A Shade of Innocence (The Illuminati Book 1)

by Jane West

  The robes began singing an incantation. They dropped to their knees, kneeling to the creature as he stepped back into the blazing fire and vanished.

  All at once, the atmosphere became airless. My lungs were begging for oxygen. I had to get the hell out of this crypt and fast.

  Treachery

  On all fours, I crawled back to where I came from. Once I reached the dark corridor, I leaped to my feet and made my way out like a bandit on crack. As I rushed for my life, a rhythm of prayers hovered in the air. The sickening sound made me nearly vomit, but I pushed it down and did some serious talking to my legs to get to stepping.

  Finally, I reached the stairs and up I climbed, praying I'd gone unseen.

  Plunged into total bleakness, once again, I found myself groping, inch by inch my way back to freedom. The moonlight from the hole had vanished and I no longer had its gentle light for guidance. I hoped I was heading the right way.

  With no warning, I heard footsteps approaching, and panic slammed into home base. Whoever was coming, he or she was gaining on me and gaining fast. Holy crap! I've been spotted. My lungs tightened as my heart raced. Trapped, I had nowhere to hide; I did the only thing I knew to do … run.

  Viciously, I rushed blindly, step after step. All I could do was keep moving, praying I reached the entrance before they caught me. I had only a small head start which put a fire in my ass as I hurried.

  Without warning, a beam of light struck my back. I stopped dead in my tracks. I'd been caught! I prayed it wasn't Van or his MIB.

  Hoping to escape, I cut my eyes over the ledge and gasped. The drop had been a bottomless pit that ventured far passed the light.

  I was doomed. Like with a gun to my head, slowly I turned with my hands in the air, squinting against the bright light. My breath lodged in my throat as I braced myself for the worst.

  “Chickadee! What the hell are you doing down in this hole,” the friendly voice pierced from behind the blinding light.

  I cuffed my hand over my eyes, trying to find the happy face that came with the voice. “Sam! Is that you?”

  Sam stepped from the light, lowering the flashlight to his side. “Is there another fella that calls you Chickadee,” he asked and smiled brightly.

  Without thinking, I rushed to him, throwing myself into his arms and planting a huge kiss on his lips. “Sam, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you!”

  He smiled down into my face. “I think you just showed me.” He lingered a moment as our eyes hitched. “What are you doing down in this cobweb crypt?”

  The accounts of what I just witnessed flooded my mind. “Sam, we need to get out of here, pronto!” I grabbed his hand. “I'll explain later.” I ushered him to follow, tugging on his hand.

  “Yeah, I get the feelin' you're right.” He slightly bent over the edge, shining the light down the cliff. “Damn! I sure would hate seeing anyone fall onto those spikes.

  “Come on Sam! We gotta go, now,” I urged.

  “Yes, ma'am!” Sam held the light in front of us and off we went, climbing the steps with extra care.

  In a few minutes, we both were out of the bowels of hell and bent over dragging in hordes of fresh air. I'd never swallowed so much dirt in my life.

  After a minute of gagging up dust, Sam spoke up. “Damn, girl, what possessed you to go down a hole with no light or idea what you're gettin' into?” His voice seemed full of irritation.

  I reckoned I had him worried. Good ole Sam. I smiled to myself.

  With not a lot of time to explain, I took the easiest route. I lied. “I fell down the hole…”

  “Was this trap open when you fell?” He eyed me suspiciously, as he lifted the tattered door to the entrance and closed it up, latching it back.

  “Hmm, yes,” I lied. “I don't even remember a door being there. I was walking along and tripped.” That part wasn't a lie. I felt bad, not telling Sam the whole truth, but my gut warned me to keep it to myself.

  “You're not hurt?” Sam's voice seemed concerned.

  I looked down at my filthy clothes and brushed over my arms. “No. I'm good, just dirty.” I half laughed.

  Sam wiped my nose with his finger, drawing back a film of dirt. “I'd say, you look like you've been mud wrestling.” He flashed an impish grin, “A good look on you.” He raked his wolf eyes over me quite boldly, making me squirm uncomfortably.

  I changed the subject quickly. “Where're you headed?”

