An Unwavering Promise--Completed

Chapter Eleven

Eleanor’s POV

Grumbling the entire way, I was both annoyed and glad we brought Candy and Berty along. However, I wasn’t happy that they had veered off from their original course. We had planned a spot where we’d all meet after 30 minutes, and it had been over the time limit, yet they weren’t there. I looked around the surrounding area and still couldn’t find them. I tried calling them on their phones several times, and finally, after a few more minutes of waiting, Berty picked up.

“Where are you?” I shouted immediately into the receiver.

“We got a little side-tracked,” he replied in his smooth voice.

Irritation seeped into my tone. “I thought you promised not to do that anymore.”

“I’m sorry. Truly. We’re sorry. I suppose old habits die hard. You can’t really expect us to change in one go, now can you?”

“Save your excuses. Just meet me here at the gazebo, like we decided on,” I snapped.

I then unceremoniously hung up on him, which I regretted a moment later. I was taking my frustration from Alexander on Berty, and he didn’t deserve that. I would apologize as soon as I could. Thankfully, it didn’t take the two long to make their way back to me. I didn’t even want to know what they were doing, as they looked more refreshed than when we started. Both looked rather sheepish and guilty.

“We’re sorry,” Candy gushed.

But I held a hand up to stop her. “No, I’m sorry. Alex pissed me off, and I let that dictate my interaction with Berty, and let myself get mad at you guys. I’m sorry for not handling my temper.”

Seeming taken aback, Berty offered me a nod and smile. “I accept your apology and offer our own for not sticking to our own commitment. We will do better next time.”

Using my head to gesture back towards the house, I said, “Come on. We have a lot to tell you. I’m mad at Alex because he knows our little orc friend. He knows her a little too well.”

Candy chuckled. “Oh, this ought to be fun.”

We made our way back to the house, careful to avoid street lamps and any unwelcoming eyes at this late hour. However, once we made it to Brit’s home, it was unavoidably obvious that something was amiss. The door not only had a giant, white ‘X’ on it, but it was also slightly ajar. Taking a deep breath, I silently crept forward and slipped into the house. I didn’t hear or see anything suspicious, so I waved the other two in.

It bothered me that both Brit and Alexander were missing. I didn’t see any signs of a struggle; however, I doubted that they would have left with the door open. Also, Alexander hadn’t told me they were going anywhere, which was a red flag. Reaching out to him, I could still feel the bond, so I attempted to mindlink him, yet I could sense the mental block. Either he didn’t want me to contact him or someone else had blocked me out. The longer I thought about things and glanced around Brit’s home, the more uneasy I became. I didn’t like this feeling one bit.

“Something definitely feels off, but I can’t place my finger on it,” I said to Berty and Candy.

“Yeah,” Candy agreed. “I don’t smell anyone else besides Alexander and the orc.”

“Her name is Brit,” I absently said. “And that’s what worries me. Alex knew I was upset with him, so there's no way he’d just leave without telling me. He wanted to fix things, and this definitely wouldn’t help.”

I hated how it felt like the answer was right in front of me and that I couldn’t see it. What would be so obvious that it had to be the right answer? I needed a clue, something to go on. I needed to find them.

Can you reach Hunter?

No. He has a block up as well, and that’s troublesome. He’s never had a mental block up before.

I frowned to myself. Never? You guys never fight?

Feeling Rae’s mirth, it made me more annoyed. No. We don’t get into petty squabbles like our human counterparts.

That was rude.

But it’s true. It doesn’t answer our conundrum, though. So let’s look around. Alex or Hunter would have left us something. They didn’t leave on purpose, so let’s search for what they did leave for us.

I nodded and began looking around, and it wasn’t long before Berty hollered for us to come into the kitchen. Here, I could see small suggestions of a struggle. This was good. There was an overturned cup on the table, and papers were strewn all over the floor under the dining table. Something had clearly happened here. Walking over to the table, I looked down at some familiar faces. These were the files in Brit’s desk from her office. It hit me then: the answer. It was so obvious that there could be no other solution.

