A Gray Area

by Amy Sumida

  “Less motivating?” Lily asked in horror.

  “Think about loving someone for a thousand years,” Varian said to her.

  “It sounds romantic,” she said immediately.

  “That's the response of a mortal.” He shook his head. “After a thousand years, even the strongest affection starts to fade. A child can grow distant to the point of becoming a stranger—such as with my queen and her son—and friendship comes and goes like the tide. As far as romantic relationships; there have been very few Sidhe couples to survive that long. I personally know of only one; the King and Queen of the North. They have been together—happily together—for over six-thousand years. No one can touch that kind of love. But it is beyond rare.”

  “Six-thousand years.” Leo whistled. “Now, that's some serious commitment.”

  “Indeed.” Varian nodded. “But even they have consorts. It is difficult to live forever with only one partner.” His gaze slid over to me.

  I swallowed past the lump in my throat. Malik's mark flared again but this time, it felt cool and shivery. Worried. His hand sought mine under the table, and I squeezed it. But I didn't know who I was comforting; him or me.

  Then my phone rang. It was Alex Connolly.

  “Alex,” I answered anxiously. “Were you able to—”

  “We've got it under control,” despite his reassuring words, Alex sounded nearly as rattled as he'd been earlier. “A cover story is in place; don't worry about that now. We've got another issue.”

  “What's happened?”

  Everyone went still around me.

  “We're getting calls,” Alex said grimly. “The other countries with Grays are experiencing the same thing that we have; their citizens who were affected have become monsters.”

  “I was kind of expecting that,” I said sadly. “Did they kill them?”

  “That's the problem.” Alex let out a shaky breath. “They've disappeared.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Right out of their cells; just gone.”

  “The monster citizens disappeared?” I just couldn't grasp it.

  Varian said something in Danutian that sounded like a foul word. I glanced at him, but he just shook his head.

  “We'll look into it,” I promised. “I have a lead on the guy we believe is behind it.”

  “Thank God,” Alex breathed. “Finish this, Spectra. End that man and end this attack. The entire world is at stake.”

  “Yes, Sir.” I hung up the phone and looked at Varian. “Tell us what you're thinking.”

  “You already know what I'm thinking, Lady Amara.” Varian set a level stare on me. “It must be him. Prince Terial's found a way to control the beasts and has taken them.”

  “But why?” Lily asked.

  “To make an army,” Malik growled. “What else?”

  “Everlasting Eden,” Kyrian whispered like a prayer. “An army of monsters.”

  “Where's your spine, Arc?” Malik teased him. “It's not as if you've never fought one of those before.” He grinned pointedly. “And I'm not talking about today.”

  Kyrian grimaced. “At least Bleiten act with reason. We're talking about monsters without minds. No fear, no self-preservation, and no mercy; just bodies to be used as weapons.”

  “Blasphemy,” Varian whispered.

  “You know how he's doing it,” I said in surprise.

  “It must be the asha; Prince Terial has found a way to use the life energy he stole from your people to control them.” Varian took a deep, shaking breath. “It's...” He searched for the word. “Reprehensible.”

  “Indeed,” Kyrian agreed while the rest of us nodded.

  “And it's now become more important than ever that we stop him.” I knew it was obvious but it had to be said.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  We came up with a plan. Using my cloaking ability—I liked the term, I was going to go with it—I could take Varian up in Cyprian's private elevator to search Dirty Nothings for Terial. The more people I had to cloak, the harder it would be, especially with us moving, but Malik refused to let me out of his sight.

  The rest of the team would wait outside the club in Mama's delivery van. Mama helped me whenever she could and this wasn't the first time I'd borrowed her delivery van. I hadn't asked, but if Alex still had Dirty Nothings under surveillance, the van would definitely be noted. Not that it would be an issue; I'd be reporting on what happened there anyway, and I doubted the agents would approach us.

  We parked the van across from Dirty Nothings and then Malik, Varian, and I got out; ending up on the sidewalk behind the cover of its bulk. I clasped hands with the men to keep us as close together as possible and wove the color wavelengths around us. Varian didn't even ask why we could still see each other; he simply trusted that I'd done what I'd said. Or perhaps he sensed the magic closing around us. Whatever it was, I appreciated it.

  We walked carefully across the street and silently waited near the steps to Dirty Nothings. After what seemed like an eternity, a man strode up, nodded to the doorman, and headed inside. We followed closely on his heels; slipping through the door behind him. Luckily, it was a door that closed on its own and there was a wide landing in front of it. So, after the doorman had opened the door, he had simply let go and we had eased around him.

  I led the way to the door on the left side of the room; pulling the men along in my wake. I let go of Varian's hand briefly to punch in the code but he was smart enough to stay by my side to not disrupt the cloaking. I quietly opened the door while the hostess was distracted by the man we'd followed in. We slipped into the hallway, and I grabbed their hands again. Malik pushed the button for the elevator, and in short order, we were inside the steel box; moving up toward the top floor.

