Gideon [The Marujan Brothers Series] Book Two

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Gideon [The Marujan Brothers Series] Book Two Page 5

by Hannah-Lee Hitchman


  “Aren’t you happy to see me?” he muttered, voice incapable of producing even the smallest ounce of softness. He was a monster. And she hated him. “Sad,” he continued, resting the lantern on the floor. “’Cause I am so happy to see you. In fact, I’ve been looking forward to tonight because I have a special present for you.”

  She noticed he was wearing a long heavy cloak. Now, she pushed the sides away to reveal long muscular legs and a well-toned body. If he was not the devil reincarnate…the evil wretch she knew him to be, she could have admitted him handsome. A woman calling her rapist…her assaulter handsome would be the day hanging be determined the punishment for making such a statement.

  She opened her mouth to speak, praying she didn’t falter when she said, “Y-You’re a sorry mistake for a man. I hope The First does not have mercy on your soul.”

  His grin widened, forming into a deep cackle as he laughed at her. “The First?” he mumbled. “Do I look I give a fuck about your cursed ‘The First’. You have a lot of mouth for trash just waiting to be scraped up.”

  Refusing to show just how his words hurt—or how helpless she really was, she clamped her mouth shut and simply stared at him, forcing back the tears. She did not even have the strength…the courage to verbally defend herself. At that moment, above all others, she knew she had really lost the battle.

  “Now...” he began, face now serious. “Be a good little whore and spread those legs. And make it speedy…I doubt you can handle another blow for the next decade.” He looked her over disgustedly. “You look half-dead already.” He shrugged. “But I need you.”

  He needed her. She hid the sad smile that had started to form on her lips shaking lips. It was a pity he did not know that what he needed….was already all gone.

  * * *

  “You think it’s working?” Faolan whispered at Gideon’s side as they both watched Amanda of the Alexanders where she sat in the center of the room. She sat on the rug with legs folded in front of her, wrists resting on side-turned knees and palms turned upwards. Her eyes were closed, body rod straight as she inhaled and exhaled slowly. Connecting with her source, she’d said.

  “I don’t know. But it better.”

  “At least she’s trying.”

  Gideon frowned and then looked at his brother. “Don’t be getting any ideas?”

  “What do you mean?”

  He raised a skeptical brow and deepened his frown. “Don’t look at her like that.”

  Faolan laughed. “You calling dibs now?”

  “You know what I fucking meant!”

  “Sounds like you’re calling dibs to me. First of all, I’m a grown man with a perfectly functioning dick, okay? Secondly, I’m older than you. You’d better start remembering that before I kick your ass right back into the fourteenth century. Got it?”

  Gideon groaned and looked away. He needn’t Faolan’s trash talk right now. And he sure as hell wasn’t looking for an unnecessary row with him either. Faolan might be cool and laid-back but he knew well how to knock damn well how to floor a man with pretty much no effort. Besides, it would get him nowhere with finding his woman; with finding Esyth. He could feel his insides tightening, the revolting feeling he’d felt when she had disappeared from him. She had left with a piece of him that day…his heart, for at the moment and—if he wished to admit—that night, he had never been the lively free-spirited person he had once been. He’d become a lost man seeking comfort in within the deep warm folds of any and every woman he saw fit. It had become his way of coping. To deal with the crack in his soul and the dent in his life.

  A smile curved on his lips as his mind drifted to that day three years ago… That day she and he had arrived at the Hub for help to assist Hadaen back on the field. It was the hour he had confronted her about the broiling attraction between them:

  She moved away from him, careful to get lost in the mingling crowd of villagers who were so busy welcoming her back home that they hadn’t realized the mars of battle sporting on their appearances. Curious eyes averted to him, searching politely and then returned to her.

  “Esyth,” a wrinkled old man said, his blue eyes anxious. “You’re back. We did not expect you back so soon.” He then looked at Gideon. “Who is…?” And then he frowned slightly before his eyes lit up like fireworks on The First’s Day. He fell to a quick bow. “Lord Gideon, I pray, is it you? I-I didn’t expect your arrival, Sir.” The crowd mumbled with awed expressions, each person now dropping to awkward bows and curtsies.

