She unconsciously crossed her hands over her abdomen. No matter what she had to face, she would protect her child with her life.
Sandy touched the side of Amy’s head, eliciting a hiss of pain from her.
“I’ll need to bandage that,” Sandy insisted in a low tone. “Stay put. I’ll be right back.” With that, she spun on her heel and marched out.
Left alone in the small room, Amy stood and gazed around her. She squinted against the brightness of the light, blinking to try to clear her vision.
There were pictures on the wall. Of what, she had no clue. But they were there.
A colorful globe of sorts rested in the center of the ceiling. It has to be a light fixture.
Amy then turned to take in the bed behind her. Pink. The comforter was pink.
And then it hit her. She was in Sandy’s room.
But why would Sandy have a room with no windows, no mirrors?
The sound of footsteps sent Amy back to the bed. She quickly sat a second before the door swung open.
Purple blouse, white shorts. It was definitely Sandy. And she’d come alone.
It took everything Amy had to keep her gaze trained on the wall in front of her. She wanted to look at Sandy so badly she could taste it.
“This is going to sting,” Sandy confessed, dabbing something cold against the side of Amy’s head.
Amy flinched but otherwise held perfectly still while the other woman cleaned her wound. “Why are you doing this?”
Sandy paused briefly before resuming the task at hand. “So it won’t get infected. Why do you think?”
“No,” Amy countered softly, hoping Sandy would slip up and say something she could use to escape. “I mean this. Keeping a prisoner in your home.”
“I’m not keeping you prisoner. Matt is.” Sandy pressed a bit too hard on Amy’s wound.
The fact that she referred to Kerik by Matt, told Amy that she had a personal relationship with him. “But you’re helping him, which makes you an accessory to kidnapping.”
“I didn’t kidnap anyone!” Sandy snapped, covering Amy’s wound with a bandage. “Now, stop talking before you piss him off again. He’s liable to cut your throat next time.”
Amy thought about Sandy’s words. Why would the other woman care if Kerik cut her throat?
She chanced a look up at Sandy, noticing she had long, red hair. Her features were blurred, but the color of her lips could be seen—the same dark tint as her hair. “You love him.”
For the life of her, Amy would never know what possessed her to say such a thing. It had just slipped out before she could stop it.
“Yes,” Sandy answered, shocking Amy even more. “He wasn’t always this way. Not until…”
“Until the Bracadytes killed his father,” Amy finished for her.
Sandy remained quiet for a moment. “Yes. After his father died, Matt resorted to drinking. A lot. He—”
“Are you going to stay in there all day?” Kerik shouted from the other room.
Sandy quickly straightened before Amy grabbed on to her hand. “Help me get out of here, Sandy. Please, I—”
Yanking free of Amy’s hold, Sandy hissed in a low voice, “Don’t pretend to know me, princess. You have no idea what I’ve been through.” With that, she left the room.
Chapter Fifteen
Zaureth waited until Vickers parked the SUV in the hospital parking garage before unfolding his long frame from the vehicle.
Hauke, Pyre, Zyen, and Vaulcron followed suit.
Vickers shut his door and met them in front of the SUV. “We’re taking the stairs.”
That made sense to Zaureth. He recalled riding the elevator at Oz’s hotel, and how many stops it made before it reached his floor. Yeah, the elevator would be too risky.
Sending Vickers a nod, Zaureth waved him forward and then followed him into the stairwell.
The six of them practically ran up four flights of stairs.
Although Vickers wasn’t as tall as a Bracadyte and obviously not as big, he held his own, keeping up without so much as a sweat droplet visible.
They reached the fourth floor, coming to a stop when Vickers rested a finger against his lips and peeked out into the hall.
He turned back to face the five Bracadytes staring intently at him. “We can’t risk all of us being seen. I’ll take Zaureth in. The rest of you, please stay here.”
Zaureth glanced at his brothers before sending Vickers a nod and then followed him into the hall.
