FALL (The Senses)

by Paterson, Cindy

  The grinding noise of the lever sounded and elation poured through her. He was going to live. Waleron would be safe. He turned and his eyes widened as he saw her trapped in Tarek’s embrace. He hesitated. She recognized the tortured expression—tight lips, anguish reflected by every muscle tensed.

  “Go! What are you doing? Go damn it.” Please Waleron. Leave.

  Tarek jerked higher on her arm and she fell to her knees. He pulled her back up. “You’re unable to Trace being wounded and drugged, Waleron. Where will you go? This is an island.” Delara grit her teeth to keep her expression steady. Tarek wanted Waleron to see her pain. “You walk out of here, I will torture her until she begs me to stop. But I won’t. It will never end.”

  “You’ll heal, Waleron. The drugs will wear off. You can Trace. Leave me, damn it.”

  “You know I will never.” He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, she did know. She knew what he’d say; she saw the resolve. “I can’t. I won’t leave you.”

  “No! No, Waleron. Don’t. Please. You can get help. Save me by leaving.”

  “He’ll disappear with you. I can’t take that chance. Hopelessness, baby. I don’t want it ever again. We stay together.”

  Waleron walked towards them and she felt the rope loop around her neck. She remained focused on Waleron, his stance erect, his eyes unwavering. Tears slipped down her cheeks and she bowed her head in defeat. Tarek pushed on her shoulders as he forced Delara to her knees in front of him.

  “I miscalculated your abilities. I’ll have to be more careful.” Tarek nodded to the chains on the wall. “Put them on.”

  Waleron glowered ready to fight, but he steadily walked over to where he’d been beaten when they first arrived and snapped the manacles around his wrists.

  Tarek waved his hand at a device on the wall and it began to move downward. The chains slowly became taut as Waleron was pulled up until his feet barely touched the ground. “I’m sure you remember what this feels like. Sixty-one years in Jasmine’s hands. I suspect she kept you tied up real sweet with her webs. You should be thanking me for getting you out of her prison.”

  Delara couldn’t control her stomach as the bile rose and she vomited on the floor. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Tarek yanked back on the rope so hard that she landed on her back.

  The chains rattled violently and she could hear Waleron’s roar of fury in her head.

  “Waleron,” Delara sobbed as she looked at his swinging body and the cold dark expression on his face. She hurt at the thought of what he’d already been through with Jasmine. “On my life I swear I will get you out of here. Whatever it takes. However long.”

  “No more oaths, Delara.”

  Tarek pulled her to her feet and she stumbled forward, towards the door.

  “No. I give you my oath. I promise you, Waleron.”

  “I will not tell you again. No oaths. They are over.” Waleron’s words blasted into her mind and she staggered by his forcefulness.

  She reached the door with Tarek behind her.

  “Delara, stay alive. No matter what, you stay alive.”

  She nodded and Tarek noticed. “Speaking with him? The drugs must be wearing off. No matter. He will enjoy hearing you scream with pleasure soon enough.”

  Delara spit in his face then jabbed him in the throat with her fist. He coughed and choked, but he reacted by punching her in the side of the head.

  Waleron’s chains clanged. “Know that I will destroy you, Tarek.”

  Tarek laughed as he looked Waleron up and down. “Good luck with that.”

  She glanced over her shoulder at Waleron. His stoic expression fed her the strength she needed. She’d do anything to release him from this hell, and soon she’d find out what anything was.

  Chapter 18

  It had been hours since he’d heard or seen anyone. He hung from the chains in near darkness. He knew how to survive this, he’d done it for sixty-one years. What made it harder was the fact that Delara was near and he was unable to get to her.

  The lever lifted and the door swung open. Tarek strolled into the basement, a cocky sway in his step.

  “Where is she?” Waleron gripped the chains. Blood dripped down his arms from the manacles cutting into his wrists.

  “Exhausted,” Tarek laughed. “I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Rest, but you certainly wake with one hell of a sex drive.”

