Trapped: Isa Fae Collection: Faction 12

by Isa Fae

  “Winters, this is good.” Matryx pointed to an open spot in between two cars not far from the doors of the mansion. “Just park here.”

  He pulled the car over and shut it off, opening his door and stepping out into the frigid air. Matryx walked around the front of the car to meet him, lifting her bent arm slightly, wordlessly telling him to slip his arm through hers.

  When he didn’t do it, she narrowed her eyes. “We need to keep an appearance, Winters. We have to look like a real couple.”

  Eric grit his teeth and took her arm in his hand instead of what she was really asking for. Taking her arm felt less intimate, but it still didn’t set with him. The night hadn’t begun yet, but he couldn’t wait for it to be over.

  When they came through the doors, Eric glanced up at the massive staircase winding up to the second level. He remembered Miranda telling him the things the Lord had done behind these walls. The killing of the girl witch and the abuse and the torment he had put Miranda through. His body tensed just from the thought of the things he did to Miranda.

  “Hey, you okay?” Matryx peeked over at him as they walked.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” No, he wanted to seek the Lord out and put his fist through his skull. But he had to remind himself he had to keep his composure. None of them were aware that he had in fact tracked Miranda down and then in the end, let her go.

  “Good, because we have to find the others and get a quick tour of the place before the festivities start. I think he has one of the servants coming to meet all of us and show us the exits so we can get everyone staged at different locations throughout the mansion.”

  While everyone else went down a wide hallway decorated with potted plants on the floor and pictures of the Lord hanging from the walls, Matryx turned into a hallway to her left, leading him three doors down and into a room which appeared to be a meeting room.

  Eric glanced around the large oval table, nodding his head at the handful of hunters sitting in the chairs in their plain black clothes. How he yearned to be in a tee shirt and jeans. But, no, Matryx had the bright idea of staging them as guests instead. Using him as her date no less.

  He’d seen most of these men at the Division at one point or another. And every one of them looked up to him. They still hadn’t acquired the skill for tracking yet. Neither had Matryx. If Eric wouldn’t have been so careless, and shut off his phone instead of leaving it on while in the cabin, he’d probably still be with Miranda right now.

  The sound of someone clearing their voice in the doorway caught everyone’s attention. Eric turned his head to see the same witch he saw before he started hunting Miranda.

  “P-please, come with me. The Lord asked m-me to give you a tour of the m-mansion.” Just as before, the witch refused to look directly at anyone. She focused her attention on the floor.

  Whispers and chuckles from the hunters bounced around the room, and Eric narrowed his gaze at each and every one of them in warning. He was angry at them for laughing at her. But he was more furious at himself because he was just like them when he first saw the frail witch. Before he knew the truth. Now, he wondered what the Lord had done to that poor girl for her to be so terrified of their kind.

  The hunters composed themselves as they followed her out into the hall. Eric stayed to the back of the line, inspecting everything on his own. He needed to remember the layout of the structure.

  The dark-haired witch ended their tour without venturing to the second level for some reason. Eric wondered what the Lord was hiding up there if he wouldn’t even allow the hunters access.

  “Well, that was easy enough.” Matryx walked over to him. “Are you ready to go to the ballroom now?”

  “Yeah.” Eric’s thoughts jumbled together in his head. “Let’s go.”

  They walked in behind two other couples, and as they reached the Lord’s ballroom, Matryx handed him a mask. “Here. Put this on.” He took it from her and slipped it over his face while she put her red mask on beside him.

  The ballroom was immaculate. Walls were painted in gold and huge chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceilings, little clear gems, probably crystals, dangled in clusters underneath them. People all dressed up and wearing masks stood and mingled. Laughing and chatting, they sipped the drinks they held in their hands while soft music played in the background. Eric took in the room, his gaze glancing around until he spotted what he was looking for. The bar.

  Yes, he was working. But Matryx did say they needed to blend in. Besides, there would be no way he could survive this night sober. “I’m going to go get a drink.”

