Chapter 43

Olivia

I moved from cell door to cell door. I looked into terrified, angry faces. I was both hopeful and terrified that the next eyes I met would be Jacobs.

I reached the end of the hall without finding him. Jacob wasn’t there. He had not been captured.

He must have escaped. Unless he was killed in the raid.

No.

I refused to believe it was possible. Jacob would have tried to rescue me. I was certain of that. I would not doubt that. And he had survived. I would not believe anything else until I had absolute proof.

The last few cells had only one prisoner each. Two of them held unconscious werewolves. They had been badly beaten. They were pale and near death.

The third cell held a conscious prisoner. He was injured, like all the rest, but his eyes glittered in the torchlight.

“Come to visit the condemned, vampire? Here for a little snack?” the werewolf taunted.

I shook my head.

“I’m not a vampire,” I said, and stepped closer to the cell. His voice was familiar. Was he someone I knew?

“Olivia?” the werewolf gasped.

“You know me?” I asked.

He nodded. “I recognize you. I guess you don’t remember me. It’s been a while.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Don’t be, it’s fine. I’m Trevor. When Jacob inherits the Pack, I’ll be his Beta.”

Oh, yes, I recalled Jacob mentioning Trevor. I didn’t see him very often. He lived in the outskirts of the village, and spent most of his time in the wilds.

“Is Jacob…” I trailed off. I couldn’t ask if Jacob was alive. I couldn’t make myself say the words.

“Jacob’s fine. He got away,” Trevor reassured me.

My heart started beating again. I slumped against the bars in relief. Jacob was alive. The vampires hadn’t gotten him.

"He was part of the raid?" I asked.

"Of course he was!" Trevor sounded almost offended that I doubted that Jacob had attacked the castle. "He planned the raid. He is determined to rescue you."

"He is?" I asked.

Jacob had promised to get me back. But after so long among the vampires, after everything that had happened, I wouldn't blame Jacob for giving up.

"He will never give up on you," Trevor said with certainty.

Tears prickled in my eyes. I hadn't meant to doubt Jacob. But it was so hard to hold onto hope.

"Hey, it's okay," Trevor said. "It didn't work this time, but he'll try again."

"Thank you," I said, "for telling me."

Trevor nodded. "I'm sorry we failed to get you out this time."

"Can you tell me about the village?" I asked, "And Jacob? And my family? Do you know them? Are they all right?"

Trevor blinked at the sudden rush of questions. I winced and looked away. I was just so desperate to know that they were okay.

"I don't know much, but I'll tell you what I can," Trevor said.

"Thank you," I replied.

"The village is fine. The vampires haven't bothered anyone there. The rebels are hiding someplace else. I can't tell you where." Trevor met her eyes solemnly. "I don't think you would give us up willingly, but I know they can hurt you a lot. You can't tell them what you don't know."

I nodded. I knew how weak I was. If Damien decided to interrogate me, he would get what he wanted. He always did.

"I understand," I said.

"I haven't seen much of your family," Trevor admitted. "I've been with the rebels the whole time. But they have sent messages to Jacob. He's sent people to watch over them. They have enough food." Trevor paused before adding, "I'm pretty sure they miss you a lot."

I tried to smile. My mother and sister were all right.

"I miss them, too," I admitted.

"Of course you do. And you'll see them again," Trevor promised.

I wanted desperately to believe him. It was just so hard to hold onto hope.

"I can't tell you too much about Jacob," Trevor said. "I mean, I've already told you what I can tell you. He's in charge of the rebellion. He hasn't given up on you. He will try again. I can't tell you where he is or what exactly he's been doing."

"It's not safe to tell me details," I agreed.

"Yeah," Trevor said. Then he looked around. "What can you tell me, though? How did you get down here? How much danger are you in if you're caught?"

"I sneaked down here," I admitted, "and I'll be punished if they catch me. But don't worry about me. I'll survive."

I had to survive, so that I could see Jacob again.

"Do you have any idea what they plan to do with us?" Trevor asked.

I winced. "Yes," I said. "The vampire king plans to interrogate you. I didn't hear what he planned to do after that. But I've seen what they do to werewolves who try to fight back."

"It's bad, isn't it?" Trevor guessed.

I nodded. Visions of Andy's execution flashed through my mind. It was going to happen again. The vampires would execute everyone in the dungeon, if any of them survived the interrogations.

"You can tell me," Trevor said. "Please tell me. Sitting here wondering is the worst. At least if I know I can prepare."

"I tried to escape," I said. "Some of the other slaves came with me. The vampires killed them all. They decapitated them. I had to watch. I was next. But my master wanted to keep me, so they spared me. I was the only one to survive."

I hated to admit it. Trevor would surely despise me as much as the other castle slaves had.

"Your master?" Trevor repeated, voice soft.

I nodded. "I am the blood pet of the Vampire Duke. He's called Damien."

"I am so sorry," Trevor said.

"I'm all right," I protested, even though I really wasn't.

I had privileges, sure. I could move around freely. I had a blanket to sleep on at night. I had enough food. But all of that came with a steep price.

"Does he treat you well?" Trevor asked.

I nodded. "I'm okay, for now."

"That's good," Trevor said. "Keep obeying him. Don't try to escape again. That way, you'll survive until Jacob is able to come and get you."

I couldn't do that. If I waited too long to escape, I would have to go through the ceremony. I would become a vampire.

"I have to get you out of here," I said. "I can't save everybody. I want to, but I just can't. But you have to get back to Jacob and tell him everything."

"You can't take that risk," Trevor protested.

"I have to," I said. "Give me a little time. I'll come up with a plan."

Trevor shook his head.

"You have to get to Jacob," I said. "You have to tell him to stop trying to rescue me."

"What? He's not going to do that," Trevor said.

"He has to." I hated to tell him, because he would tell Jacob and it would break his heart. But they had to know. "In a few days, there is going to be a ceremony. They call it the Acceptance Ceremony. And after that ceremony, I will be a vampire."

Trevor's eyes widened in horror.

"Please, when I get you out of here, warn Jacob. Don't let him come for me, if I'm not myself anymore."