BOUND (#1 in The Crystor Series)

by C.K. Bryant

Chapter Fifty Three

  Nothing had changed in the white room, except maybe Shandira. Her eyes were swollen and bloodshot, like she hadn’t slept for days. “String her up—I don’t want her getting loose.”

  Cael tossed the end of the rope over a rafter and pulled it tight. He suspended her about six inches from the ground and a couple feet away from the contraption of chains and leather. Cael finished securing the rope and approached Kira, his eyes on fire. He leaned in and drew in a breath, taking in her scent. Kira swung her foot up and kicked him in the chest.

  “Enough!” Shandira yelled.

  Cael twisted Kira to face Shandira who grabbed Kira’s pants by the front pockets and began searching them.

  “Where is it?” Shandira asked.

  “Get away from me.” Kira tried to kick her, but missed.

  Shandira grasped Kira’s throat and squeezed. “Do not test me. I know you have the necklace.”

  “I don’t have it. I saw you lay it on the table in the cave when you emptied your pockets. It must have fallen on the floor when Cael knocked over the book case.”

  “You’re lying. How else would Octavion know the extent of your injuries?”

  “Why are you doing this? Wasn’t killing your sister enough?” It was the only thing Kira could think that might get her released. If Shandira thought she’d succeeded in killing Lydia, maybe her reason for keeping Kira would be gone.

  “In the beginning, that was all I wanted—for her to be dead. I’m first in line to the throne and I want to be queen, but tradition says the throne must be passed to the eldest male heir. That leaves me nothing. Bastian introduced me to a prince, but his father, the king, won’t allow the union unless I am unique. He’s a . . . collector of sorts. I told him about my strength and gifts and the crown was mine until Octavion told Bastian my sister had a kindred spirit. As long as she is alive, I am second best and he will not allow us to be bound.”

  “Then why are you doing this? With her dead, you can go be his queen.”

  “Because you killed him.”

  Kira’s mind wandered back to the canyon and her arrow as it sailed across the meadow and pierced the heart of Cade’s attacker. Shandira’s prince. A chill rose up Kira’s spine and filled her body with mind numbing fear. I’m so dead.

  Shandira continued her search, finding the heart pendant in Kira’s back pocket. “I knew you had it. Now, to teach my little brother a lesson.”

  Shandira glanced around the room as if she was looking for something, then went to the shelves near her bed. Rummaging through some of Octavion’s bottles, she made her selection and returned to Kira. “Let’s see what Octavion has to say about this.” She pulled the lid off the tiny vial in her hand and held it up to Kira’s mouth.

  Kira kicked upward, trying to knock it out of Shandira’s hand, but Cael jabbed her in the side and grabbed her legs. Zerek held her around the waist, while Shandira took Kira’s jaw in one hand and forced open her mouth. She poured some of the liquid past her lips, but Kira spit it out, splattering Shandira’s face.

  Shandira thrust a solid punch to Kira’s ribs. “Drink it!”

  “No!” Kira squirmed one leg loose long enough to knee Zerek in the chin. He grabbed her harder and held tight.

  Shandira took out her dagger and rested the point under Kira’s chin. “Drink it or I will slit your throat.”

  “Do it,” Kira blurted. “You’re gonna kill me anyway—get it over with.” At least she wouldn’t have to starve to death or suffer the effects of whatever was in that bottle.

  Shandira stepped back and grinned. “Cut her down and tie her to that metal table.”

  Cael cut the rope while Zerek threw Kira over his shoulder. He tossed her onto the cold slab, pain blasting through her back.

  “Please stop,” Kira begged. “I changed my mind. I’ll help you. Give me the journey stone and I’ll try. I might be able to do it.” She needed to stall for time, but more than that, she needed to get that stone.

  “You’re lying. It’s a trap. He will know we are coming.” Shandira took a chunk of Kira’s hair to hold her in place while Zerek tightened the piece of rope that bound her hands. Cael pulled her to the end of the table and tied her ankles to its legs.

  “Hold her down,” Shandira instructed as she released Kira’s hair. She opened one of the cupboards and took out a metal bucket, dropped it in the sink with a loud clank and filled it with water. Once the bucket filled, she slowly poured the water over Kira’s face, making her sputter and cough. Shandira pulled the bucket away, just long enough for Kira to get a short breath, before pouring it again and again. When Shandira finally stopped, she pressed the glass vial to Kira’s lips, shoving it in her mouth between her gasps for air. Kira choked it back, then swallowed, the bitter liquid burning her throat as it went down.

  “What is that?” Kira cried. “What have you done?”

  “I have no idea. I just liked the color of the bottle.” Shandira laughed, holding up a green bottle about the size of her thumb. She dropped it into the sink, then turned to face Cael. “I’m off to retrieve my scouts—not that they’re worth anything now that my brother has messed with their minds. But at least I’ll have my servants back.”

