Elara POV
Maxim is lying on the backseat, with his head on Mindy’s lap, while Mason is driving us to Stillwood. Maxim is not looking good at all, and I worry that he might not return from this. And by Mindy’s facial expression, she feels the sa.
Mason stops at the doctor’s house, and we help Maxim out of the truck.
“Doesn’t the doctor have an office or a clinic or sothing?” Mindy asks, looking at the house sceptically.
“Yes, he does,” Mason replies. “But his office doesn’t open for another two hours.”
“But would he help us?” She asks, her voice filled with panic. “Wouldn’t he be mad because we’re disturbing him?”
“Mindy, breathe,” I say firmly. “He knows we’re coming. Mason called him before we left.”
Mindy nods, bites her bottom lip, and follows and Mason as we carry Maxim to the house. She lifts her hand to knock, but the door opens, and Asher looks at us.
“Hey,” I greet, surprised to see him. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the sa question,” he clears his throat, looking strangely at Mason.
“What?” I smirk, raising my eyebrows. “The giant, wounded wolf isn’t enough of a clue?”
“Are you sick?” Mason asks, looking intensely at Asher.
“Only collecting Mother’s subscription,” he replies dryly, holding up a package.
“Oh, no, is she sick?” I ask, concerned. I like his mother and hope she is okay.
“Just her monthly dications,” he shrugs nonchalantly. “I hear you need this stuff once you get old. Anyway, nice to see you all, I must hurry. Quinn’s waiting for in the car.”
“Quinn’s here?” I ask, excitedly. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“We’re in a hurry and ...”
“Here,” I cut him off firmly, loosening myself from Maxim. “Help Mason get inside, and I’ll say hello to Quinn.”
“There’s no ti to ...”
“I’ll be quick,” I interrupt Mason, pulling Asher closer so he can support Maxim and run towards the street.
“Dammit, Elara,” Mason hisses. “Get back here.”
But I ignore him and look up and down the street until I see Asher’s car. Why would he park so far away? I wonder as I run towards the vehicle. I spot Quinn in the passenger’s side, and I gently knock on the window.
Startled, she looks through the window, and I am instantly concerned when I see she has been crying.
“Quinn, what’s wrong?” I ask when she lowers the window. Did Asher lie? Is their mother sick?
“We ... we’re leaving,” she sniffs, fresh tears welling in her eyes.
“I don’t understand,” I frown. “Where are you going, and why are you so upset about it?”
“That’s why I’m crying,” she sobs. “Asher just stord into the house; told us to pack what we need and that we’re leaving imdiately. No explanation or even ti to greet our friends. I wanted to stay, but he ... he got so mad. He literally picked up Mom and carried her to the car. I’ve never seen him like this. I don’t know what happened, but sothing scared the bejesus out of him, and now I’m scared.”
“Where’s your mother?” I ask, peeking into the car, but I do not see her. “Maybe she can talk sense into him.”
“Believe , she tried,” Quinn laughs humourlessly. “We both did. She’s at the grocery store buying food, and we’ll get her there.”
“I wish I knew what to say to you,” I reply, flabbergasted.
“He broke our phones,” she looks at with devastation. “He physically took it and broke it into two pieces before he threw it on the floor and stomped on it.”
I rattle my brain as I listen to her describing Asher’s behaviour. Sothing terrible must have happened for him to ... wait a minute.
“Quinn, what was Asher doing last night?” I ask, calmly. “Before he ca ho and told you to leave.”
“I don’t know,” she shrugs. “He went to see Mason late afternoon, Goddess knows where, and that’s the last we saw him. Do you think ... wait, where’s Mason? He might have the answers.”
“Mason’s helping a friend,” I reply, forcing myself to smile.
Those motherfuckers! Mason and Asher knew about the test subjects. That is why Asher is in a panic and fleeing with his family, and that is how Mason knew to warn us about them before we entered Constantine. What else do they know that they are not sharing with us?
I take out my burner phone, delete all the stored information, and only save Braden’s numbers on it. She still does not know about and my mates, and it is better to keep it like that.
“Quinn, take this,” I say, handing her the phone. “If you need anything, call that number. He’ll know how to get in touch with . And don’t let anyone know you have this, okay? Not even your mother or Asher. If you’re in trouble, call , and I’ll co.”
“You know sothing, don’t you?” She looks at with big, pleading eyes, and I glance away guiltily.
“I might,” I admit with a heavy sigh. “But I’m not sure, so I can’t tell you.”
“Okay,” she nods, wiping away her tears. “Just ... tell this. Is Asher doing the right thing, taking us away, and do we have a reason to be scared?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” I reply honestly. “On both questions.”
“Strange as it sounds, it helps a bit,” she smiles through tears. “At least I know my brother isn’t crazy and will harm us or sothing.”
“Asher’s protecting you,” I say softly. “But I’m only a phone call away, okay?”
“Okay,” she sniffs. “But what about you?”
“I have Mason, rember?” I smile, but my insides are boiling. She should be concerned about his safety, because when I get hold of him, I might kill him.
“Be safe!” Quinn shouts as I walk away, and I wave at her.
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