by Jaymin Eve
“Did you just trac –?” His words were cut off as my bedroom door slammed open.
“Baby girl.” Josian’s words were strangled as he wrestled me from Brace and engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug.
I breathed in chunks of his flaming red hair as he held on. My skin screamed in protest, agony coursing through me. But I wouldn’t have pulled back for anything.
“Josian, you’re hurting her.” Brace’s words were flat, his anger simmering once more.
Immediately the bands surrounding me loosened and I could breathe again.
“How did you know I was back?” I asked him, still cradled in his arms and my feet dangling off the floor.
Walkers had this ability to make me feel small and dainty.
His molten eyes were bronze today, although they had a habit of changing color like the turning leaves in fall.
“I sensed the intrusion in your room. I didn’t know it was you.” His arms trembled slightly as he held on. “Who took you, baby girl? Who will answer to me and our clan’s wrath?”
Brace, who’d just stepped off the bed, paused next to us. “He’s of your clan, Josian. The man was a Doreen.”
This statement was followed by a moment of silence and then an explosion of cursing. Josian placed me on the bed so that he could storm around the room. He alternated between languages, but I figured out the general tone.
Brace eventually interrupted him. “I know we have a lot to discuss, but I really need a few minutes with Abby.” He was standing beside my bed, his entire demeanor hard, his expression borderline frosty.
Josian stomped over, getting right into Brace’s face. He pointed his long finger in jerky motions as he spoke.
“If you do anything inappropriate for an unmated Walker I will rip you into little pieces, and then scatter them through the worlds. It will take you a long time to put yourself back together.”
Brace nodded.
Josian kissed me on the cheek before leaving the room. The door closed loudly behind him, before slamming back open again.
“Leave the door open, Brace.” Josian’s words drifted in to us.
I stared up at Brace as he began to shake, his anger filling the room until I couldn’t breathe.
“When he took you, Abby, I have never felt fear like that. I’m unused to this concept of worry. I don’t know how to contain my rage. I find I don’t like this feeling.”
Did anyone?
“What did he do to you?” He closed his eyes. “Tell me he didn’t touch you ... violate you.” As he locked me in his gaze I could see the agony and fear that I’d been hurt.
“Would it make a difference to your feelings for me if he did?” I had to ask.
His anger swelled again. I found it hard to breathe.
“You haven’t really grasped the concept of mate, have you, Abigail? The only difference would be the level of torture I would inflict before I killed him. My feelings for you will never be influenced or affected.”
I decided to put his mind at ease. “No, Brace, it was more along the lines of torture, nothing sexual.” For which I was more than thankful.
“I need to see that you’re okay.” He approached me, arms held up in a pose of calm. “Please, and then I’ll leave, if that’s what you want.”
I doubted very much he would leave that easily. But, right now, I couldn’t bring myself to be without him. I needed more energy than I currently possessed to hold on to my anger and push him away. Anger definitely takes energy. I nodded my permission.
He picked me up and strode into the bathroom. I noticed that the huge bath was half full, bubbles lining the surface and a sweet smell permeating the air.
I didn’t question it; he’d probably used Walker powers.
He set me down gently. And for the first time I noticed my reflection in the large mirror. I couldn’t help the small gasp that escaped. Stepping closer, I realized that the Spurn attire hid nothing. Instead, the tattered white wraps highlighted the red burns that covered my body. Although, strangely, there was still not one burn through my marks.
“Why are they not healing?” I said, biting back a whimper. The pain seemed to increase in that moment.
“It will take longer for you to heal from a Walker attack.” Brace stepped closer to brush my tangled hair back.
My red curls were everywhere.
I continued to stare at my dirty and injured image, and suddenly the weakness erupted in my chest. I crumpled in on myself as the sobs began. Strong arms encased me.
“I didn’t know how I would take the pain any longer,” I sobbed, hating my weakness but needing it all the same.
“I will kill him.”
Finally I pulled back. I couldn’t believe it when I noticed a shine in Brace’s eyes. Despite the hardness of his features, he looked to be fighting back tears of his own.
“Let’s get you in the bath, Red. I’m sure you want to wash away the last couple of days.”
I let him lead me across and I even let him strip the remaining mesh from my body. I couldn’t find energy to be embarrassed. Besides, he’d seen me naked before, and he refused to leave, worried that I would slip getting into the bath.
I eased into the hot bubbles. I couldn’t help the small whimpers that escaped as the water hit my burns.
Brace cursed, but his hands were still gentle.
“You have no idea the level of self-control required right now.” His teasing helped to shift my attention from the pain. “And I think I hate bubbles.”
I managed a smile. “You hate bubbles?”
“They’re caressing every naked inch of your beautiful body, and that’s really my job.”
His words were the perfect distraction. My body was now flush with levels of want and need I was very much unaccustomed to. I almost reached out to pull him in with me. But before I could react, he reached behind me for some type of soft sponge and started to gently dab it over my shoulders.
He didn’t go any lower, for which I was both grateful and disappointed. But I knew my wounds couldn’t stand to be touched.
