Jace swallowed and glanced around, and then he noticed a slender woman. Jace assumed it was Subrand; she was standing in the corner. She had one elegant leg propped against the wall looking at him intriguingly. Subrand was beautiful in the nontraditional manor, with short cropped silver hair, thin lips and an up tilted nose. Her eyes were a foggy gray. She was wearing a long white robe with white slacks. She was bear footed and smiling wickedly at him.
“Subrand, you are looking good as usual,” Eli said with a smile.
Subrand grinned, “Let’s cut the formalities Eli and just get down to why you are really here, shall we?”
Eli nodded sadly and gestured for Jace to take a seat. Slowly Subrand pushed herself off the wall and took the seat directly across from them.
Eli started the conversation. “I presume you know why we are here, so tell us Subrand; do you know what is going on?”
Subrand smiled a million dollar smile at Eli, than she turned and faced Jace.
“So Jace . . . How’s Kate?” Her grin took on a sadistic leer. “Have you wondered yet where your guardians have been lately? Or does that thought never cross your mind!”
Jace snapped, “I am here for Charlie. I’m not here to relive some twisted fantasy of yours!”
She snorted. “Oh, but my boy, Kate is the only reason why I am after all in this hell dimension. She is always on my mind. I thought it was quite fitting to bring her into the mix. Don’t you?”
“No,” Jace spat.
Eli sighed and said, “Are you going to help us, or are you having too much fun playing mind games with Kate’s charge?”
Subrand smiled coldly, “Oh, I don’t know Lover. You tell me? Besides, you do know how I love playing games. Remember the last game we played?” Subrand lifted her eyebrows in challenge. Clasping her hands together she said, “Come now, surely you can remember. It was the game that we played the very last day you visited.” Bitterness and betrayal poured out of her voice. Jace saw her eyes grow cold. “The one where you don’t believe a single word I say!” Subrand smiled, “Aw, I see you do remember.” She laughed again. It was a sad bitter sound.
“That’s enough,” Eli roared, Subrand didn’t even flinch. Jace on the other hand nearly came unglued. “You hate me. Well, that’s fine. Deal with it. However, we did not come here to re-hatch old memories; we came to you seeking answers. Please Subrand, if you respected me at all then you would stop this nonsense and help us find the Chosen one?”
Subrand sighed. “Oh poo, you’re no fun. Fine,” She waved her hand dismissively. “The Chosen one has already gotten herself into trouble I see.”
Jace nodded, Eli patted his shoulder.
Subrand rolled her eyes. “Fine, fine,” she said it in a singsong voice. “Normally I would charge for answers,” she looked Jace up and down. “What would you be willing to give me?”
Jace grimaced, “What will it cost to get answers from you?”
Subrand threw her head back and chuckled. “Blood…No.” She shook her head. “Let me see.” Subrand tapped her chin. “Aw yes, how about a memory. Those are always fun.”
Jace glanced down. He was suddenly scared of what he might lose. But determined he nodded ready to give her whatever she wanted as long as it would save Charlie. “Fine,” he said.
“Just like that,” Subrand snapped her fingers. “You are willing to give me one of your memories just like that.” She snapped her fingers again.
Eli placed his hand on Jace’s shoulder. “Subrand, stop. Get on with it, he said he would, take what you will and get on with it.”
Subrand glared, “Tat, tat, tat.” She waved her finger at Eli. “Jace, oh Jace. You love this girl!” Jace nodded. “Fine, give me your hands boy.” She held her hands out waving for him to get on with it.
Subrand put her hands palm side up on the table. Jace glanced at her then back to Eli. With effort he placed his hands into Subrand’s. A jolt ran up his arms, Subrand jerked and squeezed his hands harder. She closed her eyes. Then in a low eerie tone she said, “Look to your heart, the one you seek is close by. The ones who took her you know them by name; you trust them with your life. They hide among you in plain sight. Followers they are, too the one we fight. Destruction and sorrow is their only plight.”
With that, Subrand passed out. Jace withdrew his hands and gave Eli a strange look.
“What the hell was that? Did she take one of my memories?” Jace asked.
