Who was stupid now? I smirked in satisfaction as I stepped forward and then everything turned black. My body became weightless. I was falling…fast. “Ho-shit!”
56-NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
One by one, the group came back to their senses. A bad smell hung in the air of the closed space they were in. Stone-walls surrounded them, corralling them in like livestock.
“What the hell is that rotten smell?” Colton grabbed his shirt and covered his face. “It smells worse than road-kill on a hot day.” He gagged.
“Yeah, it does.” Kingston covered his face. “Where are we?”
“I don’t know.” Heather shook her head as if to clear the cobwebs from her sluggish brain and immediately covered her mouth and nose with her hand, coughing.
“Gross.” Moriah wrinkled her face. “How are we here?” She felt trapped like a sardine in a can.
“That’s a good question.” Barnaby tucked his nose into his t-shirt. “Do any of you remember how we got here?”
“Nah, not me,” Moriah muffled out through her shirt.
“Me neither,” Heather piped in.
“Got us.” The twins scrunched up their faces and pinched their noses with their skinny fingers.
“This is whacked,” said Chance, who was the only one who didn’t seem bothered by the smell.
“Where’s Evie?” Barnaby did a quick head count.
Chance leaned back from the opening in the wall. “Um, she is sitting on some rock in the center of the room out there.” He lifted his hand and pointed out into the room.
“What the hell is she doing out there?” Moriah pushed up beside him and looked out.
“I don’t know.” Chance shook his head. “Someone is with her.”
Moriah put her hand on Chance’s side. “Who?” She leaned forward and tried to see into the dim room but the twins were too close. “Move!” She shoved them both.
“Stop it!” Addison jerked.
“I can’t tell.” Chance casually placed his hand on Moriah’s waist and pulled her closer to his side.
“Well, she isn’t the only one.” Heather moved easily up to Chance’s other side.
“Who else is there?” Kingston pushed forward into the cluster of warm bodies.
Chance cut a wary glance at Kingston and released Moriah. “It’s hard to tell,” he said. “It’s pretty dark out there.”
“Wait, what’s she doing?” Heather leaned forward.
“Who gives a shit?” Colton piped in.
“We need to do something.” Moriah glared at Colton.
“No, we don’t,” Colton added in a dickish tone. “You know what I think,” he said. “I think we should get the hell outta here.”
“Colton!” Moriah turned and gaped at him. “We can’t just leave her.”
“Why the hell not?” He lowered his voice and looked around warily. He felt like something was watching him.
“Ah…because she is our friend,” Moriah stated the obvious.
Colton shook his head back and forth. “She’s your friend, not mine.”
“Dude, you are such a dick, weren’t you just hooking up with her?” Kingston added.
“Yeah, so, what’s your point?” Colton dashed a hand through his hair. “Just because I suck face with a chick doesn’t mean I’m going to be her knight in shining armor,” he defended. “Shit man! Don’t you know that is how you get trapped by the ugly ones?”
“Dude, she is so not ugly.” Barnaby shook his head in disgust.
“Yeah, well, she ain’t no centerfold either,” Colton reasoned.
“Seriously, dude…really?” Barnaby gawked at him.
“Yeah, I’m serious.” Colton waved his hand. “Where is the guy she was climbing all over? Huh? Why isn’t he saving her?”
Barnaby had no answer to that. It was true. Where was the guy she was with? “I don’t know.”
Moriah punched Colton in the arm.
“Ow, Moriah!” Colton rubbed his arm. “What the fuck is your problem?”
Moriah stepped up to him and pushed up on her toes so she was face to face with him. “Listen asshole, Evie is our friend and she needs our help.”
“Ah, wrong.” Colton didn’t even flinch. “She is your friend, so that does not qualify me,” he pointed to his chest, “as having to save her.”
“Stop being such a dick, man.” Barnaby rolled his eyes.
“Forget you, asshole!” Moriah pushed his chest. “Never mind, I don’t need your help.”
