“Breakfast is ready Miss.” Ingrid threw open the drapes.
“Why can’t you let me sleep?”Emma dragged a pillow over her head to block out the light flooding into her room. Every morning the same maid entered her room, threw open the curtains and urged her to get ready for breakfast.
“What is the point in getting up? I’m a prisoner. There’s nothing but monotonous repetition every day.” For the first few days she’d wandered the halls exploring, learning as much as she could about the ins and outs of the building. She paid particular attention to anything that might represent an avenue of escape. Every day she looked for opportunities to slip away from the guards who were her constant companions. If she stepped out her bedroom door, they were right beside her.
Eventually, Emma gave up. The staff wouldn’t speak to her, the guards watched her constantly. There was no escape. She resigned herself to staying put until Kai returned. She was frustrated but there was only so much she could do. Her daily walks outside her room dwindled to nothing more than quick trips to the library. She took out reading material and horded it in her room. She had enough to keep her occupied for several days. She hated being cooped up, but she absolutely despised being guarded every moment she was out of her room.
The assigned guards creeped her out. On occasion, she’d caught a glimpse of something dark and scaly slithering under the thin veneer of their skin. The moment passed in a flash. At first, she believed her impression was nothing more than her mind playing tricks. After seeing it a few times, she couldn’t deny there was something that wasn’t right. She accepted they were probably underworld creatures. Probably dangerous. For the sake of her sanity she tried to ignore them as much as possible. There was nothing she could do about them anyway. Ignoring their creepy reptilian vibe didn’t stop her from feeling uneasy in their company. She jumped at every shadow. Every unexpected sound had her ready to scramble up the nearest wall.
As Emma observed, very few of Garrick’s men were actually human, if any at all. She’d witnessed feral interactions among the guards. They snapped and hissed, clawed and tore at each other’s flesh with their teeth. It was downright disturbing to watch. The human look of the guards was a glamour. If she watched closely their nearly undetectable disguises slipped. Their true forms rippled beneath the surface. Especially when they were angry or fighting. They had to be from the underworld. It was the only explanation that made sense. How else could these wild and uncivilized creatures masquerade in human form?
Emma caught them leering daily. Some guards appeared to undress her with their eyes. Others gave her the impression they’d rather eat her alive, bones and all. The only good thing about Garrick’s promise to Kai was that his guards were too afraid to step out of line. How bad did a guy like Garrick have to be to cause these monsters to fear his punishment?
“Come on Miss, get up. I’ve brought you a nice hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs.” The maid tugged the pillow Emma clutched over her head away from her, fluffed it up and put it on the bed behind her.
She lifted the lid off Emma’s breakfast and the smell of bacon grease combined with the distinct aroma of warm eggs wafted into Emma’s nostrils. Her stomach churned, bile rose in her throat. I’m gonna be sick! She lurched from the bed and shoved the startled maid out of her way as she raced to the bathroom.
“I’m sorry I don't know what came over me,” Emma pat her face with a wet cloth as she re-entered the room. The odor hit her again, and she raised her hand to her mouth. “Can you please remove the tray? I'm afraid I don't feel well. Smells aren’t agreeing with me this morning. Everything seems to upset my stomach.”
“Of course.”
Emma noticed the funny look the maid shot her as she picked up the tray and left the room. She lay down on the bed as her stomach continued to churn and draped a cool cloth across her forehead. When would I have picked up a flu bug? I've been here for over two weeks now, and I've barely been in contact with anyone. “Oh, my! No, it can't be!” Emma quickly calculated the days in her head. It was almost five weeks since the attack in the parking garage, and it had been about a week or so before that since her last period. Was it possible? Why didn't I think about this? I never once thought about protection! I didn’t even ask about condoms! I’m an idiot! How could I have been so careless, so stupid?
Emma was scared. How did we let this happen? What’s Kai going to say? She hadn't known Kai for very long. Obviously neither of them had given any thought to the possibility of creating a child. Perhaps he never wanted to have children. Given his life and everything he’d told her, he wouldn’t want to bring a child into the world. Would he? Then again maybe he’d fathered many children over the years. She doubted it. He was too honorable to be so careless. So why hadn’t it once occurred to either of them to have that conversation?
