I wanted to help Michael. I really wanted to kill Ramien. My body wouldn’t let me do anything. Ramien was in complete control.
“Agreed,” Ramien said simply, and the power he had over my body slipped away.
I swung at Ramien, desperate to knock some of his smug pride off his face, but he caught my wrist. “You need to understand I won’t tolerate insolence. If Michael defies me, he suffers. You defy me, you suffer.”
“What more do you think you can do to me?” I asked, exhaling and inhaling my words between panted breaths. “My parents are already dead,” I said, glaring. But inside I shook with fear. I knew of many, many terrors he could inflict upon me, or those I loved. What if he knew where Amberlee was? What if he hurt Zaren?
“You’ll see.” He stepped so close our chests touched. “Sleep, little Princess. When you wake, all will be revealed.
7. Who Will Save Your Soul
When I was ten I would sneak away from the music teacher and run through the flower mazes in our family’s gardens. Inevitably I’d get lost, but I never worried. Because, I knew. Knew. Zaren would rescue me.
When I came to, and as the gloomy weightiness of sleep fell away from my mind like cobwebs, Zaren was my first thought.
He would find me.
And then what, I wondered. I agreed to Ramien’s terms. My parents’ souls would be freed if I married him. The thought terrified me. I’d been promised to Palmo for many years. Growing up I became more aware of what the prospect meant. While I wasn’t thrilled, I didn’t mind either. It was the way things were done in our world. Our way of life. The marriage would promote continued allegiance between the country of Canaru and Alayeah. Of course, in light of recent revelations, all of them involving Palmo and his supposed plan to usurp Alayeah’s throne, Palmo had been placed him in the first degree of Helker, while he awaited his trial.
Neither Zaren nor I believed Palmo acted alone. But, for some reason, the young prince felt obligated to protect the real offender. It was preposterous! The boy was sniveling. Barely past fourteen. He didn’t have a sinister bone in his body, let alone the wherewithal to come up with and execute a plan to have my irrihunter killed, me exiled to Earth, and my parents and sister taken. But the King of Canaru, Palmo’s own father, testified against him, which made me highly suspicious. I figured Palmo was the scapegoat. Taking the fall for the real villain, but I couldn’t prove it. Not yet. If the King would sacrifice his only son, allow him to die . . . I shuddered to think what might come next. Palmo wasn’t talking either. He seemed satisfied to suffer in his prison cell in Helker.
A scraping sound, like claws across concrete, brought me out of my reverie. I took the opportunity to examine my sparse surroundings. It certainly wasn’t luxurious, like the dining hall, or the bedroom. Peering through the darkness I searched for the owner of the noise. And let out a cry. “Sadraden.”
A small roar answered, followed by heavy breathing. Jumping up, I ran over. “Sadraden!” My irrihunter. My best friend since I was little. I hesitated to touch her. The syrupy smell I was beginning to associate with Ramien emanated from her. “Where are we?” I whispered. Then added with a desperate sob, “You’re dead, aren’t you?”
Hush, child. You know I am. Her voice scraped through my mind the way her claws scratched along the solid floor.
I swallowed another sob. “I’m so sorry.” A tear trickled down my cheek. I brushed it away; astounded I heard her thoughts. “Were you always able to do this?” I mumbled.
What? Speak into your mind? She gave a rattled roar, shaking her dull black mane. Of course. But you weren’t able to hear me. Her legs shook from the weight of her body. She fell forward, onto her knees. With a sigh, she rested her head on her paws, licking them.
“Let me get you something to drink.” I scanned the room for some water. Our room was nothing more than an earthen container. A death box, I thought, momentarily terrified.
It’s no use. Water will do nothing to refresh me. My soul is imprisoned in this body just as we are confined within the dirt. Ramien has a message he wants me to deliver. She took a ragged breath.
“If this body isn’t part of you, why are you in so much pain?” I asked, rushing over to her, leaning my head against her jaw, the way I used to. I stroked her behind the ears, noticing her once soft fur was scruffy, and felt wiry beneath my fingertips.
Ramien feeds off a soul’s agony. Don’t worry yourself, it’s temporary. Sadraden closed her eyes.
