“Tell me what to do, how can I help?” she begged, and as soon as he relaxed, she felt his shields snap into place, blocking her from whatever hell he was in. “Dad,” she whimpered.
Zander’s gaze shot past her to Soroyan. “Take her away, please, I don’t want her witnessing this.” He pleaded with a man he’d never met before, as he eased back to the bed before arching up again. The sheet covering his lower half rose, but Tierney was too upset to notice. Sami and Soroyan, however, understood.
“Tierney, you need to leave the room.” Soroyan tried to take her arm, but she pulled away in anger.
“No, we can’t leave him here!”
“P-please go,” Zander rasped from between clenched teeth.
“No. We’re not leaving you,” she said, frantic. “Besides, we have to find Jax, he’s here too.”
“Jax—no,” he whispered in horror, his whole-body tense and shaking.
“What’s happening to him?” Tierney hated to see him in so much pain.
“Tierney, come, let’s talk out here,” Soroyan said, and she let him lead her out of the room where Genna stood a few feet away, watching them with wide eyes.
“I’m not leaving him.” Tierney crossed her arms over her chest and faced Soroyan and Sami.
“We gotta find Jax too,” Sami said, and Tierney started to come apart.
“How? We can’t leave dad here,” she whispered, all defiance suddenly gone.
“I can put your dad into a deep sleep, so he won’t feel the pain, and carry him to the truck,” Soroyan offered.
Tierney stared at him a moment before nodding. She was so grateful that she wanted to hug him, but if she did, she knew she’d start bawling and wouldn’t stop. “Thank you.”
“Stay out here,” Soroyan instructed.
Tierney began to argue but Sami grabbed her arm. “Tierney, listen to him, for Dad’s sake.”
“What? Why?” She didn’t understand, but something in Sami’s eyes made her stay put. “Fine.”
A strong power shivered through them, making Genna stiffen up, but Tierney, having felt it before, knew it was Soroyan’s power. It wasn’t long before he stepped out of the room with Zander, still wrapped in the sheet, held carefully in his arms.
“You’ll come back after?” she asked.
He nodded. “I’ll have the leopard keep an eye on him.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You shoulda told me Fallen Zander was your daddy the other day,” Genna said after Soroyan hurried away. Tierney scowled at her. She really wanted to scream and punch the devil girl, but Sami grasped her arm, stopping her.
With a sharp inhale, she forced herself to calm down. “Do you have any idea where Jax is?” she asked Genna instead.
“I might know if it is Friday. But if it is Saturday I might not,” Genna said, speaking in some kind of riddle that Tierney didn’t understand. Seeing the confusion on her face, Genna smirked. “Or, I might know where everyone be.”
Tierney was about to ask what the hell she meant, when Genna turned away. “And you might follow, or might not. We will see.”
Tierney glanced at Sami who shrugged, as confused as she was. Then they both hurried to catch up to Miss Crazy Pants. Keeping an eye out for Ilyium, they came to a Y intersection and stopped when they heard a couple gunshots ring out, followed by screaming.
“Maybe the escapees be having much fun chasing the guards,” Genna said and Tierney raised an eyebrow, that was an interesting concept, but as much as she hoped the girl was right, she had her doubts.
Once freed, the captives had scattered in different directions, and this time, they didn’t stop them. They needed the distraction. “The ceremonies theater where they play dressy up, and nasty guard’s quarters are thata way.” Genna pointed to the left. “To the right, the first tunnel takes a body who dares, to the freedom entrance.”
Tierney glanced to the left. “Anything else down there?” she asked.
Genna’s eyes lit up. “Big pantry be that way, but there’s no more chocolate, I ate it all,” she said sadly.
Tierney rolled her eyes. “Is that all?”
Genna shook her head. “A course not, silly, there be torture chambers, the maintenance closet and blood rooms.”
“Blood rooms?” Tierney asked. “Why do they want our blood?”
“For their ceremonies, and because they be jealous,” Genna said.
“Jealous?”
