~~~
CHAPTER
TWENTY-NINE
Sasha: Summer
The Chola Valley
“Going somewhere?” Mother Raghavan asked, stepping from the shadows of the northern gatehouse. Jayesh and Sasha had made it through the temple and across the entire complex without seeing a single soul.
Of course she would know our plans. Sasha gave the mother a bow of respect.
“You don’t miss anything.” Jay smiled. “It is time, mother. Don’t you agree?”
“It is time. But no one leaves my valley like a thief in the night.” She whacked him with her cane. “Least of all you, dear boy. Come give Mother Raghavan a kiss.”
“Thank you, mother.” Jayesh bowed. “For everything.” He bent to kiss her cheek.
“You have finally gotten the lesson this time, yes? You remember what must be done now?”
“Yes, mother. I will not be making the same old mistakes again. I will do the right thing.”
“If you don’t, I’ll bring you back here as Brother Jayesh.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He pulled her into a bear hug and Mother Raghavan giggled like a young girl.
“And you, Sasha El Sadawii. I am proud of the work you’ve done here. But I don’t want to see you in my valley again. You have important work to do, child. Go and do it, Senate be damned. Just remember no one expects you to be perfect except you and that hard head of yours.” She tapped her cane against Sasha’s forehead. “So forgive yourself for your mistakes. Learn from them and do better next time.”
“I will, mother.” Sasha bent to kiss the mother’s cheek. “Thank you for everything you’ve taught me. You’ve changed me for the better.”
“You changed yourself, dear girl. My valley is but a tool to help you do it. You best leave now. It’s a long way through the mountains.”
Sasha took Jayesh’s hand as they passed through the outer gates and into the sweeping grasslands of the Chola Valley.
~~~
“Quiet,” Sasha whispered as she crouched low along the hilltop in the growing darkness. Gen’s weave of protection had grown hot over the last several minutes; the henna-like patterns burned as a warning that danger lurked just ahead of them.
“What?” Jayesh crept up beside her.
“A leopard and her three cubs.” Sasha pointed through the darkness. “She’s coming to see me, but she does not like you. I’m going to go meet her before she acts on any of her threats.”
“Sasha, she could tear you to bits.”
“She won’t. She has a sick cub and she knows I can help her.” Sasha took a few careful steps toward the momma cat with her sick baby clutched in her mouth. Two others scrambled up behind her. They were about three months old and the runt was going to die soon.
“Hey there, girl.” Sasha held her hand out toward the mother, letting the cat catch her scent. “I’m going to help your little one, okay?”
The leopard cut her eyes at Jayesh, where he stood crouched on the hillside.
“Don’t worry about him, he’s just scared of you.” Sasha reached for the cub with the injured hindquarters. She’d almost been a snack for some larger predator and the bites were infected. Sasha swept her hand along the cub’s back, helping her relax. “Jay, stay back. She’s in no mood for any sudden moves.”
“Be careful, Sasha.”
“Yes, I’m going to help you.” Sasha smiled at the cub’s curiosity. She was so tired and so sick, but she had a strong will to live. As Sasha reached for her power, the icy burn filled her chest, warming her palm as she settled the cat in her lap and stroked her back until she purred.
The momma leopard came to Sasha’s side and nudged her face with her velvet-soft nose, settling on her haunches to watch.
“You’re welcome,” Sasha whispered as she worked to heal the little one. The other cubs sat and watched with big eyes, chattering amongst themselves about the strange human. It seemed they were heading to the temple for help. It was known among the animals of this valley that the monks could be trusted. But the little one wouldn’t have made it that far. When the mother sensed Sasha nearby, she came to her for help.
“All better.” Sasha patted the mother’s head and scratched her ears. “She’ll be tired for a while, but she’ll live.”
The big cat let out a roar of approval and nudged Sasha’s shoulder in thanks.
“I’ll be okay,” she said. “It just makes me a little tired.”
