Her body grew weaker and she fought to pry her eyes open. She was in a candlelit room with a stranger who was biting her, draining her, killing her. She frantically searched the room, ignoring the blurring of her vision, as she hoped to catch sight of Max.
Please, stop. Please. She whispered, but no sound emerged.
With her body growing cold and the darkness coming fast, blurring out the faint light, Drew put up a futile struggle against his hold. It only tightened.
“Max.” That was the last sound that slipped from her lips before the darkness became stifling, and Drew, unable to fight it anymore, succumbed to its unwavering grasp.
***
Vivienne felt helpless. She understood Conall’s reasoning as to why it would be better for him to go alone to retrieve her mother and sister, but it didn’t make her feel any better.
She’d taken a shower in hopes of calming her nerves. Maximilian wouldn’t kill her mother and sister because he needed them. But what was to prevent him for hurting them? What if he was torturing her family? The shower had done the exact opposite, giving her mind enough free time to conjure up all kinds of horrific scenes in her head.
It was for that reason she was now on the bed, curled under the duvet, the television on as she attempted to pay attention. She’d switched to SoapNet, believing that if anything could distract her, a five-hour marathon of General Hospital would do the trick. She could barely pay any attention to Sonny Corinthos or Jason Morgan. After half an hour passed, she turned the television off and stared up at the ceiling.
Had Conall reached Cronin’s covenant? Had he retrieved her family? And Max? Had he found Max as well?
Closing her eyes, she cleared her mind. She thought of white light, just plain white light. Vivienne didn’t know how long she remained like that, envisioning calm and peaceful white light, but when next she opened her eyes, she was no longer in Conall’s bedroom.
She could see a dark cell, a cot, gold shackles attached to the stone wall. Shivering from the cold, Vivienne tried to concentrate.
It was happening again. She was seeing through someone’s eyes.
Cassie?
Vivienne wasn’t sure if there would be a mental connection similar to the one she shared with Conall, but it was worth trying. The person suddenly looked up, and then around, giving Vivienne an even more extensive view of the cell. It was obviously meant to be a prison. There were no windows, and from what she’d made out, no door.
“Vivienne?” Cassie asked aloud, and Vivienne was thrilled to hear it. She could communicate with her sister!
Cassie, where are you? Tell me quickly. I don’t know how long this connection will last.
I don’t know. I’m in a cell somewhere. Viv, you have to stay away. Do you understand? I think he wants you for something else. Just stay away.
Conall’s coming for you. I would have come too but—
Viv, don’t come here! Please. I already got Mom into this.
What do you mean?
It’s my fault. I trusted him—Alexander—and he led them straight to us. You said that Conall’s coming?
To Cronin’s covenant.
Cassie nodded, and Vivienne felt it.
I don’t know if we’re there, but I hope—
Cassie broke off, and Vivienne saw why. The wall of the cell slid back, and an elderly man she assumed to be Maximilian Cronin walked in. He looked like an older, more sophisticated version of Max, with his white hair and shiny walking stick, and there was something about him that screamed of power and unlimited greed.
“Are you speaking to your sister?” he asked immediately, and when Cassie shook her head, he grinned.
“I’d forgotten that twins share a mental link until you reminded me.” He lifted his head to indicate a small camera to the side, and Vivienne went cold. He’d heard Cassie whisper her sister’s name.
Cassie suddenly screamed and began to choke. Vivienne struggled herself, feeling the tight clasp of fingers around her neck.
“If you can hear me, Vivienne, you’ll meet me at the LaGuardia Airport in two hours. Come alone.”
The fingers eased from Cassie’s neck and her sister hauled in air.
“I’m aware that getting out of Cedar Creek will prove difficult as that animal has you under watch, but you’re a smart girl. I believe you can be resourceful.”
His fingers gripped Cassie’s chin, and through their connection, Vivienne looked directly into his hazel eyes.
“If you don’t show, I will kill your family. Your mother is of no use to me. She will die first.” He paused and Vivienne felt the repulsive tread of a finger down her neck, and across her collarbone. “I don’t believe I will kill your sister, as I am sure I can find other uses for her.”