Page 84 of Royal Bite
“This is amazing,” she gasped. She clapped, excited for the children. It was Stormey’s hope that more kids would come to get off the street. They would employ more people to help Emily and her team of volunteers. Their plan would be to get all little ones off the streets and give them a safe place where they would enjoy being.
“Miss Jaymes, we need to leave,” Desmond announced. His face was devoid of any emotions.
Stormey took one look at him and nodded. She offered a smile to Zach and Emily.
“I do apologize,” she said. She pushed back from the table and stood. She hated she hadn’t had a chance to see Maisie. “Can you tell Maisie I said hello?”
“Of course, Miss Jaymes. Thank you for coming.” Emily stood from her chair.
Stormey waved her down. “I’m sure Desmond will know how to get to the front entrance.” She chuckled. They would have to stop by the coat closet to grab her cloak. The temperatures outside were quite chilly. “I will give you a call later to discuss what I missed.”
Stormey followed Desmond through the kitchen and to a hallway. Her smile slowly disappeared as she walked alongside her guard. He kept a hand on the hilt of his sword that was sheathed on his waist.
“Am I to assume that you will tell me what this is all about?” she asked.
“As soon as we are in the truck,” he replied.
He was on high alert, and her anxiety level shot through the roof.
Stormey’s heart rate quickened. Something must be wrong. She hated this feeling of unknowing. Had something happened to Hegna? Were they under attack? Question upon question kept flooding her mind. They arrived at the coat closet near the front door. Desmond assisted her with putting her cloak on. She pulled the hood over her head and followed him out the door. Their SUV was waiting for them. She shivered, a chill sliding down her spine.
Stormey settled into the backseat of the truck. Desmond shut her door and got into the passenger seat. Their driver, Henry, was a warrior she hadn’t met before today. He was just as large as Desmond and had barely spoken two sentences.
“Keep your eyes sharp,” Desmond said.
Stormey’s widened. She gripped her hands together as worry grew. She grimaced, sensing her hands had grown damp. She wiped them on her cloak to dry them.
“Can you please tell me what is going on?” she asked, unable to wait for Desmond to decide when he was ready to tell her why they had to leave suddenly.
“Ever since the princess left, we’ve spread out around town and upped security. There was a lycan attack near Madam Rice’s club. A few vampires were leaving, and lycans attacked,” Desmond said. “And just an hour ago there was an attack a few blocks from the orphanage. We need to get you to the castle.”
“Oh my,” she breathed. She swallowed hard and fought to keep from fidgeting. She tried to remain calm. A future princess and ruler would not panic but keep a level head. She thought of Hegna and prayed she was safe. She wouldn’t want Stormey to cower in fear. She’d want Stormey to defend herself. She’d trained for a reason, but she still hoped she wouldn’t have to be tested with a real-life attack.
She took in the scenery as it flew past. Even with the cold, there were plenty of people out and about, strolling along. All appeared to be quiet and like any other day. She relaxed slightly. It was better for her guards to be cautious and get her home.
Henry slowed the vehicle to a stoplight. She stared out the window but didn’t see anything outside. She inhaled, getting lost in her memory of Hegna telling her to move her items to her room. That was the best thing she’d heard. It had been what she had hoped for. She had a feeling when Hegna returned, they would complete the bond. She hadn’t needed to say the words. It was evident by the look in Hegna’s eyes. Stormey smiled, a warm sensation washing over her. She reached up and rested her fingers on the bite mark on her neck.
She blinked, not wanting to get too emotional. Poor Desmond and Henry probably wouldn’t know what to do with a crying woman in the backseat of the truck.
The light turned green, and Henry guided the truck through the intersection. A roaring sound filled Stormey’s ears. Their vehicle jerked from something slamming into them. A scream tore from her; the truck rocked onto its side and rolled. Stormey clenched her eyes shut, and her body jerked with the motion of the SUV until it went still.
She groaned and found herself hanging upside down in her seat. The seatbelt was tight across her chest. Her ears were ringing, and she couldn’t hear anything else. She whimpered, not knowing what had happened. Something warm was sliding along her temple and her forehead. She closed her eyes, feeling faint. She tried to hold on. Desmond would get her—
Desmond! She hadn’t heard anything from him. Was he and Henry okay?
She tried to open her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Something jerked at her, tugging on her cloak. She fell free, landing on a hard surface. Stormey fought to open her eyes, but they didn’t cooperate. Her body was being dragged, and she couldn’t lift a hand to protest. Instead, the darkness completely consumed her.
Stormey exhaled and frowned. The bed was not as comfortable as she remembered. The mattress was much harder, and the scent coming from it was unfamiliar. She had been extremely comfortable the night before. Her only complaint was that Hegna had not been with her.
She paused.
When did she get home, and much less in the bed?
The last thing she remembered was riding along in the truck with Desmond and Henry after they’d left the orphanage.
Oh no.
She squeezed her eyes tight, afraid of what she would see once she opened them. Her body shook with fear. She opened one eye, then the other. She blinked several times to try to get her vision to clear. She finally held them open and wished she had kept them closed.
