Vanquished

by Andy Lewter

  Admiring his tall, muscular physique from where I stood, I bit my lip as I considered going back to him, but decided against it. Opening the stairwell door, I rushed in and made my way down the stairs.

  And every thought of Nicholas was gone the second the door closed behind me.

  14

  “How long has Tara been in there?” I asked Navi as we looked into Cade’s window.

  She shifted her feet and folded her arms. “Not too long, but he still isn’t talking.”

  I sighed heavily and made my way to the entryway of Cade’s door. “Let me in.”

  Edmund frowned. “You’re not going in there.”

  “Why not?”

  He raked his hair and set his brown eyes on me. “What will you say to him? What’s your plan then?”

  I met his gaze and shrugged. “I dunno yet. But I’m going in.” I caught eye of Athena biting back a laugh as I unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door.

  “What’s up, Mr. Sanchez?” I blurted as I pulled up a chair with an unamused grin. Tara’s eyes narrowed at my sudden appearance. Nervousness and delight circulated around the room. It wasn’t hard to tell where it came from.

  “Miss Everett! What a joy it is to see you,” Cade said, his eyes alight as he shifted his body behind the desk he was cuffed to.

  I gestured my hand between Tara and Cade. “I’m so happy you two are acquainted. So,” I jeered, clapping my hands, “Tell me, what do you think of Tara? She’s been such an influence for us. In fact, I’m not sure I want to go anywhere without her,” I said, gauging his emotions.

  His expression was unreadable but his emotions were calculating. A single brow slowly raised, and he threaded his fingers together before speaking. “You do remember my gift, don’t you Miss Everett? Yes, yes I’m sure you do. I know you’re here to speak with me in hopes to extract information about future plans. Actually, that is the sole reason I was abducted now, isn’t it? I can assure you that you won’t be able to receive the information you seek. I remain loyal to Mrs. Ludovic.”

  He readjusted himself in his chair and tilted his head to the side, appearing to be unaffected by my presence. I could tell by his deeply set eyes and the twitch of his bottom lip he was reading into my every move. The single emotion I was able to pick up was devout focus.

  A twisted smile framed my cheeks as my mind piqued with an idea. “Tara, would you mind finding Silas?”

  Tara furrowed her brows at me, hesitating before speaking. “Silas?” Her nervous eyes shifted to Cade. “Are you sure about that?”

  My smile deepened as confidence swelled within me. “Very sure.”

  Tara hesitated, then left in a snap as she exited the room. Not a moment later, Athena came in. “You’re needed out here,” she ordered.

  “Ah, Miss Grant! We meet again.” A hint of sarcasm touched Cade’s tone.

  Athena obnoxiously flipped Tara’s chair around and sat in it backward, folding her arms over the back. “Always at your service,” she winked. She glanced back at me and nodded toward the door.

  Holding my twisted grin, I made my way to the exit and was met by an infuriated Edmund as I stepped into the hallway. “I’m matching his game,” I said in a rush.

  “Silas is human. By introducing Silas to him, it opens an entirely new venue of threats for their family.”

  “You don’t think that wouldn’t happen now? Regardless if he knew they had more than one child?”

  Edmund held his angered expression but remained silent.

  I stepped close to him and lowered my voice. “He’s playing games in there and pushing for a reaction from me. This is the only thing I can think of that’ll blindside him. Maybe even get him to talk.”

  His expression turned grave. “You know Valens are much stronger than humans. He’s unpredictable. And we can’t guarantee Silas’ safety.”

  “Can anyone?” His eyebrows rose as he pondered my question. I shook my head and sighed. “Just let me do this. Leave Athena in there. If there’s any sign of Cade getting out of hand, Silas will leave immediately. I’ll be able to know if his intentions shift.” I put my hands on my hips and gave him a knowing look.

  He sighed hard and let his hands rest by his sides. “One hint of danger and you get him out. Do I make myself clear?”

  My attention turned toward the sound of footsteps in the hallway. Tara and Silas appeared a moment later, murmuring quietly to one another. Behind them were Nicholas and Ray.

