by Austin, RB
No. She wasn’t running or hiding from reality. That wasn’t her way.
Emma snorted. Who was she kidding? Like she faced her parents’ death? I’m such a mess. The next job with insurance, she was talking to a shrink.
Without any warning, a wave of dizziness swept through her. What the hell? Emma grabbed onto the bedpost. Pain slashed in her stomach and she doubled over.
Cade was at her side.
Shit! Where had he come from?
“Get into bed.” He took her arm.
Emma didn’t fight him this time. Oh, no, lying down made it worse.
“You need to eat more.”
“Not a good idea,” she croaked then rolled and emptied the contents of her stomach onto the floor.
The moment the last of the sun’s rays dropped from the sky, Vetis stepped out into the darkness. He paused, letting the cold night seep into his body. This was his time of the day. And soon he would rule it.
“I’m hungry.”
Scowling, he glared at the bumbling imbecile through the open space in his hood. “Silence.” The newly Fallen shivered but quieted, no doubt distant memories of his time with Apollyon spurring the quick submission. What he wouldn’t kill to be with Apollyon. He chuckled. Who he was going to kill in order to be with Apollyon.
Vetis started down the sidewalk, shoving his hands deep into his pockets, head low. The Fallen fell into step beside him.
“Are we going to eat now?”
This was his punishment. Sonneillon gave him the imbecile on purpose because the last one died on his watch. Well, he wouldn’t fuck this one up. They’d stay clear of the hot spots in the city where the Behns were most likely to be.
“Shut up and pay attention.”
Silence ensued.
It wouldn’t last. Vetis maneuvered through the herd of Followers outside a nightclub, making sure Imbecile didn’t fall behind or start drooling. He continued until the city buildings lessened and the quaint Follower houses that made him want to puke grew. A few blocks later he saw what he wanted. A glowing porch light. Lots of trees and bushes. Dark houses surrounding it. He walked across the lawn and into the shadows.
Leaning against a tree trunk, he glanced over at Imbecile. “Now we wait.”
The Fallen sighed but made no other comment as he leaned on the opposite side of the trunk.
Chapter 4
Cade called Jeeves the second time she vomited. When she started convulsing he texted Lucas.
“What happened?” Lucas walked to the bed where Emma still twitched.
“She ate an apple and not long after started vomiting and seizuring.” Panic tightened his chest. When was the last time he’d been this scared? Perhaps with Laura? His youngest had been the first one to show symptoms. Filthy murderer.
Emma’s convulsions slowed then stopped altogether. Her eyes remained closed, body still.
“I didn’t cause this,” Lucas said. “A headache and slight nausea is the only side effect of putting her to sleep.”
“What the heavens is the matter with her then?” Lucas spent time with Followers. His brother should know what to do with sick humans.
Lucas’s gaze swept over Emma’s still form. He pried one of her lids open. Placed his hand over her forehead. Cheek. “She’s feverish.”
“It’s the cut,” Cade began.
“No. This is something else.”
Jeeves stepped forward. “Perhaps I should call a doctor, adohn?”
A doctor? With Elias’s blood running through their veins, the Behns didn’t get sick. Broken bones and major injuries were cleaned and wrapped. Minor wounds healed on their own in a matter of days.
Cade turned to the older man standing next to him. Jeeves, his wife Martha, and their two sons were the ebheds for this Sept. The ebheds received a healthy, long life span as part of their payment for their pledge of service to the Behns. Cade’s only memory of doctors involved black bags, horse buggies, and slamming doors in patient’s faces because they were contagious.
Lucas tilted her head to the side and peeled the bandage from her neck. “I found the problem.”
Cade leaned in. The skin surrounding the two-inch cut on the right side of Emma’s neck was red and swollen. “An infection? How is it possible?” The Fallen were dead and could carry no disease. “Gabriel bandaged the cut in the car before bringing her here.”
“Look closer,” Lucas said.
Cade sat on the edge of the bed and tilted Emma’s head. He inhaled sharply.
The ebhed leaned down. “I don’t see anything,” Jeeves said after a moment.
And he wouldn’t. Underneath the top layer of skin a more serious infection had begun, about an inch on each side of the knife’s entry point. To Cade and Lucas, the darker pigmentation of the deep infection showed through Emma’s skin like a black shape underneath a thin piece of cloth. That infection wouldn’t be discernible to Followers until it pushed against the top layer of skin and by then it could be all the way to her heart. Panic reigned again. “Call a doctor. Get one here immediately.”
As soon as Jeeves left, Lucas turned to Cade. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
“None of us are equipped to deal with a sick Follower.”
“An ebhed can take her to a hospital.”
“I don’t want to risk moving her. We don’t know what’s happened and a lengthy trip could cause the infection to accelerate.”
“But to invite another Follower here to save one nheqeba?”
Cade rounded on Lucas, eyes glowing, fists clenched. “I’ll do anything to keep her safe. Anything!”
Lucas’s hands rose, eyes wide. “Of course.” His tone was soft, soothing.
Cade strode back to the bed, the glow in his eyes receding. Lucas left the room without another word.
Vetis was going to kill Imbecile if he didn’t stand still for at least five minutes.
