Interference: Book One

  Her head was down, eyes focused on the floor. She knew what I was going to say.

  “Marley, I promise I’ll be back. I need you to stay and wait for me. I can’t . . . I can’t let anyone else die. I hope you understand that.”

  Marley raised her head, standing up straight with resolve in her eyes, “I’ll wait. Please, Mercy. Please come back.”

  “You have my word.” I wouldn’t fail her.

  I followed Thu Dang out of Marley’s room and into the hall. He turned toward the opposite direction I came and took me around the corner to a set of stairs. The black granite stairs soon turned into wide blocks of gray concrete—rough and cold. We walked down five stories before stepping into a dark, chilly dungeon.

  Rows of cells were lined down the dark enclosed space, secured with massive locks that shimmered in the shadows.

  “No one’s ever escaped.” I glanced toward Thu Dang as he continued, “I’m sure you’re wondering.”

  I wouldn’t admit it. I could feel my source as it struggled to stay lit. Something about the dungeon dampened my strength, and if I didn’t stay focused—I wouldn’t be able to use my gift at all. The first couple of cells housed strangers, dirty men who looked as though they hadn’t eaten in days.

  They threw themselves against the bars, begging me for help. Thu Dang’s eyes lowered to the first man, and the prisoner screamed uncontrollably. He begged him to stop, crying out until blood dripped from his eyes, and his body fell limp.

  “He’s been getting on my nerves lately.” He walked away from the unmoving body without another thought.

  That prisoner was a Regalian. A blood-born native of Seregalo, and Thu Dang threw him away like a piece of garbage. He could have had family—people who depended on him. Now, he’d rot in a dungeon at the bottom of the domicile. What kind of future would these people continue to have under Aadya?

  Screams echoed throughout the darkness, and my stomach dropped at the sight of the beaten and abused Regalians, clawing their way toward me. Walking forward, a small hand reached out and grabbed my ankle. I looked down into the most beautiful blue eyes I’d ever seen. The little boy huddled close to the cell door, begging me for help.

  I leaned over and gently took his hand. “Hi, I’m Mercy.”

  “Do you have food?” he asked, desperately.

  “What’s your name?”I asked.

  Confusion crossed his face. “I don’t think I have one.”

  “Where are your parents?”

  Again, he shook his head as if the question was absurd. “I don’t have any.”

  I couldn’t imagine how long he’d been there not to remember having parents.

  Thu Dang stepped forward to chastise him, and I intervened. “Leave him,” I demanded.

  Thu Dang’s head turned to the side, like a puppy, not understanding the command.

  My stare never faltered, and he eventually turned, continuing down the aisle. My chest tightened, and I knew we were getting close to Drake. Thu Dang stopped in front of an empty cell, gesturing with his hand for me to step forward. I gripped the cold, metal bars, looking for any sign of movement. Then, two red eyes appeared in the far corner.

  “Your boyfriend has quite a temper. Ripped the arm off my best guard, and I haven’t forgiven him for it.”

  “Drake? Is that you?” I called out into the darkness.

  Red eyes moved toward me, and I found myself nervous, removing my hands from the bars and stepping back. He never spoke, but when he became visible, my source fought against the spell to ignite. I reached through the bars and palmed his warm face. He closed his eyes and breathed. When he looked back at me, the red tint in his gaze had faded.

  “Are you alright?” he asked.

  “I’m okay.” I breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn’t hurt.

  I turned toward Thu Dang, angry. I couldn’t focus in the dungeon, and the confusion kept me from defending myself as two guards grabbed each arm and threw me into the open cell beside Drake, locking the door. The bolt shimmered brightly, then settled into place.

  “Now, that’s better. Make yourself at home, Mercy. We’ll be with you shortly.” Thu Dang and his guards walked toward the steps without another word.

  “When we get out of here, I’m going to break his neck.” Drake’s words were lethal. He turned toward me with bright eyes, a hint of red returning. “You have no idea how worried I’ve been, Mercy.”

  “How long have you been here? What happened, Drake?”

