Unearth (The Bound Ones Book 3)

by Tricia Barr

  “And we’re clear,” the cameraman said before lowering the camera.

  “Good job, everyone,” one of the crew members said to the others, as if they had just filmed a sporting event, then they turned and left.

  Phoenyx looked at the faces around her. Many of the Four Corners members who had been invited were council members, and they were all beaming with pride and reverence, ready to fall to their knees and kiss Joran’s feet if he asked them to.

  A few of the faces, though, were blank. Those of her friends, of Sam who had snuck up wordlessly beside Lily, whose face was turned down to the ground, too afraid to look up. And Ayanna. Her mouth was set in a short straight line. That was not the face of a woman who was happy, or proud, or anything good.

  Ayanna was still in there. She hadn’t changed.

  Joran smiled exuberantly at all of his followers. “Thank you all so much for joining me on this journey. You get to watch the dawn of a new kind of world, right from the very start. We are making history. I hope that you will all join me again when we cleanse the next prison in a few days.”

  The group cheered for him, following him out of the prison the way they came.

  Phoenyx, Sebastian, Skylar, Lily and Sam hung back, watching as the guards now went around to each prisoner frantically, yelling on their phones presumably at the police. But Lily couldn’t look. She held on for as long as she could, and then broke down into tears. Sam pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms protectively around her, letting her tears soak his shirt.

  “He’s out of range now,” Skylar said just as Phoenyx began to worry about Joran sensing Lily’s sorrow.

  At that, Phoenyx rushed to Lily and Sam and hugged them both, not only needing to comfort Lily, but needing comfort herself. Soon she felt the arms of Sebastian and Skylar close around her, and no one said anything for a moment as the sound of Lily’s soft weeping was smothered between them.

  Finally, they all pulled away from the group hug. All but Lily, who was still crying in Sam’s arms.

  “The entire world saw that, didn’t they?” Sebastian asked Skylar.

  Skylar nodded. “They have a criminally brilliant tech team. They hacked into all the major entertainment satellites, even those for cell phones. Every person in the modern world will have witnessed what happened here.”

  Phoenyx heard sirens in the distance.

  “We’d better go,” Sam said, rubbing Lily’s back. “We don’t want to get caught up in all this when those sirens get here.”

  They all hurriedly returned to the parking lot, Sam rejoining his carpool from London, and the rest of them getting into the same car they came in.

  There were no words during the drive back to Bodiam Castle. Not even a sniffle from Lily. Everyone was quietly wrestling with their thoughts, trying not to let them in, even though Joran’s car had left several minutes earlier and their minds were now free of scrutiny.

  This was their fault. They were partially responsible for the deaths of the hundreds of prisoners back there. It was their powers—Phoenyx’s and Skylar’s mostly—that helped kill those men. That was why Joran had wanted them to be there, so he could use them. Even though none of them acted on Joran’s behalf, just being in his presence was aiding and abetting.

  Phoenyx tried to tell herself that it wasn’t that bad, that those men were all criminals, and who knew what bad things they had done to deserve incarceration. But that wasn’t a good enough reason to kill them. Not every prisoner behind bars was a murderer or a rapist. Some of them were thieves or frauds, like Sebastian and Skylar had been what seemed a lifetime ago. Some were there for evading taxes or stealing cars, or maybe even just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. None of that merited public execution.

  Her cell phone kept buzzing in her pocket, and after the first few times, she stopped checking. Everyone in her social media profiles was posting about the attack on Pentonville Prison. The video had been uploaded to Youtube and was going viral. Most thought it was some weird hoax, others believed it was the work of an unknown terrorist. Phoenyx couldn’t read about it anymore, and she couldn’t stand the constant buzzing, so she eventually turned her phone off. Joran had won this round.

  What would happen to Ayanna now? Phoenyx had seen it on her face—Ayanna was scared. Phoenyx hoped that Ayanna would be wise enough not to act out against Joran, that she would be safe in that maniac’s car on the drive home, and in his bed tonight.

