Chapter 60 Caleb
CALEB
“Lula, he’s exhausted,” Fi says, clearly concerned. “Let him rest.”
I glance over at her and shake my head, which only increases the pounding through my body. “I’m fine.”
We’ve been practising over the past few weeks. At first, I couldn’t channel my emotions at all and grew easily frustrated, but after some persistence and talking myself out of my negative mindset, we finally started to see progress.
When the guards are around, we keep quiet, but as soon as they’re gone, we get to work. It’s the only thing keeping me going, especially not knowing what he’s done to Evan. I pray every night because I don’t know what else to do.
I saw Ryker take his sacrifice for the first time a few weeks ago; now, I’ve seen three. The hollow screams are straight out of my nightmares.
It only made me more determined to keep going, and Lula is the perfect companion. She doesn’t let me give up and encourages me when I’m close to my limit.
For a thirteen-year-old, she’s emotionally intelligent, and definitely sassy when she wants to be. Never did I think I’d have a child boss me around, but it works, so I’m not complaining.
Using my powers hurts like a bitch. My head constantly feels like it’s about to combust, and my brain will squirt out through my ears. Some days, the pain is nearly unbearable, but it doesn’t stop me—even when Fi expresses her worries. The longer we wait around and ponder, the more people will die.
“One more time,” Lula says as she holds up her hand.
After proving we could move her necklace more than once, we knew we had to move on to something that would require more power.
Holding restraint in not hurting her was one thing, but looking at her and trying to grasp onto my hatred for Ryker was hard. How could I when she stared back at me with those big doe eyes? She’s not the enemy.
“Just think I’m Ryker,” she says.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
Her head shakes adamantly. “You won’t. But you will hurt him when the time comes. Remember that.”
I inhale a low breath and focus on her hand. Every memory of Evan comes flooding back. All the words Ryker has taunted me with—the desire to get out of here and wrap my arms around my mate.
I push through the barrier that’s screaming at me to stop, but slowly, one by one, Lula’s fingers start to fold into themselves to create a fist. Her expression lights up as she watches her hand. She attempts to tug against the hold I have her in, but she can’t move her fist an inch.
“You’re doing it,” she exhales. “Caleb, you’re doing it!”
Once I release her, I slump back, done for today.
“You’re getting better,” Lula says encouragingly. “And I know your emotions will come through.”
I swallow around my dry mouth. “He’s had years to perfect his,” I croak.
“Yes,” she sighs. “But that doesn’t mean anything.”
Fi shuffles forward to sit beside us. “It’s all good and well you’re practicing, but how are you going to defeat him when you’re in here? You won’t be able to take all of them and Ryker.”
I glance out of the cells for a moment. “I’m thinking through a plan,” I state. “To figure out when they’re most vulnerable.”
“The sacrifices,” Fi murmurs. “All the attention is on the person getting sacrificed. That’s when they’re most distracted.”
I open my mouth to speak, then pause when I spot Dominic entering, and everyone turns silent. He’s the only guard in here. I watch him before pushing myself up onto wobbly legs. He patrols the long hall before stopping directly in front of our cell.
“Dominic.”
He glares at me. “What do you want?”
“I want to know why you’d stand beside that monster with pride.”
Dominic’s expression wavers for a moment. “You think I’m doing this with pride?” he hisses before straightening himself back out, face blank. “You are not allowed to talk to me, Caleb.”
“This isn’t like you,” I carry on. “I know he’s brainwashed you.”
He steps closer to my cell. “You know nothing.”
“Would you die for that man?”
Dominic’s jaw ticks, but he doesn’t respond.
“No?”
“It’s not as easy as you think.”
“Wes seems like he’s having a blast,” I spit. “Like he was born for this.”
His nostrils flare. “I’m warning you.”
“What…are you going to beat me up? They’ve already done that.”
“Sit back down, Caleb.”
“Or what?”
Dominic huffs in what I presume is frustration—that makes two of us.
“What do you want?”
“I want to get the fuck out of here.”
“I can’t help with that, unfortunately.”
I clench my teeth. “If you want this life, then continue going the way you are, but if you want something different for yourself, when the time arises, you’ll know what to choose. It might be the only opportunity.”
Dominic’s forehead creases. “You’re talking in riddles.”
“And you might not be as stupid as I thought.”
Before he says anything more, I walk away from the cell bars and tuck myself in the corner where Fi and Lula are watching me.
“What the hell was that?” Fi says under her breath.
I shrug. “An attempt to get someone on the inside on our team.”
“That was bad,” Lula blurts. “Like really bad.”
I huff out a laugh before my determined eyes meet hers. “We’ll see.”
The wait for the next sacrifice feels like years. Ryker appears, and everyone is deathly silent. His heels tauntingly click against the floor. Everyone cowers in the back of their cells, not wanting to be seen by him. No one wants to be next.
“Who will be my sacrifice today?”
I lock eyes with Dominic, who averts his gaze within a second.
“Whose blood will I drain?” Ryker flashes his teeth.
The intense fear in the room can be tasted. My spine stiffens when he pauses directly outside of our cell. Ryker turns towards us sharply before peering inside. His eyes flick over me and settle on Fi and Lula behind me.
No.
“I’ve heard you’ve taken a liking to my son,” Ryker says towards Lula, and I tighten my fists.
Lula doesn’t respond, doesn’t move.
“Not sure what there is to like,” he sneers. “He’s worthless.”
Ryker clicks his fingers, and Wes starts to unlock the door. I stand up abruptly, but he shoves me to the side before I can even blink.
“Young blood is always the best,” Ryker purrs in a voice that would make anyone's skin crawl.
Lula pushes herself further into her mother’s arms as they both scream out in protest, but she’s grabbed by two of his guards.
“Don’t, please,” Lula chokes out as she reaches out for Fi.
Ryker holds her face roughly. “Come on, sweet thing,” he says with a feral grin. “It’s time to sacrifice yourself to me.”