by Nashoda Rose
I gagged, turning away from the sight. Balen pulled me up against him, my head in the crook of his shoulder. I could still hear the sound of tearing flesh and bones breaking as the wild beast devoured the body.
“Talu,” Balen called. “Talu!”
Jedrik mumbled, “Oh, man,” and Keir took a few steps back from Balen.
“Adveho iam vel vos mos nunquam eat iterum,” Balen said.
I glanced over my shoulder as Talu raised his head and peered at Balen and then at its prey. His striped coat was splattered in blood and his muzzle was now a pink hue. He seemed to be thinking about whatever Balen had said. Talu howled then came bounding toward Balen.
Oh, my God. He was coming straight for us, muzzle dripping in blood, eyes gleaming. I tried to escape, but Balen held me tight.
“Don’t move,” he whispered.
Talu hesitated a foot away, his eyes staring at me as if he was uncertain whether to trust me being so close to Balen. Then the tiger licked his muzzle and made a leap toward us. I squeezed my eyes shut and hid my face in Balen’s chest as Talu’s form shot into Balen’s skin.
Balen took my hand. “Can you run?”
I nodded. Hell yeah. Even if both my legs were broken, I’d run to get away from these bastards.
“Let’s hit it,” Jedrik said, grinning.
We ran.
KILTER MUMBLED AND COMPLAINED in a drunken stupor as Jedrik assisted him into the Talde house. Everyone had slept on the plane except for the asshole, who drank himself stupid. I wasn’t sure if it was to cover the pain of his wounds or something else.
Anstice gave Keir a quick hug and kiss, and then was all business as she directed Jedrik to the Tomb where she said she had a place ready for Kilter. Before following after them, she came over to Danni and pulled her into a fierce hug. I watched my sister’s face, filled with concern and love for her friend. It was hard to stand and watch what I so badly wanted from my sister. But it was love I didn’t deserve.
Ryker came in last. He’d woken when we were getting off the plane and he looked like a bomb ready to detonate. The rage sitting inside him was ready to erupt any second or it could sit and simmer for years. It was anyone’s guess what he’d do with Hannah gone. Keir had tried to talk to him on the plane, and it took Jedrik and Delara to get Ryker off Keir.
Ryker pushed past Keir and walked straight to the kitchen then descended into the Tomb.
Until things settled in Newfoundland, Kilter and Ryker were staying in Toronto. Keir had decided it was better for the Talde to regroup and learn more about the compound before blowing it sky high. We didn’t know whether other Scars were being held there. Until they contacted the Taldeburu, Xamien, in Spain and figured out if any Taldes in Europe had warriors missing, the compound remained as is.
“You hurt anywhere?” Anstice asked, pulling back and looking Danni up and down.
“No. God, it was . . . Anstice, if I don’t see another knife, gun, or arrow, it will be too soon.” I pulled her back to me and rested my hand on the small of her back. “And there were these guys, shit, they wouldn’t die. I swear they were machines or something.”
Anstice frowned, her eyes darting to me and then Keir. “You never told me there were CWOs. You said men from the compound.”
Keir shrugged. “Yeah, a few. I’ll check on Ryker.”
“I’m sure Hack’s doing that,” Anstice shot back, but Keir was already headed for the kitchen.
The air in the room grew heavy and warm with a mild breeze. Fuck, they didn’t waste any time. I dropped my arm from Danni and rubbed the gold bands on my wrists. A constant reminder that I wasn’t free. That I was leaving.
“Balen?” Danni questioned at my sudden withdrawal.
“They’re coming.”
Anstice placed her hand on top of mine, which was still rubbing the band. I froze, unable to move at the sudden show of affection from the one person I’d wanted to know my entire life.
“I . . . I want to . . .” Anstice stopped in mid-sentence and threw her arms around me, burying her head against my shoulder. “We never got our chance. I want our chance to be brother and sister.”
I looked over at Danni, who smiled, and I slowly raised my arms and brought them around my sister for the first time. Tears pooled in my eyes as her warmth and kindness seeped into my body. I’d waited so long to be close to my sister. Years, I’d waited, watched, hoped. And then that hope had been fucked up two years ago. Did I have another chance with her?
