Chapter 51: Getting to Safety - Valeria

Once through, I find myself standing in front of an adorable two-story French cottage with wisteria growing up the side of the house. It looks so old but well cared for and homely.

“Where are we?” I ask.

“My home,” he says, looking at the cottage sadly, “My family is trapped inside. Manon placed a barrier around it, it keeps them locked in and me locked out.”

As he says this, I see a young teenage boy and a young girl run to the window and pound on the glass, but I can’t hear them. It’s like the cottage is soundproof. Behind them appears a gorgeous blonde woman, with long wavey blond hair and stunning blue eyes. She places her hand against the glass as tears fill her eyes. Alaric takes a step closer until he hits an invisible wall and pounds his fist against it. Okay, so maybe I feel a little bad for him, but I still hate his guts for poisoning my animai.

“Hold this,” I say, handing him the chest.

He sniffs and turns to face me, taking the chest in confusion, “Why did you grab th