Tainted (Netherworld Book II)

by Christie Rich

  Inching away, I make for my missing part, hoping if I get close enough, she’ll wake up or something . . . anything. Despite my surroundings and company, I allow myself to hope. Inside the shell are memories of Seth—my memories. Somehow, just knowing they exist excites me. When he brought me to his realm, Seth told me he would never lie to me, and I don’t think he has.

  I frown, doubt rising up. He promised he would protect me, and he’s not here. Guilt hits me until I kick myself. He wouldn’t lie to me. Whatever he’s doing, he has a good reason. I need to wait. Malcolm and Brock are talking to Peter, while Daegan stands with his legs set wide and his arms crossed over his hefty chest. He looks directly at me. If I were a steak, he’d have me munched in a minute.

  He pumps his brows. If I didn’t already know he was Lucifer’s spawn, I might think he was funny. Unfortunately, there’s nothing humorous about being near him. He can joke all he wants, but the things inside him desire only to feed. For a moment, I allow myself to wonder how Daegan would be without the evil inside. I think I would have liked him if I’d known him before he changed. How many Eros are in there? What have they changed about him? Does he have any good left?

  Everything about the Dreamscape is so complex. I’ve only begun learning. I wish there was a crash course that didn’t involve me having to face darker threats all the time. I don’t want to lose who I am, but these people seem intent on rearranging my reality until I no longer exist.

  Malcolm sets a wave of guards loose to search for me, while all I can do is stare, unbelieving, at the missing piece of Amelia lying so quietly in the tomb. She was right. How could I have not known? I was aware she had been tampered with when she didn’t recall me immediately at her grandmother’s apartment. I thought someone had stolen her memories, but this is much worse. I thought she was whole. It’s part of the reason I have kept myself from her. Yet she found a piece of the key despite being a severed soul. My assumptions have cost me more than time. If this ceremony turns out to be real and Malcolm has a way to tie Amelia to Peter, I could lose her.

  I wanted her to sever the connection the minute we discovered Peter and Maybell were up to no good. The only reason I escaped my cage is the little girl was distracted somehow. With Ian’s extra energy, I was able to morph into a spider. It only took her a moment to regain her control, but that’s all I needed. She is strong and an unknown. We must find more about her and why Malcolm is using her. Her energy is Sibylline, no question. They do not succumb to pressure easily, even at such a young age. I mistook her anxious energy when we arrived as part of Malcolm’s power. I’m beginning to wonder if the man possesses any power of his own, or if he has merely leeched that of others he’s won over.

  By the worry on her face, Amelia seems to have forgotten I can transform. With Gregory’s shield still on, I can mimic Erobos energy. It’s the only reason I’m still standing watch over her. Normally, channeling this much darkness taxes me, but in this moment it’s easy. The stuff is more than likely seeping out of my pores.

  Daegan stands ten feet from me, staring at my mate. He doesn’t hide his lust or his curiosity. What surprises me is his complete lack of concern for time. Normally, he pulses with unease. As he stares at Amelia, his stance relaxes, and a smile plays on his lips. It’s not one of his mocking grins. It’s real, and it fills me with sadness. For a moment, I glimpse a picture of the past, as Daegan once was. In the beginning, he and I used to fly through our worlds, sending dreams to inspire and thrill. We left the heavy stuff to Volos, who was a master at making people rethink their decisions.

  If we were in different circumstances, I would be devising a plan to capture him for our experiment, but Amelia’s safety is paramount. I’ve only delayed because Ian needs some time to recover. Leaving him here would be unthinkable in his condition. As I continue to study Daegan, I can’t believe he is here for me. No one knows better than he the extent of my curse. He’s nearly had me many times, only for me to disappear when he was trying to take off my head. To be fair to him, I was equally engaged in every encounter.

  The pull is already dragging me down. I can’t wait much longer, but the timing has to be exact. Malcolm has taken the little girl into the room near the dais. My first task once we escape will be to get her away from him.

