My Father's House

Chapter 37

The time went faster than I had hoped. Within the next few hours, I was transformed. Standing at the back of the building, I wore all black, including a bullet proof vest. My gear was complete with various weapons strapped to my waist and vest. I never knew a piece of clothing could have so many pouches for so many different things. My hair was pulled back in a high pony tail, out of my face. My strategy tonight was simple - stay beside Kael and out of the way of the rest of the team. Somehow, I hoped we could sneak in and out undetected, but that seemed a lofty goal for a team of five.

Gone was the emotional woman in the storage room. Right now, I had to focus every ounce of my energy on surviving and looking like I belonged here. A large black SUV pulled up. We all filed in and sat in the order we entered. I found myself wedged between Kael and Eric. The giant took up two seats opposite me. Beside him, Porter tilted his lean form forward so that he could talk easily with Kael.

The driver appeared to be a little, older gentleman, with no fathomable job description beyond driving. My nerves played havoc on my brain in the darkness inside the vehicle. I chewed idly on the side of my nail. Kael must be confident that we could do this, otherwise I didn't think I would be here right now. Kael reached up and pulled my hand down from my mouth. I gave his hand a squeeze, not letting go when our hands reached the seat between us.

He cleared his throat, leaning toward me to speak, "The earpiece," he started. I nodded, adjusting the camouflaged device wedged down in my ear. "If you press once and hold down, it will come through only to me. And, it will give me your location." His hand tightened a little on mine.

"Ok," I whispered, trying not to think about what sort of situation would require such an option.

"If you get into trouble and I don't come, press twice," he whispered.

Eric and the giant were discussing something across from us. I leaned closer to Kael to speak, "What will that do?"

"Just know, press twice. Worst case scenario."

What would it do? I had heard of spies with fake teeth filled with cyanide or poisonous pills to assist them with suicide if caught in a bad situation. I hoped this wasn't one of those solutions. Most likely, if I was caught without him, I'd press twice without a second thought, though.

We rode the rest of the way in silence, but I never let go of his hand. I didn't care if he thought I was being childish. I was scared I wouldn't make it through the night.

The car finally stopped. We had planned on entering through the drainage system on the outskirts of Mason's base. Surveillance over the years advised that there were fewer guards there than at the side entrances. The vehicle's door slid open. Our driver was letting us out, as if we were using a regular cab service in New York City. I stretched my legs when out on the ground, taking in my surroundings. We were at a drainage opening of some sort, just under a bridge. A metal gate would have to be removed, but the tunnel didn't look as claustrophobic as I had feared.

There was no moon tonight. While the darkness was excellent for our cover, it added to the eeriness I felt. I could glimpse the top of a large stone structure in the distance over the tops of the trees, perhaps the top of a tower on a castle. Unlike most towers I'd seen, it was built into the side of a mammoth hill, the top of the tower appearing level with the highest point of ground.

Kael led us toward the gate, breaking the hinges before he turned back toward us and spoke, "There may not be many, but there's bound to be someone guarding the entrances. Caraleena is with me."

I moved up closer him, glad for the protection but wondering how dangerous it was to be at the front of the group.

We stepped inside. The dank smell and sound of trickling water was similar to the cells I'd seen at Harper Manor. I bit the inside of my lip until it bled trying to distract myself. The darkness summoned Madeline, tucked in the corner, slithering forward, pearly white teeth shining in the dim light of the cell. She held the small knife. She kept coming, closer and closer. First she was on my right, but just as she neared she would vanish and appear to my left.