Fallen Redemption (The Trihune Series Book 1)

by Austin, RB

  A sob broke through. There was no escape. She wouldn’t open her eyes. Did her eyes have to be open in order to erase her memory?

  Tears streamed from under her closed lids, falling rapidly on her cheeks. Cade’s hands were still on her face. Lucas hadn’t released her. Which meant it didn’t matter if her eyes were closed.

  Emma flicked her lids open. She wanted to see him. One last time.

  Another sob tore from her throat. “Don’t do this,” she begged. His face blurred through a torrent of tears. “Please.”

  Was there a twinge in his eyes? A weakening? No. It was nothing. Only imagined it. Wanted it to be there. Hoping the time they’d spent together meant something to him. Wishing she meant something to him.

  “This isn’t right. You can’t do this.” She struggled, not caring Lucas’s fingers dug into her skin with every pull.

  “You’ve no right to do this.”

  Cade remained impassive, his gaze locked onto her forehead. It was like she wasn’t even in the same room with him anymore. His concentration was so deep. Panic fluttered in her chest and her breath came in short waves making her dizzy.

  “I won’t say anything. I promise. I promise, Cade, I won’t tell.”

  Her shoulders were shaking. Emma’s legs gave out. Lucas was holding her up now. “I won’t forget,” she whispered, her voice hitching. “I won’t forget. I won’t forget.”

  Cade straightened. She held her breath, the tears still pouring. Was it done? Could she remember?

  Emma knew who Cade was. And the one behind her. She remembered the pool, the room she stayed in. Martha. Gabe. Jeeves.

  “I can’t do it.” Cade sounded strained, exhausted. Hope flared in her chest and she reached for him, but Lucas’s grasp on her shoulders prevented her from touching him.

  “What do you mean?” Lucas’s voice rose, angry.

  “I can’t get in.”

  “Maybe if you tried again?” Lucas proposed after a long pause.

  He gave a quick shake of his head, frustration evident. “I’ve been trying the whole time, Lucas. I can’t get in. She has some sort of wall.”

  “Can you hear her thoughts?”

  Her eyes widened.

  “No.” His voice was part shock and part distress.

  Lucas’s grip loosened on her shoulders as he faced Cade.

  “Did you ever read her mind? Back at the HQ?”

  “I tried but assumed the silence was because she was still ill. I hadn’t wanted to push it.”

  “Let me try.” Before Emma could tense, Lucas stood in front of her, his hands on her shoulders holding her still, his gaze locked with hers.

  “Stop it.” She fought to see Cade over Lucas’s shoulder, but he had turned away, fists clenched at his side. “Cade, please.” He wouldn’t . . . The frantic need to get his attention faded. Along with the desire to get away from the one in front of her. Emma’s eyes locked with Lucas’s of their own accord. The pale pink walls, brown checkered couch, and paint splattered easel disappeared from her peripheral vision as she stared into light blue eyes. Distantly she heard an alarm clock buzz. Weird. Her alarm was set to radio. The buzzing grew louder. Gah. Why wasn’t someone turning it off? Emma cringed. Wanted to put her hands over her ears, but she couldn’t raise her arms.

  Instantly the buzzing ceased. Gasping at the sudden silence, Emma fell a few steps back. Lucas still stood in front of her but his hands were no longer on her shoulders. That couldn’t have been it. She remembered the alley, Cade’s bedroom, and the pool. Could recall it all.

  Cade turned back, a questioning gaze on Lucas.

  “You’re right. She does have some type of wall.”

  Cade said nothing.

  Lucas studied him, frowning. “You know what needs to be done then.”

  Emma swung her gaze from Lucas to Cade and back again. What were they talking about? Cade didn’t respond. His face showed no emotion as he stared at Lucas. Hands were still clenched at his sides. They weren’t talking about . . . killing her, were they? No. That was ridiculous. Lucas turned to her. The blues of his eyes seemed darker. His expression . . . sinister.

  Fear raced through her veins making her shiver. She took a step back. “No.” Another step. “You don’t need to do this.” Lucas stepped toward her. “I promise. I won’t say anything.” One step back for her. One step forward for him. “Cade,” she sobbed just as Lucas reached for her. “Please don’t let him do this.”

