Cold Mark

by Scarlett Dawn

  "The prison you will be stationed at will be in Center. But it won't be the one you've been in."

  Wait ... what? "Why Center? Why not Belvar?"

  Leo explained, "There is still much conflict on Joyal and will probably be for years to come. The Humans aren't pleased—to say the least. Malik and I need to be here so that we may work closely with the other Plumas." His gaze was gentle on mine. "Eventually, we'll be traveling back to Belvar. And you with us."

  I peered down at the floor and bit my bottom lip to try to get it to stop quivering. In a gradual movement, I shook my head. "I don't want to live this way." I swallowed on a dry throat and peered up to the Plumas of the east. It was time to play my ace in the hole, even if I hadn't been able to prove it yet. The risk was needed. "I need to speak with the two of you alone."

  Phila broke from his statue-like stance, and swiftly began jerking his white hair up into a ponytail, once more showing the tops of his pointed ears in sharp relief. "Whatever you're going to say, Ms. Valorn, will not change the verdict." He inhaled and exhaled heavily, finally meeting my gaze. "There is nothing we can do."

  "I call bullshit." I raised a dark brow. "I don't think you want me to say this in front of everyone."

  Instantly, his own brows pulled together.

  My own Vaq were confused as hell, glancing back and forth between us.

  Rule interjected, "This is highly irregular. Ms. Valorn needs to be taken back into custody and moved to her new living conditions. The only visitors she's allowed are her Vaq, or someone her Vaq approve," his eyes narrowed on the Plumas of the east, "which are not the two of you."

  I kept my gaze steady on Phila. "Make them leave." My grin was wily. "I know you can."

  Ever so slowly, Phila blinked. "Now this ... is interesting."

  Killeg actually chuckled quietly, his words just as soft. "If the Humans elect a President such as you, Ms. Valorn, the Mian may actually have something to worry about."

  I held still, except to wiggle my fingers in anticipation. "Do it."

  Phila and Killeg altered their attention to the other Mian.

  I held my breath. It was now or never.

  They were my last hope of an ordinary existence.

  I watched as they linked hands ... and a blast of chilled air instantly filled the room.

  The frigidness froze everyone in place. Literally.

  No one could move, the air like bricks of ice holding us in place.

  Except for them. They were in complete control.

  Phila and Killeg opened their mouths, and as one eerie entity, they whispered on a breeze of chills, "Go outside. Go for drinks at the bar. Enjoy yourselves. Think nothing of this. Take the guards with you. Return in twenty minutes." In a smooth motion, they released their joined hands.

  The hardened air dissipated in a trickle until warmth suffused my frame once more.

  I still shivered. That power. Blessed Joyal, their power was wicked.

  I held my jaw closed so tight, the muscles ticked.

  Show no fear.

  My nostrils flared as Malik and Leo pounded each other on the back, enormous grins etching their handsome features. Malik asked, "Want to go for a drink?"

  "Hell, yes," Leo agreed, his golden eyes altering to Rule. "Would you like to join us?"

  "Of course!" Rule opened the door where we had entered. "Let's invite the guards, too."

  Malik nodded. "Perfect." He peered over his shoulder to the Plumas of the east. "We'll be back in twenty minutes." A point at me. "Don't let her con you into anything ridiculous."

  Phila's lips twitched. "Of course not. We'll be here when you get back."

  The door shut behind them as they left.

  I waited another minute until there were no sounds of the guards remaining. My attention locked on the Plumas, I decided to play it cool. I dipped my head to them in appreciation. "Thank you."

  Killeg tilted his head to the side and slid to sit on the edge of the table. "How did you know?"

  Mmm. It was best not to give away all of my secrets. "I'll tell you ... " I flicked my regard back and forth between them. "After you do me a favor."

  Phila's beautiful dark eyes scowled. "We could force you."

  Obviously. "But where's the fun in that?" I let myself grin. "Come on. It's got to be hell how no one else knows your secret."