Sasha watched as the mother bundled her three healthy little ones close and told them to leave the nice lady alone so she could rest. She didn’t go far, but she retreated into the darkness to watch over Sasha and her “untrustworthy” friend.
“Let’s go.” Sasha stood on shaky limbs.
“That wiped you out. Are you okay?” Jay came to her side, taking her backpack and offering his arm for her to lean on. They’d left the temple hours ago, but the path through the mountains was treacherous.
“I’ll be fine. I had to help them.”
“That was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do.”
“Let’s keep going. The mom is going to watch our backs until we get out of here.”
“I’ll take the extra protection any day,” Jay said as they continued along the steep path.
“When do you think we’ll be out of reach of the mother’s gift?”
“Any minute now.”
Sasha clutched Jay’s arm as he helped her up the path.
“Are you all right?” He glanced down at her.
“I will be after a good meal and some rest. The healing was a little beyond my ability. I can handle the occasional injured paw or broken wing, but that was pretty extensive damage.”
“You shouldn’t have risked it.”
“I so didn’t have a choice. She was going to eat you if I didn’t help.”
“Me? What did I do?”
“She didn’t like your scent. She settled down after I agreed to help her. Before that she was making all sorts of threats. She’s used to a different sort of human, I guess.”
“We’ll stop soon so you can rest.”
Sasha followed him along the rocky path until the ground began to even out. One moment they crept through the growing darkness and the next they stood at the edge of a cliff, with the rising sun just making an appearance along the horizon.
Rolling green hills and dense forests spread out before them in every direction.
Sasha had anticipated having a moment to collect herself before she stepped back into her world. Now that she was back, fear nearly overwhelmed her. “I’m not ready.” Sasha crashed to her knees.
“Yes you are, angel.” Jay stooped beside her.
“We should keep moving.” Sasha tried to stand up. “Aide will need some time to find us,” she whispered. Liam would have noticed the moment she stepped out of the valley and would be getting word to Aide shortly.
“Rest a little while, Sasha. We have some time before my team will know where to look for us. You’re going to need your strength.”
Sasha fell asleep against his shoulder, exhausted.
~~~
CHAPTER
THIRTY
Quinn: Fall
Atlanta, Georgia
Quinn lay on the pristine white floor of Livia’s private gym. Blood and sweat pooled beneath him, spoiling the effect of the brilliant white she always surrounded herself with.
“Get up,” Livia barked.
But Quinn didn’t move. He didn’t care. Once he’d given himself permission to succumb to Livia and his addiction, it was easy to fall into the downward spiral that would lead to his doom. It was pretty much all he could think about.
Is Santi right? Can I really come back from this? He’d fought for so long, the idea that it was suddenly okay to give up that fight brought him a huge amount of relief. And a whole new list of worries.
Relinquishing control proved to be difficult. He’d always known what his limits were and he never wavered. Not until
the last few days. Little by little, he was letting Livia push him further than ever before. It felt good, not caring. The voice came to him more often now, but it didn’t scare him anymore. Succumbing to the addiction was always inevitable. Having it happen this way—as a choice—brought him some measure of comfort. At least his addiction would accomplish something good in the end. Freedom for Santi, Lennox and James. They are worth the risk of letting this madness overcome me
Madness? The voice mocked him. For two years, Quinn had suppressed that voice; thought he’d conquered everything it represented. And then he came to Soma and realized it was still there, simmering just below the surface, waiting for him to slip.
That’s where we just don’t see eye to eye, Quinn’s gift said. You see addiction and evil. We see our freedom.
“Don’t make me drag you to your feet, Quinn.” Livia flexed her fingers, her knuckles bloody and bruised. “I guarantee you won’t like it.”
Quinn found himself wishing he could just stop feeling. Anything. It hurt too much. That was when he knew he was close. Livia would break him. And it would happen soon.
Please let it happen soon.