Eli smiled sadly; the guards came and retrieved Subrand.
“That was you’re answer, Jace. Seers are always vague in their messages. I am sorry, but that is all you will get out of her and no, I don’t think she took one of your memories.”
“Why do you think she didn’t take a memory?”
“Because if she would have taken a memory, you would know, the pain would be unbearable.”
Eli pointed at the door. “Let’s get out of here, ok?”
Jace nodded. Great that was a waste of time.
“So,” Eli looked at Jace. “Did you get anything out of what Subrand told you?”
Jace looked at Eli sharply; he had no clue what all that jibber jabber was about. “Huh, no,” Jace shook his head. He hunched his shoulders in defeat thinking that he might be letting his Fox down. Jace felt sick and sad.
After they got back Eli told Jace goodbye. Jace replayed what Subrand said to him over and over in his head.
I know them by name? What does that mean?
Jace wondered, racking his brain. Then unexpectedly he had a light bulb moment.
Kate and Jerold, his guardians have been absent these past few days and he did not know why, but now Subrand tells him that the ones who have Charlie are the ones he knows.
He set off to fined Kate and Jerold. He didn’t understand why they would want to hurt Charlie. Jace didn’t want to believe that they were behind it, but; that was the only thing he had to go on.
“Hey, Jace?”
Jace whirled around to see Oz standing there with the Pixie king and a Troll. Oz looked smug. He had a big grin on his face. What was it now? Jace thought; I don’t have time for this.
“Oz, what do you want?”
“We,” he swiped his arm out gesturing at the other two supernaturals. “Are here to help you,” Oz smirked eyes glowing red.
“What makes you think I need your help?” Jace scoffed.
Oz grinned, “Brother, it looks like you need all the help you can get. So have you found her?” Jace opened his mouth to say something, but Oz continued. “No, that’s what I thought.” Oz sneered.
“Why are you here Oz, shouldn’t you be in your cage? You mean to tell me that Zeb let you out.”
Before Oz could say anything, a deep rumbling voice cute in. “Enough, we have no time.”
Jace looked at the Troll and frowned. The Pixie King flew between them.
“Look,” he squeaked. “You are missing someone and so are we. All over the supernatural realm creatures have been snatched out of their homes. My children were kidnapped. Everywhere, there are search parties, but we think you have the best chance. You talked to Subrand on the moving Island, right?” The Pixie King grinned. “Let’s work together. Tell us please, what did Subrand tell you?”
Jace was speechless. Damn news travels fast in Callamose.
“What she told me is not much to go by.” Jace frowned. “Why are y’all not out with the other supernaturals helping to find the ones you lost?”
“They weren’t getting us anywhere,” Rumbled the Troll. “My wife is gone missing, I hear you might know how to find her. Help. Now.” The Troll took a menacing step forward.
“Whoa there big fellow,” Oz stepped in front of Jace. “Don’t hurt the pretty boy, you need him remember?” Oz grinned at Jace.
Jace felt like punching him, but then he relented and told them what Subrand said, and what he thought it may mean.
“Good,” Oz grinned rubbing his hands together. “Let’s go see if your guardians are the ones behind
the curtain.”
Jace snorted and shook his head. Only Oz would say something in reference to The Wizard of Oz due to his name. They set off. A Dragon, a Troll, the Pixie King and Jace. What a mismatch of supernaturals. As that thought faded, he spotted Jerold. Jace hushed everyone. Oz bumped into Jace blowing smoke out of his nose. Jace shoved him and brought his finger up to his lips. Oz shrugged. They watched wide-eyed, not believing their luck as Jerold moved a big bolder out of the way. He disappeared into a cave. Jace pointed and all four of them headed into the cave behind Jerold.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Charlie’s last blood bond
It was dark when I awoke, and this time I had no dreams. Whatever Asher did to me must have prevented my dream guy from entering into my dream this time. I really didn’t know how I felt about that.
I was also confused. I was trapped in a cage with other supernaturals, almost bonded with a Vamp and I was confused.
The part that confused me the most was not being bonded with a Vamp. I was confused on how I didn’t really mind it anymore, and that was just weird. Maybe when Asher bonds with me it forms some kind of emotional attachment? Here’s the big kicker that really sets my confusion off.
