by Ciara Graves
My eyelids became heavy, and I slumped over the sink. Even as I debated sleeping on the bathroom floor, I found myself walking to bed, climbed in and falling backward into it. I should’ve washed the blood away. Draven would see it. He’d ask questions. A soothing voice told me not to worry about it, and I was too exhausted to fight against its calming tones, lulling me to sleep.
Rudarius’s scream filled the dungeon.
I watched and sighed. It was only the fourth time I’d made him die during this trip to his mind, and it had been quite enjoyable each and every time. But it wasn’t enough. He wasn’t even close to breaking. There was a hint of fear in his eyes now, a very small hint, but that was all.
I wanted to see terror. I wanted him to plead for mercy. I wanted him to lie on that cold stone floor, shivering and crying as I did all those years ago.
Even as I thought it, even as I waved my hand to reset the scene so I could do it all over again, a wriggling of doubt tried to sound in the back of my mind. I frowned, hand halfway to Rudarius’s arm to haul him upright. I blinked, and my jaw dropped at sight of the blood on my hands and the floor. It was like a damned slaughterhouse. It might all be inside Rudarius’s head, but the shock of seeing so much red had me stumbling back into the wall.
What the hell was I doing? How had I even gotten here? I’d been in my cottage, right? I’d gone there to rest. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep.
“Tired of torturing me so soon?” Rudarius spat at my feet as he cackled hoarsely. “Amateur.”
A whisper in my mind made me roll my shoulders, and when my gaze refocused on Rudarius, any hint of doubts vanished like they’d never been there before. “Not even close. Let’s try it a new way, shall we? Unless, of course, you’d like to simply give in and admit defeat.”
“Why are you doing this?” he asked as I slammed him into the wall and manacled his hands.
“What? Don’t tell me you’re not proud of the crazed monster you turned me into.”
“You’re not crazed, but you are turning into an unrecognizable beast. Tell me, how does Draven feel about you torturing me, hmm? Does he relish my pain? Does he enjoy knowing how much I suffer at your hands?”
I punched the stone right beside his head, overcome with a rush of rage.
Rudarius’s eyes flickered from my fist to my face. “Ah, so he doesn’t know what you’re up to. Interesting.”
“Shut up.”
“Why should I? You’re in my head torturing me. You think I’m going to make it easy for you?”
“If you know what’s good for you, you’d give in.”
“It’s not in my blood to quit,” he said as he hissed. “But keeping this from Draven, now why would you go and do that? I’d think he’d be pleased to know you’re breaking me apart piece by piece. Slowly, painfully, working to shatter me. To turn me into nothing. Not a vampire. Not a man. Just a shell of who I once was.”
The dungeon shimmered around me, and I staggered back. “I said shut up.”
My vision swam. Voices clamored to be heard inside my head. Shit, what was I doing? I hadn’t meant to come here again. So why did I?
“Such a heartless killer you are now,” Rudarius seethed.
“I said shut up.” I grabbed hold of his head and twisted as hard as I could. The crack of bone bounced off the stone wall, and he fell to the floor in a heap. I stepped away, trying to clear my head, but there was a fog in my head, stopping me from understanding how I’d gotten here.
I’d been in the tent after I cast the barrier. Then I’d gone back to the house, and there was something else. I held out my hands in front of my face. They were stained a deep red. I gagged, and blood filled my mouth. I had to get out of here, get away from Rudarius. I had to get back home and to Draven. I needed clarity, now more than ever. I strained to remember the last couple of days in vivid detail, but they were blurred as if I’d been walking around in a daze.
The sounds of bones crunching came from behind me, followed by chains dragging across the floor. I didn’t have to turn around to know Rudarius was standing, with his neck intact. And I didn’t want to turn around.
I walked forward a few steps when he called out to me. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m finished, I’m not doing this anymore,” I whispered. More to myself than him.
“Oh, no? Bored already?”
“Will you just shut up,” I shouted and spun around toward him again.
