by Cece Rose
“Someone I know wants to speak with you,” I explain.
“Oh really? Whom do you speak of?” he questions, sounding intrigued. Although, I'm not completely convinced it's not sarcasm.
“Solas.” I don't blink, scared I'll miss his reaction, not that he shows much of one. Only a slight frown turns the corners of his lips.
“Wait, you said it was a mistake you ended up here, and yet you're looking for Elias? You're here to break him out, aren't you?” The man behind me, Markus, accuses.
I whirl around to face him, throwing my hands up to ward him off as soon as I see he stands closer to me. “Calm down. I summoned Solas after getting thrown in here, and he agreed to get me out in exchange for bringing Elias to him so they could talk. He said Elias holds some information he wants or something, I don't know.”
“Summoned? You expect me to believe you summoned a demon, in here? With no candles, no circle drawn, and no back up?” Markus scoffs, but Elias creeps closer and begins to look at me strangely.
“What did you say your last name was, Hannah?” Elias pries.
“I didn't.” I press my lips together nervously, worried he'll demand it. I'm awful at coming up with lies, especially on the spot like this. When he doesn't push, I turn my attention back to Markus. “Yes, I summoned him without a circle. Solas and I have an...ah...an agreement.”
How can I explain it any other way than an agreement? Nobody would believe that Solas just happens to not want to slaughter or kidnap any member of my family.
“So what, you're just going to call him back? What will stop him from snatching up whomever he wants to kill or enslave if you're not going to encircle him?” Markus hounds, clearly still not buying what I'd said.
“I won't let him,” I answer with a shrug. I wouldn't. I don't know how effective I'd be in stopping him, but I'd damn well try. Nobody deserves to be enslaved by a demon, not even criminals like these. It's bad in this place, but it's literally hell where Solas could take them.
“You think you have the power to stop a demon? You're certifiable,” he splutters.
“Well, you can think I'm insane all you like, I'm calling him either way,” I retort, before taking a deep breath.
“I really don't think—”
“Solas, I summon you!” I call loudly, my voice ringing out and cutting Markus off. Elias stands firm, quiet but calculating as he watches me.
“Little witch, you work faster than a demon could dare to hope,” Solas drawls, appearing within seconds this time. Almost like he was just waiting for my call.
Markus becomes so much less talkative all of a sudden. Who knew demons had the ability to shut idiots up?
“I found Elias.” I state, jerking my hand in his direction. “Now, can you please get me the hell out of here?”
“Hannah, you really must learn some patience. How long was it you made me wait, trapped in that form? A week? Two?” He narrows his black eyes on me.
He cannot be serious. He can't leave me here that long!
“Don't you dare even think about it,” I snap at Solas and fist my hands at my hips to hide my panic.
He aims a devious smile at me. “Relax, witch. I was only teasing, I keep my end of deals. However, I do need to speak with Elias first. So, you be a good little girl, and go sit over on the other side of the room while we speak.”
I'm about to argue, when Elias finally speaks.
“I know what information you seek, and I don't care about whatever deal you think we had. I won't be telling you anything unless you get me out of here. I've spent too long down here, a prisoner in the dark.”
“You can't—”
“Done,” Solas answers with a wide grin, cutting off my objection as if he hadn't heard it. He'd expected this. Hell, he'd planned for it.
“Solas, you cannot break criminals out of here!” I peer at him in horror. He may have considered it, but I hadn't even thought about him helping criminals escape this place when I'd called him to save me. Now I'd shown him a place filled with terrible people, and demons aren't known for their good hearts, but for their opportunistic and sinful natures.
“Why ever not? I mean, not that I intend to set the rest of them free, but if I wanted to, now that I know the location of this place, I could do so if I wished.”
“Because they're criminals!” I exclaim.
“And I'm a demon, little witch. You'd do well to remember that, and to speak to me with more care in the future.” He speaks in a calm tone, but I can hear the threat laced into it.
