Kingdom Come

by Michelle Smith

  “It’s called survival,” I snapped. “We’ve been living on the road for two weeks, you ass. Who are you to—”

  Ethan cleared his throat, and I glanced up in time to see the subtle shake of his head.

  Bennett looked from him, to me, then back to Ethan with a knowing grin. “As I was saying,” he continued. “Welcome. Now, the two of you should know I really have no use for either of you. Unless you’re interested in joining our ranks.” He gestured to the guards behind him. “In which case, I’d be more than happy to make accommodations. Of course, as with any agreement, there will be rules to abide by.”

  “Count me in.”

  My blood ran cold. I turned my head just as Danny stepped forward, but his gaze remained fixed on Bennett. After all we’d been through together, and after everything this guy had done . . .

  “Wonderful!” Bennett exclaimed. His eyes brightened as he took a step back and clapped one of the guardsmen on the shoulder. “Ralph, we should pair this recruit with our newest soldier.” Ralph nodded and started speaking into a tiny microphone that was attached to his earpiece, and Bennett looked back to Danny. “I believe you’ll catch on quite quickly under his training. He’s proving to be a true asset to our team.”

  Seconds later, a door at the back of the room swung open. “Oh my God,” I whispered.

  Chapter 16

  “Nate.” It was the first time Ethan spoke in the time we’d been there. “What’re you doing, man?”

  Nate was a far cry from the guy in the woods. He’d bathed, for one thing, which put him leaps and bounds ahead of us. His dark blonde hair was hidden beneath a cap, and he wore a uniform that matched the other guardsmen. This had to be a dream.

  Nate stared back at Ethan with a look of such hatred, anyone else would have cowered. “I’m saving myself,” he said in a voice that matched the coldness in his eyes. “Remember?”

  “Show our new recruit to the guards’ quarters,” Bennett said. “Also, have our physician check out that knee. We need him at full strength.”

  Nate nodded once and, with Danny limping by his side, headed back to the door through which he’d come. I feared that was the last time I’d ever see Danny. Judging from the sneaky smile on Bennett’s face, there was something more to the “rules” than he’d let on. “And you?” he asked Ethan.

  Ethan scoffed. “I’ll join you when hell freezes over.”

  Bennett chuckled, but the sound was chilling. Menacing. “Ah, that may happen sooner than you think.” He snapped his fingers. “Take him to a holding cell. Now that I think about it, I may have some use for him, after all.” He eyed me with a smirk. “Maybe that’ll put your stubborn streak to rest.”

  “No!” I screamed, lunging forward. Bennett caught me by the waist and held me in place while Aaron and another guard dragged Ethan across the room. Hopelessness consumed me—my mind, my heart, my veins. Tears I didn’t even know were there poured down my cheeks as Ethan stumbled across the room, nearly falling to his knees. He was so broken, so helpless, and he wasn’t even trying anymore. Couldn’t he just try?

  “Ethan!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, fighting Bennett’s hold with all the strength I could muster. “Ethan!” Fight them, damn it!

  It was only then that Ethan started to struggle, but it wasn’t to get out of their grips—he was trying to turn to me. Aaron and the other guard held him firmly, shoving him to the door that Nate and Danny disappeared through. Ethan couldn’t leave me here with Bennett. He just couldn’t. I couldn’t do this without him. Sobs racked my body, but I kicked and clawed at Bennett.

  “Let him go!” I shrieked. “Ethan!”

  Bennett cackled. “Ah, let the boy say good-bye,” he called to the guards in a sing-song voice. “I’d hate for my little sister to be heart-broken her first day here.”

  They stopped, and I found a split second to take a shuddering breath as Ethan met my gaze from across the room. “I’m with you,” he said. “Everywhere you go. Remember that. Don’t give up.”

  I struggled to speak, but the words caught in my throat. Ethan’s eyes were pained as the guards yanked him back, forcing him through the door and letting it slam shut behind them. Just like that, he was gone.

  And I was alone.