  Waleron ignored the cramps in his arms as he strained against the manacles. The thought of Delara being forced…Christ she’d never survive Tarek again. What he did to her—

  Yes. Delara would survive. She was his woman. He’d taught her how. She knew how to stay alive.

  He’d spent the last several hours trying to reach any Senses telepathically, but the drugs weren’t allowing him to do anything except hang like a half-dead carcass. His body had gone through violent shivers, his muscles spasming, until finally it stopped. Numb. His body was shutting down to the pain. The second time ever he would have used his Scar and it was subdued by the drugs. Tarek knew exactly how to keep him contained.

  Tarek circled him, peering at Waleron’s wounds as if he was inspecting a piece of meat. His finger ran along a long open wound that went from Waleron’s left shoulder down to his butt. “She begged me, you know.” Waleron raised his head, closing his eyes as Tarek’s fingers scraped the dried blood from his wound. “To stop. But when I told her every time she disobeyed you’d be tortured, you know what she did?”

  Waleron would have done anything to block out Tarek’s voice.

  A nail ripped into a scab and Waleron couldn’t control the tortured groan that ripped from his throat. He was uncertain if it was from the physical pain or the emotional anguish Tarek was putting him through.

  “She fell on her knees in front of me and…well I assume you know what she can do with that mouth of hers. Or perhaps you don’t?” Tarek dug his nail beneath torn skin and it started to bleed. “Can’t have you healing, now can we. Tracing out of here would ruin all my plans.”

  Waleron tried numerous times to reach Delara, but she’d been quiet for hours. Since she’d left him. He was uncertain whether it was her blocking him or if she was too drugged or...

  “She earned you a reprieve tonight.” Tarek rounded to his front, his head bobbing from side to side as if he was listening to a song he liked. “I broke her once and I will again.” Tarek flicked his wrist and the chains lowered, dropping Waleron to the floor. “She’ll need to cut again. I think it might help her. Don’t you? Make her realize that this is her life now. When that happens, I’ll have no need of you anymore.”

  Pins and needles erupted in Waleron’s arms as his blood rushed back. He controlled a groan as Tarek watched him with satisfaction. Tarek reached into his pocket and pulled out a plastic water bottle and threw it on the floor in front of him.

  “Don’t need you dying yet. Oh, and it’s better you don’t try to speak with her.” Tarek pulled out the tranquilizer gun and pulled the trigger. The dart plunged into Waleron’s neck.

  The last sound he heard was Tarek clucking his tongue on the roof of his mouth as he waltzed out the door.

  Chapter 19

  Delara sat on the floor, her back against the wall and knees pulled up to her chest. Her cheek rested on them while her arms wrapped over her head. She dozed in and out of sleep, every sound making her bolt upright. The sound of the waves grew louder through the night. Thunder erupted and she jerked as she visualized the whip coming down on Waleron’s back.

  Every minute she thought of him. He lived inside her whether she wanted him to or not. God, he’d been there since the moment she met him at the garden party. She imagined him beside her as exhaustion took hold. He wrapped her in the warm cocoon of his embrace, his rhythmic breathing sweeping like a soothing breeze across her neck. His steady, resilient heart beat offered her strength.

  That was how she fell asleep, in his arms, his lips against her neck, his breath matched with hers.

&nb
sp; “…Dreamstepping, Kitten… Don’t be afraid.”

  “Xamien? How…?”

  “It’s called dreamstepping. I’m linked to you. Kind of like we did when I brought you back with mindweaving.”

  “Xamien? Where are you? Are you going to get us out of here? Waleron. You have to help him.” She started breathing heavily. “Tarek. He’ll kill him. I can’t—”

  “Delara. Deep breaths. You must remain calm. If you waken I will lose you.” His voice became a whisper, soft and soothing. “I want you to tell me where you are. Can you do that?”

  She peered around but all she saw were clouds and a mist spraying into the air as if a waterfall was nearby. There was no ground, no trees, no sky—just ominous clouds and when she sniffed the air she could scent him, Waleron. Where was he? Was he here with her? “I don’t know this place, but I smell Waleron. Is he okay?”

