Reality Hero

by Ashlynn Monroe

  Zane felt weak. His whole body hurt. He’d never felt that kind of hurt before. After his transformation, he was strong and powerful. His injuries healed with unnatural speed, but not this time. Whatever forces Ian used to hold him drained that strength. As frustrating as it was, he had to let himself recharge or he’d be of no use to the twins.

  The thought of losing either of them was entirely unacceptable. Frustrated with his weakness, he lay in the middle of his apartment on the floor, unable to sit up. His mind tripped over all the terrible possibilities of what was happening to the women at the maniac’s hands. Ian had been an unstable kid. What he’d evolved into as an adult was something far beyond unstable, and entered the realm of insane. Each second Zane lay useless was one more second Dina and Ella were in danger. It was out of his control. He needed to call Bridget. He’d need all the help he could get. He tried to stand, but he was so weak. Darkness sucked him down into the depths of unconsciousness.

  When Zane woke up, the room was dim because the sun was setting. He felt much better, but not one hundred percent, and there was no time to waste. He’d been tracking the crimes Ian committed since the beginning. He always knew he’d be the one who’d have to stop him. Standing weakly, he wobbled over to the counter and grabbed the phone. There were a lot of messages, all of them were from Dina. His heart swelled. She loved him. When they’d been lying in the warehouse, Ella had told him about Dina’s revelation. Ella confessed her own love. He’d already known she had feelings for him, but he’d never see her as more than a friend—a sister.

  He dialed the phone.

  “Hello,” Bridget said sleepily.

  Zane looked at the clock, it was already late evening.

  “What day is it?” he asked harshly.

  “Zane? Tuesday, why?”

  “Fuck.” He’d lost two days. He tried not to panic. “Ian has Ella and Dina. He’s going to give Ella to the same kind of assholes who did this to us.”

  There was a pause.

  “Bridget? We have to hurry.”

  “No, we don’t, Zane. You do. I have to protect my family. Don’t call me again.”

  He flinched as he heard the line disconnect. Family? He looked down at the screen with confusion. His heart sank. He knew Bridget had been through a lot, but he couldn’t believe she was turning her back on them—not now. His thumb hovered above the button that would redial her, but he didn’t touch it. He ran his hand through his hair, then slapped the phone back on the counter. He went to his office, opened a drawer, and pulled out a map. He’d been keeping track of crimes he believed Ian responsible for committing. Each of the little red dots on the map indicated places where Ian had committed a crime, and the blue dots indicated sightings of him. Black dot indicated places where Zane knew that Ian had been in the past. He knew it was a long shot, but there was a thirty-mile area central to all the recent sightings and crimes that seemed to be devoid of him. It made sense he wouldn’t want to lead authorities or enemies home. It was as good of a starting point as he could think of. Zane wrote down the directions and found the closest point that he’d been to the location on the map. It was at least twenty miles from where he wanted to be.

  A strange tingling awareness made the hair on the back of his neck and his arms rise. He swore that he could hear Ella calling his name. Closing his eyes, he listened with his special hearing—nothing. Irritated, he shrugged off the odd feeling. Am I hallucinating because I want to find them so badly?

  Zane closed his eyes and willed himself to his destination.

  * * * *

  When Dina woke up, she was lying on a king-sized bed in the middle of a lavish room. The room looked beautiful enough to rival the finest suites at the best hotel. Somehow, she doubted this was a hotel room. Sitting up, she looked over and saw a bottle of water and a meal on a nearby table. Steam rose off the food. It was obviously hot, and the bottle had beads of condensation, indicating it was cold. Someone expected her to be awake. She was afraid to eat and drink the offering. He can knock me out with a wave. Why am I afraid of ruffies? She slowly slid off the bed. Her stomach grumbled.

  Looking around, she realized she needed to use the ladies’ room. She saw the open door leading to a lavish bathroom. Stumbling toward the door, she saw a hot bath drawn in the gigantic garden tub. There were large, fluffy towels waiting, and soap and shampoo sat near them. A cashmere robe and slippers sat on an embroidered chair, along with some very skimpy sleepwear. Shuddering, she realized everything was perfectly her size, and the soap and shampoo were her preferred brands. How closely has he been watching me? It gave her the creeps. She decided to forego the bath, wondering how many cameras were watching her. She used the toilet, and then washed her face and hands in the sink. She saw a toothbrush, along with her favorite toothpaste and decided to wash the sticky taste of sleep out of her mouth. The small acts refreshed her quite a bit.