  "Stiller does," Phila murmured absently, turning his attention to his other half. That was surprising. And not. Stiller was their best friend and the general of their armed forces. "What are your thoughts, Killeg?"

  His head teetered in thought as his blue eyes grazed over my features one at a time. "We were going to have her charges dropped eventually. I'm sure that's what she's going to ask for—"

  "Actually, it's a little more in depth than that," I interrupted. "In exchange for me not telling anyone that you have Kireg blood running through your veins—that you can manipulate the psyche of anyone here—I want all charges dropped for myself and Jax—"

  "His charges are already dropped. Mr. Waterston was our first priority due to the fact his life was actually on the line, whereas yours was not." Killeg shrugged a shoulder at my raised brows. "He wasn't linked to a Pluma. Therefore, he could have been given the death penalty."

  "Oh." I hummed in appreciation but quickly stopped as a negative thought occurred. "How long were you going to let me rot in prison?"

  "Not as long as you fear. We still wanted you to figure out your shit with your Plumas."

  How to express this nicely ... "Prison is shit. I don't ever plan to go back there. Not living anyway." My nose crinkled, and I hesitated a moment. "You're not angry with me ... for the Joyal incident?"

  They both chuckled quietly until Phila muttered in a gleeful tone, "Braita, we haven't had that much fun in years. Your own Vaq even loved it. We were able to maim tons of people and we got our specimen from the debacle. It was the litigators who did not."

  Well, that was good to know. If I ever fucked up again, I just needed to make sure there was genocide available for the taking. I cleared my throat and stated with extreme politeness, "So, I'm not done yet with my demands." Both men calmed themselves, keeping their hilarity at bay. Though they still appeared too amused as they waited for me to speak. "I want to live free from my Vaq. I want the choice to be mine who I am with romantically. I want to live here in Center—with Jax." I blinked. "And I want my damned dog back." I shrugged a shoulder, ignoring the bit of pain from the laser-cuffs. "After those demands are made, I'll tell you how I knew you're hybrids."

  Killeg drummed his fingers on the table, his glowing gaze solely on mine. "Do you realize how important it is that you don't speak of our nature to anyone?"

  I snorted. "Let's see...being a Kireg-Mian hybrid gives you the power to influence anyone. So, yes, I would imagine most Mian would chop off your heads if they found out."

  Killeg nodded. "And do you agree to never speak of it to anyone if we meet your demands?"

  "You have my word."

  As one, they nodded. "Agreed."

  I nodded too. "So, how long until I'm out of this mess?"

  Phila snorted. "It took us a good month to work our way through the litigators for Jax. But with your track record, I think the better question is how long until we have to bail you out of your next mess?" He lifted a white brow, and his lips curved sensually. "I hope you're keeping track, Braita. Because we sure as hell are."

  I laughed, the sound full of amusement. "I just bet you are."

  I lay on a plush bed with satin sheets. For a jail cell, it wasn't bad at all. I even had a window.

  Jax had come to visit me, wholly confused by the fact that he was a free man. I had kept my word though. The Plumas of the east secret wouldn't be told.

  My eyes continued to open in the darkness, just to make sure I wasn't back in the hellhole I had been in before. This wasn't a fantasy. I had the Plumas backing me. Soon, I would be released.

  I would be free.

  Freedom. It w
ould be mine for the taking. Fucking finally.

  Though nightmares plagued my sleep. Haunting dreams of what could have happened. I had gotten lucky.

  If the Plumas hadn't had a particular interest in me, my situation could have been much different. For this to run smoothly, I would need to continue to be honest with them. If I wasn't ... well, it was a real possibility they would know it with their powers. The Kireg were a crafty breed and indeed knew how to manipulate people—and see into their mind.

  If I could name an actual dominant race, it would be a Kireg-Mian hybrid.

  Grumbling a light curse, I tossed to my left side. I would get sleep tonight.

  Just ... a ... little ... sleep.

  Blinking my eyes open, I groaned. A massive throb pounded my skull, a migraine unlike I had felt before.

  "Hello, Ms. Valorn," Rule murmured gently.

