Page 296 of Halfblood Deceived

Claudia went down to her knees with a cry.

Before she could recover, Aella delivered a kick to her stomach with all the strength she could muster.

Claudia’s body collided against the cell door so hard it shook.

It hurt like the devil, but Aella stood, pressing her palms against the wall for support. “What did you do, Claudia? Did you slap her? Hit her with your bible? Kick her?”

Claudia groaned and tried to stand.

Aella kicked her in the gut.

Claudia gagged, curling into a ball.

“How many times have you hurt her?” Aella asked with a growl. “How many kicks would make it even, you psychopathic monster?”

“Guard!” Claudia croaked.

Aella lifted her foot to kick her again—

Something collided against her shoulder, sending electric pain down her limbs and tossing her against the wall. She dropped to the floor, twisting and shaking. Her sight turned blurry, but she saw a male open the cell and drag Claudia away.

“I’ll tell Micah!” Claudia cried once she was outside, and the male locked the cell again. “I’ll tell him you hurt his future wife! He will tear you apart!”

Aella coughed, forcing her body to a sitting position. “He better tears me apart before I get my hands on you again, you lunatic. Because if I do, I will kill you!”

“Whore!” Claudia screamed as the male towed her away. “Vampire-loving whore!”

“And proudly!” Aella yelled back. A coughing fit followed.

Screaming is a bad idea; she scolded herself.

She blinked hard, turning to look at Aiko. The child had lifted her face from the refuge of her bony legs and arms and was looking at Aella with very wide blue eyes.

Aella wanted to say something to Aiko, anything. But nothing crossing her mind seemed remotely appropriate. I’ve had nightmares about you countless nights. I’m sorry I couldn’t save your Mom and Dad. I’ve met your best friend. She’s crazy smart and sweet, and I love her.

“Hi,” Aella said.

Aiko blinked.

Aella sighed, which made her ribs ache. Her eyelids felt heavy. She idly remembered that gargoyles healed by sleeping, and she still had quite a lot of healing to do. Zeydan’s blood notwithstanding.

Part of Aella knew that Zeydan would try to find her. That he wouldn’t rest until he found her. Diana, Kamilla, Aylana, Sebastian, and Evan would help him. The others too, even Andreas, who still didn’t like her much. But the spark of hope in her sore heart was weak.

How could they find her if Aella herself had no idea where she was?

Maybe a miracle could happen.

Maybe.

But hope… hope felt like too much to ask of herself.

She was tired. So tired.

Her awareness slipped away from her like water between her fingers.

“Hi,” said a soft voice.

That was the last thing Aella heard before darkness claimed her.

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