  Phoenyx was begging for the drive to be over quickly so that she could be there for Ayanna if needed, yet she was dreading being back in Joran’s presence, having to fake her actions and thoughts for his benefit.

  Joran was so much more powerful than she had ever thought possible. Killing that many people at once, without even breaking a sweat. He was the Grim Reaper in the flesh. How could they possibly win?

  Ayanna

  The hour’s drive back to the castle had been long and silent. And dark, so very dark.

  Ayanna did not know what she had been expecting to happen at the prison, but she certainly had not been expecting what she saw. Hundreds of people just died right before her eyes. Joran had used unnatural powers to throw people against walls and levitate guns in the air and cover the ceiling in fire, and to take the souls of hundreds of men in the blink of an eye.

  When he had told her about his powers and the world they came from, it had all sounded so fanciful, like a magical fairytale. Beautiful and distant, unable to touch her life. But now that it had touched her, now that she had seen it with her own eyes, the beauty decomposed before her, turning to ash and filth in her palms.

  Joran was dangerous. No one should have such power.

  He had insisted that the men were criminals, the most wicked of mankind, which was why they had been locked away from the world. But no matter their crimes, did they deserve to die? She wasn’t sure how, but she knew that there were worse things than death. Sometimes a more fitting punishment was to let someone live in misery than to end their learning journey with death. A long life behind bars was what many of those men deserved. Death was too easy, and yet too terrible.

  She wasn’t sure if she would ever forget their faces as their souls were ripped from them. She could almost hear the ethereal fabric that held their souls intact tearing before they died. Or had that just been the awful sound that had escaped their gaping jaws?

  Ayanna snuck a glance at Joran in the car seat bench beside her. He looked so content, so pleased, as he looked out the window. He was so beautiful, and the way he made her feel… someone like him couldn’t be bad, right? She knew that she had seen good in him, that she had felt good in him. But what she just witnessed at the prison left her filled with doubt and suspicion, and a love that was blackening at the edges like a dying rose petal.

  “You’ve been so quiet,” Joran said when they were almost to the castle. “Is everything alright, my love?” His eyes were burning into her, and for the first time since waking up to this new life, she had the strong instinct that she should not be honest with him about her feelings.

  “Yes, I’m fine,” she said. “Just tired. That took a lot out of me.”

  “I understand,” Joran said, his eyes softening. “It was a big step for us. The world knows who we are now. I am so excited to have finally started on this path, and I’m so happy that you are walking it alongside me. My queen.”

  He caressed her cheek with the back of his knuckles, and the swoon made her unpleasant doubt melt, if only just a little. She wanted to have faith in him, wanted more than anything for him to truly be the man she thought he was. She couldn’t bear it if he turned out to be someone else. She didn’t think her heart could take it.

  When the car stopped outside the castle, the two of them got out and walked across the moat that was beautifully reflecting the moon’s silver glow.

  “When the other car gets here, please tell our guests to join me for dinner,” Joran instructed one of the servants waiting for him at the entrance.
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br />   “Yes, your highness,” the man said, bowing his head.

  “If it’s alright, I’m going to take a shower,” Ayanna said, asking Joran for permission.

  “Of course, my love,” Joran said. “And please, wear one of the gowns for dinner. It pleases me to see you dressed as the queen that you deserve to be.”

  He smiled, and she couldn’t help but smile back. Having the opportunity to make him happy made her insides flutter with excitement. How was it possible that anyone could have this effect on another person? Even as her doubts and suspicions were growing against him.

  Ayanna went up to their large bedroom and took her time bathing in the embellished shower, enjoying the sensation of clean water spraying at her from all sides. If only the water could wash away these fears.

  By the time she stepped out of the shower, her mind was no clearer than when she got in, and she felt no cleaner of the stench of death that clung to her very pores.

