The Witch's Heart (The Rise of Orion Book 2)

by J. M. Davies

  “It’s beautiful, Isabella. Thank you.”

  She blinked back tears. Ella hadn’t really had a girlfriend before and, studying Isabella’s wide green eyes, acknowledged how much her friendship meant despite having been sent to befriend her. In many ways, they were alike—both guarded and unwilling to trust others.

  “What happened with Jake the other day?” she whispered.

  “What usually happens when men find out about Roman.”

  Ella nodded in understanding, imagining how anyone would be put off by such an intimidating character, but Jake was like Marcus. He didn’t lose interest easily.

  “I get it but he,” she nodded in Jake’s direction, “has real feelings for you.”

  Isabella sat back. “It doesn’t matter—it’s better this way. You’re lucky. You and Marcus are the same and yet different. Jake would never be able to accept the real me twenty-four seven—my family, my heritage, and the baggage that comes with that. It would never work between us. And anyway, my sisters would forbid it.”

  Once before, Ella had sensed a terrible sadness about her friend and considering her emerald eyes, the secrets she held were buried there.

  “Surely, your sisters want you to be happy?”

  Isabella turned, hiding Jake from her vision. “Like I said, you’re lucky you get to choose for love. My fate is sealed. Otherwise, I risk offending a prince. Roman isn’t just a vampire. He’s the leader of his people and the line of friendship between our races is a fine one. The balance can be broken at any time. I’m a peace offering. One that isn’t of my choosing, but nonetheless, I’m responsible for this mess as I broke the rule of our people.”

  In all the time they had talked, Ella hadn’t learned very much of Isabella’s background. She believed her friend didn’t talk about her family and her life for a good reason. She hoped that one day she would let her in and had never wanted to pry, but now, she wished she could help in some way. She lifted her friend’s hand. “What rule?”

  “I put myself at risk. I risked exposing my kind, by trying to save a human child. It was a situation my kind deemed an unnecessary intervention. Anyway, I failed, but in that moment, I was vulnerable. Roman found me. Saved me. I can’t go into all the details now—we haven’t got time and we should be focused on what we’re about to do.” Isabella heaved out her short tale and she knew there was more.

  Ella wanted to ask the several questions that percolated in her head, but to press her now wouldn’t be a good idea for either of them. Her friend was right. Marcus took the exit off the highway; they would be at the facility soon. Ella lifted the crystal and kissed it. The butterflies from earlier vanished; in its place, a steel-like resolve burned in her belly. The landscape of residential homes vanished and in its place a long line of trim bushes appeared. They were close.

  “We’re here. I’m dropping off Jake and Isabella. They will hack into the surveillance system and disrupt the live transmission. He will manage your tactical movements from there on in. Be ready,” Marcus said to the team through the headset as he pulled over.

  “Shadow, I will stop the live footage ten minutes into play and then the show begins. I will guide you through the building to ensure you head in the right direction. Isabella is going to disarm the alarm system and I will show you which exits and entrances you can use. I’m getting a visual now of your positions and all your GPS tags are lit, which is good. Stay alert. The plan is to switch off the live broadcast for twenty-five minutes. That should give you enough time to get in and out. So early in the morning, hopefully, the guards will be half asleep,” said Jake.

  Ella pulled her jacket closer.

  Marcus turned around to face her. “Okay, this is it. If you set yourselves up just inside the woods, you’ll get the cover you need away from any cameras but you’ll be close enough to run the operation.”

  Isabella bent forward and kissed her on the cheek; as she gripped both her shoulders, a sudden fear gripped her.

  “Be careful.”

  The beautiful witch gave a wide smirk. “I always am.”

  Jake and Isabella exited the car and Ella slipped into the passenger seat. She watched as her friends set off in the darkness, their outlines absorbed into the inky blackness of the woods.

  “Are you ready?” Marcus’s voice was soft but steady.

  “Yes.”

