It was still dark in here, but my eyes had adjusted so I could see pretty well. Killian had spent the last few minutes stalking around our guest. The poor guy was shaking in the chair and moaning pitifully. I stomped down a wave of sympathy for him. After all, he was trying to kill us. Killian hadn’t touched him, but he didn’t need to. I felt the wave of heat from here and knew the man would feel it like an open furnace. His terrified eyes were blank and staring. His mouth opened and closed in silent screams. I shuddered and wrapped my arms around my chest.
Killian paused behind him. He put both hands on Ramon’s shoulders and Ramon twitched violently. The chair rocked from side to side. He groaned like a trapped animal making my skin crawl. Killian calmly closed his eyes and whispered in his ear. His words echoed inside my head.
Neaon dagon a stlaya, neaon dagon a stlaya
Fascinated, I couldn’t look away. Hypnotized, Ramon sat frozen while the whispering went on. The tone was at times cajoling and then harsh. Killian’s knuckles were white on Ramon’s shoulders and he bent closer to his ear. His lips barely moved as the whispering continued. It sent chills down my spine, but I still couldn’t look away.
Ghara a dagon stlaya ul cthuli? Neaon dagon a stlaya
Killian’s voice boomed inside my head and cold sweat trickled down my back. The ancient words made no sense to me, but the power behind them was unmistakable.
His power was unmistakable.
His voice, his words, his power…his insistence was impossible to resist. I was captivated and would have done anything he asked at that moment. My will was crumbling into tiny little pieces, and I wasn’t even his target. What was he saying to Ramon? His face was frozen in a mask of horror.
Ghara a dagon stlaya ul cthuli?
As the last of the words echoed inside of me, I started to back away. I didn’t want to see any more. I didn’t want to hear any more. I backed into Sean and turned to leave. But he stopped me and held me in place. I tried to struggle with him, but he was too strong and I couldn’t move away. Frustrated, I blinked back tears and bit my lip. Refusing to watch, I shut my eyes.
Taking my chin in his hand, Sean forced my head up and said, “Watch, Mica.” His voice was hushed with awe and his eyes glowed with reverence.
Killian stopped whispering and I heard him sigh in my mind. He stood perfectly still for a few seconds and then let go of Ramon’s shoulders. Nothing happened at first, but then Ramon’s face was transformed. The mask of horror melted away and an expression of profound peace took its place. He nodded in my direction and slumped in the chair.
“It’s done,” Sean said against my hair.
Numb, I stared at Killian in horror. Oh, my God! What did you do? His head snapped up and he started towards me and I backed away. Shaking my head in denial, I wrenched away from Sean and stumbled back up the stairs. Dec caught up with me halfway down the driveway. Instead of stopping me, he matched his pace to mine. The moon was low and covered with stringy clouds that seemed sinister above the trees. The rain had stopped but lightning still streaked the sky. Thunder grumbled in the distance. I ran until I was out of breath and slowed to a stumble by the side of the road. Dec waited patiently while I bent over sucking in air. When I was breathing normally, he tentatively offered his hand. Automatically, I reached for it but then stopped. What did I really know about him? Any of them? What power was he hiding from me? Would he take away my will? My life? Was it that easy for them? Oh, God! I’m a part of this now. What does that make me? Would my powers evolve until I could kill with my mind? Jesus…it was unthinkable.
With haunted eyes, I bit my lip to stop its trembling.
Like approaching a dangerous animal, he circled me with hands out. His eyes were soft, but his mouth was set in a firm line. He was worried and it showed.
“Just leave me alone, Dec. I don’t want any of you near me.”
He flinched and dropped his hands to his sides. “Mica, please,” he pleaded.
Something in the tone of his voice made me look up at him. He was standing so close, but I felt a chasm yawning between us. His expression was pained as he watched me struggle. What was I doing to him? Dec was my friend, my healer. He’d been the one steady rock in my life for two years. I was hurting him now. Damn. My lip trembled and I bit it again. I needed to get a grip. He must have sensed the change in my mood because he took a tentative step in my direction and held out his hands again. Sniffing, I lifted one hand.
He pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. “Let me help.”
I nodded against his chest and relaxed as his body grew warmer around me. My fears slowly disappeared and my heartbeat returned to normal. I sighed and pulled back. His beautiful blue eyes were grave as he gauged my mood.
“You’re afraid. Again.” He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Damn it! What’s happened now? You’re not supposed to be afraid of us. We’re here with you…because of who you are!”
He laughed bitterly and added softly, “Somehow, we keep failing you. I’m so sorry, darlin’.”
“No, Dec, stop it! You haven’t failed me. I’ve failed you.” I whirled around and faced the trees. I couldn’t look at him anymore. “Don’t you see? I’m the weakest link…I’m afraid of what I don’t understand because I feel vulnerable, weak. Killian’s power…” My breath caught in a sob and I bit my lip.
Turning me around, he said furiously, “You are not weak! You’re a human; and an amazingly strong one too. Over the past few years, you've evolved from a typical teenager into a scary bad ass member of our team. You’re a natural. You scare the hell out of me sometimes, especially when you’re pissed. You’re handling your new powers like a pro.” He stopped to suck in some air and said more patiently, “I know it’s hard for you. But damn it, Mica, you are strong and capable. You’re one of us.” He shook me by the shoulders to make his point.
“But I don’t want to be!”
He flinched as if I’d slapped him. “What makes you say that?
I hesitated and inhaled sharply. “What Killian did to that man…” His whispering voice still echoed in the back of my mind. “I don’t want to be like that. That’s not who I am.”
“That man is better off now.”
Shocked at his callousness, I backed away from him again. “I can’t believe you’d say that!”
His silence was deafening.
The sound of the wall going up between us was not.
I closed the door softly behind me and steeled myself for the argument to come. But the living room was empty when I walked in. Good. I just wanted to go to bed. My brain hurt from thinking so hard and my heart felt tender in my chest. Hugging Sean’s pillow to my chest, I lay there staring out the window. Sleep wouldn’t come. Instead, I relived the scene in the basement again. Sean’s face had been…admiring, even awestruck, when Killian finished with Ramon. He’d made me watch! What was the point of that? Was I supposed to swoon over Killian’s power? Did they want applause? Were they getting off on it? It made me sick.
Maybe they’re not as good as they say they are. A soft voice commented in the back of my mind.
Ignoring it, I turned my thoughts to Sean again.
I couldn’t understand his obvious admiration of Killian’s actions. I mean, Killian killed that guy, didn’t he? Was it the way he did it that was cool? Was twisting his mind until it imploded cooler than, say, slitting his throat? It was cleaner; maybe that’s the point. I wasn’t squeamish about killing in general; sometimes you had to do it or be killed yourself. I got that. I just didn’t get how he could so coldly kill that guy for really no reason. So he tried to kill us. Big deal! A lot of people have tried to kill me this year and no one killed them because of it. Scott Flynn’s heavy brow and deep-set eyes leered into view and I rolled over to avoid the picture. I loved Sean and Killian. I loved Dec, too. Maybe I was so used to seeing their caring or protective sides that I forgot they’re warriors first. Sean once told me that other Primani weren’t as frie
ndly as these three. Maybe they’re just doing what they need to do, and I’m too much of a wuss to blow it off.
The dream was insidious. It crept up on me while I lay in that vulnerable window between consciousness and the early stages of sleep. My body was floating off into oblivion when the first images tickled my sight. Caught in the paralysis of sleep, I was helpless as the dream unfolded. I watched from above as Sean walked into my mind. He was bloodstained and weary as he crossed a clearing. Early morning mist softened the harshness of the bare trees. The silver light cast no shadows as he slowed to a stop. Stretching wearily, he sat down on a rock and dropped his head into his hands. He was heavily armed with an automatic rifle and extra ammunition looped over his right shoulder. His shoulders drooped and he rolled them tiredly. A shadow moved behind him, but he didn’t see it. My heart pounded in my chest as the darkness moved closer to him. Run, Sean! I tried to warn him, but my voice had no sound. Sean sat perfectly still, unaware. The shadow moved closer and a tingle of recognition crawled down my spine. Sean slid his hand to the sheath strapped to his calf and tensed as the shadow took human form. No! Wait! I screamed at him. But it was too late. He couldn’t hear me anyway. He’d whipped around and thrown the shining knife without hesitation. I gasped in shock and the dream world wavered out of focus.
