Page 75 of Serpent & Saviors

“Hey, it’s going to be okay.”

He flinched as I reached for him, but I needed to get him out of here. As I lifted him into my arms, his frame shook against my chest. Small fingers clutched at my shirt, desperate and terrified.

“I’ve got you,” I murmured, already moving. “You’re safe now. We’re friends of your mummy’s. We’re going to help her, but let’s get you away from this room for a minute.”

My heart instantly broke for the innocent little soul thrown into this nightmare, and my hatred for Cameron Evans grew. The police sirens got louder outside, and I was relieved to know help was here.

“Can you close your eyes for me, little man?” I asked the child.

He immediately closed his eyes and buried his head against me. I stepped over Nigel’s body, shielding the boy’s eyes just in case.

“This way,” Marcel shouted. He had doubled back and was now going in the opposite direction.

“What’s going on?” a woman asked sharply, only now being bothered to respond to the commotion. Where she came from, I didn’t know, but she backed away as I glared in her direction.

Where the hell was she when Declan was screaming five minutes ago?

“Which way to the child’s room?” I demanded.

Another maid appeared. “I’ll take you,” she said.

Sebastian and Ivan burst through the door. “Show them where the basement is,” I barked at the maid standing in the hall. “Sebastian, go in the living room, record what you see,” I threw over my shoulder as I mounted the steps.

Declan’s little fingers clung to my shirt as his sobs persisted. My gaze remained focused on following the maid. Down the hall, she led us and then abruptly stopped. I opened the door and took him inside.

Tears streamed down his reddened face, and his eyes were screwed shut. I gently put him down and then knelt beside him. His golden blonde hair was like his mother’s, and it framed his cherubic face. The afternoon sun had filtered in, and the faintest hint of red could be seen in it. I grinned. It was a genetic echo of Marcel.

My gaze remained locked on his little face. “You can open your eyes now. We’re in your room.”

His bedroom walls had posters of several football players. A Manchester United quilt draped his small bed, and the ceiling looked like a starry night sky. His eyes fluttered open, and I did a double-take. I was momentarily stunned; I was staring into Marcel’s blue eyes. Down to the starburst-like pattern in the irises. The resemblance was uncanny. His eyes darted around in confusion.

“My name is Pasha, but you can call me Uncle Pasha.”

“Uncle Pasha?” His little voice melted my heart. “Is my mummy going to be okay?”

“I don’t know, kiddo.” I reached over and brushed the tears from his face. He flung himself into my arms.

“Why did he do that to her? What did Nanny ever do? I don’t understand.”

“I know. I know. We’re going to figure this out. But right now, I need your help with something big.”

“What?”

“We’re going to take you somewhere safe for the next few days. Until things settle down, we need to pack a bag.”

“Can I bring Fuzzy?” he asked, his innocent blue eyes searching mine.

“What’s a fuzzy?” I asked.

“It’s my teddy bear, but you have to get it for me. I can’t reach it. He said I was a big boy and didn’t need him anymore. But Mummy gave him to me, and I really do need him. Please.”

“A teddy bear, you say. I think we can manage that. By the way, your Uncle Nik is a huge Manchester United fan,” I offered, looking around, trying to keep his mind off what he’d seen. I had zero clue what I was doing here.

“Who is Uncle Nik?” His eyes were wide.

“You’ll meet him soon enough. Why don’t you show me where Fuzzy is and I’ll get him for you.”

“He’s way up there.”