  Gideon sighed. He was tired as fuck and wanted two thick sandwiches and a beer. The old man could have saved the happy greetings for later, really. “Yeah, well I didn’t expect to face the Kankul soldiers—.” The crowd gasped. “—so soon but that’s how life goes, right? Spontaneity just blooms around us.”

  Esyth gave him a hard look and then nodded to the man. “Lord Joséah, Lord Hadaen needs your help. Send the man down the hill about two miles.”

  “We’ve got it,” a tall robust man said, stepping forward and signaling to the male villagers around him. “Let’s go.”

  A dozen men quickly dissipated from the crowd and out of eye-shot. What was left of the crowd was a group of worrisome-looking female, a few younger lads and elderly people.

  Elder Joséah swallowed visibly. “Come then, Lord Gideon,” he said, resting a hand on Esyth’s arm. “I believe we must get you two taken care of.”

  “Give us a few minutes, Elder,” Gideon replied, eyeing Esyth, piercing her with his hot glance. “I need to speak with Esyth.”

  The Elder nodded his understanding…flashed a knowing smile and then walked away, dispersing the reluctant crowd with him.

  “What do you want?” she asked before he could say the first word.

  Gideon grasped her by the arm and pulled her into the nearest tent he found, scanning the inside quickly for occupants. She hadn’t argued; she allowed him to pull her there and for that he was happy for at least. He certainly hadn’t the strength or patience to have to fight her over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. He looked up to her face, her beautiful green drawing him into her world, stirring a hot and cold sensation with him. Gideon groaned slowly as his cock began to squirm in his pants. Hell, he was tired…and fucking horny! What the hell kind of combination is that?

  He smiled devilishly at her. “What I want?” He looked her over again and licked his lips slowly. “I want you. Isn’t that obvious? And since your hair as a mind of its own, I can tell it wants me too.”

  A crimson flush crawled up her smooth alabaster skin, the green glow around her hair darkening.

  “You’re a fool.”

  Her words cut straight through him like a knife. He was angry. How dare she call him a fool? He was Gideon Maruj. She had some nerve. In fact, she had too damned much! But somehow, the anger just coursed through his veins, never reaching his heart. He was surprised when he felt himself smiling even more.

  “Well well well…” he drawled, stepping into her face, so close her hair fluttered against his face. “There’s nothing I like more than a woman who knows how to use her mouth.”

  She gasped, shrugging away from him. “You must be the mad, I’m sure to think there could be something between us—.”

  “Gideon!”

  The loud rumble of his brother’s voice followed by the rough tug on his shoulder dragged him from his reminiscence. Gideon turned startled eyes to Faolan who was starting towards the center of the room. Shaking himself for getting to caught up in his thoughts, he then gazed pass Faolan at Amanda of the Alexanders. His eyebrows rose high in surprise.

  The woman was now thrashing from side to side on the rug, eyes rolled so far back in her head, Gideon winced at the thought that they might just fall out. Her hair was now long spikes above her head as if she was hanging upside down. The expression on her face was that of torment and physical pain.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know.” He could hear the concern in Faolan’s voice. “
Seems like she’s in some form of a trance.”

  Gideon ran pass his brother and halted abruptly in front of her. “Damn, she looks like she’s going to go out cold.” The woman’s face was white as paste, her lips graying by the second.

  “Wake her up then!”

  Gideon jumped to action immediately, lifting Amanda off the floor in one fierce movement. And he shook her…shook her so damn hard she might need organ relocation surgery after he was done. She fell limp in his arms, sweat dripping down her forehead. Then her eyes opened. Amanda stared at him for a long moment before she groaned painfully…throwing up all over his pants.

  “What the fuck could she have been feeling, man?” Faolan grumbled, taking her out of his brother’s arms.

  Gideon heaved and pretended not to be minded by the vomit on his clothes. Just when he was about to open his mouth, she groaned again and sighed, staring him deep in the eyes before glancing timidly at Faolan, tears clogging her eyes. Her mouth shook when she spoke, the slow shower of pain falling down her face.

  “She’s….dying,” she said.

