Fallen Darkness (The Trihune Series Book 2)

by Austin, RB

  “Who has replaced Vetis?” Apollyon asked once the door was closed again.

  Sonneillon froze for only a fraction of a second, but he knew Apollyon saw it, more than likely had been watching closely for a reaction. He turned, forced himself to offer nothing else, to have no expression. How had Apollyon learned of Vetis’s death? “One of the newly turned has been chosen to work alongside Kobal. His nickname is Serial. He shows great promise.”

  “Really?” Apollyon inquired, voice low, full of curiosity.

  That was worse than his anger. “Yes.” Sonneillon met Apollyon’s gaze, kept it there, forcing his tone to remain level. “He’s been extremely successful in choosing appropriate recruits.”

  “Like recognizing like.” A small smile curled his lips.

  “I’m sure.

  Apollyon’s gaze moved back to Sonneillon, watching, examining. The smile vanished. “You’ll bring me more recruits in one months’ time.”

  “One,” Sonneillon echoed with no inflection in his voice. Apollyon eased into bed and Sonneillon lifted the covers over him.

  “Yes. And bring twenty more recruits than usual.”

  “So seventy recruits in one month.”

  Apollyon arched an eyebrow. “Is that a problem, Sonneillon?”

  He smiled. “Of course not. You’ll be able to perform the turning on such a high number in such a short time?”

  “Are you questioning my strength!” The words echoed around the room, deafening.

  “Of course not,” he responded. “But I do question your reasoning.”

  Apollyon punched the mattress. “I’ve told you. The Trihune have slaughtered too many.”

  “No more than what occurred in the last year or even in the last decade.” He appraised Apollyon’s face, searched past the always-ready temper. Something else was there. “Why now? What has happened to cause this worry? This need?” It couldn’t just be about the demon Vetis’s death.

  Apollyon quieted, his expression smoothing. “How long have I been stuck here, Sonni?”

  “In this lovely abode,” he asked, with no trace of sarcasm as he gazed around the room. “Or on earth?”

  “The latter.” Apollyon’s eyes narrowed again.

  “Five hundred years, give or take a century. Same as I.”

  “And what has been my plan?”

  “Vengeance.”

  “Yesss.” The word ended on a hiss. His eyes flared red again. “And it will be mine.”

  “I have no doubt.”

  Apollyon studied him. “I can trust you, Sonni, can’t I?”

  “Of course. Why would you think otherwise?”

  “Your refusal to bring me more recruits. To bring me what I need to finally put an end to this imprisonment.”

  “I only object out of concern for your health.”

  It’d been the same routine for centuries. Every six months, create new Fallen to replace the ones the Trihune killed.

  When Apollyon first learned he could create beings, he’d tried to build an army in the course of three days. One hundred and fifty humans had been recruited. The experiment had almost cost him his life and would have if Sonneillon hadn’t stopped it.

  In order to turn a human into a Fallen, Apollyon had to remove a part of himself and inject it into the human’s soul, changing him from a Follower of the Creator into a being who mirrored Apollyon, the first one ever to fall.

  It’d taken almost two years to build back his strength and another year before he was able to turn humans again. Sonneillon had been the one to nurse him back from death. It was Sonneillon who managed the Fallen after their turn. And it was Sonneillon who brought Apollyon new recruits every six months because that was how long it took for Apollyon to recover.

  “I’ve been gaining strength over the years stuck down here with nothing to do ten months out of the year. I may even see the sun again.”

  “Gaining? How?” Red light landed on Sonneillon’s frame. He could feel the heat of Apollyon’s gaze, but the temperature did not affect him.

  “None of your concern. Now I wish to rest. Wake me when my children rise.”

  Sonneillon left, gathering the stained laundry to add to his own in the fire pit. What was Apollyon up to?

  Questioning him didn’t always bode well.

  Seventy recruits in one month. Sonneillon would leave it alone for now. Bring seventy humans to Apollyon in four weeks, but afterward he wouldn’t leave until he learned of Apollyon’s plan.

  Chapter 35

  Lucas pulled into Father Gregory’s driveway, stopping in front of the rectory door. “I’ll be right back,” he said to Kate, then hesitated, wanting to tell her not to run.

  As they neared the HQ an increasing wave of nervousness and almost panic coursed through his system. It meant the wife and child beater’s emotions were completely out of his system now, and that Kate was ready to bolt.

  She nodded. “I’ll be here.” Her expression showed none of the emotions racing through him.

  He swallowed thickly. Moving fast, he had Father Gregory’s bag at the front door before the choghen finished his goodbye with Kate. Lucas wasted no time delivering Father’s luggage to his room as instructed. “Cade will contact you tomorrow about the trip.” He spoke over his shoulder, already halfway out of the door.

  “Lucas.”

  “Yes.” He couldn’t keep the exasperation from his tone.

  “No matter how dark our surroundings, the Creator will always shine a light to lead us back home.”

  Lucas frowned. “You want me to turn on the lights?”