With a cry of anguish, Sean dropped to his knees and pulled my body into his arms.
“Forgive me, Mica! I had no choice. I had no choice,” he cried as he rocked me against his chest. My eyes stared unseeing into the branches above us.
Two more shadows slid out of the trees. With identical expressions of pity, Killian and Dec joined him in the clearing. They were also heavily armed and dressed for combat.
Killian’s eyes blazed hotly as he said, “This was foretold by the angels. You shouldn’t have loved her.”
Dec added, “Her weakness was dangerous. You know that.” He touched my face with something like revulsion and wiped his hand against his pants. “Burn the body now. We have to go.”
No! My cry of protest broke the spell and I sat up in bed. The bed was empty next to me. Where was Sean? My heart was still galloping in my chest as I shoved the remnants of the dream out of my head. Where on earth did that come from? I must be going crazy. Sean wouldn’t kill me. He loved me more than anything else. Didn’t he? A small niggle of doubt argued the point.
Yes, he loves you, but you’ll always be second to the greater cause he serves. He’ll kill you if you get in the way.
No! That’s not true. He’s my soul mate!
But that doesn’t mean you get to live…your destiny is still evolving, remember?
Oh, shut up!
Dragging on a shirt, I stalked out of the bedroom calling for Sean. Domino padded silently behind me. Dawn was just bringing its pale yellow light when I stopped at Killian’s door. Knocking softly, I waited for him to answer. I knocked again and waited. If he was here, he would have answered the door. He sleeps so lightly it could barely be called sleep. I cracked open the door and looked inside. His scent was very faint this morning. I inhaled deeply and his face came immediately to my mind. I saw him as he looked at me so many times…mouth compressed in disapproval and eyes mocking. He was a hard man to please, but he loved me, didn’t he? I thought he did. Exhaling, I pushed his face away and continued my search. Dec’s room was empty too. They were all gone. They’d left without me. They’d left me here alone. Why? What did that say?
It says they don’t trust you.
Of course they trust me! I’m valuable to them. I’ve been on a lot of missions. I kick ass too.
Yes, but nothing important. Not since the farmhouse. Not since you failed them.
What? I didn’t fail them! It wasn’t my fault there were demons that day!
You didn’t fail them? Really? What happened to Sean? You know that was your fault. Deep inside, you know it. They know it, too.
No! It’s not true…I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes, letting the truth wash over me like acid. This was crazy. I’m losing my mind here! I need to go. I need to get out of this house and get my head together. Rushing now, I showered and packed. I loaded my things into the car and waved Domino into the shotgun seat. I had no idea where we were going, but it didn’t really matter as long as it was away from here.
Three hours later, we sat at a picnic table in a rest stop near the interstate. Gazing into the distance, I idly petted Domino. She sat in guard dog position on the bench next to me. What was she protecting me from here? Remembering my training, I scanned the park around me for threats and allies. There were about a dozen cars parked in the lot, but nothing seemed threatening at the moment. A middle-aged blond woman with two little kids unwrapped sandwiches at the table next to me. They dug in and giggled as their puppy rolled around in the soft grass. They didn’t seem like much of a threat. I continued my scan. A grey-haired man slowly made his way out of the bathroom and headed towards his car. He was slightly misshapen and limped across the parking lot. One shoulder was higher than the other and his head was bent awkwardly. His shapeless overcoat seemed a little out of place here. It was warm and sunny at the moment. I peered under my lashes and watched him carefully. He paused next to his car and Domino growled softly. The man straightened and looked right at me. I tensed as his eyes turned yellow in their sockets.
Like a mad dog, Domino barked viciously and went airborne. With paws barely skimming the pavement, she threw herself in his direction. Screaming in panic, the little family next to us sprinted towards their car. The demon’s eyes brightened and he lightly bounced a fireball in his hand. He grinned evilly and aimed at the little girl.
