CHAPTER SIX
"What even is that?" Hayley looked over the slop that served as food and scrunched up her nose. She was starving, but she wasn't sure that was actually food.
"Did you see who brought it in?" Jack pushed the mush around with a spoon and took a quick sniff. From the look on his face, Hayley guessed it smelled as bad as it looked.
"No. The door opened, the tray was pushed in, and it slammed shut. I did hear something that sounded like crying from outside the room though." Hayley glanced at the food again as her stomach growled. "Should we try it?"
She didn't want to, but they hadn't eaten in days, maybe longer. She couldn't even tell how long they'd been held there anymore. Being vampire now, they didn't need to eat as often, but that didn't mean they could starve indefinitely. Especially without blood.
"You go ahead. I'm not that hungry." Jack would have given her the food even if it had been steak and potatoes.
"We should split it. You might need your energy and it's not like there's a blood supply here."
"We can feed off each other for a while. Jayce said that as long as our bodies are functioning the way they did as humans, we can feed on vampire blood for a time."
"Yeah, but Jack, that's if we are eating regular food, and that's not forever. We both need to eat." Hayley took a small spoonful of the slop and choked it down, then pushed the tray to Jack. "Have some."
Jack eyed her suspiciously as she tried to keep a straight face. The food was bad. It was the worst thing she'd ever eaten, but they needed to eat. He wouldn't try it if she didn't at least pretend it wasn't that awful.
He picked up the spoon and glared at her. "You're not fooling me, you know?" With a quick breath, he shoveled as big of a bite as the spoon would hold into his mouth and swallowed. "That's worse than it looks." He pushed the tray back at her and handed over the spoon.
"Yeah." Hayley shoveled a few more bites into her mouth in quick succession and pushed the tray back at Jack.
"So tell me more about the sounds you heard."
Jack was only fourteen, nowhere near an adult, but he was trying to act the part to keep either of them from falling apart. Hayley never did like him trying to act like he was her big brother. She wasn't helpless, even if she was only twelve. She was just as big as him and almost as strong. But for some reason, she welcomed having someone else take the lead role in that place.
"It was crying, a girl maybe? Or a young boy? And it sounded close, like maybe in the next room, or across the hall."
The door to their cell was solid, so hearing through it was unlikely, but maybe not all of the cells had the same doors. Or maybe for some reason, the voice was in the hall, not trapped in one of the cells. Either way, she wanted to know who it was.
"If that happens again, call out. Tell them who we are, or ask who they are, anything. It can't hurt to try." Jack took another mouthful of the mush and cringed. "We will get out of here, Hayley. I mean it."
Again, it wasn't a promise he could make, but Hayley felt better knowing that he at least seemed to believe his words.
***
"How the hell could another kid go missing? This doesn't even make sense." Chase paced the room completely pissed off. "I leave this place for the first time all week and another kid is gone. You people are incompetent."
Finn glared at Chase, while Dex ignored him altogether. He knew he was pushing it, being a newer vampire, and a clear subordinate to both males, but he was furious, not only at them, but at himself. He had no intention of leaving the place, or taking his eyes off the kids, but then Willow showed up, and he let her distract him.
It was a stupid move.
"Which one is gone?" Jayce finally made it over to them, pulling on a hoodie as he walked.
"Grace," Finn said and leaned against the large desk.
Finn was supposed to be watching them. He assured Chase everything would be fine while he was gone. But everything wasn't fine. Certainly not for Grace.
Samuel, the king's cousin, walked in the training facility and joined the group. Chase had only met him once, but apparently he was a big shot over at the palace. He'd been running the place for a while, before Micah took over after his wife's death.
Related nor not, he looked nothing like Alexander. Other than the blond hair, there were no similarities. Samuel's hair was long and pushed back. His eyes were a crystal blue, almost identical to Chase and Ari, and had a coldness about them that told Chase not to piss him off. He was tall and thin, not exactly built, but his deadly expression was enough to keep the toughest male at bay.
"How have you idiots lost three children right out from under your noses?" Samuel picked up the files on the desk and looked over them. "Who was in charge of them?"
"I was." Finn stepped forward. "They were asleep, until the girl woke up to use the restroom. When she didn't return, I went to check. She wasn't there."
Samuel shook his head and turned to Dex. "Any ideas how this happened?"
"None. We have six capable males patrolling the perimeter around the clock. Chase has been here with them since the other two went missing. This was the first time he's even left the building."
Samuel narrowed his eyes at Chase. "Is that so?"
"Look, I know what you're thinking, but Chase didn't have anything to do with this. He is Ariana's brother and well trusted by the king." Dex took a step between Samuel and Chase.
"I guess we'll see about that. Has anyone interrogated the other kids?"
"I did," Dex said. "They don't know anything. Only one woke up when she got up and he didn't notice anything."
"The kids are freaking out. They don't feel safe and I don't blame them." Finn started pacing the small area around the group. "Maybe we should move them somewhere more secure. I know we thought this would be better than the dorms, but clearly, it's not."