Kai had told her a bit of his past and even though they hadn't touched on the subject, Emma was sure he hadn't lived like a monk. The man was gorgeous. There was no way a female in any century wouldn’t have at least offered. Being a man, even one as guided by strict morals and sense of duty as Kai, Emma was sure he’d have succumbed to temptation on occasion.
Oh, no! Will our baby be immortal too? How does that even work? She dismissed the idea immediately. Would the universe be that cruel? Judging from what she’d learned from Kai, the only way he knew to become immortal was to drink from the fountain of youth or become a vampire. There were some underworld creatures that appeared immortal like the faery and some magical bloodlines. In Kai’s case he had to drink from the spring. That was the only way. Wasn’t it?
The thing that worried Emma most was Kai's reaction to the news of impending fatherhood. Well, that and keeping her discovery a secret from her current host. No matter how terrifying and creepy Emma found the guards, they were under strict orders not to touch her, so they kept their distance.
Garrick, on the other hand, had no such qualms about pushing the boundaries of his promise. He used every opportunity to shake her up. He relished opportunities to disturb her, throw her off balance and fan the flames of her fear. Creepy was the tip of the iceberg. He watched as she lifted each morsel of food to her mouth during dinner. He paid rapt attention as her tongue would dart out to lick something sticky or crumbly from her lips. His gaze riveted to her as though watching her eat fascinated him.
He made her uncomfortable in other ways too. In the guise of acting the gentleman, his hands lingered over her shoulders or back as he pushed in her chair. He’d stand too long behind her inhaling her scent, pressed tight against her. She resisted the urge to elbow him in the gut or cringe as he skimmed his fingers over her hair and shoulders. She wanted to throw up when he’d whisper shocking, disgusting suggestions into her ear.
Emma steeled herself night after night as she swallowed her pride and did her best to ignore every vile behavior he used to intimidate and humiliate her. She’d learned early that Garrick had a hot temper which difficult for him to keep his word. He’d managed to leave her untouched so far, or at least by the standard he assumed Kai meant when they’d struck their uneasy truce. An image of Garrick kicking and beating her flitted through her mind. There was no telling what he might do. He was evil. He might choose to use the news as leverage or worse. She shivered. Either way, it wouldn't bode well for Emma, Kai or the baby.
Chapter 25
Kai was exhausted but there was no time to stop. He was anxious to see Emma. The trip took a lot longer than he’d expected. For weeks he’d searched for the secret meadow. When he finally found the forest and its maze of trees, it appeared untouched, frozen in time. The place hadn’t changed in several millennia. Time must pass differently there. It took some fast talking as well as some hefty promises, but Kai finally convinced the Guardian to part with a flask of the eternal spring’s water. By the time he was on a flight back to Emma, several weeks had passed in the meadow. To Kai it seemed only a day had passed.
Kai worried every moment he was away. He’d seen for h
imself Garrick’s brand of cruelty and he didn’t trust him to keep his word. Garrick had no remorse. If not for the promise, he wouldn't hesitate to kill Emma. But what choice did Kai have but to strike a deal? Garrick had Emma. The only thing keeping Kai sane was the knowledge that Garrick wanted the flask. If he broke his word, he’d have no leverage to use against him.
There was nothing Kai wouldn’t do to ensure Emma’s safety. He’d done everything in his power to convince the Guardian he’d never allow the water from the spring to fall into enemy hands. Kai hoped he could deliver. He couldn’t care less if he reneged on his agreement with Garrick. Garrick would do the same. He’d abide by their bargain until he had what he wanted. Kai had to believe that. But as soon as he had the flask, he’d turn on them in an instant. Kai only had a tiny window of opportunity to get Emma away before all hell broke loose.
All was quiet when he arrived back at the compound. Kai thought about sneaking in and getting Emma out before Garrick or his men even realized she was gone. It would save him the risk of Garrick getting the flask. He made up his mind, there was no use hiding his presence. He had a plan and if he saw it through, this would all be over. Garrick would be dead. Emma would be free. Kai marched straight to the gates of the compound.
