(Cambion 04) Have No Mercy, page 6
He smirked even though I’d used a callous tone. “Still jealous?”
“Am not,” I retorted like a spoiled child, even going so far as to stamp one foot to prove it. I knew I was being stupid. Yet, I couldn’t stop myself.
He moved forward, crowding me. When he placed hands on my hips, his words were barely above a whisper. “If you could only see the way your eyes grow soft when I touch you.”
Annoyed, I made clumsy attempts to remove his hands. He dipped his head and I couldn’t. I turned from him, and he ended up placing his lips at the juncture of my jaw and neck. I closed my eyes because Flynn had a way of tempting me and others girls as well if I was being honest. Hadn’t he just gone off with someone else?
Frustrated, I pushed him away, succeeding where I’d failed a moment before. “Stop,” I protested, halfway between anger and tears, yet no moisture left my eyes. I was grateful for the slight distance between us because it was so wrong to want him. Luke hadn’t been gone long enough.
Undeterred, he stepped back into my personal bubble. His lips moved up my jaw, burning a trail to my earlobe, where he whispered, “And you hate I left you for that girl earlier.”
My eyes felt hot, and I bet I had the red eyes camera lenses captured. My face flushed to match the fury I felt at the thought of that girl enjoying Flynn in a way I couldn’t.
“See. You can’t deny it. The truth of my words is in your face.” He used his index finger at the base of my chin to make me face him. His lips ghosted over mine before his forehead met my own. Our breaths mingled as our mouths lingered only a kiss away. My traitorous heart raced with anticipation. “Stop wasting time. Let me claim you.”
I sidestepped him putting distance between us. I felt my face twist in disgust. “I can’t.” But never say never. Flynn would die if I didn’t let him at some point. “Not now,” I added. I had to find Luke. There were things I needed to say to him. Being with me had only put his life in danger more than once.
“When?” Flynn pierced my heart with his glare. “When my body is cold and dead? I guess I’ll be stiff then too so that could work.”
I, more than, felt the sting of his words. He didn’t give me a chance to respond.
His sneer cleared all the tenderness and playfulness from earlier. “He kept things from you just like your mom. Things I would have told you. I. Never. Lied. To. You. Ever.” He paused in his rant. “I only hid Your actions when was for Your benefit!”
Confused and hurt, I pleaded for answers. “What do you mean? What things? And what did Luke not tell me?”
His head shook in short burst side to side. “I shouldn’t have said that.” His eyes were tormented, and he looked sick. “I have to go.”
He gripped the base of his neck before threw up his hands up as if washing me from his thoughts. He stormed out the door before I had a clue he would leave. I tried to run after him, but the door closed smartly before I reached it. I yanked it open only to find the halls empty. Music flowed from somewhere and stepped back in the room and closed the door to lean on it with my back. When I ventured to open my eyes again, a ghost stood before me.
Chapter Ten
Tender eyes framed by the wild curls met mine. "Can I help?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin as a startled gasped escaped me. I clamped hands tight over my mouth to cover my scream. Where the heck had he come from? I blinked rapidly finally allowing my hands to drop. He hadn’t pounced on me, and his eyes never left mine. There wasn’t a sleazy vibe to him, but I was still curious how he seemed to know when I was in need. I mean I was supposed to be finding him, yet he kept finding me. I wasn't sure how I truly felt about it. Instead, I tried to focus on the positive. Having him in front of me made my job easier.
“I didn’t mean to scare you. I didn’t expect you would still be here.”
I clasped my hands together. “It seems I’m not expected anywhere, and I don’t have any place to go.”
He nodded and stood quiet for a second. Just when I scrambled to think of something to fill the space, he asked, “Would you like to see the grounds?”
Flynn mentioned that we should get the lay of the land. What better way than to spend time with the guy I was supposed to convince to come home.
It didn’t take me long to realized that his mother was wrong. Flirting with him wasn’t the answer.
“Sure, I’m Mercy by the way.” I held out a hand.
