Opal's chin rose. "I didn't need one."
"The facts say differently," he said.
She blanched, but met his hard stare.
His gaze started at her feet and worked its way to the top of her head and back down again. "Why aren't you injured? It was your duty to protect her." He shook with emotion. "At the very least, I'd expect to see battle wounds."
"I barely got away, my King." Opal bowed her head to appear distraught. "If Taylor hadn't warned me, the Slavers would now have us both."
Hades' eyes narrowed. "So she saved your life and forfeited her own?"
Opal nodded and managed to muster a tear. "I am sorry, Sire. I know that you vowed to protect her."
Hades' jaw tightened. "As did you, but it looks like we both failed." Claws sprang from his fingertips and stripes appeared beneath his skin. He threw his head back and roared, the sound deafening.
Opal jumped. She'd expected the Dark King to be upset, but she'd underestimated the violence of his reaction to losing the Earthling.
"Shall I notify her sister of the loss?" Opal asked.
Hades' expression arrested her. "No, because I intend to find her and retrieve her. She is mine," he said with so much vehemence that Opal took a step back.
She tried not to let the shock from his declaration show on her face, or the pain that followed. "I fear she's long gone by now, Sire," she murmured. Soon her troubles would be over and everything would return to normal.
"If the energy field doesn't prevent them from taking off, then I shall follow the Slavers across the galaxy until they land on another planet," he growled. “They are not self-sustaining. They’ll have to stop eventually. When they do, I’ll be ready.”
Opal's eyes widened. "You would declare war over the loss of one human female?"
Hades’ blue eyes frosted. "I will tear this galaxy apart and every being who stands in my way, until I find her. And if in the end I discover that Taylor is truly gone from this mortal realm, then Goddess help those who took her from me."
Opal shivered as cold fingers of fear trickled down her spine. For the first time since she'd concocted this plan, she was truly terrified. Hades would never forgive her. There was nothing that she could do that would atone for this act. If he found out that she was the one behind Taylor's abduction, he would rip her apart with his claws and feast upon her entrails. Her mind raced. What could she do? Where could she go?
She only had one chance at saving herself.
Opal forced herself to look at the Dark King. His fury beat at her, battering her senses, until she was ready to turn tail and run. "I-I believe I have located the Slavers’ last position. I cannot guarantee that they will still be there, but it's a place to start the search."
"We have no time for your guesses," Hades said.
"This isn't a guess. I am positive I have found their location." Opal gave the King the coordinates.
His eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Then let us go and stop wasting time."
Opal had never been more grateful that she could block the Dark King's probing mind than at this moment. She could 'feel' him reaching for her thoughts, searching for the truth. If he even had an inkling that she was lying, Opal would be dead. She had only one chance to make it out of this situation alive. She had to reach Taylor before Hades did. If she killed her before the Dark King got to her, then he'd never learn the truth.
***
Taylor straddled the two rods that kept her arms spread and hands bound. Sweat dripped from her forehead, running along her face. She'd been trying to shimmy up the poles since the Slavers had left her. Her efforts thus far had been fruitless. It was hard to hold the splits between poles, when you could barely move your hands.
The ship's engines purred beneath her feet. She could hear men rushing back and forth outside the door. If even one of them looked in, she'd be caught. But if she didn't get out of here soon, Taylor would be trapped. There'd be no escaping. And thanks to Opal, no help would be coming.
More shouts sounded from inside the bay. Taylor held her breath and prayed they didn't enter the holding room as she gripped the rods and jumped once more, spreading her legs wide until her feet touched the poles. Her muscles shook as she forced her body to climb.
"You can do this," she grunted.
Inch by inch, Taylor worked her way up. Twenty feet had never looked so high. What if when she got to the top she couldn't slip her wrists free? Her arms trembled. She thought of her twin, Tabby. She thought about the bad decisions that she'd made in her life. But most of all she thought about Hades.