“The Rebellion,” I stated, gaining attention from the other two.

“What?” Berty asked.

I sighed. “That’s what happened. We were talking about this group that formed in order to e*****e the orcs. They’re called the Rebellion. Brit was keeping tabs on them. They came for her. Alex had mentioned saving her and her family from them once before. I bet they’ve been searching for her all this time. I’m guessing that’s who took them. Alex must’ve been collateral damage or something.”

“That certainly could be the case,” Berty mused.

“It is,” I said. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“You said they were called The Rebellion?” Candy asked.

Nodding, I slumped into one of the chairs and began reading over the sheets of paper. There had to be an answer in here somehow.

“That sounds awfully familiar, dear,” Candy continued. “Didn’t we hear about them? Do they throw parties?”

“They’re an underground, black market. Why would they throw a party?” I questioned.

Berty laughed without amusement. “They have to sell their product. What better way than a high-priced party? And yes, sugarbear, I think you’re right. D-something, wasn’t that his name? Daniel?”

“David? Or Derek?” Candy chimed in.

“Dylan?”

Pursing my lips, I was only half listening to them spit out names. But, then I saw it. It was perfectly circled on several sheets, as if someone had wanted me to find it.

“Dominic,” I said flatly. “His name is probably Dominic.”

“Yes!” Candy said, clapping her hands together. “He’s the one who was nagging us to join him on his yacht for that party. He mentioned only inviting VIP guests and that we’d have a wonderful time.”

“He just wanted us to spend our money there,” Berty grumbled.

I stood up from the table and faced them. “But now, you’re going to call him and get us three tickets. And once you do, Candy and I are going shopping to dress the part.”

It felt wrong and weird, but we left Brit’s house. We had found a spare key, so we locked it and went back to our rental. Berty promised to call Dominic, thankfully he still had his number, while Candy looked up where to find the outfits we’d need for whatever type of event we’d be going to. I crumpled into the bed I had claimed earlier and tried to sleep. It was difficult without Alexander, but I did manage to fall into a restless sleep after some time.

It didn’t take long to regret this choice; however, as I met Nathan face-to-face for the first time.

“Hello, dear niece,” he greeted me.

Looking around, I noticed that we were not in a black void this time. Instead, I was seated on a plush couch with a striped pattern. I was also in a pink, tea-length dress that had bows and frills. I felt ridiculous. Surveying the room, it was gaudy and reminded me of an old, Victorian study. The walls were wood paneling and there was older, wooden furniture. It was a lot to take in.

Nathan himself was nothing like I had expected. In my mind, he had been wrinkly and old looking. I saw him with pale skin, since he hadn’t seen the sun in ages due to being holed up in his office. On the contrary, he was taller and definitely strong. I could see the resemblance to my father, and he did, in fact, look exactly like Nicholas. It made me shudder, and I felt like my skin was crawling.

“No greeting back?” Nathan asked, seeming disappointed. “I thought you’d be happy to finally see me. I realized we got off on the wrong foot last time, so I wanted to do it properly this time around.”

“How many times will we do this?” I asked tentatively.

Nathan smiled at me. “Ah, straight to the point. I suppose that is a Reece family trait, isn’t it?”

I stayed quiet.

“Well,” he continued. “I am sorry about last time. I think I may have scared you with my enthusiasm and seemed a little…”

“Delusional? I chirped.

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“I would.”

We sat there in silence for a few moments. I watched as Nathan studied me and did the same in return.

“Well,” he finally said. “I called you here because I really wanted to tell you about–”

“Eleanor!” Candy called, jolting me awake.

I groaned. Twice Nathan had been in the middle of saying something that was probably important. If I was going to meet with my uncle, I would have to find somewhere I was by myself.

“What is it?” I asked groggily.

“We need to go now. Dominic is having a party this afternoon! And nothing in your sad wardrobe will do! Let’s go!” Candy exclaimed, pulling me out of bed.

She dragged me all the way to the car, and we headed off to the nearest fancy store she could get us to.