There was an awkward period where it hung there, and I almost dropped it before he took several steps forward. He only came close enough to reach my hand when extending his own. “I’m Tristrom.”
I was right. Had there ever been any doubt? It was a quick shake, but contact was made. He was real and maybe we could leave Fairy really soon.
He gestured me towards the door, and I headed there. I opened it and stepped out in the hall and waited. I had a moment to wonder about my clothes and phone which had been stripped from me. But Tristrom soon closed the door and gestured to the left towards the music.
Although, I couldn’t see anything other than the monochromatic nature of the hall, the music got louder with every step. Tristrom stayed on my left but never once touched me. His eyes stayed forward, and I scrambled for conversation topics.
Still grasping for ideas, a door to our right came into view, and a boat load of activity was going on inside. Servants, some with wings on their backs, worked to set tables, chairs, and place settings.
A glance up and Tristrom and he sputtered. “Ah, a um, dinner party.” Then he faced ahead quickly as if he were afraid to look at me. What was that all about?
I decided not to push it for the moment. I glanced forward at the french doors ahead. Bright white light poured in, and I longed for the natural sun. He opened them, and we walked down several marble stairs onto green grass that defied the crisp air. No fog existed, and I had an unobstructed view of the grounds ahead. It was a wonderland of evergreen trees and manicured lawns lightly dusted in white. And it all made me think of Christmas.
I almost choke on emotions. I missed my family, Mom, David, Flynn, Luke, Maggie and even Tom and Brent. "It's beautiful out here,” I confessed.
One would think I was talking to myself since the mysterious boy stayed silent next to me.
"Maggie would love this," I added hoping my best friend was safe. Sebastian was out there. I had to pray that he wouldn't take his anger out on the people I loved. Another miscalculation. Had I been wrong to assume that he'd wanted Luke dead?
Stunning me, he spoke. “I come out here sometimes when I want to think.”
He hadn’t asked a question, yet his eyes held mine as if waiting for permission to step through the archway ahead where the tall hedges lined the area in front of me.
I nodded, and he lightly placed a hand on my back encouraging me forward. Once through, his hand dropped. It seemed odd, but I went with it. The path was clear with no choice about where to go, so it wasn’t like he needed to guide me.
After a while, I began to trail my fingers along the green leaves and white snow as we walked. I was curious about this place, and since Tristrom wasn’t being talkative, touch was my answers some of my questions.
Inches ahead of my fingertips, a flawless white rose bloomed out of the bush with such brilliance, I ached to touch it. A fraction away from impact, a stony finger gripped mine. Tristrom shook his head before he showed me why he stopped me. Quickly, he flicked a finger against the bud, then snatched his hand away. What happened next was bizarre. A single drop of his blood soaked into the petals and immediately turned the flower blood red. A second later the flower’s petals began to spin furiously with sharp edges. It would have cut off my hand had I touch it. Like a Venus Fly Trap, I’d been caught in its beauty, and it would have taken advantage.
Keeping my hand in his, he pulled me away from the hedges that walled us on either side. It was almost intimate. I wasn't sure how to play this, so I allowed his touch.
"What do they call this place?" I asked innocently trying to draw him out of the hard shell he had erected around himself.
Our progress stopped and his gaze landed heavy on mine. I couldn't decipher his thoughts but when his head bent towards mine, I froze. Only, he used his lips to utter one word, not to kiss me. "Trammel."
As close as he'd come, he straightened back to his full height. I was left to puzzle out why the place was called Trammel. I’d heard the word before yet its meaning was just out of reach. He moved forward and I followed him deeper into the labyrinth as I pondered his word.
It hit me. Thank goodness for the SAT. It meant something that impeded progress... activity... or freedom. Warning bells blared the word run in my head. And I could do it. The way back was easy because so far, our turns had only been one way.
Had his utterance been a cautionary tale? I glanced the three steps ahead and made my decision. I moved a step towards him and danger because a deeper part of me that knew that he was key to me getting back to Luke. And for that, I would do whatever necessary to secure his cooperation.
