Heads or Tails (49 page)

Lincoln’s blood turned to ice water as he tried to calculate his options. He hadn’t grabbed his weapon on the way up-the only objects he had in his pocket were Ivyanne’s engagement ring, and a small paring knife he’d taken to carrying around when off duty. His head swiveled towards the video camera, and he felt the corner of his lips tug upwards in a smile.

‘Ha ha ha... sorry mate,’ Ardhi jerked his head towards the camera. ‘The queen’s had that turned off for a few hours, which was very helpful of her.’

Lincoln groaned and glanced at Ivyanne over his shoulder. ‘You had it turned off?’ He demanded, thinking instantly of Tristan. ‘Why? Were you planning a little rendezvous I wasn’t invited to?’

Ivyanne glared at him. ‘Actually I wanted to try on something of my mother’s-something wedding related, and I didn’t want an audience. I’m sorry-but I thought I had time-’ her voice cut off, and Lincoln realized that Ardhi didn’t know that they were aware of his plan.

‘Ahh so that’s what you came into the closet for… your wedding dress.’ Ardhi smiled. ‘Had me freaking out for awhile there.’

‘You were
in
the
closet
?’ Ivyanne demanded.

‘For nearly four hours.’

‘
Wedding
dress?’ Lincoln repeated. ‘I thought we got married in the water.’

‘It’s not a
dress
.’ Ivyanne said. ‘It’s a pearl headdress thing.’

‘I’m sorry I missed that.’ Ardhi said. ‘I’m sure you looked lovely in it, even if the idea of you in white pearls is a little laughable after the way you’ve been
giving
it away.’

Lincoln clenched his jaw. ‘You know a triple homicide is starting to sound better and better…’

‘Big talk.’ Ardhi snapped. ‘Ivyanne-tie him up,
now
.’

Ivyanne sighed, but she took Lincoln’s other limp hand. ‘I’m sorry.’ She whispered. ‘If you don’t struggle, it shouldn’t hurt.’

Nothing except my pride.
Lincoln countered silently. But the gun aimed at his face was making him nervous-he could actually feel his healing wound throb in recollection. He stared at the floor, allowing Ivyanne to do what she had to do.

‘Promise me…’ Ivyanne said softly. ‘Ardhi.. please, don’t hurt him. I’ll do whatever you say-but don’t kill him when you’re through with me.’

Through with her.
.. Lincoln’s lungs constricted painfully as he realized what Ardhi’s intentions still were.
Over my dead body!

‘I won’t. My list of demands, sweet Ivyanne, have dwindled down to one-
you
. Tonight. Once my seed is inside you, I’ll go off on my own, and you’ll never hear from me again.’ Ardhi’s face was stony. ‘If you do not come looking for me or cause trouble with the mers I plan on turning for the greater purpose, and you raise my child with all of the love you’d give Lincoln’s here-than I will let you live in peace.’

‘It’s done.’ Ivyanne gave Lincoln a gentle push forward.

‘Ankles too.’ Ardhi said.

Ivyanne sighed, catching another coil of rope. He felt her kneel at his feet. Lincoln looked down at her hair, which was tied up in a tumbling bun, and his heart ached for her.

‘Where is Tristan anyway? I already know he’s not in a cupboard
this
time.’

‘He’s asleep.’ Lincoln lost his balance slightly as Ivyanne yanked his ankles together. ‘We were
all
supposed to be resting.’

‘May I ask why?’

‘We were coming to hunt you tonight.’ Ivyanne said sharply.

‘Too bad.’ Ardhi smiled. ‘I must say Ivyanne-I’m impressed with your self control-locking the boys out tonight as you have. Full moon and all…’

‘We’re not all hard up for a screw like you are.’ Ivyanne snapped as Ardhi stepped forward and tugged on the ropes.

‘If that was the case, these boys wouldn’t be sniffing around Grace and my sister, would they?’ Ardhi demanded cruelly.

Stay away from my jacket!
Lincoln thought wildly.
Please!

‘Aha! What do we have here?’

Lincoln looked down to see the engagement ring box in Ardhi’s hand. He scowled. ‘Please put that down before you pollute it.’ He snapped.

Ardhi laughed. ‘If you think it’s contaminated
now
, wait until later!’ He stepped back, holding it up for Ivyanne to see. ‘You got all pretty for the evening, may as well don some diamonds for me while you’re at it! Nice work on the ropes by the way-you must actually be looking forward to this.’

‘You’re
sick
.’ Ivyanne insisted. ‘Deranged!’

