“Yeah it was. I was terrified on the inside.”
“Well you didn’t show it.”
“I’m good at keeping my emotions all to myself, I’ve had lots of practice.” I said.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Well I used to hide all my emotions away, let’s just say I wasn’t the most popular kid in the school. I got bullied a lot for being what I am.”
“I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
“No, it’s ok. Right now school has sounds better than this.” I replied.
“Yeah, school wasn’t all good for me too.”
“Really? What was it like?”
“Well, when a protector’s child reaches a certain age they get shipped off to a military facility on an island, and the only way to get out is ether graduate or in a body bag. It was really rough, everything has to be done in a precise order. The tutors would drill you until you had everything, and I mean everything down to the last detail. The sword training was a bitch. They throw you in a pit on your first lesson with real swords, I was always back and forth the hospital wing.”
“Wow, did you ever see your parents?” I asked.
“No, we only get letters and parcels now and then, but they did come for my final graduation. I cannot say it wall all bad but it did give me the skills to survive.”
That had reminded me of what I saw on Marcus’s back. I didn’t know whether or not I should ask him about it.
“Uh, Marcus?” I asked “what’s that tattoo on your back?”
“Oh, so you noticed that did you?” he chuckled.
“Yeah, what is it?”
“Is this just a ploy for me to take my top off?” he asked jokingly.
“What!? N-no its not.” My face was now bright red.
Marcus laughed. “It’s the code of the protectors, every protector has one. It really hurt like a bitch when they did it. The strapped me down and just inked away.” Marcus turned away and lifted the back of his shirt up.
His strong back was inked with three long black sentences, running from shoulder to shoulder. I was about to touch it, but I quickly held my hand still. I started to read the words out loud.
“We are the wonderers of old. The one that watches all. We are equal in conquest in darkness and light. The protector of the just and unjust.”
“Yep, that’s it.” He said.
“What does that mean?” I asked as he pulled his shirt back down.
“No one really knows, everyone has their own interpretation of it, to me it sounds like, you may not see it, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not there, something along those lines.”
“So every protector has this on their back?”
“Yeah, so you like it do you?” he asked.
“Would it matter even if I did like it?”
“Maybe.” he replied.
He moved closer towards me and I could smell his bodily scent, salty sweat with desire. He smelt really nice which was weird. My eyes travelled down from his face and to his strong arms that he flexed. Something inside me was attracted to him and I wanted him, now. He turned to me and I looked deep into his eyes. There was a hunger inside and I needed to be fed.
“Ellie, are you ok?” he asked.
I moved closer to him and with just one touch he would be mine. We could be together, I slowly moved my hand towards his. Marcus noticed and shot up quickly.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“I want you, Marcus.” the words sounded alien.
“No, don’t do this, you’ve been through enough. Don’t come closer.”
“Oh come on, it’ll be fun? Don’t you want some fun?” The words flowed freely from my mouth.
I was on the prowl and he was my prey. I slowly slunk towards him, I would catch him and he could finally be mine.
“We’ve been cooped up inside this room for many days now, and you’ve never thought of it?” I asked with seduction in my voice.
“N-no, never, w-why would you say that?” Marcus fumbled his words.
“Come on don’t you want a release, it would be fun.”
“Help, Rhea!” he shouted out.
He’s going to ruin my fun, I picked up my speed and I backed Marcus in a corner, he was now trapped. I was excited from the chase as blood pumped though my body, I jumped towards him, hands outstretched. Just one touch, just one. My body stopped mid-air and I went flying backwards, thankfully the soft sofa caught my fall and I quickly got back onto my feet ready for another chance.
“Out of the way!” I yelled at Rhea. I charged straight for Marcus but she quickly came between us and gripped both of my hands.
“Let go!” I screamed.
I struggled from her strong grip as I could feel my heat, my desire, flowing from my body and into Rhea’s. She was absorbing my animalistic nature.
She finally released me and I fell to the floor, panting. I felt like I had run a marathon in a few short minutes. “I’m so sorry, Marcus.” I said between breaths.
“It’s ok, I know it wasn’t you.” he replied.
“But it was, I was in control of all my actions, but I knew it was wrong. I just couldn’t get a hold of myself.” I said. “I’m just glad Rhea came in when she did.”
I looked up at her, expecting to see fury across her face, but she looked down on me with a sympathetic look.
“What’s happening to me?” I asked her.
“You are stretching yourself far too much Ellie, you need to rest, and your emotions must be all over the place.” she explained.
“Yeah, I just need to rest.” I gave out a big sigh.
“You have been through a lot, Ellie.” added Marcus.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure that if you get enough rest it won’t happen again.” Rhea said.
Before I could reply, something flew past the door and landed with a scream. The three of us rushed out of the room and out into the hall to see Sophia sprawled out on the tiled floor. Rhea hurried over to her and I looked towards whatever had caused it. Naaz stood there with one hand outstretched and a book under her arm.
Chapter Fifteen
“What is the meaning of this!?” Rhea’s voice was harsh and demanding.
“What does it look like, the scales have tipped in my favour. I’ll let the leaches have the scraps when I’m through with you.” Darkness scattered out of Naaz’s hand and it headed towards Rhea.
