Page 12 of Devil's Embrace
I returned to where Marco held Emory, her expression a mixture of terror and defiance as she watched me approach.The security lights cast harsh shadows across her face, highlighting the tension in her jaw, the fear in her eyes.
"Take them inside.Separate rooms."
Emory's body went rigid."No!You can't take my daughter from me!"Her voice echoed against the stone façade of the mansion, desperation making it crack.
I stepped closer, invading her space."Lower your voice."
"Please," she said, softer but no less intense."She's just five years old.She needs me."
Mina whimpered against her mother's neck, small fingers clutching desperately at Emory's shirt."Mama, don't let them take me."
Something unpleasant twisted in my chest at the sound—not guilt, certainly, but perhaps recognition of a complication I hadn't fully anticipated.Children were unpredictable variables.Difficult to control through normal means of intimidation.
"The child goes in the blue room."I looked at Vincent."The mother in the east wing guest suite.Lock both doors."
"You can't separate us," Emory insisted."I won't let you."
I raised an eyebrow at her presumption."You don't have the power toletme do anything."
Vincent moved forward to take the child, but Emory turned her body, using herself as a shield despite her restraints.The zip ties had cut into her wrists; I noted the thin line of blood trickling down one hand.
"Get the child."My patience was waning.
Vincent reached for Mina, his large hands closing around her small waist.The girl screamed as he pulled, her fingers digging into her mother's clothing, refusing to let go.
"No!No!Mama!"She thrashed, doing everything she could to remain with Emory.
"Stop it!You're hurting her!"Emory lunged against Marco's restraining grip, her face contorted with a mother's rage."Please, I'll do whatever you want, just don't separate us!"
I studied her for a moment.Her compliance would make things simpler, but allowing her to dictate terms would set a dangerous precedent.
"Your cooperation is noted, but the arrangements stand.Take them inside.Now."
Vincent finally separated Mina from her mother, holding the thrashing child awkwardly as she screamed.Emory's struggles intensified, her gaze never leaving her daughter as Marco dragged her toward the mansion's entrance.
“Mina, it's okay, baby!I'll find you!I promise!"
The child's wails echoed across the compound as Vincent carried her inside.I watched them disappear into the house.A complication, indeed.But perhaps a useful one, depending on how I played this.
I followed them inside, the doors closing behind me with a heavy finality.The decision about what to do with Emory Scott and her daughter could wait until morning.For now, they were secure, contained, and—most importantly—unable to tell anyone what they had witnessed in that alley.
"Wait."Vincent stopped immediately."Not yet."
I wanted to assess the woman more thoroughly before separation.Information was power, and I needed to understand exactly what I was dealing with.
Vincent hesitated, still holding the squirming girl.Mina had stopped screaming, but tears streamed down her face as she reached for her mother with small, desperate hands.
"Release her."I gestured to Emory's arm."But stay close."
Marco obeyed instantly, stepping back but remaining within striking distance.Emory didn't run to her daughter as I expected.Instead, she turned to face me fully, her chin lifting in a gesture of defiance that surprised me.Anyone else in her position would have dropped to the ground, paralyzed by terror.
"We won't tell anyone what we saw.Just let us go."
Those seemed to be the only words she knew, repeating them like a parrot.I circled her slowly, my footsteps echoing off the marble like a countdown.She turned with me, unwilling to present her back—another sign of unexpected savvy.Her blonde hair had tangled, the ridiculous cat ears now hanging off one side of her head.The zip ties had cut deeper into her wrists, blood staining the plastic.
"That's not possible.You've seen too much."
"We didn't see anything," she insisted, desperation edging her voice."It was dark.Halloween night.We were confused."
