Chapter 32

 

“Max? Can you hear me?”

The soft voice drifted into the darkness. Max groaned quietly. She had been floating in the darkness, plagued by neither pain nor bad dreams, and as her head began to throb with a nauseating pain, she tried to sink back into the black.

“Max? Squeeze my hand.”

She ignored the voice. Her entire head was throbbing now, the pain pulsing out from her eyes in slow waves, and she was terrified of how it would feel if she allowed herself to fully wake. She wanted to drift forever, she wanted to –

“Mama.”

It was Violet’s voice, full of fear and misery, and with a low groan Max forced herself to wake fully. The pain clawed at her face and she made a harsh cry of fear.

“Max, it’s alright”

“Bree?” She whispered hoarsely.

“Aye. I’m here.”

She opened her eyes and felt panic blossom in her chest when the darkness didn’t disappear. She blinked rapidly, each movement of her eyelids felt like razors scraping across her eyes, and when nothing happened she moaned loudly in panic.

“Bree! Bree, I cannot see! What’s wrong with me? What’s happening?”

The power surged within her and she struggled to control it as she heard the jagged cough of breaking glass.

“Max! Stop!”

There was panic in Bree’s voice and it drove Max’s fear higher. The chair she was sitting on began to shake beneath her and she tried to move her hands, her heart thrumming like a frightened bird when she realized she was tied down.

“Bree! What’s happening?” She cried out.

“Calm down, Max! Please!” Bree shouted. “Violet is in the room. You must calm down!”

Max took breath after breath, ignoring the pain and the fear, and concentrated on the rhythm of her breathing. After five minutes, she raised her head.

“Violet?”

“Mama.”

She heard Bree make a soft grunt and then Violet was sitting on her lap, her small hands patting her face anxiously, and Max couldn’t stop the tears from sliding down her cheeks. It made her eyes burn even more and she bit back her groan of pain.

“Hello, baby.” She tried to smile and Violet made a soft whimper before kissing her cheek.

“Bad man, mama. Bad man.”

She buried her head into Max’s chest as Bree squeezed Max’s leg. “Do you remember what happened?”

“No. Violet was having a nap and I was tired so I laid down for a bit. That’s the last thing I remember. What is happening, Bree? Why – why can I not see?”

Bree squeezed her hand again. “Ryker used pine nettle syrup to blind you. He and Emmett have – have taken over the house. Ryker returned with a group of Lycans and they used silver collars to capture James and the others. They are holding them in the barn.”

“Nicky? Is Nicky okay?” Max asked anxiously.

“I believe so. I have not seen them. Emmett and Ryker took mama to the barn with the others. Leta and Nina are locked in another room.”

“Emmett wants Leta’s powers.” Max whispered.

“Aye, and yours as well, I would imagine.” Bree replied.

“This is all my fault.” Max said miserably. “I knew that Emmett was a monster and I should have told Nicky but I could not. There was a part of me that thought maybe Emmett really was trying to change, and I wanted that for Nina and for Nicky.”

“This isn’t your fault, Max.” Bree said immediately before stroking Max’s hair. “How is the pain?”

“It’s bad.” Max admitted. “I can hardly think past it.”

“I’m sorry.” Bree said softly.

“We need to get out of here.” Max replied.

“Aye, we do.” Bree sighed. “Max, can you use your powers to defeat Emmett and the others?”

“I cannot see.” Max snapped at her. “How can I use them to defeat an enemy I cannot see?”

Bree didn’t reply and Max slumped against the chair. She kissed the top of Violet’s head. “I am sorry, Bree.”

“It’s alright, my love.” Bree replied soothingly. “What if I described it to you? If I told you what was happening could you perhaps use them to…”

She trailed off and Max shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“Let’s try.” Bree stood and moved behind Max. “There is a nightstand to your left next to the bed. Can you move it?”

Max turned her head and tried to picture the nightstand in her mind. After a moment, the power hummed within her and, focusing past the pain roaring through her face and head, she tried to move the nightstand.

There was a loud bang and the sound of glass breaking and Violet cried out loudly before clinging tightly to Max. Bree stroked the little girl’s hair.

“It’s okay, my love.”

“What happened? Did it move?” Max asked hoarsely.

“No.” There was disappointment in Bree’s voice. “The mirror fell off the wall.”

Max rested her face against Violet’s soft hair. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.” Bree stroked her short hair again. “Try and get some rest, Max.”

* * *

 

“Wake up, Nina.”

Nina’s eyes popped open and she stared at Leta. The young girl was leaning over her and stroking her forehead. Kala was hovering nervously beside her, her tiny face pinched with worry.

“Hi, Nina.” Leta said sadly.

“Hi, Leta.”

Nina sat up and looked around as Kala landed on her shoulder and kissed her cheek repeatedly.

“Nina.” She spoke softly and stroked Nina’s hair.

“I’m alright, Kala.” They were in her bedroom and she quickly got off the bed and hurried to the door.

“It’s locked.” Leta called after her. “And there is a Lycan standing outside.”

