by Calinda B
“RUBY!” he bellowed, the sound erupting from deep in the pit of his stomach.
For the first time in his life, he knew real fear. Not knowing where Ruby was had placed him in the most excruciating pain imaginable. After a few seconds, Lucian dropped to his knees. He’d used a lot of his powers. He’d depleted his energy, leaving him weak in body and spirit.
“Ru… Ruby,” he whimpered.
He felt sick, sick to his stomach. Had he just lost the only woman he’d ever loved? As strong as he was, and as tough as she was, Lucian just couldn’t keep her safe.
14
“You’re awake.”
The voice sounded unfamiliar and Ruby struggled to place it but could find no reference for it. Her eyes were closed. Of course, if she opened them and looked at the person recognition might come to her. She had to blink a few times before she could finally get her eyes to accommodate her. It didn’t help that light blinded her, and then a stabbing pain in her head made her shut her eyes again.
She moaned. It took her another couple of seconds to open them again and focus. At first, she saw no one. The room appeared unfamiliar. The walls were an interesting shade of gray. She blinked. Her head continued to throb. In fact, her entire body ached. Had she been in some kind of accident? Was she in a hospital? Unlikely. The room, with its modern onyx dresser and abstract art on the wall, looked like no hospital room she’d ever been in.
Ruby tried to sit up, but two things happened. One, she realized she was unable to move, as though something held her down. And two, she heard movement beside her. She turned her head. Thank Christ she could at least do that. At the sight of the man, like a fast-moving train, it all came rushing back to her. The fight, the boy…Lucian? Please be alive.
“I bet you have questions?”
The man who must have been Bogdan’s great uncle sat beside her with a grin spread across his gaunt features. But his mirth didn’t quite reach his milky blue eyes. Like the land he’d come from, nothing but coldness resided there. Since she knew he was Russian, she’d have thought he’d speak with an accent. He had one, but more English than Russian. And he’d spoken to her in English.
“The only question I have, really, is how long until Lucian gets here and kills you?”
The man chuckled. “Feisty. I like that. Well, I hope not too much longer. After all, the entire reason for your presence is to ensure he takes the bait and follows me. Only this time, I’ll be better prepared for one with powers such as his. Too bad he took out Matthew and Kass. But no matter. Eventually, I’ll replace them. Perhaps, even with you. For now, I will just have to make do.”
“I don’t think so. You’re using me as bait.” She laughed. “Good luck with that. Lucian is stronger than you are, and he will kill you. And you bet your bony ass, if he doesn’t, I sure as shit will.”
Ruby felt a sense of relief she didn’t show this ass wipe. He had as much confirmed Lucian had lived. When the explosion had gone off, she’d been tossed across the cave. She remembered seeing him unmoving on the ground before her own world had gone dark, until she’d woken up in this place.
The Maji shook his head. “Since you are without your gun…” He held it up for her to see before using his powers to send it to the other side of the room. It landed on the floor. “You have no bite, and you have no powers. I’m not going to worry overmuch about that. But your boyfriend… Ah, he’s another matter. What did you call him again?”
When she didn’t respond, he kept talking.
“Lucian, I believe you called him. He screamed your name like a bitch. Ruby. Pretty name, you are indeed a jewel.”
He smiled and leaned forward. His long white hair draped over one shoulder as he rubbed his hand down the side of her face. It felt like a snake crawled across her cheek and she turned her head away from him.
He continued to talk. “Well, Ruby, my name is Stepan. And yes, Lucian is stronger than I am—for now. I have never run across anyone as strong as he is. His powers will serve me very well. You see, it’s not always about being born the most powerful. I never have been. I’ve just been…smarter. I’ve lived a very long time, and I’ve studied the ways of the Maji. I know how to counter most every spell. And what I don’t…I have a few tricks. Like the explosion that had been pre-planted in the cave. I held it in check with a mental trigger. The second I became incapacitated, it went off, giving me a chance to get away and grab a consolation prize while I was at it.”
“It doesn’t matter. Lucian will destroy you. Because he’s smart too.”