“Well yeah. Their magic is weak as spider pee. They need the magics in our blood to boost their pathetic witchy powers,” Genna answered.
Tierney shook her head. “Take us to the blood rooms.” A horrible numbness filled her.
With a nod, Genna led the way, but only seconds later, the girl pulled them into a small alcove. “Shh.” She held a finger to her lips as footsteps approached, and they watched a skinny, black-robed man run past.
“Let’s go-ey,” Genna said a moment later. But after stepping out of their hiding spot, more feet could be heard heading their way. “C’mon.” Genna darted across the tunnel and down a short distance where she yanked a door open. “In here.”
The room held all sorts of ceremonial items on shelves and Genna wandered around, eyes glittering at the shiny objects. “I loves-loves me this room,” she whispered, fingers trailing over each piece. Outside, more guards rushed by and another gunshot rang out. Then, a fierce growl and a guttural scream echoed down the tunnel before suddenly cutting off.
She and Sami held their breath when the door handle started to rattle, but Genna was too busy touching everything to care. Tense and ready to attack, Tierney sighed in relief when Soroyan opened the door and started to drag a body in. Sami bent down to help.
Damn, he must have run the whole way, she thought.
Genna stared at Soroyan and slipped something into her pocket. “Ooh, I likes him.”
Soroyan who scowled at her before heading back out into the tunnel.
“Jax,” Tierney reminded Genna.
“Spoil sport,” the girl mumbled, then, with a sigh she tore her eyes off Soroyan and turning, led them to four torture chambers. Soroyan and Sami ducked into the first one to free six prisoners shackled to the wall, while Genna darted into the second chamber. “Caden!” she hissed.
Tierney followed her in and freed another prisoner who hobbled away, before turning to Genna. “Show us to the blood rooms, please.”
But the devil girl ignored her as she helped the battered young man she called Caden, towards the tunnel.
“What are you doing here?” he asked Genna, but she put a finger on his lips for a moment. “We is leaving,” she said adamantly.
“Gen, I can’t walk. I’ll just slow you down,” Caden said in a scratchy voice.
“You looky here, Caden. Looky what your wonderful Master did. We goes now—it’s time. You wants me to knocks you out and carry you? I can,” Genna threatened, daring him to say no.
With a shaky sigh, Caden closed his eyes and nodded. “Fine, but where will we go?”
“Stay here. I’ll be here again, just you wait-see, ’k?” She eased him to the floor behind the door and turned to Tierney. “I take you to blood rooms, you take us home with you alls.”
Horror filled her at the idea. “What? No.” No way did she want this crazy devil-girl in her home around her friends and family.
“You be wantins Jax, righty?” Genna asked.
“Tierney.” Sami glared into the room, impatient.
Tierney turned back to Genna, knowing she’d likely regret her decision. “Yeah, fine, take us to the blood rooms, but if we don’t find Jax, no deal.”
They started past the last torture chamber when Sami glanced inside and stopped. “Go, I’ll catch up,” he said, slipping into the room.
With a nod, Tierney hurried after Genna. “How much further?”
“Not so much, would be faster if you teleports too,” Genna said, leading the way to a locked room.
“Is this it?” Tierne
y eyed the steel door with the tiny window.
“No, this be’s the nasty guard control room. Might be’s they have shiny keys for blood rooms, right?” she asked.
Tierney closed her eyes for a second. “Yeah, sure,” she agreed and tired the door only to find it locked.
“You expects it be’s open, really?” Genna asked.
Tierney shook her head. “No, of course not, that would be too easy.”
“Right,” Genna agreed with a smile.
Tierney wanted to scream. “Can’t you just teleport into the blood rooms?”
Genna nodded. “A course, but keys be needed to unlock door silly. Go arounds that corner and down tunnel till you sees me. I meets you there. It be room with door open.” Then she popped inside the room.
Ignoring the shouting and screams from the guard room, Tierney turned away only to pull up short when someone stepped into her path, blocking her. “Little Tierney—” The voice from the Escalade made her glare in fury. It was a face she hated with a passion.
