Interference: Book One

  Colton turned to the shop on our left. “If you want to fit in, better hit the Boozer.”

  “Boozer?”

  “Yep, Custos love to drink.”

  Get plastered, then meet your aunt. It was like a holiday to-do list.

  I pictured more of a pub scene, but this was nothing like the taverns I’d been in. Everything from the floors to the countertops was pristine copper. Standing room only, there was no space for tables. The room had a long bar on each of the four walls, and the bartenders stood behind the counters, watching the drinks pour themselves. I imagined most bars to be similar in noise and laughter, but the magic inside Boozer created a hypnotizing atmosphere.

  Colton ordered a couple of shots, and we stayed a few minutes after—long enough to make an appearance and not bring unwanted attention our way. We made our way out into the fresh air, and Caleb stood across the street, chatting up a cute girl. He straightened when we caught his eye and he continued following behind us at a safe distance.

  Pink and yellow flowers bloomed along the sidewalk while residents smiled and waved at passing neighbors. Children laughed, chasing each other down the street. They appeared to be content. I doubted the case I’d made to Ren about creating a better Seregalo, until I walked past an older woman with a muffin cart. Her frail, wrinkled hand reached out and clung to my arm through the cloak, nails pressing into my arm. I paused without turning in her direction. My heart pounded against my chest as an instinct to fight took over.

  “I knew you’d come one day. I prayed I’d be alive to meet you,” she whispered.

  I took a deep breath and turned to face her, revealing my true identity. I can’t say why I trusted her, but I did.

  Her face softened—tears filled her eyes. “You look just like your father, did you know that?”

  I grinned. “I’ve heard that a time or two.”

  “My goodness at the power coursing through you, Child. My prayers are with you.” She gently patted the side of my face.

  “Thank you,” I whispered.

  “When all is said and done, you know where to find me.” The woman turned back to her cart as if we’d never spoken.

  Colton and I continued down the sidewalk, the kind lady’s words replaying in my head, giving me the courage to do what I needed.

  “Do you know her?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Well? Who is she?”

  Colton sighed, “Mrs. Monroe.”

  “Wait. You mean she’s. . .”

  “Noah’s mother. Your grandmother.”

  I swallowed the large lump in my throat and kept moving. I couldn’t show emotion—not then. A warmth ran through me at the thought of still having family. I had a grandmother.

  Colton led me into another store, the window filled with crystals and jewelry. The lights were low, and as soon as I entered, a peacefulness washed over me. I looked around at the rock-lined walls and ceiling, and it hit me. We were in a cave. Carved rock shelving graced the stone walls where large crystals emitted power and energy throughout the air. You could walk through and feel the power in your chest. Almost a recharge, which could’ve possibly been his intention.

  “Can I be of service?” A tall, thin woman peered over her glasses as she stood at the counter.

  “We’re cooling off, if that’s okay,” Colton answered.

  She smiled, but it didn’t feel authentic. “Take your time.”

  Colton leaned in carefully, “The cave is always cool, so Custos stop by to take a break from the heat. If you’re gifted, you can feel the charge in the air. I hoped it would help.”

  We walked around for a few minutes, but the owner never took her eyes from me—watching my every move. Colton led me to the door, and another Custos waited on the sidewalk. Colton never faltered as he kept walking, ignoring the threat that loomed.

  “Hey! Do I know you?” I knew that voice. It couldn’t be. . . Could it?

  “No, Man. We just joined. I’m Colton.”

  “Good to meet you, Colton. I’m Asher. And you are?”

  I froze. I concentrated on my gift, conjuring the first image that came to mind, “Cyrus. I’m Cyrus.” The image of the skinny, allergy-ridden kid at Fremont was the first person to pop in my head.

  “Well, Cyrus, if you wanna make it around here, you might wanna beef up. You’re frail, my friend,” said Asher.

  “Will do. Thanks.” I fought to alter what Asher heard so he didn’t recognize my voice.

  “See you around,” Asher called out.