  “Okay.” She smiled. “I’m going to go see if I can locate the Lord and the other hunters floating around. Keep your phone close in case I lose you.”

  Eric nodded and walked away from her, making his way through the crowd of Fae until he reached the bar. He leaned against the counter, ordering a whiskey on the rocks.

  Once the bartender handed him his drink, he turned around, leaning his back against the wood and watching the people in the room. This was going to be a long night.

  40

  Miranda

  “Take a deep breath, Miranda.”

  Kally stood next to her as she froze in the doorway, hand on her stomach, attempting to hold everything in. The last time she was here Huffington was on the ground, bleeding. And it was her fault. She slowly lifted her eyes to the huge structure in front of her. If there was a hell, this would be it. This beautiful, immaculate building was filled with so much hate and cruelty and traumatic memories. And all the people flowing inside had absolutely no clue how deceiving the Lord could be.

  “Miranda, I didn’t dress you up all pretty to stand in front of the door all night.” She placed her hand on her back. “You can do this. I even covered up your magical essence as a precaution. Nobody will recognize you.”

  Kally was right. She did a terrific job on concealing Miranda’s identity. So good, Miranda couldn’t even recognize herself in the mirror before she’d left. She lifted her arms and adjusted her mask, knowing she had to confront this place one last time. Ronan and the others were counting on her. If…they were still alive. No. She couldn’t think like that. They were alive and she was going to get them all out of here. She drew in a deep breath. “Okay, I’m ready.” Then she suddenly turned around. “You remember the plan, right?”

  “Right.” Kally smiled, causing her peacock mask to inch higher up on her face. “You attend the party. Once the Lord is occupied, I check to make sure the coast is clear and then unlock the back stairwell.”

  “Yes.” Miranda exhaled. “Then get your ass outside. I can’t risk them knowing you helped me.”

  “Come on, Miranda. Let’s stop talking and stressing and put this plan into motion.” Kally walked up the steps, her blue and green dress flowing just past her knees.

  Miranda waited until Kally disappeared inside the doors. That was another part of the plan. They couldn’t be seen together no matter what. If the plan backfired, Kally was to get out as soon as she could. Mason couldn’t know she was betraying him.

  Taking another deep breath to try to steady her nerves, Miranda walked up the steps, concentrating on keeping herself together. She had to appear confident and strong even though her insides were swirling like mad.

  Two men dressed in black tees and black pants opened the door, allowing her access. Miranda knew exactly who they were, and this worried her even more. Hunters. Hired by the Lord himself for security. She smiled politely as she walked into the mansion.

  I’m in. I’m in. She kept going, passing the grand staircase where not too long ago she slipped past Ronan and tried to save Sarah. The same one she used to escape the Lord. Entering the wide hall, she continued until she reached the archway to the ballroom. This time she stopped. Taking it all in. The people. The dim lighting. Laughing and talking and giggling. They didn’t know the atrocities the Lord had performed here. The room was very much alive even though she was slowly falling apart inside. She didn’t like c
rowds as it was. And here she was, two steps from walking into one. Fear and anxiety clashed together inside of her, and her knees became weak.

  “Ma’am, are you okay?”

  She turned to the husky voice. Another hunter. More than likely sensing something was awry with her. Focus. You can do this. “Yes, I’m sorry. The view is just a lot to take in.” She’d seen this ballroom a million times, but not like this. And not with so many people.

  “Landon.” A female voice sounded, causing the man to turn his attention away from her.

  Miranda drew in a breath, but this time she held it in. The woman in the red dress, the one holding the matching red mask, was the same one outside the cabin when Eric left her. The same woman who he’d embraced. And the woman who kissed him on the cheek. She quickly pushed the fire building up inside of her down, containing it deep within her. As much as she wanted to claw the woman’s eyeballs out, she couldn’t. She had a task to complete.

