Dark Matter

by Christie Rich

  I could feel Roger’s heart racing against my legs. His moist breath warmed my thighs through the light fabric of my gown. His hands moved down my calves and he pulled my shoes off in unison, flinging them sideways.

  He sat back on his haunches staring at me. His eyes held a deep sadness that nearly made me gasp. “Is there even a small part of you that wants me?” he asked softly.

  I shut my eyes tight, shaking my head gravely. I couldn’t speak.

  “Well then. This is bound to be awkward.”

  “Awkward?” I said indignantly.

  He stood and walked to the china cabinet, pulling out two shot glasses and an old fashioned decanter. He swirled the amber liquid around, looking at me pointedly. So he meant to get me drunk.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  He filled the glasses and handed me one, sitting beside me. Back went his head along with the shot. He eyed my still full glass, “Aren’t you going to drink it?”

  I weighed the option and decided I would rather face this sober. “No.”

  “This is difficult enough without your help.”

  I thrust the glass at him. “I don’t want it.”

  He took it from me, gulped it down and flung the empty glass against the wall. It shattered on impact. He smiled at me, all teeth, and disappeared around the corner.

  He was gone for a while, so I tested the front door until I realized it opened with a key on both sides. The windows didn’t budge either. I peered out hoping to see Lacey creeping through the garden. Where were they?

  Soft music began to play in the background. I flopped back onto the couch moments before he came back…without his shirt.

  The minute he started toward me, I panicked. Flinging myself over back of the sofa, I raced toward the rear of the cottage. I would break a window if I had to. Lacey could find me in the jungle.

  The place wasn’t all that big. A small hallway led to two doors. I chose number two, pushing it out of my way. With trembling fingers, I locked it in a flash, stepping back.

  I whirled around intent on finding an escape route. The room was aglow with candlelight. Of course I had to be in the bedroom. I was trying to pry the window open when Roger crashed through the door.

  I grabbed the first thing that came in contact with my skin. I flung the pillow at him before I reached for one of the bronze candlesticks.

  His fingers clamped around mine in a crushing grip and the candlestick clattered to the floor. He pulled me away from the nightstand, his chest heaving, rage lining his features. “What was that supposed to accomplish?”

  “I need to get out of here!” I wailed.

  His voice was low when he spoke. “Where would you go? If you haven’t noticed yet, we are on an island.” I was yanked up against him. “You are such an exasperating woman. I was only going to dance with you.”

  I clenched my jaw and stared at him. “It doesn’t matter what you do to soften this, Roger. It will still remain what it is.”

  His brown eyes glowed with rage. He turned me toward the bed, but didn’t let me claim any distance. His cheek brushed mine softly as he swept my hair out of the way. “You’re so eager to get this over with? Fine with me.” He shoved my shoulders and I went flailing forward. I tried to right myself on the edge of the bed, but he spun me around to face him again. I didn’t have a single moment to think before his lips covered mine in a scalding kiss.

  I barely registered his hands moving over me. “Stop!” I screeched.

  “What’s the matter?” he said in mock astonishment. “I thought you wanted to get it over with?”

  I pushed at his shoulders. “You made your point. Get off me already.”

  Instead he pulled me closer, pinning my legs against the bed. “I think you were right. We’ll just end up back here anyway.” He brushed my hair out of my face. “You needn’t worry. I will be gentle with you.”

  Something about his condescending attitude hit me the wrong way. I ran my hands up his chest to his shoulders to distract him. He gave me a questioning glance, but I smiled as warmly as I could manage. I readied myself, trying to remember what Travis had told me to do. I rolled onto my toes for better access. He stepped back just a little bit, but it was enough. I leaned into his ear and licked his earlobe. He gasped.

  “I wish I could say the same thing,” I breathed.

  “What is that supposed to mea—” My knee found it’s mark. “Oooff.” Roger groaned, reaching for me as I sped by him. His fingers brushed my elbow, but he wasn’t able to pin me down.

  I raced for the rear door, fumbling with the lock. I flung the door open and ran into the jungle barely noticing the dried sticks and rocks digging into my bare feet. I could hear Roger crashing through the bramble behind me. I sped up, my heart racing so fast I gasped for air that would never be enough.

  I glanced over my shoulder. I had gained some ground.

  Roger’s face was contorted into a horrible mask of not anger, but what appeared to be worry. “Rayla, stop! You don’t understand.”

  Like I was going to give him another opportunity to assault me. If he caught me, that would be it. I sprinted forward not caring if my lungs exploded. At least it would take me away from this hell.

  Why was this happening again? I had loved Brody Smith with as much heart as a sixteen year old is capable of. He had been so kind to me in the beginning of our relationship. He brought me a rose nearly every day at school and wrote the sweetest poems. He would read them to me when we were alone. We grew more physical with every encounter away from home.

  When I told him I wanted to wait, he tried to talk me into doing more. When that failed he flew at me in a rage. I hadn’t been able to understand what had changed in him. I had only narrowly escaped him.