  Walking toward the end of the cobblestone street, I whispered toward Colton, “I thought he was dead.”

  He scoffed. “Looks alive and well to me.”

  Dusk settled over the town, but not dark enough to hide us. Voices pulled our attention back from where we came. Caleb stood outside of the store listening to the owner while Asher’s eyes watched over the city. She appeared to be describing someone, and my stomach dropped. The moment Asher realized what had happened, I felt it in the air. Anger over my deception, embarrassment that I’d fooled him. His head whipped in my direction and he made eye contact with me.

  Colton shoved me forward. “Run, Mercy.”

  We turned right, out of the line of sight, and dashed down the street into what looked like an abandoned cottage. Glass covered the floor from shattered windows, and the door hung loosely on one hinge. Broken and splintered furniture littered the floor. Pictures had fallen from the walls and a few clothing items were strewn around the destruction.

  “Where are we?” I asked.

  “An Elder’s home. Take off your cloak. The river runs directly behind us. You’re gonna have to swim a little earlier than expected.”

  I shed the cloak and boots Naomi gave me, leaving me in a tank top and leggings. Colton escorted me to the back door, and as my hand wrapped around the broken handle, the front door crashed in. Asher, along with Caleb and another, had caught up to us. Caleb looked as though he could puke and didn’t know what to do.

  Asher smiled, looking me over. “Been thinking about you, sweetness.”

  “It’s a shame. I thought you died,” I replied.

  “I did, too. Fortunately, you tossed me in the back of a dump truck instead of the road. I’m guessing it was on purpose. Can’t deny our love?”

  My fists tightened in anger. “You killed my father.”

  He held his hands up, smiling innocently. “Well, technically, I was trying to kill Drake.”

  A voice told me to back away while I could. Asher would pay, but that wasn’t the time. “It was nice seeing you, Asher, but I have somewhere to be.”

  “How’s my brother, Mercy? I don’t see him here, so that means he is dead or in the area. Did you kill him too?” he asked.

  Although I refused to show it, his words crushed my spirit. I didn’t know where Drake was or if he had survived Stonedell.

  “Have you ever wondered what if?” I asked.

  “What?” His face scrunched up as if I spoke German.

  “What if? Sometimes I think, what if I’d never been born a Regalian? What would my life be like? Do you ever ask yourself what if? What if you hadn’t turned your back on Drake? What if there was someone out there that could have helped you control your gift? Would you still be with your brother? Would you be on the other side of this war?”

  Asher’s chest expanded from breathing heavily, and his jaw clenched with irritation because he knew I was right. He’d asked himself ‘what if’ many times, but he was too proud to admit it.

  My voice turned sad. “You’re nothing to Aadya, Custos are expendable to her, but you were someone to Drake.”

  Asher never responded, but the combination of anger and pain in the air was all-consuming. I could feel the turmoil. He hated who he had become—despised how far he had fallen.

  “Goodbye, Asher.”

  He stepped forward just as I took their eyesight. They reached out, trying to get their bearings as I opened the back door to escape. I looked ove
r toward Colton and Caleb, “Run. When I leave, they’ll get their sight back.”

  “Mercy. . .” Colton started.

  “Thanks for everything.” I needed them to hurry—I wanted them safe.

  He nodded and pushed his brother out of the cottage.

  “You know I’ll find you. When I do, I’ll tear you from limb to limb, like I promised on the subway,” Asher threatened.

  “Keep trying, Asher. It keeps things interesting.”

  I turned to sprint for the river. By the time they could see, I had dove into the water. It was almost too easy.

  I had devised a plan for swimming underwater, which wouldn’t have been possible without my energy and elemental gifts combined. Using the surrounding air, I created a pocket of oxygen so I could breathe. It would hopefully last the full distance, so I wouldn’t need to come up to the surface. I also focused on increasing the current, so I could swim faster. I’d never tried it before, but I wasn’t about to tell Joseph and Naomi. I wanted them to feel confident in my plan.

