29. Chapter 29
29
K ade came alive with a spark of hope. “Yer sure ye didnae mention any of that to her?”
“Keegan, you disappoint me, questioning me like that.”
“Mum, I understand yer sure of yerself, but I still have to question. As I said, I dinnae trust anything right now. Aye, I trust ye, but I have to confirm what yer saying. This means there could be answers out there, someone who has dealt with this before.”
“Sadly, my dear, I think everyone who has dealt with this is dead. But there’s no doubt it’s happened before. It seems a piece of history that’s been kept from our books.”
“Then how to do we find out what’s going on between Kade and me?” Kelly cut in.
“You study and complete your bonding first. Then the two of you can travel the world in search of answers. You’re not safe, not until you’re bonded.”
Frustration began to consume her over the bonding. Why did that change everything, she wondered.
“Because, when ye go through yer bonding, ye lay claim to yer power. Ye show all the idiots out there that ye ken what yer doing by bonding to yer power. All those books ye read dinnae tell ye that there are different levels and types of power for each affinity. Ye can bond to evil, or ye can bond to peace. Ginna willnae tell ye because she cannae legally influence ye in any way; all she can do is teach ye what is right. Everyone else out there wants to bend yer will, yer view of the world, and bond ye to the power that suits their needs.”
Anger flooded her. “So I’m just a pawn?”
“Yes, dear, to them you are a pawn. To us, to this group of Arcane, you are you. We believe you will bond to the power you were meant for. We don’t need to influence you in any way. All we need to do is support you and you will find your way.”
“No pressure.” She chuckled. “So all I have to do is make it years to my bonding, then I’ll be free to explore the world and find out more about what Kade and I share?”
Fabian walked into the kitchen. “I do not think it will be years, Warrior.”
“There you go with your veiled messages again.” Kelly rolled her eyes. “Either way, we’re back to square one. I need to learn more so I can complete my bonding, and Kade and I need to figure out what the fuck is going on between us.”
“It is not veiled. I said I did not think it would be years. That is a simple and factual statement.”
Sometimes, Fabian made her want to scream.
Ginna came in then. “Hey, Rookie, I’m headed out to visit a friend since I have the day off with you. Anything you need while I’m out?”
“Sanity, with a side of patience.”
“I’ll see what I can find. Typically, the only thing everyone offers is diabetes and high blood pressure. I’ll do my best, though.”
“Thanks, Ginna.” Even though they were joking, she meant it. If Ginna could find something to help Kelly, she would.
“No problem. Y’all don’t have too much fun without me!”
Ginna whistled happily as she went out the front door. It made Kelly thankful she’d taken the day off. She clearly wasn’t the only one who needed it.
“Well, I’m going to follow Ginna’s lead and enjoy my day.” Kelly got up and took her plate to the sink. “Siri, thank you so much for sharing what you learned with us, and for being here. It means a lot to me.”
Siri stood and hugged her. “I’m glad I came, dear. You’re ruffling quite a few feathers, something no one has done in centuries. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
—
Kelly passed the day watching movies and reading. Everyone in the house went about their business, making it really hard for her to relax as they all worked and scurried about.
She did take some time to jot down a few ideas for gaining support, just to scratch the itch to solve a problem, but she mainly followed everyone’s orders to relax.
The house was so chaotic that everyone worked through dinner, which was a first since Kelly had joined them. Meals always brought them together to talk about their day and shoot the shit. It concerned her that no one even considered hanging out in the kitchen for dinner. One by one, the habitants of the house came down, grabbed whatever Asta had ordered for them, and disappeared again.
When her favorite romantic comedy ended, Kelly went to the kitchen to grab her food. Asta had ordered her favorite salad, and she sent silent thanks to the marvelous woman. Just as she was about to go back to the couch, she realized Ginna’s name was on the last container of food.
Reaching out to Kade, she asked if he knew when Ginna would be back, but he wasn’t sure.
Something felt off. Ginna didn’t seem the type to stay out all day long to shop or enjoy time to herself.
She pulled her phone from her pocket and sent a quick text to her mentor. “Hey, your food is here. Where are you?”
For good measure, she fired one off to Asta too. “Have you seen Ginna this afternoon? Did she have more to do after her lunch?”
