Page 114 of Chasing the Red Queen

“Well, believe it. I was the one he sent to find you.”

“You.”

“Yes. I spent an entire afternoon with your husband, chatting while we fished Lake Michigan from the South Pier. You were on the beach atop a patchwork quilt, your belly swollen with child. There was a toddler at your side, digging in the sand. I believe at the time you wore your hair in braids.”

“Yes, I did,” she sighed with a faraway look in her eyes.

“I called Antonio and gave him my report. He told me to leave you be, though it all but killed him.”

“Why would he do that?”

“He wanted you happy.” Torin took a deep breath. “Now, all these years later, I find it rather ironic that the little Chippewa toddler I saw digging in the sand, the one who called you ‘Mumsie,’ would grow up and father a daughter I now covet with all my heart.”

Anna shuddered. “And are you going to be able to get her back,” she asked, tears streaking her cheeks.

“I will,” he whispered, his jaw twitching, “or die trying.”

“Maybe that won’t be necessary,” Anna said in a barely audible tone, Torin’s face glowing in the lights from an oncoming car. “Were you able to procure the drugs I requested?”

“Yes, Lisa told me what you wanted but are you sure you want to take this path?”

“I have no choice.”

“But even if this works, you’re just sentencing yourself to the same.”

“I’ve had a decent life and to be honest I’ve spent it looking over my shoulder, fearful he would find me, and though you now say my fear was unfounded, it matters not. I’m tired and my own life or death,” she paused, “is irrelevant.”

“That’s not true,” Torin whispered.

“Oh, but it is. I might have escaped once, but I’ve come to understand that this is my destiny, just like my Chippewa sisters before me.” She dropped her head, dark locks concealing her face.

“Give me time,” Torin pleaded, “let me fix this.”

She raised her head and tossed her hair with a smile that wasn’t a smile at all. “I’m afraid some things in life just can’t be fixed.” She raised her chin defiantly. “Time to pay the piper.”

“Well I don’t like it,” Torin said, “and Donja will feel the same.”

“Donja has her whole life ahead of her, I’ve had a few years. Now…the pills?”

Torin handed her a small white bag over the seat. Anna turned the overhead light on and examined the bottles. She opened them and took six, swallowing without the benefit of water.

Torin spun in the seat. “You do know that once this Iridescent who abducted Donja sees you and gets your scent, you will never escape him. He will keep you under lock and key for the rest of your life.”

“I’m aware, as I said, it’s my destiny.”

“Why would you do this? He’s a demon.”

“You know him?” she asked.

“Well, I’m not certain who has Donja, but I’m pretty convinced that it’s Scarface. If you would just give me time, we can stage an attack. I have allies. We might be able to take him down.”

“No,” she retorted bluntly. “There’s not enough time and every minute that my granddaughter is in his possession, her life, like sands in the hour glass, slips away.”

“But Anna—”

“I’ve seen the damage, Torin. I know what your kind is capable of. Anyway, if you attacked, Donja might be killed in the crossfire or you could be killed and then she would be heartbroken. Lisa told me she loves you, therefore I can’t risk it. Do you hear me? No war, not unless I fail.”

“Failure’s not in your cards, Anna. You’re not only beautiful, you’re a desirable mate and he will no doubt go crazy when he sees that you’re capable of giving him a child. It is the sacrifice of your life that concerns me. Like I said, he will lock you away forever.”

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