  “Oh, I figured I'd hang out under this oak in case you fall into another trap.” Sam broke out into a broad smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

  Did I detect something off? It struck me as peculiar.

  On second thought, I shook off the notion. He'd been through a lot tonight coming to my aid, twice, and it was silly of me to doubt him. Why wouldn't I trust him? He was my guardian and protector.

  “Sam, you don't have to risk your life for me.”

  “I'm not leaving you until I know you're safe.” He reached out and gently squeezed my shoulder. “I got your back!”

  I stared into his deep browns for a moment. As I inhaled a deep sigh, guilt started to weigh heavily on me. “I understand why you behaved the way you did. You were undercover.” I let out a ragged sigh. “I appreciate your help but I've decided that I'm going through with the infusion spell.”

  Sam's eyes orbed for a brief second, and then he quickly masked his surprise. “You're going to complete the bonding ceremony with Aidan after all? Risk everything?”

  I looked down at my muddy feet and let out a deep sigh. I'd made my decision. It was my turn to save Bane. “Yes, risk and all.”

  “Are you sure you're makin' the right decision?” Doubt laced his voice.

  “I have to follow my heart.” I folded my arms, unwilling to waver. I couldn't turn my back on Bane. He'd risked his life to save mine. Now I had to do the same for him. I didn't have to explain myself to Sam, to the universe or to any Goddamn person.

  “Gotcha, Chickadee!” Sam snatched a piece of grass out of my disheveled hair and smiled, “No troubles.” He pointed with his thumb to the oak. “I'll be right here waitin' if you need me.” He leaned in and hugged me. When he drew back, there it was again, that strange glint in his eyes.

  I blew it off. One more item on my plate would send me into oblivion. “Thanks, Sam! You're the best.” I smiled.

  * * *

  A sense of urgency swallowed me as I feared I'd be too late finding Bane. Despite my disenchanted heart of seeing him with another woman, I sensed that Bane had been protecting me all along. I was confident he wouldn't betray me now so I had to return the favor.

  I wasn't exactly out of the woods yet. Apart from the decision made by the creature and the councilmen, my gut told me that Van still was a fiend for me. As long as I stayed a virgin and my powers unprotected, Van was a threat. If he succeeded taking my essence, whatever that meant, he might become unstoppable, which meant, Bane was in jeopardy too.

  The way I saw it, if I could stop this massacre by giving myself to Bane, then why the hell not do it? It was simply a means to cease this nightmare that seemed to encircle both of us. If such a little thing as giving up my virtue meant saving our lives, it was a small price to pay. Chills covered my arms.

  I needed to find Bane and the best person who could rally him up for me would be Jeffery.

  Huddled in front of the kitchen window, I spotted several wait-staff in black and white uniforms coming and going with trays filled with the usual treats. I spotted Jeffery, wagging his finger at a young waiter. I couldn't hear a word, though Jeffery's jaw was flapping just as hard as his finger wagging. He hastily grabbed the white towel from the young waiter's grasp. In a dramatic manner, Jeffery dotted his face with the towel. I laughed. When did Jeffery ever work up a sweat?

  Pfff, pleaseeee!

  The young waiter mostly nodded his head and then Jeffery waved him on, dismissing the young man back to his job. In a huff, Jeffery spun on his heels, pushing his way through other staff
members. The kitchen was hopping with staff. Most everyone was neck-to-neck, shoulder-brushing-shoulder, the staff hustling to keep the guest flushed with food and drink.

  It was not until Jeffery eyes landed on me did he stop. His eyes grew the size of baseballs and his chin nearly dropped to the floor. I stared back at Jeff, my eyes barely peeking above the sill.

  Discreetly, he pointed to the side entrance. The servant's entrance! Of course, why didn't I think of that? To me, the entrance was practically a folktale. No one ever used it.

  Bane wasn't your typical Lord of the manner. He treated Jeffery and Dom like family rather than the hired help. I liked that about him. As cocky and badass as he portrayed himself, Bane possessed a kindness that I'd fell to see. I reckoned I had some humble pie to eat.

  Not wasting a second, I crawled over roots and mud until I reached the back door. Keeping out of sight, I ducked behind the only bush by the entrance, a rose bush. After tonight, I'd never feel the same about the flower. “Ouch,” I mumbled, huffily.