He smiled mockingly, but that sliver of fear was growing and morphing right before my eyes. “You should’ve joined me when you had the chance. You really think a ragtag army of fae, demons, and vampires will defeat the force I have?”
His words sent an icy touch down my spine. “What did you say?”
“Or that your beloved Draven can lead them to victory?” he went on louder. “You, my sweet Seneca will never be smarter than me. You can torture me all you like, but there is one thing you have never learned. I always take advantage of every situation. Every single one.” He raised his manacled hands, snapped his fingers, and the dungeon disappeared. We were back in the room as he paced closer.
I focused, trying to gain control back, but the voices in my head screamed, and I screamed with them, as if someone plunged a stake right through my chest. I clutched at the aching spot, falling away from Rudarius and his confused, narrowed eyed glare.
“Interesting indeed,” he murmured.
I had to get away from him. This was bad, worse than bad. I had to tell Draven. Rudarius reached for me, but I screamed again and flung myself out of the vision, only to land on the floor in my bedroom. I looked up at the ceiling until my stomach roiled and I crawled into the bathroom, managing to reach the toilet as I vomited. Blood stained the water. I sat back, my cheeks hot as I cursed.
Sunlight shone through the window. I panicked until I realized Draven wasn’t in here. As relieved as I was I didn’t have him hovering over my shoulder, a hollowness filled my chest. I had to track him down and fast, tell him what was going on.
You will do no such thing, the voices scolded harshly, making me cringe.
“Rudarius knows. He knows what we’re doing. How?”
It was a risk we decided to take.
“What risk, damn it?”
To reach his mind, to inflict pain, we had to strengthen the connection. So he knows about our army. Who cares? What does matter is he fears you, Seneca. He fears what you’ve become.
“I haven’t become anything.”
But you have, and it’s going to be glorious. That future Rudarius showed you is nothing compared to the reality of the world we’ll create.
“What did you do to me? How long was I out?”
As long as necessary. I suggest you do not break our connection with him the next time. We are close, so very close—
The doorbell rang.
I jumped, then cursed myself for being so on edge. When was the last time I jumped from hearing the damned doorbell? Using the sink, I got up and walked slowly toward the door. As soon as I left my bedroom, I walked right into a very large, very familiar demon. We looked at each other, and I was thrown into the past when he used to live here with me. When we used to be together. I saw the memories flare to life in Owen’s eyes, too, but then they narrowed.
“Are you alright? Look like shit.”
“Wow, you could just lie and say I look great instead of that I look like shit. I feel like shit,” I rambled, not even sure why.
Owen reached up and rubbed his thumb across my chin. “Blood. Did you hurt yourself?”
“Huh? No, probably from my bloody nose last night. Where’s Draven?” The doorbell rang again, but neither of us moved to get it.
“He stayed down at the encampment until the sun came up. Said he’d be back tonight.”
“Oh, right. Sure.”
“Seneca, you sure you’re alright? Do you need to talk or anything?”
The doorbell rang twice in rapid succession, and he
growled.
“No,” I said as I edged around him. “Just, ah, just wanted to know how the meeting went after I left, but I’m sure I’ll hear all about it later. Should probably get the door, you know?” My hands shook, and my body was weak as if I hadn’t eaten in days.
I was at the door when the bell rang again, but stopped and I frowned. When I had I eaten last?
“Seneca.”
“Huh?” Owen motioned to the door, and I nodded. “Right, door.” I opened it then slammed it shut just as fast. “Shit.”
“Seneca, open this door,” Agent Williams shouted, banging on it.
“Is that the Fed?” Owen asked, peeking out the window.
“Yeah, that’d be him.” What was he doing here? So much happened since the last time I talked to him. I sucked in a deep breath and opened the door again. “Yeah?”
“Don’t yeah me,” he snapped and pushed his way inside. “Explain yourself right now.”
“Not sure what you mean.”
He shoved his leather jacket aside so he could put his hands on his hips and flash his badge and gun at the same time. He should know me better than that. Did he really think those would scare me? Especially after all the shit I’d been through in the last few days?
