FALL (The Senses)

by Paterson, Cindy

  “You know the penalty for attacking our own.”

  “Put me in Rest. But you better pray you aren’t anywhere near me when I get out because I’ll kill all of you.” Damien was wild, his lips were twitching and his jaw was clenched.

  Jasper strode into the room and took in the scene fairly quick. “Trouble in reunited brotherly paradise?” He shoved his phone into his pocket.

  Delara watched as Damien contemplated his next move. He spun around and ran back up the stairs.

  “He won’t let her go this time.” Xamien put his hand on the counter and Delara noticed the way his fingers tapped the smooth surface. “He’s what she needs and Abby needs someone she can trust. She’ll come around faster if he remains here.”

  “After he threatened to kill you, you want him living in your house?” Waleron asked.

  “He’s my brother. That will never change no matter what he does.”

  Jasper opened the fridge and pulled out a Stella Artois. A hiss sounded as he cracked the cap opened. “Glunk and I searched the area. Horse is dead. No sign of Tarek. Not liking the no scent thing.”

  Delara shook her head, “How did he know I was coming here? He had to have known. Been prepared.”

  “Yes, and that is why you are going to the Realm,” Waleron answered her. “Tarek has no couth as to who he harms in his pursuit of you. So until we find him and find out who is assisting him, you remain there.” Waleron left no room for argument as he held out his hand.

  She closed her eyes, knowing she had no choice.

  She sucked air into her lungs just as Waleron touched her arm. Dizziness swirled and the coolness of Tracing seeped into her bones. She tried to speak quickly to Xamien, but it was too late.

  ****

  Returning to the Realm brought back memories Delara didn’t want to think about. Walking through the garden, Waleron catching her with Edan…what he must have thought of her. Why did she do it? To help Balen in the end, but she used Edan just as she had Liam—to convince herself that she was immune to love. To Waleron.

  Lies.

  She loved long ago. The man that walked beside her now, who made her blood boil in anger and, at the same time, with desire. She was so caught up in what they didn’t have, she forgot about what they did have.

  She stopped walking.

  Waleron paused a few feet ahead and turned, a frown marring his face.

  Xamien was right. Waleron would’ve moved her to another Talde if he ever thought there was a chance he’d harm her. But he didn’t. Even if they were no longer together, they’d really never left one another. He never left her. She ran, but always came back—to him.

  Before she could say anything, Zurina appeared in a soft swirl of mist. “Waleron. Delara. I hadn’t realized you were coming to the Realm.” She bowed her head elegantly.

  “Is there a council meeting I am unaware of?” Waleron asked.

  “No. I came to speak with Genevieve regarding a private matter.” She smiled at Delara thenntook her hand and squeezed. “I will help get you settled, Delara. Don’t worry, Edan is otherwise…engaged, so it’s good timing.” Zurina finding it necessary to mention that fact was odd and rather unsettling. Zurina knew it would upset Waleron and he looked ready to detonate. “I’m certain Waleron has more important matters to attend to. And he shouldn’t be here with you. The Wraiths wouldn’t be very pleased to see you with her, Waleron.”

  Waleron hesitated. His intense eyes lingered on Zurina, while he clenched and unclenched his hands. Delara noticed his tattoo move, barely, but the snake slithered then settled again. The eyes remained black, but if it was disturbed then so was Waleron.

  He nodded to Zurina, then looked at her. Desire swam in the cool depths of his blue eyes and for a second she thought he’d kiss her right there. He opened his mouth as if to say something but he changed his mind.

  Suddenly, he swirled into a cloud and disappeared.

  “He never likes to leave you, does he?” It was a statement. Zurina’s hand tightened uncomfortably. “Always been that way with him and you.”

  “We love one another,” Delara said. And Waleron was going to admit it if she had any say about it. “The Wraiths must know that as well as you.” At least being in the Realm would give her the opportunity to talk to the Wraiths.