Drum roll please: I missed not dreaming so I could hear my dream guy’s voice. What’s up with that? I must be one warped person and maybe I’m a slut, because let’s face it, how many guys do I like now? Tru! Jace! Dream-guy and a Vamp? Yay me! I could so hear my classmates now. Slut! Whore! That’s me, a big fat whore-slut that is still a virgin. How ironic is that and how did that happen?
The cage door opened and in walked three clowns. Ugh, what now? I wasn’t even awake five seconds and someone was here for me. I groaned.
“Clownsss get her,” a big burly man said. He was the only one not dressed up.
He sounded like he had a lisp when he used words with an s in it. He had brown hair, yellow teeth, his nose was crooked and he had a pointed chin. His skin had a strange orange glow. I struggled. Yet in the end I was tied up. All of the clowns left me there but for Mr. Stinky. He reeked, smelling of sulfur, brimstone and something dead.
“Where is Kate?” I asked shakily.
“Katesss not here,” He laughed, “Shesss gone, sssshe doesssn’t know I have you. I wassss the one who took you from your housesss… Remember me?”
I swallowed, he was the “who” that took me. Great!
He grinned, “You look sssso eatable.” He sniffed the air, “And you ssssmell sssso delicioussss. I ssssseee how Asher looksssss at you. I know he wantsss you.”
So he has me here in this room, to get even with Asher! Oh my effin God, you’ve got to be kidding me! Does everyone want to kill me because they want to get even with someone? Is this my life now?
Then he pulled out a knife and proceeded to clean his greasy black fingernails. I shuttered. The memories of those nights come crashing down. I was lost! A blade cutting into my skin! Down. Down. Down. I heard them laugh and laugh and laugh. No! Not this again! No! No! No!!!
“Girl, do you hear me?” His voice snapped me out of my memories. Slowly he stalked towards me twirling the blade around his fingers professionally. He had a nasty smile on his face. My heart was pounding in my chest. What was going to happen?
Then surprisingly, I hear Asher’s voice in my head, but it was broken up: I’m. Don’t. Kitten.
Mr. Stinky pressed the blade to my skin. Mercifully the door was flung open and Asher appeared all badass and sexy. With a preternatural speed he grabbed the guy and threw him across the room. Mr. Stinky slammed against the wall with a sickening thud. I thought the fight was over, but to my astonishment Mr. Stinky shook his head and hopped up. He let out a low growl then changed into something unthinkable.
Horns sprouted out of his back. His eyes glowed yellow and his ears resembled bat wings. However, that was nothing compared to the smell now emanating off him. It was a mix of rotting vegetation and sulfur. He smiled at Asher showing razor sharp teeth in the top and bottom of his mouth. His tongue flicked out, I noticed it was forked. I shuttered. What was he?
“What are you doing Zander? Does Kate know what you’re up too?” Asher asked.
Zander shook his head and smiled, “Shesss mine. Let me take her ssssomewhere for jussst a bit.”
Asher shook his head, “No can do, bosses orders and all.”
“Fine, then I will kill you and have her too.”
Asher shrugged, smiled at me and said, “Well then say hello to Daddy, because you’re going to hell to see him.”
With that, Asher flicked his wrist throwing a silver dagger at the monster. It was over before it even started. One minute the thing was standing there and in the next . . . Nothing. It was a little anticlimactic. I was so expecting a no-holds-barred-fight, but I got nothing. I breathed a sigh of relief and disappointment. Asher quickly untied me, running his hands up and down my arms.
“What was that thing?” I asked shivering from his touch.
Asher quirked a smile, “Just a lesser Demon, that’s all.”
Oh, just a Demon uh, no big deal here.
I almost laughed, “A Demon? God, that thing was scary and he wanted to get you so he could get to me.”
Asher shook his head and cuffed me under the chin. “Well, you won’t be seeing him for a while. I just sent that little shit back to where he came from.”
I laughed at him, “Thank you,” I said with a grin.
Asher watched me intently, and then he pulled me to his chest and said, “You’re not going to fight me… Are you?”