“No!” I jumped up and yelled at him just as he released the fireball.
He exploded into a cloud and the fireball vanished before it struck the child. Time stopped. Stunned, I gaped at the spot where he’d disappeared a split second ago. What the heck happened? Where did he go? Expecting Primani, I whirled around. I saw no one. The parking lot was empty. Looking front again, I searched for the little family, but they were gone too.
Everyone was gone.
An icy gust of wind sent me running for the car. Domino continued to growl but had stopped barking. Shaking with adrenaline, I jumped into the car and slammed it into gear.
Driving much faster than the speed limit, I pulled onto the Tappan Zee bridge before rush hour. Traffic moved steadily along as my thoughts cleared. How did I get here? I asked myself for the hundredth time. I must’ve been on autopilot. Thankfully the hot Australian GPS voice guided me flawlessly to the parking garage and I parked in the penthouse slot. I slipped the leash on the killer dog and walked into the lobby like I belonged there. I smiled beguilingly at the concierge as the golden elevator doors swept closed. The foyer of the penthouse was painted a beautiful royal blue and had black marble floors. The bright geometric paintings still hung on the walls, but the tiny golden cherub was missing from its alcove near the door. The niche was empty now. That was odd. I knocked on the door and waited.
No one opened the door. It was the middle of the afternoon; maybe Jordan had gone out. Jordan was the very sweet angel who managed the house for Alex. He was unfailingly kind to me and I looked forward to seeing him again. I tried the knob and the door swung inward without a sound. Domino growled. Something was wrong. My spidey-senses were tingling…I might not have super powers, but the smell of fresh blood is always a big sign that something bad has happened. Wait…there was a heavy stench lingering behind the blood. My nose curled in on itself in protest. Vaguely familiar, I carefully inhaled and tried to process it.
It was the smell of hell.
Demons? Here?
Freezing outside the door, I listened hard. I heard soft footsteps inside. Closing my eyes, I looked into the penthouse and searched for the source of the sounds. There was a body on the tiled kitchen floor. Oh, please don’t be Jordan! I prayed silently.
The apartment was empty, but the French doors were open onto the rooftop garden. A
figure stood in the garden looking down over the wall. Wishing I had my Sig handy, I slid inside the door. I glided through the kitchen and picked up a knife from the rack. It would have to do if things got physical. My breath caught as I looked down at Jordan’s unconscious form. He was bleeding heavily from a gash in his forehead but was still alive. Peeking up at the doors, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his head. His eyes fluttered at my touch.
“Shh. It’s me,” I whispered.
With surprising strength, he gripped my hand and said, “James! Where’s James?”
“I’ll find him. You rest now.” I gently removed his hand.
I slipped out to the garden and let out a sigh of relief. James.
“James? Thank God!”
He whirled around at the sound of my voice. Grief distorted his handsome features into something ugly. His eyes glowed angrily and his hands were clenched into fists. Upon seeing it was me, he relaxed slightly. “Mica? Why are you here? Did you see…Jordan? He’s…” A sob tore from his throat and he bowed his head.
“James, he’s not dead. We have to help him right now though. Come on.” I grabbed his hand ignoring the jolt of current that made my head spin.
Rushing back into the kitchen, I skidded to a stunned stop. “What’s going on here?” I asked James. The pool of blood was gone as was the towel. The kitchen was spotless.
He looked puzzled too. “I don’t know. I came in a few minutes ago and found Jordan on the floor. He wasn’t moving…there was so much blood…I thought he was dead. Then you showed up.”
“What did you do with Jordan?” He asked me with a strange gleam in his eye.
I didn’t like the tone he was using. “What did I do? I just got here. Maybe I should ask you that question.” I fingered the knife in my hand.
He smiled tightly and said, “Are you planning to use that on me?” He glided imperceptibly closer. There was something oily about his expression and I took a stronger grip on the haft.
Domino snarled and moved between us. He stopped and casually leaned against the island with hands raised.
The Lost Soul Trilogy (Primani Book 5) Page 34