The Tainted

by Frost Kay

  “No, she wouldn’t say a damn thing, but I could smell her fear. Fear that she only has when you’re mentioned. What did you do, Noah?”

  Guilt and shame tried to rise up at how he’d acted when she first arrived, but he ruthlessly shoved it down into the box of emotions he didn’t want to deal with and slammed the lid closed. There was no need to feel guilty over his actions. He was ensuring the safety of his people. Plus, he’d already told the girl that he didn’t mean it. It was her choice not to believe him.

  “I protected our people,” he said at last.

  “Is that what you’re telling yourself?” Doc sneered. “What a pretty little lie.”

  Noah glared at his friend. “You know our people come first. She’s a stranger. Untouched. Dangerous.”

  “Right,” Doc drawled, “’cause that slip of a girl looks like a real killer. One can’t be too careful.”

  “Exactly. She could be a spy.”

  “Oh, please. From Remy and Matt’s accounts, Hazel was kept ignorant of the world around her. If she’s a spy for her colony, I’ll eat my hat.”

  “You don’t have a hat,” Noah retorted. They bothered his friend’s ears.

  Doc scowled. “You’ve made things worse, right? She barely trusts me, and Matt’s on thin ice.”

  “She doesn’t need to trust us.” Noah pushed from the wall and flexed his wings. He hated being underground. Being of the avion class, all he wanted was to feel the wind on his face and under his wings. “All she needs –” He lost his thought as a scent drifted through the air. He inhaled deeper as the hair along the nape of his neck prickled and understanding dawned. “It appears you’ve managed to gain quite a bit more than just trust from the girl,” he bit out. He could smell the Untouched all over Doc.

  “You know I have to touch my patients,” Doc replied with exasperation.

  “And your ears?” Noah accused, his hands curling into fists.

  Doc took one look at him and swiped a scalpel from the counter to his right. “She was curious, that’s all. I let her explore.”

  “Explore?” he murmured, hating how dark and dangerous his voice sounded.

  “You’re itching for a fight, but I don’t want to be the one who hands you your ass. We can’t afford to destroy anything in this room.”

  “She touched you.” In a sexual way was implied.

  “Because she didn’t know any better. I explained that to her.”

  “After the fact.”

  Doc tipped his head back and closed his eyes as if he was asking for strength. “It was the first time she’s initiated contact with me. It’s a step in the right direction, and I wasn’t going to ruin her wonder.” He opened his eyes and shrugged, a half-smile on his face. “It’s been a long time since someone acted that way with me. It was a beautiful thing to behold.”

  “You had no right.” Stupid words wouldn’t stop coming out of his mouth. He sounded like a jealous lover.

  Doc sighed and rolled his neck. “I have every right. I assume you came down here for another reason than to fight with me?”

  “The Montgomery twins are sick. Amelia needs help caring for them.”

  “That’s the last thing she needs, poor thing. She’s due in two weeks.” Doc rushed around the room, tossing an arsenal of medical supplies into his faded olive-green canvas bag. “Jake’s death couldn’t have been timed worse.”

  “Because him dying at another time would be better?” Noah asked.

  “No, but soon she’ll be a single mother of three. That’s a life of hard work.”

  “Life is hard. But she’s not alone. She has the entire village, and Jameson has been helping out.”

  Doc chuckled. “I’m sure he has, the bastard.”

  “He cares for her.”

  “If he cared for her, he’d stay far away from Amelia. I tend to his wounds every time he goes out. He’s too reckless, and if he commits to her, it will be just another husband she has to bury and her children have to mourn.”

  “That’s a bit dark for you,” Noah commented.

  “No, it’s realistic.” The kitsune checked his bag one more time, murmuring to himself, and then threw it over his shoulder with a groan. “Darn it, I told Hazel I’d take her to the baths.” Doc’s eyes narrowed in thought. “You’ll have to take her. I have to care for the twins.”

  Noah scowled. “I have a council meeting in an hour.”