“Marcius.” The name tasted bitter on her tongue and she wanted to kick herself—she should have recognized his voice the other day.
“I’ve been expecting you. What took so long?” He leered at her and licked his lips. “Always knew you’d grow up to be a fine piece of ass, and you didn’t disappoint.” His cold, amber eyes and evil smile, gave her the creeps as he moved closer.
“You’re still as ugly as ever, I see,” she sniped at Sami and Jax’s father. The scruffy haired Fallen used to be one of Zander’s warriors. Marcius advanced on her with a wicked looking knife in hand, and knowing that his reach would be much longer than hers, she didn’t wait for him to come to her. Instead, she decided to surprise him.
With a quick leap forward, she kicked, nailing him in the knee and jumped back out of the way. If he had been human, he’d have been down for the count. Instead he only let out an oomph of pain and nothing more.
“Zander’s been training you. You’re good, but not good enough.” The next second he had her pinned against the uneven rock wall. A large meaty hand wrapped around her throat. “Mmhm, you are sweet.” He ground himself against her, breath rancid as he brought his blade up toward her face.
“And you reek, you evil bastard.” She turned her face away and eased her hand down her side, slipping one of the knives strapped to her thigh, from its sheath. Acting before he realized what she had planned, Tierney stabbed him in the stomach, drawing another “oomph” from him. Then she pulled her dagger out, and tried to stab him again, but he angled his body into her and squeezed her throat tighter. Bringing the blade up, she sliced across his forearm, making him bleed.
“Bitch!” he growled, loosening his grip. Tierney tried to kick him again, but he blocked her. “Uh-uh. I don’t think so.” He grabbed her hand and dagger, while his body held her still.
Knowing she was out muscled, she didn’t fight him and instead used her other hand to eased her gun from its holster. Then she shot him point blank in the chest.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Adariasthorn
TIERNEY WAITED FOR Marcius to fall, but he didn’t. Instead, he faltered for a moment, dropped her blade, and shoved against her again. His much larger, stronger, six-foot frame didn’t leave her much wiggle room. Tierney pulled the trigger again, but he moved at the last second and the bullet shot past him, ricocheting down the tunnel.
“I’m going to enjoy killing you.” He grinned, licking his lips and then, still gripping her neck, he tossed her gun and drew his own knife across her face. With her adrenaline pumping, and blood now trickling down her cheek, she didn’t feel any pain and used moves that she’d been taught, but he blocked her at every turn.
“Too bad I don’t have time for some fun with you. Guess I’ll have to be satisfied knowing how much your death will hurt Zander and Jaxsaron. Although neither will live much longer, I’ll be sure to tell them how you died before I kill them,” he whispered in her ear.
Unable to speak around the hand squeezing her throat, Tierney used her telepathy. “Why? Why are you doing this?”
“Why?” Marcius said aloud. “Well, maybe you should ask Zander. He’s the one who decided not to promote me to the top of his elite guard, but don’t worry, I got him back.” Poison and resentment rang in his voice. Yet as he spoke he loosened his grip on Tierney’s neck enough to allow her to suck some air into her burning lungs.
“So you’re jealous? Get over it,” she retorted. “And that doesn’t explain why you hurt your own children. What did they ever do, other than try to love you?”
Marcius ignored her first remark. “Ha. My children. Are they? Jaxsaron is not—and never has been my child. Sami? Well, I suppose he’s mine.” His words should have surprised her, but they didn’t, and as his memories of his sons’ births flashed through his mind, Tierney fought not to gag.
***
She saw a day long ago when he burst into a tiny cabin where Jax and Sami’s mother, Latia, lay in a small bed holding a newborn baby—Jax, in her arms. Shocked and terrified, Latia eyed Marcius in fear. “W-what are you doing here?”
“You thought to hide from me?” He thumped his chest before noticing her child. Then, face red with anger, he roared, “You cheating whore!”
Latia attempted to calm him, saying that she never agreed to be his wife, but it made no difference.
“Your sister betrothed you to me. You are mine,” he yelled, as he advanced on her.