  With a loud bang, the side door opened and out stepped an agitated Jeffery. His back faced me as I slid from behind the tortuous thorns. Quietly, tip-toeing, I tapped him on his back. Jeffery jumped with a start, screeching. “Lord, have mercy on my delicious soul!” He shrieked like a woman, his hand clutching his chest as he spun on his heels, fixing his heated blue eyes at me. “Gurrrlfriend, I swear, you have no idea what I've been through tonight. That damn cousin of Mister Aidan's is going to be the death of me yet!” Jeffery's fanned himself with the towel. “Stay the hell away from that ugly mofo scoundrel!” Jeffery drew in a deep drag off his cigarette. In his next breath, he raked his eyes over me and landed on my face.

  Then like a light switch, Jeffery's face soured like he'd been eating a basket of lemons. “What the hell happened to you?” he gasped. “I know you is a bit raggedy, but damn gurrrl, please tell me that you haven't tract that nasty filth in my house?”

  I gave Jeffery a good old fashion eye roll. “Not yet.” I stared at him just daring him. I peered around to see if anyone was near. “Bane's uncle is out for me.” I spit out like it was Custer's last confession.

  Then my eyes fell upon the cigarette Jeffery just lit as he blew out a long stream of white smoke. “I thought you said you were quitting,” I stated as my eyes narrowed, pointedly.

  Jeffery puffed on the cigarette and withdrew a steady stream of smoke through his nostrils. “Gurrrl, I had quit for a whole day until tonight. I had to use this as an excuse so I could meet you.” He held up the cigarette. “This shit is your fault, seeing you here with a price on your head, and that damn cousin of Mister Aidan's, I swear on my momma's grave, you both have gotten on my last nerve that I needed a smoke just to get me through this terrible night. I got blisters waitin' on all these snooty white folk. And. I. Hate. Stuffy. White. Rich. Folk too,” Jeffery hammered away.

  After he puffed again on his cig and withdrew smoke, I managed to jump in. “Sorry to hear your troubles but dude, I need to find Aidan and fast!” I rushed my words.

  Jeffery eyed me critically. “You gonna go see him lookin' like a fright. Gurrrlfriend don't you wanna keep the man?”

  Okay, this skinny man is about to get a taste of mud if he didn't cut it out. “Jeffrey,” I said sternly. “My clothes are the least of my troubles. Where is Aidan?”

  “Well if your sweet little self must know, he's havin' one of those secret meetings. They have 'em every Halloween, some superstitious shit about appeasing the dead. I never got that, but whatever floats their boat.”

  “Jeffery,” I interrupted abruptly. “Shut up and go find Aidan. We're in danger.”

  Taken aback, his mouth popped open and then closed. “You ain't playin'.” He studied my face for a second.

  “No, I'm not. Can you get him for me, please?”

  He drew on his cigarette as the cherry deepened to a fiery red. He dropped the cig and stomped it out with his foot. “I guess I best go get him.” He went to reach for the door, but I stopped him, “Wait! I almost forgot.” I called to him sharply.

  Jeffery stopped and turned to face me. His brows dipped down full of piss and vinegar. “What now,” he snapped.

  I stepped up to him and leaned closer, in case someone was listening. I pulled out of my pocket the key and placed it in his palm. “Take this key and as soon as you alert Aidan, I want you and Dom to get out of here as fast as you can. Aidan gave this key to me.”

  Jeffery's eyes went bug-eyed. “I know exactly where this key comes from. I was with him when he opened up the account. Do you have any idea how much money is in this safety box?”

  “Right now, I don't care. I'm more worried about yours and Dom's welfare. You took a risk in helping me escape, and Dom has been nothing but kind to me. Both of you have been good to me, and now, I'm returning the favor. Promise me the two of you will get the hell outta dodge.”

  “Are you sure you want to give this to Dom and me?” Jeffery's blues glossed over with shock.

  “Yes! Please go find Aidan.” A tear escaped and ran down my cheek.

  “Aw, honey, don't cry.” Jeffery started to hug me but halted. “I'd hug you, but I ain't gettin' Armani dirty.” Instead, he patted me on the shoulder like I was contagious with disease.

  I laughed as I wiped the fallen tear with Jeffery's towel.