  My head shot up, and I instantly grabbed it. Oh. My. God. My head was going to explode.

  Tears threatened to spill, but I squinted at my locality. I was not in my luxurious jail cell.

  "Lay back down. The pain will subside," he stated.

  "You drugged me," I growled. The walls surrounding me were made of red lasers so thick I couldn't see through them. There was a chair, which Rule sat on. A hov-toilet in the far right corner. And the cold black table that I lay on.

  I was also practically naked. And freezing. My kidnapper had only left me in my bra and my underwear—not even socks. I was beginning to think Rule and I were not on the same page of civility.

  "Yes, I did." He sighed, his brows furrowing. "It took forever for you to fall asleep naturally."

  I turned and tossed my legs over the side of the table. "What the hell are you doing?"

  "You see, Ms. Valorn, I find it extremely curious that my judgment is off-balance."

  And ... he wasn't making a whole lot of sense. I placed my elbows on my knees and dropped my pounding head into my palms. In gentle circles, I massaged my temples. "You'll have to give me more to go on. I have no clue what you're talking about."

  "My judgment."

  "Explain." He was a loon.

  He snorted softly. "If that is how you wish to play this game, I'll tag along. For now." He leaned back on his chair and stretched his long legs out. "First, I never would have allowed Mr. Waterston to go free. And yet I did. Second, I never would have left you alone in a room without guards with the Plumas—after your treasonous act. And yet I did." He rubbed his forehead. "I even got drunk."

  Ah, shit. I kept kneading my temples. "And you're blaming me now that you're second guessing yourself? Your own actions?" I glared up at him through my hanging dark locks of hair. "Do you know how insane you sound right now?"

  He smiled. It was so big I was pretty sure I could see his back molars. "I said 'game' before, but make no mistake, this is no true game. Playing stupid will only bring you pain, Ms. Valorn. You will tell me one way or the other how you've been drugging my associates and me while you were in jail. I will know who has betrayed us."

  My brows knitted together. "You know, I haven't been freed. I'm still a captive of my Vaq. Why in the world would you believe I had anything to do with your—what you believe—questionable actions?"

  His smirk hadn't died. "Because Mr. Waterston was just as shocked to be released as I later found myself to be. You, on the other hand, are not shocked. In fact, besides your restless sleep, appeared quite content when you left after your sentencing—even though you are so adamant about being free." He rubbed his bald head in thought. "In fact, my guess is you expected to be released soon, and that is why you did not pick a larger fight."

  Too smart. He was too intelligent for his own good. "You're insane."

  "Name calling is just another game, Ms. Valorn."

  "Unless it's true." I had to stick with this. Give him any seed of doubt. My squinted gaze scanned the room once more. "Where the hell are we?"

  He stood from his chair and stretched his arms over his head as if I had been a burden to carry here for him. "We're in my personal hov-craft circling Center. I couldn't have your Vaq getting suspicious if they became sick, so I had to stay close." He shrugged his shoulders again and began walking toward the laser wall on the right. "I would suggest you not touch the barrier. It is designed for only me to pass through. You'll have enough pain later if you continue with your games—there's no need for any added torture. Plus, I need you awake." With his parting words, he walked through the lasers and disappeared from my line of site.

  The hell with that. I wasn't trusting him for anything.

  I jumped off the table and ran full out at the opposite laser wall.

  My bones jarred as I hit what felt like a concrete barrier and my scream was the last thing I heard as I flew backward from the jolt of electricity that hammered my body. Eyes closed, I barely perceived my head smacking the ground and the lights going out once more in as many months.

  "Who do you know on Triaz?" Rule questioned. For the sixth time.

  "I already told you." I ground my teeth together, not bothering to attempt to stop my shaking. The rough leather straps holding me down rubbed my skin with every inhale I took, a burning sensation overriding the freezing temperature. I fisted my hands and pulled at the bands on my wrists. "Aren't you getting tired of that question? I know I am."

  He pressed the soaked cloth back over my face and began pouring cow piss over the cloth.