She said Ramien had a message. “What does Ramien want you to tell me?” I had a feeling it had to do with my comment about him not being able to hurt me. Knowing my irrihunter was in pain twisted my guts. If I didn’t do what I promised he would also make my parents souls’ suffer.
Sadraden let out a strangled growl. Don’t give in to him. I sense he’s afraid of you, which is why he wants to control you.
Her body came apart in chunks. Head. Body. One of her wings fell off, striking me in the shoulder before it vanished. As each piece disappeared, so did my sadness, my fear, and my guilt, as though Sadraden took them with her. One emotion remained. Anger.
I needed a plan.
One where I kept those I loved from any more agony.
I didn’t know what part Michael played in his father’s plan. It still baffled me he was the same as Ramien. And what was his mother, Catherine? Was she human or something else? Ramien was right about one thing. I’d been naïve. I wouldn’t be again. And if Michael came against me, I wouldn’t hold back. I was done being the victim. It was time I became a destroyer. Annihilate those who killed my parents and anyone who came against those I cared about.
A secret part of my mind lamented all the crap happening in my life. I shoved those thoughts away, knowing it was out of my power. Accepted it, even. With acceptance came a deeper resolve. I would control how I responded to the bad. No longer as a cowering kitten. I’d be like the fearless irrihunter.
Tortevia roared inside my head.
8. Virtual Insanity
The walls of our tomb shook, sending chunks of dirt and rock down on my head. I spread my feet apart for balance. Readying myself for whatever Ramien saw fit to throw at me next.
At least that was what I told myself. Until Zaren, Michael, Palmo, Dervinias, and a very pregnant Cheverly appeared.
I closed my eyes; worried Ramien did something to trick my mind. When I opened them, the group was still there, looking as surprised as me.
“Are you real?” I ran to Zaren and wrapped my arms around him, feeling for myself he was solid. And, more importantly, making sure he didn’t smell like dried chrysanthemums.
“Venus,” Zaren sighed, relief softening his features. He wrapped his arms around my waist. “I’ve been worried.”
I fought the tears stinging my eyes, hugging Zaren tighter. “I knew you’d find me.”
Zaren huffed. “I’ve been looking.” He moved me out of his embrace, keeping hold of my arms. “But I have no idea how I got here.” He looked around the room. “Wherever here is. One second I searched the shoreline, the next I was in this room.” He noticed Michael. A fierce resentment strangled his features. “You. I should’ve known you were involved.” He went for his sword.
Michael lifted his hands surrender. “Zaren, old buddy. Long time no see.”
“How can you joke at a time like this?” Zaren snarled, each word filled with exasperation.
“Trust me, it isn’t difficult for him,” Dervinias said. I noticed he had a protective arm around a crying Chev.
With Zaren nearby I didn’t go over to Michael. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them. But I was glad to see Michael’s hazel eyes sparkling with life again. No blood trickled down his beautiful face. In fact, he looked good as new.
I knew Ramien possessed the ability to alter time, shift reality. Was that what the people in the room were. A shift, or alteration in time. Zaren didn’t smell like Ramien. I pinched him.
“Ouch,” he whispered. “What was that for?
“
Just making sure you’re you.”
He pressed his lips to my forehead.
“I’m here, Princess. Always.”
An argument broke out between Dervinias and Michael. Chev walked over to a corner, and stood with her large belly facing inward. Palmo looked slightly amused. Such a child. And Zaren searched the exterior wall, calculating his next move. A Formytian through and through.
When Ramien appeared, Zaren and I were the only one’s who noticed. His sickly smell preceded him, which prepared me. Zaren rushed to my side, placing an arm around my shoulders. We watched as Ramien evaluated the scene before him. His dark eyes shone with joy.
He feeds on suffering. That’s what Sadraden said. Was he feasting on their suffering now? I turned my gaze to Michael. If he knew his father arrived, he didn’t act like it. I worried about what his promise to Ramien was. He said he’d do all Ramien asked. What did that include?
Finally Ramien clapped his hands, the sound like thunder. The others turned, noticing him for the first time. “Settle down, lovelies. It’s time to start the party.”
