Part 26 (1/2)
”They're back,” I panted. ”Both twins are safe.”
She clapped a palm over her forehead and breathed out.
”Oh, thank heavens. It feels like this whole island has been holding its breath for their return.”
”Ben's extremely shaken by whatever happened to him,” I continued. ”He has refused to talk about details with anyone yet. But at least physically, he's recovering under Corrine's expert care.”
”And Rose?”
”She seems to be fine. A few scratches, but nothing to speak of.”
”I can't tell you how relieved I am,” Adelle said, leaning against a desk and brus.h.i.+ng hair away from her face with the back of her sleeve.
Mirroring her body language, I leaned against the chalkboard.
”Things can finally return to normal,” I said.
”You look exhausted,” she commented, eyeing me.
I nodded. ”I think I'm going to go and get some rest. I just wanted to make sure you'd heard the news first.”
”Thank you. It's much appreciated.”
”And... uh, there also was one other thing I wanted to say.”
I stood up straight, dipping my hands into my pockets as I took a few steps closer to her, casually closing the distance between us.
”And what's that?” she asked, her eyebrows arched.
”Adelle, I-”
The door crashed open and Sofia sped in, her face alight with panic, sweat dripping from her brow.
”Have you seen Anna?” she panted.
”No,” I said, walking up to my daughter and gripping her shoulders. ”What's wrong, darling?”
”Kyle said she's disappeared.”
Adelle and I both stared at Sofia, dumbstruck.
Chapter 42: Sofia.
I stood staring across our kitchen table at Derek.
”A setup,” I murmured.
”What else could this be?” He glared back at me. ”As soon as they realized we'd shown up without Anna, those vampires had Caleb concoct an excuse to enter this island-that he was returning Rose to us. And while he was here, he swiped Anna.”
His words sent my head into a tailspin. Every inch of the island had been searched. Anna had well and truly disappeared. Kyle was distraught, although he was trying to put on a brave face for Ariana and Jason.
”I can't believe we could have been so stupid and gullible as to trust that vampire,” Derek seethed, throwing his hands in the air.
”Derek,” I gasped, tears burning my eyes. ”Anna's pregnant. She's eight months pregnant, G.o.dd.a.m.n it!”
I picked up a vase from the table and hurled it against the floor, shattering it into a thousand pieces.
I sank to my knees, fighting back the tears. I never had been one to express my feelings with violence, but this was about Anna.
Whoever is responsible for Anna's disappearance-be it Caleb or someone else-has just called upon a very different side of me than anyone is used to witnessing.
Chapter 43: Caleb.
I swore as soon as the hatch slammed shut above me.
The taste of Rose was still alive on my tongue, her scent still haunting my senses.
What the h.e.l.l was I thinking?