After a few sweeps from Brace, my panic took over, and, grabbing my own cloth, I started to scrub harder. I had to erase all moments in that prison. I dropped below the water for a moment to soak my hair. After many rinses, I finally felt as if I was clean.
Suddenly the water started to bubble. I could feel pulsing shoots of water from jets all around the tub.
“Close your eyes and relax, Red. I’ll be here, and I promise not to let you drown.”
Since I was safe, clean and warm, I dropped my heavy head back into the groove and, closing my eyes, drifted off.
Chapter 8
After awakening in my bath, I opened my eyes to see Brace leaning against the wall. It looked as if he hadn’t taken his eyes off me the entire time. Striding forward, he touched my face gently.
“Find Lucy and Lalli. They’re worrying themselves to death,” he said, giving me one last nod before leaving.
I hurried to dress and make my way downstairs.
Descending to the next level, I looked around. The house seemed strangely silent. Where was everyone?
“Aribella,” Lallielle exited the theatre room at a rapid pace, “thank god you’re here safe and sound.”
She gathered me gently into her arms, her sweet scent surrounding me. She ushered me into the room, where Lucy pounced on me. I found myself bundled up on the cinema room couch, its luxurious depths once again enfolding me in a loving embrace. I had Lucy snuggled up on one side and Lallielle on the other. A Man vs Wild episode was on the television.
Lucy was bringing out all my favorites, trying to distract me, but I couldn’t concentrate. I didn’t even care about the popcorn and chocolate, although I still ate them (I’d hate to waste that type of goodness). Thankfully my burns were finally starting to heal; I was barely in any pain now. Although their rapid scabbing over was itchy and a little annoying.
“Honestly,” I said for the fiftieth time, “why t
he hell couldn’t they just leave it alone?”
Apparently Brace and Josian had taken off to find the blond Doreen.
“I still can’t believe he didn’t tell you he was a Walker. That boy needs his ass kicked.” Lucy was furious.
When I told her everything, including the possibility Brace was my mate, she’d exploded.
“I still don’t understand how your father never sensed Walker energy from him. I was under the impression they could always tell one another,” Lallielle fretted.
“I’m pretty sure Walkers don’t know the ass end of a Walker from the ass end of a donkey,” I said bluntly. “All their stories are useless. Not one of them has worked out yet.” I crossed my arms, daring Lallielle to rebuke me for my language.
She wisely remained silent.
“I might be spitting mad at Lying McLiar,” Lucy had started giving Brace a variety of nicknames, “but, Abbs, you should have seen him when you went missing. The moment he pulled us through the doorway he went nuts. The air around him was pulsing with energy, and he kept setting things on fire.”
Lucy’s anger had re-sparked my own. Despite Brace’s sweetness when he had cared for me upstairs I was still upset. The betrayal was hard for me to get over. I didn’t trust easy, and it felt like such a slap in the face since he was one of the very few people I had counted on. But I did know one thing. I owed Brace for the rest of my very long life for saving Lucy.
“But, let me tell you, the most shocking was Lucas,” Lucy continued.
I spun around in my chair to face her directly.
“What do you mean? What happened with Lucas?” I hadn’t seen him. He’d been called back to the palace, something about his father.
“Well, Abbs, he was almost as angry as your big giant Le-Liar. But he’s like the opposite of Brace; he froze, wouldn’t talk to anyone. When I walked past him, I swear, icicles attached to me.”
“Well, those two have always reminded me of bookends, one fire and the other ice.”
Lucy winked. “Pretty sure that’s a dirty movie title, Abbs. Better get your schoolgirl outfit.”
I blushed, the heat traveling all the way to the tips of my ears. I dropped my head, hoping I wouldn’t catch my mother’s eye. She didn’t need to hear about the time when we were kids and accidentally discovered a pirated porn channel. In typical Earth fashion, even when almost no television shows existed, there was still pornography.
“I can’t believe Talli didn’t make it through the doorway.” I hoped Lucy would accept the subject change for once.
And I was really worried about Talina. I hoped she’d made it out of the city collapse. We would have to go back soon and convince them to let her free. We needed her, and I couldn’t leave her there for Gladriel to torment.
A jolt of power suddenly coursed through my body. Don’t ask me how I knew, but a large energy source had just entered the house.
“Josian is back.” Lallielle jumped to her feet.
But by this time the two men were already walking through the door.
“Dad!” I shrieked, running to him.
Lallielle was right behind.
We both threw ourselves into his arms.
“Did you find him?” I said, pulling back.
He shook his head, an arm around both of us. “No, we managed to figure out where his little floating rock was, but by the time we got there he’d vacated.” He raised his head. “Brace made sure there was nothing left for him to come back to.”
I looked behind me to see Brace standing in the doorway. Lucy gave him her squinty evil eyes, I think daring him to step any closer.
“Brace and I have had a conversation. And he has some explaining to do.” Josian appeared to have gotten over the majority of his anger.
“Why should Abby ever trust a single word out of your lying mouth?” Lucy crossed her arms, moving a foot in quick hard taps.