They moved quickly and quietly until Vickers stopped outside a door on the left. He eased it open, poked his head inside, and then backed up to allow Zaureth entrance. “I’ll watch the door. You’ve got two minutes.”
“That is all I will need.” He slipped silently inside.
The sounds of machines beeping seemed overly loud in the otherwise quiet room.
Zaureth made his way to the nurse’s bedside, his gaze going to the bandage on her neck.
“I am sorry,” he whispered, lifting his hands to rest them on either side of her head.
The nurse’s last memories came alive in Zaureth’s mind. “Thank you, Deidra.” An older woman wearing a white coat, handed Deidra some papers. “Will you help Miss Brighton get dressed?”
“Yes, Dr. Lynnville. Does she know about her condition?”
Dr. Lynnville smiled. “That she’s pregnant? Yes. I told her.”
The room tilted beneath Zaureth’s feet. He couldn’t have heard correctly.
“I’m prescribing her some prenatal vitamins to begin taking once we get her settled into the hospital.”
He had heard right. Amy carried his child.
A lone tear leaked from the corner of Zaureth’s eye. He was going to be a father. His heart swelled with pride and a dozen other emotions he couldn’t contain.
Another tear slipped free.
Zaureth wondered why they’d been about to move Amy to the hospital, when the nurse’s memories shifted to something dark.
Her heart rate kicked up, and her eyes darted back and forth behind her closed lids.
Two men entered a room that Deidra stood in with Amy. The nurse opened her mouth to warn Amy when the man in front buried a blade in her neck.
Zaureth watched helplessly through Deidra’s memories as the second man darted across the room and hit his precious Amy on the back of her head with the butt of his gun.
She crumpled in the man’s arms seconds before Deidra lost consciousness.
Zaureth pulled back, his mind a mass of fury and pain. He would take great pleasure in destroying the human male who’d dared to hurt his mate.
He stared down into the nurse’s pale and drawn face. “I will kill the one who did this to you as well, Deidra. I vow it.”
With that, Zaureth dragged his palms down to the female’s neck, pouring enormous amounts of healing energy into her being.
Her eyes fluttered open. She watched him as if in a daze. “Am I dead?”
Though her voice had been the barest of whispers, Zaureth understood her perfectly.
He shook his head. “You are not dead, Deidra. You will live a long, healthy life. Thank you for your kindness to my mate.”
Without another word, he turned and left her room.
“Let us go,” he informed Vickers, stepping out into the hall.
Vickers didn’t question him about what had happened in that hospital room, and for that, Zaureth was grateful.
They entered the stairwell where the others waited. Zaureth met Hauke’s gaze, speaking telepathically to prevent Vickers from hearing. “I saw the faces of the land walkers who took my mate.”
Hauke nodded once, clapping Zaureth on the shoulder. “We will find her, my friend.”
Vickers led the way down the stairs, speaking over his shoulder as he went. “So, what’s the plan?”
“I do not know,” Zaureth quietly answered, his heart still sick from what he’d seen in Deidra’s memories. “But I will do whatever it takes to get my mat
e back.”
They made it to the vehicle, everyone filing back inside, and Vickers started the engine. He hesitated before putting the SUV in reverse. “I have an idea.”
Glancing back at Vaulcron, Vickers asked, “Doesn’t your…um…wife have connections with the local television station?”
Vaulcron nodded. “She does.”
Zaureth shifted his gaze between the two. “What is this idea?”
Turning back to face Zaureth, Vickers shrugged. “If we can get his wife to call in a favor, maybe we can get you on television. With any luck, Kerik will be watching. Or someone near to him.”
Hope flared to life inside Zaureth. “I will demand he trade her for me.”
Vickers ran a hand down his face. “We need a plan. You can’t very well just hand yourself over to him. Your entire race would be at risk.”
“My entire race would give their lives for my mate,” Zaureth snarled, envisioning Amy lying helpless in her captor’s arms after being struck on the head.