I push my lips together again, deciding I could worry about this later. I'd need to go to Kier and tell him everything, and he would find a way to fix this. He’d let the powers that be know this Elias, whoever he is, escaped, and that they needed to find a way to demon-proof this hell-hole.
“I want out of here too,” Markus pipes up, seeming to find his voice again.
Shit. This going south fast.
“And what can you offer me?”
“Here? Nothing. But my family has a lot of heirlooms, we’re an old blood line. I'm sure there's something in the family vault I could obtain for you,” he bargains.
Solas looks at him in consideration for a moment before answering. “If there is nothing there which I desire, I will throw you back in here myself.”
I take deep and measured breaths, but keep my thoughts to myself this time. I'll just tell Kier about two escapees instead of the one. It'll be okay. I keep repeating those three words in my head, but I don’t quite believe them. I can feel in my gut just how bad this is, and I know that I am the only one to blame for this and any suffering that follows. If I'd just worn my bracelet, or if I’d done something to stop my imprisonment in the first place, none of this would be happening. I'm not sure what crimes Elias committed to wind up here, but to command the respect he does, I know it can't be good.
“Are you ready, witch?” Solas demands. I turn to look at him.
“What about them?” I hesitate and purse my lips, not wanting them to see where he takes me.
“Don't worry, pet. I'll take you home first before coming back to speak with them. Although, I do find it insulting that you seem more afraid of them learning where you live than you are of me knowing.”
“Oh, believe me, I'm not a fan of you knowing either, but it's a little late for that. And I'd simply rather not let any more psychopaths know where I live.”
Instead of berating me again for speaking to him poorly, Solas only laughs and grabs my shoulder in a rough grip, yanking me towards him. He curves an arm around my waist in such a tight hold I’m concerned it'll bruise. I try not to flinch, knowing that to portal me out the way demons travel, he needs to maintain physical contact with me. Although, I'm not convinced he needs to hold me this tightly. I find my position, pressed up against the bare chest of the forever shirtless demon, highly unnerving.
“I'll be back in a moment,” he calls to the others, and then, my stomach lurches, and it feels like we're falling.
It's nothing like travelling through a regular portal, nor is it similar to a fae's ability to phase-walk either. A dropping or falling sensation is the only comparable experience I can liken to it. An unexpected light bursts forth right in front of my face. So damn bright it hurts, I’m forced to squeeze my eyes shut. I find myself clutching at Solas for safety, worried that if he lets go I'll be lost in the empty space between all places.
As suddenly as the feeling came on, it vanishes, leaving me a little dizzy and very embarrassed as I pull back from the demon. I can see the nail marks I left in his skin around his shoulders where I held on for dear life. I force myself to look up at his face, and he frowns.
“You didn't close your eyes.”
“I did....at least, once I realised how much it hurt to leave them open.” I glance around, happy to find myself in the familiar comfort of my own dining room.
“They're red, let me fix them,” he says, leaning towards me and pulling my attention back to him.
“Because I agreed you would arrive here unharmed, that's why!” he snaps, batting away my hands as he steps forward and goes to touch my face.
I grit my teeth as he forces my eyes shut and rests his thumbs over my eyelids. Keeping my eyes shut while a demon’s hands touch my face isn’t exactly a relaxing experience. Warmth spreads out from his touch, and when he pulls his hands away, I know that I'm fixed.
“Thanks,” I mutter my begrudging appreciation, hating how he keeps helping me. I don't understand it, even if he’s saying it's only him not wanting to owe me. He does it too easily, and I don’t trust it. I don’t know what game he is playing, but I’m determined not to let myself become a pawn in it.
“Well, I must be going. I’ll see you soon, Kayla.” He smirks and gives me a sarcastic-looking wave.
“Don’t count on it,” I mumble, maintaining eye contact until he vanishes.
Despite my protests, I can’t help but think he’s right. Something tells me I’ll see him again, far sooner than I’d like.
