Page 54 of Queen of Vengeance

Globs of tears dripped from my eyes, but I refused to crumble in this place. “They’ll never let me go, Zane. There’s nothing you can do. Please just leave this place and never return. They’re only going to continue to torture me for as long as you try and get me out.”

“Who are they? Just tell me who did this to you,” he pleaded with me, but the door to the interrogation room opened again, cutting the conversation short.

“Tell them, Zane… Tell them that it was me who tried to transport the illegal potions. They won’t stop until I’m convicted.” My head hung into my feet as I began to lose consciousness.

I could hear shouting on the other side, but it became faint. I hoped that after I closed my eyes, I could dream of my home again… Of my family, but there was nothing for me on the other side of my consciousness—only darkness.

20

ZANE

When Zane exited the prison and the fresh air hit him, a feeling of sickness that churned all of the contents in his stomach overcame him. He lunged over, grabbing the side of the stone wall before throwing up. He never imagined seeing anything so horrific happen to Lea. He could hardly stand it.

“If she’s unwilling to fight on her side, then there’s nothing more I can do as her lawyer.” Ferlin dropped her head as if she were paying respects to a dead person and not a living, breathing shifter.

“That can’t be it! There has to be something else we can do. I know she’s not responsible for those illegal potions. That’s something Jax would do, maybe even me, but not Lea. She’s a good person.” Zane was ripping at his shirt. His lungs felt tight, and he couldn’t breathe anymore.

“Calm down, cousin. I know that you believe she’s innocent. I do, too. But unfortunately, in the eyes of the law, innocence rarely matters.” She gripped Zane’s shoulder in the hopes of soothing him.

“But that’s not fair…” He looked up at his cousin with mist in his eyes.

She could only frown at him.

“I know she asked me to give up on this, but I can’t do that. How could I turn my back on her now when she needs me most?” That was the only thing that went through his mind as he ran straight to Dask.

“Zane! Wait!” Ferlin shouted, desperate to stop, but he couldn’t. He wouldn’t!

He couldn’t stand leaving her in there one more moment.

The thought that she wouldn’t even make it another month wouldn’t leave his mind.

He didn’t stop running until he was standing outside Jax’s house.

“He must know something… Or at least seen something. Why was he acting so calm about this? Jax was never particularly close with Lea, but she was at least our friend and, at most, our business partner!”

Zane frantically pounded on the front door until Jax’s mother, Omara, answered.

“Heavens, Zane. What is the matter?” Omara pressed her hand over her heart in an attempt to calm herself.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m looking for Jax.” Zane tried to explain through his bated breath.

“Jax? He hasn’t been home the last few nights. I suspect he’s spending more time with his uncle. I don’t particularly fancy the idea, but it’s nice that Jax has a father figure.” Omara ran away with her thoughts.

“Diesel?” Zane couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Jax had been working with him this whole time. Now that I’m thinking about it, it did seem strange that Jax suddenly showed up with all that money. Dammit! Excitement blinded me to the point that I didn’t even question it!” Zane balled up his fists and let out a heavy breath.

“Thank you for this information, Ms. Ransom. I’m sorry to disturb you.” Zane successfully spoke despite gritting his teeth together. Then he turned his back to Ms. Ransom and left.

Zane tried to connect the dots in his head as he walked outside of their village. He planned to visit Jax and urge him to help stop this mess. He had always had Jax’s back through everything. Surely, his friend would come through for him now.

The more Zane thought about it, the more worried he became.

Something about this situation wasn’t right.

Zane could feel it in his bones.

There was deceit at play.

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