  Xamien sighed. “Delara, you’re sleeping. This is a dream. I want you to think about where you are when you’re awake. What is around you? Is Tarek with you?”

  Tarek. The name made her heart race and her mind swim with rage and fear. The clouds began to bleed red and the gentle mist turned violent.

  “Delara! Let your mind relax. He can’t hurt you here. You’re safe. I’ll never let anyone touch you here. Tarek will never be let in. He can’t reach you in this world.”

  Slowly the red dissipated.

  “Good girl. Now, think about where you are when you’re awake.”

  “In a room. It’s warm, humid. I can hear the waves constantly hitting the rocks. And the thunder. Oh god, it’s like the whip that…” She muffled back a sob.

  “Where Delara?”

  “Brazil, he said. We can’t escape. Waleron tried…oh god he was beaten so badly. Tarek—”

  “Kitten. Who brought Waleron there? Did he Trace there?”

  “No. A gift. He paid for him. He was brought here. I don’t know who. But he’s chained. He beat him, Xamien. He beat him so badly.”

  “Can you tell us anything else? Is Zurina there too? How many men does Tarek have?”

  “I don’t know. I never saw anyone. But Tarek…he separated us.” She heard footsteps. Were they Xamien’s? Was he coming to take her and Waleron home? “Xamien I can’t see you, but I hear you coming. Where are you?”

  “Christ, okay we don’t have much time. Did Zurina Trace you to Tarek? Can you tell me anything else? Hurry, sweetness.”

  “Zurina drugged me. He keeps us drugged. An island. It’s an island.” The footsteps stopped and the scent of Tarek drifted into her senses. “He’s here. You promised he wouldn’t come here. I can’t move. I can’t fight him.”

  “Delara. Wake up!”

  She jolted awake, her head hitting the wall and her eyes opening all at the same time as Tarek entered the room.

  ****

  “Brazil. Zurina Traced her there from the Realm.”

  “No friggin’ way. Bitch!” Jedrik ran his hand through his blond curls.

  Keir spoke to Xamien, “This shit going down is not cool. Need answers. Now. Putting Galen on it. There’s a connection between Brazil and Zurina. Bitch can only Trace with Delara from the Realm to a place she’s been before.”

  “Tell him it’s an island.” Xamien sat on the edge of the bed, his hands resting on the curve of the mattress. “I can’t be sure, but I felt her fear, not for herself particularly, but for Waleron. She said he was beaten really badly.” Balen and Jedrik cursed beneath their breath. “I suspect he’s in pretty poor shape. And Tarek keeps them drugged. Most likely the same stuff he used on me.” Xamien stood and pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “Waleron will never give in. He will also protect her anyway he can, even if it means his own demise.”

  Balen cursed. “We won’t let that happen. He has sacrificed enough in his life for us.” He pulled out his cell. “I’ll have the jet readied. Galen can work on finding the exact location on the way to Brazil.”

  ****

  She stood rock still, every molecule pierced with revulsion as she stared at the knife Tarek held in his hand. The serrated blade she knew so well, her body recalling it intimately.

  “A present for you. I thought it would give you some sort of…what shall we call it? Hmmm…an offering? Yes, offering, I like it. I will even help you.” He held up the knife, the rising sun glimmering off its steel blade. “What is it Delara? You look upset.”

  “I’m going to gut you like a fuckin’ Long Neck.”

  Tarek threw back his head and laughed. “Ahh, nice to see some spirit, my love.” He held out his hand. “Now, don’t be difficult or I will have to go to the basement.” He tweaked his finger at her. “I know you don’t want that, do you?”

  She walked towards him, eyes resolute. She’d do like he wanted for as long as he wanted. But there would be one moment; he’d falter and she’d be ready. She was patient. Calm. Waiting for the right moment, just like a saltwater crocodile.

  He grabbed her hand and turned her around, pulling her up against him so her back was snug to his chest. He wrapped his arm around her waist then held the knife in front of her. She stared out the window, watching the waves hit the rocks on the shore. She matched her breathing to the soothing rhythm of the water.

