Page 183 of Eternal Surrender

Aiden’s voice trembled. “We were trying to get it to talk.”

Crowther removed a pistol from his pocket and aimed it directly at Shawn. “Shall I show you what happens when you disobey?”

Aiden flinched. “Dad please.”

The shot rang out and the bullet lodged in Shawn’s chest; he puffed out his cheeks, his face scarlet, his breath gone from him. He fell forward, his face striking the floor⁠—

Dead.

Crowther glared back at Aiden. “Did I make my point?”

Aiden’s stifled moans filled the room.

They dragged me to my feet, and we passed Shawn’s body and headed out and along the corridor. The shock of each arrow coursed through me, the pain of their tug in my flesh blinding my way. We passed door after door, and I sensed other vampires were trapped in those rooms. I was shoved inside a small cell, and the monks bullied me to my knees; the chains dangling around me, all strength to fight my way out of them gone.

Crowther appeared in the doorway. “You got inside my son’s mind.”

“Your son needed no encouragement,” I said.

Peering over his spectacles, Crowther said, “You’re damned.”

“You just shot a boy in cold blood.” Struggling to break free, I cursed my inability to read his thoughts.

“Imagine what I’m going to do to you.” He knelt before me. “During the Second World War, Bodiam’s dungeons were adapted as a secret bunker. We’ve updated them since. Reinforced the walls. It’s sound tight. Bodiam’s secluded location makes it ideal for our purpose.”

Words failed me, my gut wrenching with regret for failing Lucas, failing Ingrid, failing everyone.

“No one will hear you.” His intensity deepened. “How did you find out about this place?” Crowther yanked on one of the chains.

Sending a jolt of pain into my flesh. “The entire underworld knows about Bodiam,” I bluffed.

Crowther twitched. “It’s lying.”

“My name’s William.” Concentrating hard, I sent a burst of energy straight into his frontal lobe.

Unaffected he said, “Your name is abomination.” Crowther gestured to his men. “We’ll use this one instead.” He rose and headed out.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Chapter Forty-Two

After what must have been the twenty-fourth hour came and went, I struggled to hold onto my aimless thoughts; a stream of internal dialogue that was no longer assuring I’d survive, but had taken on a threatening tone, decimating all hope.

I’d been left alone with nothing but my crazed deliberations and the agony of knowing I’d missed the deadline of meeting Raven at Stonehenge. Although I’d sent mind messages to Lucas, I’d gotten nothing back. The only sounds were the terrified cries of vampires locked up in the other cells.

In between long, chilling silences.

Silver tipped arrows were still embedded, though the shooting pains had lessened; perhaps my flesh was growing used their intrusion.

A part of me felt I deserve this. Maybe, I was the abomination they claimed. I was certainly more complicated than they could ever understand.

A cold dread coiled in my stomach, my heart hammered against my ribs, my hands trembled, my mind raced with panic and fear I could barely contain.

Too fraught to sleep, I waited for Crowther’s men to return.

And eventually they did, dragging me out down endless corridors. I staggered to keep up with their disregarding strides. We entered a large hall.

Roughly, I was secured upon a central table. Taking in the high beamed ceiling, I tried to fathom the mistakes that had brought me here, full of self-hate for delivering myself into their hands.