  “His oath to his mother faltered long ago.” Zurina tilted her head to the side as she peered at her. “He should have let you go after Tarek tried to kill you. I warned him. I told him to let you die, but no, he wouldn’t and now look where this has led us.”

  What the fuck? Delara stared at Zurina with shock. No. This couldn’t be happening. Zurina was a respected Healer. She sat on the council. She was a Taldeburu for the U.K.

  Oh no. Oh god. No. This would kill Waleron. He trusted Zurina. She’d been his mother’s friend. Why? Why would she do this? “It’s you. You’re helping Tarek. You told the Wraiths that Waleron was irrational. You told them to separate us.” The realization was like an iceberg had settling on Delara’s shoulders. “You want him imprisoned.”

  Zurina sighed. “Yes. It would be much easier to take you if Waleron was incarcerated. Since the Wraiths have decided to not act on my suggestion, I had to make other arrangements.”

  “You Traced into the Talde house and took my letter. You sent the packages. You knew exactly when I went to Spain because Waleron would’ve told you. You told the Wraiths lies in order to separate us. To put doubt in their minds about Waleron’s sanity. To send me to another Talde.”

  “You understand I never wanted to do this.”

  Delara glanced around. Do what?

  “But my oath to Waleron’s mother takes precedence. You’re a diversion. Have been for a very long time.”

  A shiver ran down Delara’s spine. She knew that being able to telepathically speak to anyone from the Realm was rare, so she reached for the one man who could hear her. “Edan. Please. I need you.”

  ****

  Xamien opened the door to Abby’s room and immediately felt Abby and Damien’s despair. It was like walking through gray ash, the emotion clinging to his lungs as he breathed. He put up more walls around his mind, blocking the desolation. It stemmed from them both and yet he only saw Damien sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, his legs bent and his head resting on his knees. His hands were in his hair in a death grip while his feet continuously tapped the ground in a rhythm.

  Xamien peered in the bedroom, the covers were thrown off the bed and the sheets were askew, but no Abby. Xamien turned back to Damien. There was a time when they were children that Damien had been hiding in the closet, sitting exactly like this. Xamien had found him and coerced him out, holding Damien’s arms around his shoulders while making him keep his eyes shut as they walked past their sister’s dead body.

  They’d been close for years after that until Annabelle Duumviri. Until she tore them apart.

  Xamien crouched down in front of his brother, aware he’d probably regret such an action. Damien wanted to kill him after all. “Where is she, Damien?”

  Damien didn’t answer, his foot continuously tapping.

  Xamien moved to sit down beside him and bent his knees, looping his arms around them. “She’s gone isn’t she?” Damien had been able to unweave the spell around the house or Abby had finally figured it out. He should’ve known Damien would offer Abby freedom before Waleron took him back.

  “Last year she begged me to kill her. Did you know that?” Damien’s head still rested on his knees, his shoulders hunched and his voice barely audible. “So, she wouldn’t become a vamp. All those months she suffered and then…then she wanted to die.”

  Xamien remained silent, knowing his brother was tearing apart, needing some kind of release.

  “I cried. Begged. I fuckin’ begged, Xamien. Never have I felt so much desolation as I did in those months I spent with her. But I also…god I loved too.” Damien choked then coughed. “I loved her.” His foot stopped tapping and his arms tightened around hi
s legs and he began to rock back and forth. “She changed her goddamn choice of food, but she’s the same woman. I fell in love with who she is, not what she is. She doesn’t get it.” Damien lifted his head and stared across the empty room. “You know, she attacked that girl Max so you’d kill her. That’s what Abby wanted. She told me…she wanted you to kill her. But you didn’t and I came and then…then she left me. Again.”

  Xamien had no words to offer. And Damien didn’t need them. He was being eaten alive by misery that had stretched on for too long. Whether Abby would survive, Xamien didn’t know; the chances were slim at best. A vamp walking on their own was few and far between, only the ancients had enough control and power to succeed. Abby…maybe she left so she could die.

