Reaching Retribution(65)

Tom stops talking as the door to the ballroom slams open. A man stands directly in the middle of both doors. “I hear I’m needed.”

“Ah, and there he is,” Tom says as he points to the door. Everyone redirects their attention to him as Vincent causally strolls through the room.

“Mother of mmmphhhhmmm—” David covers Emma’s mouth. Who knows what she’s going to say.

“Jumping jellybeans, if Gerald Butler and Joe Manganiello had a love child, it would look like him,” Incendia says. Lily and Natalie both nod their heads without looking away from Vincent.

“Dude, one of your jobs now is being their censors. You gotta be quick,” David says to Bragden while he uncovers his hand from Emma’s mouth, “or they’ll say some crazy stuff.”

“I’m just keeping things interesting,” Incendia says without taking her eyes off of Vincent.

“That’s what I was trying to say,” Emma mumbles, “until this big bully stopped me.” She elbows David in the stomach lightly.

Tom starts cracking up while Vincent moves through the room. He doesn’t stop or look at anyone as he makes his way to us.

“I know I’ve let myself go, but I don’t think it’s that funny,” Vincent says with a smile as he stops in front of Tom.

“It’s good to see you,” Tom says as he gives Vincent a hug.

“If that’s what he looks like when he lets himself go, I can’t imagine what he looked like before,” Emma whispers to Incendia.

“It’s good to see you too. It’s been too long,” Vincent says as he looks behind Tom. He nods at me. “You’ve grown since I saw you last.”

“That’s usually what happens,” I tell him as I reach forward and shake his hand.

“I hear it’s your soulmate we’re going to find.”

“And hers.” I point to Natalie. She gives him a small smile.

“Well, congrats on finding them. We’ll get them back,” Vincent says.

“So when are we doing this?” I know he just got here, but I need to go soon.

Vincent turns to Tom. “Got any more snazzy outfits? I burned all mine.”

“Snazzy,” Emma turns to Incendia. “I like him.”

“Yeah, follow me,” Tom says to Vincent. Turning to the rest of the room, “Do any last minute preparations. We’re going to be leaving soon.”



“Okay, here’s how it’s going to go. Larkin is going to take Vincent out to the compound to show him where to bring everyone. He’ll come back and start bringing everyone there. Don’t attack until you hear my word. We don’t know how to get into the compound or what we’ll find when we get there. I apologize for the uncertainty, but we don’t have a lot to go on. We’ve been there before, but didn’t come across many Gadramicks. This time will be different. We will have to fight,” Tom turns to Larkin. He nods, places a hand on Vincent’s shoulder, and transports out of the room.

“If anyone comes across Zahtri, leave him alone. None of us are strong enough to go against him. Going against him would be a death wish. When we get to the compound, remain low to the ground. With Larkin’s help, Vincent is going to bring us to a spot where we won’t set off the alarms. We should have surprise on our side. We’re going to need that.

“No one attacks without my say. We need to assess the surroundings before storming in. Wait for my word,” Tom repeats right as Larkin and Vincent transport back into the room.

“They’re gathering outside for something. I found an area where we can go without them sensing us, but we have to be quiet. If anyone says anything too loud, they’ll hear us.”

“Why would they be gathering outside?” Natalie asks.

“If my hunch is correct, it has something to do with Zahtri and I can guarantee Ryanne is probably involved somehow.”





Chapter Twenty


“Wake up, darling. It’s time to go,” Zahtri whispers to me. I can hear footsteps walking through the room. My arms and legs weigh a ton and despite my efforts, I can’t move.

I feel my body being lifted off the ground. My head rolls back which jolts me awake. Zahtri is holding me up slightly off the ground. I try to shake the fog out of my brain. When I look at Zahtri, he places me on the ground. Since I hit my head, my equilibrium is off; I sway on my feet a little. He keeps his arms on my shoulder and steadies me. “You know for someone so powerful, you’re pretty fragile.”

“Did you expect that I’d just magically get up after you threw me into a brick wall? I’m still a human, not some crazy superhero.”