  That was only because I had managed to grasp the wrench under the seat and bash him in the head. I should have listened to Aunt Grace when she told me I could do better. She warned me to never be alone with him, but I thought her a foolish old woman that didn’t know a thing about what it meant to be me.

  I came crashing out of the jungle into a clearing. A waterfall spilled into a crystal blue pool in front of me. I didn’t even think about it. I dove into the pool, my skin prickling against the shock of the frigid water. My lungs protested as I required more of them than I had ever asked before. I kicked forward with all the strength I had left.

  Firm hands grabbed my ankles, pulling me down into the murky depths. My first instinct was to scream, but I kept myself from doing it out of sheer will. His arms clamped around me like iron shackles. I kicked at him as we surfaced, refusing to give up my freedom.

  “Rayla!” he said. “Stop!”

  In his dreams. I would fight him to the end. He would have to kill me before I would give up. I kicked away from him only to be pulled taut against him again. I sunk below the water, gasping in a lungful of air before I went under. He pulled me up as I choked and gagged.

  His demands came again with something else that didn’t make any sense. I was still trying to process what he had said over the adrenaline racing through my veins when he moved behind me and tugged me to the side of the pool. He hoisted me onto a ledge, not even winded in the slightest. I was panting as if I had just finished the Iditarod.

  My name came again, but there was a soft nudge for me to calm down behind it. What, now he knew how to compel me just like the lords?

  “What did you do?” he asked, but the question was directed behind us.

  I gazed down at the hands that held me captive. They looked wrong.

  Then Roger began to laugh. The sound was too far away. “I was just having a bit of fun, man. Stop looking at me like that. I didn’t hurt her.”

  I twisted my head. Fear and shock vied for control to claim me.

  “Is that true, Rayla. Say the word, and I will squash this bug.”

  “We had a deal,” Roger said, indignation suffusing his words.

  My mind slowly caught up to reality. I shuddered, realizing who held me in
his arms.

  Heath pulled me to my feet, twisting me around to face him. He barely glanced at Roger. His eyes roamed over me, but the only thing in them was concern. “Aye we did, but that was predicated on you following my directions to the letter. She has the beginnings of bruises everywhere. I should kill you for touching her.”

  I shook my head, unable to calm the hysteria bubbling up in me. Laughter exploded from my chest merely because I refused to cry.

  Heath pulled me into a hug, running his hand over my hair. “I am sorry, Rayla. Forgive me for being foolish enough to trust this human. It will not happen again.”

  Despite my unease, I was relieved he was here. It didn’t matter that he had spurned me. I’d technically done the same thing if I was being fair. The only thing that mattered to me now was that he had agreed to help me rescue Zach and Luke, and I intended to keep him to that promise.

  I raised my head, stepping away from him, straightening my torn dress. “Let me get this straight. You and Roger are working together?”

  He hung his head slightly. “I needed an insider to get you away from the compound. He assured me he would bring you directly here after you two were wed.”

  My mouth fell open. “You knew what they were doing and didn’t stop them!”

  He seemed confused for a moment. “Don’t tell me he actually—” His face went red while his eyes burned hate for Roger. His palm lit up instantaneously.

  Roger backed away slowly, muttering how he should have never trusted a fae to keep his word. “I already told you I didn’t hurt her.”

  I stepped between the two of them, intent on getting some answers for a change. “How is it that you still have your power?”

  Suddenly distracted, Heath lowered his hand. “We are too far away for the germ to affect me. Only half the island is corrupted.”

  “What germ?”

  Heath looked at the sky, shaking his head before he turned to Roger. “Unbelievable. You didn’t tell her anything.”

  Roger moved to a rock near where we were standing. He sat and picked at his nails then pushed a bird of paradise out of his face. “I had to make it look convincing. If she had known I was acting, it would have ruined everything.”

  I glowered at him. He was actually saying that his rape attempt had been an act? “It felt plenty real to me, you sadistic bastard.”

  A smile tugged on the edges of his lips. “Tsk-tsk, two swear words in one afternoon, what has gotten into you, Rayla?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  He shrugged. “I may have gotten a little too into it, but Lambert expects a lot from me.”

  I glared at him. “How would he know the difference? You could have just lied to him instead of me.” I couldn’t keep the hurt from my voice.

  Roger stood up, coming closer. I inched away from him, but Heath grabbed my arm before I could fall into the pool again.

  Roger took a small object out of his pocket, holding it toward me. “It’s rightfully yours.”

  “What is this?” I hissed.

  “Evidence of our…excursion in the cottage.”

  Bile rose in my throat. It was just sickening to think about the man I used to admire. He wanted proof? For all I knew he had insisted on seeing the sheets tomorrow. I straightened my shoulders, willing myself stronger than I felt. I took the memory card from Roger, tried to snap it in half, but when that failed I tossed it over my shoulder. It barely made a plop before it sunk beneath the water. “So what now?”

  Heath chuckled, waggling his eyebrows at me, his brown eyes alight with mischief. “Now we wage war against that ungrateful whore running this charade.”

  That sounded good. “Tell me more.”