"You say they have been watched around the clock, and have six security members on patrol, so where is it you think they will be better looked after?" Samuel raised his brow and pressed his lips together.
"Maybe at the mansion?" Chase suggested. He wasn't sure he wanted to bring this mess closer to his pregnant sister, but he felt an obligation to those kids, and he didn't want to see anything happen to them.
"That's not realistic," Samuel said. "But maybe someplace smaller, with less places for someone to sneak in or out can be considered."
"We'll have to meet with Lex and come up with something. For now, how are we going to keep these kids safe?" Dex looked over at the group of teens huddled together in the far corner. Several burly vampires stood around them in guard.
"For now, there will not be a single person standing guard inside this facility. Watches will be in pairs, minimum. And no one will be here around the clock. Everyone should be well rested and at their best." Samuel looked over Chase with his lip curved down.
"Hey, that girl didn't go missing on my watch. That's not exactly fair."
"I don't care if you are family to the king, or if you were conveniently absent when she disappeared, from now on, you will take turns watching the vamplings. No more twenty-four hour shifts, you will leave, to rest, before being allowed back." Samuel walked closer to Chase and stared into him. "Is that clear?"
Chase ground his teeth together and nodded. If he hadn't left, maybe the girl wouldn't be missing and none of this would be happening. As much as he wanted to punch Finn in the throat for not keeping the kid safe, he was kicking himself for letting his dick take over his thoughts and pull him from his duties.
"I'll take the first shift," Samuel said. "So you can leave." He directed the words at Chase, but meant it for all of them. Chase considered arguing, but Dex put his hand on Chase's shoulder and walked him toward the door.
***
"That guy is such a dick." Chase paced around the room while Ari sat wrapped in a blanket on the couch.
"Which guy?"
"Samuel. Lex's cousin. He just waltzes in here, out of nowhere, and takes over like he owns the place."
"It's not really out of nowhere. Alexander did ask him to come help. You don't think we need it?"
"I'm not saying we don't, but he was looking at me like I was the incompetent one. I left that place one time all week. Once. I can't be blamed for that girl going missing when I wasn't even there." Chase clenched his fists at his sides and tried to keep his breathing even.
"I'm sure he wasn't blaming you. He's probably just trying to figure out what is going on, so he can help. Do you want me to talk to Alexander?"
"No." Chase answered through gritted teeth. The last thing he wanted was his pregnant sister fighting his battles for him. He could take care of himself, even with that asshole, Samuel.
"I met Samuel and he seemed like a really nice guy. Maybe you just need to get to know him?" Ari kicked the blanket off her feet, wiggled her toes, and shoved them back under the blanket.
"Maybe." He was no longer in the mood to discuss it with her. "How are you feeling?" With two babies growing inside her, and no one having a good idea how much their vampire-nephilim mixed blood was in each, Chase spent a good deal of time worrying about his twin.
"I'm doing okay. A little more tired than usual, but at least I can eat more now."
"Has the midwife been around?"
"Yeah, Rebecca will be staying with us now until the babies are born. You haven't met her yet?"
"No. Dex mentioned her, but that is about it. Do you like her?"
"Yeah. She's nice, but I don't think Doctor Song is crazy about her. She did a great job with Lily and Jonah, so I'm going to trust her unless I have a reason not to."
Ari trusted just about everyone. She always wanted to see the good in people, no matter what, since as long as she could walk or talk. Maybe it was why people were so drawn to her, or maybe it was just a product of her nephilim blood. Either way, Chase always felt the need to look out for her more because of it.
"Maybe I should meet her." Chase sat on the chair across from Ari and tried to fight the urge to jump back up and continue pacing.
"She will be in any minute with vitamins, so you will. She is obsessive about schedules and nutrition and everything else." Ari rolled her eyes. "It's not like women haven't been making babies since the beginning of the universe."
"Well, maybe not that long." Chase chuckled. His sister wasn't used to sitting around and being helpless, but the doctor ordered her to stay off her feet and get as much rest as possible until she gave birth. "Ar, you realize that although females have been having babies on their own, most of those babies haven't been born of a vampire father and part-nephilim mother? I'm sure everyone just wants to make sure you and the babies are safe. I'm sure that's what you want too."
"Of course." Ari sighed. "It's just that sitting here is killing me. You have to tell me something that will make it easier, something that is going on in the world outside this damn house." Ari's eyes widened and sparkled. "Oh, I know. Tell me about you and Willow."
Of course that's what she wants to know.
"There isn't anything to tell." Chase was on his feet again, pacing the room. He glanced at the ample liquor supply on the table in the corner, but thought against it. Chase wasn't a big drinker and everything Alexander had tasted like jet fuel, if he could imagine what jet fuel would taste like.
"You're such a liar. I can smell her on you, now fess up."