  “Listen here,” he caught my gaze, “Go past the pool and hide in the guesthouse. The key is under a pot plant by the door. I'll have Mister Aidan meet you there.” Jeffery hesitated. “Don't go and get yourself killed,” he warned. “We got some serious shopping to do when all these mofos leave. Gurrrlfriend, you're in desperate need of a do-over.” Jeffery scrunched up his nose at my awful mess.

  “Jeffery, I love you too, my friend!”

  Lilies of Decay

  Just as Jeffery said, the key was under the plant. As soon as I unlocked the door, I dove inside, shutting the door behind me. I leaned against it, trying not to freak out. My chest heaved, screaming for oxygen. The air felt stifled in this little cottage.

  The problem wasn't the room. I was beginning to question myself. Doubt pained my mind as if I'd jumped from a plane without a parachute.

  What the hell was I thinking? After this night, where would Bane and I go? Did I really believe that he'd sweep me into the embrace of his arms and we'd ride off into the sunset happily ever after? I should be more inclined to believe that the blonde in Bane's arms earlier tonight would be the one. Clearly, he hadn't been entirely honest with me.

  Then the comment he'd made to that creature, 'she belongs to me', did I want to become his possession?

  Mistrust began to spread like venom. I wrapped my fingers around the doorknob. Maybe I'd been too hasty. Leaving with Dom and Jeffery or even with Sam sounded more logical. Did I really want to give myself to someone who loved another?

  “Forget this, I'm outta here!” I turned the knob, but something stopped me. I heard a shuffle in the shadows. My breath stalled. I wasn't alone.

  When my eyes lifted, all my fears and doubts waned, “Aidan!” He stepped from the dark into the moonlight, beautiful and tall as ever. I ran into his arms and melted. Tears streamed from relief that I'd found him. I didn't know what the future held for us, although my gut told me that a silver lining to an ominous sky was coming. “Hey,” I pulled from his embrace, “I'd been standing here for several minutes. Why didn't you say something?” I knew my eyes must've danced with incertitude.

  He flashed that lopsided smile that always stole my breath away. “You were so beautiful standing there in the moonlight, I found myself lost.”

  I studied his face for a moment. Charming, but it didn't seem like him. Then again, he was under a lot of pressure. “Hmm, I've been thinking.” I bit my bottom lip. “Can you pop us somewhere safe? We need to talk.”

  “Sure! Where to,” he smiled down at me.

  “I don't know. You usually decide.” That was odd. Bane always took the lead.

  “All righty then,
hang on, got just the place.”

  All righty? Has Bane changed his speech pattern or could this be his true self? “I'm hanging.”

  Bane pressed me against his chest a little too hard, and I gasped. “Lock your hands around my neck.” His voice swirled of sensuality. “I wouldn't want to drop you.”

  I followed his advice and locked my fingers around his neck. With my eyes shut tight, in the next half second, we were off, not twirling like in a world wind but floating in some kind of draft. It was so different from the other times, and not nearly as extraordinary.

  We stopped abruptly. I opened my eyes, and we were standing in a field of lilies. As far as my eyes could see, I saw stark white with dark emerald green underneath. The sun was setting, and deep pink splashed across the sky.

  “Are we in a different dimension?”

  “Dimension?” Bane's eyes appeared baffled.

  “Hello, wake up!” I air knocked on his forehead. “You were the one who told me about altered realities.” I stared at him, wondering if he'd wiped his brain with angel dust.

  As if a light bulb went off in his head, he responded, “Oh, yeah! I remember. Sorry, had a lot on my mind tonight.”

  “I see.” It was evident Bane wasn't going to mention the secret meeting and the hidden chamber or that hideous creature. His holding back pissed me off. I never was one for holding my tongue, and I reckoned no point in changing that little idiocy now. So I plunged into it feet first, “Aidan why are you acting like this?”

  He jumped back as if I'd stabbed his big toe. “Excuse me?”

  “I found your secret dungeon, and I watched that vile creature come out of the fire. I heard you arguing with your uncle over me.”

  Bane stood there gawking, mouth opened.

  I slugged him in his arm. “Why are you playing stupid? I saw you with my own eyes,” I bellowed with frustration.