by LJ Swallow
“Did my brother fuck you?” My betraying face fires with heat. “Really, Cora? You disappoint me. I prefer not to take his cast offs. Or did he just take what he wanted from you? Enjoyed the struggle?”
As he speaks, Alaric rubs his lips, eyes darkening.
Like he does. I will the conversation not to go further, for him not to go further and touch me. I reach across to take a cube from the sugar bowl, and he snatches my hand.
“What's that?”
He indicates the wound from Mattias's cut. The patch is still red, the dark centre the same, but it hasn't spread further.
“I cut myself.”
Alaric drags my hand closer and examines it. “On what?”
“I don't remember.”
He cocks a brow. “You don't remember how this happened? It looks painful to me.”
I wince as his fingers explore my skin, and when he trails one across the wound's centre, I jerk as the pain shoots up my arm.
“I don't fucking believe this. Do you think this will protect you? Is that what he told you?” Alaric presses the wound harder and my eyes water. I stare back refusing to show the pain. “Do you understand what this is?”
“Just a small cut.”
“His blood touched yours, I take it?” He drops my hand. “Did he cut you anywhere else?”
“No.”
“So he did cut you?”
I sip my tea to wash away the bad taste growing in my mouth. “No. It wasn't like that.”
Alaric picks up a cake knife from the table and examines the silver tip. “I should cut that out for you. I expect you’ve heard what happens when Hyland blood mingles with humans? If that cut stays…” He sucks air through his teeth. “Who knows what might happen.”
Loaded question. Loaded look. I fight my hardest to keep a game face, to stop him seeing I know the truth. “Everybody knows. Poisons,” I croak out.
He taps the knife tip against his teeth. “It may not be too late if this was only a small amount of his blood touching yours.”
As he reaches out, I recoil and my teacup falls to the floor. I sit on my hands. “Alaric, please... I feel okay.”
“Of course you do, it takes time and more blood. I can stop his blood tainting yours if you want. Cut the damage out.” He waves the knife at me.
“Afternoon tea and a gentle stabbing?” I stand. “Why would I let you do that? How can I believe anything you say?”
“Cora, sweetheart.” He stands too and reaches out to stroke my arm. “I can't believe he's done this to you. I would never hurt you like this.”
“You're talking crap. You’re the one abducting me. I've seen what you do to your maidservants, and bet you’re planning the same for me.”
“I won't hurt you,” he repeats. “They're my outlet. I could've taken what I wanted from you already, but I respect you, Cora.” I fight back the desire to retch. “Cora, please. You're special. We can find a way around this.”
I back up as he tries to take hold of me, his change of pace disarming. “Leave me alone, Alaric.”
“I hate seeing you upset, Cora, it hurts my heart.”
“You don't have one,” I hiss.
“You underestimate me.”
I tense in shock as he draws me to him, as a hand caresses the back of my head but the other... His hand curls around my wrist and he steps back and grabs the knife from the table.
“No!” I yell and struggle against him. “Alaric, stop.” I attempt to summon the same power surge as I did when I fought with Ty but nothing happens. Fear what Alaric will do with the knife supersedes every other emotion.
He twists me around, powerful arms around my waist as he stretches my arm in front of me. I scream out as he digs the knife into my hand and writhe against him as he pushes the knife harder.
“He thinks he gets past me like this,” he mutters. Blood spills for the re-opened wound. He expects me to relent; I loosen in Alaric's arms, and his grip relaxes too.
Seizing my chance, I whack my head backwards into his, the crack sound satisfying.
“You bitch!” he says, voice muffled by a hand.
Alaric releases me and I run to the door, grab the smooth round handle. Locked. Turning, I flatten my back against the door as he approaches.
“Why do you think the handles are runed, Cora?” Alaric wipes his nose smearing blood across his face as he moves in on me.
An eternal moment passes, but Alaric keeps his distance. I slide a hand behind me and rattle the handle, but the rune continues to lock the door.