  Going back out into the main room, she could see the sun setting from the barred and frosted windows. Yes, it was a pretty prison, but definitely a prison. Sitting down at the table, she took a bite out of the waiting food. Delicious. She hoped one of Ian’s spandex-covered devotees didn’t cook it. If they did, they probably spit in it. Dina lost her appetite. Setting the fork down, she took the water bottle and drained it.

  Standing, she walked around the room, exploring the small domain. She opened a door. It led to an enormous walk-in closet. The closet was bigger than her bedroom in her apartment. It held more clothing than she’d ever owned. It was all new and in her size, although definitely not her style. Everything was far too reveling and girlish for her taste. Dina lost count of the number of garments. It was becoming horrifyingly clear that Ian expected her to be staying awhile. Did he put all of this together while I was sleeping? How the hell long was I out? She rubbed her aching forehead. The unnatural sleep didn’t leave her feeling rested.

  She saw dozens of shoes and even a jewelry box with some very tasteful, expensive-looking pieces. He wanted her to be his pet, kept in a lavishly appointed cage. Dina was a strong woman who’d always taken care of herself. She didn’t want to be his pet or prisoner. Feeling dirty in her damaged, bloody clothing, she wished that she could take a bath and change her clothes. But to allow herself to partake in anything he’d left for her would feel too much like giving in.

  She noticed the ache in her side and went to the large mirror in the corner of the well-lit closet. She pulled up the edge of her shirt and gasped as she saw the dark binding that held her skin in place. Someone had stitched up the damage caused by the broken glass. She didn’t feel as if she’d been violated, but it didn’t stop the nagging concern from troubling her. She went back out to the bedroom, unable to look at the creepy closet for another second. She went to the main door and tugged. Just as she’d feared, it didn’t budge. Slapping the door loudly, Dina began to scream for Ian. Someone had to be listening, guarding. She was sure Ian would hear of her temper soon.

  An unseen force suddenly pushed her away from the door. Dina landed on her injured side. She moaned as blood seeped out of the stitches. Groaning, she tried to sit up. Ian was in the room quickly, helping her to her feet. She shrugged away from his touch. He took the hint and backed away.

  “Dina, you need to stay away from the door when I enter this room. I don’t like hurting you.” He glanced at the table and looked back down at her. “Why haven’t you eaten? You’ve lost more blood than is healthy. I will give you a transfusion if you don’t eat. I know how you hate needles, so I’ve held off, but I will see you cared for. After you eat, I’d like you to go bathe and rest.”

  “Well, thank you, doctor. Gee, I’m so glad you’re so concerned about me. Why don’t you let me go? I could go to a real hospital. I’m not going to eat anything that your little women cooked and probably spit in or poisoned. I’m also not going to get naked for your cameras. Where’s Ella?” She glared at him. Her white-hot anger overrode her common sense.

  Ian gave her a genuine, albeit p
erplexing, smile. What on earth did he have to smile about? When he spoke, there was no warmth in his voice. The tone made her uncomfortable. “Ella is gone. There aren’t cameras in this room. You should feel at home here. I’ll not spy on you. When you decide to be naked for an audience, I’ll be happy to watch you, but not until you ask for me. I won’t violate you, Dina. If I wanted you to be unwilling, I’d have already used you. I want something real with you. I’ll never let you go, but I’ll not force you to let me in.”

  She didn’t like how he’d said her sister was gone. She wasn’t sure if she believed him or not about the cameras, but she did relax a bit. “Please, tell me where my sister is.”

  He scowled, and ignored her question. “You won’t have to eat anything my girls cook. I’ll prepare it myself or have it brought in if you promise to eat. Now go clean up and rest. I’ll return this evening with some food that no one has touched but me. I would like to enjoy your company. I already told you my plans for Ella, it’s finished.”

  “Ian, we’ll never have sex. I’ll not allow you to touch me for any reason.”

