by J. Clarice
He could’ve helped her. But instead, he stood to the side and watched.
He’d been ordered to.
“Do you love your mother, Cain?”
The little boy with a shaved head shook as his father’s gaze swept over him. Despite the tone of His voice, the boy knew that was the calm before the storm. His father was never ‘calm.’
The boy quickly glanced at his mother. She laid on the ground, thin as a rail with protruding bones.
“Cain, keep your eyes on me,” the warning in His voice didn’t surpass anyone. “Do you love your mother?”
Fear twisted in the boy’s gut as he shakily answered. “Ye- Yes.”
Without another word, his father moved onto his brother. He, too, with a shaved head and wide grey eyes, had fear splintering through his heart. He was no fool to who his father really was. They were berated continuously due to the fact they got their mother’s eyes instead of His.
“Raxon, my boy, do you love your mother?”
He expected the question, but that didn’t cease his hesitation. What would happen if he said yes? What if he said no?
He answered with the truth and nodded.
Their father straightened, and the rage that flashed in His eyes sent an alarm through their minds.
They knew they made a mistake.
“Both of my sons have a piece of you in their hearts. Do you realize that, dear?” He asked as He circled to their mother.
She propped herself on a frail wrist. Her sunken eyes twinkled with a fight the boys had never seen before.
“Edgar, you fool,” she coughed. “They will always have a piece of me in their hearts. It might shrink to the size of a pea or flourish to all the Realms – but they will always have me, and you’ll see it every time you look into their eyes.”
A peaceful smile graced her lips at her realization. She knew there was nothing He could do about it. No matter how much He tried to beat it out of them, she would always remain.
The words registered in their father’s mind, and His blood boiled at her truth. He gripped her by the chin and lifted her from the ground.
Cain somehow knew this punishment was different, and he’d been right. He twitched to interfere, and his father’s head snapped in his direction.
“You will stay put,” He ordered before turning His attention back to the woman in His hands.
Cain’s feet were glued to the ground, and he could only watch what he knew were to be the last moments of his mother.
“They may have taken your eyes,” He whispered in her ear, loud enough for the boys to hear. “But their souls will forever be mine. I will impact every inch of their lives, and whether they decide to follow in my steps will not be of their choice. Every time my whip hits their back, every time their bodies are frozen under my command, every time I enforce a punishment, they will remember you – because they’ll despise you for making their life more difficult.”
Their mother could only grunt as her jaw was held shut. Their father tightened His grip until He felt the thin structure begin to give. Her fear and pain fed the vile pit that resided in His chest.
“I should’ve killed you sooner.”
His long tongue extended from His mouth and lightly licked her neck before slithering between her lips. Her throat bulged as gargling and muffled screams slipped through. The noise stained the boy’s ears as their eyes were forced wide with fear.
They watched as their mother had her insides scraped. They watched her last twitch as her body was thrown to the side. They watched as the Nightmares around them scrambled to finish off what’d been left.
Bloodstained the edges of His mouth, and His stretched tongue reverted to its accepted state.
“She died because of you. The sooner you forget her, the less pain you’ll endure at my side.”
Cain remembered his body regaining its feeling as his father turned and walked away. Instead of fleeing the crime scene, he stayed behind and fell to his knees. His mother’s last words, always clanging in his mind like a bell.
Having the Nether Wraith throw them back chilled him to the core. He knew there was more he could’ve done then, but he didn’t. He had no choice but to live with it for the rest of his life.
Whomever Scarlett had seen, Cain knew it was of similar experience. The emotions that raged through her were the same as his own.
“Things are never as simple when it comes to blood.” Cain stayed a foot from Scarlett. Far enough to maintain space but close enough to feel her.
“Your blood?” Scarlett scoffed. “Your blood that pushed forth a war started from the same family? Blood that killed thousands, and hundreds of Dreamers and Dreammares, all without hesitation or a hint of remorse? That blood? I didn’t think it’d be that complicated.”
Cain ground his teeth as Scarlett’s words struck home. She wasn’t entirely right, nor was she entirely wrong. Raxon was still his little brother, whether he liked it or not. To kill him would be destroying a part of himself.
“I know what you’re trying to do, and there’s honestly no point.” She shook her head as a weight settled on her heart. Her throat swelled as she forced the next words. “We need to find a way to cut the bond.”
A part of him expected the words, but that didn’t stop them from hurting, and they fucking hurt.
“Actions have consequences, and a majority of us paid for yours.” Scarlett clenched her fists. Her body ached for Cain and fought every word leaving her mouth, but her pain held firm. “I can’t have you beside me.”
“There is no way to cut the bond Scarlett,” Cain started as razors shredded his heart. “That aside, I didn’t come here to reconcile our dead love life. I came to make sure you were okay.”
She flinched from his words. The sting burned more than she liked. “Well, I’m fine, and you can go.”
“I can feel you through the bond, and I know you aren’t. Why do you have to be so difficult?”
Scarlett gaped at Cain as fire crashed through her veins. “Me difficult? Cain, you’re the fucking word itself, and everyone knows it! I don’t know what your objective here exactly is, but you’ve asked your question, and I answered. Now, leave me the hell alone.”