Vickers made an expert turn on the street beyond. “Easy, big guy. I’m on your side here.”
Zaureth blew out a breath and turned to stare out the window. “Just get me back as quickly as possible. I want this done before nightfall.”
Chapter Sixteen
Amy lay on her side, her gaze fixed on the door across the room. It had been hours since Sandy’s abrupt departure, with no signs of life coming from the other room.
Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since earlier that morning, nor had Sandy taken her for a bathroom break.
She wondered what time it was, or how long she’d been a prisoner, for that matter.
Her thoughts drifted to Zaureth. The fighting in Aukrabah had ended, and according to Kerik, he still lived.
Enormous relief accompanied that revelation. Zaureth had survived the war.
She took a shuddering breath and opened her mind. “Zaureth?”
“Amy!” came the immediate response. A myriad of emotions flew through their connection. Relief, love, excitement, worry, grief, fear. “Are you injured?”
“No, my love. I’m not injured. I’m so very happy to hear that you survived the war. I wouldn’t have been able to cope if I’d lost you. Did we lose many lives?”
Zaureth paused. “You have been taken captive, yet you worry about the others?”
“They’re my people too, Zaureth. They mean the world to me.”
“We will talk about the war at a later date, little one. Tell me where you are, so that I might come and get you.”
Amy thought about the location where Kerik held her. “I don’t know where they’re holding me. It’s Matt Kerik. That’s all I know.”
“I am aware of who took you, my love. I need you to hold on for me. I will be there soon.”
And she believed him. If anyone could rescue her from Kerik’s control, it was Zaureth. “I have something to tell you.”
“You are with child,” Zaureth sent back, agony and excitement accompanying his words.
Shocked, Amy mentally whispered, “You knew?”
“I recently learned the news from a human nurse named Deidra.”
“Deidra is alive?” Amy’s heart nearly burst from relief.
“She is. I cannot tell you how happy I am that we have created a child together. I will not allow anything to happen to you or the babe. I vow it!”
Amy took a calming breath. “I have something else to tell you. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I can see.”
Zaureth’s confusion flew through their connection. “I do not understand?”
“It started with a pain behind my eyes like an electric shock. Flashes of light would follow after it. But then today… Today, I can see colors and shapes. It’s not clear, but it’s enough that I’ll be able to take care of our child.”
“How is it possible?” Zaureth breathed, in a whirlwind of emotion.
“I don’t know, unless the baby is somehow responsible. It’s the only explanation I can think of.”
“Show me,” Zaureth whispered.
Amy opened further to him, gazing around the room to allow him an insight into what she saw.
She could feel the tears he attempted to hold back.
“My love.” He paused before trying again. “I have no words. This truly is a miracle.”
“It is,” Amy gushed, fighting her own tears.
Footsteps could be heard approaching. “Someone’s coming, Zaureth.”
A growl reverberated through their connection. “Do not shut me out. No matter what happens, I have to see.”
“I love you, Zaureth.”
The door opened before she heard his reply.
Sandy stepped into the room, carrying something in her arms. “I brought you some food.”
Amy sat up, moving her legs to sit on the side of the bed. She tried to keep her gaze straight ahead, while still giving Zaureth a view of what went on. “How long do I have to stay here?”
“I don’t know.” Something sounded off in Sandy’s voice.
Amy attempted to draw her into a conversation. With any luck, Zaureth would learn something helpful. “Can you at least tell me where we are? I mean, it’s not like I can tell anyone.”
Sandy continued moving about, setting up Amy’s eating area. “It doesn’t matter where you are. You’re not going to be here much longer anyway.”
Amy felt more than heard Zaureth’s growl. “Ask her what she means by that.”
“What do you mean I won’t be here much longer? Is Kerik planning on letting me go?”
Sandy sighed rather loudly. “You sure do ask a lot of questions.”
“I’m sorry, Sandy. It’s just that I have a lot of time to think, locked away in this room.”
