Across The Divide

by Stacey Marie Brown

  “Amara is a work in progress.” He put one hand by my head and leaned in, his face getting an inch from mine. I would be lying if I said my heart didn’t jump a little. When he wasn’t being “Croygen,” he was an exceedingly sexy man, smoldering with bad-boy antics.

  “You consider decades a work in progress?”

  “Yeah, in fae terms, it’s a short time.”

  “And me?”

  His dark almond-shaped eyes became serious as he searched my face. “You...?” He inclined until his nose brushed against mine, tipping my head back. I stayed still as lips brushed against my jaw. “Let’s see...”

  Ryker had awakened something in me, a sincere pleasure to be touched, to let my walls down, which now would not go back. To let go. The man in front of me was not the one I wanted, but I also wasn’t dead. We’d been here more than a month, and the only touch I had received was either cold or violent. I swallowed as his finger traced down my neck. I couldn’t deny it felt good. He was affecting me, but I was no fool. I understood this was only a challenge for him. A point he wanted to prove.

  I had my own point to demonstrate.

  I cupped his face and pulled him to me, my lips at his ear. Breathing heavy, I nipped at his ear. I could feel him lock up, his heart pounded as my mouth barely grazed his jaw. In his scrubs it was easy to see I was affecting him. I let my lips slide up his neck, back to his ear. “If this is you trying to show me your skills, I might have to seduce the lab technician myself.”

  Croygen sucked in his breath. “Can I watch?”

  “Ugh.” I pushed him back. “Nice try.”

  “Worth a shot.” Croygen shrugged, his smoldering expression falling from his face, replaced by that of the bored pirate I knew. “Can’t deny it would be nice to have sex with someone besides myself in here…and stealing Ryker’s girl would be a bonus.”

  “Such a pig.”

  “Pirate.”

  “Same difference.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  The plan for the next day was set. Solid? No. But set. It was the lifeline I needed to hold on to. Action. Getting out of here.

  I couldn’t wait weeks to learn the code to Ryker’s cell. It was time and options I didn’t have. Only one person was on my side here who could possibly help me. There was a good risk I wouldn’t see her, she wouldn’t help me, or we’d get caught. None of it deterred me.

  I proceeded to breakfast with resolve and a huge knot in my stomach. Sprig had awakened and eaten one of the honey packets but then fell back asleep. Very unlike him. Seeing his eyes open relieved me a bit, but he wasn’t behaving like the Sprig I knew.

  Delaney walked me to the counter where I got my usual coffee and bowl of oatmeal, stealing more honey, before sitting down. The staff was getting used to me being there and ignored my presence instead of staring.

  My gaze was glued to the door, but when you wanted someone to come, they didn’t. I pretended to eat. Each spoonful held a morsel of oatmeal and every bite I chewed slowly, hoping for Kate to walk in. I glanced at the wall clock, the ticking pounding in my ears. My eyes went back to the door, my breath caught as a woman walked into the room. Disappointment washed over me as the tall platinum blonde headed for the coffee machine.

  “Come on, finish up. Rapava wants you downstairs in five.” Delaney stood tapping at her watch. She took her tray over to the garbage.

  Anxiety circled around the lump of oatmeal in my stomach. This was it. I was going to miss my chance to talk to her.

  “Zoey, come on.” Delaney walked to the table. “We need to go now.”

  Come on, Kate... please…

  It was like my pleas went down the hall and dragged her back. She stepped around the corner, moving into the cafeteria. I straightened, wanting to leap out of my seat in excitement, but held myself back. The timing of her entrance with my plan had to be perfect and unnoticeable.

  Her white hair was pulled in a messy bun, her glasses stuck in the mass on top of her head. She fluttered in, looking scattered. She moved to the coffee machine. I picked that moment to throw my breakfast away, tripping into her.

  The tray crashed to the floor, spilling the leftover liquid from my paper cup on the floor.

  “Oh, sorry.” I grabbed her elbow, squeezing it. Then bent to grab my stuff.

  “Let me help you.” Kate followed me down. The eyes of the bystanders turned back to what they were doing.