“I know it’s going to take time before you can trust me.” He locked eyes with mine. “You deserve more than words, Abbs. You deserve actions, and I plan on being that man. But I’ll give you some words now, because there have been too many secrets between us.”
I moved away from my parents to sit on the couch. Lucy sank in next to me.
“I’m listening.” No matter how angry I was, I’d been dying to know his secrets since the first moment we locked eyes.
I had been too exhausted during the bath, but now I’d had plenty of time to process his lies. And if he didn’t explain something I was putting my foot in his butt.
With a sigh, he moved further into the room, but didn’t take a seat, just stood with his feet apart and arms rigid at his sides.
“I’ve been on First World for about fifteen years. My mission was to gather information.”
I held up a hand. “What about Deralick? You said he was your father.”
Brace shook his head. “No, he’s not my father. I do some work for him. It allows me access to the royal forests. Deralick never even knew I broke you out that day. I’ve been around here for a long time, everyone knows me, but no one’s ever bothered to find out who I am or where I’m from.” He laughed without humor. “It was my mission to stay as undetected as possible.”
The depth of his deception had my heart sinking. But my traitorous soul didn’t care. Brace could have killed half the town and it would think he was awesome.
“Who were you gathering information for?” Lallielle had her hand tightly wrapped around Josian’s.
“My father.” Brace turned away. “I never questioned my orders. If you’re an Abernath you do as you’re told, especially if that command is from one more powerful than you.”
“You were waiting for me?” I just knew that had been Brace’s mission.
His stoic control broke for a moment, before he recovered. “Yes, I’ve been stationed here waiting for the moment you returned.” He rubbed at his eyes in a tired manner. “I just never knew it was going to be you. The stunning redhead I’d escape with in my dreams. The one I knew was mine to find and protect.”
“What does your father want with Abby?” Lucy leaned forward.
He laughed drily. “My father doesn’t share his plans with me, but over the last few weeks I’ve been forming a theory.”
We locked eyes.
“He might be the one releasing the Seventine, or at the very least he’s involved. He knows about the prophesy ... and he doesn’t want anyone to stop it.” His frustration rose. “I would have stopped him, but I’ve never questioned my orders. I was raised to accept him as the all knowing authority on everything, but I should have delved deeper.”
“How could you keep lying even after you met me? You must have known then; you must have felt the connection.” My voice broke.
Don’t cry. I repeated it a few times to myself. He’s not worth your tears.
“Of course I felt it, but I knew I had to keep you safe, and having this information would have been dangerous for you.”
He rubbed his hands through his hair. “You have no idea how difficult it is to question my father. He is the Princeps, the supreme ruler of our clan. You accept your missions and never voice an opinion. I attempted to keep him satisfied with small useless pieces of information. And I stuck by your side to protect you.”
I was on my feet now, tears forgotten as the anger flowed. I was afraid if I sat any longer, I’d be the one setting things on fire.
I turned to Josian. “Dad, how can you be fine with this? You should smite him where he stands or something.”
Josian’s lips turned up in a small smile. “My smiting skills are a little rusty, baby girl. And unfortunately I understand Brace’s position. Don’t get me wrong –” he interrupted my unspoken words, “I’m not happy about what he’s done, but Walkers do have a strong control system. There’s not a lot of room to question the orders of those more powerful. And as Que is also Brace’s father, he was in a tough position.” He turned his head. “The fact that Abby’s still here, still alive, and no
t in the hands of Abernath, tells me you’ve worked very hard to keep her safe.”
“He’s going to come for her now.” Brace rubbed his chin. “He knows I haven’t followed my mission. He won’t rest until Abby is captured.”
“He won’t start a clan war over this; he’s going to be sneaky about it.” Josian didn’t seem overly worried.
“I thought you’d be flipping out, Dad, locking me in my room until I’m thirty,” I said, confused.
This didn’t mesh with his personality; he was much too calm.
He laughed out loud, and I realized how much I’d missing that booming sound. It gave me a happy feeling deep down.
“Oh, I’m thinking about it, but since Brace believes you aren’t exactly governed by the laws of Walkers, I doubt I could keep you anywhere you didn’t want to be.”
“Yes, Red, how did you get us off that island? I couldn’t open a doorway. That Doreen had it barred with ancient stones. I didn’t even know any of those still existed.”
I faced him then, letting my eyes scream my anger. I felt betrayed at the basest level. I would never have deceived Brace. I don’t think my soul would have let me.
“Don’t call me Red,” I said to him.
The rest I directed to my father.
“I didn’t open a doorway. I was trying to picture my room like you showed me. Instead, there were all these glittery ties ... ropes tethered to the image. I was desperate enough to just grab on to one and yank hard. When I opened my eyes, we were on my bed.”
“You … you traced,” his brow furrowed, “and not just yourself but another person. Aribella, that’s astonishing and thoroughly impossible.”
Of course it was.
“I thought she traced, but I couldn’t believe it either. No Walker has been able to do that since ... well, the originals, right?” Brace’s voice held the same contemplative wonder as Josian’s.
He was still staring at me. I continued to ignore him.