Daniel’s POVI pounded on the door, my fists sore and my frustration mounting with each blow. My throat was parched, and my stomach growled with hunger, but my mind was fixated on one thing—Sophia. Hours had passed since they’d taken her out of the room, and with each minute that ticked by, my anxiety grew. “Hey! Let me out! Where’s Sophia? What have you done with her?” I roared, my voice cracking with desperation. I pounded again, my fists hurting from the impact on the metal door. But I didn’t stop. The silence that followed was maddening. It was probably night now, and the realization only added to my distress. I leaned my forehead against the door, my breath uneven and ragged. “Please,” I pleaded loudly. “Someone answer me please! Just tell me she’s okay. I need to know she’s okay.”The door creaked open suddenly, and I stumbled back, squinting against the harsh light that spilled into the dim room. Two of Henry’s men stood there, guns slung casually at their sides. The sight of
Elijah’s POVI splashed cold water on my face, hoping it would knock me into clarity. The hotel room was hardly illuminated by the morning light filtering through the thin curtains. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes bloodshot and my stubble unshaven. Two days of relentless searching and sleepless nights had left their mark.My phone buzzed on the counter, and I grabbed it, noting the missed call from Connor. I dialed him back immediately.“Elijah,” Connor's voice crackled through the speaker with exhaustion. “Any updates on your end?”“Nothing concrete,” I replied, rubbing my eyes. “We've been combing through every possible lead, but it feels like we're hitting dead ends everywhere. The authorities are coming up empty too.”“We’re facing the same problem in Iceland,” Connor informed me with disappointment and worry. “No one’s seen or heard anything. It’s like they vanished off the face of the Earth.”“We need to step up our efforts. I can’t keep sitting around. I’m head
Elijah’s POVI sat beside Joe in the helicopter, almost breathless amidst my mounting anxiety. “What the hell happened?” Joe asked. Quickly, I recounted about the strange man trying to kill me in the elevator. “Surely it was one of Henry’s men.”“You have to be careful, Elijah. Maybe they’re doing this because they know we’re getting closer.”“You’re right,” I agreed. I had already called the police and told Kayla to get out of my hotel room, as she might become a target too. I needed to transfer somewhere else for the moment. “What the heck are we missing here?” Joe muttered as his attention went back to the emailed records from his contacts. Despite our efforts, there was no trace of the elusive chateau on an island.“Nothing in these records points to any chateau,” I said, rubbing my eyes. “I’m getting really worried here. What if we’re skipping something crucial?”Joe glanced over at me, his face lined with concern. “I know it’s frustrating. I’ve got more people working on it, b
Elijah’s POVThe small boat cut silently through the dark waters, its loud engine seeming like a whisper against the backdrop of the crashing waves. I guided it carefully to the shore of Montbriant Island, the dense, moonlit forest coming into view in the distance. It was just past three hours after midnight, and I hoped the darkness would work in my favor.I pulled the boat up onto the beach and quickly disembarked, careful not to make any noise. My backpack felt heavy on my shoulders, packed with tools and supplies, including a gun hidden in my belt and a knife concealed in the lower part of my pants. The last thing I wanted was to be caught unprepared.The dense forest stretched out before me, just as we’d hoped. We had guessed right—this part of the island seemed to be unguarded. I moved quickly but cautiously, my eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement or surveillance.Once I reached the cover of the trees, I stopped to catch my breath. I pulled out the map we ha
Sophia’s POVI stirred awake, wondering if it was already morning. It seemed like I heard someone say my name, and the voice sounded like Elijah.“Sophia,” the voice called again, softer this time.I must be dreaming, I figured. Elijah wasn't here. He couldn't be. The cemented floor beneath me was cold, and I felt very uncomfortable. But nevertheless, I had fallen asleep from exhaustion.I opened my eyes slightly, but it was still dark. The faint light from a small window high up on the wall didn't provide much comfort. I closed my eyes again, hoping that morning would come soon so there would be light again, and perhaps I could figure out a way to have someone get me out of here.I must have fallen back asleep because when I awoke again, the light streaming through the small window was much brighter. It seemed like it was already late morning. I had overslept, and now my stomach grumbled from hunger.I forced myself to stand, my legs aching from the cold floor. I walked over to the
Elijah’s POVI watched from my hiding spot as the guards led Sophia and Daniel toward the docks. My heart pounded in my chest. I had to move quickkly, but I couldn’t risk being seen. As soon as the guards were out of sight, I sprinted toward the docks.Sophia and Daniel were already boarding the small motorboat. I reached the edge of the dock just as they were about to push off.“Wait!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the air.Sophia turned, her eyes wide with shock and relief. “Elijah!”I leaped onto the boat, grabbing the edge to steady myself. “The rescue team is almost here. We’ve got a helicopter waiting to take us back.”Sophia stood up, reaching out to take my hand. But before our hands could touch, Daniel yanked her back, rocking the boat violently.“Daniel, what the hell are you doing?” I shouted, barely keeping my balance as Sophia screamed.“We need to get out of here, Sophia,” Daniel insisted, his eyes wild with desperation. He fumbled with the motor, trying to start i
Sophia’s POVThe icy shock of the water hit me like a jolt as I was hauled into the sea. I felt a moment of disorientation before instinct kicked in, and I began to thrash, desperately trying to stay afloat. The surface of the water, once my refuge, now seemed to close in around me. I heard Elijah’s voice through the chaos, his frenzied yell of my name barely reaching my ears before I plunged beneath the surface.The water was dark and cold, swirling violently around me. I tried to swim, but the current was merciless, pulling me further down. My lungs screamed for air, and I felt my strength waning. My movements grew weaker, each stroke more futile against the relentless pull of the water.Then, just as I felt my consciousness beginning to slip, strong arms wrapped around me, lifting me from the crushing depths. I was hoisted upwards, and my head broke through the surface. I gasped greedily for air, the sensation of oxygen filling my lungs almost overwhelming after the suffocating des
Sophia’s POVI stood there, trembling, as the resuscitation efforts seemed to drag on forever. Daniel lay motionless on the ground, and every second felt like an eternity. My heart pounded in my chest, and the uproar around me faded into a dull hum.“Daniel... no, please,” I whispered, barely able to breathe.Elijah was beside me, his hand gripping mine tightly. “Sophia, stay with me. We need to be strong,” he said, his voice steady but strained.Joe's voice suddenly broke through. “Elijah, Henry and Julia still haven't been caught. My men are pursuing them in the forested area.”Elijah nodded, looking grim. “Keep me updated, Joe.”Just then, the sound of rotor blades grew louder. A helicopter ambulance descended, sending gusts of wind that whipped my hair around my face. Paramedics rushed out, providing me with a glimmer of hope.“Make way!” one of them shouted, pushing through the small crowd that had gathered.I watched as they attended to Daniel, my hands shaking uncontrollably. O