“Yes, sir,” I whispered.
He sighed. “Don't do anything crazy.”
I smiled. But crazy was my middle name...
I hung up and hurried after Rockley and his wing-man, quickening my pace. As they rounded into the bakery aisle, I followed, pausing by the flour and pretending to take an interest in the different brands. An old woman was milling around in front of them and several other shoppers were floating lazily down the aisle.
Glancing sideways, I spotted Silas make a dash across the end of the aisle.
“Silas!” Rockley called, taking chase.
I panicked, unsure what to do. Rockley's man reached into his jacket, taking out a gun.
I screamed to high heaven, “He's got a gun! Help!” I pointed at them, stumbling back.
Rockley stalled, rounding on me as the man jammed the gun back into his coat. Panic broke out around us. The old woman wailed, fleeing from them. Another man shoved his trolley at them, ramming Rockley in the thighs.
Rockley locked me in his gaze and I turned on my heel and ran. A security guard tore past me as all hell broke loose in the store. Trolleys were abandoned all over the place. Some people were taking cover behind the fish counter. But most surged in the direction of the exit.
I fled into the crowd, keeping amongst them. As I sped out into the cool air, I took a left turn away from them, circling the building toward the road out front.
Silas's Mercedes came into view, speeding toward me.
“Stop her!” Rockley's voice sounded behind me.
A bang sounded. A bullet whistled past my ear. Terror pounded through me.
“No – don't shoot you fool!” Rockley shouted.
Silas pulled up beside me shoving the passenger door open. I practically fell into the car, my heart beating a frantic rhythm. I barely had the door closed as he zoomed off down the road, speeding back in the direction we'd come from.
I tugged on my seat belt as a whoop left my mouth. “We got away,” I gasped, glancing over my shoulder, unable to spot the men.
“Thanks to you,” Silas threw a wide-eyed look at me. “You shouldn't have taken that risk.”
I waved him down, a smile pulling at my mouth as we picked up speed, tearing back along the narrow lanes, leaving our pursuers far, far behind.
I waited for Hawke to return, sitting on the stairs that led up to his room. Blood was smeared down his face, but any cut he'd had was long since healed. I sprang to my feet and the remainder of his harem closed in around me, waiting for him to arrive. Meredith had been sobbing for the past half an hour and her cheeks were pink and tear-stained. As Hawke arrived, she flung her arms around him.
He gently pushed her away, give us all a sweeping glance. “The clan leaders have seen it fit to strip me of my harem. To take the targets off your backs.”
Meredith wailed, falling into his arms again. “No, oh no, please not that. Only you can protect us.”
“You're safer away from me, I think. If Bain is behind these attacks, it's me he's targeting, not you.”
Elise shifted from foot to foot, running a hand into her hair, looking lost.
“Go on,” Hawke urged, prising Meredith's fingers from his arms. “Back to your pods. I need some time alone to think.”
The girls dispersed, but as I moved to skirt around Hawke, he grabbed my arm.
“Not you,” he growled, guiding me back inside.
I swayed from his strength as he encouraged me up the stairs. “What's going on?” I whispered. “Did you fight Bain?”
He muttered a quick explanation about how the clan leaders had appeared and broken up the brawl and sent Bain to the pit.
“Did he admit to killing the girls?” I asked, relieved to learn he was stuck in a hole somewhere unable to lay a hand on anyone for the foreseeable future.
“No,” Hawke said through his teeth, guiding me into the bathhouse instead of his room.
He started pulling his clothes off and I stepped away, feeling awkward. He spiralled his finger in the air, gesturing for me to turn around. I did so happily, turning my back on him as he stripped down and got into the hot springs with a splash.
When I was certain he was well and truly submerged, I glanced over my shoulder. The packed muscle of his chest glistened with water. I averted my eyes, heading to the round pillows across the room, tugging one a few feet away from the water's edge so I wouldn't get any unwanted glimpses.
Hawke splashed water onto his face, washing the blood from it.
“Why am I here exactly?” I folded my legs up beneath me. “Or do you just like an audience when you wash yourself?”