Fourteen
Deep Breaths
Alone and safe at last, an overwhelming exhaustion hits me. Shuffling into the kitchen, I gulp down a glass of water to appease my dry mouth, then trudge into the living room to sleep.
The sofa will do for a quick rest. The stairs look like a mountain to me right now, one I don’t possess the will or energy to climb.
The doorbell rings just as I collapse down onto the sofa. A loud groan of frustration leaves me. Who the hell is here this early? At least, judging by the light peeking in through the curtains, I assume it's early.
Who knows, maybe it's mid-day and I'm just out of it?
With my body aching and tired, I drag myself off from the sofa and go to see who’s here. As I approach, an impatient, hard knock bangs against the door, making me jump.
“Hold on!” I shout, as I struggle with the locks. I finally pull the door open and I find myself trapped in the gaze of a shifter’s russet brown eyes.
“Kayla,” he breathes in relief, stepping forward and enfolding me into his arms. Still seeing signs of worry plastered across his face, I allow him to hold me close. “Where the hell have you been? What happened to you? Are you okay?” Darren rattles off the questions in rapid succession as he pulls back to inspect me, keeping his arms on my shoulders. I wriggle out of his grip and step back.
“Do you want to come in, or are we gonna play twenty questions out here on the doorstep?” I tease, trying to get him to chill out. He frowns at me in response, but moves inside, shutting the door behind him.
“What happened?” he demands, his voice tense, as we walk to the living room.
“How much do you know?” I bite my lip. Maybe I shouldn't tell him everything... He'll only overreact. He's overbearing enough as it is, and I don't need him screwing up this job for me too. In future I'll damn sure wear my stupid bracelet during my shifts. Rhydian gave it to me for a reason, and I was stupid not to wear it.
“I know there was a raid at The Rift, and afterwards you went missing for three days.” He leans against the wall, but taps a steady rhythm with his foot on the floor, as if unable to remain still.
Three days? How fucking long was I unconscious? And how the hell did they not figure out I wasn't Gina in all that time?
“Kayla?” Darren’s impatient prompt interrupts my musing.
“I got arrested,” I admit, and I plop down on the sofa again. Screw standing up. Hell, I swear if he tries to make me stand up again in the next hour, I may kill him.
“You what? Why? Because you were working at The Rift?” he continues his interrogation.
I let out a long breath, knowing this conversation isn't going to be brief or fun. Fantasies of my bed run through my head. Nothing sexy going on in it either. Just me, my bed, darkness, and a good night's sleep. Mortification slams into me as I realise I sound like a worn-out parent or an old lady. As neither, I feel like I should be a little concerned.
“Are you just going to stare into space all day?” Darren growls.
“No. Sorry, I'm just tired.” I sigh, rolling my eyes. He could give me a few seconds to get my thoughts in order. I need to decide just how much to tell him. “They arrested me because they thought I was someone else. Some shifter called Gina somebody who was wanted for various crimes,” I recount. I can't help but wonder if Gina even looks anything like me. Would they stop searching for her, thinking she's safely tucked away? She should probably thank me.
“Where were they keeping you? I went with Rhydian when he tried to ask about you, but they denied ever picking you up. I swear to god, I'm going to tear that stupid, blond detective limb from limb,’ he threatens, a rumble rising up from his chest.
“Stupid, blond detective?” I echo, before it hits me. “You spoke to Kier?”
“We spoke,” he grits out.
“He didn't know that I got picked up. Like I said, they thought I was this Gina person. If Kier knew, he'd have told you and gotten me out of there himself.” I lie back on the sofa and throw a pillow over my face. I'm too damned tired for this inquisition right now.
“When did he become Kier rather than Detective Huxley, and why do you sound so fond of him now? Weren't you just bitching the other week about how annoying you found him, following you around everywhere? He made you a suspect in a murder investigation!” he presses on.
