Tormented (Evolution Series Book 2) (27 page)

“I can’t believe you’re here,” I said, wiping away my tears with the back of my hand.

Aiden edged to the side of the bed. “I’ll leave you two alone. I’m glad you’re back.” He stood to leave, but stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around slowly and stared at my mum with his head tilted to the side. Aiden put his hands on my shoulders. They both stayed silent, but I knew there was a conversation going on that I wasn’t privy to.

My mother finally broke the silence. “I was just thanking Aiden for looking after my beautiful girl for me.” She smiled and ran her hand along the side of my face.
God, how I had missed her touch.
“You’ve got yourself a good man there.”

I put a hand over Aiden’s hand on my right shoulder. “He’s a keeper.”

“Right,” she said, getting up off the bed. “I think I’m about due for a shower and a new set of clothes. These kind of stink.”

I smiled. I still couldn’t believe she was back.

Aiden pointed towards the other end of the room. “The bathroom is over there. There are clean towels on the rails, and I’ll get Anna to bring you some of her clothes.”

“I’m glad you’re back, Mum.” I turned to leave, but stopped. “Just one more thing.”

“Yeah, darling?” she asked.

“Why didn’t you tell me what we are?” That question had been bugging me ever since I had found out that she was like us. Actually, I had a hell of a lot more questions for her, like why had she lied about her parents and her job, and what had she really been doing all the time she was supposed to have been working.

She smiled tightly. “We can talk about that later. I promise.” Her body turned into a blur as she moved towards the bathroom at a speed that I had never seen her use.

“Maybe she just really wants a shower?” Aiden suggested.

“You don’t believe that, do you?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He scoffed. “Not a chance. But I guess she’ll tell you when she’s good and ready.”

“Well, she can’t hide from me anymore.”

Aiden and I transported downstairs to join the rest of the guys.

***

Thirty minutes later, Mum still hadn’t come downstairs. I decided to go see what was keeping her.

I transported myself outside the bedroom door and was about to lift my hand to knock when I heard the sound of a television coming from Aiden’s room. I turned around to face that door. It was slightly ajar.

Panic started filling my body. Maybe there was a new message. Or maybe DD had come back to claim his hostage while Mum was in the shower, and we were all downstairs.

Aiden was by my side in a second. “What’s wrong? I could feel your—” He stopped short, his eyes widening when he heard the TV. He put his hand on the doorknob and looked at me. I nodded, and he slowly pushed open the door the rest of the way.

My mum was sitting on the couch, too enthralled by what she was watching on the TV to notice that we had come into the room. The second disc with the video of DD drawing her blood finished playing. The screen went blank,
then
the following message appeared on the screen.

Your mother’s body contains approximately 4.7
litres
of blood.

A 40% drop and her heart and mind will fail.

Each bag holds 473
mls
of blood.

And you have 1 of those bags.

The bullet in her brain inhibits her body from producing

more
blood until it is removed.

Your goal is to pass each test.

If you don’t…

Another bag of blood will be drawn.

The screen went black,
then
the same four little words that would see Ben’s life come to an end came onto the screen.

Welcome to the game… DD

Those words changed my life once again when I heard my mother mumble under her breath.
“Daddy Dearest.”

I rushed towards her. “What did you just say?” I couldn’t have heard right. I just couldn’t.

She looked up at me. Her eyes widened. “Um…” She looked at Aiden as he came up and stood beside me. “I think you better take a seat.”

I stood my ground. Panic rippled through my body, fearing what she was about to say. I looked her in the eyes. “For the love of God, please just tell me what’s going on.”

She gestured at Aiden. “You might want to get ready to catch her.” I thought she was joking at first, but there was no
humour
in her voice.

I felt Aiden’s hand on my hip. He was obviously afraid there might be some truth to her words.

Mum took a deep breath. “Jade, what I’m about to tell you is huge. Are you sure you don’t want to sit down?”

I glared at her.

“Okay, okay.” She sighed. “DD… is your father.”

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