  She brushed out her wet curls and fashioned her hair into a bun, then slipped into a gorgeous dark gold dress that was perfect for a dinner date. Hopefully, it would get Joran’s approval.

  Satisfied with her appearance, she made her way through the castle toward the dining hall. As she rounded a corner, she heard Joran’s voice nearby, and for a moment, the sound gave her butterflies again. But something about his tone put Ayanna’s gut on edge and told her not to announce herself.

  She crept around the corner and onto the landing above the ballroom. Joran’s voice was coming from below, and when Ayanna peaked over the railing she could just see him leaning forward against the wall in the shadows. He was talking to someone, looming over them, trapping them against the wall. She paused her breathing so that she could hone in on what he was saying.

  “What did you think of my presentation?” Joran asked, his voice hushed like he was trying not to be overhead.

  “It was certainly a potent display,” a familiar female voice replied. Ayanna would know that voice anywhere. The redhead. “I had no idea you were so powerful. The whole world is talking about it.”

  “Let me show you just how powerful I am,” he said intimately, leaning in closer. “Meet me in the room across from mine tonight and I will make you feel greater pleasure than your powers have ever given to another.”

  The redhead moaned, and Joran clasped his hand down over her mouth to stifle the sound. The unwelcome smacking of lips sucking on lips made Ayanna want to gag.

  “Not yet,” the redhead panted when she broke away. “We haven’t made our decision yet.”

  “I am a patient man,” Joran hissed to his prey. “But I will not wait much longer. Whether you choose to stay or not, I will have you. Soon. Or I will take what I want, and you will beg me for more.”

  He leaned his head forward, and Ayanna’s heart was hammering so loudly in her ears that she could barely hear the sound of kissing. The sound of betrayal.

  The Joran pulled back and quickly disappeared under the landing, leaving the redhead panting with her back pressed up against the wall.

  Her heart breaking with jealousy, Ayanna purposefully kicked the railing, alerting the redhead to her presence.

  The redhead jerked her head in Ayanna’s direction, and her face didn’t look taunting or ashamed as would that of a mistress. It looked scared, and her brows creased inward with pity as they regarded Ayanna.

  The two held each other’s gaze for a moment, not in hostility, but in a sort of understanding, and then the redhead pursed her lips and left the way Joran did.

  Ayanna was alone to wrestle with her emotions and the truth that threatened to bring unwanted enlightenment.

  Joran was not faithful to her. For all of his talk of loving her with all his soul.

  Joran was seducing this girl, tapping into her powers of passion to compel her into his bed, not the other way around.

  The redhead was not the temptress Ayanna had first thought her to be. She was just as cautious of Joran as everyone else around here seemed to be. Because she knew something about Joran that Ayanna clearly didn’t. They all did. And Ayanna didn’t want to know what it was, but she knew she couldn’t avoid it for long.

  The truth was going to come out, and when it did, she knew it would tear her to pieces.

  Ayanna

  “Thank you all for joining me for dinner,” Joran said as they all sat down around the long, expertly carved dining table.

  Ayanna took her place next to Joran, praying that her face betrayed none of what she was truly feeling. She avoided eye contact with the redhead at all costs, knowing that if she looked at her, she would either break down or explode.

  “I can’t help but notice that one of you is missing,” Joran said to the three Bound Ones that were silently sitting on either side of the table’s length. “Where is Air this evening?”

  It was only then that Ayanna noticed the blond guy wasn’t with them. Air. Joran had told her he could read minds. And if he had that power, then Joran would have use of it in his presence.

  “He’s not feeling well tonight,” the redhead said. “He gets carsick, and that long drive back and forth made him very ill. But he thanks you for the invitation and sends his apologies.”

  Joran’s eyes narrowed at her and his lips crooked in calculation.

  The blonde wasn’t sick. He just didn’t want Joran listening in on their thoughts. Ayanna couldn’t blame them. She was grateful that the telepath wasn’t here, so that Joran wouldn’t see the things going on in her mind either.