  Father Gregory stared at him for a long moment.

  Lucas tapped his foot. Kate could be blocks away by now. “Is there something you needed, choghen?” He softened his voice, hopefully hiding his irritation.

  The air inside his chest deflated. Disappointment. He didn’t mind sharing Kate’s emotions, the choghen’s was a different story. Lucas opened his mouth then closed it. He didn’t have time for this. “Cade will speak to you tomorrow. Have a good night.” Lucas didn’t wait for a reply. He jumped off the porch and followed the sidewalk round the corner.

  One look at the backseat and his heart stopped.

  It was empty.

  Movement caught his eye and he saw Kate in the front seat. Air left his mouth in a gush.

  Back in the car, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel when his hands started to shake. Kate’s gaze bounced from his hands to his face. “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “What’s going on with that?” She motioned to his hands.

  “Nothing for you to worry about. Did you sleep well at the rectory?”

  “Well enough. Not really used to sleeping on a bed.” She gave a little laugh.

  He frowned. “You’ll have a bed to sleep in now. And food. Whenever you want.”

  “I don’t need handouts.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  Was she cold? Earlier he’d offered one of his sweaters, but she’d refused, so he’d kept the heat on high the entire drive. “It’s not a handout. It’s payment. Martha, who’ll be your supervisor, receives the same.”

  “I guess it’s okay then,” she said after a moment. “You know I’m only here until I save enough money.”

  A wave of panic flowed through him, briefly tightening his chest. His gaze shot to her face. Her expression didn’t match the feelings running through him. She didn’t appear alarmed. Defiant, actually. Stubborn more than anything else, but she was great at hiding her emotions. “Enough money for what?”

  Her lips pursed and he thought she might not answer. “To get to Illinois.”

  “You have family there?”

  “Yes.”

  What family would allow her to live
on the streets? Was that where the little girl in her picture lived? “Why didn’t you ask me to drop you off in Illinois on the way?” He was glad she hadn’t.

  “I lost everything when my bag was taken. I need to make some money before I go there. You offered me a job. I wanted to get out of the city. It worked.”

  “Fair enough. Are you hungry? We can hit some place to eat before we get to the HQ.”

  “No. I’m still full from lunch.”

  “Right.” Sweat beaded on his forehead and he swiped at it with the back of his hand. First the shakes and now sweating. What was going on? He’d finally taken blood from a Follower a few nights ago. He shouldn’t be feeling this way. Not this soon.

  “Sure you’re okay?”

  “Perfect. So you seem relatively at ease with me.”

  A pause. “Annnd?”

  “I thought you might run away screaming after what I showed you.”

  “I thought about it.”

  Another dip in his stomach. “Annnd,” he echoed back to her.

  She glanced over, eyes lit with amusement.

  Sweet Creator, she was beautiful. The sun flowed through the window, lighting pieces of her hair, turning them golden.

  “I figured I could protect myself if needed.” She held up a gloved hand.

  His eyebrows rose. “Protect yourself? How do you do that?”

  She froze, the red color in her cheeks slowly fading. “Oh, well, I just meant I could defend myself. I’m not some helpless female.”

  “You can trust me, Kate,” he said softly, glancing back at the road and kicking himself for making her feel afraid again.

  She didn’t respond, and another quick glance showed her head angled away from him, looking out the window.

  Damn.

  The rest of the ride was silent.

  Chapter 36

  Why had she told Lucas about Illinois? That was stupid. At least he didn’t know where, but still.

  He hadn’t seemed bothered by her temporary status. Why was that? Most bosses wanted long-term employees. She hadn’t meant to tell him her plan to leave as soon as possible, it just came out. She needed the priest back. It’d been easier to keep quiet. Though she hadn’t liked the looks he’d been throwing Lucas. They were a cross between suspicion and disapproval.

  She shifted in her seat. It was so damn hot in here. Her hands were sweating inside her gloves. She needed a shower. Did being a Behnshma mean he was cold all the time?

  The car slowed.

  She peered out the windows. They’d left the city a while back. Large trees surrounded the road. No buildings. Kate hadn’t seen another car in a while.

  Lucas turned left. A tall, thick metal gate stood in front of them. Too tall to climb. He stopped in front of it. Kate searched for one of those intercom boxes rich people have, but saw none. She was about to ask what they were waiting for when the gate opened. Lucas pulled through slowly and stopped, his gaze on the rearview mirror. Kate glanced at the side mirror. Once the gate closed, he continued up the road.

  He drove.

  And drove.

  And drove some more.

  Was this a road or a driveway?

  She opened her mouth, intending to ask how much farther when the trees broke overhead.

  Her breath caught on an inhale. She’d never seen anything like it before. “That’s where you work?” she asked after finding her voice.

  It was a castle. Huge. White. A lot of windows. Not at all what she expected. Most business buildings were dark, had conservative colors.

  Lucas didn’t follow the circular driveway to the front doors, but instead pulled into an empty lot on the right.