Stepan laughed. It sounded more like a croak, like he hadn’t exercised those muscles in decades.
“Yes, I’ve had some time to study Lucian Reid. I remember his mother. She was strong, very strong. And thought herself smart too.”
Ruby’s heart pounded against her chest. “You killed her? And Emma too.”
“Oh yes, and many others. After so many years I’m afraid I did lose count, so I can’t give you an exact number. The only reason I remember Celeste is because of Lucian. After our little encounter, I researched him. Yes, his mother was strong. And yes, smart. I understand why Lucian is so strong now, and why I hadn’t detected him before. His mother must have transferred part of her powers to him when she died. I’d wondered about that at the time, but since we could find no trace of any more powers, I just assumed I’d been mistaken. I won’t make such a mistake again. So, once I take his powers, I will be one of the strongest among the Maji, as well as the smartest.”
She glared at the man. Anger surged through every part of her body, but she couldn’t move a muscle. Not even a twitch. All she could do was growl. “You son of a bitch. Let me loose.”
“I don’t think so. I think I need you to stay exactly as you are while I check on the progress of our imminent guest.”
Then he stood up and headed toward the door, but Ruby knew she couldn’t let him leave her in her current state. She’d have to do something that made her cringe inside. She’d do anything to escape or try to warn or help Lucian. She had zero doubt he would come for her. Time to beg.
“Please. Please, don’t leave me like this. I can’t move. And…and I need to use the bathroom.”
He stopped and waved his hand. “That’s possible since it’s been quite some time for you?”
Ruby could feel her body below her neck relax and she sat up. His remark had gotten her attention. She could see stars through the window in her room, but she couldn’t see any of the landscape or any other buildings.
“Where are we, and how long ago did you take me?”
“Where we are is irrelevant. But it’s been about twenty-four hours since we were back at that cave. That door in the corner leads to a bathroom. I’ll wait for you to use it and then bring you something to eat. See? I can be civilized.”
She didn’t even bother to respond to that asinine statement. The man had bled a teenage boy, slowly and painfully killing him. He’d already killed a teenage girl and as he’d said, countless others. All to siphon off their powers and steal it for his own.
She stood up and felt a bit woozy, so she placed her hand back on the chair he’d been sitting on to steady herself.
“You’re probably hungry. I’m sure you’ll feel better after you’ve eaten. I expect your Lucian to be here in a few more hours, so we have time.”
Ruby closed her eyes for a moment then opened them again. She continued to feel a bit woozy, but also a little stronger. Something she didn’t want him to know. So, she acted weaker than she really was, making sure to stumble like a drunk person on her way to the bathroom. She’d spied the gun near the door and planned on making a grab for it. Timing would be everything. As she shifted to the right, Stepan must have anticipated what she planned because the gun suddenly flew past her outstretched fingers, through the air, across the room, and right into the Maji’s hand.
“Nice try,” he chuckled. “Now hurry up and use the bathroom before I change my mind.”
“Fuck.” Havi
ng no choice, she went into the bathroom and closed the door. The small room didn’t even have a shower, but the toilet had a bidet. Maybe they were somewhere in Europe. She did need to use the bathroom, and did that first quickly, but didn’t turn on any water quite yet. First, she searched the place for anything she could use against the bastard but could find nothing of use in there, not even a plunger. Just a toilet with a mirror over it, a cabinet under that with extra toilet paper and a hand towel. The sole window in there sat too high to climb up to without a step stool, and appeared too small to crawl through anyway. Unable to linger any longer, she washed up and opened the door.
Stepan remained where she’d left him near the door, but the gun was gone. She couldn’t tell if he’d placed it in one of the pockets of the dark suit he wore. Didn’t matter. He had it, she didn’t, and she couldn’t overpower him to take it away. He’d see her coming at him and just raise his hand to swat her on her ass. She headed back to the bed; he’d moved the chair he’d sat in back against the wall near the dresser. So, she couldn’t even use that as a weapon. Having little choice, she lay down. As soon as she did, she tried to move her leg but couldn’t. She could only move her head.
