A buzzing noise woke me up around 11:00 pm. I opened my eyes when I remembered I’d left my phone on vibrate. Garrett wasn’t in the bed. I vaguely remembered him saying he’d be having a meeting with his nest later. He must be down in the basement. I reached over to the bedside table and fumbled with the lamp switch.
It was Bridgett calling. “Hello? Bridgett?” I asked, yawning.
She sounded excited—tense. “Jackie can you go somewhere private so no one else can hear? I don’t want anyone else listening in.” I told her I’d call her back in two minutes. I got dressed quickly, thinking she may be coming over to the house, upset about something. I went into the bathroom, closed the door and turned on the water to drown out my voice.
I called her back. “Okay, what is it?”
“I have your lovely young sister.” It was Kennet. My stomach clenched up. “If you want her to survive, make sure that no one hears this conversation. Bridgett, say something to Jacqueline.”
I clutched the phone, my fingers turning white, my palms beginning to sweat.
I heard rustling as the phone was passed to Bridgett. “I’m s…sorry.” Her voice was hoarse and her words were mumbled as if she was in pain.
“Bridgett, are you all right?”
“Don’t come.” I heard a thump, then nothing.
“Bridgett!”
“Quiet,” Kennet hissed at me. “She is unconscious. I will do much worse to her if you do not meet me. Come alone, Jacqueline. If you tell anyone, I will kill her in an entertaining way. You will get her body back in pieces.”
“If I do what you say, you might still kill her.” I was starting to tremble. I had to tell Garrett, but then Bridgett would be dead. What the hell was I supposed to do now?
“I swear to you on our future child that I will not touch her again. I will leave her here, perfectly safe, although a bit bruised. When you arrive, I will allow you to call someone to alert them as to where she is. Will you come?” I said nothing. “I will wait another ten seconds, then I will crush her phone and you will have no way of contacting me. She will wish to die before I am finished. I am quite skilled and on occasion even enjoy the experience.”
“Are you going to torture and kill me instead?”
“I desire a child. Harming you in any way that would prevent a pregnancy from occurring would be impractical and fruitless. I will be fair. The way you are treated will depend on your level of cooperation. The ten seconds begin now.”
“I’ll come.” I said, croaking out the words with an enormous effort. I wasn't a martyr. I wasn't a hero. But I couldn't leave her to that monster. I might have gone to Liam, because he’d have the best chance of remaining undetected, but Liam wasn’t home. Maybe Garrett could change into a bird and follow us, but if Kennet saw him... “Tell me where.”
I grabbed a scrap of paper and wrote the location down. I left it on the bed along with a scrawled note to Garrett.
He has Bridgett. I’m going here to meet him and then he’s allowing me to call to say where she is. Please take care of her. I know you and Liam and the team will find me. Garrett, you are my life and my heart is yours forever. I’ll always be with you, no matter what. Jackie
I opened the window and snuck into the woods. He was exactly where he’d said he would be. He told me where Bridgett was and I called Garrett.
“Why are you calling me from upstairs?” He was laughing.
“Je t’aime, mon ange. Bridgett is on the southern hunting trail near the crossroads. Look on my bed. Garrett…”
Kennet grabbed the phone from my hand. “She’s mine now, vampire.” I heard Garrett hiss as Kennet smashed my phone to bits. He wrapped his arms around me and abruptly, we were travelling through the lines. Terrified, I tried to pull up some power to fight him, but my mind was surrounded by darkness and only cold silence followed.