Undone (The Amoveo Legend) (16 page)

His deep voice rumbled through the room. “The entire facility is on lockdown for the next forty-eight hours. No one leaves. We will gather here in two days, and you will provide me with the names of your clan’s new offering. Then I will send the retrieval team to collect them. You are dismissed.”

With a rush of static, Artimus uttered the ancient language and vanished.

***

Marianna sat on the bed in her barren room and waited.

Legs crossed, she rubbed her belly and sent soothing energy waves to the two babies in her womb. She knew it was still early in her pregnancy, but she already loved them because they were part of her and Pete.

He still didn’t know about the twins she carried, and she thought that perhaps that was better for now. If something did happen, if Artimus changed his mind and forced her to terminate the pregnancy, then at least Pete would be spared the loss. He couldn’t miss what he never knew he had.

Tears stung her eyes, but she wiped them away. Crying wasn’t going to help anything. Marianna shook her head and steeled her resolve. She
would
get out of here, and Pete
would
know about his babies. She smiled.
Their
babies.

Savannah normally came to her room with meals around this time, and now, more than ever, she wanted to see her. Her suspicions about Savannah’s feelings were confirmed earlier at the gathering, and there was no mistaking it once she’d touched her mind to Marianna’s.

Savannah was her best shot at getting out of this place alive.

The door clicked open, and Savannah’s warm green eyes met hers. Dressed in her usual blue scrubs, she came in bearing food. The door shut behind her, but Marianna didn’t miss the guard’s face in the window as he watched Savannah set the tray on the side table. His stone cold expression vanished as he walked away, presumably to check on another
volunteer
.

“That was quite a gathering,” Marianna said quietly. “Does Artimus make a habit of murdering people at his meetings?”

Savannah stilled for a moment before taking the stethoscope from around her neck and checking Marianna’s vital signs. It was obvious that she was deciding what, or how much, to say. Marianna cooperated as Savannah did her usual rundown of blood pressure, heart rate, and lung functions. She worked quickly and efficiently, wrote in the small notebook she carried, and handed Marianna the plate with the sandwich.

“I—I’ve never seen anyone killed like that,” she whispered. Her pale green eyes were filled with fear. “My father is terrified of Artimus. I think, at first, he truly believed in what Artimus was doing, but things have gotten completely out of control.” She glanced to the doorway, but it remained free of onlookers. “Father said that he’s threatened other former Council members and their families with death. Until today, I don’t think anyone truly believed he’d do it. If people wouldn’t defy him before… they definitely won’t now.”

“I couldn’t keep this down if I tried.” Marianna leaned forward and put the plate back on the tray. “Do you know where my friend Courtney is? She’s the Coyote Clan female that Artimus said was pregnant.”

“Yes.” She pushed her pale blond hair off her face and flicked her eyes to Marianna’s. “The insemination worked, but I think it’s because of the donor they used.” Her voice dropped low, and her eyes widened. “Her mate is here, held captive like you are. He’s been heavily drugged. I don’t think either are aware of what’s going on. Apparently, the male was here posing as a believer, but was discovered to be a spy for Richard and the rest of the Loyalists. He was caught trying to escape with Courtney. He said she was his mate, but Artimus and the guards overpowered him. The only reason they didn’t kill him was because they wanted to use him to impregnate Courtney. They’ll keep him alive until she delivers—then dispose of both.”

“So, she’s actually pregnant with the child of her mate,” Marianna said slowly, putting it together. “But they did it through artificial insemination and the rest of the followers don’t know that. Do they? I would bet that Courtney and her mate don’t even know she’s pregnant.”

“Yes,” Savannah confirmed, but her eyes grew stormy. “Although, rumor has it that Hayden tried to impregnate her the
old-fashioned
way.”

Marianna swallowed the sickening lump in her throat, and she could barely force herself to say it out loud. “He—he
forced
himself
on her?”

Savannah said nothing but nodded as one large tear rolled down her cheek. Looking at this young girl, Marianna realized that she was as much a prisoner here as the rest. She knew another woman had been victimized, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. The only thing she could do was offer glimpses of compassion in a storm of cruelty.

“It’s not your fault.” She scooted closer to the edge of the bed and took Savannah’s hands in hers. “Please, you have to take me to her. Maybe the three of us can figure out how to escape.”

“No.” Savannah shook her head vehemently and packed up the tray. “They keep her guarded on a constant basis. Besides, Artimus has placed a shield over the entire compound, and those armed guards are on orders to shoot to kill. I want to stop him as much as you do, but there’s simply no way. He’s older, stronger, and I don’t know what he’d do to my father if I helped you.”