  Stepping away from the two Fae, Miranda continued into the ballroom before her temper had a chance to make it to the surface. But all her anger quickly faded and anxiety took its place. As she walked past the people, Miranda realized she knew nobody. How would she blend in if she wasn’t socializing with someone? Now, she wished Kally was here. Maybe then she wouldn’t feel so awkward.

  The lights dimmed and the music suddenly got louder as she crossed the floor. Everyone cleared from the center, and Miranda flowed with the crowd, moving to the wall nearest to her.

  She pressed herself against it and watched as a spotlight appeared, moving over the floor and centering on the entrance. Then, there he was. Mason himself. Her emotions were in turmoil. Fear. Hate. Disgust. She was thankful the room had been darkened and the mask over her face concealed her twisted expression.

  “Thank you all for joining me tonight.” The Lord’s voice bounced off the walls. He held a glass in his hand, and Tessa, little Sarah’s older sister rushed out to him, filling it with wine. She backed away slowly, and Miranda wanted to run out and take the girl in her arms, whisking her away from the Lord’s madness. But she couldn’t. Not yet.

  Mason raised the glass in the air. “To freedom, magic, and the faction.”

  Everyone clapped and cheered around her. It sickened her how they looked up to that man. How they idolized everything he did.

  Fuck your freedom. Miranda couldn’t help it. The words just popped into her thoughts. Thankfully, they only stayed in her thoughts instead of escaping through her lips.

  Mason continued to give his speech while Miranda pushed away from the wall and made her way around the room, moving behind the people entranced with what he was saying. He could say all he wanted to, but soon he would be in for a big surprise. Miranda planned to bring his empire down. Maybe, not all at once. But little by little. Starting with setting his servants free.

  Since she couldn’t get in front of the bar with all the people gathered, she settled for the corner of it connected to a wall.

  “What would you like, ma’am?”

  Mirada was surprised this man was Fae and not another witch servant. “Apple Martini.” She wasn’t going to drink tonight since she had to focus. But with Mason up there giving his crap speech, she needed something to mellow her out before she ended up making a huge mistake. One that would reveal her identity.

  The bartender slid her drink over to her and she wrapped her hands around the glass, facing away from Mason as he continued to rant. The man was so full of himself. And she knew he could continue for hours since he enjoyed being the center of attention. Who was he trying to kid? This ball wasn’t for the people or the faction. It was to show off how high and mighty the bastard was. And to bring all attention to him.

  Lost in her thoughts, it took her a moment to realize someone was tapping on her shoulder. “Miss.” A male voice rang out from behind her.

  Miranda slowly turned around. A man stood behind her dressed in a light blue tux with a gray mask on his face. His dirty-blonde hair was wavy, and flowed to just above his shoulders.

  “May I please have this dance?” His brown eyes roamed up and down her body as he held his hand out to her, waiting.

  Miranda was in a situation she didn’t want to be in. She’d only danced with one other man before. Eric. And she’d had feelings for him at the time. She had no idea who this guy was. And she sure as hell didn’t know where to put her hands. But if she rejected his offer, it would make her stand out even more since the other guys were at the bar looking at her. Well, more like gawking. One, who she noticed wearing a black mask and no tie, couldn’t take his eyes off her. Not even to sip his drink. “Sure.” She feigned a smile and took his hand, letting him lead her out to the floor. Damn Kally for making me stand out.

  41

  Eric

  “Something interest you out there?”

  Eric turned his head to meet Matryx’s eyes. He was so entranced with the woman on the dance floor that he had no idea she’d even returned. It wasn’t the white dress. The cat mask. Or, even the long blonde hair that lured him in her direction. It was the impression of Miranda’s magic. It was faint. But it was still there. He’d felt it as soon as the woman appeared at the bar. Did the woman know her? Did she recently come in contact with her? Eric had to know. And he was determined to get out there and find out.

  “Let’s dance.” Eric took her hand, leading her out onto the floor before she even had time to respond. He’d never thought he’d want to dance with Matryx. Let alone take her hand. But she would make the perfect decoy and put him closer to the woman.