  “Damien…” Jesus what do you say to that? “You need me to help you go after her, I’ll be there. You know that right?” His brother just kept rocking. “You always have a home here. Always. Don’t ever forget that.” Despite knowing Waleron would object, he’d help his brother if he requested it. He’d never turn his back on him. The problem was his brother would never ask for it.

  Damien shook his head. “She never wanted me to see her like this. I have to let her go.” His shoulders dropped further and he inhaled a jerky breath. “I hate you, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Xamien squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “But I love you and one day, you just might realize it.” Xamien climbed to his feet. “Jasper is headed to France, St. Tropez. Go with him. Waleron is too busy hunting Tarek to worry about coming after you.” “Jasper, wait a sec. My brother is coming with you.”

  “No time for babysitting. Get me?”

  “Then I’m calling in my marker.”

  “Fuck. Fine. Tell him to get his ass downstairs. And give him your bike, I’m not riding double.”

  “Why are you doing this?” Damien asked.

  “That’s what brother’s do. Jasper’s waiting for you.” Damien came to his feet, using the wall to gain his balance. Xamien knew it had been a while since the guy ate or drank anything. He reached in his pocket and passed Damien a key. “Bike is in the garage. It’s a Ducati—be nice to it. Oh and Jasper’s an assassin, so don’t piss him off.”

  ****

  Delara knew she needed to keep Zurina talking. Eventually a Wraith would feel the distension in the air and Edan was bound to hear her if he was in the Realm—even if currently engaged. “Zurina, nothing can distract Waleron. He lives the Senses.”

  Zurina’s voice rose. “He lives his oath to you.”

  “What oath?”

  “That he’d protect you above all else for as long as he walks this earth.” Zurina tsked, shaking her head. “I like you Delara, always have. You had guts coming to the Realm and speaking in front of council. Using Edan.” She sighed. “But my oath to Waleron’s mother is more important than you, as is Waleron’s oaths to the Goddess and his mother.”

  “So you’re going to kill me? Is that your solution?”

  “No, Delara. Of course not. Now that would be breaking my oath. I’m a Healer. No, I’ll leave that to Tarek. I’m merely delivering a…package. And supplying the island.”

  Island? “Waleron will find you.” Of that Delara was certain. There was no way Zurina would be able to get away with this.

  “Of course he will, Delara. I don’t pretend to think he will let me live either. My sacrifice is a necessity.” Zurina’s stance went rigid and her fingernails dug into Delara’s wrist. “What have you done?” She slid her hand under her shirt at her waist. “Stupid. Stupid girl.” Zurina pulled out a gun and Delara reacted at the same moment Edan appeared.

  Delara shoved Zurina in the chest then kicked out with her legs, but Zurina’s grip wouldn’t dislodge and they both fell to the ground. Delara jerked on her arm, causing Zurina’s fingernails to rip at her skin.

  “Delara?” Edan sounded shocked. His footsteps came running towards her. She saw Zurina’s hand raise with the gun, pointed in his direction.

  “No!” she screamed and punched Zurina in the side.

  Delara rolled and kicked Zurina in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her and dislodging her hand from Delara’s wrist.

  Edan was there. “Delara, what…”

  Delara watched as his tall, lithe form crashed to the ground only feet away. “Edan.” Delara crawled towards his body lying face down. But there was no blood…

  Zurina pointed the tranquilizer gun at her.

  “Delara, I can’t…reach…” Edan passed out, a dart in his throat.

  “Time to go.”

  Delara gasped as a dart impaled her neck.

  Chapter 15

  Waleron went back to his house after leaving the Realm. He needed his steel room, the emotions had become too difficult to control and the room was the only place he was safe to unleash the fury in his Scar. For over an hour the unbridled rage controlled his body, the snake crawling across his skin. The Scar ate away at his body, trying to take him over completely. Destroying all the good. Heightening all the rage. The anger was so intense it felt like his body would implode. The Scar’s destruction was about taking control of him, needing to have his body and mind. Waleron’s body was his Scar when he was chained like this, but he’d fight for his mind.

