Page 45 of Elemental Love
“I’m afraid not.”
The voice at the end of the line froze the blood in Evrain’s veins. His voice was glacial as he acknowledged the caller. “Symeon.”
“I’m touched you recognize my voice. Isn’t it a delightful evening?”
Evrain fought back the urge to throw the handset across the room. “Get to the point, Symeon. I have better things to waste my time on than verbal sparring with you.”
“Now, now. Mind your manners, boy. I thought you might be interested to hear about my new house guest, but perhaps I’ll call back at a more convenient time.”
Symeon’s voice reverberated with malice, and Evrain had to take a deep breath before he replied. He had to sound calm. Showing his fury would just make Symeon happy.
“Let me talk to him, now.” He walked back outside, receiver pressed to his ear. The small vein at his temple pulsed and dark clouds, the color of fresh bruising, began to gather in the sky overhead.
“So you’ve worked out who I’m talking about. I warned you, Evrain. I told you to take care of him.”
“Put him on the fucking phone, Symeon!” It was a damn good job that Evrain had taken the precaution of venting when he’d had the chance. Power sparked from the tips of his fingers. His entire body thrummed with it.
“I’m not sure that’s going to be possible. Mr. Castine is somewhat indisposed at the moment.” Symeon couldn’t have sounded more gleeful if he tried.
“Put him on now, Symeon, or this conversation goes no further,” Evrain snapped.
“Oh, very well, as you and I are friends. Anything to oblige. Damon, fetch our guest. And make sure he is suitably restrained. You are ugly enough without the addition of any more bruises.” Symeon’s voice became more distant as he addressed Damon.
Evrain took a small measure of satisfaction from the fact that Dominic seemed to have caused some damage to at least one of his captors. He waited impatiently for seconds that seemed like hours.
“Evrain, is that you? I’m sorry…” Dominic whispered, his words tentative. It was the best sound Evrain had ever heard.
“Stop apologizing, you idiot. Are you okay? What happened?”
“Yes, I’m in one piece, more or less. I was on my way back. They ran me off the road. I managed to get out of the truck but they knocked me out. I don’t know where I am.” His voice shook slightly, and Evrain knew that he wasn’t telling the truth about being okay.
“It’s going to be fine. I love you. That lizard Symeon is going to pay for this.” There was a bit of scuffling and a curse.
“That’s not very polite, Evrain.” Symeon had wrestled the phone back. “Please consider your words more carefully.”
In the background there was the sound of a vicious slap and a gasp of pain. Evrain’s fist clenched around the phone, and he swallowed the profanity he was about to utter. Lightning split the sky.
“What do you want, Symeon?”
“Ah, the million-dollar question. Perhaps I should just ask what you are prepared to give me in order to save your sweet lover’s life?”
“How about my promise to tear you and your boyfriend into tiny pieces?” The urge to do serious damage had Evrain’s fingers twitching. He clenched his fist.
“Damon, you can take our guest back to his room. You may have one hour to do whatever you want to him. No permanent marks, though.”
Bile rose in Evrain’s throat. “No! Call him off, Symeon. Just tell me what you want.” Evrain couldn’t bear the idea of Dominic left helpless with Symeon’s deranged boyfriend. It was possible that Damon had killed Aggie, though Evrain had no proof. Symeon wouldn’t dirty his own hands. Thunder began to rumble in the clouds, mirroring Evrain’s black mood.
“Haven’t you worked it out yet?” Symeon crowed. “I thought you were supposed to be intelligent?”
“Stop playing games, Symeon.” Evrain fought to keep his voice calm even as he seethed inside at his own helplessness.
“Fine, you precocious little brat. There’s only one thing that will secure your redheaded angel’s freedom. You. I want you. But I’m going to make you wait to find out how you can make the heroic sacrifice. I’ll call you in the morning. Sweet dreams.” The loathing in his voice was chilling.
Forked lightning split the sky and thunder cracked the heavens as Evrain screamed his fury into the night. He would willingly give himself up to save Dominic but Symeon would have no intention of letting him go. Now he had Evrain’s greatest weakness in his clutches, he’d want to keep him, at least until Evrain was no longer a threat. Evrain wasn’t too proud to admit he needed help and he knew exactly where he could find it. He marched back into the cabin, slamming the door behind him.
Evrain’s mind was in turmoil. He couldn’t remember Gregory’s number. He swapped Aggie’s handset for his mobile and thanked the Lord for speed dial. The call connected. Evrain tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for Gregory or Coryn to answer. He didn’t give any room to the thought that they might be out or away from home. He started muttering curses at the receiver and nearly didn’t hear when someone finally answered.
“What?” Gregory did not sound impressed.