  The swim went smoothly, the current of the river pulling me downstream. Watching the fish and turtles swim by my personal energy bubble was like gazing into an aquarium, and I could only imagine what this would be like in the ocean. Halfway through the swim, the images in front of me transformed. The fish and reptiles surrounding me rippled—morphing into visions of horror.

  My father, bleeding out in my arms because I was too weak to stop it. My mother, alone and desperate, crying in fear over the family she would never see again. Breathing became difficult as the bubble wavered under my hold. The images evaporated and Drake’s sexy smirk replaced the violence—until a trickle of blood dripped from his nose—then the corner of his mouth. Then his eyes. Blood eventually covered his entire face and he screamed in agony as fire scorched his skin. The bubble I created heated around me, and I fought to take a breath.

  Then, something dark around me whispered, Rage Fire.

  I gasped as the bubble cracked, threatening to expose me to Aadya and her guards. Flames engulfed my body, swirling fiercely around me in the river. I closed my eyes against the vision, and pushed forward. My head throbbed from the pressure of the magic and the muscles in my legs cramped. My skin felt blistered from the heat, but I knew it wasn’t. It was part of the spell.

  I knew I’d made it to the domicile because the tightness in my chest began to retreat and a familiar sensation pricked the back of my neck. The flame inside me ignited at the presence of Drake nearby. I could feel him.

  The pressure completely faded as I passed the domicile, and the wooden posts of the dock came into view. I had to make it to the other side, and I’d be in the clear. My lungs strained for the last bit of oxygen, but I swam past the posts for ten to twelve feet to make sure I’d gone far enough. Then, the cool breeze hit my face as I inhaled fresh air. I eased over to the bank, slowly raising my head from the water.

  The grass beside the bank was tall and green, creating a whimsical landscape, but the domicile was darker than I anticipated. The black stone looked almost evil. Not dark gray, black. Each stone looked to be about three-foot square, and the building was at least fifty feet high. Massive single-paned windows surrounded the top of the building, and guards stood watch along the back entrance.

  I didn’t feel as drained as I expected after the swim. I tried to think of a distraction to get rid of the guards, but their focus was unyielding. I couldn’t use the typical sensory impairment, as soon as I entered the building, they’d get their sight back and call security. I had to be more creative.

  Come on, Mercy, they’re men. You know how to distract them, I thought. I closed my eyes and conjured up three beautiful women, half-naked, about 40 feet down the river bank. I kept the vision vibrant and real in my mind so they would see it just as clear. The women waved seductively, teasing them.

  It took all of ten-seconds for the Custos to take the bait. As they drifted toward the women, I snuck across the lawn to the door. Easing the heavy door open, I slid through the crack, unseen. My blood boiled at the presence of Drake. Knowing he survived comforted me, but I didn’t want anyone I loved close to that evil spawn.

  The same black stone on the outside composed the interior of the building. Large squares of what looked like black granite covered the floor and walls, sleek and extravagant. A glass ceiling allowed for natural light, and the white light of the moon shimmered overhead, beaming off massive glass chandeliers. There wasn’t a piece of furniture in sight. No tables, lamps, or pictures on the wall. The building spoke for itself. There also wasn’t a soul nearby. Where were they?

  I quietly stepped down the hall, my wet footprints capturing my attention. The last thing I needed to do was leave breadcrumbs. Concentrating on the elements, I pulled the river water from my clothes and watched as the droplets gathered together, then collected the remaining water on the floor. Now, what did I do with it? I looked around the corner into a parlor and tossed the water in a vase by the window. Pictures on the table caught my eye, and before I knew it, I had walked across the room.

  Framed images of Aadya were everywhere. The day she took over Seregalo, a celebration in her honor, and even one of my father. Not a single picture of my mother on display. Bitterness devoured any sympathy I could ever have for her. My parents would be alive if it weren’t for her. I turned away from the history I cared nothing about, unable to look at any more reminders of what she had done.

