Moving my head to the side when a tear tracked down my cheek, I almost laughed at myself.
“Look, Mama…”
The video switched on again, drawing my eyes to the ceiling. Oh, great, it would play over and over. Ugh.
Instead of taking any notice, I closed my eyes and pictured Kingsley. Hopefully, Gerard would have checked my apartment when I didn’t turn up for work and taken my pet rat to Lilia. I couldn’t stand the idea of him being all alone. As long as they’d left him behind of course.
The wobbling of my chin couldn’t be stopped this time. Allowing the tears to fall from my eyes, I sobbed, the sound echoing around the dark padded cell. We had almost had her. We would’ve been able to catch her, I just knew it.
My parents had become permanent fixtures at our most recent meetings. For two weeks we had worked together to hatch a plan. We were going to use Lucia as bait, allowing her to go undercover. Once she’d set up a meeting with Helena, we would use every tool we had to bring her down.
So, why was I somehow in an abandoned mental hospital? And, how long had I been here?
“Look, Mama…”
I almost screamed as I swung in the air again. There was only so much of myself I could handle on a normal day, let alone an annoying little version of me.
Closing my eyes, I sucked in a breath and allowed calm to restore me. I was tired. So very tired. It was a good job I had nothing to do for a while.
My body jerked awake when my bed was jolted. I opened my eyes, ready for action, but I still couldn’t move. No matter what I did, my wrists and ankles were well and truly tied to the bed.
“You’re supposed to be watching the video!” Helena spat in my face. Not literally, although a bit of spittle did land on my neck.
Yawning, I feigned disinterest. “I was tired. Needed a nap after all those drugs.”
Her hands grabbed the side of my head as I laughed. She squeezed, her eyes bulging as she bent near to my face. “You will watch this video, and you will tell me about the tree.”
“The tree?” What did the tree have to do with anything? “I thought you wanted me to see that you hadn’t aged a bit. Well, congratulations, you’re as lovely now as you were then.”
Shoving me, she thrust away, scowling in John’s direction. He was hovering in the corner, seemingly reluctant to get too close. Coward.
“Make her watch that video. Now.”
Storming from the room, she left behind the waft of roses. She was a thorn in my side. In the whole of London’s side. Someone had to do something to stop her.
“John,” I said as he came closer. “I know a way we can end this for good.”
He ignored me as he fiddled with something under the bed.
“Seriously. I can get you to safety. If you let me go, I’ll escape and get help.”
Standing straight, John gave me an apologetic smile. “Don’t you think I’ve tried to escape?”
Oh good, that was a sign he wasn’t completely loyal to my grandmother. That would help me persuade him to let me go.
“She cut my hand off, grew it back with magic, and then cut it off again. About ten times.”
Or not.
“I can see why you might be a little afraid of Granny Torture, but… I’m fearsome too. You should be afraid of me.”
As I was speaking he extended what looked like foam circles. Small, weird. What was he-?
Placing his hand on my forehead, John held me so firm, I couldn’t move. I tried to wrench away as he placed a finger on my eyelid and a thumb underneath.
“Don’t!” I snapped, ready to bite his fucking hand off.
He yanked my eye open. The pain made me scream as he shoved the form circles under my eyelids, forcing my eyes to stay open. No!
Trying my hardest to dislodge him, I squirmed my head, moving it only an inch to the left. He wouldn’t let me go. Pushing the thing into my other eye, he almost blinded me as he let go. Throwing my head from side to side, I tried to blink my eyes to dislodge the horrid things that were making my eyes water.
“I won’t watch it.” Turning my head to the left, I stared at the wall.
A rush of his breath went over me as he bent again. I shuddered at the warmth of air that smelled of un-brushed teeth. The man was vile. How could he do her bidding?
“The quicker you tell her what she wants to know, the quicker you’ll be able to stop watching it.”
My smug expression was wiped from my face when he tugged my hair, so my head snapped to face upwards. He then pressed something cool over my forehead, connecting it to something on the other side of the bed.
