“Huh. And they said Victoria not Tori, so I couldn’t have mistaken it for Corey. Either it’s really her or I need my ears cleaned out.”

“Let’s not worry about that,” I said. “If you can help me get free, Rae and I will sneak down and get her mom while Derek waits for Maya and Daniel to make their move.”

The next few steps went without a hitch. Liz helped me get free, and I untied Rae and Derek. Then Derek snapped the lock on the door. Next he Changed forms while Liz scouted the hall. She’d already checked for cameras. There weren’t any—this was just a temporary holding spot, not a remodeled jail site.

When all was clear, we slipped into the hall. Derek used his jaws to jam the doorknob, so our kidnappers wouldn’t be able to get inside, and it would take them a while to realize we’d left. He was still waiting for Maya and Daniel’s signal, but he’d do it from a better vantage point, using his nose and ears to make sure his own way was clear.

With Liz leading, Rae and I snuck down to Jacinda’s holding cell. Liz had confirmed the door locked from the outside, meaning we didn’t need brute strength to open it. Five minutes after initiating our escape, we were freeing Rae’s mom.

I’d never met Jacinda. Rae had grown up thinking she was dead. Then, the Edison Group hinted she wasn’t, and, I’ll admit, I thought they were just saying that to keep Rae happy and content in captivity. They weren’t. While we’d been out on our adventures, preparing to strike back against the St. Clouds, Jacinda had rescued her daughter and gone on the run.

Jacinda looked…well, like Rae in twenty years. That wasn’t unexpected. Half-demons might have a demonic father, but they don’t inherit any of his appearance—whatever that is.

I explained what happened, as quickly as I could, but there was little need. Jacinda had figured out they’d been tricked. Being tied up in a dark room tipped her off.

“I’m sorry,” she said to me. “I could say a lot more than that, but for now, I’m sorry. We really did think—” A sharp shake of her head. “No excuses. That’s just to say that we thought we were doing the right thing. But one look at you, Chloe, and I can see we weren’t.” She managed a smile. “You remind me of your mom, and you obviously inherited more than just her looks, so I’m going to leave this escape plan to you. Just tell me what to do.”

I did.

Twelve

Twelve

“It’s past time, isn’t it?” Rae whispered as we crouched behind a huge, rusted industrial saw in the main building.