  I choked as the warm urine filled my mouth and the cloth caved, suctioning the filth inside.

  I had lost all embarrassment two days ago when he had started his interrogations.

  Now, I would never tell him a damn thing to point him to the Plumas. My nights were filled with torture while my days were overflowing with thoughts of ways I would kill this bastard. And, yes, it did include cows—and their shit.

  He chuckled, hoarse and deep, when I had to swallow or else drown.

  When my eyelids started to flutter shut from lack of oxygen, he pulled the cloth away.

  I sucked in much-needed air and turned my head before I started to puke, my body racked with revolting pain. The shots he gave me before any torture session where keeping me alive—just barely. Any toxin entering my system was immediately purged ... through one end or the other. Acid burned my already raw throat, and I spit it directly on his shoes.

  He leaned over me, his glowing blue eyes piercing mine. "Are you ready to tell me the truth?"

  "I have, you insane bastard," I croaked. Then, I twisted my head and heaved again.

  "I think it's time for a different technique ... "

  "Fuck you."

  "Fuck you!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, jerking, as bolts of electricity scorched me from the inside out. I couldn't breathe as he pressed a taser-rod to my perspiring chest again. My body convulsed as arcing pain slid through every molecule of my being. At the last minute, he pulled the taser-rod away before I passed out, the bastard making this an art form. My head fell back, and I peered with blurry vision up to the red laser ceiling, my teeth chattering uncontrollably.

  "The name, Ms. Valorn. Give me the name of the individual who is helping you."

  I tried to speak, but nothing came out except for a gurgle of spit. It dripped down my cheeks and found purchase inside both of my ear cavities. His voice, when it came, sounded as if I was underwater and he was some type of rescuer ashore.

  But he wasn't. He was evil incarnate.

  I saw his hand too late. In a rush of speed, his palm landed with a loud smack on my right cheek.

  It didn't even hurt as my head whipped to the side. I could only feel the pings of charring pain that still resided in my body, making my limbs twitch abnormally. I wondered if I would ever be the same again.

  "The name! Give me the damn name."

  My slur was barely audible. "My name is Braita Valorn."

  He heard it though. He sighed heavily and muttered, "That's enough for today." With aggravated jerks, he released my body from the straps and left
, walking through the far laser wall with a long stride of fury.

  I cupped my hands inside the hov-toilet and filled them with water. Rule didn't give me liquids unless it was to torment me. Though, this was a mental cruelty all unto itself. Which he knew full well. Swallowing the lukewarm water, I cupped my hands again for another mouthful. He would be coming again soon. It always started right after a loaf of bread was thrown into the room. My stomach churned with said bread.

  I shuddered at the form of torture he might use again. The worst was the flashes of light. It was so simple, yet so painful. No matter if I shut my eyes, hours upon hours of the alternating blinking lights right above my face, drove my mind to the brink of madness, my thoughts swirling until I didn't know up from down.

  Right on cue, Rule strode through the laser wall like the devil coming through the flames of hell.

  I instantly startled, scuttling backward in an attempt to hide behind the table. My legs weren't working well from the stick beating yesterday, so I had to pull myself by my arms, skinning my elbows on the rough tiling. "I answered all of your questions! Leave me alone!"

  I heard the chair scrape and creak on the other side of the table as he sat down, and then he stated calmly, "Actually, after two weeks of this fun, I am inclined to believe you, Ms. Valorn."

  I paused in my arm-crawling. "What?"

  "I said I believe you."

  This had to be another mind trick. My chin began to tremble. "You're going to let me go?"

  "I didn't say that, Ms. Valorn. I stated I believe you have answered all of my questions truthfully." He cleared his throat, and the chair creaked again. "This means I am either asking the wrong questions or I am looking at this all wrong."

  I didn't have the energy to comprehend what he meant. "Explain."

  "In simple terms, we can continue with the torture, with a whole new set of questions, or I can take the simple route. A path that had not occurred to me, which should have by now. For that, I do apologize."