Toxic Part One (Celestra Series Book 7) (15 page)

“I haven’t had the chance to replenish the supply. I had no idea they’d come after her so soon.” Dr. Oliver’s glasses slide to the tip of his nose. His salt and pepper hair reflects a strange orange hue from the inferno raging out of control.

“Get used to it.” Marshall reduces the flames in the fireplace with the flick of his finger. “We’ll need to have three vials ready at any given time. Logan”—he pauses—“I’d banish you from her side, but seeing that you are the Elysian, I assume that’s torment enough.” Marshall speeds toward the kitchen.

“What’s an Elysian?” Gage falls to his knees beside me and picks up my hand. I try to squirm out of his grasp, but I’m so weak he thinks I’ve just given him an affirming squeeze of affection.

“The Counts are using me,” Logan begins. “I’m overseeing her blood withdrawals.”

“How are they taking it?” Gage leans into me as Dr. Oliver and Barron grapple over something in the distance.

“Some guy comes in.” Logan brushes the loose hairs from my face. “He takes it right from her neck the way Kragger used to.”

“Shit.” Gage looks good and pissed.

“Why do you care?” I ask in a broken whisper.

Gage pauses and darts a look into me that holds a patina of rage. “I love you, Skyla. I know how it looks and I know you can’t stand the sight of me…” He bites down on his lip to keep from choking up. “When you’re better, I think we should talk.”

Chloe’s face stains me from the inside, her effigy a permanent fixture in the back of my mind. I see her all over again at the stone of sacrifice with that look of glee on her face after letting their little secret slip on prom night. A slow, brewing rage heats through my bones, stealing all of my healing energy by singeing me with hatred.

“Marshall,” I whisper, and he appears without hesitation.

“Barron is working on the formula now.” He strums from above. “It should only be a few minutes before we can administer it.”

“Oh, that’s good.” Shit. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Anything.” He implores me to continue with a brief nod.

“Get rid of Gage.” I cast my gaze to the ground when I say it. It’s taking too much out of me to deal with this heartache. It removes all of my will to get better—to live. He’s cursed me with the desire to have him, and now he’s killing me softly with his presence.

“Poor dear Jock Strap.” Marshall glows with delight. “It seems you’ve fallen
forever
out of her good graces. I gather your appeal hasn’t been met with open arms. Tsk, tsk.”

“There’s no way in hell you’re getting rid of me. Go ahead and try.” Gage gets up and taps Marshall in the chest. “You sack of celestial shit.” He pushes into him with a violent force. “If you love Skyla the way you claim to, you wouldn’t let any of this go on for another fucking second. Makes me wonder whose side you’re really on.”

“We all know whose side you’re on,” Marshall says, picking him up and launching him toward the window. The explosive sound of glass shattering fills the room. The walls tremble from the sheer heft of his violent exit.

“What the hell?” Barron rushes in with a needle at the ready.

“I’ve removed your son from the premises per Skyla’s wishes.” Marshall straightens like a good little soldier. “He’s out back if you wish to tend to his injuries. Do have him teleport you elsewhere. I’ll administer the dose myself.”

Dr. Oliver disappears from view, shouting for Gage as he heads out back.

“Logan?” I wiggle my fingers in his direction.

“I’m here.” He pinches a smile. “I’m not going anywhere.” He says it sharp as if to alert Marshall to the fact.

“Very well.” Marshall lifts my shorts just enough and the needle gives a hard bite over my bottom. A deep burn settles in as the fruit-based venom seeps into my system. “I apologize once again, love.” Marshall nods. “I’m unable to comfort you.”

“Please,” I beg. I would sell my soul for his soothing vibrations right about now.

“The toxin would never take. Your vital organs would sustain substantial damage.” His eyes close a moment. “I’ve doubled the dose. It should take half the time. You’ll be better in minutes. I’ll be upstairs should you need me.” Marshall presses in a full kiss over my lips before disappearing in a clap of dust.

Logan and I glance at each other as the first convulsion bucks me off the couch.

Logan is quick to scoop me up and cradle me in his arms.
I’m going to make this better, Skyla. I swear on all that is holy.
Logan increases his grip over me as my body writhes in a spastic rhythm.

Suffocating pain.

Kill me.

A hot poker of torment spears through my insides—blinding, searing explosions.