The new Fallen were like small Followers. Minuscule attention spans. Bouncing around like it was impossible to stand still for longer than ten seconds. Vetis always gave them a wide berth.
He tried to corrupt children in the past. It didn’t work. Their small minds processed the corruption too fast. The influence would only lead to a kick or a bite or food thrown on the floor. Of course, that was amusing to watch when he was bored.
“How long do we have to wait here?”
The whine made Vetis’s head pound. He slid his hood down with two hands. Inhaling slowly, he took measure of the one in front of him and began to exhale, pushing the breath from his mouth into a long, continuous tangible air. It weaved its way through the night.
It took a moment for Imbecile to catch on. The Fallen backed away but not fast enough. The tip of icy air began to coil around his head like a scarf.
Headlights bounced through the shadows seconds before a car pulled into the driveway. The icy air dropped to the ground with a soft audible tingle of ice meeting snow.
The Fallen, finally quiet, reached behind him and withdrew a small dagger.
“Take this one.” Vetis voice carried to the new Fallen’s ears and no farther.
Imbecile’s gaze darted to the dagger in Vetis’s hands then to the one he was holding. “I have one,” he whispered.
“This one is better.”
The Fallen opened his mouth as though intending to argue, but the Follower’s movements distracted him. She emerged from her car and headed to the front porch. He grabbed Vetis’s offered dagger, leaving his own in its spot.
Vetis pocketed the other dagger and gave a silent command for the Fallen to follow. In the shadows, he stepped around the corner of the house and stopped at the edge of illuminated ground.
The Follower’s hands were full, which worked in their favor. She concentrated on not
dropping anything and didn’t pay attention to the unfamiliar noises. Like the harsh breathing of Imbecile behind him. Idiot. While she juggled the items in her hands to shove the key in the keyhole, Vetis swept the neighborhood for prying eyes. Clear.
The door was open. Vetis crossed the distance in two leaps. He clamped a hand over her mouth and pushed her inside the house. She dropped the load in her arms the moment he grabbed her.
He spoke a low order over his shoulder. “Grab her crap and bring it in the house.” Moving quicker than he had all night, the Fallen picked up the briefcase, two white plastic bags filled with groceries, and a box of Tide in a matter of seconds. Imbecile kicked the door shut behind him, dumping her shit onto the table inside the door. Eyes wide and manic, he stared at the Follower in Vetis’s grasp.
“Pay attention.”
The Fallen’s gaze snapped to Vetis. He halted in mid-step. His hands clenched and unclenched.
“Take the dagger.” Vetis instructed palming the dagger he’d traded with the Fallen. Yanking the woman’s head to the side, he ignored her pathetic struggling.
The Fallen grinned.
“Make a small cut on her neck.” He brushed the edge of the knife along her neck not penetrating the skin.
Predictably the woman yelled for help.
“Then suck,” Vetis continued, tightening his grip. “Upon death the soul will release.”
The Follower began to flail. Adrenaline jerked her arms and legs into a frenzy. Imbecile took two steps, arms outstretched, eyes shining for his gift. With a quick spin Vetis flung the woman behind him and stepped to the side. Imbecile lurched.
The Follower staggered two steps, righted herself and screamed uselessly. Why do they always shout? Such a waste of time.
She ran down the hall. Imbecile followed, grinning lecherously. Every time the Follower caught a glimpse over her shoulder she yelled again.
Standing at the end of the hallway, Vetis watched the woman veer into a room at the end, shutting the door behind her. He rolled his eyes. Like a closed door would—with one thrust of his booted foot Imbecile kicked it open—prevent anything.
By the time Vetis reached the splinted doorway the screams had ended. Imbecile’s mouth was on the woman’s neck.
Blood dripped down her shoulders, staining her shirt. Her eyes were wide with shock. She grew lethargic and her struggles ceased.
Imbecile lifted his head a few moments later. Blood dribbled down his chin. The Follower’s lifeless eyes were stuck open in horror. Pink skin had turned to a dull gray. Imbecile stepped back and the dead body flopped to the floor.
Vetis headed down the hall. “Clean up,” he called over his shoulder. “We leave in five.”
Minutes later, they walked down the sidewalk. The Fallen’s steps were less awkward, more surefooted. “I feel so alive.” He inhaled, lifting his head to the night sky. “Is this how it always is?”
“Yes.”
The Fallen’s deep laughter rumbled through the night causing birds in a nearby tree to take off in flight. “I want another one.”
Of course. It’s not like Vetis expected his night to get easier. “You’ll follow my lead with the next one. The third one you’ll try alone.”
His head fell in a short bow. Imbecile learned his place at least.
Vetis found the next victim in an alley. He faced the entrance, the Fallen and the soon to be dead Follower behind him. The Behns wouldn’t catch him unaware again.
The loud, raucous voices filled his ears before he saw them. Three young men walked on the opposite side of the street a block down. They were inebriated and heading toward him, away from the city lights.
Perfect. Vetis walked into the alley. The homeless man was already still. “Leave the body behind the dumpster when you’re finished. I’ll be right back. Stay here.”
The Fallen nodded.