  He grabbed her arm and pulled it out straight. “You always tried to hide the cutting from me, but I knew. I saw the cuts and I knew why you did it.” He breathed heavily into her ear and cold shivers slunk down her spine. He teased the side of the blade down her arm then back up again. The steel felt like a shackle against her skin.

  His lips grazed over her neck, then nibbled on her ear. “Mmmm, I forgot how amazing you taste.” She counted the waves. “I missed you so much.” She closed her eyes focusing on her breathing to stop the urge to break free and risk Waleron’s life in the process. “I want you to bleed for me, sugar.”

  Her breath hitched as the point of the blade pierced her skin and dragged down her arm. She felt the blood rise to the surface, then slip over the barrier of the separated skin and descend the inside of her arm like warm maple syrup.

  “Do you like it, Delara?” he whispered.

  No. She hated it. She hated what it reminded her of. The weakness of being unable to face her emotions. The loss of the proud woman she once was. The feeling of hopelessness.

  Tarek ran his finger across the wound, blood clinging to the tip. “You see, I care about you. I know what you need.”

  Inside she screamed and shouted and then in her imagination she grabbed the blade and tore open his throat. He pushed her away from him and she stumbled to her hands and knees. She cursed under her breath and fought the urge to go running at him.

  Waleron.

  He came up behind her and she could hear him removing his belt.

  Waleron.

  His pants dropped to the floor.

  She closed her eyes and counted the waves.

  Chapter 20

  Delara stood looking out the window. She was numb to Tarek’s hands and his lips on her neck, but the anger simmered like a pot of water on low heat. Slowly boiling. Waiting for the moment that it would finally boil over.

  And it would. She would. He’d nearly had his way. If it hadn’t been for his cell ringing… She fought him in her head, a war of intense hatred played out, but physically she couldn’t. Not when Waleron’s life was in the balance.

  She had to find a way to escape this room. The window was out of the question, even using physical strength and her telekinesis she’d never be able to get through lead bars and Tarek knew that.

  Zurina’s betrayal was worse than Tarek beating her to a pulp. She trusted Zurina, they all had; Zurina was an ancient, a Taldeburu, a Healer and yet she’d broken it all for what—an oath? Wasn’t loyalty to all the Senses an oath?

  “Delara?”

  Waleron’s voice tap danced across her mind and she felt his warmth encase her body as if he was holding her in his arms. She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around herself, the warm, humi
d breeze drifting through the window and clinging to her skin.

  Her lungs finally breathed at the sound of his voice.

  They were like a broken jigsaw puzzle. They appeared as if they should stay apart, but their pieces kept being shoved together—the wrong way. They were disjointed. If they stopped fighting, maybe they’d put the pieces back together. Because like it or not—they fit.

  She was his whether he let her back into his life or not. It just was.

  She opened up her mind and let him in, her shields crashing to the ground. He’d see all of her. Naked. Open. No more hiding behind shields. She looked at the fresh cut on her arm and ran a finger along the length of it. All of her.

  She heard his gasp as she opened herself up completely. She’d always felt him within her mind, but not like this. This was raw.

  “Jesus, Maitagarri.” Waleron’s words were barely a whisper across her mind, a light touch of his fingers caressing his skin. “God, baby. What did he do to you? Tell me he didn’t—”

  “No, he hasn’t, but he will soon.”

  “Baby, no.” She heard the anguish in his voice.

  “I’ve always been yours, Waleron.”

  He lit up her insides like a city on fire. No, like a goddamn country. “Yes,” he whispered. “You have.”

  “And we’re going to get out of here, so you can prove it to me.” She walked around the room and lightly tapped on the walls, searching for any hollowness. “If I can reach you, can you open the door again?”

  “No. The drugs have worn off a bit now, but I suspect before long he’ll give me more so I can’t Trace. A blast would be difficult at best. Listen to me Delara, if you can get out of here I want you to do it.”

  “No—”

  “Yes. You must do this. I survived Jasmine, and I will survive him. Besides, he won’t kill me if you are still alive. He needs me. So—”