Frost Fire (Tortured Elements) (12 page)

She settled on slowly shaking her head, and asking, “Why are you on my bed?” It wasn’t the most intelligent of questions, but it was the one that was on the tip of her tongue. Because if Drake had been freed, why the hell was he lounging around her room instead of bolting out the Manor’s front door?

Drake shrugged. He seemed to think he was saying something with the gesture. But it didn’t explain anything, and Allai wondered how hard it was going to be to get an explanation out of him. “Because it’s comfier than the floor,” he said.

“Look, I’m not in the mood for sarcasm.” She took a deep breath. “Really, what are you doing in here?”

He just shrugged again. “I don’t really know,” he said. “One moment I’m relaxing in your dungeon—it’s still
yours
, right?—and then that viper comes down and tells me to get my ass upstairs. I asked if there was a comfy bed waiting for me up there, and he said sure. So I followed him and got a lot of uncomfortable stares from your Warrior people. I think most of them were just scared of me, but I’m pretty sure one guy had a ‘you’re super hot, but I’m sadly hetero’ vibe going on. Anyway, we eventually made it up here. And that’s the story of why I’m now relaxing on your bed instead of the dungeon floor.”

Allai was pretty sure most of that was sarcasm. And it explained nothing, other than the fact that Luke had led Drake to her room. In front of the population of the Manor. Most of the them wouldn’t have questioned it; Luke had power over them, and he could do anything he wanted. But her dad would have never allowed that, which meant Luke must have snuck around him. Luke was defiant and used his power to his advantage, but he knew better than to be deceitful.

Which meant something was wrong. Really, really wrong.

She turned back toward the door she’d just walked in. “I need to find Luke,” she mumbled. Her words sounded distant to her own ears. She fumbled with the doorknob. “I need to figure out what’s going on, and—”

A strong hand gripped her shoulder, holding her back. Drake’s voice growled in her ear, “You walk out that door, and I’m just going to drag you back in here.”

Her heart raced. The skin of his wrist brushed against her neck, reminding her of its heat, of just how powerful he was. “Is that a threat?” she whispered.

“Damn right it is. Now let go of the handle and go sit on the bed.”

She obeyed him. Partially because she knew he was right—he could just drag her right back into the room if she walked out. And partially because she could hear the concerned edge to his tone. That tone was familiar. Deeper and huskier now, but still comfortingly familiar.

When she sat on the bed, he nodded in satisfaction. Then he sat on the floor. Or collapsed to the floor. Allai wasn’t sure what his weirdly graceful decent could be called.

“Now,” Drake said, “pack your things.”

“Pack
what
things?” she demanded.

“Essentials. Clothes, maybe a weapon. Oh, and makeup. That’s essential to all girls’ survival, right? I don’t want you stroking out because you forgot your mascara.”

“
What?
What the hell are you talking about?”

Drake raised an eyebrow. “The viper didn’t tell you?”

“Luke! His name is Luke. And, no, he didn’t tell me anything. So, damn it, tell me what’s going on!”

That cocky smirk, the one she was learning to hate, appeared on Drake’s lips. “We’re going on a road trip, little Nox.”

Drake still remembered the one time he’d tried human food. It had been a potato chip, and it’d been revolting. But his immediate reaction hadn’t been to spit it out or puke. He’d just stood there, too shocked by the taste to even move.

That was how the girl looked. Like she’d just eaten one of those horrible chips. Her expression was shocked, stunned, maybe a little horrified. “A road trip?” she demanded. “Is this a joke?”

Drake bit his bottom lip and fingered the silver chain around his neck. “Does your definition of a joke involve the French and the Sentinel wanting you dead, and a drive across the country with me?

“No.”

“Then, nope. Not a joke.”

She slapped a hand to her forehead. He winced. She really should be more careful about hitting herself like that. But she didn’t seem to notice how hard she’d slapped, and said, “Why do they want me dead? What’s going on?”

The door slammed open, and the acrid scent of Persequor struck Drake’s nose. He scrunched his face and took a few steps back from the door. He had no idea how the girl managed to live with this viper.

“Luke!” Allai cried. She jumped off the bed and ran toward him, fluttering her hands at her sides like she just couldn’t contain her anxiety.

It was a little strange watching her like that, all jumpy and fluttery. Most people he knew just got silent when they were anxious. But most people he knew were hardened warriors. They weren’t sweet and naïve and about to have their heart broken, like the girl.