By any means necessary, I thought. No one would stand in my way of my task. I wouldn't whore myself, but there were lines I was willing to cross to get what I wanted.
It felt odd realizing that was me and not my demon other half. But that was the price of love. Luke deserved everything I had including my own life if needed to rescue his.
The further we went, I readied myself for battle. I didn't know this guy and lust might not be in his head. I mean he hadn't kissed me. And I wasn't vain enough to believe I was desirable to every guy I came across. But he could be Madeline's soldier and the means to my death. It didn’t matter though. He would soon see I would fight and kill him if I had to protect myself, the Elven queen be damned. I would find another way into the veil of the between. Hopefully, I would make it on time, and they would once again set Luke and me free. Otherwise, I would bargain for Luke's life with my own. I exhaled a breath feeling relieved that I'd come to a conclusion without hesitation. Luke would live again.
We rounded a corner into a lane of ice sculptures. I didn’t have to wait for what would happen next. Larrison matched in from the opposite end.
"Brother," Larrison greeted joyfully.
I turned to see Tristrom bow. Had this been a setup? The answer to that was easy.
Larrison wasn't alone. The girl with silver hair and a glowing face to pretty for words bounced over to me with energy so far, no one I'd seen, possessed.
"Hi," she said extending a hand. "We haven’t met. I'm Morgana, Larrison and Tristrom sister."
Reluctantly, I shook her icy hand only to snatch it away when a jolt of cold pain like a burn shot up my arm.
"Oh, sorry about that. I forgot you were mortal." She giggled again, but it didn’t hide her frosty gaze. She'd meant to hurt me, whether to test or to warn, I wasn't sure. "And where is that handsome young man you were with."
Possessiveness at epic levels filled my gut. "My husband," I gritted. Even I heard the undercurrent of a growl in my voice as she eyed me now like a worthy opponent instead of a stupid child.
"Ah yes, he said that didn't he."
I didn't remember seeing her at the gathering we'd been led to upon arrival. Had he told her about me after he left with her? And why wasn’t she there earlier? Did Madeline not think her worthy since she hadn't been at the head table like either brother?
"I don't remember seeing you at the table with your family." My backhand remark hit its target across the face.
She flinched at my words. "Mother had me handling important matters. But I was there when it counted."
So much for a future friendship between us. Clearly, she was just another one of Flynn’s groupies. She’d learned though much like the rest. He wasn’t for sale nor was he buying. If anything, he’d use and discard her when it was time for us to go.
"Morgana, it's obvious the boy isn't here. Why don't you go find him and take our brother with you?" Larrison’s autocratic tone would have made my neck bristle if he’d been talking to me. Morgana however turned her smile up further before glancing back at him.
“Yes brother dear. I shall do just that.” Rolling her head back in my direction, I could feel her venomous gaze with the desire to strike me down no less. She breezed closer to me narrowing her eyes. “When I find him, I’ll be sure to tell him you are busy with my brother.”
“Why don’t you do that. It will only backfire when he comes to find me. And he will.”
She snarled before stalking off. The gravel underfoot moved as two sets of footsteps left. Slowly, I turned to see Larrison gaze on me. It was downright gross the way he stared at my chest and finally back to my eyes. That had to be what it felt like for a diver who went in without a cage into shark infested waters.
Chapter Eleven
Larrison strolled forward, and I held my ground until I realized his intention of touching me. I backed up in retreat until my legs bumped into a bench. He laughed.
“Don’t be afraid, rabbit.”
I shifted and continued my withdrawal from wicked glint in his eye. “I’m not afraid. I just haven’t had my tetanus shot.”
His brows knitted together. Obviously, the joke was lost on him… or not. His eyes darkened, and the slight curve to his mouth flattened.
"I suggest you get with the program or..." His voice morphed into something sinister. "I could leave you here. No one would ever find you."
I huffed. “I’ll just follow the path I came in.”
His hand rose, palm up. Leaves rattled, and I took a chance glancing over my shoulder. The hedges filled in where I’d entered. Within a few seconds, all the exits were gone and new ones popped up.