My tongue got caught in my teeth as I clenched them, my body bucking as much as it could. He had restrained my head to the bed. I had to stare up at the ceiling, unable to close my eyes, unable to look away.
“Give in!” he hissed, his face coming closer. “You’ll never win.”
As his frame shuffled away, I swallowed, over and over again, just to try and clear the despair that sat in my throat. I couldn’t even cry if I wanted to. I was going to be stuck in this torture forever, unable to stop seeing the stupid images on the ceiling.
“Let me out of here!” I screamed as loudly as I could.
No one came. There probably wasn’t even anyone nearby in this creepy place. John did show some kind of remorse inside him, but he was far too afraid for me to be able to get him on my side.
“Look, Mama…”
Giving in, or not really having a choice, I concentrated on the video. The tree. Helena wanted to know what I was pointing at. My mother had been worried about me revealing something. However, I had no idea what was so important about a bloody tree.
After the first five rounds, I was still baffled. I could not remember a thing about the tree. I had been six, there was no way I would still have that memory.
I lost count at twenty-eight. My brain was mush. I was tired. I might have slept, but I didn’t know. My lips were dry, my throat sore from dehydration. I would die watching the same thing a million times. No wonder people couldn’t put up with torture. No wonder John didn’t want to have the experience of having his hand cut off again. If I couldn’t cope with thirty replays, I would have died having my arm cut off.
My eyes hurt so badly I wanted to scratch them out, just to have the ability to close them. The blur that settled over them made it slightly easier to bear, although not much.
Maybe, just maybe, I’d go mad soon. Then they’d kill me for being useless anyway.
Chapter Four
“Devon?”
Now I was hallucinating again. Although, that had happened a few times. Gerard was in front of me, his handsome face full of concern. Next, he was going to bend down and kiss me. Madly, passionately.
“Yes, Gerard, I will be your girlfriend,” I muttered, remembering how often this scene had played out in my mind.
Instead of the usual joyous look, I got a frown. “She’s lost it.”
“Get those things out of her eyes and give her some water.” Justina said.
Wait. Justina? Yes, there she was, hovering just in my periphery. I loved my boss, but she had never been part of my sexy hallucination time with Gerard. She needed to leave so we could get down and dirty.
“Erm. I don’t think you’re in a fit state to get down and dirty,” Kurt’s voice flowed to me from somewhere. “You’ll have to leave that until later.”
Huh? Firstly, how did Kurt hear my thought? Secondly, why was he here?
“Firstly,” came his voice again. “You’re talking out loud. Secondly, I’m here because we’re rescuing you. And lastly, you’ve gone insane.”
“I’m not hallucinating?” I said, suddenly aware of how dry my lips were.
My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth as Gerard leant over me. His bright green eyes searched mine, probably to check if I was still me. I wasn’t. I didn’t think.
“No. This is going to hurt.”
A smile came to my face. He would never hurt
me, he was-
“Fuck!”
His fingers somehow wedged out the foam things holding my eyes open. I had no idea how long they’d been in, but the pain made tears pour from their ducts.
“Careful,” Justina said, coming closer as Gerard unfastened the ties that bound me. “She’s fragile.”
As soon as my head was free, a hand came under it, lifting me slightly. Water was tipped into my mouth. I couldn’t see who was taking such tender care of me, my eyes closed tightly to try and stop the pain.
“Are you okay?” Gerard’s deep husky voice whispered in my ear.
He was stroking the side of my face with his thumb, the sensation almost too much for me to bear. But, I would. I would bear anything for him.
“You’re talking out loud again,” he whispered. “And… I would bear anything for you, too.”
The stroking stopped as arms came under me, lifting me into the air. Tears must have soaked his shirt as I clung to him with the tiny amount of energy I had. The bastards hadn’t fed me for days.
“The rest of the hospital is clear,” Kurt said as we exited the room. “I’ll get the agents to gather the evidence from this room. I want to get her back to the agency straight away. She needs checking over.”