Asta replied right away. “Nope, she hadn’t run anything by me for the day, but I thought she’d be back by now.”
Five minutes, no reply from Ginna.
Kelly sat and tried to eat her salad, but dread began to fill the space her appetite had occupied.
Ten minutes, no reply.
Kade, something’s wrong. Ginna isn’t responding to texts, and she’s not back.
He stopped his work and ran through possibilities in his mind. I’m sure she’s fine, lass.
No, something’s wrong. Did she drive? Can we track the car or her phone?
Frustration seeped through their link from Kade.
I know you think Arcane can take care of yourselves, but just check on her, please.
Kade nodded and sent a message to Connor to track Ginna’s phone.
Eating wasn’t going to happen at that point, so she put her salad in the fridge. Going back over to the couch, she channel-surfed for a few, but nothing seemed interesting.
Kade pushed at her mind, and she opened up to him.
Connor cannae find her phone.
Dread turned to certainty that something was wrong. Ginna wouldn’t completely disable her phone to the point they couldn’t track it.
We have to go find her, Kade. Something’s wrong.
I’m sure there’s an explanation, lass. She is a capable woman.
Frustration consumed her, and she sent all of it at Kade. He recoiled a little, and she almost felt bad for it—almost.
The reality was, she couldn’t go anywhere. At this point she’d likely die in this house, and she sure as hell wouldn’t be able to help Ginna if the woman was in danger.
Shutting off her mind to Kade, she went to their room. Kelly didn’t have her own room for the time being, because Siri had taken hers. Not that she minded shacking up with Kade. It just left her with no privacy in a moment like this.
She grabbed her phone and computer and went into Kade’s room, locking the door behind her. The lock was pointless, but maybe he’d get the message if he tried to open the door.
Ginna hadn’t mentioned where she was going or who she was seeing, which left Kelly without much to go on.
Kelly sat in the middle of the bed and opened her computer. She quickly checked her email and saw that someone had posted a comment on her blog.
It seemed odd. She hadn’t written in a month, and she hardly got blog comments when she did write consistently. A quick click opened the email, then she selected the link for the blog page.
The blog someone had commented on was an old one about child trafficking in big cities. That issue hadn’t been on anyone’s radar in Dallas for over a year. She wondered why anyone would care about it.
Scrolling through the blog brought back memories as innocent faces stared back at her. When she got to the comments section, she stopped. The new comment had been left only fifteen minutes ago.
Such a sad thing to see innocents caught in the crosshairs, huh, Rookie? So glad that old warehouse was shut down.
Holy shit. No one ever called her Rookie, no one but Ginna. This comment was from the people who had her, and they were keeping her in the abandoned warehouse by train tracks downtown.
An ad popped up on the screen. Just as Kelly was about to click the X at the top right corner, Ginna’s face replaced the ad picture. Come alone or she dies! Flashed on the screen in bright red lettering, then the pop-up disappeared.
How in the hell was she going to get out of the house without anyone knowing? There were vampires galore, and Fabian would know when she changed room. Leaving the property would never happen.
Think, Kelly, think.
She needed a distraction and someone to create it. Her friends were limited. She’d been so set on independence and doing things her own way that she’d pushed most people away. There was no way in hell she’d put her father in the middle of all this.
The only person that came to mind was Dom. He’d hate her after this. Hell, he probably already hated her for disappearing from the gym just as the fire alarm was pulled. She hadn’t paid her dues in weeks, and he’d ask about that too. Desperate times, though.
She pulled out her phone and typed his number in for a text. She’d memorized it back when she had a flip phone with a broken phone book. Damn thing would only text; it wouldn’t even work to call. But it had worked to keep in touch with the people who mattered.
Hey Dom, long time no talk. It’s Kelly. Listen, I need a favor, but I can’t call. Are you free tonight?
She tapped the arrow to send it before her conscience told her otherwise. She was going to owe him big time after this, like remodel-his-gym big time—not that she had the money for it. And Kade would absolutely hate Dom’s guts.
Fuck, what am I doing? She thought to herself.
Saving Ginna, that’s what. No doubt these people wanted Kelly, just like everyone else. There was no way in hell she would allow her mentor to be harmed simply because someone wanted Kelly’s powers.
