The Scroll of Knowledge

Chapter 8

I shrugged. "I don't know him. He and my mother divorced before I was born. His name isn't even on my birth certificate."

"Oh yes. I forgot about the American divorce rate," Brennan said. "You and Shay have a lot in common then."

"Are her parents divorced as well?"

"Not exactly."

I searched his face. "Why is everything about your family so complicated?"

"So that things stay interesting," he said with a wink. That strange feeling in my stomach was because of laughing and indigestion. It had nothing to do with the man in front of me. I was dating someone else? Or was I? I wasn't sure what to think at that moment and Derek wasn't around for me to clarify anything.

Brennan stood. "I think that's enough for tonight. I'll walk you to your room to make sure you actually get there."

I sighed. "What about the dishes?"

"I'll have someone take care of them. Just leave them there," he said. That was something I could get used to.

My room wasn't very far, it was too close for my liking, and it took us less than a minute to reach there. I reached for the doorknob. He held my hand back.

"Hold on. Let me do a quick check," Brennan said. He took out an earpiece and stuck it in his ear. "What! Why didn't you call me?" He grabbed my arm. "We can't stay here."

"What--"

"Don't ask questions. Come on."

He dragged me down some stairs, all the while yelling commands.

"I thought you said no one knew where I was," I said.

"No one should have known. Someone must have told them. Someone who doesn't like living anymore." He pulled me towards a room.

"Don't move!"

I slowly turned around. At least fifteen guns were trained on us. Information swirled before my eyes. I blinked it away. Brennan pulled me behind him.

"I know that voice," Brennan said. "You're Ian's main dog, Allan."

They were wearing masks but I was sure he was smiling. "Look at you. You've really grown since we last met. Nothing like that coward Junaid," he said.

"Ju was not a coward. He just knew how to pick his fights," Brennan said.

"I wonder if that's something you know how to do as well. Hand the girl over."

"You don't get to come into my house and make demands. We had a deal."

"Ian needs her for his collection. We will be leaving with her," Allan said.

Men came closer to us. Brennan took a step back and held me behind him.

"Leave now and you might be forgiven," Brennan said.

"I can't do that. Take the girl."

Brennan swung the first punch. He pushed me towards the stairs. "Go! I'll find you later." He pulled a gun out from underneath his sweater. He fired into the crowd of men.

I ran towards the stairs. Someone grabbed me. Their hand disappeared. I heard someone fall. I didn't stop to look back.

"Left!" Brennan shouted. I hadn't even realized he was behind me. I heard more shots being fired.

I skidded to a stop. We were surrounded. Brennan cursed under his breath.

"You can't win this fight," the man said.

"I have to. If I let you leave, you'll go after Shay next. I can't let you do that," Brennan said. "I won't let you hurt them!" He threw the gun at the nearest guy. Someone tackled him. He was on his chest strangling him. I grabbed a vase off one of the tables and smashed it over his head. Brennan didn't even take a breath before attacking the nearest guy.

He wasn't going to win. There were too many. In no time at all they had him pinned down. I couldn't see him but I could here his groans. I grabbed another vase but someone grabbed me before I could smash it over another guy's head. My hands were handcuffed behind my back. The more I struggled, the tighter they got.

"Let me go!" I shouted. I kicked the man in his shin. He didn't even flinch. "Brennan!"

"Stop!" the first man said. The other men froze and stepped away. Brennan used the wall to help him stand. Blood was dripping from his burst lip. His face was bruised and by the way he was holding his left arm, I knew it was broken. Allan walked towards him.

"The second you step out of this house, your death is sealed. I will be coming for you," Brennan said, his eyes blazing. "You and all these men are dead."

The man ruffled his hair. "That is so cute. I'd like to see you try." He leaned closer. "Like a little puppy trying to fight with the big dogs." He turned and walked away. "We have one more stop to make tonight. I'll see you around, kid."

They dragged me behind them. I twisted and turned trying to see Brennan. All the fire died out in his eyes. For a moment he looked defeated, then he looked at me.

I didn't stop struggling. "Brennan!" I shouted. I didn't want to go with them. Government reports and news articles were flashing before my eyes. They'd killed so many people, destroyed entire towns. I couldn't stop myself from crying. I didn't want to go with them. "Brennan! Help me! Brennan!" They dragged me further away from him. "Brennan!"

His fists clenched. His eyes blazed. His face darkened. He looked... scary.

We disappeared in a ball of light.