  I wasn’t so sure Roger’s plan would work, but it was likely the only way we were going to be able to get everyone off this horrible island alive. I was supposed to return to the compound with him in a few hours. He would say that I was being difficult and he needed a more secure location to keep me in line. Then he would take me underground. The hope was that no one would see through our diversion.

  With the Order members focused on the drama between me and Roger, they would be less likely to notice the fae creeping in to attack.

  Heath would gather his forces that were supposedly waiting on the other side of the mountain. I wanted more than anything to go with Heath instead of Roger, but he said they would send a search party after me if he came back without me.

  Heath asked to speak to me alone, so Roger disappeared into the jungle. I glanced at Heath, not really sure if I should trust him.

  He paced in front of me, tension setting his shoulders at a hard angle. “I wanted to give you another option before you decide to go off with that human. You need to understand that there is risk associated with his plan. If you cannot disable the germ, we will not be able to come for you. Ainessa is clever and likely to see through attempts to get close to it.”

  I nodded because I couldn’t get my voice to work. I didn’t like where he was headed with this, but it might be my best chance at real escape.

  “If we bonded now, we might be strong enough to contain the germ from here. In essence, we might be able to avoid the battle. Mind you, I’m not begging for this by any stretch. You have to know that about me. I’m only thinking about your welfare. I know how much you have been through and I wish I could just take you away from here.” I opened my mouth to protest, but he waved me off. “If she were able to claim you, it would be disastrous for both our races.”

  I wasn’t ready to talk about what had happened between us, so I asked the other thing I wanted to know. “Why?”

  He stopped and stared directly at me. “She might be powerful enough to ignite the germ on her own. The world as you know it would be replaced by one of her making.”

  I laughed. “God would never allow that to happen.”

  A lone brow shot toward his hairline. Today his hair was pulled away from his face in a long braid that ran down his back. I fought the memory of him moving as if he were gliding on the wind in the arena. That seemed so distant from me now, almost as if it had happened to another person.

  “For one who claims to know what your creator would and wouldn’t do, you don’t seem to know anything. Agency is his mantle, Rayla. He will not interfere with the free will of the Order members. To do so would go against the plan he has for his children, which is why you have to intercede for him.”

  “I don’t love you, Heath.” I felt the lie slip easily through my lips like a sigh. He didn’t need to know how I felt about him.

  He gazed at me dispassionately. “This isn’t about love. It’s about strategy, and I think it is our best hope. Tabitha was beyond angry when you left with Gibbit. She will not give you choices the next time she sees you. You will be bound to the lord of her choosing.” He shook his head at me. “Don’t expect me to beg you. The decision is yours.”

  Why wasn’t it Luke or Zach standing here telling me this? It would have been a no-brainer for me with either one of them at this point. But Heath? I might be tying myself to him for centuries if I agreed. What if our bond was strong? What if one of the others couldn’t take me from him?

  “There is one thing I have to know before I make my decision.” He gave me his full attention. “Why did you change your mind? I thought you didn’t want to bond with me.”

  He flinched. It looked odd on his face. “I never said that.”

  “You told me you didn’t want me anymore. I think that is pretty self explanatory.”

  His mouth opened, but he closed it just as fast. He shook his head and inched nearer.

  Even though my entire body shivered, remembering him crashing into me, I tried to keep my expression placid. I tried again. “What kind of answer is that, anyway? You were all over me when I first came to Ignis and then suddenly after Ainessa got into your head, you couldn’t get far enough away from me. Then just as quickly you agree to bond with me? I need a neck brace from trying to keep up with how muc
h you change your mind. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was your time of the month.”

  He chuckled, but still managed to narrow his eyes. “Why does it matter? I am offering protection. That is the only thing you should be focusing on right now.”

  “How can I be sure that I can trust you?”

  “I’m here, aren’t I?”

  “Why won’t you just answer me?”

  “You know what? Forget it. This was a mistake. Go with Roger.” With that said, he bounded toward the forest, cursing as he went.

  I had to make a decision fast, but he hadn’t even been in the realm of being an option for me just minutes ago. I had already discounted him when I left with Gibbit. I needed time to process the thought—time he was not willing to give me. “Wait,” I called.

  He stopped but didn’t turn around.

  “What will you expect from me if we do this?’

  His head turned slowly. I saw him hide his smile. “So you are agreeing?”

  “I’m thinking about it.”

  He stalked toward me, his chin tucked toward his chest, his eyes intent upon mine. “Everything. I will not accept anything less from you. If you agree to do this, you are witnessing to the world you are mine.”

  My brain stuttered as heat spread up my body. I had never had a man look at me with the raw passion he was wielding. My gaze lowered to his lips. My insides tightened at the memory of his kiss. Was he doing this to me, or was I doing it to myself? I couldn’t be sure if he was using a compulsion. He was a slippery scoundrel that would do anything to get what he wanted, but I knew in my heart that I would belong to Ainessa if I didn’t do something soon.

  Better the devil I sort of understood than her. I couldn’t believe I was actually considering this. “Dream on,” I said abrasively. “I’m only doing this because you’re the best option I have at the moment. It isn’t anything more than that.”