  “Honestly, I have no idea. Time is not the same after you walk through that portal at Stonedell. I swear I was there for weeks trying to get back to you. I found my way out of caves, fought fires, and suffered through the mirrored room a dozen times before I realized I had to alter my reaction to the images. I’ve never been through anything like it.”

  “Mazes and fires? I experienced the mirrored room, but I didn’t have the others. And I went through that only once. I had other trials though.”

  “Once? Are you joking? That was miserable, Mercy.”

  “Memories were all it showed, some more painful than others, but nothing I couldn’t push through. They showed me the identity of Marley.” I admitted.

  “Well? Who is it?”

  “My twin sister. I met her upstairs before Thu Dang interrupted and brought me here. I have to get her out of here, Drake. I have to help her.”

  “We will, I promise.” He took a deep breath and massaged his forehead with his fingers.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “Just stressed. I can barely keep up with one of you, the thought of having two . . .” One of his eyebrows raised in my direction, and I couldn’t help but smirk.

  “Jackass. What did the mirrors show you?” I asked.

  Drake’s eyes squinted as if the reminder caused him pain. “I had visions. Horrible visions of the future. Fire consumed you. It surrounded you. Flames licked at your skin, and I couldn’t reach you. As if they protected you from me and everyone else, the fire owned you.”

  “How did you get past the trial?” I asked.

  “It took a while. My fists were bloody from bashing the glass, but I had to repeat it over and over. I knew the only thing I could do was accept fate. When that happened, the fire became part of me, and Stonedell moved to the next trial. Embracing that future was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  “It means nothing, Drake. The purpose of those trials is to take you on a head trip.”

  “It does, Mercy. There’s something very significant about that vision, but I’m not sure what.”

  I reached toward his face and he gripped my hand, kissing my fingers.

  He sighed “It felt as though I fought for weeks. Stonedell tossed me in an empty cave on the mountainside. Ancient by the looks of it. Bones piled in the corners and a foreign language had been carved into the walls. The only word that I could make out was Moreno. I felt like they were trying to tell me something, you know?”

  “Tell you what? Something about your family?” I asked.

  “Maybe.”

  “How did you get here?” I asked.

  “I snuck down the mountainside and dove into the river. They had to have someone monitoring the water, as quick as the guards were on me. They were there before I broke the surface.”

  “Spelled. The Parkers warned me in advance,” I explained.

  “Neela’s family? You found them?”

  “Well, technically, they found me in the forest. Ren was already at their cottage, waiting for word from us, but we haven’t seen Neela.”

  “What happened to Ren? Is he here?”

  The thought crossed my mind to share as little as possible. But this was Drake, and he would know if I lied.

  “Ren left.” I lowered my eyes to the floor, knowing he wouldn’t take it well.

  “Left, where? Is he alright? Mercy, look at me.”

  I peered up at his tense expression. “He stormed out before I came to the domicile, quite upset I might add.�
� My anger toward Ren was one thing, but it didn’t compare to the hurt.

  “He left you unprotected?” He asked.

  “I had Caleb and Colton, but yes, he left. He asked me to run away with him and leave everything behind. When I refused, he walked out.”

  Drake paced the cell, fuming.

  “And . . .” I added.

  “What?” He snapped.

  “He watched us . . . down by the creek. The bitterness and resentment he carries, Drake, is much worse than I imagined.”

  Drake didn’t speak, but his hands tightened into fists.

  “Don’t worry about Ren. I’ll deal with him.” His words sliced through the air.

  “Drake. . .”

  Heavy boots clomped into the dungeon, several pairs by the sound of the shuffle. My stomach turned at the thought of them coming for him. I stood, my body already on defense. The fully cloaked Custos walked by my cell without a glance. The guard in front stood shorter than the others but directed them to the cell down the aisle.

  The creak of metal rang through the air as the door hinges whined. The guards shuffled into the dark space, dragging out a small, huddled form. I watched in horror as they carried the body, led by the short, demanding leader. As they passed my cell, a blonde head fell back out of the blankets. Nora.