  He put the gearshift into drive and moved away from the curb. She let her mind wander to thoughts of Nate. A short while later, they reached a turning point on the right side of the road. Ahead was a six-foot red brick wall and the first security checkpoint. A tall man dressed in a military uniform was visible through the window of the small waiting room. He stepped outside as they pulled into position alongside him. The stern-looking man with a buzz cut approached the car. Marcus lowered the window as the guard stepped closer to inspect the vehicle, walking from the front down toward the back. He signaled for him to open the trunk, which Marcus did, and the soldier lifted the door to search inside. After a moment, the man closed the trunk and returned to the window to face Marcus.

  “Sir, what is your business here?”

  Marcus pulled out the security identification paperwork confirming who they were and showed him their FBI badges.

  “I’m here to interview Professor Cohen for an active case we’re involved in.”

  The young soldier studied the photographs, flicking his gaze over at the two of them and back at the information. He stepped back and fed the paper through a machine to scan it and check the identification details. The moment of truth arrived. Would they get through? The seconds ticked and Ella stared ahead, not willing to risk losing her calm sensation by looking at the soldier with his weapon holstered and on display at his waist.

  “All set, sir. Drive up to the main entrance and park on the left side. Someone will greet you at the entrance.”

  Everything happened quickly. Marcus parked the Humvee with the altered license plates in the allotted position and they exited the car to make their way to the entrance. At the glass entryway, a pair of heavyset, suited men greeted them. The blond man with classical and clean-looking features took their paperwork and scanned it on the computer just inside at the front desk. The darker man with ink crawling up his neck glanced at their FBI badges before he handed them back. Ella fixed her eyes on the computer screen as it swirled through myriad faces and again her heart thudded in her chest. A moment later, their faces appeared and the blond guard passed the paperwork back.

  “I’ll take you straight to the laboratory to see Professor Cohen. Follow me.”

  Ella slid a glance over at Marcus, but he looked focused on the man ahead, not meeting her eyes.

  Stay alert, Ella. That was too easy.

  Hearing him inside her head on this occasion helped reassure her and confirmed they were both thinking the same thing. They walked over a sea of glossy cream granite floor tiles, past the mahogany wall panels toward a black round table with an enormous crystal vase and blood-red roses set upon it. The entire reception area reeked of luxury and wealth. They were led to two elevator doors and a shiver raced down her spine. The building was eerily quiet aside for the tapping their footsteps made. The men positioned themselves, one in front and one behind. The first guard pressed the button to call for the elevator.

  “Do you normally get visitors this early in the morning?” Ella asked. She couldn’t help herself. The silence made her skin itch with nervous tension, and she played with her pendant, willing it to help her.

  “You would be surprised. Normally, however, we have more notice than this,” the man behind her said.

  She turned to examine his face and caught him checking her out. His gaze rested on her bottom and rose to meet her eyes. Ella smiled at him sweetly. Flirting with the guard was part of the plan. She wet her lips as the guard continued to appraise her body, and ground her teeth as his explicit thoughts of what he wanted to do to her filtered into her brain, making her cheeks flush. An impulse to slap his fac
e rose.

  Ella, don’t react—stay calm. I’m here.

  Marcus growled inside her head, showing his own reaction to the man’s thoughts. Turning her back on the guard, she unbuttoned her white shirt a little lower to expose her cleavage more, knowing it would help distract him.

  Ella.

  I can handle myself, Marcus. I’m just trying to unbalance and distract him.

  You’re doing that, all right!

  The elevator arrived and they stepped inside. Ella stood at the back with Marcus to her left side and the guards on either side of the door. The elevator descended and the blond guard gazed over at her breasts just as the lights flickered and the lift shuddered to a stop.

  “What the fuck,” the guard shouted.

  After a moment, the lift moved and the lights came back on.

  He doesn’t like confined spaces. That was Isabella disarming the alarms; she said it may cause some electrical loss of power.

  They’re concerned about the power outage. Time for the show.