“You’re hilarious. You really fucking annoy me, but you’re ridiculous thinking you can change your future. Did you know you’re responsible for others’ futures too?” he pauses, then shouts, “Alice!”
Alice walks into the room from another, to the left of where we face off, eyes filled with trepidation.
“Sir? Did you want more to eat? Or should I clear up?” Alice gestures at the table with half-eaten cakes and spilt tea. Her mouth gapes as she stares at his face.
Alaric swipes the blood away, staining his arm. “My brother is coming to visit so I need something from you. Come here.” He clicks his fingers at Alice who hesitates. “Now!”
Alice wipes her hands on the white apron around her waist and walks over to him. Alaric picks ups and holds out the knife to her, handle first. “Cut your wrist.”
“What?” I gasp.
“It's the quickest way. Or I could slit her throat. Alice?”
She trembles her face paling. “Sir, I—”
“Oh for fuck's sake, why can't I get the staff I need?” He shakes the knife at her. “Do it.”
“No. Leave her,” I whisper.
“I don’t have any choice. I need to boost my energy for when your beloved Ty arrives. It takes a lot out of me running the sector and trying to keep everything under control. Thanks to you and him, Alice will die.” He seizes hold of the shaking girl and holds a knife against her throat.
Alice’s eyes plead, brimming with tears but my terror matches hers. “Let her go. I’ll speak to Ty. We can sort this a different way.”
“You seriously think that would happen?” The knife nicks the girl's skin and she jerks as he drags the blade across the side of her neck, leaving a thin red line.
“I'm not going to kill you too, if that's what you're worried about. I’m saving that for Ty to see.”
Blood leaks from the girl's wound and he dips his finger in before examining. “There's not enough for me to draw on.”
As he presses, the knife harder Alice slackens against him, shaking and begging him to let her go.
Fear etches along my spine, the unpredictability freezing my ability to plan my next move against this sick power display in front of me. “Don’t do this. Please, let her go.”
Alaric grips the girl to prevent her falling to the ground. “Let me show you who you’re dealing with, Cora Karran. I am not my brother.”
I have no more words, as I look into Alice’s terrified eyes. She told me she would die, how he abused her. How often has Alaric done this before?
“This is your fault. Yours and my brother’s.”
I fight against launching myself at him and freeing Alice, but one wrong move and he’ll slit her throat, I’m sure. Refined afternoon tea with the Regent turns into hatred and murder.
“Let her go,” I plead. “Alaric.”
“Not happening.”
“But you can't do this. She’s not involved, it’s not fair.”
“Life's unfair, Cora. And cheap if you're not a witch. I’m fucking sick of humans thinking they're part of this sector. We only need a few, the rest are dispensable. I told you that before.” He trails the tip of the knife along the girl's neck. “For all your bullshit, bold demeanour, you're a scared little girl out of her depth.”
In a swift move, Alaric slices the knife across the girl’s throat and drops her with a grimace, as if she’s something dirty he doesn’t want to touch. Alice raises her hands to cover t
he her neck as she sinks to the floor, blood pouring through her fingers, and mouth open in silent terror. The room lurches sideways, and I refuse to allow the unreal scene to push through my horror and allow the reaction Alaric wants. Blood pools around the dying girl's head, staining her blonde hair as she grasps her throat, unable to breath, wide-eyed at her life ebbing away.
I hold a hand to my mouth, fighting the urge to vomit. Alaric looks down, taking in every moment until her hands loosen in death. He rubs his chin without looking around.
“Go back to your room, and I'll deal with you later. If you attempt to leave the house I'll have somebody slit your throat too.”
“Why did you do that?” I rasp out.
He throws a scornful look at me. “Because I can.”
“You're worse than I thought.” I fight against looking at Alice’s body. “You're an evil bastard. You made her life hell and then this… She didn’t deserve that. Nobody does.”
“Human. Worthless. Done. Off you scoot.” He waves his hand to the door. “I unlocked it for you.”