“Fine, you want to play stupid, go for it. How about we start with the army positioned out back.”
I glanced to Owen who shrugged, playing along perfectly. “Army? Do you think I have an army out back? Really? Huh, that’s interesting. They weren’t there last night.”
“I’m not in the mood,” Williams snapped, his eyes flashing white in warning. “What are you up to? You tell me right now, or I’ll take you in.”
“For what?”
“Trespassing.”
I couldn’t hold back my sudden burst of laughter. “Right, have fun with that. You do realize though I own all that land and I’m pretty sure I can do whatever I want on it. You know, since it’s mine and all.”
He worked his jaw from side to side as his face reddened. “And the magical barrier around it?”
“You should tell him the truth,” Owen suggested. “He has a right to know.”
“Right, like the Feds will actually lift a hand to help us. They don’t care. They never have before.”
“Care about what?” Williams asked, tone belligerent.
“Rudarius.”
This time when his eyes flashed white, it wasn’t out of anger, but uncertainty. “What about him?”
“I know you guys have been after him for years and here’s your chance.”
“Not following.”
Owen rolled his eyes as he sat his large frame down in the armchair. “Rudarius is coming here, and he’s bringing war with him. You know, the war that destroyed the three fae kingdoms and Valesk. The war that the paranormal government should already know is coming and be doing something to prepare for it.”
Williams’s stance relaxed as he rubbed the back of his neck. “We heard of what happened, but that’s in Otherworld, and it’s not in our jurisdiction. Nor is Valesk.”
“He’s about to be here. This is your jurisdiction, but as far as any of us can tell, no one seems to care enough to do anything.”
“We’re assembling a team.”
“A team. A single team to stop him and his army. You’re joking, right?”
He shrugged and in that short moment, I actually felt sorry for him. “I don’t have the kind of power to assemble the damned troops, and neither do you. This army of yours needs to disperse, or I’ll have you arrested for inciting unrest.”
“Then arrest me, because they’re not going anywhere.”
Williams shook his head. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
“Actually, I do. I’m going to stop Rudarius, and you can either convince your asshole bosses to aid us, or you can all go to hell. How’s that sound?”
“Seneca—”
“No, just stop. I’m not going to sit around and wait for someone else to deal with Rudarius. He’s our problem, and it’s time we got rid of him. Are you in or not?”
Williams spun around, muttering under his breath. I crossed my fingers, hoping he’d make the right decision. But when he faced us again, the resolve on his face was like a punch to the gut. “You have seven days to pack this shit-show up and move them, got it? No more. If they’re not gone in a week, you all will be taken into custody. I’m sorry.”
“If you cared you’d be staying and fighting with us.”
“You’ve amassed an army,” he shouted, spreading his arms wide. “What the hell am I supposed to do with that? We have a process.”
“And you think Rudarius is going to waste time with a process?” I walked toward him and looked him right in the eye. “He’s going to break through the worlds, and when he does, he’s going to kill anyone who gets in his way. Do you want all that blood on your hands? Do you?”
Williams’s lips thinned, but he moved toward the door then was gone.
“A week. Great. What do you propose we do in a week when he comes back with more Feds to arrest us all?” Owen asked.
“Who said we’ll all still be here in a week?”
He stood still, studying me. “You know something? Were you… were you talking to him again?”
“Who?”
“Rudarius. Were you talking to Rudarius?”
“No, so back off. I was just worn out. Everything is just wearing me out.” I ran my fingers hastily through my tangled hair then began braiding it. “Where’s Draven? I need to talk to him.”
I didn’t add that I needed to talk to him while my mind was still under my control. While I had some clarity. Owen’s worried gaze bothered me. And I was disappointed that I was lying to him. It’d be worse with Draven, but I could take that as long as I was able to tell him what I’d learned. Rudarius had seen something through me. I had to warn Draven. To let him know.
“Well?” I pushed.
Owen gave in. “Main tent, like I told you.”
