Dark Matter

by Christie Rich

  “You will come with me,” she said simply.

  I planted my feet. “I’m not leaving him.”

  She smiled but there was no humor in it. It was the most evil expression I had ever seen. “Suit yourself.”

  Before I could blink, she was gone. That could not be a good sign.

  A slow hiss filled the air. The light bulb in the corner flashed a couple of times before dimming down to a tiny spec. Blackness surrounded me, closing in until I couldn’t breathe. I fell to the floor. Amorphous tentacles attached to my skin and began suctioning what felt like my very soul from my body. I heard a horrible scream come from across the room the moment before my own drowned out the sound.

  My muscles knotted and a spasm racked my bones. I breathed through the pain, kicking and punching and clawing at the unseen villain. It didn’t exactly feel evil. It was merely the emptiness of nothing.

  A void so large it could consume the world…the galaxy…the universe opened up in front of me. The vortex swirled as the tentacles drew me closer to the chasm. I couldn’t tell if it was really happening or if this was my brain’s way of processing something I couldn’t understand.

  I found the strength to crawl over to Zach. He was curled into a ball with his arms shielding his head, moaning lightly. I reached out for him, but before I could touch him he groaned so loud it startled me. His whole body started glowing. Streaks of lavender light flowed out of him like wayward streamers and were gobbled up by the blackness.

  “What is that?” I croaked out.

  He didn’t answer me. His moaning started up again, or was that me? I couldn’t tell. I lay down beside him, curling around his frame hoping to shield him. If I had to die, at least I would be with someone I loved. I reached around his shoulders and clasped his quavering arms.

  The instant my skin connected with his, the creature withdrew. I could feel it trying to gain a hold again, but that little bit of respite sparked a hope so bright in me that it filled the room with glorious light. A wail split the air before the void collapsed in a thunderous clap.

  I lay there confused about what had just happened. Zach stirred and turned in my arms. He was trembling slightly, staring at me in wonder. I didn’t know what I could do to help him, but I reached my hand out to smooth the lines on his forehead.

  He slapped my hand away. “There is no time for that. You need to leave before you can’t anymore. I don’t know how you managed to do that, but I don’t need your help. I don’t want you here.”

  “Zach!”

  “Go! Damn it!”

  I stiffened. “I will not.”

  “You stubborn, pigheaded girl. Don’t you get it? Once the Order knows you are here, they will take you, use you and…hurt you.”

  The pain in his eyes seemed only for my welfare. How could I leave him here for that creature to terrorize? Unlike me, he would not die from his sessions with the beast. He would regenerate or whatever it was his body did. Endlessly.

  Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I wiped at them furiously. I needed to toughen up. I wouldn’t be any help to Zach like this.

  I should have never come here alone. It had been a stupid decision, but I had been so terrified of being tied to Heath for good that I hadn’t dared risk going back to Ignis.

  For a moment, I considered trying to find Finn and Cassie now, but I didn’t want to bring them into this mess. I couldn’t just leave my family, either. I needed to get them out of here. I needed to do so many things, but I didn’t know how.

  I looked Zach square in the eyes and said, “I don’t care.”

  He shook his head at me. “Why can’t you just listen for once in your life?”

  “You haven’t given me a good enough reason to leave you. I would go to hell and back for you, Zach. Don’t you get it? I love you!” The minute the words escaped me I realized they were a bit of an exaggeration. How much did I really love him? I still didn’t know and it scared me to realize that. I’d thought our connection was genuine, but now that I was here with him, I didn’t feel the pull I had before.

  When I thought about it I was sure I cared about him. At least that was real. When we got out of here I was going to insist that we date for a while before I made a decision.

  His expression changed. His odd eyes shone with a light so bright it rivaled the sun. Yet it flickered then died when doubt and fear that probably mirrored my own crept into his gaze. “It won’t matter that you love me if they get you.”

  I clenched my fists. “What makes you think I will let them?”

  He smiled. “So you actually think yourself stronger than me?”