He chuckled darkly. “I need to talk to you about Bain.”
My heart sunk. “What about him?”
“He hates me. And he knows I saved you at the first trial to spite him.”
I scowled at him.
“Amongst other things,” he added with a smirk. “But our rivalry goes back to the day I first arrived here. Bain wasn't yet leader of Tenebris. In fact, he was in Nox Clan. And...we were actually friends, if you can believe that.”
My brows rose. “Seriously?”
He nodded. “He always had ideas of taking over Nox, but he never challenged the former leader. And after years in this place, I was growing restless for my own slice of power. So Bain suggested we take over the clan together. There's no rule against it. We could lead Nox side by side. So we drew straws and I was chosen to fight the leader. When I won, Bain ruled beside me, as promised. We each had our own harem. We slept in the leader's quarters on alternating months. It worked for about a year. And then...” His eyes darkened. “I suppose the power went to his head. Some of his harem would show up with bruises on their arms, their necks. Then he started changing the rules in the clan without consulting me first. He had people brawling for all kinds of stupid privileges. He once made a man fight to have a piss. It was ridiculous.” He shook his head, spraying water everywhere from his braid. “At first, I tried to reason with him. But he wouldn't listen. And when he challenged me for complete rule over Nox, I beat his arse so badly that he had to submit. I took full power, but then the stories came out of what he'd done to some of the clan members. Raping women, beating them. So...I exiled him.” His eyes turned to me and my mouth parted in surprise.
“But no one comes back from exile,” I breathed.
“No one but him. We don't advertise that fact much. Feeding Bain's power trip is a dangerous thing to do. We've all learned that the hard way.” He sighed. “But whatever happened to him in exile made him determined as hell. I thought he'd challenge me for Nox Clan again, but he didn't. He went after Tenebris which was run by a female Werewolf at the time.” He grimaced, shaking his head. “What he did to her in that fight...he was like an animal, practically butchered her. And throughout the trial he just kept shooting glances at me. As if I was the one he really wanted to hurt.”
I shuddered at the thought. Bain was frightening at the best of times, let alone when he was cutting someone to pieces. “Why didn't he challenge you?”
Hawke considered his answer a moment. “I think he was afraid he wouldn't win. In his usual style, he chose someone weaker to prey on. Bain likes to exert his power, but usually over women. He hasn't got the strength to take on a well-fed Vampire like me, though he'd never admit it. “Anyway...” Hawke rose from the bath and I turned sharply away, doing a one-eighty on my pillow. My cheeks scorched at how brazen he was.
Thank God I'd shut my eyes in time.
He walked to the box behind me and I hoped that meant he was fetching a towel.
“Can you get to the point of this conversation please?” I demanded. Couldn't he have talked to me about this before he got butt naked!?
He laughed again. “Alright, what I'm trying to tell you is that Bain is persistent. He won't forget what I did today. And he isn't going to give up trying to get his hands on you.”
A shiver spread from the base of my spine. I nodded, saying nothing.
/> “So I want you to stay around people. I can assign escorts if you wish. Just don't go anywhere alone.” He stepped around me, a towel now in place around his waist. His tattoos stood out starkly under the light of the fire in the corner of the room. “That's an order, Mercy.”
I rolled my eyes, getting to my feet. “I wasn't planning on wandering off alone again anyway.”
He took hold of my forearm, dishing me an intense look. “This is serious.”
“I know,” I said firmly, shaking him off. “I was the one he kissed, remember? I never want his hands on me again.”
I stepped past him, heading for the door.
“You can stay with me here if it makes you feel safer,” he offered.
“Bain's in the pit, right?” I said, glancing over my shoulder.
He nodded, his jaw clenching.
“Then I don't need to worry.”
“Stay around people. I can assign-”
“I don't need an escort, thanks. I'll stay with my friends.” I threw him a smile, opening the door.
“Does that include me?” he asked before I left, his brows knitting together.
I laughed in answer, heading out the door, letting him work out the answer to that question.