With a strong image of Santi in his mind—an image of her safe and happy with his family—Quinn slowly got to his feet. If she was happy, he could deal with whatever his future might hold. If that meant locking himself up in the crypt until he was fit to be around the people he loved, then he would willingly enter their most secure cell and close the door on himself. Not that crazy-Q would do that once he was in control.
Hells no.
Quinn’s arms and legs trembled beneath him, but he stood, staring blankly ahead.
“Do I see a chink in the armor?” Livia mocked his weakness. “Shall I bring in one of the kids? Just to be sure?”
“I don’t care anymore, Liv. Do what you want. We both know I have no choice.”
“You’re not the first to attempt escape, Quinn. No one ever escapes Soma, but the stubborn ones always try. It’s the failure that often pushes them to their breaking point,” she said softly. “To feel so close to freedom only to be pulled back—to be shown just how firmly you belong to someone else—it’s been the final straw for many. You’re so close, Quinn. One final push and you’re mine.”
“Whatever.” Quinn swayed on his feet.
“Bring her in,” Livia called to one of her minions.
Don’t be Lennox. Don’t be Lennox. Anyone but Lennox. He couldn’t bear it. He couldn’t look into those clear blue eyes and watch Livia use his power to drive her toward the brink of insanity and back again. Livia loved Lennox. He was sure of it, but he could never fathom how she could torture Len just to prove a point to him.
Don’t be an idiot. Lennox let her thoughts drift to his mind. She knew how this had to go. He’d pulled her into the dreamworld, where they explained the plan to her.
You’re too soft to hurt anyone on purpose. Least of all me. This is not your battle to win on your own, big guy. Let me do my part.
“Just get on with it.” Quinn’s voice sounded like gravel to his own ears.
~~~
Lennox screamed, clapping her hands over her ears to stop whatever torture Quinn’s gift was giving her, but she couldn’t escape it. Not when Livia was in control.
Yes! Finally, his gift rejoiced. Quinn could feel him stretching after a lifetime of confinement.
“Come on, Quinn, don’t you have any fight left in you?” Livia shoved him with the toe of her boot. “You’re making this too easy.”
But he lay on the floor, staring blankly at the ceiling. He felt numb. Len’s screams no longer felt like a punch in the gut. He just genuinely didn’t care.
Livia had his power raging inside of him now. He was hanging on by his fingertips.
It’s okay, Quinn. Len’s voice was weak and distant. It’s time to let go. You’ve been fighting for so long. Let someone else carry the burden for a while. We’ll bring you back, you big ox.
With a deep breath, Quinn stopped pushing back. For the first time in years he just … let go. Livia’s gift surged through him, shoving him across the metaphorical line he’d set for himself when he was sixteen years old. The sensation was euphoric. Like an addict taking a lethal dose of their favorite drug, Quinn fell down the rabbit hole.
“That’s it, Quinn,” Livia said. “Give in to it.”
And he did. He could feel himself slipping away. The feeling was both terrifying and freeing at the same time. “Santi,” he whispered, relinquishing the last shred of himself to the madness of his gift.
“Now I’m in charge,” he muttered, a smile he didn’t feel spread across his face.
Quinn opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. No, he moaned as his body moved without his permission.
“That’s more like it.” Livia smiled as he stood up. But she looked hesitant, as if she saw something in him that frightened her.
You did it, Liv. I’m a broken mess in here and a madman is in charge now. I hope you’re ready to bring this bastard to heel.
“Do you know how long we’ve been dying to get out and stretch our legs?” Crazy-Quinn laughed, cracking his neck and shaking his hands. “Man, it feels good to be in control.” He paced like a predator, eager to pounce on anything that moved.
“But you’re not,” Livia said.
“Semantics.” Quinn shrugged.
“You’re a little bit crazy, aren’t you.” She took a step back.