Taylor couldn't fathom never seeing him again. She loved him. Funny how being in danger had put everything into perspective. She'd never had such clarity in her life. Too bad the epiphany came so late.
Her body quaked and she dropped an inch. Sweat covered her palms, but somehow Taylor kept from falling even further. She squirmed her way up the last seven inches, arms and legs quivering, lungs gasping for air.
When she reached the top, Taylor paused. Doubt crept in. What if it didn't work? What if she'd done all this for nothing? It had to work! She strained, pulling herself up the last inch. The rods tugged at her wrists, almost as if they were magnetized. Maybe they were. She pulled harder and her left wrist slipped free.
Taylor swung her body over to the right rod and wrapped her straining thighs around the pole. She climbed until her torso was above the right rod and yanked both hands up with all her strength. Her hands slipped free of the rods. Taylor cried out in relief and quickly covered her mouth with her palms, so the Slavers didn't hear her.
She slid down the rod. The second her feet touched the ground, her legs gave out. Tears streamed down Taylor's face. She'd done it. She still had to figure out a way to get out of the room and make it past the guards, but at least she'd freed herself.
Taylor couldn't afford to rest for long. She rubbed her legs, then staggered to her feet. Her thighs protested, but she remained standing. She ducked as a dark shadow passed in front of her door. Taylor dropped to her hands and knees, and crawled across the floor. There had to be something inside of the crates that would work as a weapon. Was it too much to hope for a baseball bat?
She rifled through the crates and found mostly clothing. Clothing of various sizes, shapes and colors. Taylor's gaze strayed to the dark stain, circling the drain in the middle of the floor. How many women had died? How many had been tortured? She shoved the clothes away and moved onto the next crate. She would not give up without a fight. Taylor had learned that much from the Phantom people.
***
CHAPTER TWELVE
Hades suspected there was more to Opal's story, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out what she could be lying about. She disliked Taylor. Felt threatened by her. That much was obvious, but that didn’t explain the events that had occurred in the Walled City.
He tried to probe her mind once more to uncover the truth, but failed again. Her mental blocks were some of the strongest he'd ever encountered. That strength had been a bonus when he'd made her his Righthand, but now it served only as frustration.
Opal led them directly to the Slavers’ location, which only added to his growing suspicions. How had she known? She couldn't have just found out, which meant she’d been keeping the information from him. Why hadn't she given him the coordinates right away? The only logical reason for her to keep this from him was if she was the spy they’d been searching for.
The thought pained him. Hades had taken Opal into his bed. He’d trusted her with his life. Depended on her to protect the Phantom people. He’d considered her a friend. And this was how she’d repaid him. He had been so worried about challenges from the outside that it never occurred to him to take a closer look at his inner circle. It was a mistake that had cost him dearly. Hades would have to wait to find out the extent of her betrayal until after the raid. It was not something he looked forward to.
The ships’ engines roared to life.
Fear beat at Had
es’ chest as he watched the Slavers prepare for takeoff. He couldn't let them get away. If they gained altitude, they'd blow up when they hit the energy field. There was also a chance that they'd kill Taylor, when the Phantoms attacked. Either way, she would be dead. His beast roared in anguish inside of him. Hades might be uncertain about his feelings, but his beast was not.
With a mental push, Hades told his army to spread out. He planned to take as many of the Slavers as he could alive, if only to torture them later in the Pit. He wanted them to know that the Dark King would not tolerate them in his Kingdom. Would not tolerate them taking what was his.
Once his men were in place, Hades gave the signal and roared. The sound echoed through the woods, signaling the attack. The Slavers' heads shot up and they scrambled to pull their weapons, but it was too late. Phantom Warriors poured out of the trees, shifting as they went. Bears, cats, misshapen wolves, and two-legged vipers rained down upon the Slavers, tearing a swath through their numbers as they fought to reach the ships' open doors.
