Page 182 of Eternal Surrender

His friend gasped. “Shit, don’t rile it up.”

“It’s tied down,” Aiden insisted. “Can’t do anything with this much silver wrapped around it.”

Aiden fiddled with my trousers. “I’m going to castrate you, if you don’t start talking.” He clicked his fingers to get the knife back.

I sent a willful command his way, trying to trance him out.

Aiden’s head shot up. “Did you feel that?” His frown deepened. “Shut your mind down,” he warned his friend.

Drawing on the last of my psychic strength, I had to believe there was still enough strength left in me to save myself and everyone else.

I willed a shockwave through the chains and one by one they snapped and fell, clinking when they hit the floor. I clambered off the table, stood before Aiden and swiped his knife, turning it on him. Holding it firmly, I pressed the tip against his neck.

Aiden’s eyes widened in terror.

“Where’s my friend?” I asked.

“With my dad,” he muttered.

I glanced over at Aiden’s timid accomplice who was slightly taller than him; pimple faced and teenage thin. “What’s your name?” I asked him.

The boy cowered.

“Shawn?” I asked. “Where are they keeping him?”

“Don’t tell him,” Aiden said.

I narrowed my gaze. “What are you taking to block your thoughts?”

“Nothing,” Aiden lied.

“Shawn, say goodbye to Aiden,” I threatened.

Shawn mumbled, “Mercury.”

“Shut up,” Aiden snapped at him.

“Vamps can’t metabolize it.” Shawn’s words spilled with his dread. “It affects their central nervous system.”

“Are all members of Sovereign taking it?” I asked.

“Please let him go now,” Shawn begged.

“Answer me!” I snapped.

Whirling arrows found their mark and pierced my flesh, sending jolting pain, penetrating deep into my back and trailing behind each one were thin silver chains. I slumped to my knees.

The men who’d shot them were all dressed as monks and they were encircling me, wrapping the chains around my chest and binding my arms to my sides. Aiden wore a look of arrogant pride.

“Did you unchain it?” Crowther seethed with fury.

“No,” Aiden replied hastily.

Crowther strolled around me. “You’re playing with fire,” he said to Aiden.

Aiden’s friend was hopping from one foot to the next.

Crowther peered over his lenses at him. “Didn’t we discuss the importance of following orders?”