I could almost feel the confusion emanating from him as I shut the door and headed downstairs into the main cave.
Knowing Bain was trapped in a hole somewhere gave me a little skip in my step as I moved through the clan, searching for Tykera. But when I spotted her, my chest hollowed out and guilt swept into the empty space.
She was kneeling by the dead harem girl who was laid on a bed of hay on a wooden board. Her hands were arranged across her chest and she was wrapped in linen which hid the knife wounds on her body. Her face was still and almost translucent, her lips as blue as ice.
Tykera and another girl lifted the bed onto their shoulders and carried her toward the exit. A group filed after them including Meredith and Elise.
I drifted closer to Tykera and she threw me a sad smile.
“Where are you taking her?” I breathed.
“To be burned,” she replied. “You can come, if you like?”
I nodded, falling into step beside her, glancing back at Hawke's balcony, finding him standing there, wrapped in a black robe, gazing watchfully over the small procession.
I didn't stop looking at him until I rounded the corner, finding my cheeks burning hot. I pressed my cool fingers to them, shaking my head. I'd made my vow and I sure as hell wasn't planning on breaking it, but that didn't mean I couldn't look at Hawke. I was only female for Christ's sake.
✭☠ ✭
Reece's body bloomed in fire, bright blue at times, then darkening to deepest red. The smell was the worst part and I left before the cremation was over. She'd been laid on a pile of ash, so thick it must have belonged to a hundred bodies. Above the burning cave had been a narrow hole, allowing the smoke to filter out far up toward the free air and sprawling snowy hills. Perhaps that was the most common way to leave this place, in soot and embers.
Tykera stayed with me as we returned to the clan. I was a little shaken by Reece's death, the reality finally sinking in. That someone, most likely Bain, was murdering girls in Hawke's harem. And the niggling feeling that if it was Bain, then perhaps I really was the one at the heart of this problem. If I went to him willingly, would the murders stop? Should I have remained safe in Hawke's protection whilst girls died around me?
“You're quiet,” Tykera remarked. “Is it Reece's death?”
I nodded. “Yes...and Bain. And the thought that if I go to him, perhaps the killing will stop.”
Tykera halted me as we stepped into the clan's cave, her eyes boring holes in my head. “Don't say that. If Bain is behind this, we cannot give in to his demands. Nox Clan is honourable and strong. We don't let men like Bain dictate our lives. I'm sure Hawke would sacrifice all of his harem if it meant Bain didn't get his way.” The bitterness in her tone didn't pass me by.
“What happened between you and Hawke? You obviously have an issue with him,” I said as gently as possible.
She sighed, dropping her gaze. “I respect Hawke. He is a good leader. But...”
“What?” I pressed, inching closer.
“But he has his flaws, like everyone I suppose. We clashed once. And sometimes It's hard for me to forgive him still for what he did.”
“What did he do?” I whispered, but Tykera eyed the clan around us, obviously not wanting to be overheard.
She drew me away from the crowd toward a quiet corner of the cave. “You can't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you,” she whispered.
I nodded several times. “I swear.”
She glanced around once more, drawing me closer. “Hawke once walked in on me and this guy...Ivan,” she whispered. “Neither of us fought for the privilege and God...it gets worse. I was in Hawke's harem at the time and I sort of...maybe brought Ivan up to Hawke's room whilst he was at the evening feast. I wanted to get back at him. Hawke was sleeping with most of the harem and I was stupid...and jealous.”
My jaw literally dropped. “What did Hawke do?” I gasped.
She sighed, lifting her eyes to the ceiling, suddenly emotional. “He offered Ivan up to the other clans, banned me from seeing him again. He only kept me in his harem on the condition I didn't tell anyone what had happened. He'd have been humiliated. Ivan went to Tenebris. I've seen him since, just briefly. He's changed, Mercy. He's like them now. And I can't stand it, because if I hadn't used him, maybe that wouldn't have happened to him. Maybe he'd still be a good person.” She hung her head, but not a single tear left her eyes.
I rested a hand on her arm. “I'm sorry...”
“It's not your fault,” she said, forcing a smile.
