NovelEnglish
Chapter 0232
“Get away from her!” Nicholas shouted, his voice raw and rough in his half–shifted state. He gripped
Jane with his claw–shaped hands and threw her behind him. Julian ducked as she flew by. She
smashed onto the cage along the opposite wall and fell down to the ground.
Nicholas immediately stepped into the space she vacated. He lifted his hand to my neck and gently
prodded at my skin. He was tender, even before his hands returned to human–shaped.
“Am I hurt?” I was in shock. I genuinely didn’t know.
“A scratch,” he replied with a small grow. “But it didn’t break the skin.”
I nodded, understanding that was good, even as my body was turning cold all over.
“We have to go, Nick,” Julian said quickly as he came to our side. He glanced me over from head to
toe, before his gaze settled on my neck. He narrowed his eyes. “She did that to you?”
Nicholas wrapped one arm protectively around my waist. With the other, he shoved Julian toward the
tunnels.
“We have to go, remember?” Nicholas said.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTogether, the three of us escaped into the darkness. We walked as quickly as we could go without
stumbling. Julian held the flashlight far in front of us so we could see our exit.
When we pushed through the other side, the guards stiffened. They didn’t relax even as it became
clear
it was us.
“You were right, Nicholas,” Julian said. “We need to brick this up immediately.”
Nicholas turned toward the waiting guard. Call the bricklayer. I want this whole thing sealed off. Get
some wood and nails first. We’ll seal it as best we can while we wait.”
“Yes, sir!” the guard said. He turned and sprinted from the small room.
Nicholas led me to the wall, and I slumped against it, trying to compose myself. I was having trouble
processing all I had seen and heard and felt.
The shattered pieces of my heart felt irreparable, like a broken windshield too chaotic to put back
together.
“It’s obvious our dear uncle is deeper in this than we previously suspected,” Julian said. He dusted off
his pant legs with obvious distain. “As is Piper’s sister.”
Nicholas didn’t say anything but he nodded.
I watched them both, unable to do more than that.
“Who knows how deeply this truly goes. Is Mom involved? Is Dad?” Julian continued.
“They’ve been funding the effort to stop the organization,” Nicholas said.
Julian rubbed his forehead. “Maybe it’s just a front. Maybe that’s why they put me in charge of the
investigation. Let the screw–up busy himself for a while.”
“Julian…” I mumbled. I couldn’t truly find my voice, but I didn’t like him speaking of himself that way.
“Sorry, Piper.” He cast me a brief, sympathetic glance.
“They can’t be involved,” Nicholas said. “Because if they are, we are in way worse trouble.”
“So your argument is wishful thinking?” Julian asked.
Nicholas shrugged. “Until we find some proof otherwise, then yes.”
Julian fell silent. None of us moved much, beyond watching the mouth of the tunnel. Soon, the guard
returned with two servants in tow, carrying wood and hammers.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“I don’t care what you have to do. I don’t care how much of an eyesore it is.” Nicholas waved toward
the
tunnel. “Seal this up.”
“Yes, sir,” the servants said in unison.
“The bricklayer has been notified,” the guard added. “He said he is gathering his supplies and will drive
to the palace at once.”
“Good,” Nicholas said. “The minute he arrives, bring him down here. And in the meantime, send for
more
guards. I want three guards in this room day and night. No more secrecy, or stakeouts, or anything
else. Nothing is to come through this opening, is that clear?”
The guard snapped to attention. “Yes, sir.”
Silently, we watched the servants work as the boarded up the opening of the tunnel. I still didn’t feel
safe
until the entire thing was sealed away and the three guards were standing watch.
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