I knew the answer; the proof was in the gold around my wrists. I finally had a chance at love with Danni, a chance to get to know my sister, and both were being ripped from my grasp.
I pulled back and Anstice wiped the tears from her eyes while sniffling back sobs. She leaned over and pressed her lips to my forehead, then whispered into my ear, “You’ll always be my brother and I’ll always love you. You made the right choice, Balen.”
There were no words I could express that would tell her how much that single sentence meant to me.
Edan appeared in a ball of fire, and Tor right behind him in swirling red dust particles.
Danni’s breath hitched.
Fuck. I had no recourse. I couldn’t save her from the hurt I saw in her eyes.
“You don’t waste any time, do you?” I said to Edan.
Edan snorted. “And you’ve wasted plenty of mine.”
Tor spoke as if Edan hadn’t. “You have earned back the trust of the warriors for the rescue of Ryker.” He looked to Danni. “Welcome to the Scars.” Tor turned his attention back to me, his expression lacking any sort of warmth. “Waleron has been released from the realm. You’ll accompany us to await the verdict.”
I approached Tor, unable to look at Danni. I felt her anguish and knew firsthand what this was doing to her—to us.
Walking those five steps was the hardest thing I’d ever done.
Danni grabbed my arm and tugged me to a halt. Fuck, it felt like I was being ripped in two. She threw her arms around my neck, burying her face in my chest, sobs racking her body. I held her to me, my hand at the small of her back, the other stroking her hair. “I have to go.”
“Release him,” Edan said stepping forward.
“No,” Danni cried, interlocking her fingers behind my neck. “He’s innocent. Can’t you bastards see that? Are you so stupid that you can’t see that this man saved me and Ryker? Why are you destroying his life? No, I won’t let him go.”
“Danni.” It was like being stabbed over and over again. I hated seeing her like this.
“Release him or we will be forced to harm you,” Edan said with a menacing tone.
“Do it then,” Danni shouted. “Because that’s what you do best. Harm innocent people. So do whatever you want to me because if Balen is guilty, then so am I.”
“Christ,” Keir said, walking in from the kitchen. He went to stand in front of Anstice like a shield.
“Danni,” Anstice warned.
I reached between us and cupped her chin. “Danni, I’m guilty.” When she went to object, I put my finger to her lips. “We’ve known this was coming. Shit, I’ve known for two years.” My thumb slowly grazed over the cleft in her chin. “You’re a Scar, Danni. The others will watch over you, teach you. They’re your family now.”
“But I need you.” Danni tightened her hold around my neck. “I can’t do this. I thought . . . I thought I was strong enough, but I’m not. Don’t leave me.” Tears streaked down her face and landed on my shirt.
I pried her fingers from around my neck.
“No.” Danni shook her head. “Never. They can’t take you. I won’t let them.”
I raised my head, breaking my gaze from the heart-wrenching pain I saw in Danni’s eyes. I looked at Keir and nodded. Keir approached and took Danni by the shoulders, pulling her away. She struggled at first and then stopped, her eyes meeting mine.
“You’re not your father. Remember that. You’re strong and courageous. Be the woman I fell in love with. B
e that survivor, little one. You need to let me go now.”
Tor touched my arm and, within seconds, we vanished.
I SCREAMED, FALLING TO my knees and holding my head in my hands, body shaking. This was what my father felt every single day he lived without my mother. This was why he wanted to end his life. I understood now. I felt his pain, knew it like it was my second skin. And it hurt like nothing I’d ever experienced before.
I’d thought I was prepared. He wore the gold bands; I’d felt them on my body, reminding me that he’d be taken from me, but the reality had never hit until this moment.
I didn’t bother wiping away my tears. “What will happen to him?” I looked up at Keir.
“He’ll remain imprisoned until the Deaconry votes on his punishment again.”
“Can I visit him?”
“No,” Keir said.
“Will we be together again?”
“Probably not.”
