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 find me

filling the bookcases, as well as

kitchen and find only a pantry

freezer full of frozen food. I decide to try and distract myself

that I might be able

similar. However when I

arms over his chest. “You’re still

brow at him, experiencing a familiar rush of

can be on my

at

rumbles wordlessly, as if he’s unsure whether or

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

I do. I think grumpily. Besides,

I’m doing something that

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

slyly, perfectly happy to let

to have

and begin opening ingredients

ever happened

fact that he’s trapped here

with Sinclair

memory.” Gabriel

thing wasn’t that uncommon. Bands of

times. Under a powerful rebel leader, rogues

that this is happening in this

is unheard of.”

going to look for Dominic?” I inquire, measuring out flour

sure.” He answers, taking a packet of butter from the

microwave for me. “If he’s able to prevent the attack

but it doesn’t look good that the rogues felt

to take

providing enough of a deterrent to keep them

he looks weak to outsiders?”

confirms. “I can guarantee that’s

isn’t fair.” I argue glumly, beginning to cream the thawed butter. “I

but Dominic is the one who pays

is a thankless job most times. When every

doing his job.

dragged through the

growling, “Dominic does everything for his people, they

recognize that.”

replies,

long will this all take?” I inquire

could be hours, or days,-

explains with a

you were out there with them?”

surprised. “Of course

that I

is a lot more boring that being in the thick

mouth I realize how insensitive

thing, but it

is out

the bags and boxes of

he goes still. “Do you have no idea what an

to guard you? The men in this room are here because the Alpha

his guard – the ones