Hades' claws ripped the head off one man, then he backhanded another. Bone crunched as the Slaver crumpled and fell to the ground. Rage turned his world into a red haze. If he couldn't save Taylor, he would avenge her. His two hearts nearly stopped in his chest at the thought of her being gone forever. She had to be alive. He would accept no other outcome.
More Slavers appeared in the doorways. They rushed out to assist their fallen brethren. Hades tore a bloody swath through the re-enforcements, leaving shattered bodies and twisted limbs in his wake. He no longer cared about survivors. He just needed to reach Taylor before it was too late.
He continued to fight, pushing his way closer and closer toward the ships. Blood dripped from the Dark King's torso and ran down his claws. The Slavers tried to retreat inside the lowest craft, but his men cut off their escape. Hades' beast leapt through the open door and quickly scanned the surroundings. He inhaled, searching for that sweet aroma that he knew so well. Hades caught Taylor's faint scent, but could not tell where it was coming from due to the stench of death and excrement filling his nostrils.
"Fan out!" he bellowed. "She is here. Find her."
***
Opal rushed through the doors behind Hades in a panic. She had to locate Taylor. She'd told the Slavers that she was worth more alive, than dead. Now she prayed to the Goddess that they hadn't listened to her. If they'd killed her, then all her troubles would be over. Hades would slaughter the Slavers, and then they would return to the Keep. The Dark King would go through a short period of mourning out of respect for Linx and his mate, then things would return to normal.
She kept to the back of the group as they worked their way deeper into the ship. It would be easier to slip away unnoticed, when the time was right. Smooth metal walls wound their way in concentric circles, growing tighter as they neared the heart of the first ship.
Opal had never been inside a Slaver craft, except to examine its wreckage. Intact, the ship looked completely different. She could hear a battle taking place on the deck below her and on the one above, but she didn't have time to worry about who was winning. Opal waited until the halls split, then made her escape.
She used her knowledge of wrecked Slaver’ ships to work her way toward the cargo area. The sound of heavy boots hitting metal reached her. The pounding grew louder as the men approached. Opal ducked into the shadows and watched the Slavers and Phantoms rush by.
She waited for the hall to clear, then took a step to her left. A whoosh sound came from behind her. Before Opal could turn to see what the noise was a large hand came down upon her shoulder. She was jerked into a hatch that she hadn't even noticed was there.
Opal spun, her clawed hand ready to eviscerate her assailant. Captain Hawk struck like a viper, easily catching her wrist and stopping her attack. He tsked. With a squeeze, he warned her how easy it would be for him to crush her wrist, then slowly released her. Opal's hearts stuttered in her chest as she stared into his uncompromising face and her hand fell to her side.
"I should've known that you were behind the betrayal," he said. His golden eyes simmered in the artificial lighting, but he made no move for his weapon.
Opal blanched. He wasn't referring to the Dark King. He was talking about himself. "You don't understand." She shook her head. "I gave you over an hour to escape with the Earthling. I'd expected you to be long gone by now."
He used his big body to cage her against the smooth wall. "And I seem to recall telling you that I'd see you again. I just hadn't expected it to be so soon." His voice lowered. "I should gut you where you stand."
Heat poured off his body, raising the temperature around them. Awareness flared between them, before being quickly banked. "You could, but I'm not the reason the Dark King is here. At least not entirely," she stammered. "He's here for her. But I need to get to her first. You could help me."
Hawk's raven brow arched. "You attack my ship, then have the nerve to ask for a favor?"
She ran a shaky hand through her short hair. "I know I ask much of you."
He snorted. "You ask everything, yet offer nothing in exchange." Hawk's gaze scrolled down her body. He reached out and touched her hair. It slid through his fingertips. "So soft," he said. "I knew it would be the first time I saw you in the tree."
Opal's stomach lurched. She'd thought he’d seen her, but had convinced herself otherwise. “Why didn’t you raise the alarm?” It was the question Opal had been asking herself since she’d first spotted him.