  “I need the code to where they are keeping Ryker,” I whispered under my breath.

  “I don’t know those. Rapava doesn’t trust me with them.” Disappointment strangled me. It must have shown in my eyes. Kate pressed her lips together, pity flowering out of her face. “Okay, I’ll get them for you.”

  “Tonight?”

  She paused, taking in my expression again, then nodded. “I will do what I can.”

  “Where are they keeping my sister?” I muttered.

  Kate grabbed some napkins, spotting at the coffee on the tile.

  “She’s on this floor. Opposite end. Near where Sera was kept.”

  I grabbed for the piece of trash in her hand and clutched her fingers in appreciation, taking it from her grasp.

  I stood up. “Thank you,” I said for everyone to hear. The audience never knew our conversation had dual meaning.

  She nodded and rose. “You’re welcome, dear.” She walked around me to the coffee machine, never giving me a second glance. Delaney came to my side, ushering me out the door. The plan was taking shape. It felt good to do something. Even if it was minimal, it was something.

  Again my elated mood only lasted till Liam met me and took me to the torture room. Ryker was black and blue from head to toe. Dried blood, deep cuts, and bruises covered his face and body.

  “What happened?” I exclaimed. He had not been in this condition when I left the night before.

  Rapava looked up, his face pinched. “The fae and I had a private little chat last night after you left.”

  So Rapava had beaten and tortured him relentlessly. I crammed back the piercing hatred I felt for the doctor. “Did you get anything from him?” I tried to keep my voice even, but my legs wobbled while strolling over to the bed.

  A snarl crinkled Rapava’s nose. “No.”

  Ryker was mostly unconscious, but Rapava still made me stay and watch him cut and take more blood from him. I think he either wanted me to see Ryker as a piece of meat, or he enjoyed the idea of forcing me to watch. I never let on it bothered me.

  “Sir, I was hoping you’d let me have some time with my sister today.”

  “You’ve seen her every day,” he replied, keeping his attention on the task.

  “Yes, sir. She’s been in the other room.” As an incentive for me to behave, you sick bastard. “But I was hoping to have some time with her. Talk.”

  “Talk?” He laughed. “What would you need to talk about?”

  The true bafflement in his voice made me realize he had no idea what a friend or confidant was. To talk, relax, or laugh with someone was a foreign idea. Did he really have no idea what it was to have friends? Did losing his siblings so young cause him to forget what it was like?

  “Sir, she is my sister. I miss her. I simply want to see how she is.”

  “She is fine. You clearly can see she is well.”

  I took a long breath through my nose.

  “Fine. You can have ten minutes with her.”

  “Is now all right?” I motioned to Ryker’s motionless body. “I feel I am only in the way here.”

  Rapava dropped his arms to his side and his back went rigid. He stared at me for a long time, then nodded. “Yes. Go. But if he wakes up, I will have you come back.”

  “Yes, sir.” I tried not to respond with the eagerness I felt to be able to talk with Lexie. “Thank you.”

  Liam did his duty, shepherding me to a neutral room to visit Lexie. I wasn’t sure if they were keeping me from her room on purpose or didn’t want me to know the location, probably both. But thanks to
Kate, at least I knew the area where Lexie was being held.

  Liam locked me in a room, returning a little bit later with a drugged-looking Lexie.

  “Ten minutes,” Liam said sternly and stepped from the room. The door wasn’t fully shut, but I’d grab the slight privacy he gave us.

  Lexie stared at the floor, lost in her dream world. She clung to her arm crutches, her legs bending more than usual. I wrapped my arms around her. She tottered to the side, and I steadied her.

  “Are you all right?” I stepped back, looking her over again. Either she was dosed higher with drugs or her legs were hurting her.

  “Yes.” She nodded, her eyes remaining on the floor. A twitch flicked across her face.

  “Lexie? Look at me.” I cupped her chin and pulled it up. “What’s wrong?”

  Her dark eyes went back and forth, not able to fully land on me. “I am fine. Thank you, Zoey.” So formal and distant. Not her words or her voice.