“Must you leave me like this? There’s no place for me to go.”
“You’ve already shown me you’re not to be trusted. Besides, I haven’t lived as long as I have by trusting a pretty face.”
He turned on his heels and left her alone. He didn’t even bother to close the door when he left. Why bother? She wasn’t going anywhere.
She’d have to practice patience as she’d never practiced it before.
15
Lucian mustered as much energy as he could and made another attempt to stand. He was still weak, but the need to find Ruby gave him the strength he needed. He scanned the cave again, but dust settled everywhere, and the torches had burned out. He could barely see. Then he remembered his cellular and reached inside his coat pocket. He pulled it out and turned on the flashlight. Alyona, Igor, and the two Maji were lying dead on the cave floor. The boy, Maskin, was slowly coming to, but still no sign of Ruby.
The great-uncle, Stepan, had obviously taken her, so he walked over to Maksin and kneeled over him.
“Maksin, my name is Lucian Reid. Your grandfather sent me. I’m here to help.”
The boy blinked, still appearing a bit woozy. When he tried to look around, Lucian stopped him by grabbing his chin. He didn’t want him to see Alyona and Igor’s dead bodies.
“We have to get out of here,” he urged, pulling the teenager to his feet. He turned him opposite the carnage and searched for another exit.
As a result of the explosion, the way they’d previously entered had been filled by rocks and boulders. Since he couldn’t find another way out, he raised his palm and prayed for power. He desperately needed to get the boy home and begin the search for his woman.
As if his prayer had been answered, power seemed to emanate from the pit of his stomach to the palm of his hand. He blasted through the boulders, shattering them to pieces, and created an opening he could fit through. After helping Maksin through the hole, he crawled out behind him. He lifted the boy’s arm around his shoulder and assisted him down the stairs made of rock.
Together, they exited the cave. Lucian pointed to one of the other snowmobiles and asked, “Are you okay to drive?” The boy nodded, assuring that he was. But Lucian concluded that he was in no condition to operate a motorized vehicle.
Lucian hurried him over to the snowmobile he’d driven earlier.
“Get on,” he instructed.
Maksin complied and climb on the back. Once he was situated on the seat, Lucian started the engine and kicked it into gear. He rode as fast as he could back to Bogdan’s house.
As if he’d been waiting by the window, Bogdan burst through the front door and down the walkway. He ran to them and helped his grandson from the snowmobile. He pulled him into his arms. For the first time, Maksim showed an understandable display of raw emotion and cried on his grandfather’s shoulder.
“Grandfather,” he sobbed.
“My boy,” Bogdan sighed into the boy hair.
During their embrace, Lucian watched as Bogdan’s joy turn to hysteria when he looked around for Alyona.
“Where is my daughter?” he rasped.
Lucian sighed and climbed off the snowmobile. Bogdan wrinkled his brow, seemingly studying Lucian’s demeanor. His kissed the top of his grandson’s head and ushered him inside to a woman he could see hovering at the door. When he returned, he asked again, “Where is she?”
“I’m sorry, Bogdan. She didn’t make it,” Lucian consoled, approaching the older man.
The news of Alyona’s demise caused him to stumble. Lucian grabbed his uppers arms and kept him steady. He wheezed, as if struggling for air, and closed his lids tight. When he opened his eyes, Lucian could see his despair.
“And Igor?” he asked, hopefully.
Lucian simply shook his head. As moisture pooled in the older man’s eyes, he could feel his pain. He felt truly sympathetic and hated delivering such devastating news. However, as sorry as he was, his primary concern was finding Ruby. Lucian squeezed his arms and gave him a gentle shake.
“I need your help, Bogdan. He’s taken Ruby.”
His eyes widened. He looked past Lucian, seemingly noticing for the first time that Ruby wasn’t with him.
“Oh, goodness,” he breathed. “Stepan?”
“Yes. I need you to help me find him.”
Bogdan’s head fell. “I-I don’t know… I don’t know where he is. Without Alyona, I have no way to find him.”
