David’s face was getting darker the longer Travis spoke. ‘Fuck that. I’m ending this now.’ David threw out his hands on the last word, and the Svikari shrieked. I ran forward. The Svikari was on the ground, his hands around his head, still shrieking. It was getting shriller, to the point where it felt like my ears should be bleeding. I skirted around him to where he had thrown Kait. I attempted to pick him up, but he was too heavy. Travis came over and helped me. Blood was running out of the Svikari’s eyes, nose, mouth and ears now as his head almost vibrated.
I looked at Travis. “Get Kait out of the freezer. I’ve got to stop David.” He nodded and hurried away. The shrieks cut off.
I walked back to David, who was staring down at the now silent and completely unmoving Svikari. I reached out a hand. “David. Are you alright?”
His head swiveled to me, and I stepped back from the insanity swirling in his eyes, which were now almost black. He took a threatening step forward. I forced myself to hold my ground.
“David. It’s me, Evalia. You don’t want to hurt me.”
His head tilted to the side as he appeared to consider my words. He spoke, but it wasn’t his voice that came out of his mouth. It was deeper and more menacing. “Oh, the boy loves you, does he? Hmmm. The question is, do you love him?” Evil laughter followed his words, and his hands grabbed at the dagger on his belt.
I froze him, freezing his hands in solid blocks of ice, before freezing the rest of his body. “Yeah, I do, which is why I can’t allow you to do this to him.” There was no way I would be able to carry him out, so I ran after Travis. I caught up to him right outside the freezer, where he was setting Kait down.
“Travis. I froze David back there, but I’m going to need your help carrying him out. Do you think it’s safe to leave Kait here?”
Kait answered me groggily. “I can take care of myself, Princess. Go get David.” I leaned down into his face. One pupil was dilated more than the other and he looked extremely weary. I think had a concussion. His suit was torn and his shirt was stained with what looked like blood.
“You sure?”
He forced a small laugh. “Yes. They surprised me in the bathroom and one hit me over the head. I’m awake enough now that I can heal myself. Go.”
Travis and I ran back to where we had left him, but he wasn’t there. As far as we knew, there was only one way in and out of the freezer, but he hadn’t passed us. Shit. We ran back. I was going to be very thankful when this was all over. The adrenaline was wearing off, and my feet were starting to ache. My legs were shaking, and I didn’t know how much longer I would be able to keep going.
Near the door, we slowed. We could hear voices outside. After a moment of listening, we continued in. Kait was on his feet, talking to a soldier, who was holding a pair of sneakers in what looked like my size. I could have kissed him! Kait snorted, and I gave him a look. Fucking men, can’t stay out of my mind! He snorted again. He gave me a sharp look, then gestured at some soldiers near the back, who swarmed the freezer. I walked over, and interrupted his conversation with the guy who held the shoes.
“Sorry, but do those happen to be for me?” I asked, pointing at the shoes.
“Oh, yes, here you go, mi-lady.” I glared at Kait, who held up his hands. I blame the ‘mi-lady’ on him.
I took the shoes, thanked the soldier, then sat down to put them on. Delightful warmth soaked into my feet as soon as I slide my feet into them. I sighed. Travis held out his hand to help me off the floor. I’m sure I flashed everyone getting back up, but I didn’t care. While I was putting the shoes on, the soldier had finished his conversation with Kait and moved off. Without the adrenaline, I was getting cold. Kait’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his hard body. I leaned back, relaxing for what felt like the first time that night. Travis moved over to put a hand on my shoulder.
“I’m assuming you sent them in to look for David?” My voice was small, and it felt like my heart was breaking.
“Yes. What happened?”
“When we went back in, he wasn’t where we had left him, but we didn’t search the rest of the freezer.”
We waited like that for about ten minutes. The soldiers started coming back out in ones and twos, each reporting the freezer was clear. The final soldier stopped in front of Kait.
“Sir, the freezer was clear, with no signs of anyone. There was a spot along the back wall that may be a latch, but if it opens, we couldn’t figure it out. It’s possible someone escaped through there.”
He ran his hand down his face. “Thank you, Jensen.”
The soldier saluted and moved away. There was a hard knot in the pit of my stomach. “Kait, where could he have gone, and what the hell was wrong with him?”
“We will talk about it back at the safe house, Princess. We need to finish up here first.”
I bit back my sarcastic reply. I’m sure he heard it in my head anyway. After struggling for a moment, I decided it was better to not say anything, so I just pushed past him. I stalked out to the ballroom, where most of the prisoners had been taken away.
