Cain's Identity(90)

It was the only lead they had. Faye was still not responding to his telepathic calls and he had to assume that she was still unconscious from Wesley’s potion, though it was strange that the witch’s punch was having such a lasting effect. With the defanged vampires the potion hadn’t lasted longer than fifteen minutes. The thought that Abel had more than just knocked her out made a chill creep into Cain’s bones. He didn’t want to think of what Abel could have done to her.
“Let’s make this quick.”
It took twenty minutes before two dark SUVs headed into the bayous. One of them carried Cain, John, Wesley, and Eddie. Gabriel, Blake, and Haven rode in the other. Thomas and Maya stayed back in the palace to maintain order and control.
“Has Thomas started grilling the guard who indicated to the Mississippians that the two defanged vampires were in the kitchen?” Cain now asked.
Eddie nodded. “He’s just started.”
“What will that serve?” Wesley asked.
John, his entire body coiled with anxiety, answered in Cain’s stead, “I’ve always suspected that Lee is loyal to Abel. Most likely he was told to give David and Kathryn’s hiding place away to cause trouble. In fact, Abel only invited the Mississippian as a diversion.” He sought eye contact with Cain. “And to make sure he can claim the throne as soon as you were dead.”
Cain nodded, immediately understanding what John alluded to. “If he could blame the Mississippians for my assassination, there would be outright war, and he would become king instantly without having to wait out the mourning period once more.”
Wesley whistled through his teeth. “Nice brother you have.”
“We can’t choose family,” Cain agreed. “But we can choose our friends.”
“How many more guards do you think are on Abel’s side?” Wesley, who drove, asked.
Cain shrugged. “Hard to say. Simon for sure, but he’s dead. He was the one on duty in the cellblock when Abel came for me and Robert. But when we escaped through the tunnels, Abel must have realized that he had to cover his tracks and couldn’t rely on Simon not giving him up to save his own life. So he killed him.”
“Lee’s a coward,” John added. “He’ll give up whoever else is loyal to Abel. We’ll clean house when we get back.”
Cain nodded to John. “I should have never doubted you.”
A sad smile crossed John’s face. “You had every right to. I was compromised. I understand now why the leader of the king’s guard should never have a family. Why he should—”
“Don’t,” Cain interrupted. “Everybody has a right to happiness. I’m not going to deny you yours. I want you to remain the leader of my king’s guard. And my decision stands. I’ll do away with the old rules.” Lots of things would change in his kingdom soon. Just as soon as he had Faye back. Because, without her, he couldn’t go on.
There was silence in the car for a while and all Cain could hear was the engine, the breathing of his friends, and his own heartbeat.
“We’re almost there,” Wesley announced and pointed to the GPS in the car. “There’s a bend in a few hundred yards. We’ll have to park here, otherwise we’ll risk getting seen from the hut.”
“Pull over here,” Cain instructed.
The moment the car stopped, Cain opened the door and jumped out. His friends followed him. Behind them, the second SUV came to a stop. Gabriel, Haven, and Blake got out.
“This it?” Gabriel asked, pulling his gun from the holster.
Wesley pointed to a spot in the distance. “The hut must be about five, six hundred yards past that bend.”
“I suggest we split up. Gabriel, take Haven and Wesley and approach from the back. Make sure nobody escapes that way. John, Eddie, and I will take the front.”
“What about me?” Blake asked.
“I need you to stay with the cars and alert us if Abel is approaching. His red Ferrari is hard to miss. Have you programmed in all our phone numbers as a group?”
Blake nodded. “Any text message will go to all of you simultaneously.”
“Good, let’s do it. And I want Baltimore alive. He’s no good to us dead. Is that clear?”
All nodded in silence.
With John and Eddie by his side, Cain cut through the thicket, avoiding the dirt road that led up to the hut. He treaded carefully, deftly avoiding any broken branches that might make noise that could be heard in the rickety shack just becoming visible through the trees. It was no larger than five by five yards, with a roof that probably leaked and a door that could be kicked in by a five-year-old.