  Servants brought several dishes of food out and set them on the table, and everyone grabbed what they wanted. Joran spent the meal asking them all what they thought of the event at the prison. The brunette was quiet the entire time, looking very clearly uncomfortable, but the other two engaged Joran in active conversation.

  The redhead spoke wittily and flirtatiously, batting her eyes at him every now and then. And the dark-haired one, who had shown him such animosity at the ball last night, had turned on the charm, joking and even giving Joran suggestions for future such events.

  Ayanna didn’t need to be telepathic to see that they were faking. They were telling Joran what he wanted to hear, and he had such a big ego that he was eating it up. Ayanna knew that he wanted these people to like him, to choose him, and they were putting on quite a convincing show. But she could tell it was all an act.

  This could be her chance to get some real answers. Or at least a second opinion.

  “If you’ll all excuse me, I’m not feeling too well either,” Ayanna said, standing up. “Thank you for the company,” she said to the three dinner guests, then turned to Joran and said, “I’ll see you whenever you’re ready for bed.”

  He nodded and smiled indulgently at her, so she left them and headed up the stairs toward the bedrooms, and the conversation continued in her departure.

  She couldn’t remember which room had been given to the Bound Ones, but after knocking on a few doors with no response, she finally saw light under the door of one room towards the end of the hall. She knocked on it and heard footsteps approach.

  The door opened and the blonde stood before her, looking at her with surprise behind his intellectual style spectacles.

  “Ayanna?” he asked.

  “I…” she began, then faltered.

  Now that she was here, she didn’t really know what to say.

  “Yes?” he asked, a note of hope in his voice.

  “I have some questions, and I would like to hear your answers,” she braved finally.

  He nodded in understanding. “Come in.”

  She entered the room and took a seat at the small round table, and he closed the door behind her.

  “For your own safety, I can’t tell you very much,” he prefaced. “Not unless you intend to leave.”

  “Because he will see it in my mind,” Ayanna guessed. “Which is why you didn’t come to dinner tonight. You were protecting the minds of your friends?”

  He nodded again.

&n
bsp; “So you can’t tell me the truth,” she said. “But you can see into my head right now, see what he’s told me. Can you at least tell me which parts are lies?”

  She recalled everything Joran told her, putting it all in the front of her mind. The blonde’s eyes were darting from side to side, watching something that she couldn’t see.

  Then he leaned back, cupping his chin in his fingers, as if considering what he should tell her.

  “Well?” she prodded.

  He closed his eyes and sighed. “That you have no powers. That you were buried with him. And that your memory loss was an accident.”

  Ayanna wasn’t sure what she had expected to hear, but those three things surprised her. She knew that Joran had been lying to her about something, but she had expected a much shorter list, or a laundry list of less important white lies.

  Air was telling her that she had powers. What were they?

  She hadn’t been buried with Joran. How had she survived all this time knowing he was trapped and she couldn’t rescue him? She couldn’t imagine the agony of such a life when she could barely stand to be away from him even now.

  And her memory loss hadn’t been an accident. Someone had done this to her intentionally. Why would Joran lie to her about that? …Unless he was the one responsible.

  The blonde’s demeanor hardened suddenly. “You must go. He’s coming up the stairs.”

  Ayanna wasted no time. She hastened out the door and into her bedroom, quickly undressing and getting into bed, as if she had been there all along.

  Joran came into the room and his face lit up when he saw her there waiting for him.

  “This day could not have gone better,” he said, falling into bed beside her and nestling his head into her belly.

  Out of habit, her hand wandered to his head and ran her fingers through his soft dark brown hair. Even after all she had learned about him today, she couldn’t keep her hands off him.

  He was cheating on her—or at least intended to. He was keeping many very big secrets from her. And he was a powerful and dangerous man, with a darkness inside him that threatened to consume her.