“I hope Mattias kills you and painfully,” I say in a low voice. “And I’ll help him.”
Alaric steps forward and grabs my face, squeezing my cheeks together. He places his mouth close to mine. “You’re only alive now because I want him to watch you die, but you’re testing my patience. Do as you're fucking told, or I'm going to lose my temper and kill you here.” He releases me and shoves my chest. “Get the fuck out of here and think about what you’ve caused. I have runes to charge.”
I back into the doorway, eyes fixed on Alaric's the whole time. How many more deaths will I be involved in? Only his, I hope.
I run through the house, tripping over my feet as I stumble towards my room, security at my heels. The bedroom door slams behind me, and I rush to the bathroom sink and vomit. As I turn on the tap, I stare at my clammy face in the mirror. The pain twists through my limbs towards my chest, and my heart strains to beat. I sit on the bed and hold my head between my knees, fighting the black spots threatening to obliterate my vision.
Stay conscious.
Stay alert.
My hand throbs, and I press against the wound, stemming the bleeding, relieved he stopped before he cut too deep.
Alice's haunted face broken by Alaric's treatment won't leave my head, nor will the terror in her eyes seconds before Alaric slit her throat and as her life ended.
I underestimated him. Alaric’s promise to end my life echoes. This man kills people, with no remorse, and has hinted he'll happily torture me before putting me to death for my treason. Nobody would dare stand against him, and as an example to others, I can't imagine my death will be anything less than agonising.
27
Several times in the last hour, I’ve been tempted to jump from the window and try my luck. Security can shoot me in the back, and it would be better than whatever I face at Alaric’s hands.
Then I think of Ty. I know in the centre of my being that he’ll come. Will I see him? What if Alaric ensures he’s taken and imprisoned before he reaches the Hyland house? No, Alaric’s words confirmed that won’t happen: he wants me to die in front of his brother.
Why me? How did this happen? All because one night I wanted to taste freedom. Ty’s battle to keep away from me when he was Mattias was the right thing to do to save my life and I understand the naivety I’m accused of now. Why didn’t I distance myself when he told me to?
Because I couldn’t. Everything about Ty sucked me in from the first; the curiosity that led me to dig beneath to the real man compounded how I felt. He was mysterious, domineering, and sexy as hell. He sent my emotions into a tailspin from the first touch, and my destiny joined his in that moment. However hard we tried to pretend our attraction was only physical, our need to change our futures and become who we’re not supposed to, grew with each others determination for a new life—and for each other.
I was prepared to give up the Enclave for a new future, then prepared to risk my life for one with Ty. I knew I’d never survive, whichever path I chose, perhaps Ty did too. But together we’re strong, and that strength has to win through now.
A sharp knock on the door heralds my second mystery visit of the day, and I freeze.
I open the door to a grinning Alaric, cleaned up after his murderous activities, and back in a suit. The first time I saw this man, his powerful aura and good-looks gripped those around. He charmed every girl introduced to him with a smile and soft word, manipulative from the word go. But the moment I looked into his eyes at the Gathering, I saw more. I saw a soul the opposite to the man whose eyes I’d gazed into the night before; something darker and harsher lay there. Since then I’ve discovered exactly how blackened he is.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Is my hair out of place?” Alaric smooths his hair, silver ring catching the light.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“That’s quite a demanding tone for a girl in your position, Cora. I came to tell you my brother has arrived.”
My heart somersaults. “Where? What did you do to him?”
“Me? Nothing. I told him to meet us both somewhere special, and as I’m sure you’re eager to see him, I came for you.”
The security guards stand either side, and I watch them warily. They’re human, not witch, and in their position I wouldn’t want to be involved in anything likely to happen today.
“Oh, just you and me,” he says following my gaze. “I don’t need help dealing with him. Come.”
