Accidental Surrogate

Ella

The waiting is horrible.

I did exactly as Sinclair asked and followed the guards to the safe house, taking only a

few essentials. We left our phones and technology behind, and then I was piled into

the back of a car and hidden under a blanket just in case someone found a way to

glimpse through the black out windows. We drove for more than half an hour, making

all kinds of twists and turns. I’m sure some of it was just evasive driving to make sure

we weren’t being followed, which worries me more than I’d like to admit.

As I lay there I realized that Sinclair must have been afraid that this attack might be

used as adistraction for the Prince to make a move against me, and that possibility

seems more and more likely the more I think about it. Hadn’t the Prince been planning

a distraction just like this before the Queen died? It’s no wonder Sinclair hadn’t

wanted me to stay at the house even though it’s the most secure building in the city

next to the Royal Palace.

When we arrived at the safe house I was relieved to discover it was a veritable

fortress. It dídn’t even look like a house, In fact, when the car pulled to a stop in front

of a huge rock wall on the side of a mountain, I assumed one of the guards needed to

use the restroom or somethíng. I couldn’t have been more surprised when they all

exited the car and began pressing on the rocks, moving their hands around on the

granite until they found the right spot and pushed in. It took all four of them, each

pressing on a specific spot in perfect unison, before the mountain itself opened up.

The rock wall slid inward, even though it had looked completely solid from the outside.

One of the guards lifted ne out of the car and carried me inside, and all but the driver

entered with me. Just before the wall closed behind us, I saw the car speeding away

again. It had all happened in about 30 seconds, and when I look around I’m amazed

to discover that the interior of the mountain is as luxurious and comfortable as the

mansion. Despite being an actual cave, electricity lights the sprawling rooms, which

are fully furnished and decked out with amenities.

When I look back at the entrance I discover a keypad mounted in the rock, but no sign

of the door. A flash of claustrophobia overtakes me and I worry about how I’ll get out

again, but I take a deep breath and try to comfort myself with the knowledge that no

could possibly

filling the bookcases, as well as a space to exercise,

and find only a

a freezer full of frozen

able to welcome Sinclair home

or something similar. However when I

his arms over his chest.

a familiar rush of

is not my mate. “I can be on

at

whether or not

chin up defiantly, cradling my belly.

being than I do. I think grumpily. Besides,

my feet when I’m

you’re that concerned then you can bring me all of the ingredients and do

slyly, perfectly happy to let him take over

agrees, seeming pleased to have a

rattle off a list, and begin opening ingredients as Gabriel

cups. “Has something like this ever happened before?” I ask

wondering if he resents the fact that he’s trapped here with me

Sinclair and the

my memory.” Gabriel replies

thing wasn’t that

even form coalitions at times. Under a powerful rebel leader,

but the idea that this is happening in this

is unheard of.”

look for Dominic?” I inquire, measuring out

He answers, taking a packet of butter

me. “If he’s able to prevent the

the pack, but it doesn’t

to take him

thing he’s not providing enough of a deterrent to keep

outsiders?” I clarify,

“I can guarantee that’s how the Prince will

glumly, beginning to cream the thawed butter. “I hate

but Dominic is the one who pays

is a thankless job most times.

because he’s just doing his job.

he gets dragged through the

myself growling, “Dominic does everything for his

recognize that.”

Gabriel replies,

will this all take?” I inquire after

emergency? It could be

Gabriel explains with a

you were out there with

surprised.

that I should even

lot more boring that being in the

mouth I realize how insensitive they

thing, but it can’t be easy babysitting me

is

carefully closing the bags and boxes of ingredients once I

you have no

this room are here

– the ones most trusted to protect