  I hadn’t meant it that way, but at the moment I felt as if I could do anything…even save the world from a foe they didn’t know existed. “What if I am?”

  He laughed, but his body stiffened as if the movement hurt him. He reached out and pulled me closer. “I think you just might be, but it isn’t safe. I’m not telling you to leave for any other reason than that they must not be allowed to have you. It is too dangerous. We had no idea how powerful they have become in such a short time. I don’t know how they have managed to harness the darkness, but my sister is behind it. I should have taken you the moment I found you, but I had to be selfish and want a real relationship this time. It might just be the undoing of my people, Rayla. Please, I need you to do as I asked.” He slid a finger down my cheek, frowning. “The thought of someone else bonding with you is unimaginable…but necessary. I am not strong enough at the moment to do it myself.”

  I gritted my teeth. “No.”

  He didn’t even acknowledge my reply. “Jafan is a good man. I know it is difficult to see in him, but he would take care of you. We could still be…friends.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “I don’t want to be your friend, Zach, and Jafan is in love with my mother—”

  The door let out a ragged groan. I had to make a decision fast. Zach was right about one thing at least. I couldn’t stay with him. I had to get out of here, but I had no idea where I should go. I didn’t think anywhere would be safe from Ainessa, but I had to try.

  I stood up and concentrated on my favorite bluff back home. I could see the stone creatures below, feel the hot wind blowing my hair around my face, smell the sultry scent of the cedar trees, yet I wasn’t completely there. Something was tethering me to the room on the island. My body burned with an ache that ate at my muscles and bones. I focused harder, but it was no use. The scene fizzled away, and I was left in that cold room with Zach on the floor by my feet.

  When I shook off the disorientation of being in two places at once, I found the room crowded with men. Some I recognized, some I didn’t.

  Roger Wayne gave me a triumphant grin just before his two man goon squad grabbed my arms, hoisting me off my kicking feet. I glared at Roger wishing I had laser vision that could melt the smugness of his face.

  He was pristine in a navy suit that fit him like a second skin. His hair was perfectly coifed and his nails manicured. I hated him in that moment. He had obscene amounts of money. The cash he paid for that suit alone could have fed ten families in Mexico for a year. He could have done anything with his wealth but instead of helping the poor and unfortunate, he was trying to buy power.

  I couldn’t see the appeal. What was the point in having power if the people you ruled hated you?

  He walked over to me and ran a hand over my tangled hair. “You look as if you’ve been dumpster diving, but I’m sure you’ll clean up just fine.”

  I tried to yank my head away from him, but found myself further sandwiched between his two guards or whatever they were. He held my face firm in his hands and inched closer.

  The moment his lips brushed mine I felt vomit stall in my throat. I gagged which made him step back. His face held contempt for me when moments before he had been studying me as if I were a living Picasso. His voice was ragged when he spoke. “I am so revolting to you?” He clamped his fingers around my jaw and twisted my face to where Za
ch lay on the floor. “Take a good look, Rayla.” His fingers dug into my skin, and I yelped. “It is your last.”

  Zach’s face was red with rage, and he shifted to get up, but one of the other men in the room kicked him in the head which sent him sprawling. The man walked over to him and pulled his broken leg back for another blow. Zach groaned.

  “Stop! Don’t hurt him,” I yelled. He lay limp as a noodle. I almost hoped he had fainted in case they didn’t listen to me.

  Roger laughed, menacing and low. His hand slid over the curve of my hip as he pulled me closer. I writhed, trying to get free of the human shackles that bound me.

  “Don’t you touch me,” I screamed.

  Roger slapped my cheek, lightly. “Oh, Rayla, I will do whatever I like to you. You are mine, after all.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  They took me down a creepy dark corridor and into a room without windows. It was more like a prison cell than a bedroom. It even had a toilet in the corner. I’m all for convenience but that was ridiculous. The eight men that followed us into the tiny space stood shoulder to shoulder with a couple peeking in through the doorway.