  I tried to swallow the frustration that bubbled through my veins at Nicholas’ appearance. I’ll never understand how the presence of one person can make me dance a fine line between infuriation and desire. In one deep breath, I released the annoyance he afflicted me with and turned my attention to Silas.

  He was his usual carefree, ‘world at the tips of his fingers’ self. He bit his lip and tilted his head back as a small grin teasingly framed his cheeks. “My Grace called upon me?” he asked with a gallant bow.

  I chuckled, admiring his confidence. “Would you like to meet your uncle?”

  His face fell a bit, but his eyes remained bright. “What am I supposed to say to him?”

  “Actually, I don’t think you’ll need to say anything. Your presence should be just the trick,” I winked as I put a comforting arm around him.

  Nicholas stepped forward. “I’m going in, too.”

  Pulling in a calming breath, I kept my features slack. “No.”

  “Abby,” he grumbled, pursing his lips with frustration. “I know him. I’ve known him my whole life. I’m going in there.”

  I squinted my eyes and shook my head. “Why now? What’s your reasoning?” I released my hold on Silas and crossed my arms, standing my ground.

  Nicholas huffed and deep creases formed on his face from a frown. “Look. You want answers. Silas and I sitting in same room just might get them. Think about it.” He clenched his jaw and his eyes were swimming with intensity.

  I pursed my lips as I understood his reasoning. Exhaling in defeat, I flipped my hair to my back and hooked my arm with Silas’. Guiding him toward the door, I twisted the knob and met his fearless gaze. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Athena’s eyes grew wide when she caught Nicholas’ eye, but she quickly recovered her expression with a cavalier smirk.

  Cade’s attention perked up upon our entrance. But when his eyes set on Nicholas, his expression shifted into a cutting snarl. “What a disgrace you are to your family name,” he spat. “How dare you line your allegiance with such filth — just to chase after a worthless girl?” His eyes fell on Silas and his cheeks flushed red with anger. “All while in the presence of humans?”

  “But I thought you’d find it pleasurable to meet him?” I asked with mock concern. Silas coolly took a seat next to Athena, appearing unaffected and at ease. I sensed a bit of nervousness, and I was proud of him for holding his composure.

  “Why would I waste my time with insignificance?” His angry eyes fell on Nicholas. “After all your mother did for you.”

  Nicholas kept his eyes on him, and his expression remained tranquil.

  “Oh, but Cade?” I intervened. “Allow me to introduce you to a family member. This right here is Silas, your nephew — Tara’s brother.” Silas nodded in Cade’s direction as he was introduced. Athena sat up, calmly readying for a reaction. “I think he might have your eyes…” I noted out loud with a mocking smile.

  Cade’s eyes burned into Silas’. He tensed his jaw and his fists clenched — not a word was spoken.

  Minutes passed.

  Eventually, his attention shifted to Nicholas. “How can you stand being here? Mixed with the infirmities that breed fragile, flawed, wastes of space!”

  Nicholas folded his arms. “What’s gotten you so worked up there, Sanchez? You’re around these kind of people all the time. Kayla’s puppets are useful for you, last I checked.”

  “Useful indeed!” he snapped, gripping the desk. “You know, it’s because of people like you that our
world gets dragged into this useless, petty rut we’re all forced to coexist in!” His enraged expression flicked to everyone in the room then rested fixatedly on Silas. “People like you flaunt your bodies and possessions for power. Because really, that’s all you have going for your species.” He leaned forward, a dangerous shadow cast across his features. “Valens powers lie within our minds. Our worth is endless, so long as we push ourselves — test our gifts to the brink. We only get stronger. It isn’t limited by fornication and money.”

  “Really interesting point of view, seeing you abduct both humans and Valens to use them to your advantage,” Silas chided.

  Cade flared his nostrils, and he exerted sudden, heavy breaths. His teeth were set in a clinch as he mutedly gawked at Silas, gripping the desk until his knuckles turned bone white.