  Cael cut the ropes that secured Kira’s legs, while Zerek forced her off the table and to her feet. Shandira ran her finger along Kira’s jaw line, lifting her chin with the tip of her finger.

  “She’s all yours, boys.” She laughed as she turned to walk away.

  “Shandira,” Kira called. “He loves you, ya know. You’re his favorite—always have been.”

  Shandira spun around with rage in her eyes. “What do you know of my life?” She pulled her dagger and brought it to Kira’s face, applying enough pressure on the blade to sting, but not enough to break the skin.

  “Octavion told me about you as children and how much he loved you. He blames Bastian for all of this—not you. It’s not too late.”

  For a moment, Kira thought she saw regret and longing in Shandira’s eyes, but then it was gone. “You lie!” she said, drawing her blade across Kira’s cheekbone.

  Kira screamed, cupping one of her bound hands to her face. Warm blood seeped between her fingers and ran down the length of her arm.

  “Give my brother a message—if you live. Tell him to think of me when he looks at your face—that is if he still wants you after my boys have had their way with you.”

  “You can tell him yourself when he comes for you.”

  Shandira lifted her fist as if she meant to deliver another blow to Kira’s face, then dropped her hand and disappeared.

  Cael’s grip on Kira’s arm tightened as he embraced his heritage—his upper lip curled into a snarl, exposing his sharp feline teeth. “You are lucky I have had my fill of human flesh today. Of course, I would enjoy a snack.” He leaned in, licking the blood from between her fingers. “Ahh! Sweet, like honey.”

  “Let go of me!” Kira screamed, struggling to get free.

  Zerek and Cael half-carried, half-dragged Kira down the long corridor and into a filthy stall, throwing her to the ground.

  Zerek’s eyes were black and empty—dark and merciless. He slapped Cael on the back. “You go first, my friend. I’ve always enjoyed watching a game of cat and mouse.”

  Zerek’s words sparked a fire inside Kira. She’d had enough. “I am not a mouse,” Kira mumbled under her breath. Slowly and deliberately, she pushed herself to her knees and stood. Holding her hands out in front of her, she said, “It would be more fun if the mouse wasn’t tied up.”

  Their eyes widened. Zerek slapped Cael on the back again. “Shall I hold her down for you?” His wicked laugh echoed through the barn.

  Cael pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. “No, but you might want to stand back. I hear she bites.” His eyes locked on Kira’s and she forced herself not to look away. They weren’t black and empty like Zerek’s, but she could still see the evil in them. Cael drew his knife, slip
ped it between her hands and pulled up on the blade. The rope fell to Kira’s feet.

  She smiled, earning the back of Cael’s hand across her good cheek. She fell against the stall divider with her back to them. “Al,” she whispered. “Give me all you’ve got—I’m gonna need it. It’s the only way we’re getting out of here alive.” As she felt the warmth build and her pulse increase, she let the rage from Octavion’s blood flow freely through her veins. She felt her eyes burn cold and her adrenaline rise. For a brief moment, she focused on the Crystor, sensing its powers hadn’t entirely left her after all. There was still a tiny flame fueling her need to survive. No man would ever hurt her again—and live.

  She slowly turned to face them. “That’s all you’ve got?”

  Cael smiled, but this time when their eyes met she saw a flicker of fear. He swore and took a step back. “Your eyes—what kind of evil magic is this?”

  Kira smiled again. “The kind that’s gonna kick your Royal ass.” Kira sprang forward, using all her weight to shove him back. He stumbled, hitting Zerek and taking them both to the ground. Zerek swore and tried to push Cael off him while Kira ran toward Shandira’s room. She had to find the journey stone.

  Kira got as far as the doorway before Cael hit her from behind. She stumbled, grabbing the leather and chain contraption to keep her from falling to the floor. While holding onto the harness, she used her forward momentum to propel upward, swinging her feet around to deliver a powerful kick to Cael’s chest. He fell back against a cabinet, breaking the flimsy door in two and collapsing to the ground.

  She found her footing just as Zerek came through the doorway. The darkness of his eyes ignited the last shred of power left in the Crystor as she pooled her energy into the tips of her fingers. They burned like an icy fire igniting her fury. By the time he got to her, she was ready. She reached out as he drew his knife, deflecting the stabbing blow with one hand, and grabbing the side of his neck with the other. Zerek’s body stiffened as she projected all she had through his body, sending him into a convulsing fit. He fell onto the cold concrete floor, twitching uncontrollably.

  Kira stepped back and looked down at her hands. The tips of her fingers were dark and numb. She curled them into fists and drew them into her stomach. “How did I do that?”

  The adrenaline flowing through her veins gave her the strength to fight back, but hastened the poison’s path through her veins. With each labored breath she drew in, a thin fog overtook more of her mind and body.

  Cael stood, wavering on his feet, and glanced at Zerek still lying on the floor. He turned to face Kira. “I will have you.”