  Roger pointed to the cot and the two men binding me dumped me onto the mattress. Roger sat beside me, pulling me close. I didn’t fight him after I saw the feral look in his eyes. I honestly wondered if he was insane. He kissed me savagely, roaming his hands over my body as if I were a plaything. I tried to hide in my mind, but it was hard. I didn’t react to him in any way, but he was silently begging me to defy him. I wasn’t willing to see how far he would take things in this room full of despicable men. Not one of them lifted a finger to help me. The most they did was laugh nervously a few times.

  Roger finally pulled away. He didn’t say anything as he walked out the door. I released the breath I was holding when the other men followed him without even glancing at me.

  I ran water in the sink and scrubbed my teeth with my fingers to get his taste out of my mouth. I moved on to my face. I couldn’t get clean enough. My skin hurt by the time I was done scrubbing away the feel of his touch.

  I sat on that cot for hours trying to access my power. It was still there but something was blocking it. By the time I gave up, my eyes burned and my head was throbbing. Every inch of me was aflame as if I had gotten a horrible sunburn.

  All in all, I was in pretty bad shape, but not as bad off as Zach. His haunted expression lingered in my mind. I was still stunned that a human could knock him out. At least I knew where his bruises were coming from.

  If I had done as he had asked before it was too late and gone to Heath, I would have been able to save him. I wouldn’t have gone to Jafan for all the gold in Alaska. I could have insisted on Heath bringing reinforcements in exchange for my willingness to bond with him. That was if he was still agreeable. If there was one thing I knew about Heath, he took commitment seriously. Instead, I had been selfish and now, I had no idea what was going to happen to me, Zach, Luke, or my family.

  For all I knew, these people were going to kill me. The sooner the better as far as I was concerned. Death was preferable to being with Roger. Every time I thought of him, my stomach rolled over. He was the most unsavory person I had ever known. I thought Brody Smith had been bad when he tried to convince me to have sex with him in the back of his dad’s car, but Roger was way worse. There had been no talking involved when he violated me.

  Only one thing kept me from thinking him the worst man alive. He had seemed as absurdly absent as I had been earlier. I figured he was just showing off for his schoolmates.

  What was his deal? One moment I was sure he was Satan’s offspring, and then he acted as though what he was doing repulsed him more than it did me. Had he been trained to be this monster? My curiosity was nothing more than a clinical sideline, but I did wonder.

  All that I knew was I had to find a way to escape.

  The door squeaked open and every muscle in my body tensed. Nigel Lambert peeked around the frame. “Ah, Rayla, there you are.”

  My hand flew to my mouth. I tried to keep the sob from coming up my throat, but I couldn’t. He rushed to my side, inspecting my face and arms. He scowled, “What have they done to you? I told Roger you were to come to no harm.” A stern look settled in his hazel eyes. “He will be dealt with.”

  I couldn’t get more than high pitched squeaks to come out of my mouth. He took me into his arms and rocked me, whispering soothing words that I knew meant nothing. The mere fact that he was in this room with me meant that what Cassie had said about him had to be true.

  “How could you?” I managed to say after I had had a few moments to compose myself.

  He leaned away from me, his face blank. “Sacrifices have to be made for the greater good, my dear. This is much harder for me to accept than you might imagine. I had not thought to grow so fond of you, but I love you like my own.”

  I ignored his lies. Besides his declaration didn’t mean much considering what he had been doing to Cassie for years. “Where is Aunt Grace?”

  He appeared confused. “Safe.”

  I closed my eyes for a second not wanting him to see my emotions. “And Uncle John. Is he part of this?”

  Mr. Lambert stood and paced the room. “I’ve been trying to convince him for decades, but he is…stubborn.”

  A tension I hadn’t known existed within me released. My uncle wasn’t evil. At least something had been as it had seemed.

  There were good men in the world.

  He turned toward me. A sorrowful look etched his face, but I wasn’t buying it. He walked toward the bed. I slid away from him.