My whole body shook. “Not this time. Besides, even if I fought you… In the end you would take me by force, right?”
Asher frowned, “It’s not like that. I am only doing this to help you.”
“You keep telling yourself that.”
Asher’s eyes glowed a terrifying shade of red. I shuttered. He grinned wickedly at me, “Are you ready?”
I nodded, the first time Asher bit me I fought him. The second time he bit me I fought him. This time I knew what was coming, and I wanted it. So help me, I wanted it.
“I won’t hurt you.” Asher pulled my hair away from my neck. He bent his head down; fangs extended and sunk his teeth deep into my neck.
I jerked and then the blissful ecstasy took over. I was floating, my body was burning. Then I heard his thoughts.
Asher: So good, taste so good. Want her; all of her… Need all of her. The power, God the power!
Luckily for me he stopped. Pulling back he looked at me for a long time. I was so weak; I could barely hold my head up.
“Kitten, you have to escape today.”
I looked at him, “How?” I croaked, “I can barely stay awake.”
Asher sighed, “In order for you to have your strength back . . . I will have to give you some of my blood.”
My eyes went wide. I shook my head violently; I knew one blood exchange would not turn me. Turning was not the point. The point was if he gave me some of his blood, I was afraid that it would bring us closer together. I was planning on breaking whatever connection we have whenever I got out of here. I was frightened of Asher giving me his blood. What if it made the bond harder to break?
Asher was frowning. “Kitten, it is too late, you are far too weak. I took too much. I am sorry, but you have to have some of my blood. This is the only way you can get some of your strength back. You have to get out of here today.”
“No Asher, please,” I begged struggling to get away from him. It was useless. My arms felt like they weighed a thousand pounds. I lifted my arms to push him ineffectively. It was useless. I could already feel the lethargy taking over. Soon I would fall asleep. Asher bit his wrist and then placed it over my mouth. I shook my head but he stopped me from moving. He placed one hand behind the back of my neck and his wrist over my mouth. In effect, Asher was keeping me immobile. I kept my mouth closed, but Asher pushed on my jugular causing me to choke. A bitter-copper-taste flowed down my throat. I swallowed choking and
gagging convulsively. Vomit threatened the back of my throat. I struggled.
Finally I gave up and swallowed. Then power flooded my body. So much Power! I grabbed his wrist and drank greedily. I had no idea what came over me, all I knew was that after giving in I wanted more.
“Kitten, that’s enough.” Asher pulled me away from his arm.
I licked my lips. “Thanks Asher, I feel great.” I moved away from him. Asher frowned. I grinned sadistic. I go, “If you ever force me into doing anything against my will again,” I shrugged. “Let’s just say this won’t be the only thing I do to you.” With that I pulled back my fist and punched him.
That was so the wrong thing to do. Man it felt like I hit a brick wall. Ahhhh! I clutched my hand and jumped up and down.
Tell me this, why is it when people hurt themselves, like say stumping a toe. They feel the need to jump up and down or walk it off? Maybe not everybody does it, but I do. Like that really helps, in the end you’re still left with a throbbing appendage.
“Ou- ou- ouch,” I glared at him. “What is your face made of . . . Steel?”
Asher was beside me in a second holding my throbbing hand, gently.
I whined, “I think it might be broke.” Asher was frowning. Then he pulled out a necklace from his pocket and placed it over my head. Instantly the pain eased.
“It’s not permanent Kitten, but maybe it will last long enough for you to get out of here.”
“What is it?” I asked, looking at the crystal. It was a dark burgundy color with white etching, placed on a black band.
“It’s a pain amulet; it will temporarily ease the pain making it comfortable enough to get by until we can get you out of here or until you get your power. So let’s get you back to your cage.” Asher leaned down and picked me up
“Hey, I have legs you know. I think I can do it all by myself.” I glared.
“I can see that and they are quite fetching, but you need to be in your cage now. And Kitten?” Asher smiled, “My legs move much faster than yours.”
Just like that the conversation was over. I was back in my cage seething.
A Blaze of Magic: Chosen Saga Book Two Page 20