Marianna sat quietly and studied Savannah. She knew that if she pushed too hard, the girl would run, and maybe even stop coming to see her. She decided to change the subject to ease the tension.

“Where exactly are we anyway? I haven’t seen daylight since I got here.”

“That’s because we’re underground.” She sniffled and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “This entire facility was built from a network of caves in the mountains of Utah. So you can forget about escaping.”

“Artimus mentioned that the others have dwellings here.” Her brow knit with concentration. “Are they underground as well?”

“Yes. I don’t think that most people realized what they were getting into.” She glanced at the door and lowered her voice. “I’ve told you too much already.”

“Wait.” Savannah started to get up, but Marianna grabbed her arm, urging her to sit down. “What about this shield that Artimus has? Do you know how we can disable it?”

“No.” She rose from her seat, for good this time. “He’s one of the oldest Amoveo, almost as old as Prince Richard. I would imagine that Richard and his wife Salinda may be the only ones who can get past it, but they’d have to find us first.”

“Savannah, please.” Marianna’s voice dipped to a desperate whisper. “Think about it at least?”

Savannah placed her hand over the panel, and the door clicked open. As she disappeared, her gentle voice touched Marianna’s mind.
Stay
alert. Hayden has made no secret that he wants you for himself.
Her sympathetic eyes appeared in the window of the doorway briefly before vanishing.
I’m sorry.

Pete stood at the foot of the bed and leaned on the bedpost as he stared at their uncooperative guest. Daniella lay there weak, but no less defiant. Her hazel eyes, full of hatred, avoided their gazes as she stared at the ceiling.

Richard stood to the right of the bed with his arms crossed over his chest, his glowing, golden eyes fixed on Daniella. Dante stood with his arm around Kerry’s waist in his usual protective manner, but both looked no less irritated by her unwillingness to talk. William, a member of the Gyrfalcon Clan, and his hybrid mate, Layla, stayed toward the back, observing the situation with their typical distance.

“I gotta hand it to you,” Pete said quietly. “You’re surrounded by a room full of Amoveo, and you’re not giving up an inch. That’s a pretty ballsy thing to do, considering you’ve got zero powers right now.” He leaned closer and whispered harshly. “How does it feel to be stripped bare? Stripped down to the essence of the very thing you hate?
Human.
That must really gnaw at you.”

Her eyes flicked to his briefly, and that’s when he saw it.
Fear.

“I’m not human.” She tugged the covers to her chin and closed her eyes. “It’s just a spell.”

“Maybe,” Pete said, pushing himself off the footboard. “But I don’t think Artimus would see it that way, would he?”

“That’s a valid point, Pete.” Richard’s deep voice caught the girl’s attention. His eyes glowed brighter as he stared at Daniella. “Perhaps we should let her leave? I wonder how welcome she’d be with Artimus and the rest of the Purists now? Not only did she fail in killing you, but she managed to get hit with a binding powder.”

“He—he would help me.” Daniella’s eyes flew open, and her face twisted in fear. “He’d know it wasn’t my fault.”

“I can tell by the look in your eyes you don’t believe that for a second.” Richard glared at her. “We all know that Artimus is anything but merciful.”

“I’m not saying anything.” Daniella looked back at the ceiling, her jaw set.

“I have to admit that I am more than a little disappointed in you, Daniella. You were a guardian, a caretaker of my ranch and those who stayed within it. Including my family.” The prince’s voice hardened. “Your brother, Dominic, is still furious with you for your betrayal, but you should know that he still works here as a guardian.”

“Dominic is here?” Something flickered in her eyes, which were still locked on the ceiling. Sadness? Regret? Pete wasn’t sure, but it left as quickly as it came.

“He is,” Richard confirmed. “I asked him to come and see you, but he refused.”

“Fine with me,” she seethed. “I’ve got nothing to say to him or any of you.”

The room fell silent, and Pete watched Richard’s glowing eyes flicker and return to their human blue eyes.

“Kerry,” Richard said without taking his powerful gaze off Daniella, “I realize that your gift of sight is usually limited with Amoveo, and normally you only see our clan animal, but do you think you’d be willing to see if you can get more from this traitor?”

“I would be happy to.” Kerry grinned and flicked her eyes to Pete briefly. “But I may need some help from Pete, if he’s willing.”

“Me?” Pete crossed his arms over his chest and fought the tension that settled in his neck. “I don’t know what kind of help I could be, but I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Then it’s settled.” The prince stepped back and gestured to Daniella. “She’s all yours.”

“I’m not telling you shit.” Outright terror came over Daniella’s face as Kerry moved toward her, and she shook her head vehemently. “No matter what you do to me.”

“I’m not going to hurt you.” Kerry sighed dramatically and put her hands on her ample hips. “That’s not my style.”