  Doc paused at his side. The kitsune was shorter than Noah’s towering height, but just slightly. “Then make it quick – and be nice.”

  Noah grunted and followed Doc out of the infirmary. The rounded sandstone hallways were always cool and caused his skin to prickle. “Is she even strong enough to walk? I’m not carrying her.”

  A snort. “I don’t think she’d allow you to touch her even if she wasn’t.” Doc turned right, leaving Noah in the hallway that led to the cells. “Oh…” The kitsune faced Noah, walking backward. “I’m not blind to what you’ve got going on. Just remember, it’s going to be that much harder the longer you hold onto your prejudice.” He spun on his heel. “Don’t be an idiot,” Doc called before disappearing.

  “Bastard,” Noah muttered to the empty hallway. He heaved a deep breath and began to stride purposefully down the hallway. Taking her to the baths wasn’t a difficult task. He needed to suck it up and get the job done. He didn’t have time to waste messing around.

  He spotted her door and paused outside it, fishing the key from his pocket and opening the door.

  The girl sat with her back to him, the light from the small window haloing her, turning her hair a bright silver. Like an angel. His jaw clenched. It wasn’t right how pretty she was.

  “I’m ready to go,” she said excitedly. She jumped from the bed and spun around with a huge smile that promptly slid off her face, an expression of horror replacing it.

  Noah hid his wince at the smell of her acrid terror. “Noah sent me. It’s time for your bath.” His nose wrinkled. “You stink.”

  Some of her fear slid away, and she straightened, glaring at him even though her hands continued to tremble. “It serves you right. You get to deal with the product of your neglect.”

  “Oh, please,” he huffed. He turned to leave the room. “If you want a bath, I suggest you get moving.”

  He listened for the soft pad of footsteps as he strolled down the hallway. Her fear had dulled a little, mixed with the sharp bite of anger. He grinned as hesitant footsteps followed him. He hated the fear, but he could work with the anger.

  Twenty

  Hazel

  This was stupid.

  If her brothers were here, they’d smack her on the back of her head and tell her to go back to her cell.

  Hazel eyed the monster ahead of her, hating how much room he took up. His wings were massive and almost touched the curved hallway ceiling. As if he could sense she was thinking about him, he glanced over his shoulder, his black eyes catching her for a terrifying moment. She shuddered as he focused ahead.

  There was something so unnerving about him. A wry smile twisted her lips for a beat. Well, besides the wings, scales, and teeth.

  Another shiver worked through her as they traipsed the hallways, the light growing fainter and fainter. She rubbed at her bare arms as unease prickled her. What if he wasn’t taking her to the baths? What if he was getting rid of her? Or worse? It was the worse that scared her the most, but she comforted herself with the knowledge she’d gained on this little trek. Luckily for her, her captors didn’t know about her uncanny ability to memorize almost anything. She’d logged all the twists and turns they’d taken. In a pinch, she could get back to her cell.

  They rounded another corner, the hallway sloping downward. Hazel ran her hand along the wall for balance and her legs wobbled beneath her. Her jaw clenched, and she locked her knees. She was so weak, and she had no one to blame but her own stupid self.

  She brushed her hair from her sweaty forehead and grimaced at the smell around them. It smelled like
dirty socks and rotten eggs. What was that smell? She gagged and pulled the collar of her tan cotton dress over her nose. The air warmed around her to the point that it felt like she was breathing water. Her gasp was muffled as the walkway emptied into a huge room that was shaped like a beehive. Steam rose from the huge pool of turquoise water. She’d never seen water that color before. A wide walkway surrounded the entire pool, and seats were carved into the sandstone walls.

  Unable to help herself, she moved toward the edge and knelt, dipping her fingers into the water. Another gasp flew past her lips. It was warm. “What is this place?” she breathed.

  “The hot springs.”

  “Hot springs?” she repeated. She’d never heard of such a thing. Hot springs seemed too boring of a name for such a magical place.