  Kira threw back her shoulders. “It’ll be my cold, dead body you take. I’ll fight ‘til my last breath.” She grabbed the chain and swung it in his direction, barely missing his face.

  Cael vanished and appeared behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, carried her kicking and screaming to the mattress, and threw her down. He leapt onto the bed, crushing her beneath his weight. He had both her hands pinned above her head with his body pressing her tender back into the sheets. When he leaned in to kiss her, she jerked her head to the side and bit down on his forearm, drawing blood. He struck her across the face with his free hand.

  “Give up. You will not win this fight.”

  “Never!” Kira screamed. Kira’s head began to spin and at first she thought it was from his fist knocking her dizzy, but then the pressure of Cael’s body lifted and he sailed across the room, hitting the far wall. The force of the blow knocked him unconscious. Thinking it might be another Royal or maybe one of Shandira’s scouts, Kira rolled to her side and tried to get up to run, but she couldn’t keep the walls from spinning long enough to gain her balance. When a strong hand clamped over her shoulder, she turned, ready to fight. She didn’t even look, just brought her foot up from where she lay and kicked, hitting Nigel in the gut. He stumbled back, holding one hand up to ward her off and the other to his stomach.

  “You’re late,” she said.

  A brief smile crossed Nigel’s face as he offered to help her stand.

  She accepted, but still couldn’t gain her balance. She tried to step over the mattress to the shelves, but her knees buckled and she collapsed onto the bed. Not now. I need a little more strength. One more burst of energy. But nothing came. “I need to know what they made me drink and find the journey stone. Will you help me?”

  Nigel knelt beside her, his eyes shifting from her bloody face to her shivering form. He drew one of the blankets up around her shoulders, then tore off a section of sheet for her to hold over the cut on her cheek. He put his hand to his heart and nodded.

  “Thank you,” Kira said. “The bottle—she put it in the sink. I need to get it to Octavion. He’ll know what it is . . . might have something to counteract the effects.”

  Nigel vanished, appearing an instant later near the sink and without the slightest hesitation, was back kneeling in front of her with the empty bottle in his hand. Kira took the vial and slipped it into her jean pocket. “The stone.” She pointed to the shelf.

  Standing, Nigel rummaged through the boxes and bags, but the stone wasn’t there. Kira tried to remember the last time she’d seen it. Shandira was angry. She’d returned the stone to its bag and tossed it . . . onto the bed.

  Kira turned, her movements sluggish, and pulled the pillows away, searching under the covers. She found it wedged between the mattress and the wall. Sliding the stone from its pouch, she aligned the markings. The two openings appeared and the room filled with light. “Help me stand.”

  Nigel lifted her from the bed and planted her feet firmly on the ground, supporting her from behind.

  She raised the journey stone into the air, gave it a spin and let go. It stayed suspended, shooting colored light out in all directions. She’d turned to thank Nigel when she caught movement behind him. Zerek struggled to his feet, his knife blade in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, he threw it.

  “No!” Kira shoved Nigel to the side. The knife deflected off his arm and into her shoulder. She cried out and collapsed into Nigel’s arms.

  Nigel lowered her to the ground and turned to face his brother. Zerek had taken another knife from his boot and stood, ready to fight. He sliced the air, taunting Nigel, beckoning him. The whole scene came at her in waves as the pain in her shoulder increased and the fog from the poison closed in around her.

  She turned away from them to look behind her, but instead of the beautiful kingdom of Xantara, there were dark pine trees and a crumbling stone wall. The image twisted, whirling around the portal. It wasn’t what she’d expected. Had she done something wrong? Had she opened the portal to a completely different world than Ophira? A world without Octavion?

  “You are not my brother,” Zerek yelled. “How could you betray me like this?”

  Kira turned her focus back to the Darkords, now standing face to face. Nigel grasped Zerek’s hand, the knife held fast in his fist. They wrestled with the weapon until Nigel brought it down between them. Their bodies slammed together in a violent thrust of muscle, sending the knife into Zerek’s side. Their eyes locked for a moment—Nigel’s lips moving without sound. Nigel lowered his head and closed his eyes, pulling the knife out of Zerek’s side and tossing it across the room.

  Kira’s heart ached as she watched Nigel pull Zerek into his arms. He’d sacrificed his own flesh and blood to save her life. A few seconds passed before Zerek came around and drove the heel of his palm up under Nigel’s chin to break free.

  Zerek stumbled to the doorway leading to the barn stalls, then disappeared around the corner. Nigel took a few steps toward the doorway and stopped, looking back at Kira. His fists clenched at his sides, his chest heaving with every breath. For a moment, Kira thought he would come back to help her, but instead he followed Zerek.

  “No,” she croaked. “I need your . . . help.” Kira turned to look through the opening, its warm breeze whirling around her now. She had to get through to
the other side before Shandira returned. Grasping the handle of the knife, she pulled it from her shoulder and let it fall to the floor. She screamed from the pain as the beams above her head faded from her view. She wasn’t going to make it.