  Bennett released his hold on me, allowing my feet to fall back to the floor. I stared back at him, dazed, as he spoke. “And now, we have my dear baby sister. The last one standing. What shall we do with you?”

  He stepped toward me, but I pushed his chest with all my might. “Get the hell away from me, you sick bastard.”

  He grabbed my wrist, his grip making me wince. I saw the delicate bracelet still hanging there, and Ethan’s words from that night around the campfire came rushing back. “As long as you have this, you have me.” God, I wanted him to be right, but I’d never felt more alone.

  “Watch yourself,” Bennett warned, though his face remained calm. “We may be family, but I won’t hesitate to snap this pretty wrist in half. Understand?”

  He released my arm, and I held it to my chest, rubbing the aching area. “You’re despicable.”

  “We share the same blood. What does that say about you?”

  “I’m a product of my parents, not your deranged family. Blood doesn’t make a difference.”

  “Our deranged family. Blood runs thicker than water, Cal—”

  “Kerrigan. Get it right. I swear to God, if you call me that again, I’ll smack the damn smirk off your face.”

  His smile only grew. “You are most definitely my sister.” He turned toward one of the staircases. “Come. I’ll show you to your room.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  Joseph shoved me forward, and I would have fallen if I hadn’t caught myself. Bennett’s expression turned to undeniable rage as he stormed toward us, and grabbed Joseph by the throat. Joseph’s face turned red as he struggled for air, for any sort of reprieve, but found none.

  So, this was my long-lost brother. A man who wouldn’t hesitate to kill one of his own followers. Charming.

  “Be careful with her,” Bennett snapped. “I will not have anyone rough-handling her, do you hear me?”

  Yet seconds ago, you were threatening to snap my wrist.

  Once Joseph nodded, Bennett took a deep breath before releasing him and straightening his own suit jacket. “As I was saying. Come on, Kerrigan.”

  ~*o*~

  The house—mansion, palace, whatever—was a maze of hallways and doors. As much as I despised his presence, I stayed right behind Bennett because I did not want to get lost. Everything about the place creeped me out, right down to the family portraits lining the walls. It was like the eyes of those in the portraits were following me. Watching me. I shuddered.

  Too busy staring, I didn’t even realize Bennett had stopped until I ran right into his back. He turned around as I took a swift step back, refusing to have any unnecessary contact with him. If “sadistic jerkoff” was contagious, I didn’t want to risk catching it. He and I glared at one another, challenging the other to speak first. Looking into his eyes was like looking into a mirror. Totally disturbing. He was the epitome of wealth, of arrogance, and now, of power. He was my complete opposite. So why did I feel such a connection to him?

  “I feel it too,” he said. For once, there wasn’t a trace of sarcasm or insult in his voice. His expression was solemn.

  Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I glared. “What, can you read my mind now?”

  A hint of a smirk tugged at his lips. “We’ve been seeing into one another’s mind for some time now.” I remained silent so he could explain just what the heck he was talking about. He sighed, placed his hands behind his back, and paced in front of me. “Your visions have become more vivid over the recent weeks, even months, probably. You’ve been dreaming of things—you might consider them to be terrible things, though I’m inclined to disagree. Am I right so far?”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat, but said nothing.

/>   Lips pursed, he nodded once and ceased his pacing. “It’s not a coincidence, Ca—Kerrigan.” My glare intensified. “You’ve seen the things I’ve seen, dreamt the things I’ve dreamt. How do you think I knew where to send my men today? I only wish I’d had a clearer image before now. I could have brought you here sooner, and you wouldn’t have had to suffer so extensively. Believe it or not, I never wanted you to experience such travesty. I wanted you here safe, with me.”

  “My visions . . . they’ve been few and far between these days,” I admitted. “I honestly can’t remember the last time I had one.”

  “A tired mind will do that.”

  “So, are you the one who’s been dreaming of my death?” I laughed dryly. “Is that why I’ve had visions of myself plummeting to the gates of Hell? Because if so, then thank you. Thank you for turning me into a certifiable nutcase for the past couple of months.”

