Dare to Bleed (Emily Sullivan Series) (20 page)

“
Robert, Damon just called me. He has Kimmy. Can you do a protection spell or something for her? Anything to keep her safe from him?” I begged.

He thought for a second and turned his head to the left. He gave a nod to a man standing directly behind him. Immediately the man took off toward the hall. “I’ll try my best, Emily, but I can’t promise you anything.”

“
That’s ok, just try hard please.” I gave him a hug. I didn’t notice my mother standing beside him until I let go.

“
Oh, so you know now,” she stated. I was slightly confused until Robert finished her thought. “You know that your father is a Warlock.”

What I couldn’t understand is how Gavin was a Wizard and my father was a Warlock, but I would have to file that under crazy things to ask at a later date.

“
Oh, that, yeah,” I replied. It registered that Mom was saying she knew he was supernatural.

“
Wait. Mom, how long have you known?” I asked. I was glad to see the cat was out of the bag. I had been worried regarding how to tell her I had met my father, or even if I should.

“
Your father and I met while he was working on a case for your Grandmother. She had a poltergeist haunting her house, and he was the one who came out to help. We kept in touch and had a few dates. Until I found out I was pregnant with you. Because Robert’s job is so dangerous, we decided we shouldn’t see each other anymore,” she explained.

For the first time in my life, I saw emotions from my mother. She was never affectionate or compassionate and I was ok with that, but to hear her speak of the love she had to give up for me was touching. I didn’t realize it was my fault my father left. I always thought he was just a dirt bag.

The man Robert had sent away returned with a white tank top. He walked directly over and placed the shirt into Robert’s hands.

“
I don’t know how long it’s been since she has worn this, but it will have to do.” He left the room.

You could feel the tension in the air but no one dared make a peep. Ezra had not looked at me the entire time and I was glad for it. I was done with his drama. I was done with men, period. I had enough on my plate. I didn’t need to add another person to my crazy life. I think he knew it was over.

It didn’t even bother me at that moment because I couldn’t get upset over a silly boy when Kimmy was in the hands of a murder. Damon had killed two girls at my apartment without hesitation. What would stop him from killing Kimmy? I needed to speak to him again. Maybe the number he called from would still be in my phone. I needed to negotiate for her life. If he wanted that book, so be it, it was his. It wasn’t like he could really use it, He needed Robert to cast the spell.

Ezra’s phone rang, He answered and kept his call private. He glanced my way at one point and I knew it had to be Gavin or Axle. As soon as he disconnected I stood, hoping to hear good news. He continued to ignore me. This was not a time for him to be immature.

“
Who was that?” I asked, feeling very impatient and grumpy.

He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it. He must have decided against whatever he was about to say. “I don’t answer to you,” he finally replied into the fireplace.

I could feel my body vibrating with anger. My hands were shaking and I was breathing hard. “Dammit Ezra, grow up you freaking jerk.”

He continued to ignore me. I let out an irritated squeal and stormed off back to my room. There was only one way to find out exactly what was going on. I slammed my door and locked it. I turned on the clock radio by my bed and lay down. I didn’t have Gavin’s number, but I did have Axle’s. He picked up on the first ring.

“
Emily?” he answered.

“
Axle, what is going on? Ezra won’t tell me what you guys talked about on the phone,” I said, still hoping for good news. Doubtful. I would hope that if there was anything to report, Ezra would have been a man about it and just told me. He knew I was a wreck.

“
Emily, what are you talking about? We haven’t spoken with Ezra since we left the house.” I was so sure it was Gavin or Axle on the phone, I didn’t stop to think who it could have been.

“
Are you sure Gavin didn’t call him?” I asked. It was driving me crazy to not know who he spoke to.

“
No, I’ve been in the car with him this entire time. We’re still driving back to town. Is everything alright? Should I call Robert?” he asked with worry in his voice. I was tempted, but thought it would be best not to make such a fuss about the situation.

“
No, if I get annoyed enough I can go talk to Robert. It was probably his girlfriend anyways. Plus, Robert is doing some sort of protection spell for Kimmy right now, I wouldn’t want to interrupt,” I answered, feeling slightly better about the situation. Gavin and Axle were bad ass dudes and if anyone could take on Damon is was those two. I was glad to know they were on their way to help Kimmy.

“
I really appreciate you guys going to look for Kimmy. She means the world to me and if anything were to happen to her…” I choked up. “What I mean to say is thank you for this. You have no idea what this means to me.”

“
Anything for you, babe. Don’t worry, we will find her,” he replied.

After we ended our call, I felt disconnected. I didn’t want to face Ezra again, but I didn’t want to be alone. The only person who would understand was Kimmy. I really needed to get her back. I felt helpless, There was nothing I could do. I tried to look up the number Damon had called me from but no luck, he called from a blocked number. I desperately needed to hear from him. I had to know that she was ok, that he wasn’t going to hurt her or worse.

I heard a knock at the door. I didn’t even bother getting up, I had a feeling I knew exactly who it was.

“
Go away,” I called out. I couldn’t deal with more drama at this point. I was one conversation away from snapping.

“
Sorry, dear. I made you some dinner. I thought you might be hungry,” Nelly replied.

I was mortified. “I am so sorry, Nelly. Please come in,” I said as I ran to the door to unlock it and let her in. She gave me a concerned look as she entered, carrying the most delicious smelling food on a tray.

“
Do I look that bad?” I asked her. I knew the stress was getting to me.

“
No dear, not too bad for what you are going through. It’s perfectly understandable.” Her comment caught me off guard. I really did look bad. She was trying to be nice. Her being in the room made me feel that much better.

“
Well, I brought you some tomato bisque, mac and cheese, apple sauce, peach cobbler, and some green tea. I know it seems very random but I didn’t know what you would like so I just made comfort foods.”

