#Chapter 169 – Mobilizing the Forces

“Don’t give Alvin any details, please,” Evelyn says, considering her request that Ian contact his twin. “Just…tell him we’re okay?”

Ian nods, closing his eyes and concentrating, a little frown on his face. Evelyn waits patiently, trying to keep even her breathing quiet, working hard not to interrupt.

A few minutes later, Ian opens his eyes, continuing to frown. “It’s…harder,” he says, thinking it over. “Even harder than when we were far away. I guess it is grandpapa telling me not to. But it’s still there – like talking to him underwater. We can send images and feelings, but…not words anymore.”

Evelyn nods, biting her lip. Not that Ian talking to Alvin was an important part of her strategy but…well. It’s another resource not at their disposal.

“I send him a picture of you, just like this,” Ian says, putting out a finger to touch her face, indicating the blanket pulled up over their heads, “so he sees us now, but he won’t know where we are.”

Evelyn bites her lip at that. “Did he…did he see my black eye?”

“Oh,” Ian says, frowning, as if he just thought of it. “Yes, I’m sorry. That was part of the image, but I don’t really notice it anymore.”

Evelyn nods, accepting it. “It’s okay,” she says, giving him a smile.

“I also told him that we love him.” Ian says seriously, and Evelyn’s smile broadens.

“That was good of you,” she says. “I want him to know, every day, that I love him so much.”

“He sent a message back,” Ian says. “He says…he says he loves you too. And so does daddy. And that he’s sorry and is trying very hard to find you.”

Evelyn bites her lip at this, closing her eyes, trying to keep the pain off of her face.

She wants to believe it. So, so much.

At the dinner table, Alvin suddenly drops his fork.

Victor’s attention is immediately on him, though it takes Rafe and Bridgette a minute to notice that something is going on.

Alvin closes his eyes, almost holding his breath in concentration. Rafe opens his mouth to ask what’s happening, but Victor holds up his hand, a plea for silence.

A few minutes later, Alvin opens his eyes, taking a deep breath.

“I’m talking to Ian,” he says quietly, his face tired. “But it is…harder. There is something in the way, blocking us.”

“Do you have any idea what it is?” Victor asks, “or any idea where they are?”

“Ian is sending me a picture, right now,” he says, very quiet. “It’s of mama…she’s under

his breath, waiting for Alvin to continue, but Alvin just concentrates. After a moment, Victor can’t help himself. “Is she

open and he bites his lip. “She is happy,” he says, “but…she has a bruise on her face.

at this, his eyes narrowing in determination. Whoever hurt her – he’s

then shuts his eyes again. “Ian is sending something else. Just…just

moment passes, everyone at the

“Ian is just telling me

says, hesitating. “Can you

nods. “I can try. It is harder – I don’t know what

them that we love them too. That

his fork

chewing his pot roast.

it?” Bridgette

says with a big smile and a shrug. “I think he

back in his chair, worried and relieved at once. It was good to know that she was safe, happy – but god damnit, where was she? And who had

about the image that he sent you. Do you have any clues

his lip and looks away and Victor knows, instantly, that

his full formidable attention

the food around on his plate

at the table before Rafe speaks. “Well,” he says.

his eyes at his uncle. “No,” Alvin

anyway,” Victor

Slowly, Alvin nods.

true. “Ian didn’t break

again but Victor leans

“You know I’m not going to do anything bad with the information. I just want to help them,

his fathers. “Well,” he says, “when I was there before, mommy doesn’t know this, but we were allowed to look around

knot beginning to form in his stomach. He starts to intuit himself where this is

old bedroom. And the blanket that mommy had over her head in the picture?” Alvin looks around at everyone, making

Victor nods once.

down at his plate. “It’s the same as the comforter that was on

says,

Alvin nods, conflicted about his

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