“Tell Garrick I’m here!” The guard sent a runner to pass on Kai’s message. He opened the gate and led Kai up to the main house where he passed Kai off to another guard. The guard escorted him down a different corridor than the one that led to the office. This one led to a large dining room where Garrick waited for him. Garrick stood alone near the head of a huge formal dining table. Kai’s hungry gaze scanned the room. No sign of her.
“Where is Emma?”
“You’ve finally returned.” Garrick seated himself at the head of the table.
“Where is Emma?” Kai demanded.
“She's safe. I was about to fetch her to join me. Did you bring what I asked for?”
“When I see Emma with my own eyes, we’ll talk.”
“I don't think you are in a position to be making demands.” Garrick looked smug.
“Are you sure about that? I have what you want. There’ll be no negotiation until you bring Emma to me.”
Scowling, Garrick motioned with a flip of his chin to one of his men. The guard left the room without a word. “She will be along at any moment now. Why don’t we get down to business?”
“Not until Emma is here with me. I’ve already told you.”
“Fine but before she comes in, I would like to see proof you kept your end of the bargain.”
“Fine.” Kai slid his hand into the collar of his shirt and snapped the leather cord dangling from his neck. The cord was wrapped around the neck of a small flask filled with crystal clear water.
“Kai!” Kai and Garrick whipped their heads toward the scream. One of the guards lifted Emma by the waist when she tried to run from him. “Let. Me. Go!” She struggled and clawed at the arms that held her. He dropped her on her feet and she took off. Emma broke away before the guards could close ranks. Her dark hair swirled around her as she ran and launched herself into Kai's arms.
“You have what you want. We made a deal. Give me the flask!” He held out his hand waiting. With a flip of his hand, Kai tossed the flask, still attached to the cord, into Garrick’s waiting hands. A greedy smile split his face. Kai sneered. Garrick thought Kai didn’t realize he’d lost his leverage the moment Emma landed in Kai’s arms. He was wrong. Kai had a plan of his own.
“How do I know that the water is from the fountain?” Garrick pinned Kai with a shrewd, calculating glare.
“That's the thing about this gift. You won't know until you're injured.” Kai tucked Emma into the crook of his arm and pulled her close.
Greed gleamed in Garrick’s eyes. He removed the stopper, lifted the flask to his lips and drank. Kai leaned down and whispered in Emma’s ear. “When Garrick makes his move…run. All hell's going to break loose, and I don't want you in the middle of it. Whatever you do, get out of here!”
Emma whipped her head up. “No! I'm not going anywhere.” She kept her voice low. The mutinous look she shot him made it clear he wasn’t winning this one.
“Okay. Stay close and if I say move, you move. There’s a knife in my back pocket. Take it out without them seeing and hide it.” Emma slipped her fingers into his pocket and retrieved the knife. “Got it?” Emma nodded once. “You’ll do what I say?” She nodded again. “Okay.” He blew out a sigh. Here we go.
Garrick interrupted the hushed discussion when he tossed the empty flask and it landed at Kai’s feet. “I don't feel any different. When does it take effect?”
“It’s done. Take a knife and cut your hand. You’ll see.”
Garrick snatched a knife from the table. He closed his hand around the blade, sheathing it in his fist. He gripped the hilt with his other hand and ripped the blade through the flesh of his palm. Blood dripped from the bottom of his still closed fist. Amazed, he opened his hand and watched as the blood slowed to a trickle. The flesh came together, mending itself at an inhuman speed until the cut closed completely. He turned it back and forth. Elation lifted his lips into a huge grin. He held his hand up triumphantly so his everyone could see.
“Finally!” He shouted. “We are equals!” He turned to look at Kai. “I now have the same power as you and more!”
Kai laughed out loud. “You are scum. You could never be my equal! And It doesn't work that way.” Time to drop his bombshell. “My gifts don't come just from the fountain. My strength and speed, those were gifts given only to me. You’ll heal fast, and you'll never grow old. That’s all.” Kai enjoyed pricking Garrick’s anger. He never meant for Garrick to live forever. He meant what he’d said. Garrick would never grow old. If all went as he planned, Garrick wouldn't see another day. As soon as Emma was a safe distance away, Garrick was a dead man. Kai would never let this monster roam the world forever.