  Bemoaning my decisions now will help nothing, but I do wish I had listened to Amelia’s concerns about Maybell. I should have seen the changes in her, but she is right about one thing. I have been too focused on Amelia. I’ve also thought I could outsmart a curse which has consumed my existence for more years than I can remember. No matter what happens here, I’ve got to fix the mistakes I’ve made — both with my team and Amelia.

  When Malcolm comes out of the room, the girl is not with him. His face contorts with rage when he sees Daegan encroaching on Amelia. To my surprise, instead of dealing with Daegan, he walks to his throne and sits. The entire room hushes to a few murmurs then complete silence. Peter comes to stand in front of Malcolm while Brock moves near to Amelia. The boy’s face is tight with resentment when he stares at my empty cage. He’s only ever shown animosity toward my kind, but for Amelia, he offers regret. Likely, Malcolm has promised Brock something he never intended to give.

  Amelia stiffens immediately, as if she will run, as I taught her. Pride swells inside me. Maybell turns, searching the crowd. I increase the darkness I exude, and her gaze sweeps on past me. I must focus. One of the guards returns to whisper into Malcolm’s ear. Hostility mars his features. He stands. His hand has completely healed, making me wonder if it was the little girl who healed him. “Welcome, my friends. As you know, we’ve awaited this day for generations. We are one step closer in taking back our world.” The crowd erupts in applause. He smiles, but there’s no real substance to the movement. “Today, we join forces with the last remaining Oneiroi. Our goals have not always aligned with their people, but if we are to bring about the age of peace, we have to make sacrifices. No man knows better than I just what that means, for today, I offer up my daughter.”

  Brock whispers to Amelia, who shakes her head. He speaks again, only to be met with the same response. Her defiance radiates out of her and into my heart. Brock, having lost his patience, picks her up to carry her to Malcolm. In this moment, I want to chop off his hands for touching her.

  Still, I wait for the right moment. All hope for discovering Amelia’s origins are gone. One thing is certain; Ian was right. She is not Orphic. With one in the other room, I’m also not so sure she is Sibylline. It no longer matters. Amelia is one of a kind. I know her better than any other person in my life, and that includes any of my brothers. She’s become a part of me, and I intend to remedy my lack of commitment as soon I get back to my realm. Sometimes the threat of losing someone is enough to dissolve doubt. It certainly has for me.

  Brock deposits Amelia beside Peter, who gives her a natural smile. He’s completely twisted. Hate has corroded his mind until all he has are rusty holes in his sense of right and wrong. I honestly don’t know if we can ever recover him, but I will do my best. It is the least I could do considering his condition is my fault.

  Seth hasn’t shown. I’m starting to think he isn’t here, and it’s freaking me out. I have no idea what to do. How can I leave Ian and even though she’s stupid, Maybell? Brock is the biggest jerk. He actually expected me to waltz over to Peter and offer him my hand. After he told me to do it a second time, I told him what to go do to himself.

  I don’t want to touch Peter. Hell, I don’t even want to look at him anymore. If Malcolm thinks I’m going to tie myself to Peter in any way, he’s mistaken. He’ll get the surprise of his life when I disappear right before his eyes.

  Part of me would like to stick around to see the look on his face, but I doubt the girl in the casket will wake up to see it. Every time I take a look at her, I shiver. How can I live with a piece of my soul missing? How can I be here and my body back at Seth’s? How can a little girl keep me from using my powers? I release a deep sigh. Ho
w can I make myself stop caring what happens to her? In an odd way, she reminds me of Richard. The thought of him hits me in the gut. I sure miss him, even though I told him to get lost most of the time. He always wanted to see what I was doing. He even asked who my favorite band was so he could try to find some pirated copy of their songs just so he’d have an excuse to hang out with me.

  Seth should have never recruited him. A kid like that would do anything to please you, including getting himself in trouble to do it. I’m so worried about him. Next time we go out, I’m going to ask to see him. I’m dying to find out how things are back home. Even though I know these people can’t truly hurt me, I’m afraid. How will I know who I am if they succeed to steal more of me?

