Destined to Fly: An Avalon Novel Read Free

risked his entire career to ensure my safety and for that I will be forever grateful. He is a kind man with a good heart. On the drive to meet withJeremy, he told me of his love for his wife and how, so far, they had been unable to have children, a thought that always causes me pain knowing how forceful my own urges were to procreate when the time came.
    I can only hope and pray that he has been safely reunited with his wife, though as much as I want that to be true, I know deep down that the two men on the pier with the guns aimed toward Josef would in all likelihood have been Louis and Fred. They were the men who had guarded me in the castle embedded in the hills north of Ljubljana. Madame Goldy’s right-hand men.
    Josef’s betrayal of both Xsade and his boss, Madame Jurilique, would surely precipitate a reaction no human being would choose to experience. I have never met a more dangerous and narcissistic woman. Since my escape, Martin has provided us with regular updates and background on her, which makes her even more sinister. She operates in society as an elite, well-educated leader of industry and moves in circles of influence most people only dream of … well, people other than Jeremy and Leo, I suppose. Yet she has about as much heart as a ravenous anaconda carefully manipulating and devouring her prey. Shivers ripple through my body as my concern for Josef’s wellbeing reaches fever pitch. And now she wants me back within her vile corporate web for further experimentation, explicitly involving my blood.
    I have no doubt that Madame Jurilique will follow through on the threats contained in her letter. I stillhold the letter apprehensively in my trembling hands, and I read it again as though I’m somehow willing its contents to have changed.
    Dear Doctor Blake ,
    I do hope you have had a wonderful time recuperating in the Mediterranean with your lover and have enjoyed the delights of Disney World with your sweet children, Elizabeth and Jordan .
    It is so unfortunate that you were not able to properly conclude the entire 72 hours at our facility. After having provided us with such useful information, there is but one element we now require .
    Should you not be forthcoming in relation to our requirements we shall once again be forced to take circumstances into our own hands. The enclosed news headlines are but a sample of the strategies we will employ to ensure that we acquire what we need from you, so please let me be clear .
    We need your blood.
    If, for some reason, you decide not to cooperate with our request within the next ten days, we shall be forced to proceed with our global ‘Do you really know Dr Alexandra Blake?’ campaign. Needless to say, I shouldn’t have to remind you that we have some wonderfully explicit photographs and video clips to authenticate our headlines .
    While I have your attention, I should also mention that should this not procure your participation, we would look to acquire the next best thing — the blood of your children .
    I shall look forward to working with you again in the very near future .
    Sincere regards ,
    Madame Madeleine de Jurilique
    If she can’t have access to me, she will ensure no one else does either, in any way, shape or form. I also have no doubt that keeping Jeremy and me apart would give her an added sense of psychotic joy, knowing that she is controlling me and he cannot do anything about it. The thought makes me nauseous all over again.
    Salina, who works for Martin as part of Leo’s security team, is still in Europe attempting to locate both Josef and Jurilique. During her investigations she discovered that Lauren Bertrand, the French member of Jeremy’s Global Research Forum, was bitterly disappointed that Jeremy was given the role of Project Leader rather than herself. An email exchange between Lauren and Madeleine promised that Jeremy would get what he deserves both professionally and personally. They just needed a little more time and patience.
    If