  “Yes, hot springs,” the monster said, annoyance coloring his tone. “We haven’t got all day to gawk.” He stabbed a pointed finger toward a basket to her left. “You’ll find soap in there. Be quick.”

  She glanced from the basket to the oddly-colored water with a frown. Was that why the water was an odd color? How many people had bathed here? She scrambled over to the basket as the monster leveled another glare at her before placing his back to her. Beggars couldn’t be choosers.

  There were several lumps of soap in the basket, and she experimentally sniffed one. She smiled as lavender and mint teased her nose. Scented soap was a luxury at home, but it was always something she’d made time to make. It made her feel more girly.

  The smile slipped from her face, and she put her favorite soap back. Now was not the time she wanted to smell girly. Hazel sniffed each soap and chose the most masculine scent she could find. She didn’t know what it was, per se, but it was earthy.

  Her gaze dropped to her dress as she swung her legs into the pool, the hot water caressing her skin. She would have loved to bathe properly, but she wasn’t foolish enough to actually undress when there was a predator in the room.

  Her eyes practically rolled back in her head as she waded, the water rolling around at her waist.

  “Keep away from the middle. It’s deep.”

  Hazel nodded and realized he couldn’t see her. “Okay.” He didn’t know she could swim. And she’d keep that part to herself. The less he knew about her the better. But it didn’t stop the longing that bombarded her. She loved to swim. Her mama had always told her she was part fish. Hazel didn’t like to think she was like one of the slimy fishes she’d hated to eat, so as a child she’d pretended she was part mermaid, a mythical creature she’d read about in the books.

  But the worst part was the sun. The cavern arched up above the direct center of the pool into a flute that let in one beam of sunlight. Her eyes closed as she imagined the sun on her skin. She wiggled her toes in the soft sand, tiny smooth rocks rolling beneath her feet. Those were dreams for another day. She’d see the sun again. She’d be free.

  “Tick tock.”

  Hazel’s eyes snapped open, the dream shattered, and made a face. The monster ruined everything. She tipped her head back, wetting her hair. Her brows furrowed as she stared at the contraption that hung from the ceiling. It looked like an old wagon wheel. She blinked and then began to scrub vigorously at every bit of skin she could reach as she realized what it was. Sometimes, she was so clueless. It was a light. But how did it work? She scoured the cave. She couldn’t see any wires. So, either it was solar-powered or it was an old relic.

  “Five minutes.”

  Jerk. He seemed to take pleasure in being a brute.

  She glanced in his direction while placing the soap on the stone edge and rinsing her hair and body. Well, if she had five minutes, she certainly wasn’t getting out yet. Hazel pulled in a deep breath and slowly sank into the water. A sense of calm surrounded her in the utter silence. That was what she loved the most about swimming. The peace. The quiet.

  She popped up for another breath and then sank deeper; her fingers touched the sand and rocks, and she braved opening her eyes. It was utterly beautiful. The stones gleamed like they were polished in every color. Hazel spotted two bigger rocks and drifted toward them. She spun on to her back, her hair dancing in the current as she wrapped her hands around the rocks, so she wouldn’t float back to the surface.

  She’d always been fascinated with mythical creatures from a young age, but mermaids were her favorite. Her mama brought her many mermaids from her scav trips and Hazel still had each one. As a little girl, she’d pretended that the red sand surrounding the compound were rippling waves but none of that could compare to this cove. Hazel smiled, small bubbles floating from her mouth. This was as close to being a mermaid as she’d ever get.

  The sun danced across the water, sending ripples of light to the bottom. She closed her eyes, her lungs uncomfortable but not screaming yet. She’d stay here as long as she could before she braved the scary world above.

  The sunlight disappeared, and a body slammed into her. Hazel’s eyes popped open and she screamed, bubbles streaming from her mouth. The monster wrapped an arm around her waist and jerked her upward. She sucked in a breath and choked as water rushed into her mouth.

  Pain exploded from her chest as they broke the surface. Rough stone met her chest, and then a hand slammed between her shoulder blades. Water spewed from her throat as she coughed and heaved until there was no more.