  Malcolm rises from his ridiculous chair, bringing a hush of murmurs from the crowd. For the first time, I notice a weird medallion inlaid into the back of the throne. I don’t have time to study it because I’m too busy following his movements. He smiles, putting the schmooze on again. I want nothing more than to puke all over his feet. I laugh. Can a dream even puke? Hysteria lingers at the edge of my mind. I take a quick peek at Ian’s cage. He’s sitting up now, blinking and rubbing his head.

  I swear I’m never going to complain about him again. As brothers go, I’m sure he’ll be fine. It’s not like I have any experience in the matter. Hopefully, Malcolm didn’t scare Kimber into going berserk with the control again. She’s a pleaser more than anything. I haven’t decided if she’s truly here in the Dreamscape or just a shadow like me.

  Peter pulls me out of my thoughts with one brush of his thumb against my wrist. The intimate touch sends a ripple of repulsion through me. I liked Peter when he was in his cell. I wanted to help him, and now I’m wondering if it was the biggest mistake of my life. When I stare up at him, his hazel eyes are trained to mine. His lips tilt in a satisfied smile before he lifts his hand to my face to run a finger along my hairline to my jaw. “I’ve always preferred blondes, but for you, I’ll make an exception.”

  I lunge away from him, only to have Brock block my path. I seethe at Brock, who lifts his hands in surrender, but the determined light in his gaze tells me he’s not moving out of my way any time soon. I whip my head back around to Peter. He gives me a pump of the brows. I grit my teeth before addressing him. “Don’t bother. You’re a kook, not to mention delusional. If you couldn’t tell before, I’m not into you. Find your own recruit. I belong to Seth.”

  The harsh sound coming from his mouth surely is meant to be a laugh, but it is filled with nothing but hate. “You belong to whomever takes you, my girl. Once we finish the ceremony your memories of Seth will be gone completely.” He gives new meaning to invading space as he crowds closer, ever closer until I’m sandwiched between him and Brock. I don’t even have enough leverage to move left or right.

  That’s it. I can’t wait a second longer, but before I ditch this place, I spit in his face. My spittle slips from below his eye to trail toward his mouth. When his tongue jets out to lick it, I gag. He’s sick.

  His hands clamp around my upper arms, and he yanks me forward. “Fight all you want. In fact, give me your worst. I shall return like for like.” With that, he spits right back at me.

  I can’t help myself. I laugh. “That’s all you’ve got?”

  Malcolm presses us apart with his palms. He turns to Peter. “We’re ready.”

  So am I. I search behind me one last time for the man I love. Ian is kneeling now. He’ll be okay. He always is. Resigned to leaving, I close my eyes and think one word.

  I wait for the pull. I wait for something . . . anything to happen.

  Nothing does. I open my eyes to see Peter studying me. “What are you doing?” he asks, his voice full of suspicion.

  I cock my head and smirk. “I can’t stand to look at you. You’re a horrible person.”

  For a moment, he cringes, then immediately straightens. “I only desire what is best for my people. You are our greatest hope of survival, but united with Seth, you will be destroyed. We will all succumb to the evil we have fought for thousands of years. We cannot allow you to fall, Amelia. There is no other choice.”

  I try again, closing my eyes. It doesn’t work. Why won’t it work? With every second that ticks by, my heartbeat pulses from the end of my toes to the tips of my ears. I can barely think past the next moment. I can’t let them do this. What if they’re right? What if I lose my memory of Seth completely?

  I wrap my arms around my stomach, wishing I could hold back the tears trickling down my face. I swallow hard, taking shallow breaths, which do nothing to help suppress the panic growing in my veins. No matter what, I’m not going to stand here and let them do whatever they want. I spin away, searching for a way out.

  Daegan detaches himself from the wall he’s been holding up while staring at me. The intensity of his gaze shoots straight through me, seeping into every last cell in my bones. The last thing I need right now is him, so why does his look give me hope?

  He stretches his hand toward me — a beacon. I look to my fake father, who is already poised to spring — to Brock, who even as I think is lunging at me — to Peter, who laughs at us all.

  Putting every last bit of my meager training to use, I whirl to race away. People in the front two rows stand, I whirr past them before they can grab me. My heart lunges at the rap of footfalls behind me. I don’t dare turn around. I’ve got to get out of here. I can’t give them an advantage.