  His shook his head. “I—what? Your death? What are you talking about?”

  My mouth snapped shut. “Nothing.” The terrifying look he gave me could have leveled the tallest building. “It’s nothing. Forget I said anything.” Especially if you’re going to keep looking at me like that.

  “It’s not ‘nothing,’” he said. “It’s not good. Not at all.”

  “Well, what does it mean, then?”

  “I’m not sure. But I’ll need to figure it out, and quickly.” He stared at me for a beat longer before turning to the door beside us. His hand rested on the handle and, with one more glance over his shoulder, pushed the door open to reveal a room that rivaled anything I could have imagined.

  I stepped inside ahead of him, marveling at the large four-post bed sitting in the center of the room. It was covered in what looked to be the thickest comforter in the history of comforters, and I could only imagine how soft that thing might be. To the right, a doorway led to a brightly-lit bathroom. Guess they don’t have to worry about electricity around here. On the far side, there were two doors with golden French handles. Curtains covered the doors’ glass, but they were fairly sheer and didn’t seem to provide much privacy.

  “Don’t get any ideas,” Bennett said, stepping beside me. “Those doors lead to a balcony, which you’re welcome to use, of course.” He moved in front of me, staring straight into my eyes. “But if I even suspect your mind is tilting toward becoming some sort of hero, or if I get a hint of unwillingness to comply with my rules, then I’ll put you under constant surveillance without batting an eye. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Why not just do that anyway?” I asked. I took a step closer, so close I could feel his breath on my skin. Just the fact he was breathing, and so many people had died because of him . . . I hated him. I hated him with every fiber of my being. And I wanted nothing more than for him to pay for what he’d done. But how? “The cameras, I mean. Why not just put them in here if you don’t trust me? Because it’s obvious you don’t.”

  “I’m not one to trust freely, sister. Long ago, our uncle taught me that the only person in this world that I can trust is myself, and he’s proved to be right.” He regarded me for a moment. “However, the more tightly you hold onto something, the more it’ll try to break away. And the good Lord knows we can’t have you breaking away, now can we?”

  “Where’s Ethan?” I asked. “Where did they take him? When can I see him?”

  He shook his head. “No, no, sister. That’s not how things work around here. You’ll see him if you need a lesson in compliance. We’ll take good care of him in the meantime.”

  “I hate you,” I whispered.

  He patted my cheek, and I smacked his hand away. He only smiled while backing toward the door, gesturing to the room. “Please, do make yourself at home. Dinner will be in an hour—”

  “I’m not hungry.” I crossed my arms over my stomach, which growled at the mere mention of food. “And even if I was, I have no desire to eat with you.”

  Bennett snorted. “People across the house can hear your stomach grumbling right now. One hour.” He scrunched his nose, making a show of waving his hand in front of his face. “And feel free to take advantage of the shower. I won’t have you smelling up the dining room. You’ll find any clothes you need in the closet, though you’re looking a tad scrawny. Come downstairs and get some meat on those bones, little sister.”

  And then he was gone. I walked over to the door and slammed it closed, then locked it. Of course the guy had a key, but at least the lock would keep him from barging right in. I turned and looked at the room once again, growing more bitter with each passing second.

  He’d expected me to come. We planned this freakin’ covert ops mission to get here and “end” all this, and the whole time he had a room ready and waiting for me. Not only that, but he said we’d been seeing into each other’s minds? Did that mean we were having the same visions? How was that even possible? My brain was too tired to think anymore.

  I headed toward the bed, which was practically calling my name. It looked so inviting, so comfortable. Maybe I could just sit on it for a few minutes. Just sitting wouldn’t be giving in to this fantasy world. Not really. I had an hour at my disposal to take a much-needed breather.

  I sat on the edge of the mattress, and my body sighed in relief. I was right. The blanket was super-soft. Damn it. Despite the voice inside that insisted I not fall for whatever Bennett was planning, I scooted back and rested against the pillows. I allowed my eyes to flutter closed as my aching muscles relaxed. My breathing steadied, and right when sleep began to overtake me, I forced my eyelids open. I couldn’t let myself sleep here. Not right now. I had to figure out what was going on, and where they’d taken Ethan. How could I allow myself to be comfortable when he was in a “holding cell,” whatever that meant?