“I will help you, Moriah,” Chance offered valiantly, even though his voice shook with fear.
“Thanks, Chance.” She smiled at him. “At least there is one real man here.” She shook her head and muttered under her breath, “Bunch of effing-losers.”
“Hey!” Kingston stepped forward and grabbed Moriah’s arms. “Watch it,” he warned. “I’m a man…your man, and don’t you forget it.” Leaning down, he kissed her hard and then released her just as quickly.
“Oh—kay,” she said slowly and lifted her hand to her mouth.
Kingston winked at her.
Heather rolled her eyes and leaned away from the small opening in the wall. Across the room, she saw the boy she was with earlier, barely visible in the shadows. Lifting her hands, she waved and tried to get his attention, but after a few waves, she lowered them back to her side. He was staring blankly at Evie, watching, or waiting…she wasn’t sure which. He looked like he was a million miles away. Like his body was here but his mind wasn’t. She didn’t know what to make of it. It didn’t matter, at least not right now. They had bigger things to worry about. She ducked her head back into the passageway and pushed everyone back into the shadows. “SHUSH! Someone is coming.”
Several cloaked figures walked by, carrying various objects.
“Who are they?” Addison asked once the group passed.
“I don’t know.” Heather rubbed her arms to ward off the sudden chill. She had a bad feeling.
57-ASCENDANT
“Where are you guys going?” Heather took a step forward.
“We’re going to check out the other passageway,” Chance said as he blocked her advance. “There is another room, further down that way.” He pointed.
“Maybe we should all go?” Heather wrapped her arms around her stomach. She didn’t want to get trapped with only the girls.
“No!” Barnaby shook his head. “I think you girls should stay here and keep an eye on Evie. Create some kind of diversion if they start doing anything, you know…messed up.”
“What kind of diversion, Barnaby?” asked Moriah, not sure why all the guys needed to go.
“I don’t know, yell or something.” He hid his shaking hands in his pockets.
“But then they will know we are here.” Heather looked appalled by the idea.
“Send the twins to get us if something happens,” Barnaby said as he reached up and adjusted his glasses on his face.
Brianna made a choking sound.
“No way, Barnaby,” Addison snipped, her eyes boggling.
“Fine,” Moriah said, just to piss off Addison. “But hurry up.”
“I will be right back, okay?” Kingston walked over, grabbed Moriah’s hand, and squeezed it. “Don’t do anything foolish, all right?”
“I’ll try.” She smiled at him warmly and stepped closer.
Kingston pulled her close and kissed her. His lips lingered on hers. “I’ll miss you,” he murmured.
“I’ll miss you more,” Moriah murmured back.
Colton made a gagging sound. “God, get a room.”
“Dude, you’re just jealous.” Kingston released his hold but his gaze was trained on Moriah’s face. “I’ll be right back,” he promised.
Moriah sighed and ran her hand over his chest, grabbing his shirt. “Oh—kay…I’ll be waiting for you. So hurry.”
“I will.” He smiled.
“Come on man, we ain’t got all day.” Colton stomped past.
“Don’t get your
panties in a wad.” Kingston gave Moriah’s hand one last squeeze and then took off after the rest of the guys down the passage.
Heather walked over to Moriah. “Well now what?”
“I guess we wait.” Moriah shrugged and leaned back against the wall. Something wet seeped into her jacket. “Gross, what the hell is all over the wall?”
“I have no idea, but that shit stinks.” Heather made a face.
“Well, get it off my back.” Moriah turned her back to Heather.
“What the hell, Moriah? What do you expect me to use?”
“Use your jacket sleeve.”
Heather gaped at her. “You are outta your fucking mind if you think I’m going to stink up my five-hundred-dollar jacket for you.”
“God, Heather, you are such a bitch,” Moriah muttered.