  When it was over, Waleron’s body hung limp. He waited until the snake settled against his skin again then used his mind to unlock the manacles on his wrists. The chains dropped with a loud clang. This was the only control he had when the Scar took over. He’d never let the Scar use his mind to unlock the chains. He was uncertain how long that would last. His Scar seemed to be getting stronger, fighting to take him over.

  He took out his Pez and stared at it for several minutes, contemplating. What she was asking was impossible. The anger was eating away at everything inside of him. He had to have control. He needed it.

  Opening the Pez, he removed two pills. He had them halfway to his mouth before he threw them against the wall. Then he crushed the Pez in his hand and let the broken pieces of plastic fall to the floor. He knew he had been pushing her away for years, but the thought of her actually leaving him… No. He’d do anything to keep her. Even if it meant her finally seeing what lived inside him. It was unfair to her, unfair to want her for himself after all this time, but he loved her. That’s why he was like this. If he never tried to show her who he is now and she walked away…he’d never forgive himself. He’d regret it for eternity.

  He didn’t care if the Wraiths ripped his Taldeburu away from him as long as they didn’t take her. Just her. That was all he needed.

  He had to give up the pills. He had to let her see the person he’d become. He may lose her, but he was losing her anyway. He had to trust. Trust that despite his Scar, he’d never harm the one woman he would never stop loving. Ever.

  Trust himself. Trust Delara to love him as he was now.

  He knew this was their last chance and he was going down fighting for her.

  ****

  The moment Waleron Traced into Xamien’s house, he knew something was off. Silence. His palms grew hot and there was tightness in his chest. He strode to the one room that gave off any scent of the others.

  He pushed open the library door. “Where are they?”

  Glunk briefly glanced at Max who was standing in the corner, her hands clasped together and head bowed. Glunk answered him, “Abby was released from her room and has left the grounds. Damien left hours later. I know not where they’ve gone.” Glunk shifted uneasily behind the desk, his hand caressing the cover of a large, leather book—a grimoire.

  “Xamien has gone after them?”

  “No sir, he Traced to the Realm,” Max said.

  “Why?”

  “Edan, sir. He appeared here, but he was drugged and could barely stand. He said you were unreachable, so he sought out Xamien. He said something about the Wraiths being wrong.”

  Of course Edan couldn’t reach him; he’d been chained to his wall. “What?”

  His cell rang. He
glanced at the lit display—Zurina. He answered it. “Yes?”

  He listened for a few seconds. Zurina’s words ripped his heart out.

  Then he fractured. It was like a grenade had detonated and his insides had fragmented into scraps of himself. His lungs were unable to find breath. His blood filled his veins with fear and his limbs froze. He was left with nothing. He was empty; everything was taken from him.

  Tarek had Delara.

  Waleron dropped the phone and stumbled backwards until his spine hit the doorframe. He could feel the snake awakening as his emotions grabbed hold; there was rage and fear, and insurmountable grief.

  No. Impossible. He’d done everything to keep her safe.

  The realization that he’d delivered Delara to the Realm—right into Zurina’s waiting arms—to Tarek… He fell to his knees. The inner scream that refused to emerge from his throat reflected his devastation. It ate into him. It fed his Scar.

  He didn’t even realize the snake was swirling across his skin, until it stretched further than it ever had before. The burning. The pain. It was nothing compared to the turmoil he was feeling inside.

  Delara.

  Images plagued him. The moment he’d found her in the ditch. Her suffering. The horror of what Tarek had done. What he’d do to her now.

  His Scar tried to take over, but then he’d be useless to Delara. She was still alive. He’d find her. No matter what, he’d find her.

  “You stay alive, Delara. Don’t you dare leave me. God, I beg of you, baby. Don’t leave me.” The words were lost in the abyss. He knew she’d never hear him.

  He felt a hand on his arm and started to react to the violence of the contact when coolness invaded his body. It was calming the burning of his Scar. It swept through his veins, his mind, healing the rage so it lay smothered beneath a blanket of snow. The snake hissed, its forked tongue and fanged teeth revealed as it fought against the cold.