‘I’m
Marked
for derangement.’ Ardhi snapped. ‘Oh yes that ring looks very pretty right there. Not as good as mine did, but it’ll do. Okay Lincoln-get into the corner of the room.’

‘It’s a bit hard to walk you know.’ Lincoln spat as Ardhi rotated him. He was furious at Ardhi for forcing his ring onto Ivyanne’s hand-he’d have to get her another one now. But at least he had been distracted from Lincoln’s knife.

‘Manage it.’ Ardhi sneered, directing the gun back to Ivyanne on the bed, who was holding herself, looking like she was on the verge of tears. Lincoln’s heart broke for her. But he hopped forward, going around her bed and to the gap between it and the wall. When he was in the corner, he did an about-face hop and stood there, glaring at Ardhi.

‘Lie down.’ Ardhi said.

Lincoln set his jaw. ‘I can’t.’

Ardhi’s hand shot out and Lincoln’s body fizzed with fear when he saw the pale purple glow emanate from Ardhi’s hand and come flying at him. The shock his his stomach with the impact of a punch, but it didn’t burn. Lincoln collapsed, hitting his head against the wall as he went down, hearing Ivyanne’s terrified gasp behind him.

‘Ardhi please!’ Ivyanne hissed, sounding tearful. ‘You
promised
!’

‘I promised I wouldn’t kill him-not that I wouldn’t hurt him if he got in my way. But don’t worry, it’s a low dose. He’ll be able to breathe in a minute. And look-he’s managed to lie down! Aren’t I just so helpful?’

Lincoln grunted and curled his knees towards his chest, exaggerating the pain, trying to get a feel of the ropes around his ankles, to see if he’d be able to get it undone. But his fingers clawed through air.

‘Well…’ Ardhi drawled. ‘That’s the hero taken care of. Now... what am I going to do with the damsel in distress?’

Lincoln squeezed his eyes shut, wishing suddenly that Ardhi had at least knocked him out.

24.

Ivyanne backed up on the bed, heart still racing from seeing Lincoln zapped, bile rising in her throat in terrified anticipation of what Ardhi was about to do to
her.
The only shot she had was to get his weapon-or drain his energy-but he was holding onto the gun so tightly she was afraid that jerking it into her own palm with her gift would cause it to go off in her face.

‘Now, as much as I’ve craved feeling your hands on me, I don’t want a wave coming through the window. Nice trick, by the way.’ Ardhi said, reaching into his backpack and withdrawing a pair of handcuffs.

Ivyanne shrank back. ‘Ardhi... please... you don’t need those-I won’t risk Link’s life.’

‘I know.’ Ardhi said. ‘But maybe you’ll enjoy this so much that you’ll drain
me
by accident. Now we can’t have that can we? I still have a getaway to make in an hour or two.’

An hour or two
…. Ivyanne’s stomach turned. Ten minutes would have been awful enough-but was he actually planning on making it
last
? ‘Trust me-you don’t have to worry about me enjoying myself at
all
.’

Ardhi slapped her hard across the face. Ivyanne gasped, but with her head turned to Lincoln, the absolute horror on his face was enough to remind her to stay calm.

‘Now put your hands up, unless
rough
is what you’re after.’

Ivyanne sniffled and lifted her hands, feeling vulnerable now. She’d expected Ardhi to cuff them together, but to her dismay, after he’d closed the bracelet hard around one of her wrists-single handed, he passed it through her wrought iron bed head before snapping it shut around the other. ‘There.’ he said. ‘That looks secure enough.’ He leaned close to her and smiled, tugging on the steel loops, testing for give. ‘Does it feel secure enough, baby?’

Ivyanne narrowed her eyes. ‘I’m
not
your baby.’

Ardhi raised his eyebrows but smiled, shifting until he was straddling her hips. He rested one hand on her stomach. ‘Maybe not. But you’re going to give me one. And it’s going to be a
perfect
child.’

Ivyanne closed her eyes against her tears. ‘Just get it over and done with, please.’

‘Mmm... my eager little friend. I
knew
you’d beg for it one day.’ Ardhi’s lips brushed against hers and she turned her face to the side. He followed her mouth, his breath hot against her face. ‘But I’m not rushing this. I’ve earned the right to indulge myself here.’

‘You’re going to fucking die.’ Lincoln grunted from the other side of the room. ‘You’re really sick, you know that?’