“Who the hell are you and what are we doing here?” Dervinias asked, getting in Ramien’s face.
Ramien’s features hardened. He obviously didn’t like to be challenged. A strangled cry came from Dervinias and he went down, his hands and knees slapping against the dirt floor. Chev noticed and ran to him.
Zaren drew his sword, but remained by my side, cautious as ever.
“Vinny? Vinny? What’s the matter?”
The skin under Chev’s eyes was dark, her hands covered in bruises. Was Dervinias beating Chev? If he was, he could rot here for all I cared. In fact, I figured he could rot here anyway. He’d killed Michael’s mother, and who knew how many others. Staying here an eternity would be easy compared to what he really deserved. Death. A nauseous thought spread through me as I thought about Ramien torturing his soul.
But what about Chev? How was she here? Why was she here? And with Dervinias? And why did she look so pregnant? It had only been six weeks since I left Earth. By the size of her stomach, it appeared as though she’d give birth any moment.
Ramien stopped doing whatever he did to Dervinias. The blond kelvieri gagged, rolling onto his back, gasping for breath. He looked stunned. Served him right.
Chev cradled Dervinias’s head, stroking his brow with her fingers.
Michael watched Chev with curiosity, but I didn’t see any jealousy. He probably wondered why she was there as well. Was she not a human either? A random thought flitted through my mind. How many humans were actually human? A crazy notion.
“Thank you all for coming,” Ramien began, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Like we had a choice,” I snorted. Ramien glanced my direction and I clamped my mouth shut.
“You are in Helker.” He glanced pointedly at Cheverly. “You’re no longer on Earth, my dear.” He drew in a deep breath. “I smell the humanness of you. But you’ve been altered, you’ve been . . .” Ramien’s eyes lit up in surprise. “Dervinias, you sly traitor, she’s carrying a child which stinks of you.”
The rest of us gasped.
“She shouldn’t be alive,” Zaren interjected. “A normal human would die during intercourse.”
Ramien nodded. “Yes. Yes.” He clapped his hands again. “This is impressive, a most unique situation.”
I glared at Dervinias. “It’s the one law of the Universe, you arrogant alien. We aren’t to mate with species of other planets.” Zaren gave my shoulders a squeeze.
Tears filled Chev’s eyes, but I saw she knew I spoke the truth. I wasn’t nearly done with Dervinias. “I guess rules mean nothing to you though, right? You’re too good for them? Is that why you killed . . .” I paused and regarded Michael. His jaw was clenched in anger. With a frustrated sigh, I shut up.
“So full of righteous indignation, dear girl. You must be exhausted.” Ramien chuckled maliciously. “What do you suggest we do with him?”
I grumbled under my breath.
“Intriguing,” he nodded. “Don’t worry. Dervinias will get what’s coming to him.” His smiled turned cruel. Dervinias looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t.
“You’re all here for a reason,” Ramien went on to the group though he still focused on me. “What those reasons may be is my concern. Figuring them out might save your lives though.” He stepped closer. Zaren placed himself in my path, but Ramien flung him away like he was nothing more than an irritating gnat. His Ostwallow sword clanged to the ground.
“Zaren,” I whispered, but kept my attention on the monster.
“You made a deal. Agreed to my terms,” Ramien said forcefully.
“Let them go. I didn’t agree to this.” I indicated the others in the room.
Ramien’s face softened slightly. “Had you known the terms beforehand, would you have disagreed? Your parents’ souls would remain in Helker. So would Sadraden’s. Could you enjoy your life above knowing they were in Helker succumbing to gods know what at my hand.” He smirked. “These . . . guests I accumulated as part of our game.” He pointed to Zaren, Michael, and Cheverly. Palmo and Dervinias. “And your sister, Amberlee. She’s close to becoming mine. I can smell her.
“I get it,” I shouted, forcing down the bile rising in my throat. Then lowering my voice, I continued, “But I don’t understand it. What do you hope to gain by me becoming your wife? I’ll never love you.”
“Love is such a mortal word. I have my reasons for desiring you.” Ramien brushed his cold fingers against my cheek. I froze, disgusted by his innuendo.
