I watch Dara cling to Blair’s chest as she falls apart and my heart breaks for her. James is desperate now that Dara has Emerald. He knew it wouldn’t be long before we found Topaz, too, then Ruby. He was running out of time, but I never expected he’d do something like this – capture Kayla with the direct purpose to use and torture her.

We had to make securing Topaz our focus over anything else, I just hoped Dara would see it that way. Alaric would have to rescue Kayla on his own because I refuse to let Dara turn herself in. We don’t have the time for another rescue mission, plus I’m sure James’ security has tighten up from our last trip.

I need to check in with him when he’s able to talk without interruptions, to discuss the situation more and work out a plan. In the meantime, we need to calm Dara down so she doesn't do anything reckless. God, I loved that girl, but I know she’d do anything to save those she loves.

I make my way over to Dara, picking her up and throwing her over my shoulder.

“You, my Princess, need to settle down then we’ll be able to think clearly,” I tell her.

I hear her sigh, but she doesn’t respond. Strange. Dara always has a smart remark.

I carry her back to the house with everyone following closely behind, and once we’re in Dara’s room, Oliver brushes past us into the bathroom. I hear water start to run - a bath is just what she needs – so I place Dara on the bed. She looks lost, deep in her own mind, in her own thoughts. I gently place my hand on her chin, guiding her face to mine.

We will figure this out together. Everything will be okay, trust me, I tell her mentally.

She only nods, and it’s then that I know that’s the best I’m going to get out of her. The poor thing looks like a zombie, obviously mentally out of it. She needs rest to clear her head. I grab her top and pull it over her head. I remove her pants and everything else until she stands before me naked. I guide her towards the bathroom, where I find Oliver leaning over the bath, testing the water.

At his nod, I lift Dara into my arms and carry her over to the tub. Passing her over into his arms he lowers her into the bath. I watch Oliver wash Dara, reassuring her that everything will be okay. After a while, I leave - I need to get in contact with Alaric to sort out a plan of attack.

I want everything to be sorted before Dara came back to us. She wants to save everyone but she needs to focus on one mission and that’s the stones. Leaving Kayla to Alaric, hopefully, he would be able to rescue her. That would take the pressure off, leaving us to the most crucial task. I just hoped that Dara would snap out of these negative, self-blaming thoughts. We need her back to her strong self, we were useless without her. She’s the key that makes us whole.

Walking into the living room, I find Jolie and my brothers arguing over what we should do. They don’t even notice me as I lean against the arm of the couch. Clearing my throat, I try to gain their attention, but they’re all too busy yelling over the top of each other and trying to get their opinions heard that no one is listening.

“Stop it!” I yell. Everyone falls silent. “You aren't going to get anywhere arguing like this. No one is listening to each other. How about we step back and let one person talk at a time?”

“I’ve been trying to tell these half-wits that for the past twenty minutes,” Jolie says, crossing her arms petulantly. “But no one listens to me. I’m just the annoying little sister.” She turns to me. “Declan, please tell me you have something sorted out?”

I shake my head. “I think we should get Alaric to rescue Kayla. It’ll leave us time to focus on breaking down that wall. We have clear instructions from Sam on what we need to do. We just have to get into training as soon as possible - once Dara is back and ready,” I tack on.

“That might take a little while,” Oliver says behind us. I turn to look at him, raising my brows in question. He joins us on the couch. “I just put her to bed. I haven't seen her like this before - she’s so out of it.”

“Jolie,” Harlan says. “Can you go and be with her? Try to bring her back to us so we can get moving. Declan, get in contact with Alaric and sort out a plan. If it means breaking his cover, I don’t care - it must be done.”

I stand up. Even though I want nothing more than to go and check on Dara, I restrain myself. Making my way outside, I look around at our neighbourhood. I know every person in our tight community. They are my motivation to bring James down once and for all, for the safety of their lives and their children’s.

Walking past my parents’ new house, I find my mum hanging out the washing. We both smile at one another, her nod telling me that I got this; we all do. Continuing on, I walk through the forest until I get a decent distance away from our village. Taking a deep breath, I clear my head and try to reach out to Alaric. I hope I get him at a time when he’s not with James. Of course, he knows the drill if he is. He ignores my attempt and closes off the connection straight away, giving me the warning I need.

You there, mate?

Making myself comfortable, I sit down on the forest floor. Sometimes it can take a while to get a response from Alaric, depending on where he is, or what he's doing.

Yep, I’m here, but I don’t have long.

Let’s get to the point then. How’s Kayla going? How much longer does she have?

Not good at all. James isn’t mucking around this time. He’s going hard with his torture, ramping it up as every minute passes. He wants Dara to turn herself in and he’s not wasting any time. She’s in bad shape, really bad shape, Declan. What are we going to do?

My heart suddenly starts to ache. It must be life threatening for him to say that. Alaric doesn’t sugar-coat anything.

We have a good lead on Topaz, so we need to focus on that. We need you to take things into your own hands. Do what you can to get Kayla out of there even if it means breaking your cover.

Shit. Okay, mate, I’ll work it out. You guys focus on Topaz. I’ve got to run. I’ll try to keep in contact.

I quickly break the contact.

I get up and run back to the house.