Nick said, “There’s a storm cellar entrance around back. She might be down there. If not, we can get in and search the house.”
“All right then. Lead the way.”
Nick stepped off the stairs and, at a slow and even pace, headed toward the back of the house. He seemed to be trying to get used to his new self. Everyone stopped in front of the doors. Sophie was continually scanning the area for undeads, or whatever else could possibly pop up. Nothing would have surprised me at that point.
Henry tried to open the doors, but they were latched from the inside. He pounded on the doors. “Mrs. Cooper?! It’s Henry! Are you inside?” He spoke in his American accent so as to not confuse my mother if she was down there. When I heard the latch unlock, my heart raced. My mother was in there! I knew it! I couldn’t wait to see her. I nearly pushed Henry down. The door creaked as it opened an inch at a time.
I gasped when I saw them.
Chapter 18
A
brilliant pair of emerald eyes danced in the darkness of the cellar.
“Back up! Now!” Henry shouted to all of us. Everyone took a couple steps back, except for me. That probably was one of those moments that I should have listened but, of course, I had other plans.
“Mom! Mom, are you in there?” I yelled in desperation.
“Get back!” Henry growled at me, while he yanked me back by my shirt. Henry had his Sig aimed at the eyes. “Come out! Now!”
“I knew you would get here eventually, Liam.” The voice was deep, and rumbled like thunder when he spoke. It made my skin crawl.
“I said, come out now!” Henry growled.
An overgrown gorilla of a man climbed up the stairs and hoisted himself up to the ground with zero effort. Henry still had his Sig trained on him. I scrambled, trying to get to the cellar. I needed to see if my mother was down there.
“Elaina, no!” Nick grabbed me and held me tight with his good arm. “I won’t let you down there.” I struggled with an intensity that only I possessed, but he was much too strong for me, even in his weakened state.
“Nick, take the others to the truck now.” Henry didn’t take his eyes, or his Sig, off the overgrown gorilla. He was standing in front of Henry with his hands on his hips, grinning like an asshole without a care in the world. His clothes were filthy, but he looked strong and healthy. There was certainly no suffering on his part.
“No! No, I have to see.” I began crying. “Please.” I clawed at Nick, begging for him to release me from his unyielding grip.
“Nick, take them now!” Henry had a look about him that I had never seen before. He looked like he was out for blood, and not in the way that he needed to continue living. Thomas voluntarily ran to the truck, and Nick grabbed Claire’s arm and dragged both of us with him.
“Ah, Sophie. You are looking especially delicious, love. Come here so I can feel you next to me again. I have missed your luscious body. I could go for a quick one right now just seeing you. You miss me plunging into your fanny, don’t you?” He winked at her. She didn’t move a muscle, and worked hard not to show her fear.
“Sophie, go! Keep an eye on them.”
“I am not leaving you alone with this piece of shit.”
“I’ve got this. Go. Now.”
“Henry…”
“Go now, goddamn it!” He had never sounded so ferocious. She knew he meant business. The rage burned deep inside of him, and he wanted to make Kellan pay for everything he and the rest of the head-fucks had done to Sophie…for everything they had done to the both of them.
Sophie backed off and headed toward the truck, but she kept Henry in her peripheral vision.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Kellan?”
“On assignment, of course. Why else would I be in this splendid paradise?” They were eyeing one another, neither one giving in. It was nothing but a contest of who was more dominant.
“Where’s Elaina’s mother?”
“Downstairs.” He smirked as he thumbed over his shoulder.
“Is she alive?”
Kellan laughed. “Of course she is. How do you think I’m still moving around so freely?” He rolled his neck, and smirked in a sinister way.
“Go get her.” Henry’s voice was calm, but commanding.
“Well, that might be a problem.”
“Go get her now!” he demanded.
“Well, you see…what happened? Ah, yes. That’s correct.” His sarcastic tone turned explosive. “She’s gagged and tied up! Sound familiar?! I have her tapped. She’s ready for another draw. You needing some?” He stood in front of Henry with his body relaxed, even though there was a gun aimed right between his eyes.