  I was sick of this. Here stood another person Rapava was taking from me. She was in there, but the drugs wouldn’t let her out.

  “Lexie?” I didn’t know what to say, or how much I could say. What if Rapava asked her to repeat what I said to her and she had to obey. “Remember when we’d go shopping for sneakers?”

  Lexie stared at me, then she nodded so slight I almost didn’t notice it.

  “You liked your pair of sneakers, huh?”

  Her lids blinked, but I felt there was something in her eyes. I wanted her to understand, to get my meaning. When I was fifteen and she was six, I tried to be out of the house as much as I could but felt bad leaving her behind. On the nights I let her come, I’d tell her it was time to go sneaker shopping. Joanne probably wouldn’t have cared, but I liked the idea we were getting away with something. We’d go to bed dressed and fold her wheelchair and toss it out the window into the bushes, then sneak out for the night.

  A pair of sneakers. It was silly, but when I let her tag along, it always made her happy. Lexie’s smile was worth the eye roll and heavy sighs from my friends when I brought her.

  She gripped her leg braces. “Sneakers?” Her face gave nothing away. I didn’t know if she understood my true meaning or her robot-self was asking the question. Her legs bowed and she fell to the side. I grabbed her and balanced her on her feet.

  “Lexie?” Something was wrong with her; I could feel it. She could barely stand.

  “Pair. Of. Sneakers…” She turned her face to mine and whispered, her eyes wide. “Zoey, he—”

  “Time’s up.” Liam swung the door open, sauntering in.

  “No,” I blurted out. What was she going to tell me?

  “Yes. Rapava said ten. It’s ten.” He motioned at Lexie. “Come on. It’s time to return to your room.”

  Lexie’s mouth pressed together, and she glanced between Liam and me before nodding. Liam led her out.

  Ten minutes. That was the extent of Rapava’s mind-controlling drug. It was why he wouldn’t let me be with her any longer and why every time, right as she was taken away, I could see glimpses of Lexie underneath the haze.

  After tonight, I would get more than the ten minutes.

  For good.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Rapava did not request my return when Liam came back for me, and I was all for returning to my room. Seeing Ryker in his weakened state generated an ugliness in me. Instead of wanting to be near him, I wanted to be the farthest away from him I could. Loving him only compelled me to hate myself more.

  “Liam,” a woman called from behind us as we strolled down the hallway. We both glanced back. Delaney jogged up, her pink shoes flashing brightly against the stark white tile and the blue scrubs she wore. “I think I heard Peter was looking for you, something about training, and finding you a new partner.”

  Liam’s expression darkened before he cleared it away. New partner? No matter how much I hated Liam, losing Sera had to be hard on him.

  “Do you know where he is?” Liam asked.

  “Uh…I think…the training room.” She shrugged. “Sorry, I heard it from Kate.”

  My head jerked up hearing her name.

  “Ah.” Liam nodded in understanding. “Okay, I’ll find him after I return her.”

  “I can do it,” Delaney volunteered. “I was heading to check on PE-One anyway.”

  “Cool. Thanks.” Liam stepped away from us, probably happy to get away from babysitting me. Delaney and I watched him disappear around the corner.

  The moment he disappeared, her mood shifted. She grabbed my arm, her body curving closer.

  “In case anyone is watching, keep your head straight and do not react.”

  Adrenaline filled my veins, like an IV drip. My mouth dropped open to speak, but I quickly snapped it shut.

  “Good thing Kate is known to be flaky and scattered. Liam will never question it when he finds Peter was never looking for him.”

  A new player in the game just stepped on board.

  “Are you—?”

  “Shut up, Zoey.” Delaney’s nails dug into my arm. “Wait till we are back in the room.” We walked stoically back to my room. She unlocked the door, walking me in, and shut it behind her.

  “Wha—?”

  “I’m with Kate,” Delaney interrupted, answering the question on my tongue.

  Trust was still a dicey thing for me. My face must have given away my doubt because Delaney dug in her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “She told me you wouldn’t believe me unless I showed you this.” She held out her hand.