She was strong and capable, and she’d figure shit out. Okay, so these people would take her, and Kade and Fabian would never forgive her, but Ginna would be safe. She’d never bend to someone else’s will, and when she completed her bonding, her power would enable her to escape and come back to everyone.
Deep down, she knew she was lying to herself. No one would suffer for her, though, no matter their title or duty.
Her phone vibrated, and she tapped the text icon. Hey Kelly, I’ve been worried about you. Are you okay? I’m always free for you. What do you need?
Damn it all to hell. Dom was such a nice guy, and she was taking advantage. Closing her eyes, she reminded herself why this had to be done.
Yeah, I’m good, just been really busy with a new gig. I need a bit of a distraction so I can sneak past some people for a story. You down to wreak a little havoc?
Always. How big of a distraction do you need? Name the time and place.
Guilt weighed on her shoulders as she sent the next text. Pretty big. Do you still have that launcher for the M-80 firecrackers? These guys are pretty good, they’ll know you’re coming from a mile away, but noise and threats should draw them your way. Tonight would be good. Around 8:00? It’s the huge house on the northeast corner of Beverly Drive and Eton Avenue in Highland Park. You can’t miss it.
Dang, girl, you’re getting into some serious shit messing around in that neighborhood. I want that beer when all of this is over.
Sure, like she would ever be free within his lifetime for that beer. More guilt.
Sure thing. Thank you, Dom. I owe you.
Someday, Karma was going to kick her ass so hard it’d leave her with a massive scar.
Now she had to figure out how to get out of the house and far enough away before anyone realized what was going on.
The wards on the house shouldn’t hinder her at all, They were meant to keep the bad guys out, not to keep her in, and she’d never noticed any resistance when she’d walked through them before.
The quickest path out would be through the door to Kade’s balcony. It was only on the second level, so it wouldn’t be hard to swing down to the ground. From there, maybe she could get into one of the neighbor’s cars. No one around here locked anything; they felt like their money would protect them. With any luck, she’d be able to find a car with the keys in it. If not, she’d have to hold someone up with her karambits. The thought nearly made her sick, and there was a huge chance one of the vampires would hear her. All she could do at this point was try.
Kelly turned on the TV in Kade’s room so anyone passing by or listening would think she was watching it.She flipped to an action movie, then started gathering a few things. Opening the drawer of her bedside table, she grabbed her karambits and belt and put them on. She put on a tight, long-sleeved shirt under her hoodie and tied her hair back in a bun.
She debated taking her phone and decided against it. If she needed to, she could open the link between her and Kade for help. A cell phone was just one more thing that would end up destroyed.
Kade pushed lightly at her mind, and she took a deep breath before letting him in. She couldn’t think about anything that would happen tonight if this was going to work.
What’s up?
We’ll look for Ginna if she isnae back by noon tomorrow. I’m sure she’s fine. Maybe she decided to spend more time with her friends.
Kelly knew otherwise, but she couldn’t share that with him.
Kade read her nervousness wrong. She’ll be all right, lass. She’s more capable than ye give her credit for.
Yeah, I guess. I’m going to go to bed early and get some extra rest.
Kade felt the lie, but he didn’t press it. He likely thought she was still upset.
I’ll be working late. Sleep well.
She shut her mind to him again and went to lie on the bed. It would be just over thirty minutes before Dom brought harmless chaos to the neighborhood.
Anxiety poked at her mind, begging entry. This plan had to work, or something would happen to Ginna.
She wished her powers were stronger. If she had control of time, she could likely pull this off without anyone’s help. That was something she’d start working on after Ginna was safe, though, no matter who she was working for.
Time ticked by. Just as she was about to start pacing, a loud bang sounded outside. Dom was here.
An idea came to her. Kelly opened and slammed the door to the room. She centered her mind on all the water in the house and flooded the training room. Hopefully, that would make everyone think she was there instead of sneaking out the back.
She heard everyone in the house run to the front to defend it. Another bang sounded followed by the short successive pops of firecrackers.
Tapping into Kade, she listened for the guards. They spoke to each other from different areas in the house, trying to make sure they had all the bases covered.
If she ever made it back, she’d talk to them about securing the asset first and defending it later. Now, she was thankful they assumed she was okay as she quietly opened the door to Kade’s balcony.