I tried to warm Rhea but it was too late. The darkness had found its target and shattered the ground bellow. Dusty tiles were uprooted from the ground and thrown in different directions, I tried to find cover but the blast was too strong and I went rolling across the floor. The house’s foundation begun to shake and I didn’t think it would last, not if there was a showdown between two demi gods.
“Rhea!” I called.
The smoke dispersed around Rhea, there wasn’t a scratch on her. Sophia lay beside trying to catch her breath. Rhea stared at Naaz, her face full of pure rage.
“That’s borrowed power, is that from you new master?” Rhea spitefully asked.
Naaz’s eyes widened. “Powerful isn’t it.” Naaz descended the stairs with the same disgusting grin she loved so much. It showed how evil she truly is.
“You come into my home and beg for refuge, you were so pathetic. What else could I do, then I get an offer to turn you over, how could I refuse?”
“After what we’ve been through together!?” asked Rhea.
“It was too easy. I’m going to kill all of you, but they want the Siren, but let’s start with her first. I didn’t get to finish her off. ” Naaz’s sights were set onto Sophia.
“You won’t touch her!” roared Rhea.
Around us the air felt heavy and it got harder to breathe. Rhea’s motions were a blur and something white lanced its way towards her opponent. The air shimmered in front of Naaz and the jet of light rebounded off her and towards the walls, destroying part of the house. Pieces of brick and plaster tore off and flew towards us, I had time
to quickly hide behind one of the pillars.
“I thought I taught you better than that?” she laughed.
Naaz dropped the book and held both hands up into the air. Her hands formed into claws and there was darkness forming between her fingers. From within the floor something was trying to break free. Pillars of darkness escaped from the floor and they were heading our way. Marcus and I ran from the oncoming destruction, we wouldn’t win at this rate, I stopped and faced the darkness as it headed for me.
“Ellie!” shouted Marcus.
I didn’t have time to answer him, I screamed at the pillars and one by one they shattered like glass.
It was now Rhea’s turn, she sent out a wave of electricity that sparked along the way towards Naaz.
Sophia limped towards us. “We need to help her!” she yelled.
“There’s nothing we can do they are demi gods, they are too powerful, we’d be killed!” Marcus said.
Another explosion sent ripples through the floor. He was right, what could we do. We don’t stand a chance against her.
I watched at Naaz pushed forward her hands. The darkness snaked onto the floor looking for its victim. Rhea slowly backed away from it but it struck out latching onto her arms and legs. She was caught, Rhea fought against the darkness, but it slowly coiled around her. I couldn’t let her die out there. I had to do something. Something inside me burst with courage and I rushed out to meet Naaz head on.
“Ellie, don’t!” shouted Marcus but he was too late.
I stood in her path. I was not letting her hurt Rhea anymore.
“Move child!” Naaz snapped.
“You won’t hurt her anymore you bitch!”
Naaz eyes were wild. She pushed out with her hands and she was ready to harm me. Before I could act I was grabbed by Marcus and we both hit the floor, I quickly moved away but my eyes caught a scarlet pool starting to form on Marcus’s t-shirt.
“Marcus!” he had been hit on his right side, blood trickling down from his wound.
“It’s nothing?” he said.
Naaz laughed at his pain. I then spun around to greet Naaz head on.
I closed my eyes and felt all the anger and hate that I once felt long ago. I channelled it and released it towards Naaz. She brought out her hands but it was too fast for her. She was blown back, crashing against the wall.
“You bitch!” she spat. “I’ll send you to hell!”
Naaz soon got to her feet and threw ribbons of darkness into the air. They weaved and spun throughout the air, looking for its target. I stood there captivated while they dived straight for me. I squeezed my eyes shut and I hoped for the best. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see Sophia in front of me with a barrier erected around us.
The darkness stabbed at the dome, but they vanished one by one. Sophia turned to me with a faint smile. A tiny amount of blood came down from her nose and she fell to her knees. Quickly, I rushed down beside her and went to pick her up but I snatched back my hands before it was too late.
"Are you ok?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine just overdid it a little." she replied.
"That's enough!" Rhea screamed behind me.
Her body showered itself in a radiant white and the darkness latched on evaporated into smoke.
"You want another round?" asked Naaz.
"I'm going to end this!" she yelled.
Rhea punched the air in front of her and Naaz flew through the air and crashed landed on the floor. Rhea’s eyes were now locked onto Naaz and flared a bright crimson. It was the darkness, I could see it clear as day. She lifted Naaz into the air and pulled at her limbs until Naaz screamed in pain.
This was too much, even for Naaz. “Rhea, stop it!” I screamed.
Rhea continued with her torture with glee. “Enough!” I screamed.
She then finally turned to me with sweat dripping from her. Rhea nodded and released her hold on Naaz and she fell to the floor, she was just barely alive. Marcus carried himself over to Sophia and picked her up while holding his wounded side. Rhea and I crept towards the broken woman. She was breathing heavily and she was bleeding.
"Why did you do this?" Rhea asked.
"Why, because whatever is out there wants her, and when it does I don't want to be standing in its way." she replied.