  I had a second to wonder how Varian would handle the experience of an elevator before I remembered that his race was far more advanced than humans. The Danutians had traveled to Earth in spaceships and then created a realm; an elevator wouldn't faze Varian. Just because I hadn't seen in any machines in Danu, it didn't mean they weren't there. Even if they weren't there, it would be because the Danutians depended more on magic than science, not because they didn't know how to make them.

  The elevator doors dinged opened—Varian looking as calm as can be about it—and I led the men out. Luckily, there was no one near the elevator to see the doors open on an empty car; Cyprian's hallway was empty. But the faint sound of an argument wafted down to us.

  “That's the Prince,” Varian whispered and pulled us along.

  “Hold on,” I hissed. “Let's see what they're talking about before we charge in.”

  “A few moments; that's all,” he said stiffly. “I can't risk losing him.”

  “All right,” I agreed.

  We found them in the same room I'd had my conversation with Cyprian in; the living room with the fireplace and the amazing view. The men weren't sitting in the chairs near the window; they stood before the fire and their conversation was just as hot.

  “Where is she?” The Leech, AKA Prince Terial, demanded. “An immortal princess named Amaranthine came to my mother's court and told her that I've been taking the asha from Earth. You are the only one who knows I'm connected to this. So, where do I find her, Cyprian? Is she here? Is she one of your whores?”

  “Don't ever call her that,” Cyprian said with a dangerous tone and an expression to match.

  “So, you did give the woman my name.”

  “In exchange for the name of the man hunting you,” Cyprian said in exasperation.

  Varian shocked stare shifted to mine.

  “Sorry,” I whispered. “I didn't think it mattered.”

  Varian nodded crisply and looked back at the men.

  “I didn't think your name would help her,” Cyprian echoed me. “And I gained the name of your hunter.”

  “I knew who was hunting me! You gave away my identity for nothing; as I'm sure you knew, Faulin!”

  “Why would I betray you when you've of
fered my people a home in the new world?” Cyprian huffed. “Do you know what it would mean to us to be accepted and esteemed?”

  “Enough for you to allow me to remake the Earth in Danu's image,” Terial murmured. “Yes, I know. All right, Cyprian; I accept that it wasn't precisely a betrayal.”

  Cyprian nodded stiffly.

  “But you will help me find that woman and silence her.”

  Cyprian flinched. “You will not touch her, Terial.”

  “You forget your place! I will rule this world, and I will decide who lives in it and who dies!”

  “You forget that I have helped make this possible for you!” Cyprian hissed back. “And I am not without my own power. Don't push me, or you will lose your one advantage here.”

  Terial narrowed his eyes at Cyprian, but before he could say any more, Varian let go of my hand and rushed forward. I dropped our cloaking and ran after him. Malik growled and followed us.

  Varian's hand clamped on Terial's wrist, and both Terial and Cyprian gaped at him. Then Cyprian's eyes strayed to me and widened.

  “Amara?” Cyprian whispered.

  Terial didn't seem concerned about Varian; he was intently watching Cyprian and me. Varian was starting to look frustrated. He yanked on the Prince's wrist; trying to twist with him but getting nowhere. Terial grimaced at the knight and then shook him off.

  “My asha is too powerful for such as you to twist me unwillingly, Sir Varian,” Terial said casually. “Run back to my mother and tell her you failed. Go on, now, and I won't kill you.” Terial waved his hands in a shooing motion.

  Varian gaped at him.

  The Prince was beautiful in a very cold way. His eyes were the palest lavender—nearly colorless—but they seared the air with electrifying energy. His high cheekbones were too angular for my taste, but I saw his mother in his full lips and the shape of his nose and it softened him a bit. His walnut hair seemed too common for the rest of him but in Danu, he'd be all the rage and with that aura, the hair hardly mattered. The man practically bled life; a dizzying, magnetic pull that had us all leaning toward him.

  “Hello, Amara,” Prince Terial said my name with an air of discovery. “Aren't you lovely? Dark hair and amethyst eyes; you're the height of beauty among my kind. I can see why Cyprian is so taken with you. But I'm not a man to be taken; I do the taking.”

  Before I could say anything, Terial snatched my wrist along with Cyprian's; yanking us into a spin like a bunch of playing children. No; not a spin—a twist. Terial twisted reality and pulled us along for the ride. I quickly shut my eyes against the blinding light and flashing colors but the feeling of movement was so much worse this time. When everything finally went still and Terial released me, I stumbled and fell onto my knees; battling the urge to vomit. Cyprian landed somewhere beside me.

  We were on a sleek, stone floor; similar to those found in the Queen's castle. I looked up and saw that we were in a large room but it was nothing near as grand as the Eastern Court. The furniture was solid but pretty, the walls wood, and the windows were bare. A thick forest took up the entire view.