Taking Amy by the hand, Sandy led her over to the chair with the TV tray. “All I know is you’ll be moved to a more secure location. Now, eat. I don’t know how long it’ll be before you’ll get to eat again.”
Amy’s heart stuttered. The implications of Sandy’s words terrified her. “Please, Sandy. You have to help me. He’s planning on killing me, isn’t he?”
Sandy placed a fork in Amy’s hand. “I don’t know what his plans are. I only know that he’s leaving here tomorrow, and he’s taking you with him. Now, eat.”
“Will you be going with us?”
“I don’t know.” Spinning around, Sandy marched out, closing the door behind her. The sound of a lock engaging echoed through the otherwise quiet room.
“He’s moving me, Zaureth,” Amy mentally rushed out the second Sandy disappeared. “I have to do something!”
Zaureth instantly replied. “Do not fight him. I will find you. No matter where he takes you. You have to believe that.”
She wanted to believe that more than anything. “How are you going to do that when I don’t even know where he’s holding me?”
“I have a plan. Please trust in me, my mate. I will save you and our babe.”
“I do trust you, Zaureth, with my life…our lives.”
Zaureth’s helpless anger at the situation instantly bled through. “I must go make preparations to find you. I will not be far, my mate. All you need do is keep our connection open.”
“Keeps yours open to me also,” Amy sent back, attempting to keep her composure. The last thing she wanted was for Zaureth to witness her fall apart. She couldn’t do that to him. She wouldn’t.
Gripping her fork tightly, Amy began to eat the food that had been placed in front of her. The thought had crossed her mind, as it had before, that Kerik could have poisoned the food. But it left as quickly as it came. No, he wouldn’t kill her until he had what he really wanted… Zaureth.
* * * *
After finishing her meal, Amy tucked the fork inside her sock. She prayed that Sandy wouldn’t notice it missing. God only knew what they’d do to her if she were caught with a weapon.
She sat on the chair in front of the TV tray and raised her gaze to the picture on th
e wall across from her.
A small gasp escaped her. The image had become clearer, more details beginning to shine through. Her vision seemed to be improving by the hour.
On trembling legs, Amy stood and trailed across the room. She lifted a hand toward the image, only to realize it was a painting.
She moved in closer, noticing a signature in the bottom right corner. But Amy could only read Braille; she’d never known the shapes of letters.
Squinting her eyes, she attempted to memorize the scrawled words to show Zaureth.
“Zaureth?”
“I see it, my love. It says Sandy Gardner.
Sandy Gardner, Amy thought. So, Sandy had painted the picture.
“You did amazing,” Zaureth continued. “I still cannot believe you have sight.”
“Me neither. I can’t wait to be in your arms again and look my fill of you.”
Sandy stepped back into the room, pulling Amy back to the situation at hand.
Amy turned slowly the same way she would without her sight. “Who’s there?”
Odd that she could see Sandy’s features a bit better than before. The woman was actually attractive from what Amy could see.
“It’s me. I’ve come for your tray.”
Amy held her breath as Sandy gathered up her tray and moved toward the door.
“Wait.” Pretending to stare at a place about a foot to Sandy’s left, Amy murmured, “I need to use the restroom.”
Sandy adjusted the empty tray in her arms. “I forgot to ask you earlier. There’s been a lot going on.”
Setting the tray on the bedside table, Sandy strode forward and took hold of Amy’s elbow. “Try to keep quiet. Matt’s in one of his moods.”
That was an odd thing for her to say, Amy silently admitted, allowing the other woman to guide her out the door and to the left.
Once inside the small bathroom, Amy bashfully asked, “Would you mind if I had some privacy?”
As if understanding, Sandy released Amy’s elbow. “I’ll be right outside. Don’t lock the door or try anything if you want to survive through the night.”
“I won’t,” Amy promised, keeping her gaze fixated on a certain place on the wall.
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