A sob escaped and I swallowed several times. Did it matter anymore? Did anything matter? I loved him and he’d been torn from my arms. I didn’t understand. Refused to understand how Balen, after all he suffered and had done for us, could be imprisoned.
Kilter stormed into the room with a severe limp. His face was haggard and his eyes were narrowed into slits of fury. He still had blood on his legs and shoulder. “What the fuck is going on?”
I glanced up at him then looked away. Suddenly his hand was around my upper arm and he yanked me off the floor then shoved me onto the couch. I had no energy to refuse.
I heard them talking, yet everything was a blur: the drowning, the transformation, Ryker, the Wraiths. I was numb except for desolation. How could I live without him?
I remembered him giving me water through the bars of the cage despite him being in so much pain. I’d been a stranger to him then, and yet, he . . . he sacrificed his sister, his Scars to stop me from being tortured. He gave his life for me.
“Danni.” Anstice came and sat on the couch beside me, taking my hands.
I remembered his smile, his laugh that made my insides light up like a Christmas tree, his hands that made my skin tingle and my heart skip a beat.
Oh, God, he was letting me go. His last words to me were clear—he was letting me go. Except I didn’t want to be let go, damn it. For the first time in my life, I wanted a man to love, to laugh with, to grow old with.
But I’d never grow old now. I was a Scar. Immortal. Alone and immortal.
Anstice pulled me into her arms. “I’m sorry, Danni. God, I’m so sorry.”
The air in the room shifted, and tension rose as a cloud of mist swirled near the mantel. Within seconds, Waleron appeared, his expression the same as always—stone cold.
He opened his candy dispenser and slipped a white pill on his tongue. “Where’s Delara?”
Silence.
“Where. Is. She?” Waleron demanded.
“She took off as soon as the plane landed,” Keir said.
“Where to?” Waleron asked.
“She flew back with us, but didn’t say where she was going,” Keir answered.
Waleron’s gaze landed on Jedrik. “Find her.” Jedrik swore beneath his breath. Waleron raised his hand as Kilter began to speak. “You’ll remain here until I decide what’s to be done in Newfoundland.” Waleron lowered his voice. “Assist Danielle in learning her acquired skills.”
“This is bullshit.” Kilter kicked out at the little coffee table.
Waleron scowled. “Newfoundland is a liability until the compound is destroyed.”
“I can do that alo—”
Waleron interrupted Kilter. “No. You will not do it alone. And if you disobey me, I’ll put you in Rest.”
Waleron glanced over at me, and a shiver ran down my spine at his direct, cold stare. “I’ll return when the decision regarding Balen has been reached.” He left in a cloud of mist.
No one said anything.
I knew this had been coming. It was inevitable. However, suddenly, it all just seemed wrong.
For two days, I lay in bed unable to eat. Any noise made my heart rate spike, thinking it was Waleron with news of Balen. But the Taldeburu had disappeared just like Balen and Delara.
There was still no word as to Balen’s fate.
Anstice brought me food every day, which I left untouched. The thought of eating made my stomach churn and water was the only thing I could keep down. I even wondered if the Bonding spell was still in play because it sure felt like I was dying. In reality, I knew there was no physical sickness, just emotions beating my body like a punching bag.
Hack looked in on me briefly—like he had to see for himself that I still lived and breathed—although he never said anything.
Jedrik came and sat with me while I dozed on and off. He rambled and urged me to get out of bed, using jokes and music to try and lift my spirits. But I just wanted to sleep.
Last night, I heard a furious, tormented cry and then footsteps running down the hallway. Anstice told me this morning it was Ryker. The bomb inside him had finally detonated. They tried to reach Waleron to put Ryker in a deep sleep, but he was AWOL. Supposedly, Keir, Hack, and Jedrik had to use force to get Ryker contained in a room down in the sub-basement . . . whatever that meant.
An abrupt knock sounded. I tightened the covers around me and rolled over. The door swung open.
“Get the fuck up.”
Kilter.
He walked across the room and yanked the drapes open. The afternoon sun spilled in and I pulled the covers over my head. Damn it, why wouldn’t they leave me alone?
