Page 12 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

Jed’s clean scent rushes up my nose as I draw in a deep breath and ready myself for the next hurdle. Jed’s arm tightens around my back. “Give me a couple of hours and I’ll be ready for the move,” Jed says before a thud on the stone floor signals his abrupt dismissal of the call.

“Who’s moving?” I croak. My parched throat is sore, and the corner of my lip is sticky. Drool, gross. Wiping my mouth on the back of my hand, I blink at Jed who’s wearing his less popular serious face accompanied by a scowl.

“You’ve not slept long enough,” he says.

“What time is it?”

“Six am, you’ve had three hours. Go back to sleep.”

I shake my head to dispel the fog gripping my brain and that horrid achy feeling you get when you’ve slept deep, but woken up too soon. I sit up on my elbow. “Who’s moving?”

“We’re moving Archan to a more secure location. Zac wants me back to help.”

“I want to see him.”

Jed arches an eyebrow. “That’s not a good idea. He’s not himself right now.”

As I drag myself upright, I huff out a laugh. “No shit, I’d have never guessed with the maniacal evil laugh and black eyes. I still want to see him.”

Jed shakes his head as I stand and drop my fists to my hips. “No,” he says.

“Yes, and now. Before you move him.”

I grab Jed’s phone from the floor and hit redial on the last number. “Yes,” Zac’s tone is harsh.

“It’s Natia. I want to see Archan, before you move him.”

“No.”

I grind my teeth as Jed smirks.

“Look, I’m guessing Archan being down makes you king of the castle, but you require me to cooperate so you need to reciprocate. It’s called partnership.”

“No.”

I blink at the phone. “He hung up on me.”

Jed taps his chin. “Why do you think Zac’s in charge?”

“Isn’t he?”

He shrugs. “He’s the head of security.”

“Take me to him.”

“Who? Zac or Archan?”

“Archan, Zac’s more likely to threaten lethal harm than Evil Archan.”

He cocks his head. “It’s a bad idea. We don’t know what Evil Archan wants you for.”

I point to the floor as Zee walks in. “Now, Jed.”

“What does she want?” Zee asks as if I’m not there.

“To see Archan.”

“No,” Zee growls in an accurate impression of Zac.

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