  I needed to either find a way out of here for us, or find a way to stop Bennett, once and for all. But in order to do any of that, I needed answers. And there was only one place to start. So, reluctantly, I rolled off the bed and opened the closet. He wanted me at dinner? Fine. He wanted to pretend like we were one big happy family? So be it. But he had a whole lot of explaining to do first.

  When I opened my bedroom door exactly one hour later, I wasn’t surprised to see a guard waiting for me outside. What did surprise me was the identity of the guard.

  Nate locked eyes with me the second the door swung open. His blank face was void of any emotion whatsoever, which was even more frightening than seeing him angry—it meant he was capable of anything. Instead of allowing that to rattle me, I held my head high and stepped into the hallway.

  “Here to escort me to dinner, Guardsman?” I asked.

  He ignored the question and started down the dimly-lit hall. I stared at the back of his head, wondering how working for the enemy could possibly be worth it. Bennett didn’t give a crap about anyone but himself. How in the world could Nate look past that? Danny’s words played through my mind, about how Nate never felt any loyalty toward any of us. He’d obviously been right.

  I followed him through the hallway, silently grateful that he knew the way. This place needed a map. Whoever designed this mansion had secrecy in mind for sure. I bet it, just like the Andreas family, was full of secrets.

  The smell of food hit me once we reached the stairwell, and my stomach growled for the hundredth time. As much as I despised the thought of being in the same room as Bennett, I was starving to the point of desperation. I gripped onto the railing as I trailed Nate down the stairs at a steady pace. When we reached the bottom step, he came to an abrupt stop and whirled around to face me. The face that had been emotionless just moments before was now full of something I’d thought foreign to Nate—sympathy.

  “Don’t try to backtalk him,” he said quietly, his dark eyes wide. “Don’t be sarcastic. Don’t do anything that’ll piss him off. Got it?”

  “Why are you telling me this?” I asked, keeping my own voice low as possible. “I thought you hated me.”

  “I never hated you.” He cast a worried glance over h
is shoulder before looking back to me. “But even if I did, no one deserves the punishment he hands out for insubordination. It’s not pretty.” He stared at me for a beat longer, and when I nodded, he continued on to the dining room. I closed my eyes and took a few cleansing breaths, attempting to relax.

  No such luck.

  He paused at the door of the dining room and raised an eyebrow at me, and I took that as my cue to get a move on. If these “punishments” scared Nate of all people, I didn’t want to find out about them. Laughter poured out of the dining area, along with the sounds of glasses clinking and forks scraping against plates. Anxiety filled me at the realization that I was late, but I pushed the feeling away. Bennett didn’t own me. He had no right to even order me here, let alone be angry about my being five minutes behind his schedule.

  Once I walked into the room, all laughter ceased, and the anxiety rushed back full-force. All eyes were on me, and I froze in the doorway, too scared to so much as breathe. Bennett sat at the head of an enormous table, surrounded by at least a dozen guardsmen. Danny sat between two of them, and when my gaze landed on him, he diverted his own to the table. Coward.

  Bennett cleared his throat loudly, startling me. “Kerrigan,” he said in that too-smooth-to-be-natural voice of his. “Come. Have a seat.” He gestured to the only empty seat at the table—the one to his right.

  My pulse reverberated in my ears, and I felt more than a little dizzy as I made my way to the chair. By some sort of grace, I made it to the seat without passing out. One of the guards jumped up and pulled the chair out for me, but when I turned my head to thank him, he looked away.

  I didn’t like this. I didn’t like it at all.

  I stared down at the plate before me, which was covered with a huge slice of ham, mashed potatoes, carrots, green beans, and a roll. Steam poured off of the food, bringing the scent to my nose. My stomach gurgled loudly, and Bennett laughed.