The shock that slapped itself onto Cain’s face fueled her raging annoyance. She curled her lip in disgust and sidestepped him. He stepped out of his lane, and she wasn’t putting up with any more of his bullshit. She had enough.
If she said their exchange hadn’t made her feel less guilty about banishing Cain with his brother – well, she’d be lying.
Jayden planted herself at Scarlett’s side when she walked back into the cave. “Are you okay? We all heard.”
Scarlett rubbed her temples at Jayden’s murmur. Of course, they heard. They hadn’t exactly been whispering.
“No, I’m not. But that’s the least of our worries right now.”
Jayden grabbed Scarlett by the shoulders and turned her. “Hey, I get it. We’re all marching to our deaths to defeat the biggest asshole in the Realm’s history. We’ve got lives hanging on this mission, but that in no way means that your health isn’t a priority. Especially since you’re the one that’s going to be doing most of the ass-kicking.”
At the twinkle in Jayden’s eye, Scarlett let up a quirk of her lips. “Only you and Jasp could make a serious sentence come out with humor.”
“It’s a twin thing.” Jayden winked as she reached for Scarlett’s hand and squeezed it. “We’re in this together, okay?”
Scarlett nodded, and her heart swelled with gratefulness. She indeed was lucky to have her.
“We need to figure out our next move from here,” Trevor spoke, catching everyone’s attention.
“First, we’ve got to figure out who the fuck saved us,” Raxon rebutted.
“Hey! Whoever you are, we kinda need you now!”
All eyes landed on Jasper, who lowered his cupped hands from his mouth. “What? They said to just call them when we needed to.”
Footsteps
followed his words, and they all still hearing them approach. A grey-coated figure stepped in from one of the cave’s tunnels.
“I take it you’re all recovered?”
Recovered was one way to put it. They managed to get their bodies under control, but their minds were still reeling – nothing like a Nightmare to get ahold of one of your greatest fears.
“We are,” Scarlett answered. “Now, who are you?”
“Who I am isn’t important,” the voice harshly cut. Although sounding rough, it was clear it belonged to a woman. “What’s more important is what were you thinking crossing the plains?”
“That is confidential information. We need to get across the plains and reach the mountains.”
“Why the mountains? There is nothing there but more death.”
Scarlett’s ears perked. “You’ve been there?”
“Once, barely made it there and back,” the woman snorted. “I’m back here because the plains are better than that shit hole.”
“Would you be able to take us there?” Trevor butted. Their hearts rose, awaiting her answer.
“No,” she said as she shook her head. “I don’t plan on going back to that place, nor will I help you get there. Honestly, your best bet would be to either return to the Realms or the underground city.”
Regardless of her initial answer, Scarlett wasn’t going to let it go quickly. “A lot of lives rest in our hands, and we need to make our way to those mountains.”
“There is nothing I’d be able to do to help you.” The woman crossed her hands to oppose. “I just about died getting through the above ground. There are Nightmares we don’t even know of in the mountains.”
The beginnings of irritation crept up Scarlett’s spine. “I’m not worried about the Nightmares. Do you know a way around to the mountains, or do you not?”
“We wouldn’t need another way.” Raxon stepped forth as he tapped his chin. “We’ve carved caves and tunnels with our powers back in the city. What’s the difference from doing it here?”
As much as they despised Raxon, he spouted the knowledge they needed.
“With the use of the scroll, we’d be able to make our way around.” Scarlett nodded in agreement. She returned her attention to their savior. “We thank you for saving us and will be in your debt. However, we can’t stay any longer.”
Jayden held the scroll and handed it over to Scarlett. She gripped the paper and walked to Raxon. “You know what to do.”
Without another word, Raxon sliced his hand and gripped the scroll. More than the last time, blood swirled through the pages, and Scarlett didn’t wait to open it.
She asked for the instructions they needed, and a single arrow pointed toward the left of the cave. “Through there.”
“Seeing as my brother is most likely off still brooding, I will show you guys how to carve through the rock. We’ll be taking turns and shifts.” Raxon ignited his hands and stepped forward. “We’re not blasting our way through as we risk collapsing the tunnel and being buried. Instead, spread your power into a thin thread.”
He spread his arms and a line of red connected from hand to hand. “Get into whatever stance you wish but make sure you’re grounded. Carving through rock is not easy. Start from the bottom, slide it up in a curve, and pull.”
Red moved along the ground and disappeared behind the rock. Raxon lowered his stance and clenched his fists as the chunk of the wall slid to the floor. A smooth curve appeared on the rocky surface.
With all of them working in shifts, they’d be done in no time. “Carve where you can and never stand in front of someone while in action. This thread is lethal and enough to dismember someone.”
Scarlett caught Raxon’s eyes as he spoke his sentence. Nate’s head rolling from his body flashed through her mind, and she raised a brow, appearing nonchalant. He smirked and knew precisely what she thought.
“All of you are that serious about getting to the mountains, aren’t you?” The woman shook her head. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to stick along. I know quite a bit about the Nightmares here anyway.”
Scarlett hesitated before nodding. “We need all the help we can get.”
