Page 84 of Soul Bound

“I recently found out I’m one too,” I admit, even though I probably shouldn’t. “If you’re a witch, how can you work for these people? You must know what they do to women like us.”

An appalled look crosses her features. “I don’tworkfor them. I’m a captive, just like Thalia was. They took me when I was leaving work over a year ago. They didn’t know it when they captured me, but I’m unable to safely carry a baby. Instead of killing me, they decided they could still use me for something. I watch over the babies when they take them to the auctions. I’m basically the nanny. They take me all over the country to these things. I’ve been watching her and the other baby for the past three months as they prepared for the auction tonight.”

“Where is the other baby?”

She grimaces. “They already auctioned him off. A couple from Paris took him half an hour ago. They’re going to be coming for her any minute now.”

“Then I have to find a way out of here.Now.”

She opens her mouth to say something but pauses.

“What?” I urge.

“Thalia was my friend. We shared a room at the facility for a little while before I was tasked with watching the babies. I spent many nights crying on her shoulder. She was one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. I sobbed when I learned she died giving birth.”

“She didn’t just simply die giving birth. They cut the baby out while she was awake and then left her to bleed out on the table while they escaped with her baby,” I bluntly tell her. “She appeared to me and begged me to help find her baby. I promised her I would.”

“What do you mean sheappearedto you?”

“I see ghosts. Thalia has been coming to me as a spirit.” I look to where Thalia stands behind her. “She’s here now. I’ve never seen her look so happy as when she saw her baby.” I bounce the infant in my arms. “I think once I get her baby to safety, she’ll finally find peace.”

“Is she here now?” she whispers.

I nod. “She’s just behind you.”

The woman’s eyes water and she turns to look at the space behind her. “Lia? I’m so sorry they did that to you.” She sniffs. “I’ve been taking care of your baby like she was my own. I’ve been calling her Ella. I remember you saying you liked the name.”

I smile down at the baby. “Ella is way prettier thanTBD, don’t you think?”

Thalia looks at her friend before disappearing. The glass of the floor to ceiling windows starts to frost over and the room gets a little chilly. The woman gasps as she looks at the window. The wordViis scribbled into the frost.

“My name is Violet, and she used to call me Vi,” she croaks. “She’s really here?” Violet asks me.

“She’s really here.”

More words appear in the glass,Thank you.

I smile at the words. “She’s saying thank you for taking care of her daughter.”

I can’t imagine what Thalia and Violet went through together, but whatever it was, I’m sure it created a lasting bond and friendship. Tragedy has such a way of bringing people together.

Violet wipes at the tears that have fallen on her cheeks. “You’re welcome, Thalia.” She sniffs a couple more times before turning her full attention back to me. “Okay, I’ll help.”

“Help?”

“We’re getting Ella out of here.” Violet’s soft voice has a new edge of determination to it. “I’m going to create a distraction and while that’s happening, you’re going to sneak out the door with her.”

I frown. “You can’t do that, they’ll kill you for causing a scene.”

Violet smiles. “Maybe, maybe not, but either way, it’s okay. I’m never going to escape these people; I’ll be a captive for the rest of my life and that’s not how I want to live. At least in death, I’ll be free. And if I get to sacrifice myself for Thalia’s daughter… I can’t imagine anyone else I’d rather die for.”

“Let’s just plan on no one dying and you getting out too,” I say. “You can come with us. I have people on the outside waiting for us. We just have to get to them, and they’ll help.”

Violet just nods her head once and moves to open the bedroom door. She sticks her head out and checks that the hallway is clear. “No one’s coming, let’s go.”

I hold Ella to my chest tightly, covering her small body with the white blanket. I feel her chest rise and fall against mine. I send a silent prayer she doesn’t start crying.

We move swiftly down the hallway and the stairs. We pause around the corner, out of sight from the guests for a second. The party sounds like it’s in full swing, the patrons and music are louder than it was when I was down here earlier. I hear one booming voice that’s louder than the rest. He makes a distasteful joke about all the money he’s made, and a chorus of laughter follows.

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