‘Not sick.
Crazy
. And no I won’t be dying, and even if I do-I’ll make sure I go to
heaven
first.’ Ardhi’s hands came to the front of her nightshirt, slowly unbuttoning it. Ivyanne’s skin crawled, but she kept her face turned away. ‘I’m Marked, and that means that I’m entitled to this.’ His hand cupped her face so she was forced to look at him. ‘Anna should have foreseen this coming-shouldn’t have been so hard on those of us she deemed special. If I’d been free to find love elsewhere, I may not have risked my heart on
you
.’

Ivyanne knew there was truth in his words. ‘Ardhi I’m trying to do something about that okay? I’ve already amended the rule so that you’re all going to be released from your duty when you turn fifty. I’m
trying
. You don’t have to do this to make a
point
.’

Ardhi slowly began to open the buttons of her shirt. Her skin crawled where he touched her. ‘I’m genuinely glad to hear that..’ he said, wetting his lips when he paused, his eyes focused on her cleavage. ‘But it’s too late for redemption for me, isn’t it?’

Ivyanne knew she should lie, but she had too much honor. She would be raped-but she wouldn’t be
weak
about it. ‘Yes.’ She agreed. ‘You’re fucking yourself more than me with every move you make.’

Ardhi reached forward and sank his teeth into the top of her right breast painfully. Ivyanne cried out, and a hand came down over her mouth.

‘I can see you’re not going to try and make the best of this, but luckily for me... I came prepared.’

Ivyanne opened her eyes, panicking when she saw Ardhi produce the small clear vial from his pocket. ‘Jellyfish?’ she demanded weakly.

Ardhi nodded. ‘The
very
one your father tried to poison me with.’

‘Don’t!’ Lincoln hissed. ‘You’ll
kill
her!’

‘No, I won’t. Just enough to get her high….’ Ardhi popped the lid of the bottle, smiling at her. ‘One drop on your tongue baby, and I’ll put this gun down. You’ll feel better then, won’t you?’

‘Ivyanne-
no
! Don’t make this easier on his conscience.’

‘He
has
no conscience and I
deserve
to be numbed to this somewhat.’ Ivyanne turned back to her captor. ‘
One
drop-but get rid of the gun. I know I won’t relax while that’s aimed at his head.’

Ardhi smiled and leaned over her, putting the gun on her bedside table. ‘Say ‘yes’ to pleasure my love...’

Ivyanne opened her mouth.

*

The moment Tristan was out of the shower, he wasted no time heading for the stairs. The energy in the house had become a living breathing organism, fueled by the sound of silence within, and the rain from without. Tristan’s footfalls echoes as he jogged up the stairs, a smile stretching his face. Ivyanne had said she didn’t want anyone on her roof, and that she’d locked her windows... but could that have meant that she’d left her
door
ajar for him instead? He knew it was a long shot, but it was worth a try. And he only had the one try left before the clock ran out.

Garridan rose to his feet when he saw Tristan approach, holding out a hand. ‘Oh no you don’t,’ he said, stepping into the centre of the hallway. ‘I need her rested, Tristan, not antagonized.’

Tristan smiled. ‘If I take after you, than you ought to
know
how rested she’s going to be when I come out of there.’

He’d expected his uncle to smile, but Garridan’s face remained stony. ‘Tristan... look... go back the way you came, okay? There’s nothing for you up here.’

Tristan hesitated. ‘What’s
that
supposed to mean?’

Garridan stepped closer. ‘It means that Lincoln’s room is empty, and I can hear voices in Ivyanne’s room.’ He lowered his gun. ‘I’m sorry son, but he’s been in there for at least fifteen minutes and I haven’t heard her cuss him out yet.’

Tristan’s stomach acid bubbled like red hot lava. ‘She
invited
him in?’

Garridan nodded. ‘I guess so. I heard the door lock behind him.’ Garridan rested a hand on his shoulder. ‘I’m sorry. You have no idea
how
much. But I just heard the bedsprings move and a bit of, um, laughter... I was about to distance myself when you came up.’

Tristan felt his throat close up. He brushed Garridan’s hand away and stepped back, his mind reeling. Ivyanne was in there with Lincoln. Garridan had heard the bed.

She’s giving herself to him.
He realized, feeling himself fall into a pit of despair.
Right now.
Tears came to Tristan’s eyes, and he began to back away.

‘Tristan…’

But Tristan shook his head, unable to speak, and retreated down the hall, actually feeling the pieces of his heart splinter off and land on the floor like icicles.

I lost.

*

When Ardhi had poisoned his conquest, he replaced the vial in his pocket and then grabbed his shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it at Lincoln with a mocking smile.

‘See anything you like?’ he asked Ivyanne lightly, glancing back down at the rise of her full and lovely breasts. ‘Because
I
do.’