  “God, even now, you can’t help yourself, can you?” Marcus shouted at Ella.

  “What the hell do you mean? I’m not the one who has sex with every woman they ever laid eyes on,” she spat back at him.

  Both guards stared at them. The elevator rattled and stopped as they reached the bottom. Ella smiled at the blond guard and he gave a wide smile back.

  “Anyway, why do you care? We’re not married anymore, so get over it. You will never be able to touch me again.” She ran her hand over her exposed skin above her lace bra.

  They had rehearsed the argument over and over, but performing it before two strangers who looked confused and pissed off added to the performance. The doors opened and the guards exited but the blond one waited for Ella, holding the doors as she passed through.

  “As if I would want you when you flaunt yourself the way you do to anyone with eyes and a dick. I knew this was a mistake. I’m asking Henderson to transfer you as soon as we return. I’m not taking this shit anymore. You’re like a bitch in heat wherever we go. I don’t need you for this stay here,” Marcus bit out, stomping after the guard down the corridor.

  The lights flickered again and dimmed. Ella sniffed and put her hand on her shirt, but the guard stepped into her shadow and placed his hand over hers.

  “Don’t. He’s an ass. Why don’t we let them carry on and we can pass the time here? I can find us somewhere dark and quiet where I can give you what you crave.” He leaned into her body and pressed his aroused manhood into her belly.

  She swallowed and stared down the now empty corridor and up at the large man who pushed her hand away and started to unbutton the rest of her shirt. His blue eyes glinted with silver and the corners of his mouth lifted into a wide smile. Ella knew his excitement wasn’t going to stop and he wasn’t looking to take her anywhere private. He would carry out his intentions right here.

  Marcus, where the hell are you?

  There was no response. Sizing up the man, who cupped his hand around her breast and squeezed, she knew he was heavier and stronger than she was. If she kicked out, she assessed the man would fight back and win hands down. This could get out of control quickly if Marcus didn’t surface. The guard pushed her back against the wall and tugged her shirt out.

  “No need to rush. I thought you said somewhere private…”

  Before she could finish, he kissed her and squeezed her breast roughly. Outrage poured through her; she lifted her knee and slammed it into his crotch. The man cried out and released her. She pushed away from the wall and darted away, but he grabbed her hair and pulled her back to face him.

  “You bitch. If you think you can tease me and walk away, you’re mistaken.” He raised his hand to hit her, but she jerked back and struggled to free herself. His hand gripped her hair and tilted her head at an angle. Burning pain seared in her scalp, and she lashed out with her hands. Before she could sink her teeth into his arm, the bull of a man let go of his hold on her and was hoisted away from her. His body flew several feet down the corridor, where he slammed into a wall and dropped to the floor, unconscious. Re-buttoning her shirt, she dashed over to help Marcus secure the guard. They taped his mouth and secured his hands before dragging him into a side room to hide him.

  Ella settled her erratic breathing and wiped her mouth with her hand. She fought for control as bile rose in her mouth.

  “I’m sorry. I was longer than I thought. It took me awhile to find an unlocked room to stash him. Are you okay?” He cupped her face and ran his gaze over her.

  She nodded as she readjusted her hair to restore some order.

  I’m fine now.

  Ella tapped her earbud to allow the team to know they were free of the guards. They charged down the corridor, taking a right and then a left.

  “Jake, are you there?” Marcus said.

  “Yes, boss. Keep going straight. You’re about two hundred meters from the laboratory. I can confirm there are several staff in the holding facility where the babies are. The professor is there. Shadow, Bear, Payday, and Preacher Boy will be there in three minutes. Isabella has switched off the alarms and the live feed has stopped. You have fifteen minutes.”

  “Copy that,” Marcus said.

  Ella charged down, taking the turns needed as Jake navigated their way to their destination. Signs also aided their search and moments later, they stood outside two locked doors that led into the laboratory and their child. Ella stared at the electronic keypad. It was all that stood between her and her baby. Her stomach clenched and she froze. She couldn’t move.