The tension in his voice was new. I hadn’t ever seen or heard Kurt speak with any emotion, but I could hear how hard he was holding back. Aw, did the scary man actually like me?
“Devon? Are you hurt anywhere?” Justina’s voice was beside me as a cold rush of air whipped my hair all over the place.
About to shake my head, I stopped when the muscles in my neck groaned. “Just bruised. Hungry. Thirsty.”
My bruises were basically my fault from jumping into a harsh barrier spell and rebounding off the glass. I wasn’t about to tell them that straight away. Let them feel sorry for me for a while longer.
Trying to open my eyes, I slammed them shut when the light streamed in. No, I was not ready to see yet.
“Okay. Gerard, you and Kurt can take Devon straight back. I’ll sign everything off here and flash home. I won’t be long. Please, take care of her.”
A warm hand landed on my cool bare arm. I didn’t even have the strength to acknowledge Justina’s show of affection. I was about to speak, but the loud bang of the van’s back doors opening drew my attention.
“It’s fine,” Gerard said to someone. “I’ve got her. I’ll hold her on the journey back. Kurt’s driving us home. Tell him to be careful.”
Jostling me, Gerard obviously climbed into the van. The doors slammed shut behind him, enveloping us in darkness. The only reason I knew it was dark was because all the light that had been trying to invade my eyes fell away.
“Bloody hell, Devon, you scared the shit out of me!”
His tone was harsh, yet his arms tightened around me as he lowered himself. Sitting me in his lap, he cradled me against his chest. The masculine smell of sweat and aftershave filtered up my nose, bringing me comfort.
“I… Kingsley. Where’s Kingsley?” I pulled away, opening my eyes in panic.
He held me firmly, not letting me go too far. I blinked, unable to keep my eyes from watering as they got used to being able to close.
“He’s fine, he’s with Lilia.”
My shoulders sunk, my whole body slumping against him. My best friend was fine. And, that was all that mattered.
The tears came. Great wrenching sobs broke out of me as the engine started. Gerard let me cry, silently squeezing me against him as my body shook. I had been more worried about my pet rat than anything else. And, knowing he was okay washed me in a relief so strong, I couldn’t help but release all my pent up emotion.
“Thank you,” I whispered when I had calmed.
Handing me a towel, Gerard waited for me to wipe my face clean of snot and tears. He was… perfect.
“What happened?” The inquisition was going to start before we got back to the agency.
“I don’t know. One minute, I was in bed, the next, in a cell.”
Panic started to set in as I imagined all the ways someone could have got into my apartment. Helena was powerful enough to get into anywhere, there was no question about that.
“It’s okay, let’s wait until we get back to the agency to talk about it.”
I instantly calmed as he looked at me. There was barely any light, but I could just make out his eyes as his hand came up to push my hair away from where it was stuck to my damp cheek.
“How long have I been gone?”
My heartbeat slowed as he lowered his head, his forehead resting against mine. I put my arms around his neck, holding him loosely as we inhaled each other’s breath.
“A week.”
My eyes closed, fresh tears coming to the surface. I had no idea I’d been gone so long. What had they done to me?
“And, Kingsley was found quickly?”
He nodded which made our noses touch. “Yes, I came looking for you when you didn’t come to work. Justina wanted us to speak to Lucia. She knew you’d have more influence because of what you did to save her familiar.”
Gasping, I giggled slightly when he chuckled. “Yes, she found out. It’s okay, the cat is still where you left her.”
“She is?”
“Well, no, she’s with Lilia.”
I had forgotten to mention that Lucia’s mother had refused to take the cat. In a crazy moment of weakness, and maybe a little tiredness, I’d taken her home for the night. Just so I could get some sleep. She’s instantly hit it off with Kingsley, sticking her nose through the cage and giving him a little lick. He’d squeaked in delight, which made me happy.
Ever since, they’d been inseparable. And, once Lucia’s extra magic had drained from the cat, I’d decided to keep her. For now.
