Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1)(73)

"I will send Basilisk into the city. He's not military, but he's intelligent and loyal to our family. He can get close to the areas we suspect are Purist strongholds without being noticed." Viper told his father and mother.

"I can go with my mate." Acris suggested bravely.

"No you have been seen with Hope and would be recognized. I want you to stay with Hope's family. Notify me if anything is odd."

"I will join her." Hyla announced surprising Viper. "Don't look so shocked. No one messes with my clan."

"Thank you." Viper nodded grimly

"You know what to watch for?" Adder brushed a hand over Hyla's shoulder.

"I do. Unfortunately this isn't the first time someone's attempted to depose us." She growled.

Viper watched the two females leave then tapped into the comm on his wrist reassigning one of the mercenaries to watch over his mother, Hope's family, and Acris, though he pitied anyone who went up against his mother.

Boaz arrived and Viper apprised him of the situation.

"Don't admit anyone to this room without Adder Rex or my authorization. No one besides Basilisk has permission to leave the colony and I mean NO ONE!"

"What do you plan to do filius?" Adder asked.

"I plan to visit the detained rioters and question them in agonizing detail." Viper snarled his teeth gnashing.

Viper's chest rumbled as he imagined Hope huddled in fear, possibly injured. Till she was found, people would know what it felt like to tremble in abject horror. The depraved renegades would learn the true meaning of pain, and Viper would be their guide.

"Then I will join you." Adder's expression was deadly serious.



Hope

Hope awoke to voices and nearly shot upright. She stopped herself as she recalled what had happened.

"I've been kidnapped!"

She wiggled her fingers and toes. Everything worked. She must've been out for a while.

"I don't see how the female's such a threat. She's so small." Hope heard a male say.

She'd been taken by people that thought she was a threat. That could only mean one thing, one of the Purist groups had her.

A terrible thought came to mind. Hope recalled what Hyla said happened to unsuitable mates. Not that she thought Hyla was behind this. However a creepy cult hate group would have no problem killing her to make way for a potentially more suitable mate for Viper.

"Maybe the Prognatus is a real cunny." Someone said with derision.

Hope flexed her arms to find she wasn't chained. They hadn't even taken the dagger that hung at her neck. She felt the weight of the scabbard between her breasts.

"You gave her too much venom Keelback."

So that was the name of her abductor. Hope needed to remain calm and figure out how to get out of this situation.

"Our contact inside the colony did a good job. Who is it anyway?"

"Keep your mouth shut. The female is awake can't you smell her fear? No doubt she's listening as we speak." The man called Keelback admonished his co-conspirator.

She recognized Keelback's voice, he was the one who took her.

"What does that matter? When Wyvern gets here, he'll take care of her."

Wyvern, that was the name of that insane leader from the largest Purist faction. The way the Anguis man said 'take care of' confirmed Hope's worst fear.

Hope's thoughts went to Viper. They had just gotten things settled between them and she was really looking forward to what the future held. Hope had finally admitted to herself that she was falling in love with Viper and he'd admitted as much to her. They were taking a leap of faith together. This couldn't be how things ended for them.

There was no way she was going to let some racist assholes tear them apart!

"I've got to get the fuck out of here." Hope reeled as sweat dripped down her forehead.

Hope watched Keelback warily as he approached. She scrambled back on the sofa, her gaze darting to the other two men in the room.

"You want some water?" The asshole asked.

As bitter as the taste was in her mouth she refused with a shake of her head. It was probably drugged. If she ever hoped to get out of here she needed to stay alert. She needed to escape before the Purist leader arrived with any other racist assholes he might have with him.

"We've seen the vid, so tell us how does a little thing like you dominate our Prognatus." The shorter one asked.

"Great! Of course they saw that damn video." Hope groaned inwardly.

"She's too scared to talk to you." Keelback, replied to the other male.

Hope was afraid, but Viper would come for her. They thought Viper was weak. He'd show them who was weak!

It sounded like the men wouldn't kill her before Wyvern arrived. If that was indeed their plan. She prayed an opportunity would present itself to escape or Viper would find her before she could find out.