Nina buried her face in her hands as Leta patted her back. “I’m so sorry, Leta.”

“What for? It’s not your fault your papa is a – a bastard.”

The little girl covered her mouth with her hands and gave Nina a sheepish look. “Do not tell papa I swore.”

“I won’t.” Nina gave her a small smile. “Where are the others?”

“Papa and Nicky and the other Lycans are in the barn.” She gave Nina a sick look. “They hurt Kaden. He was bleeding very badly. I need to get to the barn and help him.”

“He’ll be alright.” Nina tried to give her a reassuring smile. “What about Max?”

“I don’t know. Your papa has mama and Bree, and Ryker was carrying Violet. I don’t know what they did to Max. Do you – do you think they killed her?” Leta’s eyes were welling up with tears. “She would have used her powers by now if they hadn’t.”

Nina shook her head. The little girl had voiced the fear in her heart and she tried to shake off the paralyzing panic that was threatening to take over. “I am sure they did not. Daddy wants her power like he wants yours. I am sure of it.”

Leta started to cry and Nina hugged her tightly. “It will be okay, Leta. We will rescue the others.”

Leta frowned up at her. “How? I’m only a little girl and you’re just a human.”

Nina moved to the bed and crouched beside it. She reached under the bed and drew out a sword. “I have this.”

“You’re not good enough yet. You’ve only been training for a little while.” Leta said anxiously. “There are too many Lycans.”

Nina stared out the window of her bedroom. “We are not far from the barn. The sun is starting to set. When it’s dark, I will sneak over there and release your father and the others.” She spoke quietly, glancing at the closed door of the bedroom.

Leta took her hand. “I’m going with you.”

“No, Leta. It is – “

“I am!” The little girl insisted. “I won’t stay here by myself. Please don’t make me.”

“Alright.” Nina hugged her tightly. “We go together.”

* * *

 

Emmett raised his glass of wine to Ryker. “To success and the beginning of a new world.”

Ryker stared moodily into the fire. “We have not succeeded yet, Emmett. If you believe that Max will simply use her powers to do your bidding, you’re a fool.”

“Watch your tongue, Ryker!” Emmett snapped. “Remember who you work for.”

Ryker didn’t reply and Emmett took a drink of wine. “It may take some time but Max will do exactly what I tell her to do. I have her daughter and the Lycan she loves, remember?”

“Aye, I remember.”

“Tomorrow when the Lycan’s slaves return, we will kill them all. They’re not needed and it will show the others what I am capable of.” Emmett said thoughtfully.

“You should kill the Lord Williams and the others as well. They are too dangerous to keep alive.” Ryker replied.

“We will keep them alive for a while longer. Leta will be more inclined to help us if we have her family to use against her.”

“We don’t need all of them. Keep her mother and the other Red alive and kill the rest.” Ryker persisted. “You’re only asking for trouble by keeping them alive.”

“I heard you the first time, Ryker.” Emmett said tightly.

“And what of Nina and the Red’s mate?” Ryker asked.

“She carries the Red’s pup in her belly. We will keep her alive. If the pup she carries has healing powers, it will come in useful.”

“And Nina?”

“What about her?” Emmett said impatiently. “She is a useless, scared little mouse. I will allow her to live as long as she obeys me. If she does not, I will do what I should have done years ago and abandon her in the outskirts.”

There was a knock on the door and a Lycan entered the room. “Lord McKenzie, may I speak with you?”

“Aye. What is your name?” Emmett replied.

“Bran, my lord.”

“What is it, Bran?”

“Ranan seeks revenge.”

Emmett frowned at Ryker. “What is he talking about?”

“The Red killed a Lycan and took Ranan’s ear.” Ryker replied.

“The Lycan she killed was Ranan’s brother. He wants his revenge.” Bran said gravely.

“Does he?” Emmett answered. “And does this Ranan know that I am the one in charge?”

“Aye. But there are many of us and only two of you.”

“Are you threatening me, Bran?” Emmett asked thoughtfully.

“No, my lord. Only stating the facts. Ranan wants revenge and we believe he should have it.”

Emmett smiled. “Does he want me to lop of the Red’s ear and give it to him as a gift?”

Bran didn’t return his smile. “No, my lord. He is calling for her death. He wants the Red witch to burn.”

“Very well.” Emmett said suddenly. “Build your wooden stake and tonight we will watch the witch burn.”

Bran nodded. “I will tell Ranan and the others.”

He left the room as Ryker stared at Emmett. “Have you gone mad? She has healing powers. We can use her. Allowing the Lycans to burn her is madness!”

“You forget, Ryker, that we have her daughter. We’ll appease the Lycans need for revenge by burning her alive. Then, we’ll simply have Leta bring her back.” Emmett replied. “Must you question everything I say or do? I grow weary of your constant doubt.”

“Forgive me, Lord Emmett.” Ryker replied stiffly. “Perhaps I do not share your faith that the Lycan brat will be able to bring back a body burned beyond recognition.”

“I guess we’ll find out. It will be a true test of her powers, will it not?” Emmett answered.

“Aye, I suppose it will.”