“It would’ve driven you off,” he said. “I wanted you to think that you were safe, so that you’d come back. I pride myself on being a patient hunter.”
Opal swallowed hard. "We don't have much time," she said, her voice breathless despite the urgency of the situation.
Hawk shook his head. "No, you don't have much time."
"Please," Opal pleaded. He appeared unmoved by her begging. Given the amount of Beings who'd probably begged him for their freedom, for their very life, she wasn't surprised. "I'm sure we could come up with some sort of arrangement."
"Now you're speaking my language," he said. "What exactly do you have in mind?"
"If you tell me where the Earthling is being held, I will make sure that the Dark King leaves your ship and whatever's left of your people," she said.
His gaze became calculating. "You can guarantee such a thing."
Opal gave him a shaky nod. "Y-yes! The King will go the second he finds her."
It was a lie and they both knew it. Once Hades found Taylor's lifeless body, he would leave no one standing.
Hawk's sensual lips peeled back in a feral smile. "You smell of deceit...and fear. Deceit, I can appreciate, but your fear does nothing for me." There was more than a little disgust in his voice. He closed the distance between them until only a breath separated them.
Opal thought all Slavers lived for the fear that they created in their captives, but she didn't think that Hawk was lying to her—at least not about that. Why would he? He had her right where he wanted her.
Right where she wanted to be. The insidious thought crept through her mind before she could stop it. "Don't." It was a plea and a command.
Hawk leaned forward, creating a faux intimacy that Opal didn't want to feel. He paid no heed to the fighting going on outside the door or her demands. "If I hadn't scented your fear before you knew I was here, then I would've believed it was caused by me." Hawk exhaled. His warm breath fanned over her face, leaving her light-headed.
Opal tried to flatten herself against the wall, but the move was ineffective. She couldn't escape him.
"Now I know otherwise." He cocked his head and took another deep breath. The movement caused his massive chest to brush against hers. Awareness returned with a vengeance and so did his smile. "No." He shook his head. "Your fear does not come from me. You feel something altogether different, when I am near. Don't you, Little Cat?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she snarled and glanced away.
<
br /> His knowing smile told her that he'd easily caught the lie. "If you're not afraid of me, then there is only one other powerful Being on this ship that could be causing your distress." He brushed his knuckles over her jaw. "Looks like I'm not the only one caught in a trap."
Opal jerked her head away. He was too close to the truth. Hawk was too close period. "I have to go. I have to reach the Earthling before the Dark King does."
"And what will you do, when you get to her?" he asked with genuine curiosity.
"Kill her, of course," she said matter-of-factly.
"That's quite a profit you're talking about disposing of. What are you going to offer me to make up for the loss?" he asked.
“What do you want?” Opal asked, glancing at the sealed hatch door.
Hawk's brow rose even further as he studied her. "You really are in trouble, if you're so eager to bargain with the enemy," he said.
"I won't be, if I get to her first," Opal said.
"Betrayal costs, Little Cat. No one gets away without paying the price," Hawk said.
"Please, I'll do anything you ask," she said.
Hawk cocked his head to the side to study her. "Anything?"
"Yes," she hissed.
He grabbed her chin and tilted her head up until their eyes met. "I plan to hold you to your word," Hawk said. "Best you remember that. The woman is being held in cargo bay four. I suggest you hurry. I've just received word that your people have reached level three."
Opal scooted away, but he stopped her before she made it to the door.
"This is not over between us," he said.
She gave him a curt nod.
Hawk pressed a button on the wall and the door opened. He stuck his head out the hatch and looked around. "All is clear." He grabbed Opal's arm and pulled her into the hall.
“Let go of me,” she demanded.
Hawk took one step and was struck from the side by a massive liger. The cat ripped Opal from his grasp and knocked him off his feet. The powerful blow sent him sailing through the air, end over end. Instead of slamming into the wall, Hawk twisted at the last second and landed lightly on his toes.
Atlantean's Quest 5: The Dark King Page 18