  His eyes filled with hurt, but I didn’t care. If even part of him felt bad it was worth it. “How can you live with yourself?”

  He shrugged. “Quite easily, actually. You think you have everything figured out? Well, I assure you, my girl, you don’t. Things are not as clear cut as you might think.” When he sat down, I hugged my knees and stared at this stranger I had known practically my whole life.

  How had I been so wrong about him? He had been the ideal dad. Always attentive. Easy to speak to. Even funny. I had secretly wished that he was my father. I even pretended he was a few times to ease the pain of not knowing my own dad. My life had been nothing more than contrivances. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to hear what he had to say, but I didn’t stop him from continuing.

  “Would it surprise you to know that the Fae have dictated everything we have done from the beginning of time: how fast we learn, the places we live, even what we eat. All of the world’s ills could be cured if they would only share their knowledge with us. We have been extremely patient, but you see what is happening in our world. Something has to be done to stop the carnage that blights humanity.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “And you are the man to do that, huh? I seem to recall someone with the same philosophy. Tell me. How is Lucifer now days?”

  He slapped his knee and laughed. “You were always witty. I do not worship the devil, Rayla. I have merely been trying to find a way to bring peace to our world.”

  “At what cost?”

  He didn’t acknowledge my question. “No one even knows we exist. We stay on the fringe of society. We have not interfered with government for many centuries. What I am trying to accomplish is a lasting transformation. Imagine it. If humans had the abilities the Fae enjoy, we could all live in harmony.”

  I frowned at him. He was delusional. Hadn’t he read any history books? It was going to take more than tyranny to get humans to behave.

  I found myself getting angry. He should have been the one locked up all those years ago not Cassie. “Yeah, and while we are at it, why don’t we do the world a favor and set the Middle East ablaze and sing Kumbaya by the campfire.” I put a hand over my mouth and gave a false gasp. “Oh yeah, I forgot, we are already did that, but you couldn’t have anything to do with that now could you?”

  His face went cold as stone. “When you are ready for answers, come see me.”

  “An
d until then?”

  “Roger will take care of you.”

  I nodded. “Good to know you think so much of me.”

  “He isn’t a bad person.”

  “You and I will have to agree to disagree on that one, Mr. Lambert.”

  “You are no longer a child, Rayla. Call me Nigel. Get some rest. Things will look differently in the morning.”

  I didn’t say anything as he left. I just watched him open and close the door with the razor sharp bite of betrayal spreading through my veins.

  I had hoped to make that man proud of me. I had hoped when I graduated he would smile at me and tell me how amazed he was of my abilities, and how glad he was that he had invested in my future.

  He didn’t deserve that sort of honor. Even Hitler had people that loved him. I was not going to make that sort of mistake with Nigel Lambert. His dreams came at a cost to all humans. Freedom is the right of every person, even if some people don’t exactly see it that way.

  After Mr. Lambert had gone, the lights in my room went off. I tossed and turned on the wiry cot trying to get comfortable, but it was only exhaustion that made me finally fall asleep.

  I had hoped to find Zach or Luke in my dreams, but I couldn’t remember having any. I woke with my heart racing as if I were being chased. I gasped a few short breaths before I recognized the regular rhythm of breathing that wasn’t coming from me. Even though the sound was light, it echoed off the cinder-block walls. The room was pitch-black, but I could feel someone watching me.

  Cold enveloped my body. I was freezing. I couldn’t keep my teeth from chattering. The person moved quietly, but I could tell they were coming closer. Who was it? I had an idea, but I hoped I was wrong.

  “You must be cold,” Roger said. His voice sounded raspy as if he hadn’t used it for a while. He covered me with soft blankets. “Is that better?”

  I tried to hold very still, hoping he would get the hint and leave.

  “I’m sorry for the way I treated you earlier. I will make no lame excuses for my actions, but I wanted you to know I’m happy you are here. I’m also humbled to have been chosen for you.”