Kerry sat on the edge of the bed as Daniella tried to move away.

“Stay still,” Dante growled. His amber eyes glowed brightly as he shifted to a protective stance next to Kerry.

“Don’t mind him.” Kerry patted Dante’s arm and smiled at Daniella. “Tarzan, here, is overprotective.”

“Let’s hold hands, okay?” Kerry wiggled her fingers at Daniella, who cast a confused look at Kerry’s outstretched hand. “It’s not going to hurt or anything. Honest.”

When Daniella didn’t comply, a low growl rumbled in Kerry’s throat, and her eyes flickered brightly to the yellow cat eyes of her clan. “Now.”

Daniella licked her lips nervously and placed her hand in Kerry’s.

At first nothing happened. Everyone in the room held their breath as Kerry sat quietly holding Daniella’s hand, but a few seconds later Kerry’s body jolted as the connection was made. Dante stepped back, giving her the space he knew she needed, and Daniella’s eyes fluttered closed as their connection deepened.

“Pete,” Kerry ground out. “Take my other hand.” Eyes still closed and her body humming with tension, her left arm flew out toward Pete. At first he stared at it in disbelief as the words sputtered from her lips with obvious effort. “I don’t—have—time—to—debate—this.”

They all looked at him, and Dante waved him forward. “I’ve never seen this happen before, but you should do what she wants.”

Pete came around the foot of the bed, said a silent prayer, and placed his hand in Kerry’s.

The vaguely familiar kick in the gut was immediately followed by the time-warp sensation he’d experienced when he first put on the ring. Propelled through a vacuum of time and space, he found himself standing in the midst of a series of passing images.

He was flying over the mountains and diving into caves and tunnels. Darkness was swiftly replaced with bright, artificial light, and he was whipping through rooms that reminded him of a hospital. He saw women restrained to beds and bodies operated on. Artimus lorded over a room of glowing eyes. Chanting. Screaming.

Marianna’s smiling, brown eyes filled his mind and faded with the faint cry of a baby.

The time-warp-like vacuum sucked him back to the present in a rush of heat and swirling light. Gasping for air, Pete released Kerry’s hand and dropped to the ground on all fours. The cool, solid wood floor beneath his hands was a welcome relief from the nauseating spin of the vision. Pete grabbed the side of the bed and pulled himself to a standing position; falling to his knees felt remarkably undignified.

He rubbed the sweat from his eyes as he let out a slow breath, and when he finally opened his eyes, he found everyone staring at him—everyone, except for Daniella, because she had passed out again.

“What?” He ran a hand through his hair. “Did I bark like a dog or something?”

Kerry, still sitting on the edge of the bed, smiled through weary eyes. “No, but thanks for pinch-hitting with me.”

“What do you mean?” Pete flicked his eyes around the room, wondering what the hell they were all thinking. “What did I do?”

“Normally, when I touch another Amoveo, I only get an image of their clan animal.” She took Dante’s hand as he pulled her from the bed and wrapped her in his arms protectively. “I had a hunch that your power might help me break through to another level and get past that initial image, and it did.”

“I’m glad it helped, but I have no idea what we just saw.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, hoping he didn’t look and sound as uncertain of himself as he was. All this demon stuff was going to take some getting used to. “It felt like some kind of bad LSD trip. Just a bunch of weird, jumbled images.”

“I know.” Kerry grinned and leaned further into Dante’s embrace. “It’s like that at first, but the more you use the gift, the better you’ll get at understanding it.”

“We’ll see.” Pete rubbed his thumb against the silver of the ring. “I want to know where Marianna is and get her back. She’s all that matters.”

“We followed the path of Daniella’s memories, and you helped me do that.” She turned to the others. “Marianna’s not alone. Artimus has several Amoveo females held captive at his compound. I saw at least three missing girls, but I think there are more. Unfortunately, we were right about the breeding program, but Marianna isn’t going to be much help.”

“You’re goddamned right.” Pete’s jaw clenched, and heat crawled up his back.

Kerry’s eyes widened, and she cocked her head. “You don’t know, do you?” she murmured.

“Know what?” The knot in his stomach tightened. He looked from Kerry to Dante. “What’s going on?”

“You’re going to be a father.”

Pete blinked.

“What?” He took a step back and grabbed the bedpost again for support. “She’s pregnant? Marianna’s pregnant with my baby?”

He kept saying it as he tried to wrap his brain around it. He was going to be a father? Heat flashed, and the air grew thick. His sweaty palm slipped on the post as he glanced at the smiling faces of his friends.

“Well,” Kerry said as she scrunched up her face. “It’s more like
babies
. She’s having twins.”