  He smiled a strange smile, giving her the intense look she was coming to expect from him. “I’m not expecting anything except for you to be genuine with me. Do we have an understanding?”

  Dina nodded. Now she needed to figure out how to earn his trust and escape. She knew it was dangerous. As unstable as he was, any perceived betrayal could kill her. He left. Dina went into the bathroom and let the now cold water drain out of the tub. She went to the closet and found a modest pair of cotton pajamas.

  Without a clock, she had no idea what time of day it was, but she felt sore and beaten from the recent trauma. If she couldn’t leave, she’d at least be comfortable. Turning on the shower, Dina washed herself twice and her hair three times, being very careful with her injuries. To her relief her hand seemed to be healing well.

  After she was dry and dressed, she went to the bed and lay down under the luxurious covers. Snuggling in the warmth left her feeling very guilty. She knew her sister was living her worst nightmare while she lay, safe for now, in a comfortable bed. Drowsiness caused her to yawn. She closed her eyes.

  Something on her head disturbed her, and she tried to push it away. She was so tired that she didn’t want to wake up. Groaning, she rolled away from it again. Was it Saturday? She didn’t hear her alarm. Something about her bed smelled different. The loft of her pillow was wrong. Then she realized she wasn’t in her own bed. Dina’s eyes opened and she gave a startled yelp as she scrambled to the far side of the bed. Ian looked disappointed, but gave no other reaction. It was dim in the room, and Dina could see night had fallen. He’d been stroking her hair.

  “I have your food. I expect you to eat every bite.” He stood and extended his hand, wanting her to take it and get out of bed. She felt very disturbed and uncomfortable with his sudden appearance, but for the sake of her plans, she took it. It was a first step in building his trust.

  Looking at him in regular clothing was disarming. He appeared so normal. It was a shame he’d embraced the darkness as thoroughly as he did. He was a very handsome young man who could’ve done so much good in the world. He could’ve had a good life.

  She sat down opposite him at the small table. He’d brought an assortment of things she liked to eat. Again, with the creepy knowledge he shouldn’t have—she knew she’d never tried some of these things when they’d all lived together. Starving, she dug into the smorgasbord. Ian didn’t eat, and it began to make her uncomfortable. Swallowing her bite, she looked at him.

  “Ian, please eat some of this with me. I’m hungry, but I’d never eat this much. Please eat with me. I hate having someone watching me eat.”

  Obediently, he picked a few items and put them on a plate for himself. She noticed he wasn’t really eating anything. He seemed to be very content just watching her. Dina didn’t like the feeling he was giving her. She began to lose her appetite. Ian must have noticed her reaction, because he began to eat with a little more enthusiasm. She watched him for a moment and wondered what his game was.

  Undoubtedly, he wanted to get in her pants, but he seemed to crave her affection more than he wanted sex. If all he wanted was sex, he could force her. How can I use this to my advantage? There’s got to be a way to get out of here. Guilt nibbled at her. He clearly needed help, but all she could do was think about getting away. Then she thought of her sister back in a laboratory and rage replaced any sympathy she had for the monster.

  “Why have you gone to such extremes to keep me? I’m no threat to you, and I promise if you let me go, I’ll never tell anyone where you live. I just want the chance to save my sister. Ian, I promise that if you let me go, I’ll keep you in my life, and you’ll be welcome to see me whenever you please. I just can’t give you what you want in such an unnatural setting. I have a life, and I’d be happy to have you back in it, if you just let me go.”

  He scowled and looked away from her. “If I let you go, you’d go running into danger. I cannot let you go on a suicide mission. You mean too much to me. I know you don’t feel it yet, but we’ll be good together. I feel human around you. I feel controlled. I need you, and I know you like being needed, Dina. Stay with me, sweetheart, be with me. I promise you a very comfortable life. Anything you want is yours, just name it.” His voice held hope and his head jerked in her direction. The crazed intensity returned to his eyes and she saw the swirling electricity in his gaze.

  “A cage is still a cage, no matter how nice it is. This isn’t real. You want real. I can give that to you, but you have to let me go. I care very much for you, but you’ll never truly receive the genuine me you want until you let me go. I have to go to Ella. You know I do.”

