Page 114 of A Half-Blood’s Escape
He jumped at the hard tone and really tried thinking about another place she could have gone, but it was clear the panic in him was making it hard.
"Renly!" I growled.
Just then, we heard steps, as if someone was coming closer. We all turned towards the sound, our guns lowered, but ready. I wasn't sure if Arianna had come alone or not. While she wouldn't be such a threat or hard to take down, she might have brought others to have her back, and I wasn't taking any chances.
We continued to wait, our breathing the only sounds besides the steps filling the house, as we stood there in the entrance waiting to see who was coming closer, and then suddenly, from a door in the big staircase leading up to the next floor, Arianna emerged.
She didn't notice us right away, but after closing the door, she turned to us, her eyes growing big, as she saw our little group. She seemed to lose her confidence for a moment, but then put on that well-practiced mask.
"My king," she said politely, before turning to her father. "Father, what are you doing here?"
I could hear a slight shaking to her voice. She knew she was in trouble, and I was going to hurt her really bad if she didn't give me Lara.
"Arianna," Renly said, holding up one hand as if he was trying to calm a wild animal or something like that. "What have you done with her?"
"With whom?" she asked, acting innocently.
"The Queen. Where is she?" he asked.
Chapter 54
-Dominic-
It was surprising to hear Renly acknowledge Lara as my queen, but it seemed like he had learned his lesson or maybe he was just trying to get on my good side. I couldn't tell right now, and it didn't matter, as long as he got his daughter to hand Lara over.
"Father, I really don't—"
"Cut the bullshit!" I snarled. "Where the fuck is Lara?!"
I raised my gun, pointing it at her. She took a small step backwards, clearly afraid now. I could see her father was too.
"I will count to three, Arianna," I said.
Her eyes grew big, and her mask fell a little.
"I will not let you hurt her and if I have to, I will hurt you. Better start making your decision," I warned.
She didn't say anything but glanced at her father.
"One," I said.
She still didn't say anything, and I didn't really plan to shoot her. She was the one who knew where Lara was. I couldn't kill her before she told me where I could find her.
"Two!"
She kept glancing at her father as if he could somehow save her, but there was no way he could. Though it seemed like I played my role very well, because Renly seemed to think I would shoot her too, and when I finally said three, he suddenly jumped towards me.
"No!" he shouted.
He pushed my hands that were holding the gun up, but my finger had been resting on the trigger. So, when he pushed me, I accidentally pressed down on the trigger, and the bullet was released, going towards Arianna. I heard her scream, as Renly and I crashed against the wall beside us. Ace quickly got him off me though, getting him on the ground and pressing his gun to the back of his head. I looked at where Arianna was, but she had disappeared.
"I'm going after her!" I said.
"No!" Aaron said. "Let me. Go search the room she came out of!"
Aaron pointed to where she had appeared, and I nodded. If Lara wasn't in the house, then I hoped Aaron could catch up to Arianna and get her to tell him where she was. I just hoped I wasn't too late no matter what.
We split up, and Aaron disappeared further into the house, while I went for the door. I opened it and noticed a dark staircase. I had no idea where it would lead me, but I didn't think much about it, as I started to descend the stairs. When I came to the end of it, I held my gun tightly in my hands and poked my head into the hallway. It only led one way, and I couldn't see or hear anything. Still, I continued ahead, small lights flickering above my head. This was right out of a damn horror movie! I didn't let it shake me though, and soon I came to a simple wooden door. I placed myself in front of it before I kicked it open, but it led into a simple dark room with nothing inside. I continued to the next door and did the same thing, but still ... nothing.