  Tears streamed down her face as she leaned a cheek against the edge of the pool. She’d almost drowned.

  “Did you really think I’d let you drown yourself?” the monster spat, every word holding an edge of violence and contempt.

  He thought she was trying to drown herself? Ire burned through her and she slapped at his arms, not caring how the scales on his forearms caused goosebumps on hers. She hauled herself out of the pool onto shaking legs and glared at him.

  “You were the one who almost drowned me! I was just fine.”

  Her captor pushed his black hair from his face and pulled himself from the pool, water streaming from his wings and wet torso. She scowled as he stood to his full height and leaned toward her, utterly intimidating. It was times like these that she wished she were a few inches taller.

  “Do you remember what I said about lying?” he asked, deceptively soft.

  “I’m not lying,” she gritted out, and placed her hands on her hips. “I was enjoying a peaceful moment until you jumped on me.” Hazel waved a hand at him. “If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself.”

  He growled at her and crossed his arms, glancing away from her in disgust. “Let’s go.” A pause. “You might want to think about covering up. I’m assured there’s no one down here that you can use your feminine wiles on.”

  “Feminine wiles, what in the Sam Hill are you…?” She broke off as she twisted the water from her dress. Her dress.

  Horror, embarrassment, and shame battled each other as she saw what state her dress was in. The water had made it see-through. Completely and utterly see-through. She might as well have been naked for all the good it did her. “Do you have a towel?” She hated that she had to ask him for anything, but she’d throw her pride away if it meant she could cover herself from his mocking gaze.

  He spun and yanked a brown towel from another basket. She kept her face blank as he threw it at her. It was a hand towel. “What do you expect me to do with this?”

  “Dry yourself.”

  A hollow laugh escaped her. So, he meant to shame her. Well, she’d get the last laugh. Hazel rang out her dress and then wrapped the tiny towel around her neck. “Lead on,” she said sarcastically.

  He glowered at her and marched past her. Hazel followed and crossed her arms over her chest while his back was turned, not believing she’d done that. She shook her head and took one last look at the hot springs before scurrying to catch up with her jailer from hell.

  The steady drip of water from the monster ahead of her was the only sound as they trekked back to her cell. By the time her door came in sight, she was almost relieved. She was exhausted, and
her throat burned.

  The monster held open her door but didn’t enter. She paused for a moment, and then squared her shoulders. Yes, she’d have to squeeze past him to get inside her cell, but he’d already been pressed up against her today and seen her naked. A hysterical laugh threatened to make its appearance as she skirted by him, her skin barely brushing his. Hazel jerked and spun around to see the door closing. The soft snick of the lock registered as she plopped on the bed and stared at nothing.

  She could’ve sworn he’d touched her hair.

  Twenty-One

  Noah

  He was an idiot.

  Noah stood outside her door, staring at his hand like it was a traitor.

  He’d touched her. Reached out and caressed her hair like she wasn’t an Untouched, like she was his to touch.

  He hissed and jogged away from her door, his wet jeans rubbing uncomfortably against his hips. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen a pretty girl before. The image of her glaring at him, soaking wet, flashed through his mind.

  “Dang it,” he growled underneath his breath. She was more than pretty. She was stunning. And off-limits, no matter what others said. He had to keep himself above reproach. His attraction to the girl wasn’t acceptable.

  He checked his watch and his left wrist. He was going to be late. Wonderful. And he didn’t even have time to change his clothes. Noah took a sniff of himself, his frown deepened. Not only was he going to be late, but he was going in there smelling of the girl, aggression, and arousal. Just perfect.

  Twenty-Two

  Hazel

  Hazel sat in Doc’s usual chair, watching the light slowly fade from her window. He’d arrive with dinner soon and start scolding her.

  Her dress lay over her bare bed, drying in the day’s last rays of sun. She ran her fingers over the sheet dress she’d created as she thought over the last couple of hours.