  Sliding his arms around her waist, he was fully aware she was babbling about something, but he wasn’t paying attention. He was too busy thinking about how to get closer to the blonde since there were two couples in between them. He had to get that woman in his arms where she couldn’t escape him. He moved around the two couples, taking Matryx with him, until he ended up where he needed to be. Without hesitating, he turned to the woman, removing her hand from the man’s hip and grasping it with his own before the man’s palm slid all the way to her ass. Eric’s palm tingled from the near touch, but he pushed the thought away, not wanting any distractions.

  “Switch?” He gazed at the woman, clearly aware of the tension running through Matryx and the other guy. But he ignored it, keeping his eye on his prize. This move was entirely up to her. Not them. When the woman glanced up, her eyes were as green as Miranda’s through the slits in her mask.

  The tingle. The eyes.

  Eric’s heart sprang back to life and a spark ignited inside of him. It was her. The woman was Miranda Sage. And as hard as it was to fight the feelings wanting to burst out of him, he kept his composure, fearing he would chase her away. Right now Miranda didn’t want anyone to know who she was. And she had no clue who he was. He would keep the game in play for now. But, he wouldn’t walk away from her without a dance. Without the chance to take her into his arms once more.

  Miranda nodded her head, her eyes appearing frightened and unsure as she watched him. More than likely because of how that scum bag was touching her. Which now that he thought about it, he wanted to make sure the guy never touched anything again. No. Concentrate.

  Eric pulled her into his arms, sweeping her away from the man and distancing him and Miranda from both their previous dance partners, not caring what either of them decided to do or say. All he saw was a bright beacon of light on a stormy day. Miranda Sage was that light. And she always would be. He slid his arms around her waist and her body tensed. Then she drew in a deep breath, her arms coming up around his neck, holding onto him like she had when they first danced in the cabin.

  She knew it was him. And the thought of that caused his heart to soar.

  Eric refused to take his eyes off her as she finally relaxed against his body, afraid that she’d disappear, or even worse, that she was a hallucination. He tightened his grip on her, pulling her even closer as they swayed to the soft music. It felt nice to be holding her again, to hav
e her in front of him, in his arms.

  She placed her head on his chest, her ear directly over his heart. No. Her heart. She owned that heart. And it would forever be hers.

  The ballroom disappeared, everyone along with it as he took all of her in. Her warmth, her scent, and the way her magic mingled with his. “You’re a pretty good dancer,” he whispered, making sure to keep his voice confined only to them as his palms drifted further down her body, wanting to touch every inch of her. “Maybe, the best dance I’ve ever had.”

  “Someone taught me.” She answered just as softly, her own palms lying flat against the shirt on his back, her magic tingling his skin through the cloth.

  “Someone you care about?” Lord, how he missed the sound of her voice. Eric could stay like this all night. Dancing and listening to the smooth, whimsical sound escaping through her lips.

  “Someone I love,” she answered, causing him to draw in a deep breath. Of course, he knew how she felt, but to hear her say it, actually say that she loved him, was something different.

  Eric gazed down at her head lying on his chest. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever saw. “So, does that mean you’re taken?”

  Miranda picked her head up, moisture building in her eyes from behind the mask, her hands now clenching his shirt in her fingers. He not only could see the hurt, but he could also feel it. “Not any more. He left me.” She attempted to blink back her tears but failed. One escaped, rolling out from underneath her mask.

  “But what if he left you to save you?” He locked onto her gaze, his palm now tracing the curve of her backside.

  “That wasn’t his choice to make.” Her bottom lip quivered, and he noticed a cut trying to be concealed under her lipstick. “Besides, he has another woman now. I saw him. The day he left he took her in his arms, and she kissed him on the cheek. He doesn’t want me now. So, you see,” she continued, her voice now became shaky. “I feel like everything he said to me, everything he did, was a lie. That he was only toying with me. After all, he does like to play games. And he plays them better. He’d said so himself more than once.”