“Twins?” The word had barely escaped his lips as the world went dark, and he fainted.

***

Pete sat on the couch in the living room with a scowl on his face and an ice pack on his head.

“It’s not funny,” he grumbled to Dante and William. “I was dizzy from that freaky vision, that’s all.”

Tramp sat dutifully next to Pete and placed his head in his lap. Pete rubbed the dog’s ears, wishing he could rub away his own humiliation as easily. He’d never fainted, and the first time, he did it in front of a room full of Amoveo. Nice.

“I think the lump to your ego is bigger than the lump on your head,” Kerry said as she handed him a glass of water. “Shit happens. You’ve had a lot of revelations in the past twenty-four hours. Discovering that you’re half demon and going to be the father to twins—that’s enough to make anyone faint.”

“Not me,” William said evenly. He stood ramrod straight by the window in his usual uptight way.

“Stick it, birdbrain.” Pete growled as he removed the ice pack and handed it to Kerry.

Layla laughed and swatted her mate on the shoulder. “You better not give him a bad time, William, or I’ll start telling stories.”

William straightened his tie and cast her a contrite look. “That’s unnecessary. I’m merely stating a fact.”

“That’s quite enough.” Richard’s authoritative voice silenced the room. He sat in the wingback chair next to the fireplace; his large blue eyes regarded all of them. “Let’s get back to business.”

William bowed his head and wrapped his arm around Layla. “Of course.”

“We know that Artimus is holding Marianna and the others in some kind of underground compound in Utah. We also know that according to Daniella’s memories, there is a shield in place, which prevents anyone other than Artimus from utilizing most of their powers.”

“That’s correct.” Kerry nodded somberly. “Based on what we saw, I can use her imprinted memories and get us to just outside the entrance of the compound, and I should be able to draw up a map of the facility. However, once we go in there, we’re all at a disadvantage. Unless we disable this shield, we won’t be able to shift or use our visualization skills.”

“What about telepathy?” Pete asked. “I’ve tried to talk to Marianna that way, but I haven’t had any luck. I thought maybe it’s because I’m new at it.”

“No. I tried telepathy as well,” Kerry said. “I think that once we’re inside we can, but we can’t through the shield.”

“I would agree with that assessment,” Richard replied. “The informant that we had in place was able to use telepathy sporadically. But a few weeks ago, it stopped altogether.”

Pete was curious to know who this informant was, but he had a feeling that it wasn’t something Richard wanted to share. All he cared about was getting Marianna back—Marianna and his unborn children. Children? Pete ran his hands over his face. What kind of father would he be if he couldn’t keep their mother safe?

“Given that we will likely be at a disadvantage, it would be wise to bring as many weapons as possible.” Richard turned his serious eyes to Pete. “It’s my understanding from Dante that you have a rather large stockpile of guns and ammunition. We would be most grateful to utilize as much as you can spare.”

“You read my mind,” Pete said evenly. “There’s plenty to go around.”

“Excellent.” Richard nodded. “I will attempt to disable the shield once we are there, but we cannot afford to waste more time. We could call in others, but I think that it’s best if we go in with a small, focused group.” He cast a somber gaze to Pete. “If Marianna is pregnant, that will not sit well with Artimus’s plan, and I would imagine that he’ll terminate the pregnancy.”

“Like hell he will.” Pete rose slowly from the couch, and his eyes burned. “Dante, it’s time for you and birdbrain here to use your vanishing act. Let’s go get some guns, so I can blow that motherfucker’s head off.”

Everyone looked at Pete as though he’d grown an extra head, but before long a smile played at the corners of Richard’s mouth. “Looks like the demon is ready for a fight.”

Pete’s brow furrowed, and he was about to ask Richard what he was talking about when he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror above the massive mantelpiece.

His eyes burned red, just like Asmodeus’s.

He probably should’ve been freaked out, but instead, he felt something far more surprising—power. He barely recognized his own reflection. As his blood pumped through his veins and his eyes glowed red, only one word went through his mind.

Marianna.

***

The guard held Marianna by the arm and dragged her down the hallway with little concern for whether he was hurting her. He refused to tell her where he was taking her and wouldn’t even utter a word. She recognized him and realized that she’d seen only two guards the entire time. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.

Could it be possible that Artimus had only two armed guards in the whole compound? Maybe fear was a better security system?

Marianna suspected that the Amoveo who’d followed Artimus had reservations about him from the start. However, after he’d ripped off Veronica’s head in the auditorium, she doubted that anyone would speak against him or defy him.

As they rounded the corner, the guard practically ran over Savannah.

“Watch where you’re going, you imbecile,” Savannah snapped in a tone that Marianna hadn’t ever heard.