I returned it, releasing her.
Her smile dropped. “Every time I go near Hawke, it's so awkward. He doesn't seem to care, but I just want the ground to swallow me up when I think of how petty I acted.” She hid her face in her hands. “He must have known I was trying to make him jealous. Oh God...”
I smothered a giggle and she glanced up at me, suddenly breaking a laugh at my expression.
“I think you're being too hard on yourself,” I said. “Hawke's about as clued-in as a brick with women. I don't think he would have known what you were doing.”
She took my arm, grinning as we headed across the cavern. “I can see why Hawke likes you so much.”
I shrugged, wondering if I should tell her about Hawke kissing me. But something inside held me back. What if Tykera still liked him?
“So...how do you feel about Hawke now?” I asked evenly.
She glanced at me with a grin. “I'm over him. It was a long time ago, girl. And I'm way beyond acting like a fool for some guy.”
I nodded, wondering if she was telling the truth. I still decided it best to keep that kiss a secret. And besides, there was only two days left until the trial. Then, if I survived, I could earn the right to leave the harem and all the strange tension between Hawke and I would be forgotten anyway.
✭☠ ✭
Hawke pushed me to my limits over the next couple of days. I could barely wake up the morning of the trial, but Harlen nudged me with his boot for the hundredth time and I finally jolted upright. Last night, I'd been so hungry I'd fought for my life at the feast and managed to knock another harem girl from her chair. Only a little guilt plagued me. I needed the strength for today's challenge. And that was something I wasn't going to apologise for.
“Morning.” Harlen beamed. “Ready for today?” He had something in his palm, wrapped in a piece of brown paper. Bending low, he unfolded it, revealing a slice of bread and a wedge of cheese.
I gasped, taking it and wolfing it down, crumbs scattering over me in my haste.
“Where'd you get this?” I demanded as I swallowed the remainder, washing it down with a cup of water I'd left beside my bed.
“Hawke,” he breathed. “Not technically allowed, but it's trial da
y, so you could be dead by noon.” He was still smiling, but the comment punctured a hole in my chest.
His expression dropped as I rose to my feet with a heavy sigh.
“You'll do fine. You're strong.” He pulled me into his arms and I stiffened in surprise before relaxing into his soft embrace. “Just come back to us, yeah? I'm kinda fond of your little blonde head.”
“Thanks,” I laughed, stepping away.
He left me to get dressed and I was soon climbing down into the cavern in some snug-fitting trousers and my long vest top, the clothes comfortable enough to give me a good range of movement.
Taking a shaky breath, I moved across the room. Several of the clan were awake, some painting marks onto their cheeks with soot collected in a bucket. As I arrived, I spotted Hawke amongst them, his cheeks painted with stripes. He strode toward me, dipping his hand into the bucket and smearing two marks across my cheeks.
“Do us proud today,” he murmured, pushing a lock of hair behind my ear. “You've got this.”
I nodded, nerves kicking in as the clan gathered around me. I raised my brows in surprise as they formed two lines leading to the cave exit. They lifted their hands, linking them together with the person opposite, forming a tunnel.
Hawke laid a hand on my spine, nudging me forward. As I stepped under the first set of arms, the clan started chanting, “Nox, Nox, Nox, Nox.”
I passed through the tunnel of arms, my bravery growing as I reached the end. The chanting grew to a deafening crescendo as I turned back, finding Hawke behind me, a roguish grin on his face.
Encouraging me on, he walked at my side as we exited the cavern, heading into the passages. Some of the clan ignited torches, lighting the way as they followed, still chanting and crowing. Some cried my name and my heart swelled at the sound. Somehow, they believed in me. And that gave me a kind of strength I'd never felt before. With so many people standing at my back, it was hard to feel anything but fearless. But as I arrived in a huge chamber of black stone, my confidence took a swan dive.
The four clans were gathered around a huge tower of iron, rising up endlessly toward an impossibly high ceiling. Men and women hung in harnesses at varying levels of the tower, gazing into it.
Hunter Trials Page 15