The Hyland estate stretches farther than I was aware. Towards the rear is a gateway, surrounded by tall hedges. Alaric places a hand on the wood and the high gate swings open. A squat building greets us. The design is at odds with the Hyland house’s architecture, a long, rectangular concrete bunker set half underground. What catches my attention more than the size or bizarre feature in such a beautiful place is who stands outside.
Ty. Dishevelled in dirty jeans and a checked shirt, face lined by stress, but alive.
I step forward, eager to touch him, but Alaric grips my hand. I attempt to disentangle my fingers, repulsed by his warm hand surrounding mine. “No, you don’t.”
Ty watches us both as we approach, before turning questioning eyes to mine. “I’m sorry,” I mouth, and he shakes his head, looking away. Of everything that’s happened today, this hits me hardest, his rejection through a simple gesture.
What did I expect? Ty to destroy his brother, take my hand, and run happily into the sunset?
“Who’s with you?” Ty growls at his brother.
“Nobody. You don’t have any backup. I thought I’d be fair.”
“Try and trick me, and I’ll end this in seconds.”
“Of course you will. I understand that.” His hand tightens around mine. “But don’t touch your Scion.”
“She can look after herself, apparently.” Ty doesn’t look at me.
“Should we give Cora a tour?” He gestures at the metal door behind Ty. “You lead.”
“Why ask to meet me here?”
“Because this is what the whole situation revolves around, isn’t it? I’d like to show Cora what you’re both dying for.”
Ty snorts. “Wrong.”
I recoil as Alaric strokes my cheek with the back of his hand. “Poor Cora, I will bring Ty to justice for what he did. Taking and violating the girl I love, my future queen.”
He draws me closer as Ty takes a step forwards. “Leave her alone.”
Every time Alaric opens his mouth, my head spins into terrified confusion. He talks about killing me, and then in the next breath, he professes his false love and desire to protect.
“You’re weird,” I snap. “I was never yours.”
“But you are mine, Cora.” He touches my lips. “The sector is enamoured by the story, my determination to find the girl who stole my heart and who I could never replace with a different Scion. The one my treacherous brother stole and assaulted.”
Ty says nothing to the goad
ing and turns to the building. When Alaric leads me after Ty, my arm brushes his on the way past, surging hope Ty will snatch his opportunity to help, but he does nothing.
Straight through the door, we reach a wooden platform, stretching back into the room, a metal rail running along the front to prevent anybody falling the ten metres into the space below. The large room with grey concrete walls smells metallic, and around us, the air hums in a way reminiscent of the murderous night in the Senate building. A narrow staircase leads from the platform below.
I peer over the edge as Alaric drags me into the corner. A round stone, as wide as three people, takes the whole of the floor. Runes cover the grey slab, the deep grooves connected by shallow troughs. The carvings shine red, and I don’t need to ask why as I look up. Blood drips from a hole in the ceiling, hitting the stone and filling the runes. Hearing the truth about blood fuelling the barrier in an abstract way, not witnessing any part of the process, never prepared me for the reality.
“Is this where the blood goes?” I ask Ty. “Does this create the barrier magic?”
He nods and again his refusal to speak to me stabs.
“I’m protecting the sector, as the rest of my family did,” Alaric says.
“But you don’t need to anymore. You know the ravagers are gone.”
“I didn’t say I was protecting the humans, I said I’m protecting the sector. My sector. For hundreds of years, this helped the humans survive. Without the barriers, there’d be nobody. All the Hylands have done is sacrifice a few to help the majority.” He tips his head. “Isn’t that right, Ty?”
“You know I can’t accept this. The barriers aren’t needed anymore. We can stop,” he replies.
“Hmm.” Alaric rests against the metal railing, ensuring he blocks Ty from me. “The problem is, I don’t want to. The Othala hid for too long in the Old World. We deserve this. The land is ours, and I won’t have the witches a hidden minority again.”
“The people whose blood this is don’t deserve what happens!” I snap. “It’s evil, especially when you know the barrier isn’t needed anymore.”