Stygian Read online

  Relax.

  Keir was thinking about Anstice.

  Focus.

  Jedrik’s mind was contemplating what movie he wanted to watch next. It was between Underworld and Hook.

  Ryker. I have to focus on him.

  Kilter’s thoughts overwhelmed all the others—she’s useless. I should’ve known. Fuck, she can’t do it.

  My eyes flew open and I stared directly at Kilter. “I can’t do it when you’re in my bloody head.”

  Kilter came at me with a ferocious growl.

  Balen leapt from the bed and pushed him in the chest. “Back off.”

  I raised my voice. “You’re the reason,” I said to Kilter, “I can’t concentrate when all I hear is your negativity.”

  “Out. Everyone out,” Balen said.

  “But I didn’t do—” Jedrik began to say.

  “In the other room,” Keir said. “She is a Reflector and has yet to learn how to harness thoughts. If she’s focusing, she could be getting through some of the blocks in our minds.”

  Kilter crossed his arms and stood hovering at the foot of the bed. Balen glared. Kilter glared back, refusing to budge.

  “Leave or I don’t do this.” This was the biggest dickhead I’d ever met. And I’d at one time thought Keir was controlling. This guy’s name was controlling.

  “I want to know everything he says. Word for word.” Kilter was furious, but he knew when to back down. He was dangerous and intelligent, a deadly combination.

  I waited until the connecting door shut before closing my eyes again. I felt Balen on the other side of the room, lending me his strength with his steady rhythm of his heartbeat, but he kept his thoughts blocked.

  “Ryker?”

  Relax. Breathe. Feel him. I repeated over and over. I pictured him with Hannah in his arms, a grin on his face. Relaxed, comfortable, and totally in love.

  “Ryker?”

  I remembered his dark brown eyes, sharp and inquisitive. I recalled his voice, how deep and soothing it was when he spoke to Hannah.

  “Ryker?”

  His voice was different as it reached me with a sharp agonizing pain. “Who the hell are you? No Scars can reach me in this place.”

  “It’s Danni. And yes, I can. We need to know—”

  “Leave me the fuck alone,” Ryker said. “Blow this place sky high.”

  I gasped as a sharp pain shot through my body. His pain. His loss. Hannah was dead and he wanted to die. “She’d want you to live.”

  “You know shit about her or me.”

  I ignored him. He was hurting; the guy had just lost the woman he clearly loved more than anything. “We have Hannah’s amulet,” I said, wondering if he knew about it.

  “Fuckin’ Kilter. He owes me nothing. Tell him to take the amulet and leave.”

  “I think you know already he won’t do that,” I said.

  I heard him groan and then a fierce growl of pain.

  “Ryker? Ryker what’s happening?”

  “Do . . . not . . . come . . . for . . .”

  “Ryker? Ryker?”

  “Damn it.” My eyes flew open.

  Balen sat on the bed beside me, holding my hand. I hadn’t felt him. It was as though I was away from my body when the telepathy was so intense.

  “He wants us to leave him,” I said. “He’s so hurt with loss that I don’t think he really cares about much at the moment. But—” I hesitated and sighed, “—they were doing something to him. I don’t know what. He had trouble speaking, and then he was gone. I don’t know whether he passed out or what.”

  “Which building is he in?” Kilter demanded from the doorway.

  Asshole had been listening—figures. “He didn’t say. He wants you to take the amulet and leave. He said you owe him nothing.” I watched Kilter’s expression and it pissed me off that he could remain so impassive. I tried my newfound ability, but right now Kilter’s mind was a blank slate.

  “He would say that,” Kilter said. “Tomorrow, we get him the fuck out. I expect you to have a location by then.” He turned and walked out.

  I felt like sticking my tongue out at him. I wouldn’t put it past him to cut it off if I did.

  Balen pulled me up next to him, smoothing my hair back from my face. I closed my eyes, shivers coursing over my skin at his gentle caress. He kissed my temple and his hand pushed my head onto his shoulder.

  “We’ll sleep for a few hours, and then try to reach him again,” Balen said.

  I curled up next to him, my head resting on his chest, my hand over his heart.

  I woke with Balen’s arms around my waist; his head nestled in the crook of my neck. Kilter’s annoying, raspy voice came blaring into my mind like a car horn.

  “Get hold of him now. I’m in.”

  I bolted upright. “What?”

  “Which building?” Kilter demanded.

  “Ah, crap,” I said. Balen woke beside me and was instantly on alert. “Kilter went in. He wasn’t supposed to go yet, right?”

  Balen ran his hand through his hair. “Fuck.” He yelled to the next room, “Keir, get your ass in here, we have a problem.”

  “Ryker? Ryker, please. Kilter is in the compound.”

  Nothing.

  “Ryker! Wake the hell up!”

  His voice was weak and ragged. I hoped it was because he was sleeping, not from anything they might be doing to him. “I told you—”

  “Yeah, well, Kilter doesn’t listen very well. Which building?”

  “I was drugged. I don’t know where the hell I am,” Ryker said.

  “When they took you out of the vehicle, which way did you go?”

  I waited. Silence. Was he thinking? Had he fallen back asleep? Passed out?

  “Right,” Ryker replied and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Then straight, then we stopped. A six-digit code was punched in, and then we entered a building. Then . . . I fought them and they injected me with more drugs.”

  I relayed the information to Kilter.

  “The amulet. It’s in the other room behind the nightstand in the wall. Get it,” Kilter demanded.

  “Kilter, sundown is in two hours. There’s not enough time for you to get out before the sensors are put on again.”

  “I don’t intend to get out today. Get the amulet. I need you close. I’m not sure how far away the amulet will work. Go to the cliff on the east side of the compound. Keir knows where it is.”