  Lucas tightened his grip on Emma’s shoulder and sent a wave of desire to sleep through her body. He swung his arm around to catch her as her limbs went lax. Cade was at his side in an instant, relieving her from his grasp. The Behn leader set her down on the couch, his movements slow and careful. Lucas recalled the complete love he’d sensed from the nheqeba in the car. Fear and anguish had been there as well, but every time she glanced at Cade love overshadowed everything else. Lucas studied Cade as he watched her. Did his leader know the Follower loved him? Did he feel the same?

  “We need to contact Elias.” Lucas said after a moment.

  Cade finally turned, his gaze haunted. “Make the call.”

  Chapter 16

  Vetis drove the sleek, fast motorcycle into the opening of the cave. He was miles from the city in a remote location few traveled. To the clueless humans the entrance would appear to be a small crevice in the rock face. Sonneillon picked the spot, of course. It was secluded. Hidden. Because they were vile beings, not worthy to be in Followers’ presence. Vetis scoffed. The unworthy second was due back today. The holding cells were a few shy from full and ready for another run to Apollyon. Maybe he’d tag along this time. With or without permission. The group traveled on foot. Easy to track. Easy to follow. Vetis wouldn’t recommend Sonneillon’s death immediately. The suggestion would come after he had Apollyon’s complete trust and confidence.

  Maneuvering the bike into the chamber on the right, he parked it next to the five other stolen motorcycles and mopeds. This entrance was two miles away from the main chamber and rooms. A frickin’ pain in the ass. Sonneillon believed they needed separation between the entrance and living, ha ha, quarters in case of trespassers. The only trespassers were the frickin’ rats.

  As he neared the main chamber, Lilith’s throaty voice and Kobal’s high-pitched girly noises bounced off the concrete walls. Kobal was really squawking. Something must’ve happened.

  The minute he pushed open the heavy door Kobal bounced over to him. “You’ll never guess what. You’ll never guess what.”

  He grimaced. “That you’re a fuckin’ idiot? Yeah, I already got the T-shirt on that one.”

  Lilith laughed. The whore. Every move, every tone was calculated, delivered in a way to get men into her bed. If Vetis acknowledged her she’d take it as a come on and be all over him. Then’d he have to take a shower.

  “You’ll never guess,” Kobal sing-songed again.

  “Just TELL ME.”

  The chamber door swung open before Kobal could answer. Sonneillon stepped through. Kobal wiggled like a puppy, his ass shaking. Vetis hoped he didn’t piddle on the floor.

  Lilith had dropped her gaze the moment Sonneillon appeared. She studied the ground as if diamonds were going to sprout from between the cracks. That was the one benefit from Sonneillon’s reign. The bitch needed to be cowed.

  Sonneillon leveled his gaze on Kobal. “Speak.”

  Kobal giggled. “I’ve terrific news.” His pointed teeth flashed.

  Sonneillon’s expression remained unmoved.

  Kobal giggled again. Gave a small jump. “IkilledaBehnshma.”

  Vetis removed his gaze from Sonneillon and examined Kobal. The fuck wit had to be joking. He killed a Behnshma? A member of the Trihune? Hardly. Vetis snorted from under his hood.

  Sonnei
llon stilled. Not ever a good sign. He turned to Lilith. She was staring at Kobal. Shock widened her eyes and puckered her lips. Sonneillon turned to him. Vetis answered the silent inquiry with a shrug. He was just as surprised.

  Sonneillon’s gaze shifted back to Kobal. The demon’s smile dimmed. His gaze darted nervously from Sonneillon to Vetis. Yeah right, like he was going to help him out of this one. Whatever the issue may be.

  “Lilith. Out.” Sonneillon’s voice boomed, echoing off the walls.

  Lilith jumped like she’d been shot. She raced for the door, stumbling on her hooker heels.

  Kobal stepped back. Tongue darted out to lick his lips. “I’m sorry if I offended you. I assumed this would bring you tremendous joy.”

  “Why would you presume that? Why. Would. You. Think. At. All!”