Ivyanne arched an eyebrow. ‘Maybe you didn’t give me enough-because you still look like a deranged person to me.’

Ardhi chuckled. ‘It’ll take a few minutes. The question is... what do I do until then?’

‘Scrabble’s been popular around here lately.’ Ivyanne said flatly. ‘Perhaps you should try
that
.’

‘
You
were always the one with the words.’ He pressed his fingers against her lips then slowly ran them down her chin, along her neck and towards her breasts once more. He was already hard, and dying to take his pants off and find relief inside her, and yet he wanted the potion to start working first. ‘
I
was the one for the action.’

Ivyanne shivered under his fingers, her eyes closing. ‘That tickles…’ she complained. ‘And it’s making me cold.’

‘Then allow me to warm you up.’ Ardhi slid down so he was lying on top of her, and caught her lips with his. Ivyanne’s face turned again but he forced it back, kissing her harder, holding her jaw still. He stretched his toes against hers and slid them up her shins teasingly as he rubbed his hips gently against hers.

When Ivyanne’s lips ceased twisting away from his, Ardhi reached down and caught the waistband of her boxer shorts, tugging them down a few inches. He then switched hands and worked on the other side. She moaned, and a jolt of electricity ran through Ardhi. She was responding! The potion was working! He slid his tongue between her lips, feeling that they were softer now, not tightly drawn. He groaned when he tasted her saccharine breath, and when her tongue hesitantly massaged his own, he saw stars. He pulled back, breathing heavily. ‘Mmm.. you like this, huh?’

Her eyes remained closed. ‘No... no just... hurry up and…’ she inched her lips towards his. ‘
Kiss
me… please...’

Ardhi growled and claimed her mouth once more, determined to make her feel his level of passion.

‘Oh god…’ Lincoln moaned. ‘Shoot me. Please…’

‘Not a chance,’ Ardhi whispered, crawling down Ivyanne and tugging her pants free of her thighs.
If I die trying to get out of here tonight.
He thought as she assisted him by sliding her feet out of the cuffs.
I’ll be a happy man.

When she was unhindered by them, Ardhi slid back up her torso and sank his teeth into her neck gently, grinning when a cry of ecstasy bubbled over her lips.

*

Lincoln strained against his bonds and squeezed his eyes shut even more tightly, but the sound of Ivyanne’s evident enjoyment was just as bad as
watching
it. He’d thought seeing her kiss Tristan had been a nightmare-but
this
felt like burning alive. He bucked, trying to get a grasp of the ropes at his ankles, but it was no use. He could only just graze them-he had no hope of untying Ivyanne’s knots. He’d never felt more weak and useless in his life.

Tristan would have thought of something by now if this was him!
Lincoln thought, his eyes pooling with tears.
I’m no guard or knight or king! I can’t even fight one man off her!

Ardhi moaned loudly and Lincoln couldn’t help but open his eyes. Ardhi’s mouth was on Ivyanne’s neck, his face turned away as he ravaged her. Lincoln caught sight of his diamond sparkling on her cuffed hand and his stomach churned. But just before he closed his eyes again, he saw that Ivyanne’s eyes were wide open and focused-on
him
.

‘Knife.’ She mouthed clearly. ‘Your knife.’

Lincoln felt a shock course through him when he realized that she looked
alert
-not euphoric. He rolled onto his side and nodded to his chest, before shrugging helplessly. She bit her lip and frowned, then glanced up at Ardhi and let out a gentle-and what he now realized was a
fake
moan-and nibbled at his lower lip.

‘Kiss me again.’ She whispered. ‘I love long, lazy ones Ardhi. Ask Link, he’ll tell you.’

Ardhi’s mouth was on Ivyanne’s in seconds, and he was panting loudly now. Lincoln realized that the potion she’d been given either hadn’t worked or hadn’t kicked in yet. She was stalling-for
him
. But what could he do?

That was when he noticed Ivyanne wiggling her hands above her bed head-and the tips of her fingers were glowing with a faint, red haze. Lincoln had almost forgotten about her power. Now he saw that she wanted to try and grasp his knife.

Lincoln rolled onto his back, seeing that his light jacket fell open, exposing the silver handle. He hoped it would be enough-or that she’d do something about it before Ardhi saw it.

‘Mmm unveiling these is what I want to prolong the most,’ Ardhi mumbled between kisses as he caressed her breast through her bra. ‘So many years of having these in my face, watching them blossom…and yet not being allowed to touch them…. god it was
torture
.’

Lincoln blushed as he watched Ardhi’s hand, ashamed that he and the madman had the same thing in common.