Vetis lifted his hood into place. Punching his hands into his pocket, he hunched his shoulders. He crossed the street and walked toward the three Followers.
Their age and physique were perfect for the change. If he brought back three recruits on the same night he trained the new Fallen it might get Sonneillon off his ass. Vetis would be able to concentrate on his plan without fear that his every move was being closely scrutinized.
Vetis chuckled. When the three glanced in his direction he exhaled. They shivered. His breath circled and he saw into their souls. He halted. This wouldn’t do.
The three continued forward, their drunken behavior sobered the moment they eyed Vetis. They stunk of fear and anxiety.
“Fuck.”
The one in the middle jumped. All three moved to the street. Their gazes didn’t waver from Vetis.
He allowed them to pass, mind whirling. The plan was ruined. All because these three were extreme goody-goody Followers.
No.
Vetis spun. The men were ten feet away. They were back on the sidewalk, glancing over their shoulders. Inhaling, Vetis exhaled hard and fast. His breath sailed through the air and as he willed it, snaked it around them. They stopped. Their heads swiveled as they stared at the mist with wide, frightened eyes.
The thick stream of air broke into three parts and surged into its targets’ eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. It worked silently and pain free to seep into their brain matter, to change their nature.
Seconds later the man in the middle shook himself violently. Eyes gleamed. His smile became a snarl. “Let’s go back to the bar. I’ll show her what a real man is like.” He cupped himself through his jeans. “Blowing me off like I’m nothing.” The man’s voice was low and harsh. “I’ll fuckin’ show her.”
“No.” The one on the left grabbed his friend’s arm. “I need to see my father. Right after I get a gun.”
The right boy’s laugh resembled a hyena. “Let’s visit the bar first. Your father second.”
“I’ve a better idea.”
All three swung to face him.
Vetis moved closer. “I know a way you can take care of all who’s been a problem for you.”
“Why should we trust you?” Leftie asked.
“You shouldn’t.” Breath enunciated every word.
They shivered.
Footsteps reached his ears. The Fallen. What the fuck? He’d told him to wait in the alley. Blood splattered the front of Imbecile’s shirt and he was wiping the dagger on his pant leg. The three stared at the Fallen, eyes wide with surprise, fear, and, Vetis was happy to note, a little bit of awe.
“He tasted different,” Imbecile remarked.
Vetis’s eyebrows rose. A lesson in discretion would be added to the night’s itinerary. Glancing at the Followers, he took in their frozen expressions. Maybe the lesson could wait. “Fear,” he explained. “The woman was afraid of you. Thus her heart beat faster and her blood pumped at an increased rate making it hotter. The man in the alley was not as afraid as the woman.”
“I’ll have to make them afraid first.” His grin widened to the three on the sidewalk. “Are they next?”
In unison, the boys stepped back.
“No. Unless,” Vetis trailed off, catching their gazes one by one. “Will you join me?”
Due to Vetis’ airy gift and their fear of the Fallen, there was no hesitation.
In the room next to Emma’s, Cade listened to the ebhed greet the doctor.
“It’s your niece, you say?”
“Yes, she arrived yesterday for a visit,” Jeeves said.
“Why didn’t you take her to a hospital?”
“The poor dear is scared to death of hospitals and doctor’s offices,” Martha answered.
Cade paced the width of the room. Bed to closet. Closet to bed. Bed to closet. Shortly after Lucas left the room, Emma regained consciousness, groaning and clutching her
stomach. Cade sat by her side holding her hand, wishing he could do something to help. Now when he could actually be of assistance by answering the doctor’s questions he had to hide.
“Dear.” The doctor’s voice was gentle and kind. “Can you hear me?”
The bed rustled. Emma moving? The doctor’s bag opened and instruments rattled.
Cade clenched his fists. Bed. Closet. Bed. Closet.
“What seems to be the problem?”
“Pain. Stomach,” Emma’s voice was low, even Cade had trouble understanding.
He should be in there. She shouldn’t be straining herself. Bed. Closet. Bed. Clo—What if she told him about her attack, about the Fallen?
Cade stopped. How could he have been so stupid? He moved to the door, stopping when Martha spoke.
“She fell down twelve, thirteen hours ago. Received a nasty bump on the back of her head and a small cut on her neck.” Pause. Martha showing the doctor the cut? “She lost consciousness shortly after. Concussion, we assumed and made sure to keep track of her breathing and roused her every two hours.”
“We brought her some food,” Jeeves continued. “Within a half an hour of eating she’d started to vomit then seizure. She also keeps clutching her neck like it pains her.”
Cade exhaled. The ebhed deserved a raise.
“Let me take a look.”
The bed covers rustled, along with the doctor’s bag and equipment.
Closet. Bed. Closet. Bed.
Emma was silent. Unconscious again?
Closet. Be—
Cade paused. There were footsteps in the hallway. Had Jeeves left the room? The steps stopped right outside his room. A feather brushed along his spine. Lucas. Cade crossed his arms as Lucas shut the door behind him. “What are you doing here?”
Lucas cleared his throat, swinging his gaze to the floor. “I meant no offense earlier. I’ll of course do anything to help the nheqeba.”