“It’s about sex?” I was shocked. Sickened too, but mostly shocked. “You’d hurt those I love for-for sex with me?”
He burst out laughing. “I’m sure I will take great pleasure in your body.” Michael darted forward, but Ramien held him off with the flick of his wrist. “We’ve already been through this Michael. Do not try my patience again.” Michael stopped, leaning heavily against a wall, his eyes closed. The ferether went on, “It’s more. Much more.”
Ramien moved so everyone could see him. In a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, he said, “The terms of our contract have changed. If you want your parents to leave Helker, you must become my wife, and complete three tasks.” Then he gave me a pointed look. “I can’t guarantee everyone in this group will live. The blood of a kelvieri is like nectar to some of the beasts down here.”
I thought of the spider-like insects I saw in the Room of Souls, their milky eyes, and the clicking of their fangs. “No, please. I’ve agreed to become your wife. I agreed.”
Ramien held up a hand. “Silence!”
A nervous hush fell over the group.
Ramien placed a hand on my shoulder. I tried to push it off, slap him, or grab Zaren’s Ostwallow sword and use it to cut Ramien to pieces, but I was no longer in control of my body. Ramien took me over—again. And it was really starting to piss me off.
Like a puppet on strings, he moved me so I stood directly in front of him.
“Of course you did,” Ramien cooed. His putrid breath blew against my cheeks. I wanted to gag, but my body wouldn’t respond.
“And once you decided,” he went on, “you became mine, and I can do anything or make you do anything I want. I thought I already proved this point. But, perhaps I should let the others see the control I have.” To demonstrate, he forced my hands to touch his chest, making them slowly glide toward his pants. I heard Zaren fight to get to me, but Ramien held him off. When my hands reached his waist, he made me wrap my arms around him so my body pressed against his. He turned my face upward, and smirked. “Anything I want.”
I wanted to spit I was so angry, so furious he forced me to be near him.
Ramien lowered his head and kissed my nose. Each of my cheeks. And then my lips. The worst part was he made my body respond, take his tongue into my mouth. Answer his kiss. Ugh, I wanted to bite his tongue off. A roar reverberated through my mind. I wondered if it came from elsewhere or me.<
br />
Ramien lifted his lips, and gave me a knowing look. “Yes, I think I’ll enjoy your body and soul a great deal.” Then he moved away, and I was again in control.
“You’re despicable. A disgusting, vile creature,” I shouted.
Ramien chuckled. “True. Very true. I’m also cruel, and I lack the ability to feel guilt.” He grabbed Michael’s arm and twisted, so it made a sickening pop as the bone tin his arm tore through his skin.
I cried out. Michael groaned. His features twisted in agony. Ramien released him, and Michael’s arm knitted itself back together.
Amazed wonder crossed Ramien’s features and in a hushed voice, he said, “You’re an enigma. One like you has never before been created.” Then he grew angry. “I had high hopes for you. Alas, you let me down. And I do not enjoy being let down.” He seemed lost in thought momentarily, and wistfulness relaxed some of his anger. As quickly as it came, it was gone, and his face turned hard. “What I do enjoy are games. Especially when the pieces are living.” His empty eyes found mine. “You defied me, Venus. Resisting me will never be tolerated. And you must suffer for your rebelliousness. I will not be mocked.”
My angry resolve grew stronger. “We’ll see,” was all I could utter through gritted teeth.
“We certainly will.”
“Don’t do this,” Michael started.
“Shut your mouth.” As Ramien spoke, Michael’s lips were sewn together. “You petty, un-ferether feelings are an embarrassment. You are under oath to me, and will do what I command,” Ramien spat out. “Be gone.”
Michael gave a brief nod, his eyes claiming mine with an emotion I couldn’t fathom. Then he disappeared.
“This game consists of three rounds. The first begins,” Ramien evaporated, but his voice rumbled through the room. “Now.”
9. Believe
Thick vapor filled the room making it difficult to see the others. The ground shook. Chev cried out, and I heard Dervinias speaking to her tenderly.
An arm rounded my shoulders and I flinched. “It’s me. Zaren. Are you hurt?”
Beguiled (Book 2 Immortal Essence series) Page 5