I mumbled my thanks and expected him to tail me. Draven had me followed every hour of the day now. Probably why Owen had been in the house when I woke up. But when I looked back, Owen wasn’t in sight. I wasted no time worrying about what he was up to. Instead, I jogged through the garden and down to the encampment.
With every step I that took me closer to Draven, the voices crept back in, not quickly, but I could see they weren’t going to give me a clear mind for long. I picked up the pace, sprinting through the tents, weaving around fae and demons, until I burst inside the main tent, shutting the flaps securely behind me.
“Seneca, what’s wrong?” Draven was at my side, catching my hands as I fumbled toward him.
“Feds came to the house. They want us cleared out in a week.”
“Did you tell them what’s going on?”
“I did, but that’s not what I need to tell you—” My words cut off with a gasp as the stabbing returned to my chest. I sucked back a cry and pushed through it. Draven needed to know the truth, just not the truth that the power was clawing at my insides like a wild beast. It wasn’t going to stop me from telling what he needed to know. “I think Rudarius knows about our army.”
“How?”
The words were on my tongue, but another throb hit my gut, and I wrapped an arm around my middle as my legs shook terribly. “My fault,” I gasped. “I’m sorry. I… I don’t know what happened, or how, but it’s my fault. I did this.”
He let my hands go and backed away. “You’ve been talking to him.”
“Draven,” I whispered, but he turned his back on me. And there had been disappointment on his face. I swiped at my eyes, fighting back angry tears. I would not fall apart in front of him. This was my problem, and I’d fix it. “I didn’t even know what I was doing.”
“Why do I find that hard to believe?”
“It’s the truth.”
“The truth? What is the truth with you anymore? What am I supposed to believe? You won’t talk to me. You’re
sneaking around so you can talk to him. And now, now he knows about our forces. Does he know how many, where we are? What else did you let him see, Seneca? What?” he snarled as he grabbed hold of my shoulders.
I didn’t blame him for his anger. I was pissed at myself enough for us both. But the voices were slipping back. I gritted my teeth. “Just tell me what to do,” I whispered, and his eyes narrowed. “Tell me.”
“What did you talk about with him that you can’t with me?”
“We didn’t talk, not exactly.”
His grip tightened, and he hissed.
I realized he took it the wrong way. “No, that’s not what I mean. The power, it’s doing something to me and I…” I choked on the truth, unable to admit what I’d done. A tear slipped from the corner of my eye. “Tell me what to do,” I repeated. “Draven.”
“Cut him out of your head. Cut off whatever connection you have to him.”
“I don’t know how.”
“Figure it out. You’re putting everyone at risk the longer you two are connected.” He spat out the last word, his disappointment mingled with disgust, but he didn’t let me go. “Seneca, close the connection.”
As soon as he made his demand, the voices clamored to be heard.
Don’t do this, Seneca. We need him. Do not close off our link to Rudarius.
Cringing at their screams, I shut my eyes and focused only on the connection between me and Rudarius. The one he started, and I expanded, made larger without even realizing what I was doing. I visualized our bond as an actual tunnel. Rudarius stood at the other end of it, waiting for me to return to him. Waiting to gloat about how he outsmarted me, how he was always going to be one step ahead. Even if I killed him over and over inside his mind, it would never be enough.
I had to finish him off in person. No more torture. No more visions.
If you do this, you are bringing a personal hell upon yourself.
“Then so be it,” I uttered.
Draven lightened his hold on me. “Seneca?”
Keeping my eyes firmly closed, I focused on the tunnel, the stones holding it together. I imagined taking a sledgehammer to those walls, but that wasn’t strong enough. I swapped out the sledgehammer for my own power instead. I appeared in the tunnel, held my hands out to my sides, and let loose. The shadows burst free, sending a shockwave through the tunnel. The voices fought against me every step of the way, but I didn’t let up. Even when my body was in agony, when my spine stiffened, and I gasped, not even able to scream, I didn’t stop. The tunnel shook, and bit by bit fell apart.