  Chapter Seven

  He hadn't intended on going to that bar across the street from the small motel they had decided to spend the night at. He knew well enough that bars only hosted bare-chested women who could tempt a man to sin, hard-core liquor... and brawls just waiting to be initiated. Distractions. But he didn't care. Gideon needed a few answers and he'd appreciate it from anyone who'd be willing to share...or willing to be paid off.

  Heading along the rough pavement, he made his way towards the narrow entrance and came face to face with a large boulder of a man, arms folded and regarding him with a nasty scowl. Gideon sighed and folded his arms as well, staring back at the man.

  "Who might you be?" the man croaked out.

  "You can call me Mike," Gideon said, his expression plain. "Am I going in or not?"

  The man looked him over once and then clenched his jaws. "State your business."

  Gideon chuckled. "It's a bar. I think the only business anyone would be interested in is downing a few shots and just killing time."

  The man grunted. "Don't be starting any fights," he warned. "And don't get physical with the ladies either." He stepped aside and cleared the entrance. "It's the policy around here."

  Nodding to the guard, Gideon stepped inside and headed straight for an empty table he had spotted immediately upon entering. It sat to the far right corner of the room; the most isolated space he had noticed and it suited him well. Walking towards the table, he could feel curious glares bearing down on him, piercing through his back and the sides of his head. Quite frankly he was used to the attention. He had been born in it. Surrounding him was the harsh drunken curses of men and giddy female giggles. Cigar smoke thinly fogged the air; the prime aroma of the room somewhere close to a mixture of bleach, tobacco and rum.

  As soon as he sat, Gideon felt more than saw a woman making her way over to his table. Pretending not to notice, he adjusted the flaps of his jacket and waited. The female cleared her throat daintily and he looked up. Long thick red hair spilled over her shoulders, thin tendrils falling around an oval face. Gideon's gaze moved over her slowly and along the very low neckline of her tight spaghetti-strapped blouse. A sly smile curved along his lips and she returned an inviting grin.

  "Well, hello there, handsome," she drawled lowly, an empty tray in hand. "What can I get you?"

  "How about two rounds of scotch and a conversation."

  Her smile deepened. "Sorry. I'm busy..." She chanced a surveying glance behind her and then leaned in close. "But I can spare you a few minutes in half hour or so."

  "I'll be waiting." Gideon slouched in his seat, watching as she moved away slowly.

  That trance Amanda of the Alexanders had been in deeply troubled him; so much he could feel the sinking feeling in his gut that Esyth might just be dying after all. And if that were the case, he would have failed her again. He would have failed the one woman he held close to his heart. But he refused to give up just yet. He was Gideon Maruj, a third of the Marujan Dynasty. It was far time he remembered that. He had the strength and power that only two persons knew the true intensity of. His brothers. And combined, he knew they could burn Deorci to char. They had all decided to keep Amelia out of it. She was The Daughter of Liberty but she was also not yet fully in control of her powers. Until then, they'd do the fighting... and the sacrificing if it were to come to that.

  Gideon shook his head, silently praying to The First that his woman would survive whatever harsh conditions she was under. And when he found her, Deorci and whoever else was responsible would suffer the wrath of the Marujan Dynasty. Gideon would make sure that he'd be the one to take the man's last breath.

  A deep grunt to his right dragged Gideon from his thoughts. A tall man, maybe a few years younger, eyed him curiously, a ball cap too small for his head barely covering thick curly brown hair. The boy quickly turned away when Gideon returned the stare, preoccupying himself with his drink. Tapping into his mana discreetly, Gideon close his eyes to hide the red glow and searched the man's energy. He was not dangerous. A bit agitated, really as if he was out on a difficult purpose. Gideon turned to face him again.

  "Who are you?"

  The stranger looked up, wide-eyed and startled. "K-Kyle," he muttered, looking awkwardly around the room. "You?"

  Gideon thought about the question thoroughly before answering. "Gideon. But you can call be Mike. Understand?"

  Kyle stared at him for a moment before nodding his head. "I understand."

  "Good. I have a couple questions for you...Kyle."

  He sat up immediately, looking eager to spill. A bit too eager. "What's in it for me?"