“Not every path leads to freedom.”
My molars ground together as I got with the program. I had a job to do and people to protect. Flynn might be a total ass, but he wouldn't leave Fairy without me. Luke would be... I couldn't' let that thought take root. I swallowed my pride.
“What is it you want from me?” I asked while turning to face him head on.
Closer than I thought, I didn’t have to look very far up to meet his eye.
“Give me a chance to get to know you.” He shifted towards one of the statues with his hands behind his back as if he were inspecting his work.
"I love it here," he added, calm back in his voice as if our previous words hadn’t been uttered. He focused on the sculpture in front of him. Finally, I followed suit. I sucked in a lung full of air. It resembled a life like a person frozen with raw terror or agony on its face. I glanced to the next one a few feet away. It held up clenched fists as if it had been trying to fight from being encased in a block of ice. Another, several more feet away, had its arms to either side of its body as if they had been ice-covered so fast, it had been taken unawares.
“The sculptures aren’t chiseled ice, are they?”
Larrison watched me with a sick grin that took up far too much of his face. "Well, I have to give it to you. You figured it out much faster than most."
His pale hand reached up to cup my cheek, and I held myself steady, unsure how to respond.
I shifted and turned my head to get a view of all the once living art. I had yet to determine the gender of all the victims, when it became too late. Larrison’s icy thumb roved over my lips with firm pressure as if he was trying to wipe something off of them.
“Mercy isn’t it?” His question threw me off. I thought for sure I would be fighting off his advance.
When I only nodded, he added, “That’s a far cry from Clemency.”
I almost choked even though my mouth had already gone dry. So our Fey guides had worked for Winter. Or had our presence been announced to both Madeline and Tatiana?
“Clemency means Mercy.” The truth was easier than I lie, and I kept it simple. No point of explaining any more than necessary.
“So which is it? Clemency or Mercy?”
“Whichever you prefer.” There was no flirtation in my tone. It was a flat statement. I wasn’t going to play into his game.
“I prefer to call you mine.” He moved like an icy breeze and shifted in front of me. His hand slid down my back and pressed me close. “Nadir or Flynn, whatever you call him, he is just a boy. With me, you could rule a kingdom.”
It felt like beetles were crawling over my skin as he threaded his fingers in my hair. His hold was tight, and I ran through all the scenarios of how to get me out of my circumstance.
“What about Madeline?” Was he even scared of her?
“What about mother?”
Eyes like onyx bore into mine. Was he trying to read me or glamour me? I still didn’t know if they were capable of that talent. However, I didn’t work, and I didn’t answer. I wouldn’t have him use my words against me when I freed myself from his hold.
“She doesn’t matter anyway. If I produce an heir first, Winter will bow to me.”
His thin lips came crashing down towards mine like a wrecking ball. My hand shielded his unwanted advance like a barrier. When he tried to remove it, I shoved my palm up with a resounding crack at impact. Blue liquid poured through his fingers as he cupped his broken nose.
If I had been smart, I would have allowed him to kiss me. But instinct won over common sense, and I automatically stepped back unable to wipe off the revulsion from my expression.
"Human. How dare you look upon me like I'm vile."
Backtracking, I groped for words. What would Madeline do when she found out what I’d done to her son? "I'm sorry. I'm... I'm married. I can't do this to my husband."
It was a weak excuse, but I had to try and fix things. Being beheaded or imprisoned wouldn’t help me get Tristrom to Amavara or get me to the in between to find Luke. When had I become such a hot head, striking without thinking?
He curled fingers around my upper arm and the other hand in my hair. He shoved me back, and I stumbled to gather myself. I decided I wouldn’t go down without a fight. I lifted my fist when his hand landed hard on my sternum. I staggered back and ended up on a short marble square. His hand waved at my fist. Instantly, they felt like lead with gravity becoming another enemy. I glanced down to see them weighted down in ice. His hand then aimed at my feet. Before I could make a move to run, ice held me in place.