  “Let me help you up, Princess,” Terial purred and dragged me to my feet.

  I tried to hit his aura—turn the colors against him—but Terial only laughed.

  “I'm a Danutian prince, Amara,” he sneered. “Whatever you're trying to do to me, it won't have an effect. Especially not with all the power I've taken from your world.”

  Cyprian launched himself at Terial, but the Prince merely grabbed him by the throat and laughed in his face.

  “You seriously believe that you're powerful enough to challenge me?” Terial shook his head at Cyprian's blazing green stare. “Foolish Faulin.”

  Terial dragged us along a cold, stone hallway with barely any effort despite the fact that we both fought him violently. We went down a set of stairs; the air growing colder and damper until we came out in a small room that smelled of earth and stone... and metal. The room was divided in half by metal bars, and then in half again by another length of them. Prison cells; two of them. They were both empty, but I had a feeling that they wouldn't be for long.

  Terial opened one of the cells and shoved me in. I turned and launched myself back at him as he slammed the door on me and set a key in the lock.

  “Uh-uh,” Terial tsked as the lock clicked. “Don't test me, Amaranthine. Right now, I'm inclined to treat you well.”

  He lifted Cyprian casually until he was strangling the Faulin. I tensed. The mark in my neck flared with a painful mix of fear, panic, and rage. I inhaled sharply. Would Malik be able to follow me into Danu? Because I was fairly certain that's where we were.

  “I merely want you out of the way until Danu completely takes over the Earth,” Terial went on talking to me as he tossed Cyprian into the cell beside mine and locked him in. “Then I promise to free you. That is unless you anger me. Then I may have to test the rumor I've heard.” He leaned in to look me over. “The one about you being so aptly named.”

  I swallowed roughly and backed away from the bars.

  “Being immortal can have its downside, can't it? We Sidhe know that well.” He grinned wickedly. “I can torture you for eternity as long as I'm careful about it.”

  Eternity again. But this time it promised pain instead of pleasure. I backed away until I hit the wall.

  “You stay away from her!” Cyprian rasped through his abused throat as he struggled to his feet.

  “Ah, the traitor.” Terial crossed his arms and considered him. “I will need some time to decide your fate, but I can guarantee that it won't be as pleasant as your beloved Amara's.”

  “I didn't betray you,” Cyprian growled.

  “Then how did Sir Varian find me?”

  “I brought him with me when I snuck into Dirty Nothings,” I said immediately. “Cyprian's telling the truth; he didn't betray you.”

  “Oh, look how she defends you!” Terial's face lit up. “Perhaps you haven't chosen poorly, after all. Huh, Faulin?”

  “Leave her be, Terial,” Cyprian ground out. “She's not my woman. You're tormenting her for nothing.”

  “She may not be yours, but you want her, don't you?” Terial narrowed his eyes at Cyprian. “Yes; that may be useful. We shall see.” He turned back to me. “You've caused me a bit of distress, Amara. I've had to abandon my palace earlier than expected. But no matter; this cabin has served me well over the years. Served me in many ways.”

  Terial looked at the cells as if remembering the good times he'd spent in them. I stared around me and saw the neon yellow of panic dripping off the walls along with muddy red splotches of violence and then, the worst of all; blood red lust. I shivered and rubbed my arms as I turned off my second sight. I didn't want to know what had happened to the previous occupants of those cells.

  “You feel it, don't you?” Terial asked me with interest. “Or do you see it? I felt you touching my asha; you can see the power of my life-force, can't you? And you can see the remnants of other energy in these walls.”

  I said nothing, but he nodded as if I had.

  “I've always had tastes unbecoming of a prince. That's what my mother says,” Terial mused. “I had to build this place just to have somewhere I could be free to be myself. The both of you have spent your lives hiding; you should understand.”

  “I don't hide so I can rape and torture people,” I growled.

  “What have you done to people here?” Cyprian looked around himself in disgust. “What kind of monster are you, Terial?”

  “That's hilarious, coming from a faulin. You should know that people can't help the way they're born,” Terial said scornfully. “And you're the very one who gave me a place where my tastes are accepted; where there are people who crave the things I can give them.”

  “I doubt very much that what you find in my club is anything like what you did here,” Cyprian said stiffly.

  “Perhaps not exactly.” Terial shrugged. “But I was content.” He shifted his glare to me. “Every
thing would have been wonderful if you hadn't come along and tempted Cyprian into betraying me. Now, I must deal with both of you.”

  “Terial, this is ridiculous; let us out, and we can just go back to the plan,” Cyprian said reasonably. “You still need my people to hide you. You've only just begun the transformation.”

  “Your people will obey me now,” Terial said confidently. “If for no other reason than to secure your safety.”

  Terial pulled out a cellphone and snapped a picture of Cyprian.

  “He has a cellphone?” I muttered.