“So,” Vice started and cleared his throat. “I’m curious what they fed you down there when you’re still a picky eater, as you were when you left us.”
“They fed me well.”
“I’m surprised.”
“Don’t be,” Amoris said. “They fed me well and brought me virgins every Sunday.”
Vice raised an eyebrow and glanced at Jamie. Jamie tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes finding mine. “I can smell your fear. Don’t be afraid,” he said to me. “No matter what they told you, I’m not your enemy. You hear me, girl?”
I nodded quickly, completely mesmerized as his eyes paled.
“You said Tom is dead.”
I swallowed bile. “Yes.”
“We didn’t recover the body yet, so I can’t be sure he’s dead. Are you certain?”
“Yes,” I whispered and stared at the bread rolls, remembering the dark hallway. I could almost feel the heat of Tom’s blood coating my hand. I fisted it.
Jamie tsked. “How can you be positive? Have you seen his body?”
“I killed him.”
Silence stretched, and when nobody commented, I lifted my head and met Jamie’s pale silver eyes. “I killed him because he was evil.” Tears stung my eyes, and I struggled to keep myself together. But I didn’t have to struggle on my own. Amoris took my hand in his.
“Well, I didn’t expect this.” Jamie cleared his throat. “I want you to tell me what you know.”
I gulped. “I now know that Beast Father doesn’t exist. He’s a beast from Tineya who ensured we lived a happy, secluded life down in the community for as long as we held on to Amoris.”
Jamie rested his elbows on the table and leaned in. “Why?”
“Because…because he wanted Amoris’s babies.”
“His babies?”
“Yes. This was the agreement with Tom. Tom sent out warriors, and they scouted Above for women. They looked for breeders who were selected for their looks and general health. Although I was already in the community, I didn’t fit the bill, so nobody bothered with me.” I took a sip of red wine and licked my lips. “But the Beast Father got impatient, fearing you’d discover that he’s on Earth.”
“So you are certain he is here.”
“I am,” Amoris said.
Right. “After Amoris mated and the pregnancy got confirmed, Tom was supposed to hand me over.”
Amoris growled.
“Let her finish,” Jamie bit out. “Go on, girl, tell me.”
“Beast Father ordered Tom to kill Amoris, said he would kill me in labor and take our babies.”
Jamie’s eyebrows shot up. “What the fuck for?”
“He and his mate would raise them as their own.”
Rey tapped the table. Jamie found her hand while closing his eyes for a bit. When he opened them, they shone like diamonds. “Our mother agreed to this?”
“Maybe,” Vice said. “The question is, how do we find him and what do we do with him?” He eyed Amoris.
“Send Mayhem,” Amoris said.