The Heart of the Darkness

Chapter 113

James's brain was storming up as much as it could while Elena's men dragged him under in the warehouse. He had to get free, to get to Ave, but first, he had to know where this was all leading because everything was just too crazy.

What felt like an eternity of twists and turns later, they bundled him into a darkened room. Small, with just one bulb that cast flickering shadows overhead and bared the concrete walls. The door slammed shut behind him, and James found himself all alone with Elena.

She circled him, a predator sizing up its prey. "You know, James, I really did hope we could do this the easy way," she said, her voice oozing with false disappointment. "But you just had to play the hero, didn't you?"

James glared at her. "Where's Ave?" he demanded.

Elena chuckled. "Oh, she's safe. For now. But her continued well-being depends entirely on you."

"What do you want?" James growled, but he knew the answer.

"The same thing I've always wanted," Elena replied smoothly. "You