  “Nora! Nora, look at me!” I screamed until my lungs burned.

  Dark circles lined her eyes, and bruises ran across her cheek. What had they done to her? My power remained on the sidelines, eager to play at any moment, but the dungeon’s spell kept me from using it.

  “Where are you taking her?” My outbursts went unanswered.

  “Mercy, calm down.” Drake called out.

  “Drake, where are they going with her?”

  “Listen to me, that was for your benefit. All of it. If they wanted her dead, she would be. Do you understand?” Drake asked. “Calm down.”

  I knew it made sense, but I couldn’t get over her lovely face, battered and weak. Nora had become family, and I refused to lose her too.

  My hands gripped the bars in frustration. I had to get out of there. I wasn’t any good to anyone in the dungeon.

  “Mercy. Babe, look at me.” Drake’s soft voice broke through my panic and my eyes drifted to the cell beside me.

  “I’m not giving up. Alright?” he told me.

  I nodded. “Okay.”

  I slid to the floor exhausted and covered my face with my hands. Think, Mercy . . . Why hadn’t she killed me? What good am I to her? If I worried about someone taking over my position, the obvious thing would be to get rid of them, but she hadn’t. A part of me knew the answer. This was part of her sick, twisted game—a cat playing with her catch.

  Drake and I sat for several hours, going over possible scenarios that ended with our survival. What power we could generate dissipated in a matter of minutes. The occasional cackle of a captured Regalian rang out across the damp, cold basement, reminding me of the lives at stake.

  High heels slapped against the stone, and I ungracefully hurried to my feet. Sensing my frustration and anger, my power fought against the dampening spell—eager to escape. Finally, the woman I’d come here to see showed herself. Aadya slowly stepped up to face me. Her eyes swept me from head to toe, lips smirking at my current predicament.

  She had beautiful, long red hair and bright green eyes identical to my mother, but a devious and evil spirit lurked behind the physical features. I observed the wrinkles around her eyes and down-turned mouth, a sign of her stress and age. It had to have been difficult on the soul, taking the lives of so many. Her long, red dress dragged the floor, embellished with black crystals around the neckline. She looked seductive without effort.

  “Are you certain this is her? She doesn’t look like much.” Aadya sneered at my appearance.

  “Oh, that’s her, alright. I’ve been up close and personal several times, Madam. Though, not as close as I’d like.” Asher stepped out from behind her, looking me over.

  Drake slammed his hands against the bars, shaking his cell. Aadya’s eyes widened and she stepped back surprised. “Are the spells still intact?”

  Asher nodded. “Yes Ma’am. Thu Dang tested them before bringing her down.” Asher turned toward Drake. “Hello, brother. I tried to tell you—this girl’s gonna get you killed.” Asher laughed.

  “She doesn’t look like us,” Aadya observed.

  “That’s her. Jumped into the river to escape.” Asher mumbled.

  Aadya’s eyes widened. “Did she now? Tell me, how did you manage the spell?” Aadya clasped her hands together. “Was it everything I wanted? I always imagined underwater visions of horror to be thrilling.” She grinned.

  My eyes widened. “Oh, yes. You should try it sometime.”

  “Snarky like her mother,” she spat. “But she looks like Noah. Yes, I see it now.” For a split second, her eyes turned kind, remembering my father’s face, but after seeing her kill my mother in cold blood, I had no sympathy for her. I never would.

  “Tell me, Mercy, where is Noah? We must contact him and let him know you’re safe.”

  I glanced over at Asher, my eyes narrowing in question, “You didn’t tell her?”

  Asher’s back straightened as he stood silent and nervous.

  “Tell me what?” she snapped.

  “My father is dead.”

  Aadya’s palm braced her belly as she took a step back in shock. Her pale face shook, refusing to accept it. “What? No. No, he can’t be dead.”

  I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself, but the woman truly loved him. At least, she believed she did.

  “He is. Didn’t Asher tell you? He shot him,” I admitted.