  I stepped hesitantly forward, snatching the bit of paper, my gaze staying on her till I had the document in my hand. My eyes drifted from left to right. On the paper was written: 54267790149.

  “Memorize it.” She shifted on her feet nervously. “I will be destroying it before I leave here.”

  “Is this…?”

  “The code to get into the room downstairs? Yes. The number backwards gets you into the inner room.”

  A mix of hope, joy, and fear danced a jig on my chest. Kate did it. She got the code for me.

  My happiness was crushed by paralyzing terror. We’d eliminated one hurdle, but many huge ones still lay before me.

  “I’ve been with Kate since the beginning. I may not care for fae, but I do not believe in the practices Dr. Rapava is carrying out. The treatment of Sera, of you…” Delaney folded her arms over her chest. “Even of that one.” She nodded toward the cage on the table. “I gave him an injection to flush out the toxins. He should be better.”

  “Sprig?” I turned and rushed to the cage and lifted the top. I sucked in my breath, fearful of what I might find.

  He sat in the same corner, but his eyes were open. He hugged his tail like he used to do with Pam, when he needed comfort. I didn’t check my reaction, only scooped him up, and held him next to my heart.

  “Sprig…” I cuddled him, kissing the top of his head. “You scared me.”

  He nuzzled into me, rubbing his head against my top. Plastic crinkled and he stopped, pulling away. His finger poked at the top of my sports bra. “Honey tits?”

  I burst out laughing. “What did I tell you?”

  “Sorry. Is honey melons any better?”

  “No.” I shook my head.

  “Nectar juice boxes.”

  “Stop.”

  “Sugar suckies.”

  “You’re feeling better, huh?”

  “I will.” He stabbed at the hidden packages again, his eyebrow lifting.

  I tugged them out, setting him back on the table and opening one for him. He snatched it from my hand and curled around it, sucking the honey out of the top.

  I spun back around. Delaney’s nose was wrinkled, her face repulsed by what she saw. She noticed me staring at her.

  “I’m sorry.” She cleared her face. “I’m not used to seeing us interact with them like this.”

  “I am one of them.”

  “You know what I mean.” She watched Sprig lick the honey out of the co
ntainer. “I hate what Rapava is doing, but I still don’t feel comfortable around fae.”

  I could understand the notion, or at least I could remember the feeling. Once upon a time. I couldn’t believe I had ever felt strange around Sprig. He was home to me. My world could not exist without him.

  “I understand, but against whatever DMG tries to shove down our throats, fae have feelings. They have families, they love, laugh, get hungry, and have addictions.” I motioned back to Sprig. He was trying to tear open a new honey packet, his tongue between his teeth, struggling. I knew honey would end up on the ceiling and all over him. I walked backward to the table, my attention still on Delaney, as I took the item from him, ripped it open, and set it back in his hands. “Just like us.”

  A smile hinted on her lips. She tugged at the badge holder around her neck, pulling it out from underneath her top. Her tag and a key card were clipped onto it.

  “Give this to your friend.” She handed me the card. “I think he was trying to get it from me earlier today.”

  I pinched my lips together and tried not to smile as I took it. Croygen failed to seduce and steal it from her? The infamous ladies’ man and legendary thief? Oh, I will never let him live this down.

  “Kate told me to be watchful of him. He was a devious one.”

  “You could say that.”

  She glanced at her watch. “I better go. I’ll need the paper back. I need to know it’s destroyed.” She held out her hand.

  I repeated the number over and over in my head, locking it in my memory, and handed it back to her.

  She crinkled the paper in her fist. “Kate wanted me to tell you good luck. She wished she could do more.”

  “She’s done a lot. Thank her for me.” I paused. “If I need to contact her again?”

  “She’ll find you.” Delaney turned for the exit. Kate knew more about the fae world than anyone, but I still didn’t like leaving without knowing how to communicate with her later if I needed.

  “Oh, I forgot.” She dug into her pocket, pulling her hand out. “Here.” I opened my palm as she dropped a couple of pills into my hand. “They are the highest potency you can get. You should not take more than a half…or a person can lose all bodily control.” Her eyes were set with underlying meaning.