more and more…not like herself.
She was Maura; cold hearted and calculated, Maura. Yet she felt trapped. Trapped like a caged animal, desperately wanting escape but not seeing any way out. She never wanted out before. She’d never wanted to escape…no that wasn’t true. It wasn’t that she’d never wanted it before, because she had, and many a time she’d thought of going. It was different though. She still had the strength to escape, but she no longer could. Now she had these…these people, she couldn’t leave. No, it was Lexia who couldn’t leave them, and Lexia had more control every day.
I do not care what happens to them. She repeated to herself for the hundredth time that day.
Yes, you do. That is why you feel trapped. You could still walk away. The difference now is you care what’ll happen when you do.
I do not care what happens to them.
There was a knock at the door. Maura sat up. Knowing it was Derrick and Belinda, she jumped from the bed far too quickly. Her movements, the sudden surge of joy, not from her but Lexia. Maura fought to take control, to keep the emotions churning and rising inside of her in check. Only the joy, the urgent need to see Derrick, was just too much for Maura to contend.
The blue in her eyes slid in place as Lexia won the battle for control. A battle she’d not even realized she’d been fighting.
She swung the door wide, her smile lighting her face. “Derrick. You’re okay.”
A look of surprise passed over his face and the smallest of smiles graced his lips. Lexia reached forward, clasping the front of his shirt she pulled him inside and into her arms.
Belinda walked in behind them, closing the door.
“You’re okay,” Lexia breathed again.
His body tensed as the smallest sound of pain left his lips.
Lexia pulled back. “And you’re still injured,” she stated crossly. “Why are you here when you clearly need another day’s rest?” She pursed her lips, angry he was out of the infirmary when he wasn’t fully healed, which meant he wasn’t at full strength to defend himself.
Derrick stared at her dumbfounded. “You’re…You.”
“Don’t change the subject, Derrick. You should go rest.”
“I’ve had enough rest. Now I’d like to know what Lucy is up to.”
Lexia frowned. “Who says she’s up to something?”
“She had me whipped in front of the entire compound and had you execute Mathew.”
“Yes…well, it was clear she was losing control of her people. She simply made an example out of us, to show even her favorites cannot get away with disobeying her.”
“I fear it may be more than that.”
Lexia opened her mouth to answer but was interrupted by a knock at the door. Belinda jumped from her position by the door. Lexia stepped forward to answer but Belinda blocked her way.
“Eyes,” she whispered, indicating with her hands.
Shit! “Yes?” she barked through the door. It was a human behind the door; her mind’s eyes seeing only fear in the person’s aura.
“I…I’ve a-a message. Y-you are t-to meet y-your mother a-at her office…Immediately,” the human male stammered through the closed door.
“Thank you,” Lexia replied, trying to sound as cold as possible.
They all stood in silence for a second. Lexia’s heart thumped in her chest, her emotions overwhelming her.
Derrick broke the silence. “She knows I’m up,” he stated, looking serious. “I can feel it. She’s planning something.”
Lexia looked at Derrick, a little shocked by his ruffled exterior. “Derrick, that isn’t like you.”
“Yes, you’re right. I’m just saying, be careful, Lex.”
Lexia swallowed the lump in her throat, not able to keep her fear in check. You’re up, Maura.
Switching had become easier. Lexia closed her eyes, forcing the swirl of emotion she felt down deep inside of her. The second her mind became clear, Maura pushed forward, pleased to have control.
“Well, let’s see what Mother wants then,” Maura said, her voice cold and detached.
The walk to Lucy’s office took around ten minutes. Maura had never moved from the room Derrick had given her; there didn’t seem to be much of a point. She liked to be away from the other hunters, to separate herself.
Maura didn’t knock. The door opened with a soft whoosh. Maura’s cold eyes settled on Lucy. She was sitting behind her desk, her head bent over and her hand franticly scribbling into a journal. Maura watched, surprised as Lucy’s head shot up, her eyes widening for the briefest of seconds and as Maura stared, she could have sworn she saw fright. The journal slammed shut,