Page 188 of Eternal Surrender

“Blocked the mind control of vampires,” I said.

There came the sound of men shouting just outside the lab.

“This way.” Jacob guided us through the laboratory toward a smaller, colder room.

The second laboratory was stark white, and at the center was a long examination table.

“You should have told me about this place,” I said. “Give me one good reason to trust you.”

“William,” Jacob said, “I was the one who came here to save Rachel.”

“Why not tell me that?” I asked.

“We couldn’t risk you destroying this place,” he said.

“You feared I’d destroy the scrolls?” I whispered.

Jacob gestured his sincerity. “Now that we have all of them, we can separate you.”

“This is not about me!” I snapped.

“Yes it is.” He raised his hand, insisting. “It’s always been about you.”

Men were now inside the larger lab, their shouts louder, more insistent.

Jacob flew toward the other end of the room and went for the air vent, ripping it from the wall. “Hurry,” he motioned frantically. “This leads to a storeroom. There’s a stairwell to the left of it. Go!”

I lifted Ingrid up and through the vent and then assisted Sebastian into it.

“I’ll meet you back at the Mount,” I said.

“William, you too,” Jacob said. “I need to know you’re safe.”

I slid the vent cover back in place.

Crowther and his men burst in, aiming their arrows at the ready.

One of Crowther’s men had a silver tipped arrow pointed straight at my heart. I froze where I stood, reassured at least that Ingrid and Sebastian were on their way to escaping.

“Promise me,” I sent the silent message to Jacob. “You’ll save Paradom.”

Jacob acknowledged he would. “William, I failed you.”

I tried to read from his expression what he meant.

Crowther’s glare scanned the room. “Where’s the girl?”

“How’s your son?” I asked.

Crowther’s attention zoomed in on Jacob. “We had an agreement.”

“Did we?” Jacob answered calmly.

Studying Crowther, I was left with the distinct impression he had no idea Jacob was a vampire, and though his mind was closed, Crowther’s lack of hate for Jacob confirmed it.

Crowther narrowed his gaze. “Father Roch, I let you have Rachel. Our bargain was set. You promised never to return.”

“Let William go,” Jacob said. “I’ll deal with him.”