  “That’s where we live,” he answered.

  Kate’s head whipped around. “Live? You said you were taking me to your business. I’m going to clean offices and such.”

  He turned the ignition and shifted in his seat to face her, lines forming between his eyebrows. “This is where we do business. We call it our headquarters. It also happens to be where we live.”

  For the first time, Kate allowed the fear she’d felt in the priest’s house to trickle in. She’d kept it under wraps after making her decision to work for him.

  Her mind flashed to the high metal gate closing behind them. She hadn’t heard the clank of metal as it latched, but, now, in her head, she did.

  Trapped. There was no way to climb the gate. It was too high. The surrounding trees were tall, but not close enough to use to get out. She hadn’t seen a fence on the drive up to the house, but she’d known it was there. No one installed an entrance like that unless it connected three other sides.

  Always have a way out. It was the first part of her plan. More often than not she needed that escape.

  Kate jumped when Lucas touched her arm, just above her gloved hand. She jerked back. Heard a loud, quick rasp fill the car and realized it was her. She was breathing heavy. She tried to slow it. To quiet it.

  She couldn’t.

  “Kate.” He spoke quietly. “I promise you’ll be safe.”

  Her gaze latched onto his blue one’s. She’d trusted him. She never trusted anyone. But for some reason she’d trusted him. Had willingly got into his car. Allowed him to drive her across the country.

  She was the kid taking candy from the dirty, perverted old man. For her own idiocy, Kate deserved whatever happened to her. She was street smart. Proud of it, ‘cause she never made it through high school.

  She was a fool. And this place would be her downfall. She’d never get out. Never see Stacy again.

  It was hard to breathe. The frickin’ heat was finally off but it was so hot. She had to get out.

  Get out.

  She grappled for the door handle. Spots danced in front of her eyes. Panic swarmed in full force.

  Don’t faint. Not here. Don’t lose consciousness.

  Noises sounded from her left. Lucas was leaving the car.

  What would happen to her? They could do anything to her. She’d be helpless.

  Her door opened and she’d have fallen out if Lucas hadn’t caught her by the shoulders. The urge to pull away from his touch was strong, but she’d fall flat on her face if she did. Cold air blasted her. She lifted her head. Allowed it to push back the spots. Clear her vision. She sat in her seat sideways. Lucas’s hands were still on her shoulders supporting her as she half leaned out of the car. She sucked in gulps of air. Her gaze sought his through no will of her own and stayed.

  Kate didn’t know how long she sat. Lucas never once shifted or acted like his arms were getting tired. Slowly her breath evened out. She braced her arms on the door jam and slowly leaned back against the seat.

  “Better?”

  She wasn’t going to pass out now, so that was better. But the fear was still there. She was still trapped.

  “Kate?”

  Her gaze darted around the grounds, searching the perimeter. Hurry. Find a way out.

  “Kate, look at me.”

  Again, her eyes found his.

  “What can I do to prove you’ll be safe here? No one will hurt you.”

  She made her own safety. Didn’t rely on others to provide it for her. She jumped from the car, making him back up. Spots danced crazily in front of her eyes. Maybe she was still going to pass out? Kate reached out, clutched something. She would not faint. Her gaze latched onto Lucas’s and she used him as a focal point to steady her breaths. When the dizziness passed and her vision had cleared she realized her hand was in his, squeezing it tight. She dropped it quickly. Leaned back against the door.

  “Come on,” he said softly. “Let me show you. No one will harm you in any way. If you’re still afraid afterward I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

  She stiffene
d. “I’m not afraid.” Was that her voice, weak and high-pitched? She pushed away from the door, making herself stand on her own. Then had to lock her knees to keep from falling back against the car.

  His lips twitched like he was going to smile, but he didn’t. He just offered his arm, as if she were some damsel in distress and he was the dashing hero ready to save the day.

  Yeah, right.

  “Let’s go inside,” he said.

  She ignored his still raised hand and walked past, keeping her arm out near the SUV in case she had to catch herself. For the moment, the dizziness had fled. The cold wind battering her cheeks helped. From the number of trees surrounding the place, she’d thought it would act as a buffer to the elements, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. Lucas stopped at the back of the SUV and retrieved his bag.

  Her heart pounded faster as they neared the door.

  Calm down. She could get out of anything. She wasn’t helpless. Would never be that way again. This was a job. Just a place to make money. Nothing more.

  So why did it feel like if she walked into the mansion, she’d never leave?

  The doors opened as they headed up the steps. Kate jerked, falling back two stairs until Lucas’s arm came around her. It was comforting. She moved to the side, breaking contact. Her heart slowed at the old man wearing a suit standing in the doorway. She could definitely take him. If it came to it.

  “Welcome back, adohn,” he said and bowed.

  Kate’s gaze shifted from the old guy to Lucas.

  What the hell?

  Chapter 37

  “Good afternoon, Jeeves. It’s good to be back.”

  Jeeves straightened and reached for Lucas’s bag. “Allow me, adohn.”