Blood Ties (Blood Lust Sequel)--COMPLETED

Chapter Twenty-Three: Distraction pt. 1 (Audrey's POV)

Aiden didn't speak as he took me into another room further down the hall. He opened the door, flipping on the light as I stepped inside, revealing dark walls clad in movie memorabilia. Classic movie posters preserved in sleek frames, shelves lined with DVD's, VHS tapes, and even a few film reels were neatly placed in three corners of the room.

Like Duke, Aiden had a desk in his room, too. But his desk was messy, unorganized, and there was a Dracula bobblehead close to falling off the edge.

Ironic.

The door suddenly slammed shut, and I whipped around to see that Aiden had left. Then I heard a click.

"Aiden?" I called out, walking to the door. I tried the knob, but it wouldn't budge. "What the hell, Aiden? You locked me in your room?"

Why would he do that?

"Sorry, Audrey, but I needed to make sure you couldn't follow me." He said on the other side. "I'll let you out once it's over."

My eyebrows knitted together, my confusion deepening. "Once what is over?"

It was quiet on his end.

"Aiden?" I knocked on the door. "Aiden? What's going on?"

I pressed my ear to the door and heard muffled voices. At first I couldn't tell what was being said, but when I closed my eyes and held my breath, Aiden's words were clear as day.

"No, she does not get to take another person away from me. Simone dies tonight."

My heart shot up my throat. No.

I banged on the door. "Aiden! Aiden, let me out of here!"

He couldn't really kill Simone, could he? And if he did, what would that do to his relationship with Lucius? Lucius turned Simone, he was her creator. How would he feel if Aiden killed his progeny?

Then there was Duke.

Duke and Aiden were like brothers. I sincerely doubted he'd sit idly by if things came to blows between Lucius and Aiden. They'd end up slaughtering each other.

I couldn't let that happen.

"Aiden! Open this damn door right now!" My fist throbbed from beating beating on the door so hard. I opened my mouth to shout again, but snapped it shut when I heard something thud onto the floor.

A second later the door unlocked, and creaked open. Gabriel stood on the other side, wearing khakis and a dark blue sweater, with Aiden lying unconscious at his feet.

"Apologies for Aiden's behavior, Miss Ridley." He gave me an apologetic smile. "He shall not be a problem for the duration of the night. Will he, Duke?"

Duke suddenly appeared to stand above Aiden's motionless body. "Not at all." He said, bending down to pick up Aiden and throw him over his shoulder.

I waited for his voice to fill my head, for him to apologize for trying to send me away earlier tonight. Or to at least give me some kind of explanation. But he didn't. Instead, he gave me a lingering look before turning on his heel to take Aiden to...I wasn't sure where.

"Where is he taking him?" I asked Gabriel without looking at him.

I'd hoped it wasn't to the cave again. Just thinking about any of the guys having to do a stint in there made my heart ache.

"To Duke's room, I'd imagine." Gabriel exhaled audibly. "Are you alright? Do you need anything?"

I started to shake my head, but then a chill blew in through the doorway, and I shivered. "Actually, I could probably use a blanket."