Jayden, Jude, and Jasper set themselves beside Raxon and copied his movements. Their tunnel was already a reasonable distance in with the five of them on it. Scarlett went to join when a hand pulled her back.
“I’ve meant to talk to you about something,” Trevor pinned Scarlett with his eyes. She tensed but with a good look at his face, she relaxed. “Training. You need to keep up your moves and possibly try new things. We don’t know what to expect, and I thought you’d benefit from it right now.”
“Thank you, Trevor.” Scarlett bit the inside of her cheek. She didn’t want to train but knew he was right. She needed to be at her best. Trevor placed a hand on her back, and they turned away from the others. They froze as they came face to face with Cain.
Scarlett could deny the feelings all she wanted but the second she saw Cain’s eyes land where Trevor’s hand was, a shiver of anticipation raced up her spine. Trevor noticed what his former friend caught onto and dropped his hand from Scarlett’s back.
“What the hell was that?” demanded Cain. Scarlett hated the caffeine buzz that filled her insides. She shouldn’t be that way. He was acting like a dick.
“None of your concern,” she dismissed. “We’ve got some training to attend to.”
“Training?”
“She needs to retouch her fighting, and I’m going to be helping her,” answered Trevor as he went to follow Scarlett.
Cain placed a hand on Trevor’s shoulder, putting distance between him and Scarlett.
“You think I haven’t noticed Trevor?” he dryly laughed. “The two of you. It’s so fucking obvious. I’ve got to say that was quick considering all things.”
Trevor clenched his fists. “You are stepping out of your lane, friend. I’d suggest you get the full story before you go spouting bullshit. You. Weren’t. There.”
At that point, the others stopped their carving and watched the spectacle unfold. Fucking great.
“That doesn’t give you the right,” Cain ground out.
“The right to what, Cain?” Scarlett shoved the two back. “The right to move in on me? News flash, you don’t have that right either – especially you. You’ve been nothing but a pain in our ass. I suggest you get that shit straightened out before you even think about having a right over me.”
Scarlett could practically see steam coming out of Cain’s ears. Good – he stepped out of his lane. She knew the bond wouldn’t allow him to let it go. He barely had a grip over himself, but that didn’t mean she’d put up with it. Scarlett glared, and yet, she lifted a hand and placed it on his chest. “Back off, Cain.”
His racing heart rate calmed beneath her palm. The heated gaze stayed on Trevor before lowering to his partner. Scarlett saw them drain of rage and turn to a sadness that tightened her throat. Swallowing, she held her place, and Cain stepped back.
Scarlett walked past him and knew Trevor followed closely behind.
She heard his heavy breathing slow. She heard the ragged sigh that got released. She heard him slowly crumbling.
But she didn’t look back as she left.
Not a drop of sweat lined Scarlett as she dodged each of Trevor’s strikes. Meanwhile, he appeared as if he single-handedly fought thirty men.
They had been training for over two hours while the others continued their carving. The tunnel had a way to go, but they were nearing a quarter of the distance.
The training was strictly that – training. Scarlett hadn’t wanted to converse, and she was at ease with a few of her emotions calmed. The fighting served as a release of energy, and it was one she greatly appreciated.
“I’m sorry for his actions.”
Trevor gave her a nod. “You shouldn’t be, but thank you. He is the one responsible for his actions.”
“He hasn’t stopped being an ass.”
Ce
asing his movements, Trevor cocked his head. “His outburst wasn’t right, but you must realize that his mind is most likely a mess. He went from hating his brother to being forced to be with him by the one person he probably trusted most. We don’t know what happened when they got here, and now here we are taking him back to see his father. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of what you already heard about Edgar.”
“I get he has baggage, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to take it easy on him either.”
“As you shouldn’t. I’m not telling you to do that, but everyone has their process of thinking through things. It just so happens that the both of you do it the same way, creating all this damn conflict,” Trevor said, so matter of fact.
Scarlett gaped and repelled the thought. “I- What- No, we don’t!”
“You two are the most incredibly stubborn partners I’ve ever come across. Both hotheaded, with solid opinions, persistent, and weirdly feel the need to hide their emotions at times they shouldn’t. He raised a brow with a smirk. “Sound about right?”
She rolled her eyes, trying – and failing – to ignore that he’s hit the nail on the head. What else did she expect from the wise one?
“I think we’re done for today, therapist. You’ve felt this training more than I,” Scarlett teased.
“Not everyone is the fucking chosen one,” Trevor scoffed before throwing her a smile. “However, you have gotten incredibly stronger. I’ll give you that. You didn’t even break a sweat. If we have the chance to get another training in, you’re going with someone a little more your match.”
Scarlett immediately knew which ‘someone’ he was referring to. “No, I’m not.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Trevor quickly threw. “We don’t have many other options, and they are your best. You can choose who, or even both, and I’ll have them randomly attack you.”
He tapped his chin before nodding. “I prefer the latter.”
Letting his words slide off her back, Scarlett exited the cave they chose to train in. She could hear them carving away at the new tunnel with the constant rumble. Little rocks jumped, and dust circled the air from being disrupted.