Most Demons didn’t like physical contact when they were worked up, and apparently Luke wasn’t any different. He hissed at Allai as she got close to him. Allai stumbled away from him, her eyes wide and scared. Drake growled. His growl sounded strange in his human form, more of an annoyed hum than anything. But still pissed off. Because, seriously, Luke shouldn’t treat the girl like that.

The viper growled back at Drake, his lip raising in a snarl. Allai’s eyes grew wider, like it was some kind of rarity to see a Demon act feral, and retreated one more step. She stopped right between the bed and the doorway. “What’s happening?” she whispered.

“The French aren’t here for the budget.” Luke’s fists clenched at his sides, his blind eyes scanning the room in an old habit. He closed the door behind him with the heel of his foot, slamming it just a little too loudly. “They’re here for you, Allai.”

“What? Me? Why?”

“Slow down,” Luke snapped. He walked over to Allai. At six feet tall, he really towered over her. But Drake still had a comfortable four inches on him, if he needed to take the viper down.

“They figured out that you’re not dead,” Luke said to her. “Someone tipped them off.” He shot Drake a suspicious look right as he finished his sentence. Allai’s eyes followed. Drake just rolled his eyes at them.

“Yeah, the French know I’m alive,” Allai said slowly. “I already know that. My dad told me about a week ago.” Luke’s expression turned to one of shock, and Allai quickly said, “I meant to tell you! I would have, I swear. I’m sorry. But I thought you already knew.”

Luke opened his mouth to snarl something at her, but then he dropped his head back and sighed. “It doesn’t matter now, Allai-bird,” he muttered. “You can’t fix things now. This situation is already royally screwed.”

“What exactly is going on, Luke?” Allai asked, this time in a whisper. Her hands were fluttering again, and she stepped back, like she thought a little distance would make the whole thing go away.

Luke’s voice quieted a deathly calm tone. “The French know you’re a Caedes Mage, Allai. They want you dead.”

“Wait, what? They know I’m a
what
?”

“A Mage,” Luke repeated. “You’re a Caedes Mage.”

“That’s not possible,” she said.

Drake scoffed. Allai glanced over to him, and he just shrugged. There was no point in explaining how ignorant she was. She’d figure it out soon enough.

“This
is
possible, Allai,” Luke snapped. “It’s possible, because it’s
happening
.”

Allai closed her eyes, and some of the color drained from her cheeks. “There’s only three Caedes Mages left alive,” she murmured. “They’re the only ones, and I’m not one of them. I can’t be a Caedes, it’s not possible, it’s—”

“You have metallic-colored eyes,” Drake interrupted. He didn’t really feel like taking part in this conversation, but he’d do it just to make this all go faster. “Don’t you think silver eyes are just a little strange, little Nox?”

“Yes! They’re strange, okay? But there’s no way in hell they’re magical!” She pointed frantically at Drake. “You have metallic eyes, too. And it’s not like you’re a Mage, right?”

He raised his eyebrows and smirked at her. It took her a moment to get the message. But, when she did, her eyes grew impossibly wider, and her face lost even more color.

“Oh, shit,” she murmured. She blinked a couple times, and Drake guessed she was remembering the memories he’d transferred. “You are. You’re a Caedes.”

“No, he’s a Sano Mage.” Luke waved a dismissing hand in Drake��s general direction. “His magic is completely different and totally harmless. It’s constructive, not destructive. Mostly telepathic-type abilities.”

Drake eyed the viper curiously. How did he know so much about magic? He didn’t seem like the type, being an employee of the French government and someone who lived with the Sentinel. But then, maybe the French and the Sentinel knew more about magic than they let on.

Allai shook her head frantically. “That’s impossible. He can’t be a Mage, he’s a Demon! They don’t mix.”

“I’m a hybrid,” Drake said, and he left it at that. There was no time to explain how he’d ended up that way.

“He’s telling the truth,” Luke said. “He’s a Mage and a Demon. Apparently, Rhaize did something to make him like that.” Luke shot Drake a suspicious look, like that was somehow his own fault. Drake ignored it.

“Drake has connections to other Mages,” Luke continued. “And he’s taking you to them.”

Drake nodded. “The Chimeras. I’m sure you’ve heard of them.”