  I left the parlor and crept down the long, dark hallway. Movement ahead forced me into an alcove, and I reached out to listen.

  “Can you please take this to Marley’s room?”

  Marley. My sister was there.

  “I took breakfast to that brat this morning, and she threw the tray at my head. It’s someone else’s turn,” an angry voice spat.

  A smile broke out across my face. She really was my twin.

  “Just sit the tray outside the door and knock. That’s what they did last night.”

  “I better get hazard pay. I’m not joking.”

  I followed the footsteps toward the opposite direction, keeping a safe distance. Dark, narrow steps spiraled above us, and we climbed at least three floors before he cut to the left. I stayed hidden around the corner until I saw him place the tray on the floor.

  A decorative brass number seven adorned the large wooden door. Seven. Ironically, my room number at Fremont. He hesitated, knocked once, and took off the way he’d come. I plastered myself against the wall, unseen. As soon as the hall was clear, I tip-toed across the floor to room number seven.

  I picked up the tray and attempted to turn the door handle. Unlocked. The wooden door creaked as I slowly stepped inside, closing it quietly behind me. My gaze traveled around the room, as the tray fell from my hands. I couldn’t believe my eyes. A red-haired girl staring out the window turned in shock. Her eyes were wide with . . . not fear, but disbelief. Awkwardness hung in the air as she blinked several times and took a step back. Number seven—the room looked exactly like mine at Fremont.

  Two twin beds, separated by a small table. Plain white walls, and even a replica of my black and white quilt laid across the bed. Our father’s picture sat on the bedside table. How could this be possible?

  She stepped forward. “Mercy, is that you?”

  I reminded myself to breathe. “Marley?”

  She smiled and exhaled loudly. I imagined she feared I wouldn’t know her. I stared, unsure what to do. I recognized her. After all, she was my twin. My other half. But there was no instant connection like I’d anticipated. No fireworks. Just years of confusion and loss between us.

  “I’m so happy you’re here. We have to get out of here. I can’t stay here any longer with this horrible woman. Please help me!” Marley’s eyes were wide with anxiety, desperate to get away.

  My heart ached for her. “Calm down, alright? I’m going to get you out of here. How long have you been here?”

  “Five years.”

  Aadya succeeded that day in
the woods—the day she killed our mother. The day she took Marley and so many people died protecting me. Guilt overwhelmed my heart at what Marley had been through because of me. She lost just as much as I had.

  I shook my head. “I’m so sorry. If I had known the truth, I would have been here sooner.”

  “How did you find me?” she asked.

  “We have so much to talk about, Marley, but it’s going to have to wait, okay?”

  “Yes, we have much to discuss,” a familiar voice came from the door. “I suggest you cooperate if you want to see your friends alive.”

  Thu Dang. The day kept getting better and better.

  20

  ⥈

  My body instantly went on defense.

  “Now, Mercy. We won’t have any issues, right? Your loved ones are few. You wouldn’t want to lose anyone else.”

  As much as I despised this man, he was right. I relaxed my shoulders and took a deep breath. I could take him—my power was eager to lash out. But I also wanted to hear what he had to say.

  “Good girl,” he whispered.

  I narrowed my eyes, remembering the suffering he induced in the alley. “What do you want from me?”

  “We want to chat. Aadya is very excited about meeting her other niece.”

  I laughed. “I bet she is.”

  Thu Dang’s evil grin widened. He came toward us, and I stepped in front of my sister protectively.

  “You’d put your life on the line for someone you don’t even know?” he asked.

  “She’s my sister, that’s all I need to know.”

  Thu Dang kept his gaze focused on me. “Marley, stay here. Aadya wants to see Mercy.”

  “I’m staying with her,” Marley demanded.

  “No, you’re not. If Mercy wants to see her precious Drake again, she’ll come alone.”

  There it was, the only thing that could ever make me abandon Marley in this horrid chamber they had created. I looked over at her, full of regret. “Marley?”