  With an imperious smirk, he released his hold on the desk and leaned back against his chair. His demeanor shifted back into the unreadable man I knew, but his eyes remained lit with dark flames. A twisted grin formed on his mouth, and he folded his fingers together on the desk. “You’re all going to burn.”

  Athena, Nicholas, and I jumped up and quickly escorted Silas out just as Edmund rushed in. When we were secured in the hallway, I raked my hair as the excitement from Cade’s slip-up coursed through my body.

  With a relieved smile on my face, I turned to Nicholas and felt my accomplished grin crumple like a brittle autumn leaf.

  Standing next to Ray, Nicholas was balking at me with a knowing, discontented look. My face fell into a deep scowl as he held his tongue.

  “What?” I asked with irritation.

  He nodded his chin toward me and lifted a pompous brow. “You’re welcome.”

  Losing the entirety of my cool, I stomped up to his firm stature and glared into the eyes I both loathed and adored. I sensed his emotions bouncing around at my closeness, but my irritability remained firm. “You’re unbelievable.”

  “You know it, babe,” he crooned as he raised a hand to my chin.

  Before he was able to make contact, I dodged his gesture and stormed down the hallway with a single thought; get as far away from Nicholas as possible.

  15

  I’m seeing red. How could I let a person constantly irk me to the point of seeing red? Slamming open the door to the stairwell, I pumped my legs as fast as they would take me up the stairs. Oxygen and adrenalin swelled in my veins, begging for more. I’d made it to the main floor more frustrated than when I left.

  Storming down the hallway and into the kitchen, I grabbed a bagel and pulled my phone out to text Athena. “Main floor, now.” Deep in thought, I bitterly ripped away pieces of the bagel and chewed it like a wild beast.

  “I don’t know what that bagel ever did to you, but I do take a little pity for the poor thing,” Miles said in a teasing chuckle.

  I turned toward him with a gob-full, a little embarrassed he witnessed the manner I was shoving it in my mouth. Covering my lips, I swallowed my food and cleared my throat. “If there’s one thing a man must learn: don’t come between a peeved woman and her food.”

  Miles released a melodious, whole-hearted laugh. “Noted.” He stepped closer, reading into my expression while savoring a cup of hot cocoa. “What’s got you all worked up, Abbs?” he asked.

  I sighed. “I really don’t want to talk about it…” Turning my attention to him, I noticed how the light pulled out the brilliant hues of green in his eyes. It reminded me of the time he came to my window after the snowstorm, wanting to speak with me about turning Valens. “I miss the old days,” I confessed, smiling warmly at him.

  “Oh? What is it about them you long for?” he asked, watching me over the brim of his cup.

  “The simplicity of it all — back in the sticks where everything was simple. Homework, chores, friendships.” My eyes shifted reluctantly back to his. “I should have realized how blind I was.”

  “Blind?”

  “With you,” I murmured. “It’s like I had tunnel vision. I couldn’t even see what was right in front of my face.”

  He eyed me a few moments before speaking again. “You really didn’t know my feelings for you?”

  “Blind as a stupid bat,” I admitted, my gaze never leaving him. “I didn’t know until you kissed me — that lousy first kiss of ours. Even then I wasn’t positive about your feelings. Why did it take me so long?”

  “I’ve always adored your careful and spontaneous mind. I never knew what to expect from you. Unless it was trigonometry. It’d take you ages to answer a simple question,” he chuckled, keeping the conversation light.

  My expression faltered. “I’m different now.”

  “Not in a bad way — you’ve taken charge of your abilities. Anyone would change from that. And I don’t think the old you is gone… just revamped,” he acknowledged with a pleasant, attractive grin.

  I shook my head. “Do you think it’s too late? To… restart?” I asked, surprised where this conversation was turning. It didn’t feel wrong, in fact it seemed like this was how it should have been all along. Comfortable — non-confusing.

  Miles set down his mug on a table and hesitated before stepping closer. As his placid eyes smoldered with fervent longing, he swallowed deeply and moistened his lips. “What are you asking me, Abbs?”

