Chapter 42: Chapter 42

I jumped up and grabbed my coat, praying that Victoria was still snuggly hiding in my hair.  I opened the door and peeked out, hoping none of the guys were lingering in the hallway.  Thankfully, the coast was clear.  I hurried out, closing the door softly behind me.

It was a cool, clear night when I reached the quad.  I stopped next to a weeping willow tree, trying to still my pounding heart.  I had no idea if Kellan's people were still watching the campus, but I had to try.  I walked around the pavement at the heart of the campus, looking confused and lost.

"Interesting."  A voice purred behind me.

I turned around and came face to face with a guy I recognized from a party I went to at the beginning of the school year.  He had tried to get me alone after I had had a few drinks, but Dustin had rescued me.  I prayed he would be able to again.

"If it isn't a lost Katie Cat."  His dark grey eyes glowed menacingly.

I rolled my eyes at his unoriginality.   "Daemon.  How are you?"

He grinned a wicked smile.  "Much better now.  Where are you off to?"

"Just getting some air."  I forced myself to act natural.

"Want to go for a walk?"  He tilted his head to the side.  "If I remember correctly, we were supposed to look at the stars last time we met.  Until your overprotective boyfriend intervened."

"I think I'll just walk by myself." What a tool!

"That doesn't sound like any fun.  Don't you want to have some fun, Katie?"  He brought his eyes to mine.

I knew what he was going to do next.  He had no idea what I really was, or that attempts at mind control rarely worked on me. I was counting on his extremely high opinion of himself.

He linked his eyes to mine and said, "You want to go for a walk with me."

I almost lost it and laughed when I realized that his power had no effect on me, but I bit my lip and played along.  "Okay."  I began to walk next to him, as we headed towards the far side of campus.

He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed someone.  "Tell the man I have a present for him.  I'll meet you in the yellow parking lot.  Bring the van."

My heart skipped a beat as I realized my plan was working.  I continued to walk next to Daemon, knowing that if I broke character, Shawn was as good as dead.

"Where are we going?"  I casually asked.

"We are going to take a little ride."

"I don't think I want to take a ride."

He stopped and linked his eyes with mine again.  "You want to take a ride with me."

I slowly nodded, keeping my breathing even.  "Okay, I'll take a ride with you."

"You know what else you want to do?"  he asked me.

"What?"

"You want to kiss me."

I felt sick inside, but I had to keep his suspicions down, so I pursed my lips as he moved closer.  He pressed his dry lips to mine, and I could feel his excitement.  Vomit rose in my throat. He seemed very pleased with himself, even though his attempts at mind control were sloppy at best.  I knew I could manipulate him like putty in my hands, but he was playing my game and I needed it that way.  I vowed to make him pay once this was all over.

"I think you like me, Katie."  His grey eyes were glowing.

I said nothing, as the yellow parking lot came into view.  There was a dark panel van idling in one of the spaces.  "Where are we going?"  I asked again, keeping my voice slow and even.

"We're gonna go see a friend of mine."

He grabbed my arm and led me towards the van.  I knew this was it.  There was no going back from here.

The van door rolled open and a guy I didn't know looked out.  "Are you serious?  You got a hold of Dustin's pride and joy?  You are going to get so many brownie points for this one.  She's ransom gold!"

I looked up at him.  "Who are you?"

He looked at me a moment, then laughed.  "You scrambled her mind?  Nice work!  Come on, girlie.  Climb up here next to me."  His eyes raked over me, approvingly, focusing on the swell of my breasts under my jacket.

"Nice try, Eric.  I brought her in, and when this is all done, she'll belong to me.  Get in the front, I'm sitting with her."

Eric thought for a second, then climbed into the front seat next to the driver.  "Yah, we'll see who gets her in the end."

I felt my stomach roll at the thought of being with either one of them.  I would dismantle them both from the inside out before I would let them touch me. I climbed into the van and sat on the bench seat next to the window, while Daemon climbed in next to me.  There was plenty of room on the seat, but he scrunched up right next to me and rested his hand on my thigh.

I looked up at him, using all my mental strength not to cold cock him.  "I have a boyfriend," I told him, glancing down at where his hand rested.

He tried his power again.  "Your boyfriend said you should be with me.  He wants us to be happy together."

He was terrible at this.  He had no energy behind his commands, so they were just like regular words.  But I needed him to think that he was being successful, so I just smiled.

"Daemon, shut up," the driver ordered.

Daemon crossed his arms and pouted.  "I just secured the best leverage Kellan has right now, so I think I deserve a little fun."

"No one cares what you think."  The driver didn't take his eyes off the road.

I laughed inside, enjoying hearing someone put Daemon in his place.  I looked out the window, taking note of everything I passed.  It was dark outside, and by my estimate, it had to be at least midnight by now.

About twenty minutes later, we turned off the main highway, and on to a bumpy dirt road.  I took a deep breath and could smell the dank water smell from my vision.  I knew we were close to wherever they were keeping Shawn.

Another five minutes passed before the van came to a stop in front of an old stone building that looked like it could date back centuries.  Daemon brought his eyes to mine.  "We are going to go meet a friend of mine."

I nodded slowly, letting my eyes relax, as he opened the van door and pulled me out.  Two hulking men stood beside the entrance to the building, their posture straight and on alert.

"I have something for Kellan," Daemon announced.

One of the men nodded.  "He's expecting you."  He stepped aside to let us pass.

My heart began to pound, and I forced myself to regulate it.  I had no idea what kind of power Kellan possessed, and I didn't want him to know I wasn't under Daemon's shoddy mind control.

The building looked like an old, broken down castle.  It was situated on a swampy piece of land, tucked back from the road.  I knew we hadn't traveled too long, and I hoped Victoria would be able to get back to campus quickly, once she escaped.

"Oh, you have to be kidding!"  I heard a familiar voice as we stepped through the front doors.

I spun around and came face to face with Anya.

"It's my favorite sparring partner.  What are you doing here, Katie?"

My heart beat thundered in my ears.  "Hanging out with Daemon," I replied, nonchalantly.

She studied me with narrowed eyes.  "I think we have some unfinished business."

I took a few seconds to imagine breaking her face.

"Back off, Anya."  Daemon shoved her out of the way.  "She's here for Kellan."

Anya pondered me for a moment, then stepped aside.  "We'll catch up later," she whispered in my ear, as Daemon pushed me past her.

He led me down a hall and towards a set of double doors.  Two more men were manning the entrance.  They nodded at us and held the doors open for us to enter.  I held my breath as we walked in, not sure what to expect.  The room was empty, except for a man sitting in a chair in front of a roaring fireplace.

"Daemon."  I heard the familiar voice.  "I hear you have a present for me."

My insides went cold as I realized it was Kellan.

"I brought you the golden bargaining chip."  Daemon sounded proud of himself.

Kellan stood up and faced us.  "Yes, you did."

His eyes raked over me, from head to toe, and I felt vomit rise in my throat.

"Hello Miss Griffin."  He stalked slowly towards me.  "I've been hearing so much about you."

A/N-Katie is in Kellan's grasp now. Will Dustin get to her in time or will she be forced to fight for her life? Comment and vote below! Luvs as always!! AM