Queen of the Magnetland (The Elemental Phases Book 5)

by Cassandra Gannon

  Why was this taking so long? Had Zakkery hidden her body in another goddamn realm?

  Chason could feel his temper edging into the red zone, again, as they descended. “Where. Is. My. Match?” He ground out, carefully spacing his words. His voice echoed in the damp chamber.

  “Chason! Is that you?”

  The desperate scream cut through him like a sword.

  For the first time in what seemed like forever, the phantom melody that endlessly played in his head… stopped.

  Chason felt his blood still and the pupils of his eyes dilate. He’d been hearing music for two years, but he’d never, ever hallucinated voices before.

  Especially not that voice.

  “Shit, here we go.” Zakkery groaned.

  Chason didn’t even process the complaint. He shoved passed the Smoke Phase, taking the steps four at a time. He burst through a door at the bottom, his wild gaze swinging around a room lined with jail cells. It looked eerily similar to the one he’d just left in Mayport Beach. Zakkery had been right. Lazarus must have been a big fan of human innovation, because they were all constructed of Plexiglas.

  And there on the left…

  “Chason!” A woman stood on the other side of the plastic, her palms flat on the clear partition separating them. “Oh, thank Gaia! Please, get me out of here!”

  Mara.

  At least, she looked like Mara.

  Exactly like Mara.

  Smooth black hair fell to her shoulders, the same vivid purple streak at her temple. Her face was perfect. It had always been that way. Classically lovely and strikingly unique all at the same time. Tall and slim, she still wore the amethyst Phazing robes that she’d been buried in. And her eyes… they were the familiar ebony color that had haunted his dreams from the first moment he ever saw her. Beautiful black eyes that had smiled up at him as she stood in the rain.

  Chason’s head tilted.

  Not believing.

  Not even processing.

  “Chason.” She cried when he just stood there frozen. “Help me!”

  Chason couldn’t move.

  Raiden’s prophetic words came back to him: I’ve seen your Match returned to you.

  What was happening here?

  “See?” Zakkery came up next to him and sighed. “I told ya she was a little altered. It’s just been getting worse, too. I was hoping she wouldn’t be so… awake, until after I handed her over to you. I knew it would be a whole big scene.”

  Every muscle in Chason’s body was paralyzed with shock while thoughts ricocheted around in his skull. Was he imagining all this? Was he still passed drunk on the human’s floor? Was she a Reflection Phase, disguised to look like his Match? Was he just finally, irrevocably insane?

  Was she… Mara?

  “Actually, I’d try to keep a low profile on this whole thing, if I were you and wanted to avoid a lot of drama.” Zakkery lit a cigarette. “Plenty of folks are gonna have questions about why she’s not dead anymore. There’s bound to be a whole zombie debate and whining about playing God. Not to mention some bad guys are going to be looking for her, pretty soon.” He shrugged. “Technically, her body’s right there, though, so no reneging on our deal.”

  “You made a deal with him?” The woman gasped. “Why? Who is he? Why am I even in here?”

  Chason slowly shook his head. This couldn’t be ‘real.’

  The woman wasn’t his Match. She couldn’t be for many, many, many reasons. First of all, her energy wasn’t the same. It felt like Mara’s power, but he could sense gaps around the edges now, where their energy didn’t line-up as seamlessly it should. Their Phazing had never been the perfect whole that most Matches’ achieved, but now it was worse. Like their energies barely connected, at all.

  And secondly…

  Well, reasons two through seven thousand as to why the woman was an imposter were pretty self-evident: She was fucking alive.

  Chason’s hands came up to press against the side of his head.

  No.

  He was crazy, but he wasn’t this crazy. He took a step back from the woman, ignoring her gasp of astonishment when he didn’t move to free her.

  “Chason.” She whispered, black eyes wide with betrayal.

  No.

  He wasn’t falling for this. Zakkery was trying to trick him. To prey on his insanity and overwhelming desire to be reunited with his Match. He’d… created this woman somehow. She was a charlatan in Mara’s clothes and face. Logically, that had to be it.

