BK 3 - Chapter 21 - Long Flight
Melanie and Cat remained blindfolded and tied even after the plane took off. They had no idea where they were going or who they were with. The only thing they had to be thankful for was being able to mindlink each other.
*"Do you recognize any of these men's voices?"* Cat asked Melanie.
*"No. The only people I've talked to since I've been here are Vincent, Karlee, Brandon, Ava, Eli, and Harper. I wonder where they're taking us. I still can't get Chika to wake up."* She answered.
*"Saira is still out too. I've been trying to figure out what accents I hear, but they seem to be from multiple places, so who knows. I tried to mindlink your dad while we were still in Rio, but it was like there was a block. I can mindlink you but no one else. I don't understand why they're keeping us blindfolded if they're not planning on letting us go."* Cat didn't say anything to Melanie, but she didn't care what happened to her as long as her daughter was safe.
*"If we could get Chika and Saira to wake up and regain our strength, we could fight. How can they be out for so long, but whatever they gave us not affect our human side?"* Melanie questioned. She couldn't wrap her head around what they could have done to have such an impact on their lionesses.
*"I'm trying to think if I was ever told about a poison that could do this, but nothing's coming to mind. The only thing I can think of is that they used a lion tranquilizer on us but modified it for werelions. We should have gotten it out of our systems already. They must be humans that are scared of what we're capable of. Other shifters are too cocky to be scared."* Cat shifted in her seat slightly while trying to rub her head on the headrest to loosen the blindfold. Something told her some of her questions would be answered if she saw her captors. She heard someone sit down across from them, so she stopped moving.
"You two are being awfully quiet. What's wrong? Has the cat got your tongue?" The man laughed at his own joke, and several others joined him. Melanie heard at least five men in total on the plane with them.
"Why don't you remove our blindfolds so we can see your pathetic faces? Maybe then we'll feel like talking," Melanie spoke calmly, even though she felt like tearing them all to pieces.
"I don't think so. We have those on for a reason. No point in ruining the surprise too soon." The man across from them said with a chuckle.
"What's your name?" Cat asked.
"You can call me Angelo. I know all about you, Caterina. You're married to Trey Galloway, a former Sacramento police detective. I know about the group homes you've created for abused children. Unfortunately, I know about your Uncle Leo as well. I never did understand how a man could hurt a child like that. It's disgusting." Cat felt a chill go down her spine. How did he know so much about her, and why?
"If you only want us because we're part caladrius, then why do you care about the other stuff?" She asked cautiously. Cat didn't like him knowing personal details about her. She was sure he knew more than he'd said already.
"I like to know everything about those I'm hired to abduct. Knowing what I'm getting myself into is important for my success. You two were a little more difficult until you ended up in the same place without your entire family. I couldn't believe my luck when I was told you'd be home alone with that pathetic excuse you call a vampire." Melanie's heart ached at the mention of Saxon. They hadn't had time to even connect as mates before she was taken away again. Why did she keep getting kidnapped?
"What did you do to Saxon?" She asked. Her fear made her voice quiver. Angelo laughed loudly.
"We tore him to pieces and left him in a cave for a huge grizzly to have as a snack. He's not useful to you, Melanie. You've been kidnapped twice within a couple of days. Is that really the type of man you want to protect you? It doesn't seem like he's doing a good job so far. I thought vampires were supposed to be strong. Are you sure he's even a vampire? I think a chipmunk could take him out." Melanie was ready to blow. She didn't believe Saxon was dead; she'd feel it. They may not have marked each other, but they've always had a connection.
"Don't you talk about him like that. He's more of a man than you'll ever be. I can't wait until he finds you and shows you how strong he really is. The only way you were able to overpower us was by cheating. What real man needs to poison someone to get the upper hand? It sounds like you have vampire envy, or maybe it's just good old-fashioned penis envy." Melanie braced herself for the slap she knew was coming. He didn't disappoint. He slapped her hard, but the sting didn't last as long as last time. She hoped that meant Chika was close to waking up.
"You need to learn your manners. You think I have penis envy, do you? Maybe I should show you exactly what I have. That will shut that mouth of yours up." Melanie couldn't help the smirk that came across her face. She couldn't see Angelo but knew she was getting to him.
*"Be careful. Don't push him too far."* Cat mindlinked her.
*"Don't worry, mom. I know what I'm doing."* Melanie answered.
"Why don't you ask your buddy Rico what happens when people put something in my mouth that shouldn't be there. Although I'm sure yours is so small, it would probably feel like a tootsie roll. Tell me, Angelo, how many women mistook it for a Vienna sausage. You know, the little ones in a can?" She heard him breathing hard and could feel the anger rolling off him in waves when suddenly he chuckled.
"I hope whatever Raul has planned for you is extremely painful." They heard him stand up and walk away.
*"Well, we know whoever is behind this is named Raul, but I don't know anyone by that name, do you?"* Melanie asked her mom.
*"No. I've never met anyone by that name that I know of. We've been on this plane a long time. I wonder how far we're going. Hopefully, our family has a plan wherever they are. I know your dad and Saxon won't stop until they find us."* Cat had to keep reminding herself that they weren't completely alone. Yes, she and Melanie were strong independent women, but they also had men that would do anything to keep them safe.
*"I know they won't. I should have accepted Saxon from the beginning. I was a fool for not marking him right away. What if we never get the chance? What if they did kill him? I'll never forgive myself for dragging him into this mess if he gets hurt or worse."* Melanie refused to cry. She didn't want the bastards on the plane to think they had gotten to her.
*"I don't believe he's dead, and even if they hurt him, I'm sure he's healed by now. It's clear they know a little about our world but not much. I'm proud of you, Melanie. Not only are you one of the strongest women I know, but you've also decided to take in those two little cubs and raise them as your own. You didn't even hesitate to agree to be their mother even though you and Saxon hadn't been able to spend any time sorting your relationship out."* Melanie couldn't help to smile slightly. She did go from being a teenager living with her parents to having a family within a week, but she wouldn't change any of it.
*"Thanks, mom. It was definitely unexpected, but I love them. Hearing them call me mommy when I escaped last time made my heart feel complete. Seeing them with Saxon showed me where I was supposed to be and who I should be with. They reminded us of the kids in the group homes. We both knew we had to keep them."* Melanie let her mind wander to everything she wanted to do with Alex and Lisa. She wanted to show them the world.
They flew in silence for several more hours when they felt the plane begin to lose altitude. They didn't know where they were landing, but they knew they needed to find a way to get free. Just as the wheels hit the runway, Melanie heard something she'd been waiting for.
*"I don't know what they did to me, but they're going to pay for it. I hope you're prepared to fight because it's time to remove some limbs, and I'm not taking any prisoners."* Melanie had never been so happy to hear Chika's voice. Now they may have a chance.