My body jerks in a quick series of convulsions and extricates me from out of Logan’s grasp. A seizure powers through my body, swift as an electrical current. I hit my head on the coffee table before Logan lies over me, heavy as a lead blanket.

“I got you,” he assures. He soothes me with the sound of his voice as I gyrate out of control. Logan whispers
I love you
warm in my ear until I pass out into a welcome oblivion.
     

Chapter 21

Marshall and Me

My lids grate over my eyes like pumice before finally opening to reveal the fact I’m still firmly planted on Marshall’s couch—pressed against the flesh of another. Only it’s not Logan this time, it’s Marshall.

“Where’d he go?” I lift my head and pan the vicinity. Logan wouldn’t leave me unless Marshall, himself, managed to banish him.

“How about ‘thank God it’s you’—or ‘praise high heavens that I’m locked in your strong arms?’ Or—‘how long must I wait for you to satiate me with your flesh?’” He glowers as if he’s actually pissed that I let the moment pass without any of the aforementioned sentiments.

“Logan?” I call out, refusing to play into his cry for attention. Honestly, he’s like a child sometimes.

“Your first instinct was correct. I banished him.” He flexes a dry smile. “Nevertheless, you’re better. And, yes, he stayed until the bitter end.”

I spring up next to him on the couch and take a deep lungful of air.

“I feel fantastic.” I marvel. “Like better than last time and well—” I wiggle my fingers and toes. “Better than ever in my entire life.”

“Your blood is powerful,” he muses.

“And apparently
you
are not.” I meet his gaze with great intensity. “Why can’t you stop this misery?”

Marshall’s jaw sharpens with frustration. “Could I—I would. There is a barrier set in place designed to allow for such grievances. If there were not, the faction war wouldn’t be necessary—good would always prosper over evil. But, alas, it lives, and evil thrives under its guise.”

“Why? Why does it even exist? Why not stomp evil out like the cockroach it so obviously is?”

“Shh…” He cradles me in a warm embrace. “It is the price of freedom. Rest assured, this reckless brand of freedom only lasts a lifetime. The consequences of one’s actions however, echo throughout eternity.”

I don’t really get what freedom has to do with anything. The entire concept is mindboggling, so I don’t bother beating a dead horse trying to wrap my head around any of this.

“I need to rescue those souls and win the war. Help me do that.”

“Sectors and Fems cannot engage in battle.” He pinches his lips as though deep in thought. “I can, however, try to quell the effects of your capture.”

“Yes!” I glom onto any ray of hope. “I beg of you, do whatever you can. I swear I will win this war for you, and I’ll free those Celestra in the tunnels.”

“I won’t allow you to swear to me.” His cheek slides into a depleted smile.

“In any case,” I continue, “I knew you were powerful enough, smart enough to put Demetri in his place. How are you going to get the Counts to back the hell off?”

Marshall glances out the window briefly before answering. There’s a far off look in his eyes as though he’s wagering something significant.

“What’s wrong?” I shudder unnaturally. Something has Marshall rattled and that’s never a good sign.

“Let’s change the subject for now.”

“No.” I flatten my palms against his chest. “You know something, and it’s going to help me.” I pick up his hand and interlace our fingers. “Tell me.”

“Very well.” He lands a gentle kiss over my knuckles and smolders me with a look of undying passion. To be Marshall’s wife, girlfriend, one night stand would be something altogether incredible. He knows how to bring the intensity to the table, in a naughty, X-rated, only-in-your-fantasies sort of way. “I want you to know I would sacrifice my standing in the Holy of Holies if I were able to remove this blight from your life.” A warm charge pulses from his hand. “I would cast myself willingly into eternal darkness to rid you of this grievous pain.” His gaze dips for a moment. “I have never fully understood the human condition—the complete heartbreak this world is capable of imparting. You, Skyla, have taught me much.” He tugs at my fingers. “And for this I am forever grateful.”

Marshall latches onto me with his magnetic gaze. His affection for me stops up the air, creates a covenant all its own, asserting his devotion for me. I can feel him fashioning his love, lassoing my heart with his open wanting.

“Thank you for always being so kind to me.” I lean in and nuzzle into his chest. “For being there whenever I need you.” What I really want to add is, for not lying to me, but I loathe dragging Gage in on the conversation, even if it is by proxy.

