Chapter 3: Looking For Her
1002 Words
-Ronan-
The vampires took her, they said, I mused. That meant some highborn definitely had her stashed away somewhere. I couldn’t believe a lowborn would ever be trusted with her whereabouts. Luckily, I knew exactly who to go to.
I stepped out of my car, the sun stinging my eyes and burning any skin my clothes didn’t cover. Still, as a hybrid, I could move about during the day. Ignoring the pain, I walked up to the large house and knocked. A lowborn servant opened the door, quickly stepping back to avoid the sunlight. I didn’t wait for an invitation. I simply entered and let her close the door behind me.
“Where is he?” I asked.
“In his bedroom, my king,” she replied.
I climbed to the top floor, refusing to be polite and knock. Derrick must have heard me coming anyway. He stood by one of the windows, dark curtains drawn, a drink in each hand.
“What do I owe the visit?” Derrick asked.
“Cut the crap,” I snapped, walking over to him. I grabbed the drink from his hand, downed it in one go, and then set the glass on a nearby coffee table.
He only smiled, keeping up the act he’d perfected over the years. “I hope you’ll be a little more specific,” he said smoothly.
“Where is she?” I demanded.
His smile grew smug. “Who?”
“Don’t play with me right now! First, I learned today that both councils have been keeping secrets from me. Then I found out that a hybrid female might actually exist. And finally, I discovered that not one but two of my closest friends already knew about her. Care to explain yourself?”
“Well, I never liked Colum,” he admitted and took a seat by the huge seating area in his room.
I followed him and sat on another couch opposite him. Derrick wore only a pair of pants, as if he’d hurried out of bed.
“Don’t play with me. Not now. Not when I’m close to ripping heads from necks,” I growled, my voice low.
He finally seemed to understand he was on thin ice. “We were just keeping her safe,” he said defensively.
“Really? From the wolves?” I asked.
“They weren’t treating her properly.”
Anger coiled in me. My ancient instincts hated hearing that. Even though I had yet to meet her, I was already becoming protective. St*pid hybrid nature, I thought.
“Then I sure hope you are!” I growled.
However, he didn’t seem so sure.
“Derrick!”
“She likes to run,” he revealed. “We have had to... keep her in check.”
My hands curled into fists in front of me. “Where is she?” I demanded, the ground shaking beneath our feet from the power in my voice.
“In a safe place,” he replied.
“Safe,” I spat.
He shrugged as if he felt no remorse.
“Tell me it wasn’t your idea to take her away from the wolves!” I said, my voice strained.
“I offered my support,” he admitted, but held up his hand. “But I didn’t touch her.”
I shook my head, anger rising within me again. “I will beat the living sh*t out of you and Colum!” I told him harshly. “Now tell me where the f*ck she is!”
“Not here.”
“You don’t f*cking say!” I growled. “Where?”
“Your family’s old estate.”
“You mean the place that only has a dungeon left?”
He glanced to the side.
“You really put her in that f*cking dungeon?” I yelled, rising from my seat.
“It was the most secure place.”
“Is she alone there?” I demanded, ignoring his comment.
“We have people watching her,” he informed me.
“Watching her? Not taking care of her?”
“I told you, she likes to run!”
“Of course she does!” I shouted, beginning to pace. I ran a hand through my short hair, unsure what to think. It felt like my world had been flipped upside down, and the worst part was… I really wanted to see this hybrid.
“I’m going to find her,” I said firmly.
“Of course,” Derrick agreed, making no attempt to stop me. “But before you go…”
“What now?” I snapped.
He rose to his feet, lifting one hand to show he wasn’t looking for a fight. “She’s a bit of a wild one,” he warned.
“What?” I asked, confused.
“She already bit a chunk of someone’s arm off.”
“Well, if someone tried to lock me up, I would be biting too.”
He shook his head, as if trying to tell me I wasn’t grasping his point.
“She knows why we took her,” he continued.
“So?” I pressed.
“I’m sure you understand,” he said, guiding me.
It took a moment, but then it hit me why he was warning me. I rubbed my eyes, already feeling drained.
“Just don’t expect much warmth from her.”
A low, mocking laugh escaped me before I turned back to my friend. “I wasn’t.”
He nodded, and I began to walk away. “Good. Then I guess you only have to worry about the mate thing.”
His words made me freeze. I glanced over my shoulder. “The mate thing?”
“You do know there’s a possibility she might be your second chance, right?”
Fury exploded inside me. I stepped forward and grabbed Derrick by the throat, making him choke, but he didn’t fight back.
“There is only one for me!” I snarled.
- Writer