“Oh, I’m a bitch because I won’t stink myself up for you,” Heather snapped indignantly. “You’re the one that was stupid enough to lean against the smelly wall.” She shook her head in disgust and walked over to the twins. “You two keep an eye on Evie and make sure the kooks in the corner over there don’t do anything to her.”
“What if they do?” Brianna asked. “What are we supposed to do?”
“I don’t know,” Heather snapped. “Whistle or something”
“Where are you going to be?” Addison asked.
“Standing down there, with her.” She pointed at Moriah.
“Why can’t you watch Evie and we’ll watch Moriah,” Addison reasoned.
“She doesn’t like you,” said Heather.
“She likes you less,” Addison argued.
“Jesus,” Heather exhaled. “Just do as I say.”
“Fine.” Addison glared at Heather’s back and walked over to Brianna. “What is she doing?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” said Brianna.
“Me neither,” said Addison. They both huddled inside the opening and pressed their bodies into the shadows so they wouldn’t be seen.
Heather walked back to Moriah. “Are you done having your little temper tantrum?”
“No.” Moriah crossed her arms.
“Oh whatever,” Heather muttered. “Get over it.”
“I can hear you.”
“I know.” Heather smirked at her.
“God, I really don’t like you.” Moriah pressed her shoulders back and turned away.
“Fine, Moriah, you win.” Heather sighed.
Moriah turned back around. “Are you going to wipe the gross stuff off my back?”
“Oh, come on.” Heather stomped her foot.
“Well?” Moriah lifted her brow.
Heather groaned. “Move your stupid hair.” She tore off a piece of her under shirt. “Turn around.”
Moriah turned, smiling.
Heather swiped at her back, hard, twice and then threw down the piece of her shirt. “There, happy?”
Moriah turned back around with a smug smile on her face.
“Don’t you have something to say?” Heather prodded.
“Nope,” said, Moriah.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Heather gaped in disbelief.
“Fine,” she sighed. “Thanks.”
“Hallelujah!” Heather shook her fist in the air.
“Having fun,” Moriah deadpanned.
“Actually, no.” Heather lowered her arm. “So what do you think we should do until the boys get back?”
“I don’t know, twiddle our fucking thumbs.” Moriah shook her head at Heather like she was an idiot.
“Listen, you don’t have to be such a bitch all the time. I was just making conversation.”
“Well maybe I don’t want to make conversation with you,” Moriah snipped.
“So, let me see if I got this straight. You don’t want to talk to me?” Heather asked, irritated that she just ripped up one of her best shirts for that bitch.
“Yep, that about sums it up,” Moriah retorted.
“Why do you hate me so much?”
“I don’t hate you.” Moriah exhaled. “You hate me.”
“Um, I don…” Heather sighed. “So maybe I did for a while, but hello Moriah, you stole my boyfriend.”
“I did you a favor.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Obviously he wasn’t that good of a boyfriend if I could steal him away from you.” She lifted her brows. “Just saying.” She crossed her arms.
Heather was about to object and then changed her mind. “Well, you got me there,” she said, unhappily. “So, do you love him?”
Moriah widened her eyes. “I don’t think that is any of your business.”
“Oh, but it is,” she disagreed. “If you are just doing it to fuck him and try to get his money then…”
“Whoa, Bitch, you better watch your mouth.” Moriah balled up her fists.
“Watch it, Moriah,” Heather taunted. “The trailer park in you is showing.”
“I don’t live in a trailer park,” she snapped.
“You don’t?” Heather sounded surprised. “Why did I think you lived in a trailer?” She lifted her brow defiantly. “Oh right, it’s because you are about to beat me up because I have an opinion? That is what low rent people do.”
“What the hell do you know, Silver Spoon? Mommy and daddy can’t buy your boyfriend off and make him stay with your bitchy tight ass, and now I’m low rent?”
“It is…” Heather laughed suddenly.
“What is?”
“My ass is tight…” Heather repeated and laughed.
“You realize you are cutting on yourself, don’t you?”
“Well no, actually, I am cutting on you. Loose lips sink ships,” Heather parried.