It brought tears to my eyes. She placed the tray on the bed and pulled me into a hug. She felt warm and smelled like home. I didn’t want to let go. I could handle everything that was going on as long as Nelly was by my side.

“
I don’t know what to do, Nelly. I would do anything to save Kimmy, but they won’t let me leave.” I was getting angry at myself for not standing up to Ezra and leaving.

“
You know what I think?” I looked down at the tiny old lady with hopeful eyes. Maybe she would know what to do to make this all go away.

“
I think you should eat something, drink your tea, and take a nap. After you are all rested, then I’ll come back in here and sit with you until the boys get back.” She rubbed my arm and then she exited the room.

Not exactly the Yoda advice I was looking for. I couldn’t expect anyone to have the answers. I ate every single bite of my food on the couch and took my tea to the bed. I texted Axle to get an update, but he replied that they were still driving. I sipped my tea as I thought about what Nelly had said to do. I did feel better getting some food in my stomach but she didn’t really think I could sleep at a time like this.

Then it hit me. The only way I could speak to Damon was to sleep. I could dream and hopefully talk to him. I could try to convince him to trade Kimmy for the book. I had no way of getting my hands on the book, but it was worth a try. I sat my tea down and laid back. I rolled for a few minutes, trying to get comfortable. I was getting sleepier by the minute, which was unusual under the circumstances.

I hadn’t realized I drifted off until I saw Kimmy. My heart felt like it had exploded when my eyes met hers. She was in the same run down jail cell and tied to the same chair as I had been in my first dream of Damon. If felt odd to see her in the same position I had been just a few hours before. Her head was bent down in front of her with her hair covering her face. I was afraid to see what Damon had done to her. I would break down if he had hurt her. She was such a strong woman but she could never go up against the likes of a vampire. I heard laughter. My body went still, my lungs just wouldn’t work. I could feel sweat rolling down my face. Damon opened the door to the cell and strolled in. He gave me a knowing look and walked over to Kimmy. He pulled her head up, but she was so limp. I couldn’t tell if she was even alive till I heard her whimper.

“
Kimmy, what were you thinking?” I whispered out loud, more to myself than anyone. Damon gave another evil smile.

“
I swear, Damon, I will kill you myself!” I threatened.

“
When, Emily? You can’t touch me in your dreams, but today is not about you. It’s about your beautiful friend here.” He removed a few curls from her face. She had a black eye and a busted lip. She still had color in her face, so at least she had that.

He started smelling her neck as he held her face. She gave a slight jerk. She still had a small bit of fight in her. That’s when I noticed the multiple teeth marks in her neck, the bastard was biting her. Everything was happening like my dream. He gave me a crooked smile before he bent down, teasing her neck, He whispered into her ear but I couldn’t hear what he told her. She looked me straight in the eyes and I knew what came next. His teeth grew long before he bit her again. She opened her mouth to scream, but I didn’t hear anything.

Chapter Twenty-Three

I awoke back in my room. Drenched in sweat and panting, I was glad to not be surrounded by men. I gripped my pounding head.

“
Everything ok, dear?” Nelly asked.

Her presence startled me. I thought I had been alone.

“
Nelly, I’m ok, I guess, given the current circumstances.” I had a bottle of water on my nightstand. I picked it up and started chugging. Nelly waited until I was through quenching my thirst.

“
How was your dream?” she asked.

I ran my hand over my face to clean up the sweat. “It was horrible. Damon has Kimmy and he is killing her. He wants that stupid spell book. No one here will ever give it to him. They would rather just let Kimmy die. And on top of everything, I’m trapped here. I have to get to her.” I poured out my soul. It hurt to admit my current situation out loud. It made it feel worse. I had been hoping for every minute that this was all a bad dream and I would wake up sooner or later. I picked up my phone, no missed calls, no voice mail. Meaning they hadn’t found her. Which I already knew from my dream.

“
So, you want to get the book and leave?” she asked, sitting down beside me. Her presence was making me feel calmer.

“
I know it sounds insane. There is no way I could ever get the book. And then there is no way I could sneak pasted Ezra, again!” I was giving up fast. I was kidnapped.

“
I can help you, if you would like,” she replied softly. It was such a nice offer, I knew it impossible, but it’s the thought that counts.

“
Oh, Nelly, you are so sweet but like I said, I can’t get the book and break out.” It felt good to have at least one person on my side in this house.

“
Emily, you underestimate me. I can get you the book and help you break out as call it.” My eyes had to be the size of plates. I was in shock. Excitement started coursing through my veins.

“
Can you really help me?” I asked, with hope in my heart.

“
Wait, right here,” she replied with a smile on her face. She quietly departed my room. I ran over and grabbed a backpack I had found earlier in my closet. I filled it with my necessities and a few clothes. Just in case. I threw in my phone, purse and charger. I knew if we were about to really do this I would need both hands free. By the time I packed Nelly returned with the big old book in her arms. My mouth fell to the floor. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at.

“
What, How?” I stammered.

“
We have to hurry. Now, be extremely quiet and follow me,” she answered.

“
What if we run into Ezra?” I forcefully whispered. He would kill me if he found out what we were planning.

“
Robert is in Kimmy’s room, trying a different protection spell, and Ezra is feeding in his room,” she answered with a smile on her face.

I wasn’t sure what to think about Ezra feeding yet again, but I didn’t have time to think twice about it. We were off, creeping down the hall. I felt like a fugitive breaking out of the big house. We went through one hall and into another, so far so good. I thought to myself. We heard a door shut and froze. Nelly gave me a look that said to stay calm and silent. I should have offered to take the book. It seemed so big next to her little body. She nodded, giving the ok to keep going.