  Kobal whimpered. Another step away. Sonneillon hadn’t moved at all. Vetis stood to the side, quiet and motionless. Thoughts whirled as he watched Sonneillon lose the control he was rarely without.

  “Have I ever asked you to go after the Behnshmas?”

  Kobal shook his head from side to side. His whole body trembled.

  “Have we ever made one move against the Behnshmas?”

  “Nnno.”

  He paused. Breathed in then out. “How do you know you killed a Behnshma?” His tone was low but no less threatening than the screaming echoes moments before.

  Kobal licked his lips. Opened his mouth to speak. No sound emerged. He swallowed and tried again. “I saw it.”

  Sonneillon smiled. Kobal inched back. “Saw what?”

  “I . . . I stuck a sword into his chest.”

  “So how do you know you killed a Behnshma?” At Kobal’s dimwitted expression, he added. “Did you watch him die? Did you remove his head from his body?”

  Kobal shook his head slowly.

  “So it’s possible you didn’t kill the Behnshma?”

  Kobal exhaled, smiling. “Yes. Yes, it’s possible.”

  Vetis gave an inaudible scoff. Weak, cowering excuse for a demon. Apollyon didn’t deserve cowards.

  “Go,” Sonneillon commanded. “Find the outcome. Don’t come back until it’s finished even if you have to hide in a garbage dumpster to avoid the sun.”

  “Yes.”

  Vetis watched Kobal scurry away, lip curled in disgust. What was most shocking was Sonneillon’s reac—

  A breeze drifted across his cheek a second before he sailed through the air. His body hit the wall. Bounced off. Slammed to the ground. Vetis got to his feet, allowing no sound to leave his mouth. He held in a wince. The back of his head might have split opened.

  Sonneillon stood in front of him. The second-in-command’s hand gripped the back of Vetis’s neck, preventing him from fixing his hood. “I made a mistake placing you in charge.” His grip tightened. “A mistake I won’t make again.” He let go with a jerk. Vetis’s head bashed into the wall with a loud thump.

  Vetis swallowed, forcing back bile from the double vision. “I didn’t realize we were not to harm the Behnshmas. Regardless, I was not with Kobal when he—” Sonneillon’s fist crashed into his mouth, knocking him back into the concrete again. Vetis fell to the ground, slower to stand this time. Swaying, he used the wall for support.

  “When you’re in charge it’s your duty to be aware of everything that’s going on. No excuses. This is just another reason why Apollyon would never put you in charge.”

  Vetis tapped down the instinct to lift his head and tell Sonneillon where he could shove—

  “You’ll join Kobal in his search. Don’t come back until you have the answers I seek.”

  Vetis said nothing. He bowed, a quick tilt of the head, which caused the room to spin. When the door closed behind him he sagged against the wall.

  Sonneillon would pay. Of this he had no doubt. He lifted his hood in place. This little show gave him the ammunition he needed. What would Apollyon think if he learned his second in command was protecting the same beings they were in war with?

  Pound. Pound. Pound.

  Emma jerked awake. “Gah.” She pressed a hand to her head. Fast movement was not cool.

  Pound. Pound. Pound.

  Wait. The pounding was not just in her head. Lurching from the couch, she stumbled to the door. She braced her hand on the doorjamb, blinking until the doorknob stopped moving. “Gotcha ya.” Holding tight, she twisted it slowly. “Holy brightness.” Emma blinked rapidly and when that helped not at all, she cupped a hand above her eyes. A little bit better. A blurry male figure stood on her porch. He appeared to be wearing a dress? Maybe not a man then.

  “Can I help you?”

  “No.” The voice was rich, deep, and soothing.

  Definitely a man. Wait. What? No?

  He spoke before she could respond. “I’m here to help you. Can I come in, Emma?”

  Her hand tightened on the knob. “Do I know you?” Although she couldn’t recall any cross dressers in her contacts list.

  Emma squinted, her gaze moving past him. Was that the . . . moon? No. Couldn’t be. She glanced back to the man immersed in the brightest sunlight ever. Then back to the moon. Was this a joke? Something to do with Cade?

