Dark Matter

by Christie Rich

  What the heck was he rambling about? I couldn’t keep silent. “If you’re looking for forgiveness, I’m afraid I can’t help you. What the heck were you chosen for anyway?”

  He sat beside me, and I became a semi-permanent fixture of the wall. “You have to know how important you are to us.”

  How many times had I heard those exact words over the past few weeks? You might have thought I would feel cherished or at the very least self-righteous, but all I felt was angry. What gave these people, fae or human, the right to put that much pressure on me? “Does it even matter to you that I loathe you? Lame excuses aside, I know why you did it. You had to look all big in front of your friends, but here in the dark, you want me to believe you wouldn’t do it again? How dare you ask for absolution. Go to hell, Roger.”

  His breathing became labored, and I wondered if I had pushed him too far, but I couldn’t let him think I was going to be grateful for his apology. He leaned closer to me. His mint laced breath fell hard on my face. I didn’t have anywhere to retreat so I stayed where I was. Even though I knew he couldn’t see me do it, I raised my chin in defiance.

  I felt his hand caress my shoulder, just lightly, but the tension in his fingers alone told me how much restraint he was using with me. “You have been tainted, Rayla. It will take time for you to recognize the truth for what it is, but you need to understand something: I am now your world. Every time you open your eyes, I will be here. Don’t even bother wondering who is watching you when you look over your shoulder, rest assured, it will be me. Forget the fae. You are no longer part of that world.”

  I sat up. “So you basically just admitted to me that you are a perve stalker, and I am supposed to be happy about that?”

  His voice lowered to a guttural growl. “Call me what you like. The fact still remains: I am your perve stalker, and you are mine.”

  “I’m not a perve stalker.”

  He groaned with exasperation. “You know what I meant.”

  “Yeah, and I’ve heard that claim many times before so don’t be upset that I’m not in falling all over myself in rapturous joy right now.”

  He grabbed my shoulders and pulled my face inches from his, my brain vibrating from the jolt. “Are you trying to get me angry? Cause it’s working.”

  I wasn’t going to tell him I was sorry. He was just like the fae lords. I was sick of being treated as a thing instead of a woman. The silence stretched until he sighed.

  His grip lightened. “This must be quite a shock for you. Forgive me for waking you.” He released me and stood. The bed sprang into its usual uncomfortable state.

  “Roger?” I asked. His footsteps stopped. He was still breathing rapidly. I probably should have waited to ask, but I needed to know. “Is my family…okay?”

  His voice was soft when he spoke. “Alive, well, and accounted for.”

  My body relaxed slightly. “Can I see them?”

  He hesitated before he answered me. “They are no longer on the island.”

  My stomach clenched, and I felt as though I would vomit. “Where are they?”

  “You don’t need to know that right now. Tell you what, Rayla. You be a good girl and do as you are asked, and I will make sure that you see your family.”

  “When?”

  “After.”

  That was no answer. “After what?”

  He opened the door. The light from the hallway gilded half of his face in a blue light while the other half remained in shadow. It emphasized the duality I had experienced with this man. His tone was rock solid when he spoke. “You and I are married.”

  I wasn’t sure if he saw shock claim my face, but I gasped out a no he definitely heard. His slight cringe was his only reply. He shut the door, and I was left to the darkness.

  How is it when you think things couldn’t get any worse, they always do. Roger didn’t even ask me to marry him. Not that I would have said yes, by any means, but it would have been a little less jarring if he had. I lay in bed for hours wondering what else could possibly happen. With my powers on vacation, I was going to have to figure out how to escape by ordinary human means. My only problem was I hadn’t exactly been trained for this type of thing.

  That thought led to others about Heath. He’d said he was going to train me. I hadn’t even asked for what. I had been so stupid and naïve thinking I could come here on my own. It hadn’t really been my intention, but that didn’t change the result of my foolishness. I should have stayed and bonded with him. I should have…I wasn’t going there.

  My door burst open. Ainessa stood in the hallway with another woman at her side. Complete terror sent a shockwave over my skin. I jumped off the bed and retreated to the farthest corner away from her. Curling myself into a ball, I grabbed the spindly leg of the sink. I watched her heel clad feet walk over to me. All the while feeling like a caged rabbit that was well aware it was taking its final breaths.

  She bent down and studied me. “I had hoped there was more to you.”

  I bristled at her words and stood up. My entire frame was shaking, but I willed myself to be strong.

  “Follow me,” she said. She started to walk away but faced me again. “Don’t bother trying to run. You would not like to see what would happen if you did.”

  Why wasn’t she just compelling me? I had never seen someone so adept at the art.

  They led me down the hallway and up some stairs. My brain was trying to make sense of what they could possibly want with me, but I tried my hardest not to freak myself out.

  The woman Ainessa had brought with her stopped in front of a solid wooden door. A small sign was hung at eye level that warned: Caution: Hazardous Materials. Authorized Personnel Only.

  That inspired a high level of confidence. The other woman opened the door and Ainessa ushered me into the large room. Everything from the walls to the floors was sterile white.