“Get the fuck up and stop being so selfish.” Kilter jerked the blankets off the bed, and I squealed, diving for them. He marched over to the window, opened it, and tossed them outside.
He didn’t stop there. Kilter stormed into the bathroom and I heard the shower turn on. When he came out and headed straight for me, I panicked and scrambled to the opposite side of the bed.
He stopped and crossed his arms. “We have work to do. Get showered, pull your shit together, and meet me in the study in ten minutes.” He glanced at his watch. “Make that nine. You just wasted one minute.”
“Get out! Who the hell do you think you are? I can lie in bed for the rest of my life if I feel like it. I hate you. And if Balen were here, he’d kick your ass.”
Kilter’s brows rose. “But he’s not, is he? He’s gone and he’s probably never coming back.” I threw my pillow at his head and he caught it, tossed it aside, and approached the bed. “Deal with it. This crap you’re pulling is over. Your training will begin ASAP.”
“I’ve thought about it and decided I don’t want to. I’ll go home in a few days and get back to my gallery. Better yet, I’ll just go home now.” I grabbed my bathrobe from the floor and pulled it on. “Piss off, Kilter.”
I screamed as he grabbed me around the waist and threw me over his shoulder. I kicked and shouted and punched him in the back several times before he managed to get me into the bathroom. Without hesitating, he dumped me under the warm spray of the water.
“Balen would be disappointed in you,” Kilter said. “He respected you and was proud of the chick you were.” He pulled the soaking wet bathrobe from my shoulders and threw it into the sink. “You’re a Scar now. And you will train. You’ll fuckin’ learn to harness your abilities. And you’ll start in,” he glanced at his watch, “seven minutes.”
I stood under the spray; pajamas soaked, hair dripping wet, and my body ready to crumble into a million pieces. “I don’t know how,” I mumbled under my breath. My body shivered despite the heat of the water.
I closed my eyes and tears mixed with the water. At least, Kilter wouldn’t know I was crying. I really couldn’t put up with one more crass remark from him.
“Fight,” Kilter said. “You’re a fighter, yet for some reason you aren’t fighting for this guy you love.” He reached over and passed me the shampoo. I took it. “Fight for what you want.” He shrugged. “Who knows, maybe you can ap
peal the Deaconry’s decision. Did you even think of that? Or were you too busy feeling sorry for yourself?” He stepped back, yanked the shower curtain closed, and strode out of the bathroom. I heard him yell, “Six minutes,” before my bedroom door slammed.
I STIFFENED WHEN I heard the soft voice behind me. I slowly turned and saw her pale white skin flush when I met her eyes. She shifted her feet, her blue silk gown swaying with the slightest movement.
“What the fuck do you want?”
“For you to understand,” Genevieve said.
“So I can forgive you?” I laughed. “Forgiveness will never pass these lips. Live with it. Now get the hell away from me.”
She ignored me, brave bitch. “You gave everything for her. Your oath. Your pride. Your heart. Your life as you knew it. Why?”
I remained silent, pacing the marble cell back and forth, the gold bands rubbing my wrists as I moved.
“I felt it, you know,” Genevieve said. “The connection, the pain, the horror in your veins when Ryszard hurt—”
“Don’t you fuckin’ dare talk about that shit.”
Genevieve lowered her head. “You love her. A love so great I can feel it within every inch of me. It haunted me for two years, feeling your grief, feeling you fighting the evil inside that tried to claim you. But it didn’t win. And you know why? Why everyone else has failed and why you did not? Because you knew that one day, if you destroyed the tainted blood, one day you’d be able to come back and see her again.”
I placed my palms up against the wall and leaned my forehead on the cool smooth surface.
“Without the Bonding spell, you would’ve accepted the Deaconry’s decision and been sent to Rest. She would’ve remained human and grown old, without you. Now she is a rare Reflector and—”
“And all for goddamn nothing,” I finished pushing away from the wall and facing her again.
“No.” Genevieve raised her voice, “She’s immortal now. In time, it will work out.”
“Time?” I scoffed. “Our time is over, Genevieve. Die, sent to Rest, exile, it doesn’t matter anymore.”