[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
adjourned.
Jin jumped down and walked out without a look back. Soon, his parents
followed.
What the hell was that display? Eldon snapped.
Power, said Jin.
Power? That was a blatant challenge. You ve given Tenhar more
ammunition to attack your rule.
Jin studied his father before saying, I know, Father. But I hope I also
gave them enough rope to hang themselves.
Xiu and Eldon looked at each other, then looked at Jin again.
Son, all you did was piss them off. Now it s even more imperative that
we find the human.
No, Father.
Jin headed for his quarters.
Eldon growled. Xiu just shook her head.
- 75 -
The Alpha Promise Hayat Ali
Something else is wrong here. He can t be that attached to the woman. I
mean, why is he protecting her so? It s almost as if
Xiu stopped, horrified.
You don t think? she asked.
Before Eldon could respond, he received a phone call. He answered his
cell, and for a long time didn t speak.
I want it taken care of now. And find out who did it! He snapped his
phone shut, shaking in anger.
What!
Eldon looked at his wife. You asked what I think. Well, I know. He
mated with that human. She is pregnant.
For the first time in her 261 years, Xiu felt like she was going to faint. She
stumbled to a chair.
No, she whispered.
Eldon clenched his jaw before saying, Oh, yes. And not only that,
someone has killed Fredon.
Xiu s head snapped up. What?! He was one of your best.
I know. He was tracking the human when he was killed.
Was it Tenhar? If it was them
Eldon shook his head. It is not known for sure. All that is known is that
someone else is out there that knows about that human. We must get her now, he
said through his teeth.
Jin will never help us, growled Xiu.
I know. Look, I ll find out about this killer and the human. You must
prepare to mitigate this damage if it does get out.
There is only one way to do so, Eldon.
Find another way, woman!
Xiu flew up, stopping inches from Eldon. Their eyes glinted.
Do not speak to me that way again, Xiu hissed.
Eldon s nostrils flared, but he backed away. Xiu then backed away.
Fighting between us must stop until we solve this crisis, said Xiu.
Agreed.
They went back to talking about a course of action, so lost in their
discussion that they didn t notice the shadows shift and disappear. Jin walked
away, his face a mix of anger and worry. His parents spies had identified Adina,
and another tribe was out there hunting her and killing off his father s people. Jin
had to act. He needed help, and fast.
When he reached his room, he snatched up his phone and dialed a number
that he hadn t used in three months. It no longer worked. He didn t know why he
had expected anything different. He dialed another number. It rang twice.
Komi?
A heavily accented female voice answered. Jin. What do you want?
He smiled. Komi was no non-sense. I need your help.
That I know. You never call to talk anymore. I ll get Jode. I m fixing a
weapon.
A moment later, a deep, male voice asked, What do you need?
- 76 -
The Alpha Promise Hayat Ali
Where are you located...
- 77 -
The Alpha Promise Hayat Ali
Chapter 14
Trust Him?
Adina peeked into her apartment as if she expected something to come
out. She flicked on the light switch and entered her living room. Her apartment
was slightly bigger than the one she d had in London. The only difference was the
short hallway before the living room with its big windows. Immediately to the
right was her kitchen, separated by an attached bar. Past her kitchen was the door
to the bedroom.
The place was rent-controlled and off the beaten path, otherwise she never
would have been able to afford it. Carol had helped her get some furniture and her
parents helped her get the rest. She promised to go to graduate school or some
school as part of the deal. She walked to her couch, a beige thing with a throw
cover over the back. She tossed her bag on top of a pile of college brochures and
sat. She leaned forward to calm her racing heart, subconsciously stroking her
stomach.
After Adina felt that it was safe, she took the pharmacy bag from Carol
and sent her the few blocks home. She wanted to stay with Adina, but Adina was
adamant.
Carol, please. It s not safe.
Carol crossed her arms. All the more reason for me to stay with you.
Adina glared at her and said, Look, go home. I m fine and I ll call you
with the results.
No.
Yes! Carol, I m serious. I am fine and can deal with this, but right now I
want to be alone. Please respect that.
Carol scrutinized Adina before finally relenting.
I just don t understand you. I m only trying to help.
I know. But right now, I just want to go home and sleep, okay? Really,
it s just I ll be fine.
Carol walked away but she kept turning back to look at Adina. Adina
watched her friend get to her apartment, then she went in the opposite direction to
the subway station.
Adina rode different trains for an hour. Not only did she hope her tracker
would lose her scent, but she just wasn t ready to go home. The truth was, she
wasn t okay. She did want Carol to come over, but if there was going be trouble,
she didn t want to get Carol involved. She prayed that no one would find out
where Carol lived as a result of knowing her.
By nine o clock, she managed to find her way home, where she sat on the
couch wondering what do. There was no doubt that the vampires had found her.
She knew in her heart that Jin hadn t betrayed her, but she probably had betrayed
herself. The vampire who had visited her in the shop must have known about her.
Now she would be hunted forever. There was nowhere she could go without
endangering the people she loved.
- 78 -
The Alpha Promise Hayat Ali
She wanted Jin. She wanted to feel his arms holding her close, telling her
that everything would be alright and nothing in the world would harm her as long
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]