  Ainessa turned toward the woman. “Where would you like her, Sophia?”

  “On the table is fine. Put her in a gown, please. I will only be a minute.”

  I tried to see what Sophia was doing, but Ainessa pushed me over to the flat table in the middle of the room. A variety of medical equipment lined the walls. I recognized the heart monitor and shiny IV stand from when Cassie had been in the hospital.

  Ainessa shoved a folded gown into my hands and said, “Put that on.”

  I stared at her defiantly, my shoulders rigid in anger. “No.”

  “I will do it myself then.” She reached for the hem of my shirt, but I swatted her hand away. She raised her delicate brows in question.

  I bent toward the laces of my shoes. Apparently satisfied that I was going to be compliant, she walked over to Sophia. They started conversing, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying. I didn’t try too hard to eavesdrop because I didn’t really want to know what they were planning to do to me. I peered up at them through my lashed just to make sure they wouldn’t notice and took my chance. I sprinted for the door, flinging it open only to see Roger’s two flunkies standing guard. The one closest to me got the oddest look on his face as if I’d just made his day. The instant he moved toward me, I ran back into the room and ducked behind the table.

  He followed me into the room, the other one close on his heels. He gave me a once over before he asked, “Do you ladies need help?”

  I shuddered at the look in his eyes. I imagined that was how a grizzly bear would look just before it ripped out my throat. When he took another step toward me, I kicked off my shoes.

  Ainessa glanced at the men and then over at me. “That will not be necessary.” She turned her attention back to the colorful vials on the counter. When they didn’t leave right away, she turned toward them with a scowl on her face. “I will let you know if we require your assistance. Do not let anyone else into this room.”

  “Yes, your Highness,” they said in unison as if they shared one brain. The way they talked she was the queen of the world. She probably was in their book.

  I cha
nged quickly and started fastening the ties at my waist when Ainessa’s voice stopped me.

  “Keep it open.” She came closer and I had the distinct impression she was testing me. If I didn’t watch it I was going to find myself being mauled by a couple of meatheads.

  Sophia motioned for me to get on the table. It was difficult to climb up there while clutching the edges of my gown together. “Sit down, please.”

  I did what she asked, my mind racing with the possibilities of what they were about to do. I decided to just ask.

  Ainessa chuckled, placing a hand on my knee. “Sophia is going to examine you before we can determine how to proceed.”

  I caught her gaze. “Why are you doing this?”

  Her face stayed relaxed. “I gave you an opportunity to come to me on your own. You had to know I would not let the lords have you.”

  Had she hired Gibbit then? The only reason I was here was because he had helped me. “What do you hope to accomplish with this? You’re people will never forgive you for aiding the Order.”

  She smirked. “You know nothing about the whims of my people. Besides, the mortals have been most useful to me lately. I am merely trying to repay a debt.” I found it odd that she had avoided my real question.

  Sophia stood beside me, taking my wrist between her bony fingers. She pressed lightly until I could feel my pulse pushing back. She had me sit up then took my blood pressure. After that she methodically examined every part of my body except...

  She changed her gloves. “Lie back. I just need to check one more thing.”

  I had hoped she’d forgotten that part of me existed. I lowered to the pillow trying to drift out of here again. As before when it didn’t work, I was left feeling disoriented.

  Ainessa bent toward my face. Anger contorted her features. “Answer her, Rayla.”

  I hadn’t even heard the question. “What was that again?”

  “How old were you when you started your menses?”

  “Twelve.”

  “Are they regular?”

  I grimaced. I didn’t want to talk about this stuff. “I haven’t had one in a while.” I wasn’t complaining. I found it rather convenient, especially considering what had been happening lately. I didn’t even worry about keeping tampons with me now.

  “When was the last time you remember having one?”

  “I think it was the end of July, right before my birthday.”

  “Hmm,” she said. “When is your birthday?”

  “August first.”

  Both women looked sharply at me before they shared a glance. Sophia began pressing on my stomach. She was strong for such a frail looking woman. After that she rolled her chair to the end of the table and lifted my gown. I promptly pinned my knees together.

  “Have you ever had intercourse, Rayla?” the doctor asked.

  I gritted my teeth. “How is that any of your business?”

  “I need to know what size speculum to use.”

  “No,” I said softly. These people were probing into every facet of my life, and I didn’t like it one bit.

  She nodded. “Ainessa would you please hand me that speculum. No that one on the far end. Yes, thank you.” Ainessa had grabbed the largest one on purpose.

  The doctor pried my knees apart without as much effort as it should have taken her. “Okay, Rayla, you are going to feel my finger on your thigh…”

  I stopped listening after that. I tried my best not to notice what she was doing, but when Ainessa started prepping a needle the length of my forearm, I had to say something. “What is that for?”

  Sophia peeked around my knees and removed her gloves. “You needn’t concern yourself. You won’t feel a thing.”

  The room started spinning. I covered my mouth, but it was too late. I barfed. I tried to aim for Ainessa, but she jumped out of the way with lightning speed. It smelled horrible and some of it even got in my hair.