“That wasn't the deal!” Garrick screeched and pointed the blade he still held at Kai.
“The deal was that I bring you the water, you give me Emma. We’ve both fulfilled our part of the bargain. You got what you asked for, and I have Emma. We’re done here.” Kai moved Emma behind him so his body was between her and Garrick.
“No, I want everything that you have. That was the deal.”
“I told you it doesn't work that way. You have everything you're gonna get willingly from me. If you want anything else you’re gonna have to get it yourself. The rest isn’t mine to give.” Kai knew he was goading him and that was exactly what he wanted.
“Then I'll take what is.” Garrick motioned to his men. The one closest to Kai grabbed Emma’s arm and wrenched her away from Kai. He whirled around to pull Emma back. The long sword he’d hidden beneath his jacket appeared in his hand. He slashed the assailant’s offending hand, severing it from the guard’s body. The man shrieked and lifted his arm to gape at the bloody stump. He squeezed his wrist tight with his remaining hand trying to staunch the flow of blood.
More guards moved in to attack. Kai couldn’t afford the time to finish him off. He shoved Emma behind him and backed away. The guards rushed at him. “Go!” He commanded her. He pushed her back and she ran for the exit. The guards no longer tried to conceal their true forms. They dropped the glamour of their human forms. Emma’s terrified shriek rose above the snarling commotion. Horrific beasts with snapping jaws replaced the guards closing in on her as she raced for the door.
Kai sprang to action. He pulled a dagger from his boot and lifted his sword to fend off a hulking spiked beast bearing down on him, long, sharp teeth gnashed and snapped at the thrust of Kai’s blade. The creature had bony spikes protruding from his shoulders and along his spine right down to the tip of a short, thick tail. Club-like fists, covered in smaller spiky protrusions, battered Kai’s arms while avoiding the slice of Kai’s blade.
Emma screamed again as another dark, scaly saurian slung her over his shoulder and bolted toward Garrick. Prid
e swelled as he saw her retrieve the knife he’d given her. She slashed at the creature’s backside from her upside down position. He dropped her and she lashed out with the blade severing tendons. He crumpled, howling in pain. She sprang to her feet and darted back toward the door. She never made it. Another guard tackled her from behind and she dropped the knife. He scooped her up and ran toward Garrick.
“Kai!” Her desperate cry carried over the commotion.
“Enough of this!” Kai grunted. He still fought the spiked wonder and Emma needed him. The downward arc of his sword cleaved the spiky beast in two from the shoulder to mid-chest. Blood gushed from the fatal slice. Kai pulled his blade from the bloody corpse and Kai chased after Emma and her abductor. Kai moved fast. He caught the scaly creature by the opposite shoulder from where Emma dangled and spun him around. The momentum set the guard off balance. Emma crashed to the floor when he lost his hold and dropped her. Without Emma draped over his shoulder, Kai had a clear shot. He buried his dagger to the hilt in the reptilian’s abdomen. He twisted it and thrust upward for good measure. He pulled the knife from the body and wiped the blood from the blade on the carcass.
“I’m sorry. I tried to do what you said. I tried to run.” Emma was back at his side.
“I’d tell you to run again but that’s not working so well for you.” Kai puffed. “Get behind me and try to stay back to back so we can see them coming.”
“I dropped my knife.”
“Okay then. When I start moving, get low and stay down until I tell you! Get under the table if you can.”
Guards came at him faster now. Kai stood his ground and let his instincts guided him. He fought with strength and speed of a whole platoon of soldiers. He slashed his sword through the oncoming enemy like they were untrained newbies instead of the battle hardened mercenaries he knew them to be. He used every advantage at his disposal. Losing was not an option. Kai moved so fast he almost appeared to flash from one enemy to the next. His movements blurred as he hacked his way to his ultimate goal. Garrick.
Out of Darkness Page 18