  Gideon chuckled deeply and reached into his pocket, withdrawing two gold coins. At the sight of them, Kyle's eyes widened and he leaned in a bit closer.

  "Not yet. Two questions. Two coins." Gideon never moved his intense gaze from the younger man, studying his responses carefully. "Sit with me."

  The man jumped up almost instantly, pulling out a chair directly in front of Gideon. "What do you want to know?"

  "Tell me who Malakai Baamel is."

  Kyle frowned but only cleared his throat. "He's our ruler. Was only a soldier until he overthrew our other ruler couple years ago." Mmmm. Just as Amanda had said. "As far as I know, everyone is happy about it. No one really liked Paldine anyway."

  "Go on."

  He sighed, staring at the coins forlornly."It's said that Sir Baamel is not from around here. Said he just showed up one day three, maybe four years ago and joined with the soldiers. Some says he joined just to overthrow the man."

  Gideon nodded, allowing the information to sink in. If that were the case then this Malakai Baamel must have more to him than the people thought. No stranger could overthrow a long reigning ruler unless he had many friends alongside him...or he had some strange power to easily remove the previous ruler. As far as Gideon could see, Baamel was not a land of supernatural abilities so something was definitely strange about Malakai Baamel.

  Sliding one of the coins across the table, he watched as Kyle quickly grabbed it up and tested it between his teeth and then dropped it inside his shirt pocket. The man grinned and rubbed his palms together. "What else do you want to know?"

  Gideon lowered his voice. "I'm looking for a man. Long blonde hair--almost white. About my height and built. Never walks alone."

  Kyle frowned, deep in thought. Then he looked up abruptly. "Maybe. I don't know. I saw a man once who looked like that. But he was traveling alone."

  "How long ago was that?"

  "Maybe two years or so… I don't know what he was about but he didn't stay long. Just passed through."

  Gideon nodded. Deorci. Feeling the anger stirring in his blood, Gideon breathed deeply and controlled himself. He looked over at the man waiting expectantly for the coin and sighed. It was best if he questioned someone else. No need to agitate the boy any further. Tossing the coin at him, Gide
on sat up straight. "Thanks for the info. I'll—"

  "FIRE!"

  A loud shout echoed throughout the room and everyone jumped to their feet, toppling tables and stirring mayhem.

  "There's a fire!" Kyle yelled above the noise. Gideon sniffed deeply, mana coursing rapidly through his veins as he tried to locate the source. He froze in his spot momentarily, all blood draining from his face. The motel.

  He broke into a run immediately, brushing pass people, hoping they didn't notice just how fast he moved. When he reached the exit, people had already filled the streets, making it even more difficult for him to scan through. Across the street was the motel; swallowed by harsh flames and villagers attempting to extinguish its roaring intensity. Fear shook him as he tried to reach his brother mentally but there was no response.

  Jasmine. The scent threaded faintly pass his face and he turned sharply to his right where persons were heading towards the woods. Gideon shoved them out of his way, moving as quickly as he could without drawing any unnecessary attention. Catching a glimpse of his brother's face, he moved readily in that direction. "Faolan?"

  Faolan turned, face black with ashes. In his arms was what appeared to be Amanda, unconscious. Gideon moved up to him and blew out a worried breath.

  "She'll be fine. The smoke knocked her out."

  "What happened?"

  "What do you think?" Faolan grunted, avoiding the pushes and shoving of people. "Someone set that motel on fire. Whoever it was knew we were there. We have an enemy here, Gideon."

  "Go!" he said. "Take Amanda and go. I'll catch up with you."

  Faolan's hand dropped down on his youngest brother's shoulder, stilling his movement. "Don't do anything stupid. I'm giving you two hours."

  Gideon nodded and headed in the opposite direction, back to the bar. When he arrived, the room was completely void of patrons, furniture scattered across the floor and broken glass crunching beneath his boots. Eyeing the area dubiously, he could feel the faint energy of danger. Of the enemy. His eyes flew wide open at the recognition and he spun around to meet the full force of a Kankul aura. Whoever it was, he was nearby. Very close. And Gideon felt his stomach churn with disgust.

 

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