  Emma spun. Cade was here, wasn’t he? She remembered riding in the car with him and Lucas. They talked of erasing her memory. Cade said he couldn’t get in. Lucas tried and failed. She shuddered. Then Lucas came after her and . . . nothing. Emma didn’t remember sitting on the couch. Or falling asleep. Or Cade leaving. She shifted back to the man still on her porch. He wouldn’t be able to sneak past her. His bright light was warming her better than one of her mother’s afghans.

  She rubbed her temples. Her head was killing her. Whoa. Total déjà vu. What had Cade said? Did Lucas do something to her? Did the man on her porch know the answers? Well, she wasn’t going to invite all-his-glowiness in and offer him tea. He could be an enemy. Emma closed the door halfway. “Who are you?”

  His facial features were obscured, but for some reason, maybe the reflection of the light, she knew he was smiling. “I’m not going to harm you. I’m not an enemy. Although I’m disappointed you’re not going to offer me tea. I’ve come to like it.”

  She gaped. He read her mind. Was he like Cade? “So you’re a friend to the Tensha Bas?”

  His smile widened. “I’m a friend to the Behnshmas.”

  Of course, she couldn’t trick him. He could read her mind. Stupid. She rubbed her forehead. The pain had spread from her head to the back of her neck.

  Too quick for her to move away he extended his hand. The tip of his glowing index finger pressed against her forehead, tracing an invisible line from one end to the other, leaving a trail of warmth behind. When he put his hand down her pain was gone.

  Emma inhaled sharply. “How did you do that?”

  “I can do many things. If you please, I’d like to come in. Your neighbor is starting to stir from the light and in ten seconds will be stepping outside.”

  She contemplated it for two seconds before opening the door wider. If he wanted to hurt her, and was anything like Cade, a door wouldn’t stop him.

  “You’re quite right, my dear.” The man glided inside. Standing in her front room his glow began to fade. White hair fell to the middle of his back. He was dressed in a brown robe, with a white rope tied around his waist. The man looked like an apostle.

  He threw his head back and laughed. It was a deep belly laugh. Emma had no control over the smile that spread across her face.

  “I see,” he replied when his laugh subsided, softening his already trusting face. “Why my infallible Caderyn is taken with you.”

  The last moments she had with Cade ran through her mind. Her smile faltered.

  “I’m Elias and you were half-right. You could call my position an apostle
, but I don’t work specifically for the Sonh. I work for the Creator, as well.”

  “Aah, yes,” he said after her silence. “You’ve been conflicted with Him since your parents’ death. It’s natural. As natural as their death was.”

  “Their death was not natural.” The words emerged quick, sharp.

  “It was natural for them,” he replied softly. “But before we go where your mind is headed, could I trouble you for some of that tea you didn’t want to offer me?”

  “I don’t have any tea.” It was her mother’s favorite after dinner drink.

  “Ah, I understand.”

  Emma pursed her lips. Did anyone else get annoyed with his mind reading ability?

  He smiled. “Most likely.”

  Grr. A lot annoyed. “Why are you here?” She tried to sound as nice as possible and was pretty sure she didn’t get far.

  “Caderyn and Lucas have asked me to come.”

  It took a few moments before the words clicked. Emma jerked back. “You don’t have to do this.” She took another step back.

  His expression twisted. He appeared to be in pain. “I didn’t mean to alarm you.”

  “Alarm me?” Her voice rose. “You’re here to erase my memory. How else am I supposed to be?”

  Elias considered this for a moment. “You’re right, dear. You should be alarmed.” His words were not soothing, but the warmth of his voice cascaded over her skin. Her body responded. Heartbeat slowed. Anger and fright dimmed. He was like a psychopath. Could cut her into one-inch pieces with a huge smile like he was Mr. Fucking-Rogers and make her grin right along with him.

  His eyes widened. “My dear, I understand you’re frightened, but there’s no need for crudity. I can assure you I’m not a psychopath.”

  “Stay. Out. Of. My. Head.” Emma took another step toward the kitchen. She had knives in there. Big, huge blades.

  “I can’t. And you won’t be able to harm me with a knife.”

  “Why? Because you wouldn’t let me?”