  But, even though he knew that, his instinct still screamed to get closer to her.

  No.

  He had to get away from her before he forgot that she was a fake. Before his fracturing mind and unstable emotions just convinced him of what was impossible. What he so desperately wanted to believe. What he would have gladly done anything for even the faintest chance of receiving: His Match returned to him.

  But, he would never disgrace Mara by accepting some… imposter.

  He hadn’t been a worthy Match to her, as it was. He wouldn’t betray her memory.

  Chason turned and stumbled for the door, trying to stay in control, even as everything in him pulled towards the woman. He wanted to free her from that cell and pull her close. Wanted to grab her before she vanished again and left him alone in the darkness.

  It took centuries’ worth of self-discipline just to get the words out:

  “Whoever that is, she’s not my Match. The deal is off.”

  Chapter Two

  [She] was in her element now, and out of gratitude, if nothing

  more, was as spritely and gracious as possible, coming to the

  conclusion, about that time, that virtue was its own reward.

  Louisa May Alcott- “Little Women”

  “He left me.” Mara felt like her world was ending.

  Maybe it had.

  The last thing she remembered was dying, so maybe she was dead. Maybe she’d gone to hell, for some reason. Her hand came up to cover her mouth, struggling not to give way to hysterics. It wasn’t fair. She’d tried so hard to be good. To be perfect. To be what everyone wanted. What had she done wrong? Whatever it was, she was sorry. So sorry.

  “Come back!” She hit her palm against the plastic wall of her cage. “Chason! Please don’t leave me here!”

  “I knew it was going too smooth.” The Smoke Phase sighed. “And you didn’t help matters by being so not dead.”

  “What?” Mara felt like she’d been dropped through the looking glass. “Who are you?”

  “Zakkery. Hi, how are ya? Feelin’ all healed and healthy?”

  “Yes, thank you for asking.” She answered automatically. Good manners provided a convenient crutch in moments of abject terror. She had a vague impression of this man and someone else… standing over her? Caring for her? It was so hard to remember. What was going on? Where was she?

  Most importantly: “Did you put me in this cage?”

  “Sorta, yeah. I was afraid you’d wander off while I was gone unless I locked you in. You were starting to wake-up. I’m the only one who ever comes here, so it’s safe, but I was worried what would happen if someone else found you.”

  “Well, would you let me out, then? Or,” she pointed at the door to the stairs and noticed her hand was shaking, “just make Chason come back. He’ll help me. I know it.”

  “For both our sakes, I hope you’re right.” He frowned down at the floor, thinking. “So far, he’s been kind of a disappointment. We seriously don’t have time for your Match to get in touch with his feelings, so we need to jump start the process here. Ideas would be helpful.”

  “Ideas?” Mara’s voice edged towards hysteria. “Let me out of here!”

  Zakkery winced a bit. “Just give me a minute to figure out how…”

  “Please.” Tears burned the back of her eyes. “I don’t know what’s going on and I’m scared.”

  “Shit.” Zakkery sighed, studying her for a beat. “Alright. You want him to rescue you, right now?”


  “Yes.” More than anything else, ever.

  “You sure?” He dropped his cigarette to the floor and crushed it out with his high top. He wasn’t meeting her eyes and his smoky voice went flat. “Because the only idea I have will get him back down here real fast. But, it won’t be pretty. You want me to try?”

  “Yes. Please, anything.” She had to have Chason. She had to get out of there.

  “Alright.” Zakkery moved to hit the intercom button on the far wall. “So, if you’re renouncing your Match, Chase, I can have a go at her, right?” His voice echoed from hidden speakers all through the small dungeon. “I mean, since the deal’s off, I gotta get a payday outta this somehow.”

  Mara blinked. “What?”

  “‘Cause, whether she knows it or not, she’s gotta be aching for some male attention.” He didn’t even glance her way. “It’s been two years. What with being Matched to an upstanding pussy like you, probably even longer. Before I auction her off on eBay, I’m gonna just take a turn with the girl. I’ve always had a thing for the innocent ones.”