But the girl’s face remained blank. Drake wasn’t sure if he was supposed to laugh at that or pound his head against something. She was oblivious. Completely oblivious. Of course, it was mostly Shieldak’s fault; it wasn’t like he could be expected to properly raise a Caedes. But, still, Drake had expected Allai to know at least the basics about her kind.

“The Chimeras are a clan of Sano Mages,” he explained. “They negotiated a deal with Shieldak about a century ago. It gives them complete political immunity from the Sentinel and the French. I’m part of their clan.”

“Is that why you’re not dead?” Allai asked.

Drake nodded and smiled a little. She might be oblivious, but at least she was smart. Hopefully she’d catch on quick.

Luke cut in. “That’s exactly why. Shieldak had trouble getting permission to execute Drake. He broke a treaty by coming onto Sentinel land, but he’s still under the protection of the Chimeras.” He nodded to Allai. “We’re hoping the Chimeras will also accept you into their ranks. The political immunity they offer is strong, and it might be enough to ward off anyone who wants you dead.”

“But why don’t I just stay with the Sentinel?” Allai asked. “My dad will take care of me. He’ll protect me.”

She sounded so sure of it. Drake felt the urge to hug her. But he hated hugs, and she looked too shocked to even accept one, so he stayed seated and just bit at his lip.

Allai shuffled her feet a little when they didn’t answer her. “He would protect me… right?”

Luke sighed. “Allai, Shieldak didn’t know you were a Caedes.” He said it too softly, like he was being patronizing. “This is a surprise to him. And he’s not thinking clearly because of it.”

Allai swallowed hard. “So…” She trailed off and stared at the ground. A tear dripped to the tip of her nose, and then fell into the carpet.

“So you’re coming with me,” Drake said quickly. “We’re going to visit the Chimeras. Once they see you’re a Caedes, they’ll accept you into their ranks, and you’ll have the immunity of their organization. You’ll be safe.”

She looked to him, her head still turned to the ground, but her gaze wandering up to examine him. “How do I know I can trust you?”

The question hurt. It made sense: She’d lived in fear of him for years. Even if she’d been happy to see him alive, that didn’t necessarily mean she completely trusted him. He took a deep breath, trying to ignore how much her words stung.

“I guess you there’s no way you can know,” Drake said. He kept his tone even. “But look.”

He tugged at the silver chain around his neck. What he wanted to do was break the thing, scream at it, and attack the person who’d put the chain around his neck. That’d be the damn viper, of course. Instead, he pulled at the chain until the stone attached to it appeared from under his shirt collar.

Allai pressed a hand to her mouth and whirled toward Luke. “Did you do this?” Before Luke had time to ask what she was talking about, Allai said, “The lockgem. You put a
lockgem
on him?”

Luke nodded. He didn’t even flinch at the accusatory tone she used. “You need protection from him. A lockgem is the best way to make sure he behaves.”

Drake let out his humming growl. Did the viper think he was some dog that could be trained? He thought back to when Luke had put the lockgem on him earlier, how the guard had roughly pinned him to the ground while the viper jerked the chain over his neck. Then there’d been a jolt of pain as the lockgem touched his skin, and numbness that was only now starting to fade. He should kill Luke for that.

Drake fingered the lockgem. It was ugly. Just a small, murky gray stone with dark blue veins spreading out from the center. He was going to hate wearing this thing. He already did. But he wouldn’t kill Luke. Because, for some strange reason, Allai seemed to like him. And if she liked him, he wasn’t going to take the viper away from her.

Allai wiped at her eye with the back of her hand. She was crying harder. “You shouldn’t have done that,” she said to Luke.

Luke didn’t respond. Instead, he pulled another lockgem from his pocket. It was nearly identical to Drake’s, except it had red veins instead of blue. Luke handed it to Allai. “Keep this. Wear it around your neck, and if he gets unruly, then crush the stone. It’ll kill him instantly.”

The lockgem rested in Allai’s hand for a long moment, all of them staring at it. Even Luke. Then Allai quietly whispered, “No.”

Luke snarled and took a step toward her. “Damn it, Allai, wear it! It’ll protect you from him.”

Drake felt a slight pang of guilt as he realized that wasn’t true. The lockgem wouldn’t
really
protect her. Allai wouldn’t be able to easily crush the stone like most Demons could. If something happened, and she wanted to kill him, he could probably get the stone away from her before—