A Glimmer of Hope (The Avalon Chronicles #1)(31)

“He’s a dangerous man,” Diana said.

“He had thirty-nine people murdered to get to me, so I assume so. He told me that he took some of those working at the depot hostage. Elias said they were kept in the same place where they’d taken me. They’re in danger.”

“We found the car you used to escape. We checked the sat nav system and retraced the route you took last night,” Tommy said. “Several armed agents are currently en route to find where you were kept and deal with any threats found there. Anyone who is there will be freed, you have my word.”

Layla felt like a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She looked between Tommy and Chloe. “I don’t understand why the police aren’t dealing with this.”

Tommy picked up a chair from a small table and placed it next to the bed. “Layla, we know that you went through a terrible ordeal last night. Several hours in their captivity, having to escape, being shot. It’s a lot, but we deal with things the police can’t. And Elias Wells is one of those things. You’ve seen what these people are capable of; the police just aren’t equipped to deal with them like we are. We’re here to make sure Elias is taken down. One way or another. I don’t want to have to sit beside anyone else’s bed telling them what I’m telling you. I don’t want Elias free to hurt anyone else.”

Layla told them all that had happened, but once again left out the blood elves, ogre, and she didn’t mention the spirit scrolls at all. She wasn’t sure exactly how much she could trust Tommy and Diana. Both of them listened intently without ever interrupting. Chloe held Layla’s hand the whole time, which Layla greatly appreciated.

When Layla was finished, Tommy nodded. “Thank you. Is that everything?”

Layla nodded, although she was certain that Tommy wasn’t convinced, but he said nothing about it.

“Thank you for your time,” he said and got to his feet. “You’re going to be staying in hospital for a few days, the gunshot needs to heal, and I’ve made sure to keep security on the door at all times. Diana here is your security.”

Diana winked. “I’ve brought some books to read if you want any, and I’ll be in the hall.”

“What if I just want to go home?” Layla asked.

Tommy paused at the door. “Right now, this is the best place for you. The only people who will come to question you are me and Diana. No one else will come here that you don’t know. The police are not involved in this side of the case, they’re more interested in finding out who killed thirty-nine people last night, and even then that’s only for the public. We’re the ones looking into it, we’re the ones trying to find Elias and anyone he kidnapped.”

“Will you find him?”

Tommy nodded. “Finding him isn’t the trick, it’s getting him without him hurting innocent people. With you here, hopefully he’ll think twice about coming for you, and if he doesn’t, then Diana will be able to persuade him and his people.”

Layla shook her head, no matter how in shape Diana appeared, there was little chance she could go up against the ogre and live. “One of his people is a monster. If it comes here people will get hurt.”

“A monster?” Diana asked with a smile. “We’ll be fine. We’re on the seventh floor of Southampton General Hospital. You’re the only person in a private ward. I will be outside your door for the next two days, and we’ve placed two more guards outside of this room who will check everyone coming and going. Tommy has been doing this an extraordinarily long time, he knows what he’s up against.”

“I doubt that,” Layla said, but both of them were already through the door.

“They seem like they’re good at their jobs,” Chloe said.

“They’re going to get hurt. The thing that came after me . . . it wasn’t . . .” She paused, unsure how to continue.

“Wasn’t what?”

This was it, the part where her friend either believed her or thought she was crazy. “It was an ogre. An actual, ogre.”

For just a split second, Layla was certain she saw fear in her friend’s expression. “I’m sure Tommy and Diana can handle an ogre,” Chloe eventually said.

Layla was certain that Chloe was mocking her. “You don’t believe me.”

“If you say you saw an ogre, then you saw an ogre. Tommy and Diana seem like tough people, I’m certain they can handle anything thrown their way. Why wouldn’t I believe you, Layla? There’s enough weirdness in the world that occasionally you have to take a leap of faith. Besides, something had to attack those people, and I find it more comfortable to think it’s a large monster than just some random nut job human with a gun and knife. Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”

“Because they’d think I’m crazy. Ogres and the like, it’s not exactly believable. It makes me sound like I’ve hit my head a bit too hard. Besides, I don’t know them. I don’t know anything about them.”

Chloe took hold of Layla’s hand and held her gaze. “Never think you’re crazy. If you say there are ogres, there are ogres. That’s all there is to it. I’ll go tell Tommy and Diana what you just told me, and I’ll be right back.”

Chloe left Layla alone for a half hour, until she returned with a smile on her face. “Well, they said thanks for the info.”