Page 43 of Captive Hybrid

‘I don’t know, she might,’ Divina says. ‘If she had no other choice. She could overpower him or use him as her own hostage to negotiate her freedom.’

‘I mean, that’s assuming Evelyn isn’t willing to let her pet die,’ Jaken says.

‘That’s kind of cold,’ I say, a little surprised.

‘It’s how we, who catch killers for a living, have to think,’ he says pointedly.

‘Look, this all doesn’t matter. I can keep in touch with her. If she does anything rash, that will only put her in more danger.’ My grip tightens on the steering wheel, my stomach churning at the thought of someone hurting Zenna. I need time with her. I need to make things right between us. We… I pray we have a second chance after all of this. ‘Enough.’

After a pause, Vale nods. ‘Can you tell how far we are from her?’

‘What they call the Tomb is underground, and it stretches for miles. Once we get closer, Zenna and I will have to try to coordinate, so we can get in as close to her as we can and get her out of there.’ I drum my fingers on the wheel, trying to feel the distance between us. ‘Until I’m closer, I can’t measure, not well. I just know where to go.’ It’s a pathetic, frustrating answer, and I hate it, but we all know this isn’t like GPS. It’s the best we have.

My eyes slide to the mirror, checking on the three in the back. There’s definitely something going on between Vale and Jana. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

I glance at Divina. The slight smirk curling her lip tells me she thinks the same.

Once we’re out on the open road, there are barely any other vehicles. I take out my phone and set up the map, making a mental note to stop for breakfast.

Zenna…I call to her in my mind, unsure what to say. ‘I’m sorry’ is ridiculously lame. Insufficient. I don’t want her to think I don’t know what a big deal this all has been. Part of me worries that when I finally see her again, she’ll send me away, just to prove how painful rejection is. That would be justice, really.

Please stay safe, I say instead. I need to keep close tabs on her. Pain flares in my head. I hate that it hurts her to talk to me. When I’m with her again, I want to talk with her for hours. Days. Weeks. I want to know everything I don’t know. Everything I’ve missed out on because I was a monumental jackass who kicked her out of her home.

A home, I remember with a stab, that no longer exists. It was blown up.

If I’d only sensed it a few seconds earlier, I could have gotten to her before the vampire took her. If I’d only insisted that she ride with me, I could have protected her.

There are so many things in my head that start with ‘if only’ or ‘I wish’.

My grip tightens on the wheel. I decide to open my window, and am greeted with fresh, early morning air. Fresh air. Zenna has been underground. I can’t imagine how suffocating that must feel.

Trying to, comes her clipped reply. She’s certainly not chatty. Perhaps because she’s not alone. More likely because she doesn’t want to talk to me.

That nightmare she had. I want her to tell me exactly what it was. The moment terror ripped through her—waking me—I wished with all my heart I could turn around in the bed and hold her close, whispering to her that she was okay. That she was safe.

I don’t know if we’ll ever be together. I hope so.

I have a lot to make up for before then. First thing’s first.

Find Zenna and keep her safe.

After an hour, when Divina snaps at Jana for whining for the third time, I pull into a little café-bakery. We all spill out of the truck, relieved to get some air, space and food. And coffee.

I hand over some cash, and lean against the truck for a moment, watching as Divina sends out a wave of power which causes her black hair to ripple around her. Jana snaps something at her, holding a ball of what appears to be pink glitter in threat.

Jaken barks at both of them.

Vale leans on the truck beside me. ‘Are you okay?’

I’ve half a mind to let my head fall back against the metal with a thud, but I’d rather not dent the truck. ‘No.’ I run a hand down my face.

‘What’s it like? Being able to talk to Zenna?’

Shame washes over me. ‘Good. Awful,’ I grind out. ‘She said she can’t trust me.’

‘Ah, I’m sorry. She’s—I mean, she’s been through a lot. Maybe that can change.’

‘I hope so.’ I fold my arms over my chest. ‘I never should have rejected her.’ I’m met with cold silence. I’m a little afraid to turn to see Vale’s face. I know they were friends, too. I wonder if he’s been mad at me for her this whole time. I dare not ask. Instead, we both stare out at the others.

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