Page 36 of Captive Hybrid

Chapter Fourteen

Zenna

Evelyn set out some food for the two of us who would eat it. I scoffed down the soup before any more strange conversation could come up. Mercifully, the other two seemed content to be quiet. Aidan looked me over a few times, a sweet, encouraging smile on his face.

I escaped into my bedroom before it was barely nighttime, according to the clock on the wall. Evelyn had said I could read any of the books she’d shown me, but I didn’t have the headspace for it. Instead, I changed into the green satin pyjamas and climbed into bed, letting my heart eventually even out.

Cai?My head starts to throb.

Hey. You… you haven’t called me that in a long time. What’s going on?

I clamp my hands together in my lap, having a hard time expressing how unnerved I am. For a long minute, words tumble through my mind, trying to sort themselves out.

Zen? Are you okay? Please don’t make me get Divina to check on you.

I’m here. I’m… I don’t know about okay.

What is it?Concern pulses down on me.

I explain my day to him. The Den, Aidan, Evelyn, everything. I know Aidan wants to help me, but I don’t know how to react to all of this. To him. It’s just all so damn weird. And I don’t want to be here. I want to be home. With you. Those last two words I keep to myself. They surprise even me. But the need for someone comfortable and familiar is overwhelming.

Mordecai takes a beat. I can feel him calming himself. Did anyone hurt you?

No. I’m just… really creeped out.

After a moment, I wish I was there with you.

How would you help me if you were here?

A sense of warmth passes through me, from him. Well, for starters, I would wrap you in my arms. Make you feel safe. Like I did after Deirdre died. There’s a tinge of hesitation to his words.

Blush heats my cheeks, flaring over my chest and hands. Down my legs. He did. That time I went to him for comfort—well, I sort of punched him first—but he did comfort me. I want that, too.

The sense of a smile fills me from him. Drusilla wants us together. To help her. I explain everything I’ve learned from her and Evelyn. Even if you did come, it would be a different kind of trap. Stay away. I’ll figure this out. I have my vines. Aidan wants to help. Drusilla doesn’t want me dead. For now. I remember Evelyn’s warning about Drusilla getting bored. Before he can argue, I rush on, Is Divina there? Can she give me any more help on using my vines? Aidan’s comment about Dark Witches flits through my mind, the surprise on his face when he realised I knew one… I’m not sure what to do with that, so I keep it to myself for now.

A sigh from Mordecai. Yeah, just a second.

Zenna!Divina’s voice trills in my head and I wince. Sorry. How are things? I sensed you using your powers earlier. Your wolf was very worried about you.

Shut up,Mordecai adds.

I stifle a giggle. I’m holding up okay. I spread out on the bed. This beats a cell. What can you teach me? My vines are great, but that was against someone who wasn’t fighting back.

Divina’s dark smile slides through my mind. I can teach you a few things but…

But what?I press, my head aching from the magic.

Well, doing it like this, telepathically, is not going to be easy on you. Are you sure you have time? If you cry out, will someone hear you?

Cry out? Mordecai snaps.

I’m sharing a house with a vampire, so yeah, she will hear me. They both will.

Then you need to find somewhere you won’t be overheard. Then, I can teach you how to attack multiple people at once. I will have to train you like this, and it will be rough.

A ripple of displeasure from Mordecai pulses through me.

Protective, indeed. Fine. I’ll figure that out, too.Goodnight, both of you.

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