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

possibly

filling the bookcases, as

and find only a pantry full

frozen food. I decide to

might be able to welcome

I move towards the pantry, my

his chest.

brow at him, experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance to

who is not my mate. “I can be on

sit at the

rumbles wordlessly, as if he’s unsure whether or

notch my chin up defiantly, cradling my belly. As if he could ever care

than I do. I think grumpily. Besides, an extra

feet when I’m

you’re that concerned then you can bring me all

perfectly happy to let him take

agrees, seeming pleased to have a task. “What do you

off a list, and begin opening ingredients as

this ever happened

fact that he’s trapped here

with Sinclair and the

in my memory.” Gabriel

that uncommon. Bands

form coalitions at times. Under a powerful rebel leader,

idea that this is

is unheard of.”

is it going to look for Dominic?”

answers, taking a packet of butter from the

able to prevent the attack entirely

doesn’t look good that the rogues

take him

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

to outsiders?” I clarify,

that’s how the Prince will spin

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

causing all this trouble but Dominic is the

thankless job most times. When

just doing his job. But if something

he gets dragged through

growling, “Dominic does everything for

recognize that.”

agree.” Gabriel replies, smothering a

long will this all take?” I inquire after

emergency? It could be hours, or days,- depending how

Gabriel explains

you were out there with

blinks, looking surprised.

that I should

is a lot more boring that being in

mouth I realize how

thing, but it can’t be easy babysitting me

about is

carefully closing the bags

goes still. “Do you have no idea what an honor it is

this room

warriors in his guard –