  Mara’s mouth dropped open, too shocked to do anything but gape at him.

  Zakkery kept ignoring her. “I’ll betcha she’s never had anyone but you, altar boy. It’ll be like fucking a virgin. Do me a favor and stick around for a while. If any other Smoke Phases happen by, send them down here to watch and learn.” He finally glanced at Mara, grey eyes intent. “Strip.” He kept the intercom button on, its red light glowing. “Now.”

  Mara’s eyes widened. “What?” She took a step back from him and held up a palm. “Wait. No. Please.”

  “God, I love it when they beg.” He stalked over to the cell door, keying it open. “Take your clothes off and get on the mattress.”

  “Are you deranged? No!”

  “Do it willingly or I’ll just chain you up, and force you. Ya might as well make it painless for yourself.” He shrugged. “‘Corse, I also like it when they struggle.”

  Was this part of his plan? Mara didn’t know, and fear made it hard to find the words to ask him. The man was dangerous. Unpredictable. No one ever spoke to her that way before. All her life, she’d been shielded. Protected from people who didn’t treat her like Kahn’s precious little cousin or Chason’s honored bride. Mara was used to being utterly safe.

  Everyone liked Mara. Everyone respected her.

  Or, at least, they used to.

  What had she done to have everyone throw her at the mercy of this criminal?

  “Don’t.” Mara backed up against the far wall as he invaded her prison call. “I don’t want this.”

  “Oh, I can make you want it, honey.”

  Zakkery was beautiful. No one would have disputed that. Dark hair and a fallen angel face. He could have had any woman he wanted.

  But, not Mara.

  No way in hell.

  Zakkery was right. She’d never been with anyone but Chason. He was her Match. The only man she’d ever wanted. Even if Chason left her forever, she’d never be with Zakkery. Not willingly.

  “Please just stop.” The wall hit her back and Mara realized she was trapped. Her tone got frantic. She’d never been in any kind of physical altercation before and she has no idea what to do, besides try to reason with him. “You’re frightening me.”

  Zakkery’s jaw tightened. “I know. Just don’t fight me and it’ll be fine.”

  “Of course, I’m going to fight you! Chason!” She screamed for him instinctively as Zakkery grabbed her arm. Other men didn’t touch her. Not ever. Not even in the most superficial ways. And even with Chason, he always made sure he had permission first.

  Zakkery’s remorseless grip had real terror shooting through her. He swung her towards the mattress on the floor and pushed her down.

  “No, no, no.” Mara shoved against him, as he knelt over her body. Zakkery was so much stronger than her. Keeping one leg on either side of her hips, he pinned her down. “Stop!” She slammed a fist into his eye. “Let me go!”

  “Fuck. Calm down.” Zakkery wasn’t even aroused. She could feel it as he leaned forward to capture her hands. “Calm down.” His voice was in her ear now, soothing instead of hard. “Shhh… I won’t hurt you. Calm down. It’ll be over in a minute.”

  “Stop.” Tears were coming now, sobs echoing through the room. “Please!”

  Zakkery squeezed his eyes shut at the plea, like he was the one suffering. “Shit. Just another few seconds, baby.”

  “Chason!” The scream came from her very soul.

  Wham!

  The outer door to the stairs blew right off its hinges.

  “Chason!” Mara knew it was him. She didn’t even have to look. She recognized the feel of his powers. They had an unfamiliar, chaotic swirl twisted into them now and the strength of them had grown, but she still knew him with every cell in her being. “Help me!”

  She didn’t even get the whole cry out before Chason was in the cell, pulling Zakkery away. “Get the fuck off of her!”

  He sent the Smoke Phase flying into the Plexiglas wall. Zakkery bounced off of it with a curse, hitting the plastic floor and laying there dazed.

  She was safe.

  Mara gave a sob of relief and gratitude as she pulled herself into a sitting position. With Chason there, she was safe. He had come back and rescued her. It was over. It was finally over.

  …Except it wasn’t.