“Lilia’s been calling her Snowball.”
“What?” My ordeal was forgotten as I cringed at the ridiculous name Lilia had given my new pet.
If Lucia found out I had kept her cat, would she have me killed? It wasn’t like she could do much from inside prison.
“Devon. I missed you this week. I… didn’t know how much I’d got used to having you by my side.”
My thoughts were brought back to the present. Gerard’s arms were around me, his fingers digging into my waist. My eyes were still extremely sore, but being held so cautiously, so lovingly… I felt nothing but him.
“I thought about you all the time, too.” I couldn’t say anymore.
Confessions of feelings or anything like it were not high on my agenda. I needed food. And, water. And, Kingsley. I needed a proper bed.
Tucking my head into his chest, I hugged him tightly. I didn’t want to speak. In fact, my throat was drier than it had ever been, but I didn’t want to move. I would savour this moment between us before reality came crashing down, and I was dragged into the pits of tormented hell. I could feel it pulling at the edges of my sanity. I would resist. For as long as possible.
The van came to a stop, the doors opening only moments after. I shut my eyes as the light attacked my retinas again.
“Take her to the infirmary.” Kurt’s voice was serious. He was back to his agent self.
I kept my eyes closed as Gerard carried me inside. Whispers came from different parts of the agency as he moved us through the building and to the healing room.
“No one else is here,” Gerard said as he laid me on a bed. “I’ll be back soon.”
Opening my eyes, I seized his hand before he could move away. The pain was forgotten as his face came into clear view. No blurriness. No shadows. Just him.
“Thank you.”
He bent over and kissed my cheek before he frowned. “You’re thirsty.”
Retrieving a glass from the side, he lowered it to my lips, helping me to drink. When I’d finished, he put it back. Instead of moving away, like I thought he would, he reached down and traced a finger over my cracked lips. “You’ll never suffer like this again. I swear on my life.”
“Gerard,” I s
aid, my skin heating for the wrong reasons. “Don’t add this to your list of regrets.”
He jerked back as if I’d slapped him across the face. My words might have been harsh, but I wouldn’t allow him to torment himself over me. Not in a negative way. He could torment himself with sexy thoughts of me any day of the week. But… this wasn’t his fault.
“I need time.” What had happened to me wouldn’t just vanish.
Nodding, he retreated when Kurt came into the room. The man wore a doctor’s coat over his fighting gear. Really? He fancied himself a doctor?
“Right, Devon, I’m going to check you over. When you’re feeling up to it, you’ll have a session with our therapist.”
Gerard was gone when I glanced to see where he was. I had hurt his feelings, I could tell. Maybe now wasn’t the time to be thinking about romance.
“I didn’t know there was a therapist here. I want to see Kingsley.” I tried to sit up, but Kurt pushed me back onto the bed.
My body was weak. And, yet, I was ready to get on with my life. I would not let that woman ruin me.
“You have a queue of people waiting outside to see you. Once I’ve checked you over, I’ll let them in.”
Kurt took my vitals as I waited impatiently. I didn’t care about my parents, or anyone else, I just needed to feel the comfort of my best friend.
“You need some food. It will have to be a light soup to start. You could do with some fattening up, so I’ll make sure you get high fat foods in the next few days.” Kurt put most of his tools away.
Taking out a salve pot, he opened it, screwing his nose up as he put his fingers in and scooped some out.
“Ew, that stinks. Please don’t put it on me!”
He completely tuned me out as he spread the smelly stuff on the sores around my ankles and wrists. My eyes filled with tears as I sucked in a breath.
“Devon.” He came and sat next to me, cleaning his hand on a cloth. “You might feel okay now. The relief of being out of that place will tide you over for a little while, but it won’t last.”
“I’m…” I was about to disagree. “…going to be messed up, aren’t I?”
Magically Betrayed: An Urban Fantasy Novel (Hunted Witch Agency Book 3) Page 3
