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 find

the bookcases, as

kitchen and find

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

I might be able to welcome

similar. However when I move towards the pantry, my

his chest. “You’re still on bed

at him, experiencing a familiar rush

mate. “I can be

at the

as if he’s unsure whether or not he

cradling my belly. As if

my baby’s well being than I do. I think grumpily.

my feet when I’m

me all of the ingredients

I suggest slyly, perfectly happy to let him take over

have a task. “What do

off a list, and begin opening

ever happened before?” I ask

fact that

Sinclair

memory.” Gabriel replies

thing wasn’t that uncommon.

form coalitions at times. Under a

but the idea that this is happening in this day and

is unheard of.”

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

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

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

protecting the pack, but it doesn’t look good

to take him

providing enough

he looks weak to outsiders?” I clarify, trying to

that’s how the Prince

fair.” I argue glumly, beginning to cream the thawed butter. “I

all this trouble but Dominic is the one

thankless job most times. When

no one notices, because he’s just doing

dragged through

catch myself growling, “Dominic does everything

recognize that.”

agree.” Gabriel replies, smothering a

will this all take?” I inquire after

be hours, or days,- depending

Gabriel explains with

you wish you were out there with

surprised.

answers, seeming amazed that I should

more boring that being in the thick of it.”

realize how insensitive

mean I know battle is a terrible thing, but it can’t be easy babysitting me

you care about is out risking

been carefully closing the bags

“Do you have

in this

guard – the ones most trusted to protect you