He read defeat in Bogdan’s body language. However, Lucian could not accept giving up. Losing Ruby was not an option.
“Bogdan!” he snapped. “I need to find Ruby.”
“Lucian, I—”
The shrill of Lucian’s ringing cellular interrupted. He patted himself frantically until he located it inside his coat pocket. He pulled it out and quickly answered when Ruby’s name popped up on the screen.
“Ruby,” he gasped into the phone, waiting eagerly to hear her voice.
“Not exactly.”
Lucian’s heart dropped. The deep voice and smug tone on the other end was obviously Stepan. He released Bogdan and took a step back.
“What have you done with Ruby?” he seethed. “If you’ve hurt her in any way, you will die in the most excruciating way possible,”
Lucian was enraged by the maniacal laughter on the other end. He squeezed the phone so tightly he thought sure it would snap to pieces.
“Now, now, young Maji. Calm yourself. Your woman is fine… for now. Would you like to see her again?”
“What the hell do you want?”
“I want you to come and get her. Ever been to Gulcha?”
“Fuck no!” Lucian barked. “Has anyone been to Gulcha?”
Once more, the Maji chuckled as if they were engaged in a casual, easygoing conversation. His amusement only added fuel to Lucian’s wrath.
“Listen, you motherfu—.”
“Standby for instructions,” Stepan blurted, interrupting Lucian’s would-be threat.
The call ended abruptly before he could respond.
The eleven-and-a-half-hour drive from Bishkek to Gulcha in Bogdan’s BMW X6 only took nine hours and forty-five minutes. Stepan had sent him an address, along with a map to his location. After travelling through scenic rivers and snow-capped mountains, Lucian had to complete his trek on foot toward a fortress made of cobblestone and clay. He raced against the sunset as he crept quietly through the snow. Without the last bit of sun, visibility would be poor.
He reached the structure and walked alongside the wall until he found a set of stairs that could’ve lead to a cellar. He took the steps and checked the door. He turned the knob, but of course, the door was locked. Not wanting to make noise, he decided not to kick the door in. Instead, he concentrated on the lock mechanism. He held out his hand and twisted. As quietly as
he could, he used his powers to slowly turn the lock. He checked the knob again and smiled when was he was able to open the door.
He cringed and froze when the door creaked. He had absolutely no idea what he was walking into. If he had any chance of saving Ruby, he needed some element of surprise. Even if Stepan had freely divulged his whereabouts, and was surely setting a trap, Lucian certainly wouldn’t make it easy for him by going through the front door.
Since he’d opened the loud door enough to squeeze through, he slipped between the door and the doorjamb. Once inside, the smell of mildew and corpses immediately assaulted his senses with what he hoped were rodents. Although a dead human in the home of the evil Maji wouldn’t have been a total shock.
He strained his eyes to see as he found himself in a dark, stone walled corridor. A dim light glowed at the end. He took careful steps until he made it to a low-rising arch that he had to duck to get under. A few more steps took him to an open doorway to his right. He pressed his body against the wall, preparing himself to take a peak. Unfortunately, before he could, Stepan’s voice echoed throughout the cellar.
“Welcome, young Maji!” he boomed.
Frustrated, he blew out a harsh breath and pounded his fist against the stone. Having lost any element of surprise, he stepped through the doorway. Once he entered the room, Bogdan’s great-uncle came into view wearing a long ceremonial-like robe. He stood in front of an altar, exactly like the one that had held Maksin. Only, the altar behind Stepan was unoccupied. Lucian scoffed, assuming that this altar might be meant for him.
Not today.
When Lucian stepped further inside, he noticed the older Maji had enlisted a new minion. As opposed to the previous Maji, his new recruit didn’t look like him at all. Instead of white hair, like the other two, his new flunky’s hair was the color of black ink. Nevertheless, Lucian didn’t have time to dissect this one’s appearance. Hell, he wasn’t sure if he was a Maji or not. He was, however, another obstacle standing between him and his woman.