“I plan on being here for you the rest of your natural life and beyond. I promise to be the constant, the one you can rely on. My door is forever open.” He gives the curve of a lewd smile. “My bed is forever available should you need a warm place to stay the night. And, when the time is right, you’ll be my bride.” He says that last part so matter of fact, I almost believe him.

“What’s the plan?” I refocus him on the task at hand. “How do we get Demetri off my back?”

“By dangling what he desires most in front of him.”

“The ethereal kingdom?”

“Your mother.”     

I sink back into the couch. “Absolutely not.”

“Why? He’s prone to making foolish errors in the name of love. He’s practically human in that respect.”

“Very funny—again, no.”

“I’ve the sneaking suspicion your mother would be a willing accomplice.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not so sure what good it would do.” She seems to be headed in that direction on her own.

“Simply divulge the grizzly details of your capture to her. I guarantee she’ll have him reversing the order in minutes.”

“Demetri can reverse my capture?”

“He and he alone.”

“I don’t know if she’ll believe me. My mother’s been going to all the Count round tables…” My heart picks up pace. “She’s been seeing him behind Tad’s back.”

“You suspect something more is brewing?”

“God, I hope not. Even though Tad isn’t ranking as stepfather of the year, I’d be horribly disappointed if my mother were doing anything like that.”

“That’s because marriage is sacred, Skyla. It’s innate in people to understand the basic precepts—doesn’t stop them from acting otherwise, but deep down inside they know.”

“It’s a covenant.” I nod.

“It is indeed.” Marshall bows his head. “One I long to enter into with you.” 

I give a placid smile. “So what do you think my mother would do if I told her about the bloodlet Demetri is responsible for? I bet he’s even housing babies down there. Nothing would make my mother more batshit than the thought of Demetri being directly responsible for the imprisonment of an infant. Then again, if he can’t have my mother, he probably wouldn’t bother letting me go.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. He thinks very highly of her. Disappointing the woman who holds his heart would wound him grievously.”

“Really? Perfect,” I say stunned. “Then I’ll just tell my mother.”

“Yes. Do tell.” He taps the tip of my nose with his finger. “Now back to the topic of us. I have a vision to share.” He licks his lips in anticipation.

“No.”

“Fine—then look at me.” He secures his arms around my waist and presses into me with his garnet colored eyes. It feels intimate, far more involved than kissing. I can’t shake the feeling we’re getting it on Sector style and I’m just not aware of the sexual parameters.

A vision comes to me. It’s Marshall and I standing in the center of a crowd. Someone chants over us, and everyone cheers.

I watch as Marshall bends to my ear and whispers, “You and I, Skyla, have entered into a sealed and lasting covenant.” He confirms the sentiment with a kiss that makes my entire person sing.

“No,” I say, snapping out of the matrimonial visual.

“Oh yes, Skyla.” Marshall picks up my ring finger and presses it to his lips. “Oh yes.” 

Chapter 22

Hack Attack

An ordinary Wednesday in summer has an uncanny way of feeling just like the weekend. I open my window and call out for Nev on this fog-laden morn, which is far more traditional for Paragon then that burst of nuclear sunshine Demetri had arranged last week.

The sky stays unchanged. Not a single dark blemish, not a stroke of glossed wings gracing the arid expanse with their beauty. A stillness clots the atmosphere. It’s as if the world is holding its breath in anticipation of something monumental.

Nev doesn’t come.

Strange.

My phone vibrates over the nightstand. It’s a text from Logan.

Falls tonight? Me and you around 6?

I text him back.
It’s a date.
~
S

Truth is, he’s been asking every day since Demetri’s war-inspired kickoff to summer, and I’ve artfully said no. I’ve also managed to cleverly avoid Gage for the simple reason he’s an ass, and Marshall because I’m half afraid I might accidently marry him.

Evading Gage has been the toughest. I’ve been ignoring him in all electronic forms, and I’ve even gone as far as getting Brielle to cover my shift, so I won’t have to face him physically. Well, actually, she volunteered. Brielle is under the impression Drake’s mini me is allergic to her. Every time she steps into the room, he explodes in hysterics and hives. There might be something to the allergy theory, but I doubt Brielle herself is a part of the equation.