Chapter 29: Chapter 29

KIARA’S POV

About eight to nine men with heavy guns were guarding the warehouse. It would be foolish to attack them.

“Nivaan, You, Kevin, and Adrian talk to those guards and distract them. Valence and I will sneak inside and check this place out.”

The moment those words left my mouth, Kevin had grabbed me by the shoulders. He glared at me and spat, “There is no way I will let you go inside!”

I would have gotten angry with him for trying to be controlling but his protective attitude made me feel cherished. So, I decided to let it slide. Drawing in a deep breath, I looked at him with pleading eyes. “This is the best plan we have, Kevin. If something goes wrong Valence will teleport me back to the camp…”

“Kiara is right, Kevin. This seems to be our best bet. I would have let you accompany Kiara but I need your help. I can’t distract so many guards alone. We need to work as a team.” Nivaan’s voice was filled with conviction. He always seemed to have more belief in my abilities than I had.

Kevin released me and cupped my face. His voice rang with worry as he said, “Promise me that you stay with Valence at all times.”

I chewed my lower lip and nodded my head.

“I hate this but I don’t think I really have a choice.” He gave me a long look before joining the others.

Valence teleported us inside the warehouse. I swept my eyes across the large hall. Apart from the huge boxes that were piled to the ceiling, there was nothing.

“I don’t think there is anyone in here,” Valence muttered, tapping a few of the boxes.

I don’t know if it was a gut feeling or something else. I felt like Kevin’s father was somewhere inside the room.

“It won’t hurt to look around a bit more…,” I said as I wove my way through the piles of boxes. I walked along as if something was pulling me.

In the corner of the large hall was a large container. It was one of those kinds that could be attached to a lorry. It seemed big enough to fit several people.

I knew it was silly but I placed my ears against the wall of the container and closed my eyes. My eyes snapped open as I heard the rhythmic beating of heart from inside.

I tried to pry open the door but it was too sturdy. I couldn’t even shake it slightly.

“Let me help you with that,” Valence said as she placed her hand on the side of the box. She closed her eyes and kept chanting something.

Clank! Clank! Clank! Crash! The side of the container blew off and the sheet of the sturdy metal sheet flew and crashed against the wall leaving a huge dent.

My hand flew to my ears as the shrill sound reverberated in the hall.

“Kiara…,” Valence whispered as she pointed inside the container.

My eyes widened in horror as I saw Kevin’s father tied up in silver chains. We were about to enter when footsteps echoed in a distance. They must have heard the commotion and have come to check.

“Valence, you go and keep them distracted… use magic if you have to … I will free father and call for you…,” I said urgently as I ran inside the container.

“Father, are you alright…” I asked patting his face.

He opened his eyes slowly, shook his head, and muttered, “Is my son’s doomed mate really here or am I hallucinating?”

I felt like someone had punched me in the gut but there was no time for dwelling in pain. Taking a deep breath, I took out my hairpin and undid the lock as fast as I could.

I was about to unwrap the chains when father said, “Don’t! Those are silver chains.”

I clenched my teeth and held the edge of the chains and started unwrapping them as soon as possible. Tears rolled down my cheeks as my hands burned but I couldn’t stop. The sooner this was over the better.

When the last of bindings were remaining I called out to Valence. She came running and helped me undo the cuffs on Father’s legs. I can’t describe how grateful I felt for that. I really didn’t have it in me to touch any more of that damned metal.

Just as the sounds of the footsteps closed in on us, Valence teleported us back to the camp.

I hissed in pain as she released the hand she had been holding. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw the red blisters on my hand.

“What in the bloody hell happened, Kiara?”

I drew in a deep breath and gasped out, “Silver…”

“Damn! Why didn’t you call me to help out? You don’t always need to be the knight in shining suit.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her exaggeration. “I am fine, Vally. You should go and bring others back!”

“Okay… but you stay put… no more shining armor activities…”

My lips quirked up in a genuine smile as I watched her disappear.

I made father sit on the bed and checked his vitals. His pupils were turning slightly bluish and his pulse was erratic.

My heart sank with an ominous premonition. I tore my hair ignoring the stinging sensation on my palms and paced up and down the room. “No!! No!! This can’t be happening… It is impossible… Gosh! What are we going to do? How will I tell Kevin…”

“Girl! Will you stop ranting and tell me what exactly is wrong with me?” Father’s voice boomed in the tent. Unlike other times his voice was laced with worry.

I knelt in front of him and said, “Father, I know that you hate me but I need you to tell me exactly what happened….”

“I had gone to the warehouse for… umm… some work. I was ambushed by some armed men near the entrance. They knocked me off and when I woke up I found myself tied to a chair with silver chains.

This weird man appeared out of nowhere and forced some kind of liquid down my throat.’

“How did this liquid taste?”

“Honestly, I don’t know… the burning sensation was so intense… I felt like my entire body was on fire…”

My hands flew to my mouth as I processed this information. Father looked at me expectantly but I just couldn’t bring myself to break the news to him.