  Not to be detoured, Sophia came around and stood by my arm. When she saw the expression in my eyes, her own softened. “You will be out for a few hours. You may experience some pain upon waking, but it shouldn’t be severe. Make sure I am called if it is.”

  She lowered a mask to my face. The smell of peppermint hit my nostrils. I struggled, but everything went black.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I opened my eyes to bright light that stabbed at my skull. My head felt fuzzy and my legs wouldn’t respond when I told them to move. I wasn’t in my prison cell anymore.

  This room had a row of high windows that a giant might be able to gaze out of, but the rest of us were out of luck. I groaned, sitting up. My vision darkened around the edges and the little construction workers pounding away at my brain took that moment to kick it up a notch. I fell back against the pillows, clutching my head between my hands. I heard the door open, but I wasn’t about to open my eyes again.

  “How are you feeling, my dear?” It was Nigel Lambert and he was insane if he thought he was getting a word out of me.

  I rolled away from him, but my lower half stayed where it was. I didn’t have the strength to do anything about it.

  He touched my shoulder. “I did not authorize the procedure, Rayla. I wasn’t even informed they were doing it until you were in recovery.”

  “I don’t care who authorized this. You have violated me in every respect, even if it wasn’t your hands that did it.” I turned toward him and leveled my gaze at him to make sure he knew how serious I was. “I want you to leave.”

  He didn’t even flinch. “I understand why you are angry, but you have to listen to me. We are so close to being able to shift the tides. With your help, I think we might just do it.”

  “Help implies consent. I did not agree to any of this.”

  He pulled a chair over to the side of my bed before he sat and folded his hands across his lap. His salt and pepper hair was slicked back and his hazel eyes studied me. “If you had all the facts, you would feel differently.”

  “I highly doubt that.”

  He gave me a clinical perusal then stood up. “I am pleased that you came through the operation without any complications.”

  “What operation? They wouldn’t even tell me what they were doing.”

  “We had to see if your eggs could be fertilized.”

  I blinked a couple of times. I was even tempted to pinch myself to make sure this was real. “Hearing those words come from your lips is just flat-out gross. Get. Out!”

  He gave me a half nod and began walking away. Before he made it completely out the door, he said. “Get some rest. You have a busy day ahead of you.”

  Ainessa passed him as he was leaving. She gave him a civil nod, but barely. She filled the chair he’d just emptied. “We have great news. It seems you are fertile, after all.”

  I faked a startled expression, covering my mouth with daintily set fingers. “I’m sure you can see the joy dripping from me.” I clamped my eyes closed because I couldn’t stand to look at her anymore. “What does that have to do with anything? And why are you helping these people?”

  Her voice held a hint of amusement. “Let’s take one question at a time, shall we. First of all, you should be able to conceive, given the right circumstances. Your eggs are very resistant just like the rest of you, but it is possible. And second, the humans are the only ones that truly believe in me. I couldn’t let them struggle forever. Besides, they want what I do. Why should lords be the only fae to have any fun?”

  She took my hand. I tried to pull my fingers away from hers, but she held firm.

  “Let go of me.”

  She only laughed. The soothing sound was in direct conflict to who she was inside. “You’re a hypocrite. You ridicule me for doing what you have been trying to accomplish since you escaped the sanctuary.”

  My eyes flew open, and I glared at her. “I am nothing like you.”

  A self satisfied expression lifted her face. “That is where you are mistaken. You want to create your own destiny. I, too, have looked at my
life and said, no more. I tire of being nothing other than a glorified servant. Did you know that fae women are the true rulers of our kingdoms? But what good does it do to rule a people that will never change? We live the same existence for eternity all because we wanted a fast track to exaltation.”

  “You’re rambling, Ainessa. If you’re trying to convince me you are the good guy, there’s more chance of the world exploding in the next second.”

  She stood up. “I can see your mind is set. I ask you to consider one thing before you judge me, though. What would you do in my place?”

  She walked out the door without looking back at me. It was apparent that she was trying to get my sympathy, but why?

  Rattling sounded in the hall. I pulled the covers close around me as if they were armor. The lights came on suddenly. I shielded my eyes, praying that Roger wasn’t the one twisting the knob. They had taken me back to my cell a few minutes after Ainessa had left me.

  It had only been a little while and I wasn’t up to fighting anyone else. To my relief, a girl walked through the door. She had shoulder length dark hair, chocolate skin so smooth it looked as if it had been poured over her muscled frame. Her eyes were a startling mixture that some might try to call hazel just to have something to label them. From what I could see they had blue, green, grey, and even gold in them. She smiled at me, setting the fragrant tray in her hands onto the nightstand beside me. “You must be starving. I brought you a little extra, but go slow. Your stomach won’t thank you for stuffing in too much at once.” She smiled crookedly. “Trust me. I know.”

  I nodded with a tentative smile and lifted the lid off the plate of steaming eggs, bacon, and sliced melon. I started with the toast just in case. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was and made short work of the bread, swiftly moving on to the eggs. I glanced at her and asked around a mouthful of food, “What’s your name?”

  Her face went as stiff as the bed I was on. “Lacey.”