"I'm sorry that I have to do this." Rhea whispered.
Rhea was about to deliver the finishing blow when Naaz quickly pushed out with her uninjured hand. Darkness flooded Rhea's body throwing her through the air, cutting and slashing at her skin.
Rhea fought against the rapid darkness that tore at her porcelain skin. I watched as her body glowed the warm ebbing glow that I came to love and soon the thick darkness evaporated from her body. Naaz made her move and the book flew into her bloodied hands.
"He will destroy you all." Naaz left with her final words into a cloud of darkness.
Chapter Sixteen
"Is everyone alright?" I called out.
Everyone remained silent. Did that just happen just now, did Naaz betray us? Was it all a lie? I looked around the destroyed hall, Sophia and Marcus laid on the floor amongst the debris. I rushed up to Marcus who smiled once he saw me. His shirt was red with his crimson life force, he had lost quite a lot of blood.
“Are you ok?” I asked him but he ignored the question.
"Who was Naaz talking about? he asked.
“Marcus!” I yelled “are you ok?”
His eyes then refocused onto me. “Yeah I’m ok, are you?” but knew he was lying.
“Rhea!” I called.
She made her way to Marcus and placed her hand to his side and started to heal him. I watched in amazement as his skin knitted itself back together.
“Thanks for saving me.” I said.
“It was nothing.” He gave a weak little smile.
“What the hell do we do now then?” asked Sophia.
“I don’t know, but I think we should get the hell out of here.” I replied.
We all stood around Rhea waiting to get the hell out of here, when the walls imploded before us. We were all thrown back, losing our grip on each other.
I flickered my eyes open only to hear a loud ringing throughout my ears. My hazy stare looked around to see the front of the building was destroyed, scattered around us. The familiar snarls and groans brought back the fear I thought I locked up tight. Slowly, I picked myself up but I fell back down as the room began to spin around me. Then as I tried to deny it, I heard the familiar voice that ran chills up my spine.
"I told you I would find you!" He yelled throughout the half destroyed hall.
Marcus shot up from the floor and unleashed his sword from it sheath and headed into the crowd of leaches, hacking and swinging with perfect precision.
"Marcus!" I called after him but he was deep within the leaches.
Sophia rushed down beside me. "Come on we need to get to Rhea." she said.
Rhea was surrounded by leaches and she was too weak to fend them off. I rushed to her and screamed at the leaches, sending them spiralling off throughout the air. Sophia and I grabbed onto Rhea and helped her to her feet as two leaches rushed us head on. Rhea reached out weakly and sparks of ebbing light flickered from her fingers. It struck the leaches straight through the chest but it didn't kill them. I screamed at them finishing what Rhea could not.
"She's too weak." Sophia said.
"We need to get out of here, now!" I yelled.
I looked behind and saw Marcus fending off many leaches. He had a few scratches to his face and arms.
"We need to help him." I said.
We placed Rhea against the wall and I rushed back to Marcus, ignoring Sophia's words behind me.
"We need to leave!" Marcus had more cuts to his face and to his arms.
Three leaches prowled towards us with their claws outstretched. Marcus took one swing and disembowelled the leach in front. I made sure Marcus wasn't in my path and screamed. The creatures scattered in different directions. I looked over and saw
Barbus, he watched with interest as we killed our way through the leaches. He took the opportunity to join fight.
I was caught off guard as a leach behind me sliced at my skin. Marcus heard my screamed and quickly took down the leach behind me.
"Marcus, we need to leave now!" I said while clutching my fresh wound.
He agreed and we rushed back towards Sophia who was with Rhea.
"Barbus is here and we need to move, now!" I quickly told them.
"She's too weak to move." Sophia said.
"We need her." added Marcus.
I turned my back on them and saw Barbus swiftly making his move towards us. If I didn't do something then we would all pay the price. I decided that I would not run away from him anymore, I rushed off towards him screaming at any leaches that came forward.
“Ellie!” shouted Marcus.
“Hold him back, Sophia.” I called over my shoulder.
I stood in Barbus’s path ready for anything.
"I told you I would find you." He said with a disgusting smile on his lips.
“You won’t have me!” I yelled out.
“You are mine!” he shouted throughout the broken hall.
My memories brought me back to the rotten and disgusting dungeons that once were my home. How every day I was abused by him and his foul creatures while they laughed and stood by and drugged me. This is where I say no to it all. I will not be anyone’s plaything. I will not be put down by anyone.
Something inside of me roared to life and I felt empowered by it.
“No more!” I screamed.
My Siren scream hurtled towards Barbus, while causing destruction along its way, ripping up the half-broken marble floor and the debris of the building hurtling at him. It struck Barbus through the chest throwing him into a group of leaches.
I rushed back to the gang. “I’ve bought us a few minutes, at least.” I said.
They greeted me with silence. “What’s wrong? We need to move!”
“We have an idea.” Marcus said.
“But it’s too dangerous!” Sophia snapped at him.
“It’s the only way we are going to get out of here!”
I looked over my shoulder to see Barbus getting to his feet with the help of the other leaches.
Chained (The Siren Series #2) Page 12