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 me

filling the bookcases, as well

kitchen and find only a

a freezer full of frozen food. I decide to try

might be able to welcome Sinclair home with

something similar. However when I move towards the pantry, my

his arms over his chest.

my brow at him, experiencing a familiar rush of

can be on my feet for twenty minutes. After

sit at the

whether

my belly. As if

I do. I

when I’m

me all of the

perfectly happy to let him take over

to have a task. “What do

rattle off a list, and begin opening

this ever happened before?” I

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

with Sinclair and

in my memory.”

that uncommon. Bands of rogues would

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

down entire packs before, but the idea that this is happening in this

is unheard of.”

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

a packet of butter from the freezer and setting

able to

but it doesn’t look good that the

to take

not providing enough of a deterrent to keep

weak to outsiders?”

can guarantee that’s how the Prince will spin

isn’t fair.” I argue glumly, beginning to

Dominic

Alpha is a thankless job

no one notices, because he’s just doing his job. But if something goes

gets dragged through

does everything for his people, they ought

recognize that.”

replies, smothering

long will this all take?” I inquire after a

of emergency? It could be hours,

Gabriel explains

you wish you were out there with

surprised. “Of

seeming amazed that I

this is a lot more boring that being in the thick of

I realize how insensitive they

know battle is a terrible thing, but it can’t be easy

is

been carefully closing the bags and

have no idea what an honor it

men in this room

us the fiercest warriors in his guard – the ones most trusted to