  Chason wasn’t rushing to comfort her or help her get free of this terrible place. He was intent on killing a man. Truly killing him. Mara’s mouth parted in shock as Chason stalked over to seize Zakkery by the throat. He dropped down, so his knee was pressed into the Smoke Phase’s chest, preventing him from standing.

  “You son-of-a-bitch!” Chason was absolutely out of control. He was strangling Zakkery, his hand still wrapped around his neck. Chason’s purple eyes glittered with a furious, primal wrath, his normally polite voice a guttural roar. “You think you can put your fucking hands on her and I’ll let you fucking live?!”

  Mara had never seen him like this. She got to her feet, gaping at this wild stranger who used to be her gentle Match. “Chason?” The word came out as a whispered question.

  He didn’t hear her. He was lost in a murderous rage. His powers were like a living entity, screaming along their connection. She could feel his feral madness giving them strength. He wasn’t going to stop. One massive fist began slamming into Zakkery’s beautiful face over and over, pounding him into the ground. Just silently, methodically beating him again and again.

  Zakkery was defeated.

  He wasn’t even trying to fight back.

  Chason was going to kill him, anyway.

  Mara had never imagined Chason do something so excessive and brutal. Certainly not because of her. She gave her head a shake, coming out of her astonished trance.

  “No, Chason.” She dashed over to catch hold of his arm. “Stop. Stop, Chason.” She got between the men, repeating his name, trying to pull him away before Chason ended up doing something he’d regret. “Chason, stop!”

  He shook her off, but the brief interruption gave Zakkery time to shove free of Chason and scrambled to his feet. “Shit! You are fucking crazy!” He backed away wiping the blood from his face. “You broke my nose, you dick.”

  Chason would have gone for him again, but Mara stepped directly in front of him. “Chason, please. I’m alright. I’m okay. Please.” She wanted to throw herself against his chest and just huddle there, but he wouldn’t want that kind of emotion display.

  She and Chason didn’t have a “hugging” kind of relationship.

  He was breathing hard, not from exertion, but like it was taking all his energy not to spin into another killing rage. He didn’t even look like her Match, anymore. Where was his Magnet House armor? She’d rarely seen him in anything else and now he wore a grey uniform she didn’t recognize.

  …And which was splattered with Zakkery’s blood.

  He glanced down at her, blinking as if bringing her into fo
cus. “Are you alright?” His voice still didn’t sound like him. It was hoarser, darker. Savage.

  The sound of it did something funny to her insides. “I’m okay. He didn’t hurt me.” She wanted so badly to lean against him. “Thank you. Thank you for coming back.”

  He stared at her, purple gaze tracing all over her face with raw, undisguised longing. Then, he swore in something like self-disgust and covered both of his eyes with his hands, pressing the heels of his palms into the sockets.

  “No. No. No.” He dropped his hands and looked back at Zakkery. “It won’t work, you fucking bastard. You think I’m an idiot? You’re trying to set me up! Make me accept this woman by threatening her safety.”

  “It’s not a threat.” Zakkery held a hand to his damaged nose, his stunning face already swelling. Even with the Elementals’ capacity for healing this would take a while to repair. “I’m serious. Your woman interests me. If you leave her, why shouldn’t I take her for myself? I think there’s a real spark between us.”

  “There’s no spark between anything! You said you’d help and instead you attacked me!”

  Zakkery expelled a humorless sort of chuckle. “I was testing the waters, is all. Just give it a few days and you’ll change your mind. Once you see I’m your only way outta here, I’m willing to bet you’ll willingly do just about anything I can think, Mara. And I got an open schedule and a dirty mind.”

  “She’s not Mara.”

  Mara’s lips tightened at Chason’s snarled pronouncement.

  “If you say so.” Zakkery smirked. “Doesn’t really matter to me, either way. She’s still plenty doable, whatever she calls herself. I think there’s gonna be magic between us.” He arched a brow. “Weren’t you leaving, Chase? Don’t worry. I like ‘em grateful and rebounding. I’ll be happy to help her get over her broken heart.”

  Chason’s jaw was like a slab of granite. “This plan won’t work. This woman is not Mara.”