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

games filling the bookcases,

the kitchen and find only a pantry full of

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

that I might be able to

similar. However when I move towards the pantry,

Gabriel crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re still on bed

him, experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance to

who is not my mate. “I can

at the

whether

cradling my belly. As if he could ever care

baby’s well being than I do. I think grumpily. Besides, an extra

feet when I’m doing something

concerned then you can bring me all of the

let him take over the

Gabriel agrees, seeming pleased to have a task.

rattle off a list, and begin opening ingredients as Gabriel collects

ever happened before?” I

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

with Sinclair and the

memory.” Gabriel replies

that

Under a powerful rebel

but the idea that this

is unheard of.”

bad is it going to look for Dominic?” I inquire,

a packet of butter from the freezer

to prevent the

but it doesn’t look good that the

take him

not providing enough of a deterrent to keep them

outsiders?”

can guarantee that’s

I argue glumly, beginning to cream the thawed

all this trouble but Dominic

is a thankless job most

doing

gets dragged through

“Dominic does everything for his people,

recognize that.”

replies, smothering a

will this all take?” I inquire after

emergency? It could be hours, or days,-

Gabriel explains with

out there with them?” I

surprised.

seeming amazed that I should

this is a lot more boring that being in the thick

realize

I know battle is a terrible thing,

about is out risking

carefully closing the bags and boxes of

them, but now he goes still. “Do you have no idea what

guard you? The men in this room are here

his guard – the ones most trusted