  “Ella, come on. Now isn’t the time to fall apart. Jake, can you unlock the door? We’re right outside. Jake?”

  “Confirmed, the door is open, boss. Two minutes to the troops arriving, boss.”

  Marcus swung his gaze at Ella; she drew in a deep breath and pushed the door in a tentative action. The door yielded and moved a fraction. With that, she pushed harder and they both slipped inside. The room they entered looked like a typical laboratory, with long workstations and stools positioned in front of monitors, computers, and microscopes. There were three tall steel refrigerators and sinks in the rectangular room. White cupboards filled the walls and wire shelves with trays of medical supplies were stacked in immaculate order. Staring right at them was a large glass window that overlooked a bigger complex. The warehouse she had visualized in her dream. They were in the right place. The moment of truth.

  The room beyond held the babies.

  They approached as close as they dared without being spotted by anyone and scanned the area for the professor. Ella glanced at the door that led inside, and next to it was a rack of scrubs. Instantly, she dashed and grabbed one of the outfits. She tore off her jacket and donned the blue uniform over her clothes.

  “Relax, Ella. Slow and steady. Remember, you’re supposed to be there. Deep breath.”

  This part was hers alone. Marcus was the support and the backup. She was going inside and would make her way around while trying to connect with Nate. Marcus would wait for the boys and seize the professor. Once dressed and with her surgical mask covering her mouth and nose, she stood next to the doorway and pushed her palm flat against the white frame. She clipped her identity badge on the pocket and pushed the door, walking in with a determined tread. No one glanced her way. The warmth of the room comforted her. The steady hum and buzz of the machines made her focus on each tiny detail as she swept her gaze around the entire facility. Staff focused on their tasks. She counted seven people dressed in identical garb to her, but she blew out short breaths, keen to place the professor. Her heart flip-flopped inside her ribs.

  Where the hell is he?

  Stay calm, Ella.

  She proceeded down the rows, aiming to focus her wandering mind on thoughts of Nate, but her hands started to shake.

  I can’t do this.

  Yes, you can.

  Staring ahead, the edges of equipment and machines blurred and became fuzzy. She shook her head a
nd dipped it low, not wanting to draw attention to herself. The sharp edges of the room softened. As she continued to walk, the bright light from the maximum-watt bulbs above dimmed to a shadowy inky darkness. Voices echoed and surrounded her. Cries beckoned. Baby cries. She darted her head around but the warehouse vanished; she wandered into a dark void of nothing.

  Ella.

  A chorus of female voices called to her and her body snapped to attention. Flashes of familiar faces swam in and out of her line of vision like the ghosts they were. Motherly, curvy Gwen. Beautiful, innocent Isabel. Baby Meg, and regal Lady Elizabeth Dempsey. Each vision whispered the same mantra over and over.

  He’s your baby.

  He cries for you.

  Listen.

  His eyes tell your story.

  You will be a wonderful mother.

  Each woman called her name and flew around her, guiding her path and leading her. She trusted the women whose bodies she had once lived inside, letting their words bathe her in a renewed confidence and strength.

  We will always be here for you, Ella.

  You are the light and hope of each of us.

  The darkness lifted and the warehouse appeared with crystal clarity. In a short space of time, she had moved across the large warehouse to the end of a row next to a baby of around two months old. Her heartbeat catapulted and her body burned. A soft whimper teased her senses. She stepped closer and closer toward the cot until her hand touched the ridge at the top. She bit her lower lip and held her breath as she studied the infant that lay with its wide blue eyes open. The chubby baby, with its button nose, wide, glossy rosebud lips, and soft white-blonde waves tuned into her. For a second, it seemed the room around her dimmed. An energy held her. She couldn’t move and as she stared deeper into the baby’s eyes, the faces of Gwen and the other women flickered there.

  Nate.

  A well of tears surfaced.

  Ella, we’re coming in. Have you found him?