  Aadya stared at me for several seconds, her chest rising and falling with the deep breaths it took to control her rage. A single tear escaped and traveled down her cheek, but she never moved.

  Her hand slowly lifted toward Asher’s head, and then her power seized his body. I could feel the energy, a dark vibration reaching forward, eager to take anything she would allow. Aadya’s magic was just as evil as her heart. Asher, shaking and helpless, looked over toward Drake with sorrowful eyes as he landed on his knees before toppling to the ground.

  She used subconscious interference to kill Drake’s brother in front of him.

  It only took seconds until Asher’s body was limp and unmoving. Drake looked away, gripping the bars in front of him as another guard dragged Asher across the hard stone. The spell might have kept me from sensing Drake’s pain, but I knew it was there nonetheless.

  She clapped her hands together. “Now, back to business.”

  This woman had no soul.

  “I’d like to introduce you to someone extraordinary, Mercy.”

  She stepped aside, and a tall, blonde-headed man stepped forward. His wavy hair curled around his ears, and blue eyes shone through the darkness. Strong and muscular, he stood at least a foot over Aadya.

  “This is a very close friend of mine, Felix.”

  Felix reached through the bars to shake my hand, and my eyes zeroed in on the tattoo on his right wrist. My belly clenched at the memory of my vision.

  “Now, don’t be rude. Shake the man’s hand,” Aadya insisted.

  I reached forward, and he gripped my hand softly. “It’s very nice to meet you.” He turned back toward Aadya, “Does she have to be in here with the criminals? I want her in my room, right now.”

  Drake stepped forward at his words.

  Aadya patted Felix’s face and smiled, “My friend Felix dreamt of you, Mercy. You are to be his.” She clapped her hands in front of her, a proud aunt doting over her niece.

  “You’re insane. I don’t even know him,” I blurted out.

  “Are you saying you don’t hold an elemental mark on your shoulder?” she asked. Venom laced her words, the insinuation clear. She knew exactly what marked me. I didn’t even realize I’d been holding my breath until my lungs burned for release.

  “That
means nothing,” I whispered.

  “Doesn’t it? Felix has elemental interference, so I think it’s perfectly clear. You’ve never dreamed of him?” Her hostile eyes bored into mine, stripping away any deception.

  “I . . . I may have had one,” I admitted. My eyes cut toward Drake.

  He took a step back, surprised.

  “Ah! There you have it, then. I’ll plan the mating ceremony at once. And don’t fret, my dear. I’ll be there in place of your sweet mother and father. I’m your family now.” She grinned sadistically as they turned to leave. “We’ll take you to Felix’s room in a bit.” The echo of their departing footsteps amplified the discomfort between our cells.

  “A vision? Is that what threw me on my ass on the way to Stonedell?” Drake asked.

  I bit my lip, looking away from Drake.

  “Mercy . . .”

  “I saw a ceremony with him,” I painfully admitted. “It didn’t end well.”

  He nodded at me, understanding my lack of details.

  “She’s a powerful subconscious interferer, Drake. There is no doubt she orchestrated the vision.”

  He exhaled. “So, what’s your plan?”

  “I wish I had one. Getting out of this dungeon is a good start.”

  “Are you saying I need to calmly stand by while they escort you to his room? Not quite my nature.”

  “I don’t know what else to do, Drake. I can’t use my power if I’m stuck here.”

  Custos marched around the corner, charging toward my cell. My eyes cut toward Drake, and he exhaled.

  “Trust me,” I pleaded. “Please.”

  Slowly stepping back, he sat in the far corner. The effort it took in restraining his fury was impressive—his eyes the only sign of his wavering control.

  There were ten Custos lined up outside the door as they waited for me to step forward.

  I met Drake’s eyes one last time before following them out of the dungeon.

  21

  ⥈

  The silent walk upstairs took forever—or maybe the knowledge that we were going to Felix’s quarters made it feel that way. Five floors from the dungeon and I could still feel Drake seething. He carried enough aggression to tear the domicile apart. If they weren’t careful, he would.