“He kind of saved my life the other day,” I admit, keeping the pillow over my head in an attempt to avoid the blow-up I know is coming. If I don’t see his reaction, it’s not really happening, right? Like the whole tree falls down in a forest thing?
“He saved your life?” Darren asks, his voice sounding strangled. I wish I could just disappear into the sofa I’m lying on.
“I got attacked by a vampire after leaving your place the other night. He happened to be tracking the vampire, and he took care of it. He healed me, and then brought me home.”
I hear a crash, followed by something breaking, and I really hope it wasn't anything of Grandma's. Then the pillow is suddenly ripped away from me.
“Hey! Give it back!” I protest, reaching for it, the effort futile. I really can't be bothered to get up and take it back. I look at Darren as he stands over me, his muscled body trembling a little, and his eyes have shifted. I frown. He's having serious trouble controlling his inner animal lately.
“Why. Didn't. You. Tell. Me.” he grinds out. Each word sounds difficult for him to speak.
“It wasn't a big deal. I'm fine,” I lie. In truth, I'm not sleeping well, and I'm now fucking terrified of vampires, which is probably the opposite of fine.
“You're lying. Why are you lying, Kayla? Did he hurt you? Is that why you're acting so weird with me?” he asks.
Mortification rocks through me as I sit up to face him properly.
“He bit me. Kier healed me, and now I'm fine,” I answer. He looks at me with doubt in his eyes, and I want to scream. I stand up, getting even more angry as I do so, because of how exhausted I am. I push my hands against his chest, shoving him lightly to move him back from me and out of my personal space.
“I'm just tired, pissed off, and stressed out. I spent the last three days knocked unconscious after being zapped multiple times with electric magic, then locked up in the country's worst prison. So, would it be too much for me to ask if you could just fuck right off and let me sleep?” I snap, finally losing my shit.
“They locked you in The Tomb?” he laments, latching onto that one nugget of information, horror leeching across his face.
“Yes, they did. Right now, I am so fucking exhausted, Darren. Please just go away.” I cover my face with my hands and hunch over a little, taking deep breaths as I try to calm down. I can't seem to suck any air in though, no matter how many times I breathe in.
I feel like everything is closing in around me, the room feels so much smaller. Everything's too loud. From the cars driving down the street o
utside, to the ticking of the clock on the wall. I cover my ears as I continue gasping for breath.
Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me back down onto the sofa, and Darren tucks me up against his chest. I keep struggling for breath as he tries to soothe me by rubbing my back.
“Just breathe slowly, Kayla. In... and out. In... and out,” Darren whispers in my ear, his words in time with my deep breathing. “You’re safe now. You’re okay, and I’m here with you. Just relax and breathe slowly, focus on my voice.”
He continues to hold me close, running light hands over my back as I gradually calm down. I’m not sure how long we sit here, waiting for me to settle.
“I’m sorry I snapped at you,” I mumble, burying my head against his chest.
“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have kept badgering you. I’m just worried about you, Kayla. Things have been so crazy for you over the last month or so, and I only want to make sure you’re okay. But I was wrong to push so hard. You can tell me more if and when you’re ready and want to talk about it.” He doesn’t sound happy about the idea of me not confiding in him, but I know he’s telling the truth. He won’t push again. I relax even more against him.
“I just don’t want to think about it.” I hear the crack in my voice, and I hate it. It sounds broken, weak, and that’s not who I am. I want to shut everything off, forget it ever happened. Forget any of this craziness happened. Before I can do that, though, the repercussions of the most recent events need to be dealt with. Once I’ve had a chance to sleep, I’ll call Kier and sort it out with him. I don’t want to continue to worry over what trouble Elias and Markus may cause.
“What do you want to think about?” Darren prods gently, moving his hand from my back to play with my hair instead. I sigh, leaning into the touch, not able to stop myself right now. All I want is to lie in Darren’s arms and let the world melt away.
