Logan glared at me, lowering cruelty. “You found the light, I see?”
I didn’t respond, gagging on his smell.
Fresh alcohol on his breath caused my nostrils to burn as he got close to me. “You’ve been a bad girl, Claire. I told you not to try anything, didn’t I?” he questioned with authority. I cowered before him like a scorned dog.
Appeasing him seemed like my best option.
“Yes Logan. I’m sorry.” I was unsure how he would respond in his inebriated state. He seemed to be teetering, unable to stand on both feet.
“Why did you do that? I thought I made it clear that I would not harm Liam as long as you behaved,” he threatened, shaking his head in a show of disapproval.
I hung my head contritely, holding back the urge to kick him.
“I’m sorry. I hate mice. They scare me. I thought I could chase them away,” I lied, praying he would believe it.
He circled me like hawk before it swoops in and snatches what it wants with its claws.
“Hmmmm…a useful bit of information,” he said smiling wolfishly, claiming pack leader. “Thank you for that.” He accepted that tidbit sinisterly, storing it away for later.
“How long are you going to keep me here?” I asked calmly, attempting to keep the peace. I took a step back, positioning myself against the shelves, so he was forced to stop circling me.
“Well, I haven’t quite decided yet,” he admitted sliding his index finger back and forth across his chin.
With a flare of bravely, I said, “Brent and Reese will be looking for me.”
He chuckled devilishly, his laughter echoing off the steel walls.
“Ha! That’s sweet, so much faith in your friends. They won’t, Claire. I managed to ditch my Adherent. Any thoughts on who’s entertaining it now?” he asked, grabbing my wrists, and turning my hands so my palms faced up. I wished I didn’t know the answer. But I did. Noticing the smudge of charcoal coloring on my right palm, I remembered that I shook hands with only one person.
“Reese’s father,” I guessed.
He continued his barb. “Ding…Ding…Ding…give the girl a prize,” Logan cheered. “Yes, Mr. Phillips has your two boyfriends. I’m sure that Kace will be along soon. He’ll take care of them for me, having no use for all three of them if they can’t provide him with your whereabouts.”
Logically, it shouldn’t be possible for the Adherent to adhere to Mr. Phillips.
“I don’t understand. Brent said that once adhered to, the Anchor had to be angry at the person it intended to harm. Reese’s father isn’t mad at him, or at Brent,” I stated, assuming Logan must be wrong.
He smiled wickedly, sending my hopes to the floor. “Yes, that’s true. But the Adherent can play on someone’s subconscious feelings. Poor Dave Phillips. All these years of suspicion, and then in walks Reese, confirming everything. It worked out perfectly.”
“But, Mr. Phillips said he’s always known Reese wasn’t his,” I defended, still confused as to how it was possible, or clinging to hope that it wasn’t.
Logan responded to my mounting pile of questions, explaining how Adherents are master manipulators, charming those who are so willing to comply.
“Reese wanted to know his father still accepted him as his own. The Adherent gave him exactly what he needed. Without time to process the information, anger dominated his father’s thoughts, conceding complete control to the Adherent. Now anchored, the Adherent separated the three of you at my request and summoned Kace. It was really very simple.”
“At your request? I thought the Adherents come from Kace?”
“They do, Claire. They are a part of Kace. Given Mr. Phillips could be valuable to Kace, the Adherent followed my instructions.”
Logan was free from his Adherent? It didn’t make sense. It should be easier to convince him to let me go.
“If you’re no longer anchored, then why don’t you let me go? You have no reason to keep me here. Please, Logan?” I begged.
Logan slapped his head in annoyance. “Didn’t we cover this already?”
Remembering what Logan said earlier about Brent and Reese, always taking second place to the two of them, it dawned on me. He envied them, wanting to hurt them because he thought they always got more than he did. I stared at him in disbelief.
“Ego? You’re keeping me here to satisfy your pathetic ego?” I shouted, my voice trembling with anger and fear.