Forgotten Chapter - Chapter 32.5 - Hidden Monsters

This lost chapter was written after chapter 32 but I forgot to post it.  Silly Me!

Hope you enjoy it!

Tom's anger boiled just below the surface. He knelt on the padded floor, his head bent low as he listened. He bore ugly marks on his wrists and ankles where shackles wore at his skin from his constant struggles for freedom. Other metal cuffs encased his waist and neck making it impossible for him to shift out of his confinement. He let loose a feral growl when he heard someone enter the tent where he'd been imprisoned.

He counted two sets of footsteps entering the tent and an additional three just outside. The chains at his waist and neck rattled then released. Tom remained still and waited. He felt the chains give on his ankles and then finally the ones on his wrists fell away. Thoughts of Jill's capture ran through his mind. Why would they free him now? The only answer his brain conjured froze him in place and cold despair snaked over him like frosty fingers. He swallowed the urge to scream but he had to know.

"Why have you released me?" Tom asked. He slowly unsheathed a blade ready to attack. "Tell me my child lives or I will spare no one from tasting my blade."

"She lives, Tomas," Saal said.

"I'm here, Dad," Jill said.

Tom's heart flipped in his chest. He whirled to see her standing just inside the tent, her eyes wide and full of tears. His own friends had kept him from pursuing her and he'd cursed them everyday. Seeing her now, he still wasn't sure if he would forgive them. But his anger took a back seat to her standing before him. He dropped his dagger and rushed to hold her. The desolation of his heart evaporated as he held onto her as tight as he dared and kissed her temple. Remembering the bloody evidence of her capture, he pulled back and examined her closely, blood stains caked on her torn clothing, and puncture wounds still healing. Guilt stabbed at his chest, mocking his bold and arrogant declaration that he could protect her. Evidence of his grand failure stood before him.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I'll get you out of here right now! I'll get Vrag to take you home and keep you there until this is over. I'll hire an army to protect you. No one will harm you again, I swear it!"

"No, Dad. I can't leave now," Jill said. She motioned for the others to enter the tent. Tom recognized Layla and Veelka immediately.

"My father has amassed a powerful weapon and is holding it in the east tower. We heard it when we escaped through the secret tunnels. If he unleashes it, you and your army will die with little effort on his part," Layla said.

"What does he have?" Tom asked.

"The largest swarm I've ever heard," Layla said.

###

King Ulvarg stormed into the holding cell that held his two remaining prisoners. Without warning he back handed Rebecca across the face sending her to the ground. He raised is hand next to Paloma but paused, remember her status.

"Who helped the young ones escape!" he roared at them. He saw a hint of relief in Rebecca's eyes and moved to strike her again. Paloma blocked him and glared.

"We don't know, Ulvarg and we certainly would not tell you. Leave us if you value what short life you have left."

Ulvarg backed away from the women and left the cell. He turned back just as the door clanged shut.

"Your clan may fight with my enemies but they will die with them as well. If my demands aren't meant in three days time, I will demonstrate my power on you and the human. Either way, I will have my revenge."