  “What happened? Did I miss something?” Athena interrupted as she barged into the kitchen, her eyes glancing excitedly at every angle around the room.

  Sighing, I stepped away from Miles. “No, I just need to get out of the house. Maybe go on a run or something.”

  Athena dropped her arms with disappointment. “That text was misleading.”

  “It’s not my fault how you chose to read it.”

  She folded her arms and sized me up. “Then it won’t be my fault the way you choose to take me saying I don’t want to go on a run with you. And I want a soda.”

  A devious smile spread across my lips. “Fine. I don’t think Miles will mind going with me?” I asked hopefully, glancing back at him.

  His eyes grew playful. “What flavor soda ‘Thena?” he asked, turning toward the fridge.

  Athena glared, apparently disapproving of Miles’ intervention. “Orange,” she said hotly. She plopped down in a chair and pulled out her phone. I bit back a smile as I watched her brood.

  * * *

  The sight before me shifted dramatically and I found myself in a cold cell with nothing but concrete and metal bars. I was surrounded by government officials, all hovering around something unseen. When one finally stepped aside, my eyes grew wide with fear as I recognized an exhausted Olivia and Damian adorned in restraints.

  “Tell us where you came from,” a government official ordered.

  “That’s not why we’re here!” Damian snapped.

  “We’re here to tell you we’re humans training with Valens on their side — my sister is trying to right the other Valens’ wrongdoings. She and her people don’t want contention between the two races. Peace is all she seeks,” Olivia stated, pleading with her worn out eyes that they’d believe her.

  “You’re not answering our questions.”

  “And you’re not listening to our statements!” Damian glowered, fighting against his restraints.

  “We meant no harm. We came for your help and to try to bring light to the situation. You’re both fighting separately in the same war, but on the same side. So if you’re not going to believe us, can we just go?” Olivia asked in a soothing tone.

  The government official smirked haughtily at her pleads. “Oh sweetheart, what makes you think you’re going anywhere?”

  * * *

  Gasping for a much-needed breath, I collapsed over my knees as Miles and Athena hovered over me, pulling me back to my feet.

  Just like that, I was back in the kitchen — the familiar sights and smells assailing my senses once again.

  “Did you see a premonition?” Miles asked in a worried tone.

  “Athena, see where Olivia and Damian are,” I ordered,
trying to catch my breath.

  “I just saw them here earlier…” she flustered as she fumbled with her phone. “They are… moving really, really fast.” She narrowed her eyes in confusion.

  “They’re on the plane then,” I announced, as I broke free from their hold and hurried out of the kitchen.

  “What plane? Where are they going?” Miles asked as he jogged after me.

  “I don’t know where they’re going,” I turned around and gravely met his eyes. “But they deiced to go and meet with the U.S. government in hopes to form an alliance. On their own.”

  Miles paled, and his jaw dropped in shock. “They’ll never let them go.”

  I couldn’t hear my feet pounding on the concrete as I raced towards Olivia’s room. Everything was numb — my mind frazzled and in shock. How could she up and leave like this?

  Skidding into Olivia’s door, I spotted a crisply folded note and both of their cellphones on her bed. Miles and Athena came in after me, all of us out of breath from exertion.

  Grabbing the note, I opened it and read aloud:

  * * *

  “Abby,

  By now, you’ve realized our absence. We both knew it wouldn’t take long before someone noticed. In fact, we’re probably on the plane right this moment. Please know that we’re doing this for our family, Tara’s family – all the other families that are suffering from the Ludovic’s.

  This is our war, too. Believe it or not, there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you. We may not have the strength and mind powers of a Valens, but we have the truth.

  Damian and I don’t impose a threat to the U.S. Government, so we’re hopeful we’re able to help.

  Regardless of how this goes, I don’t want you to deter your course. Your main focus should remain on your target and we’re praying this trip will grant you the aid you seek.

  We both know it cannot get worse at this point.

  Stay strong, my love is with you.