“Lady, we’re insane!” He crossed the room and bent over Lennox. Her eyes glazed over, unblinking, as her tormentor examined the results of his power like a proud student. “Let’s make her squeal some more.” He reached for Lennox again.
Don’t you dare touch her. Quinn itched to wrap his hands around the psychopath’s neck, but he was locked inside the insanity of his own mind.
It’s okay … it’s okay … it’s okay, Lennox murmured.
“Don’t touch her.” Livia grabbed his arm. “You do nothing without my permission.”
“Buzzkill.” Crazy-Quinn stood to his full height and wrenched his arm away from Livia, knocking her to the floor.
Livia seemed to get a clear picture of what she was dealing with now. She scrambled back to her feet, her eyes blazing with silvery fire. “Kneel.” She pointed at the gym floor, pushing crazy-Q back into his place. Reminding him who was in control. He resisted, but in the end, Livia won the battle of wills, exerting the dominance of her gift to bring him to his knees.
“You know the kid’s a telepath?” Quinn cackled like a maniac, still staring at Lennox like he wanted to devour her. “Kinda useless if you ask me. She only gets part of the conversation. Let us have another taste.”
“Enough.” Livia pulled a chair into the center of the room. “We have a few things to discuss. Questions you will answer.” She sat down, keeping Quinn on his knees before her.
“I’m an open book, Liv, baby. Ask away. You’re kinda hot when you go all dominatrix on us.”
Don’t be a douche, you idiot. But crazy-Quinn wasn’t listening. Quinn wasn’t even sure his alter ego could hear him anymore.
Oh, we’re just ignoring you the same way you’ve ignored us for years.
Fine by me, but you know what we need to do to get out of this place, right?
We’re up to speed.
And?
And we won’t dish on the plan. But we’re in control and once we’re out of here, we make the decisions. Deal?
Deal.
“Let’s be clear, crazy-Q,” Livia said. “I’m in charge. You will answer my questions. Pull any bullshit and we go for round two. And you don’t want me to break you twice.”
“What you wanna know?” Quinn eased back on the floor, leaning on his elbow like he was having the time of his life.
“Tell me about your family first. Then we’ll see if I believe you.”
No. Quinn’s heart clenched in fear.
Quinn, let it happen, Lennox said. This is what we want.
Sh
e was right. This was their plan. His only job was over now.
I believe in you, Quinn, Lennox whispered.
“Mom used to be a pirate and tops the Margrave’s most-wanted list,” crazy-Quinn blurted. “Dad’s a wreck and kinda useless since he was in a Coalition prison for most of his life till Mom broke him out. Little brother’s a pain in the ass, but he’s a talented techie. You know that. He’s practically the poster child for what Soma wants in their young Immortals.”
“What exactly does Graham do?” Livia leaned in close, eager for the answer.
“He talks to machines or some shit like that. Put a computer in front of him and he could take over this place in an hour.”
This was all going exactly as planned, but Quinn didn’t have a shred of control over what came out of his mouth. All his family’s secrets would lay at Livia’s feet the instant she asked.
“And Allie. Tell me about her?”
“She’s like a homeless stray some friends took in last year. Didn’t even know what she was till her Awakening hit her. She’s an unknown.”
“What is so significant about her?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He cackled at his own joke. “We weren’t paying attention. She was into the other dude. She’s crazy powerful but hasn’t got the sense God gave dirt.”
“I want to collect her. And you’re going to lead me to her.”
“What’s in it for us?”
“Absolutely nothing,” Livia said. “But you’ll do it anyway. Tell me where I can find her.”
“Kelleys Island, Ohio. But you can’t step foot on the island without an engraved invitation from the Great Lakes Governor. It’s protected. Even Allie doesn’t realize how protected she is.”
“So I’ll grab her from school.”
“Can’t do it, Liv, babe. From the moment you took off with our buddy, Quinn, the other kids have been under constant supervision. You can’t touch her. Not without our help.” He gave her a manic grin that would have scared most people.
Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3) Page 26