Page 95 of Hupotasso
“No, I’m sorry, I can’t. And no, Falcon wouldn’t hurt your family, Angie. But he’s desperate to have you back, and I have to get you into the chopper.”
I want to scream ‘NO!’ I want to fight and bite and do anything in the world to stay away from that castle of hell. I’ll do anything to stop what I know is coming; the destruction of this vampire who cares for me and the vampireIstill care for, despite everything. I try another tack, to see if I can impress upon Jag that Viper is controlling me. Maybe, just maybe, his bite is still not in full force…
“You didn’t answer my question, Jag. How did you find me?”
“Viper had a tip-off,” he says, his eyes still on my son.
“How would Viper know where I was?” My tongue immediately grows thick and threatens to choke me.
‘Oh fuck. The link is still strong.’
“I didn’t think much of it,” he says, shrugging, “like most things that idiot says, but I was in the neighbourhood…”
“Jag,” I smile weakly and shake my head. I know he’s not being truthful; I can always tell when he’s lying.
“If you must know I acted the moment he told me,” he sighs, “even though I suspected it was a false lead. I’ve never stopped looking for you, Angie.”
“And now you’re going to take me back.”
“I must, yes. That will be for the best.” He shakes his head as though he knows what he’s saying is bullshit, but he, too, is bound to do something he doesn’t want to do.
I open my mouth to argue, but Viper’s instructions settle over my mind like clingfilm on an egg.
I don’t struggle as Jag squeezes my hand before scooping me into his arms and lifting me from the bed, I can’t. I’m too weak from the birth and still bleeding, and Viper’s grip on my mind is now complete.
As we step outside I see Adam and Marianna, and her sisters. They’re about two hundred metres away and being held back by a wall of black-garbed men with guns. Adam’s shouting to Jag, but the sound of the chopper blows his words away.
I point to him, desperate for Jag to notice, to just listen, but he shakes his head and keeps striding towards the helicopter, whispering into my ear as he walks; “I’m sorry, Angie.”
I can’t tell him what I’m thinking.
‘No, I’m sorry.’
78
The waiting seems interminable, but thankfully I’m not alone in my anticipation.
She’s been found, but I know this is only the beginning. I only hope she has it in her heart to forgive me.
“A son,” I stare out the window down the long drive. “An heir.”
“He’ll be beautiful and Angie will love him like no other,” Mother says quietly.
“Yes,” I shake my head. “Angie. She tried to tell me she was innocent so many times, Mother, and all I could do was think the worst. All I’ve ever done is think the worst —dothe worst.”
In the reflection of the window I see Mother shake her head.
“Falcon, darling, we all make mistakes, I’m living proof of that. She’ll forgive you.”
“She’s too good for me,” I mutter. “Too good for any of us.”
“You’re better than any man I know,” she comes to stand beside me and places a hand on my shoulder, “and I think you know how you can show her that.”
“I don’t know how to proceed, Mother. I’m all at sea. You know I’d buy her anything, give her anything. If she needs space, time apart…. whatever it takes, I’ll do it.”
“There’s something more tangible, something more important to her than gifts or space, Falcon. Something you can do to regain her trust. I think you know that.”
“Yes. Cancel The Games,” I nod. “I can prove I deserve her trust by supporting her wish to put an end to the public bloodshed, the destruction of the brightest and best. But you and I both know it could take another thousand years for any real change to be made to the rituals of The Families.”