“Good one.” Moriah laughed.
Heather chuckled, surprised she’d caught her dig. “You are a bitch, you know that?”
“Yeah, I know,” Moriah said honestly. “What’s your point?”
Heather shook her head. “I guess I don’t have one.”
“Well good. You are a bitch too, by the way.”
“Oh, I know,” she agreed and laughed.
Moriah laughed too. Maybe Heather wasn’t that bad after all. As soon as that thought formed in her mind, she wanted to hurl. “I must be outta of my fucking mind.”
58-A NEW MOON
Hiding in the shadows, Alistair pressed up against the wall.
“Evie, look at me!” he pushed silently with his mind, trying to connect with her without the others noticing. There were ten that he could see lined up along the wall, chanting. They were preparing for the ritual. The darkened ceiling slipped away, giving way to the star-filled sky. The giant orb of the blue moon began turning red around the edges as it lined up perfectly with the Cragmire. He knew what was happening. It had happened before. The girl was the one they wanted. The one they needed to use.
“Why didn’t Adriane save her?” He couldn’t help but wonder. It didn’t make sense. When he told them to run, they were supposed to get out of here, but obviously that didn’t happen. Now it was up to Alistair to step in to do the right thing...again.
Dammit! He wasn’t that guy, at least not any longer. Pushing his mind again, he tried to connect with her but another girl was blocking him, so he couldn’t see her fully. He climbed higher on the wall and pressed back into an abandoned alcove and positioned himself so his eyes could lock with hers. He needed to see her face to make eye contact. “Look at me!” He forced with his mind once more.
This was not how this was supposed to go down. Where in the hell was Simon?
A loud clattering made him turn away from the girl. They had Adriane now, too. Perfect.
Time was running out. He turned his head quickly and stared at the girl as he used every bit of his strength to connect with her on the other side.
Dragged by chains, Adriane’s body pitched forward. His wrists were bound and he fell onto the ground. The cloaked figures stopped and hooked his chains to the sacrificial stone.
Fighting the pain, he gritted his teeth and looked up. His heart constricted at the sight. They had Evie.
He wanted to yell, scream, bring every bit of his rage down upon them, but he held it in, saving it for the right moment, the one where he would need it most. He turned and caught sight of Alistair. He was hidden in the shadows up on a ledge and his gaze was directed solely on Evie. Adriane knew that look. Alistair was not in the room, only his body, not his mind. No his mind was with Evie wherever she was at the moment. His stomach twisted and a gut-wrenching ache filled him. He focused his mind and shut out the present as he tried to reach her before Alistair did.
Simon jerked awake. His eyes slowly came into focus. “Shit!” The shackles that held him to the wall clanked loudly when he pulled against them.
“Dythius, the fool is awake,” tittered Sybarite, gleefully clapping her hands together.
He grunted, “Good.” He walked across the room and leapt up on one of the pedestals. His long jacket floated out around him like wings. “Where is the other one?”
“How in the hell do I know?” she scathed, suddenly irritated. She walked toward the Centurion. “So pretty,” she said and trailed her long nail across his face.
Recoiling from her touch, Simon jerked away.
“There, there, Centurion. I’m not going to hurt you…yet,” she cooed sweetly. “What I could do to you…” she whispered in his ear, her breath wafting across his face.
“Eat me!” he spat and twisted away from the rancid smell.
“Oh no…” She pressed her hands to her chest in an exaggerated gesture. “You wound me with that sharp tongue of yours.” She made a hissing sound, and her tongue slipped out from between her teeth like a snake. “And here I thought we had become friends?” She smiled at him and her eyes turned yellow with blackened slits.
Simon shut his eyes and turned away.
“Why are you ruining all my fun?” she yelled like a child and stomped her foot. Her eyes snapped back to a sea green.
“I’m not a toy,” Simon gritted.
“You’re not?” She laughed then. “Oh, why not?” she asked. “I take care of my toys, you know.”
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