Chase didn't want to discuss his sex life with his sister, or anyone else for that matter. He wasn't even sure himself how he felt about what happened with Willow. The last thing he needed was his twin rooting around in his head with her borrowed vampire abilities.
And that was exactly what she was doing.
"Stay out of my head, Ariana."
"Then tell me. And don't lie, because I know when you're being dishonest."
Of course she did. She'd once shared blood with Gabriel too and his ability was to know when someone was telling the truth. And since she was part nephilim, she tended to keep pieces of any shared abilities she found herself with.
Just his luck.
"It's nothing. Just a mutual attraction, but it won't be happening again."
"Why the hell not?"
"Because if I hadn't left the training facility with her, that kid would never have been taken. I need to focus on my job right now. Not messing around with some witch."
"You can't seriously blame yourself for that? Chase, you were there for days, without a single break. You can't be held accountable for something that happened when your superior was in charge. And taking a little time for yourself, to have a little fun, is nothing to feel guilty about."
"Ari, that girl went missing, and is having who knows what done to her, all because I wanted to get laid. How can you justify that?"
"Oh, aren't you important."
"What?" Chase furrowed his brow and looked at Ari.
"You think that you are so special that when you're around, nothing bad can happen. That only you are competent enough to keep those kids safe, and when you take a break, everything will fall apart. What an ego you have." Ari snorted. "My brother, the savior of all."
"It's not like that. But they didn't go missing on my watch, so maybe it's not that far off." Chase gritted his teeth together and clenched his fists. "Finn let that girl disappear right out from under his nose. How does that even happen?"
"Don't you think he knows that? How would you feel if she did go missing on your watch? You would be beating yourself up over it. You certainly wouldn't need anyone else blaming you and making you feel worse. Come on, Chase. That could have happened to anyone. You feel guilty for not being there because you were off enjoying yourself for once and we both know you never think you deserve that."
"That's not true. I…"
She was right.
Chase spent his entire life working, fighting, striving to be better, faster, to take care of everyone. His father and their way of life had instilled that upon him. He hadn't even questioned it until that moment.
"Chase," Ari slipped off the couch and walked over to him, draping a thin arm around his shoulder. "It's okay for you to have a life, too. You are entitled to be happy and have fun. You have to stop taking care of everyone else and worry about yourself."
"Those kids were counting on us to keep them safe."
"Yes, us. All of the adults, not just you. Give this thing with Willow and you a chance."
"There is no thing with Willow and me. It was just a fling, a one time thing. She is insufferable most of the time. You can't possibly like her?"
"I'm sure she has redeeming qualities."
Yeah, she looks great naked.
"Not many."
A dark-haired female, with rounded curves and thick legs, took a step into the room. "Okay if I interrupt?"
"Of course." Ari waved the woman in and flopped herself back down on the couch. "Chase this is Rebecca, the midwife."
Chase took the female's outstretched hand and gave it a quick shake. She had a good grip for a woman and she eyed Chase over in inspection.
"Nice to meet you. Your sister has told me so much about you."
Rebecca pushed a cup of water and a handful of vitamins at Ari and watched as she swallowed them all. After Ari finished, Rebecca fished a stethoscope from her wide pocket and took a listen to both Ari's heart and her belly.
Chase clearly made out all three heartbeats, so he was positive the female wasn't vampire. He couldn't quite make out her natural scent over the ridiculous amount of perfume she was wearing, but he guessed she was human, maybe with something a little extra.
"Everything sounds good. How have you been feeling? Any more pain?" Rebecca sat on the couch next to Ari and crossed one chubby knee over the other.
"Pain? Still?" Chase's eyes widened in alarm.
"I'm fine, Chase. Chill out. Two babies stretch a lot. It's not always pleasant." She waited for Chase to calm, then turned back to Rebecca. "A little, but nothing major. Do you think they are going to be born soon? I don't think I can take much more of this."
"I would guess that at least a few more weeks. How was the last scan? Is baby A still growing faster than baby B?"
The women went on to discuss the size of the babies, but all Chase heard was the fact that his sister and her unborn babies were at risk. He hated that something was wrong with her and he couldn't do a damn thing to help.
Chase had always been there for Ari, since before they were born, he was her protector. Now, she was on her own, and no matter how much he wanted to help her, there was nothing he could do.
Just like he couldn't help the newest missing kid.
His mind drifted to Willow. Something had been bothering her when she came to see him. She'd told him that she didn't want to think, but he knew there was more to it. He just didn't ask. He tried to keep it about the sex. And he had taken her mind off whatever it was, that much he knew, but something seemed off.
He knew he should have asked her what was wrong, hell he even wanted to, but the little voice in his head told him to keep his distance. She was trouble, after all. There was no doubt about that. The last thing he needed was to get in over his head with a witch.
Especially that witch.
Chase glanced back at his sister chatting with the midwife. She was with her soul mate, pregnant with their twins. She was having a little trouble with things, but she was happy. She had everything she ever wanted in life and it was all he ever hoped for her. He should be happy. So why wasn't he?