Latia cringed back on the bed. “Neither you, nor my sister, own me,” she said and the tremble in her voice belied her fear. “Besides, I love another. The father of my child.”
Marcius sneered. “Oh, and where is this father of your child?”
Latia began to shake. “He’s in Ritandon, but he’ll be here as soon as he can.”
“Really? Because I came straight from your village, and your sister’s wedding.” Marcius grinned evilly.
Tears began to stream down Latia’s face. “No, she wouldn’t steal him from me, she promised—”
With a disgusted snort, Marcius stormed out only to return later and demand his rights as her soon to be husband.
***
Tierney’s rage and disgust grew stronger. She’d never wanted to kill someone as badly as she did Marcius. “You disgusting, rapist bastard!” she hissed, and kneed him in the balls, causing his hold on her to slip as he bent over in a whoomph of pain.
Using the distraction to shove him out of the way, Tierney thought she’d succeeded, but he hauled her back. Marcius slammed her head against the rocky wall. Once again pinned, her ears rang while he ground his hips into her. Tierney wanted to puke at his proximity.
He grinned. “Oh, you’re feisty. Think I’ll make some play time for you before I kill you.” His foul breath choked her as he yanked her away from the wall and began to pull her down the tunnel keeping his hand wrapped around her throat.
“Sami,” Tierney called in panic, using her telepathy as she struggled futilely. She needed to get away from the filthy pig. “Sami,” she called again “Help. Marcius caught me, he’s going to—” She couldn’t bring herself to even think the words.
“Did you actually think you could sneak Jax and Zander out of here today?” Marcius sneered.
Tierney ignored his question and instead asked one of her own. “Where’s Jax?” She knew she wouldn’t get an answer, but hoped to buy some time.
“Jax is where he needs to be. You are both so predictable.” He smirked, squeezing her throat tighter. “You haven’t figured it out yet?”
“Figured what out?” she asked silently, no longer able to speak. Marcius didn’t answer. Letting go of his hand, Tierney reached for the blade strapped to her hip, and slipped it free. Then she wrenched around and pretended to kick him before swiping up and across the arm holding her neck. The cut sliced deep into tendon and bone, but instead of loosening his hold on her, Marcius hissed and tightened his grip.
What the hell? Unable to breathe at a
ll, black spots started to appear again, and her vision dimmed. “Let me go,” she growled.
“No can do. I’m gonna sample you first. About time I got me some sweet pussy. I always wondered how Zander’s precious little girl would be.” He continued to squeeze the life out of her as she pulled at his hand. “Are you still a virgin, or did you and Jax do the nasty with each other yet? See, I think you didn’t. Because Jax is a broken, pathetic shell.”
Tierney raged at his words “Don’t you dare talk about him. He’s a far better male than you could ever hope to be.”
He ignored her. “I like virgins.”
She scratched and clawed at him, ignoring the vile stuff coming out of his mouth.
“—cannot be allowed to be together, too much power if you bond,” he muttered while she fought to free herself. With a shove, Marcius pushed the door to a maintenance room open, easing up on her neck long enough for her to greedily suck in some much needed air. Then he hauled her inside like she weighed nothing, and threw her to the floor. Her head hit the ground with a painful crack.
“Sami, we’re in a maintenance room—”
Marcius kneeled on top of her, preventing any movement as he grabbed her hands and held them securely over her head.
“No!” Tierney silently screamed again, hoping either Sami or Soroyan would hear her.
When he began to grind against her, she twisted and turned, trying to dislodge him, but was unable to.
“I see why lover-boy wants you. I’ll bet you’re a tight fuck,” Marcius sneered, his arousal pushing against her, making her want to vomit.
“Go to hell,” she hissed, fighting him.
“Ah, this is going to be fun.” He barked a laugh, and licked his lips while gazing at her with greedy hunger, enjoying her helplessness. He leaned close to her face. “I told Jax the Ilyium wanted you and what does he do? He gives himself up to save you. Well, and to get your poor daddy back for you.”
Bk 1 Dracones Awakening Page 28