  He slammed his fist on the table, rattling the plates and silverware. Dina jerked, but managed not to scream. “I’ll never let you go. Drop it, Dina, before I can’t stop myself from hurting you. You give me control, but it’s not without limits.” He straightened his shoulders, as if to compose himself, and casually righted a glass that had tipped over on the table. “What do you do when you’re not working in television?”

  She knew that she needed to back off. He wasn’t someone she’d be able to push and survive. “I’m sure you already know, but I’ll tell you. I go out with friends, dancing and drinking almost every Friday after work. I don’t really have any hobbies. I like to read, I’m sure you remember that, Ian. What do you do when you’re not being a criminal?” She tried to keep her tone light, conversational.

  He didn’t seem to take offense to her question. “I don’t really have any hobbies either. Maybe we should take up some sort of hobby together.” He laughed at his little joke, and Dina smiled obediently. Ian continued. “I’ve traveled. I have the resources now to do that. I own several homes like this—remote, and safe. I’ve been all over the world. I’d like to show you some place tropical. You’ve never been anywhere like that, right?”

  “I’ve never really been anywhere but the city. I’m surprised. I didn’t know you have an interest in traveling.”

  “I have a lot of interests you don’t know about. I’m not a scared kid anymore. I’m a powerful man, and I can keep you safe, Dina, if you let me.”

  “Life isn’t meant to be lived in a safe little bubble. Life demands to be experienced. You’re such a good-looking man, you could find someone who’d appreciate all those interests and this type of affection and protection. You can have what you want, just not from me.”

  Her words upset him, she could see it in his scowl, and that made her nervous. Ian got up and left. Just before the door slammed closed, she saw him grab one of his girls by the arm and pull her to him in a rough kiss. His pet must have been lurking by the door. Dina was glad that he didn’t try that with her, but felt sorry for the woman. He hadn’t been gentle.

  Shuddering, she wished that he’d at least given her something to do. Sighing, she cleaned up the little table as well as she could and began looking in every drawer and b
ehind every door for anything she could use as a weapon. Ian was going to want more from her than a handshake. He might be content now to play the let’s-get-to-know-each-other game, but when he lost patience, she’d be the real loser. She couldn’t find anything that would work. He’d made sure she didn’t have as much as a letter opener in the room. She wondered why there were no electronics in the room, no TV, not even a radio. Sighing, she continued her fruitless search.

  A sound nibbled the back of her consciousness, and Dina stopped. She could’ve sworn she heard Ella.

  “Help me, Dina. Please, someone, help me.”

  She didn’t hear it with her ears, but with something else entirely—her mind. Unsure as to how or why she’d heard her sister, she didn’t move for a very long time. Was it just her guilt and helplessness making her hear Ella’s voice, or was it some kind of new ability she’d developed? Had they already started changing her or had her fear brought it out?

  When Zane was under extreme stress, he could develop new abilities that fit the situation. They’d go away once the problem was resolved, but it made Dina wonder if Ella was coping in a similar way. Closing her eyes, she tried to respond. “Ella, I’ll find you. I’m okay. I love you, sis.” She had no idea if Ella heard her. It made her feel a little better thinking her sister might be taking comfort from the words.

  Where was Zane? Had he survived? Did he have any idea what happened to her or Ella?

  * * * *

  Zane followed his directions, but there was nothing. The whole area seemed deserted, too rugged for people to want to build. He stopped. He heard something that couldn’t be the wind. It sounded like a very faint voice. He listened hard. He had super hearing, but he couldn’t turn up the volume on it. He realized it wasn’t coming from the outside.

  “Zane, help me. I need you. I’m in the lab come to me.” Ella’s voice whispered in his head again.

  He froze, unsure if this was a trap or something else. Zane felt the pull to help her. She seemed to be sending him pictures, directions. It was a jumble. Her mind felt drugged. He tried to make sense of the images filling his head. When the picture started to emerge, he felt ill. A laboratory…she was being hurt. It seemed like they were studying her. He felt her fear. They were going to cut her apart. He knew where she was. Dina was in Ian’s hands, but he wasn’t sure where she was.