  My vision tunnels until all I see are the doors at the back of the room. A man comes into view . . . a guard. His sword lifts as he positions himself for attack. He’s the only one between me and escape. I hoist my skirts to reach into my pocket, feeling for the tiny BB. When I transformed Greg’s weapons, I held one back. It’s a pistol, not my thing, but it will do.

  It’s gone.

  When is anything going to go my way? Five feet away from the guard, I fake right then zag left. The man gets a grip around my wrist, flinging my body around him to land in a pile at his feet. A scream of rage rips out of my lungs, and I jump to my feet.

  He smiles. I frown, not because he’s ruined any chance of my escape, but because it’s familiar. Humiliation burns my cheeks but is soon replaced with relief. Seth.

  An army of men are close behind Amelia. I haul her to her feet, grateful she has finally realized it’s me. If she hadn’t, she’d be gauging out my eyes with her fingernails.

  I cut my gaze to Ian, who has one bar of the cage free and is working at another. “Hurry!” I yell at him.

  Pounding sounds at my back. I throw a look over my shoulder. The doors shake with another boom. Whoever is there has nearly broken through.

  “Doing my best,” Ian calls back. “Just a few more seconds.”

  We don’t have a few more seconds, so I yank Amelia against me and lift my blade to her neck. She stiffens, giving a real whimper. I can’t reassure her in this moment. If I need to, I will sever her connection to this part of her soul the hard way.

  The cacophony of voices dies to a smothered hush. Malcolm steps forward. “Good work, lad.” He gestures to my sword. “Give the girl over. We’ll take it from here.” The surety in his tone makes me laugh, which comes out as a gusty chortle. He narrows his eyes. “Come now. You’ve done your job. Release her. She cannot escape.”

  Therein lies the problem. If Ian would get himself down here, we might have a chance of making it to the portal, but without him to fend off Malcolm’s men, Amelia will become collateral damage. I’m not willing to risk it. In the end, I shake my head.

  He frowns, coming closer, until Amelia cries out against the pressure of the blade. I’m sure I’ve cut her. Her breaths are doing more damage, so I ease off but just.

  “Let her go,” he demands again.

  Using so much of my strength for the disguise has left me little option for voice control. The minute I open my mouth, I will be discovered. Peter and Maybell have been with me long enough to identify me from one word. Ian is dangling from the cage w
hen I check.

  Almost time. Daegan steps forward, eyeing me with fierce intent. “Do I know you, boy?”

  I wish I could tell him no. Ian is none too gentle when he jumps to the floor, the sound echoing, despite the cavernous room. Malcolm turns and groans. His irritation makes his words sharp. “Would someone get him?”

  The guards take their focus from Amelia and me to rally around Ian. In a flash, he morphs into an eagle, taking flight. Some of the men cower against the flap of his wings; others attempt to grab him.

  I send him a mental note to go collect the missing piece of Amelia no one is guarding, but he doesn’t respond. The little girl’s interference must be stopped. I can’t imagine how Malcolm got control of her, but if I had to guess, I’d say it was the same way he got control of Amelia — through her mother.

  The clip-clop of Maybell’s shoes marks her progress as she pushes through the guards. She stops in front of us, immediately searching my eyes. I was never good enough to fool her on my best days. She shakes her head. The mournful look she gives me doesn’t heal the wound her treachery inflicted. “Stop this, Seth. She’s our one hope. You’ve got to let her go. It’s the only way to bypass the curse.”

  Since my cover is lost, I revert to my true form. Gasps in the crowd follow. I stare at her, so angry I can barely answer. “Have you ever considered Amelia’s strength comes from her relationship with me? We have a true and abiding love.” I turn to Malcolm. “She will wither with someone else. Your attempts to steal her memories failed because you could never steal her heart. It belongs to me, as mine belongs to her.”

  Daegan takes a step nearer. I do not wish for Amelia to have to go through this kind of separation, especially since it’s clear now she’s already faced it once, but I cannot let them have her. I still haven’t discovered Daegan’s true purpose for being here, but in this one moment, I believe he desires to protect Amelia.