Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(10)

“A fair question,” Sloane reluctantly agreed. “But I am not exactly … prepared to give an answer."

"Then perhaps the Senate should send someone who is prepared, if they expect my blind cooperation?"

“Little Naeemah-ogen.” Jayesh heaved a huge patronizing sigh. “Don't be a naive child. When you have a gift like yours, it should come as no surprise when people decide they are going to use you for it. Get used to it."

"I'm well aware of that eventuality." Sasha gave him her best glare. "I would just like a straight answer about why this has to happen now. I am seventeen years old. I accept the fact that the Senate will probably always have an interest in me and my gifts, but I also expect them to have enough respect for me and my family, who have served them well, to allow me a normal life for just a little while before making demands on my training.”

"Couldn't have said it better myself." Gregg crossed his arms over his chest. "You will answer my daughter."

"Very well." Sloane sat ramrod straight in her chair. "The Senate has decided that you have been lax in your parental duties to your daughter.” She lifted her chin as she met Gregg’s glare. “You've allowed her too much freedom and not enough time to focus on her potential. Under your tutelage, her gift will never be of much use beyond target practice. We want to guide Sasha while this gift is still developing so we can help her shape it into much more than simple accuracy. We will not remove your daughter from your home. As long as you cooperate. But she will complete her training on our terms while she is still young enough to be molded into what we believe she can become."

If looks could kill, Lieutenant Governor Sloane would be nothing more than a pile of ash at Naeemah and Gregg's feet.

"It's okay, Mom. Dad. I think we can all agree that this is bullshit and I shouldn't have to do this. But we all know I can take care of myself. I'll be okay and I'll be home in six weeks." Sasha knew her only recourse at this point was to get this thing done and get back to the business of freeing Quinn. “When do I leave?”

“You have one hour to pack and say your goodbyes,” Jayesh said. “But you will not tell anyone what you’re doing. As far as your family knows, you’re taking a clerical internship with the Senate for the rest of the summer.”

Sasha snorted. There was no way her brothers would buy that. “Fine. I’ll see you in an hour.”

“Jayesh will escort you,” Sloane said.

“No one enters our home at this time,” Naeemah said. “Not even an old and trusted friend.” She cast her eyes up at Jayesh, her gaze speaking volumes.

“We have reached the end of our patience and our hospitality.” Gregg echoed his wife’s decree. “We are governor of our region and we hold a position within the Senate community that demands respect as well as trust. My daughter will return to her room to pack and have a quiet moment to herself. Her sister, Imogen, will accompany her until they both return to this office in one hour. My wife and I will keep you company until then.”

~~~





CHAPTER

FOUR





Quinn: Summer


Atlanta, Georgia


“Quinn.” Livia gave him a curt nod as she marched into the white room with a sour look on her olive face. She was as beautiful as she was terrifying. Her dark hair and high cheekbones hinted at her Arabic roots. Her silvery eyes, cold and unfeeling.

Quinn shook his head, remembering he didn’t have the years of experience with her that he thought he had. He couldn’t let that give him a false sense of confidence. It wasn’t real.

“You’re strong and you’re stubborn, but make no mistake, I will break you.” She sat in the chair opposite him, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s strange, but of all the scenarios Michael put you through, this room affected you the most. You don’t respond to pain. It’s like you expect it.”

“I’m sure whatever else you have up your sleeve will be more of the same.” Quinn sat back and met her piercing gaze. The hard chair against his back lit him on fire. “You will not break me.” His voice wavered as he sat up straighter, the chair sticking to his wounds.

“You’ve either suffered a great deal in your life or you have the self-control and the pain threshold of a man a thousand years old. Which is it?” She leaned in closer, examining him like a bug under a microscope.

Quinn shrugged and gave her an empty look. He’d learned a long time ago that his future depended on his ability to harness his power—to never let it rule him. If Santi was right, Livia would know his secret soon enough. Quinn was an addict and his drug was his power.

Like most young Immortals, Quinn struggled with his gift. But it was different for him. He wanted to lose control. Wanted to let the power fill him until it controlled him. For those like Aidan and Allie, the struggle was simple. Maintain the upper hand. If they didn’t, it meant a long road to recovery. For Quinn, the struggle was denying himself the thing he wanted more than his next breath. The seduction of his power lured him to the edge every time he used his gifts. He knew if he ever crossed that line and drew more power than he could reasonably maintain, the addiction would have him and there would be no coming back. He’d resisted the temptation every day since his first gift emerged.