughn and I are together.
I feel myself blush, and I’m glad it’s dark. Hopefully, Vaughn doesn’t notice.
“You should go,” Mauricio interjects. “It’s getting late.”
“You’re not coming with us?” Vaughn asks.
“No, I have to smooth things over with Larsson, and I also need to debrief Dean. Neither is happy with you right now.”
Vaughn’s Adam’s apple bobs up and down. “How screwed am I?”
Mauricio pinches his lips together. “To be determined. Tell me, how did you manage to piss off the leader of the Red Guard and the dragon kingpin in the span of an hour?”
Vaughn rubs his arm, grimacing. “I’m that talented.”
The towering familiar shakes his head. “I’ll say. Perhaps King Raphael should use your power of destruction against his enemies.”
Vaughn glances at me with round eyes. “He’s kidding.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“You lot talk too much,” Derek grumbles. “Let’s fucking go already. I have better things to do.”
He walks away, expecting us to follow him, I guess.
Before I do, I stick my tongue out at him.
It’s childish, but it’s the only thing I can do to show my displeasure.
I’m out of juice, and if I try to run away, where would I go?
My apartment’s location is compromised, and I can’t return to my father’s house.
He’d probably lock me in my room and throw away the key.
No, I have to see this through.