A Blaze of Sun (A Shade of Vampire #5)(17)
Chapter 9: Emilia
Things weren’t going as planned. I was supposed to capitalize on the connection we had with each other and gain his sympathy and yet, there I was, left hanging as he walked out of the cell, leaving orders to the guards that I was to be brought out of the island as soon as possible.
Now what am I going to do? The plan hinges on me staying here in The Shade. I can’t accomplish my task if I’m not here.
I had to find a way to reach The Sanctuary, the place in the island that housed the witch of The Shade. I was trying to figure out a plan of action when a small, cold breeze began to blow in my ear, carrying with it a message.
“What are you still doing in this dungeon, Emilia? You’re wasting time.”
My father’s chilling voice.
“Forgive me, Master.” My voice cracked and it began to shake as I gave away my excuse. “He is more in love with Sofia than I initially thought…”
“Find a way to gain their trust so that you can roam the island freely, Emilia. Don’t you dare return here unless you have Derek Novak with you.”
I nodded, afraid to speak in case he made it a reason to cause me pain. I backed myself up on my cot until I hit the corner where the stone walls met. I gathered my knees against my chest and shut my eyes. I felt like I was being enveloped in pitch-black darkness, shivering against the cold that came with my father’s presence.
Seemingly satisfied that I’d given him the answer he was waiting for, he disappeared as quickly as he came. I sighed with relief, but found even relief to be quite momentary, because keys began to unlock my cell door and I was about to be escorted out of the island.
I thought about fighting back, knowing that I could take down these guards if I wanted to, but if I wanted Derek’s love, if I wanted his trust, I couldn’t afford to take the risk. I needed to make him see me as a victim, someone he could feel compassion and concern for. I couldn’t do that by exhibiting a display of power.
So I gave in. I followed the guards to the port and played along with the whole charade. By the time the guards left me at a far-off shore, away from the island, I already had a plan on how to get back.
You’re going to be mine, Derek Novak. I am willing to turn the world upside down until you realize that I am the girl who will help you bring our kind to true sanctuary. That’s me. Not any other girl. And definitely not Sofia Claremont.
Chapter 10: Ingrid
I could sense it when Derek walked past my cell. I knew I had to make a move, make a plea, and do something – anything – in order to move forward in the task that was given to me by the fearsome and mysterious presence that visited me in my cell.
So I found myself calling out the young man’s name until he gave me the attention I was looking for. I was relieved when he appeared by the door of my cell.
“What do you want?” His words were dripping with spite, and I couldn’t blame him.
“I want to see my husband.”
He narrowed his eyes, looking straight at me past the bars that kept us apart. “And who exactly is your husband? Is it not Borys? The one Sofia killed?”
The words stung, and I fought the urge to lash out at him for re-opening the wound, but I had to keep it together. The thought of having another visit from the mysterious dark creature was too terrifying. You have to learn to be Camilla. You have to earn their trust. “You know who my husband is, Derek. Please let me see him.”
“Why on earth would I allow that?” Derek grimaced. “You might just end up killing him. Sofia already lost a mother. I can’t risk her losing a father.”
“I’m her mother. She hasn’t lost me yet.”
“Sofia’s mother is Camilla Claremont. She died the moment she turned into Ingrid Maslen. That’s you.”
“Sofia would let me see her father and you know it. Ask her please... I’ll do anything… I want to see my husband and child.”
Derek squared his shoulders and began studying me, perhaps wondering if I was actually being sincere. He seemed to be entertaining the thought of giving in to my request but then he suddenly hesitated. “What makes you even think that Aiden would want to see you? Or Sofia for that matter… After everything you’ve done…”
“You of all people should know what it feels like to want to be given another chance, Derek. You’ve had your share of regrets, your own dance with the dark side. Sofia forgave you. Why wouldn’t she be able to forgive me? I’m still her mother. And Aiden… I still have hope that he could find it in his heart to love me.”
Even as I said the words, I was swallowing back the urge to vomit. I hated Sofia for what she did to Borys. And Aiden… as much as I loved him, I had no delusions that he could ever love me back. He loved Sofia too much to ever even entertain it and the idea of going to the lowest lengths in order to woo him back as Camilla made me sick to my stomach.
“What game are you playing, Ingrid?” Derek seemed unconvinced. Even I couldn’t believe the crap that was coming out of my mouth.
“I’m not playing games, Derek. Just please… ask Sofia. She’ll understand. She’ll listen…”
“If you do anything to hurt Sofia or even Aiden, I swear, Ingrid…”
“Save the threats, Derek. Really… Ask yourself what else you can do to me that you haven’t already done? I have nothing left for you to take. Except maybe my life and that’s something I would willingly lose. After all, what do I have to live for? After losing Borys, the only family I have left is Aiden and Sofia. If they don’t take me back, then perhaps you’re right. It’s better for me to die.”
Bella Forrest's Books
- Thin Lines (The Child Thief #3)
- The Girl Who Dared to Endure (The Girl Who Dared #6)
- A Den of Tricks (A Shade of Vampire #54)
- Hotbloods (Hotbloods #1)
- The Secret of Spellshadow Manor (The Secret of Spellshadow Manor #1)
- The Gender War (The Gender Game #4)
- The Gender Plan (The Gender Game #6)
- The Gender Fall (The Gender Game #5)
- The Breaker (The Secret of Spellshadow Manor #2)
- A Rip of Realms (A Shade of Vampire #39)