  “But what am I supposed to do with the amulet?”

  “When I tell you, uncover it, put it around your neck, and hold it between your palms. Think of Ryker and Hannah.”

  “But what does it—”

  Kilter’s voice was harsh. “Don’t question. Just do it.”

  Fine. Did I have a choice? “Kilter . . . be careful.” No clue why I said that. I hated the overbearing control freak.

  “What the hell does he think he’s doing?” Balen said. I had no answer and Balen didn’t appear as if he wanted one. “How on Earth does he expect to get him out on his own?”

  “The amulet,” I said. “He says it will protect Ryker somehow.” I told him what Kilter said and, by the end, Balen was fuming.

  “I don’t want you anywhere near that fuckin’ place.” His voice rose just as Delara, Jedrik, and Keir came through the adjoining door.

  Jedrik’s blond curls were in complete disarray and he was rubbing his crotch. “What’s all the racket about?”

  “Kilter’s in the compound. He plans on getting Ryker out himself,” Balen said.

  Jedrik shrugged. “Could’ve guessed he’d do something stupid like that. He works alone.”

  “He’s an idiot,” Keir said. “And he may have just screwed it up for all of us.”

  Balen repeated the conversation I had with Kilter.

  “The cliff is the only hiding place, but if they discover her, she’ll be trapped.”

  “If he manages to get out quietly, we won’t have to worry about it,” Jedrik said. “But I highly doubt that’ll happe
n. Kilter’s a cowboy.”

  “We don’t have much choice,” Keir said, pulling out his cell. “I’ll contact Hack. If he’s managed to get into their computer system, he could set up a distraction.”

  “So what’s the deal?” Jedrik asked.

  “Delara, attempt to track Kilter’s movements and keep us posted on what he’s up to. Jedrik, use your sight to get us as much data as you can around the perimeter. We have one day to get a lock on this place.”

  Keir hung up the phone. “Hack needs more time to get into their system.” Keir kicked the small, wood chair at the desk and it toppled over. “Fuckin,’ Kilter.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on the gate. If there is any suspicion of us being here, I’ll scent it,” Balen said.

  “I’ll go with you,” I said.

  Balen scowled. “No fuckin’ way, and this time, Danni, no argument. You’re staying here. Period.”

  I didn’t argue.

  I GRABBED HER FROM behind just as she finished punching in the code. My arm locked around her waist and I yanked her up against my chest with a harsh jolt. “Keep your mouth shut.” I pressed my knife to her throat. “Open the door.”

  Her back stiffened, but she obeyed without question. I kept her against my chest as we went inside. A camera hung up on the far right and it slowly turned in our direction. I shoved her against the wall, keeping our bodies out of its range.

  I scanned the ceiling and then along the length of the wall. There. A vent. The camera swiveled in our direction—Fuck. I shoved her forward with my knife still on her jugular. She had yet to try to scream, which was a bonus. Actually, the chick didn’t fight me at all.

  I guessed we had twenty seconds before the camera hit us. I reached the vent and pushed her to the floor then shoved my knee in her back. “Scream and I’ll snap your neck.” Using my telekinesis, I focused on the vent’s screws, and slowly, one by one, they began to move. A slight gasp emerged from the chick and I nudged her in the back.

  I yanked the cover off the wall. “In. Now.”

  “If I’m missing, he’ll—”

  I grabbed her arm and pushed her into the vent. She climbed inside and I grunted at the echoing sound as she made her way down the duct. I jumped in after her; then put the cover back in place. I fixated on the screws and each one hovered in the air then inserted back in place.

  I crawled along the air duct until I reached where it divided into two directions. The chick sat waiting for me.

  “One sound and this knife,” I ran my finger along the blade, “slices across your throat.”

  She didn’t react and I thanked fuck I hadn’t grabbed some screaming pain in the ass bitch. This chick I could deal with.

  I sat with my back against the side of the spiral duct, my legs bent and one elbow resting on a knee. I glanced over at the woman, who had her arms locked around her knees and her cheek resting on them. Her face was gaunt, pale with dark circles under her eyes—pathetic looking.

  The jeans she wore clung to her nonexistent body. No breasts, ass, or thighs. God, I could snap her in half.

  The next words that came out of me were a surprise. “What’s your deal? You sick?”

  Her head raised and I stared into blank, void, brown eyes. Even her lips were thin.

  “You deaf? Answer me.” I was used to others doing exactly what I demanded.

  “No,” she replied.

  I kept my expression cold and words abrupt. “Why do you look like a skeleton that got the living shit kicked out of it?”

  She opened her mouth to speak, and then shut it again. I could be patient when need be and we did have all night. I watched her, the slight movement of her fingers as they clasped together, her eyes staring at—nothing.

  When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet. If I didn’t have enhanced hearing, there was no chance in hell I could’ve heard her. “I don’t know.”

  Okay, she was fucked up. She was a machine with no emotions, no fight, and no passion. A dead fuck. Not that I’d even consider it. Hell no. I liked woman with curves, thighs that could wrap around me, and an ass I could grab.

  Why the fuck I asked, I had no idea. “Have you considered eating?”

  She ignored my question.

  “Simple as fuck. Open fridge, see food, take food out, and place in mouth. Chew. Swallow.”

  Her eyes looked directly at me and met my cold stare. Then she shrugged and laid her head back on her knees.

  Well, at least she wouldn’t be complaining about being hungry for the next twelve hours we were stuck here. A lock of hair fell forward in front of her face and my hand reached out to push it back. I stopped myself inches before I touched her. What the fuck was I thinking? I was going to kill her in a few hours.

  “Lie down and get some sleep,” I ordered

  When she didn’t move, I grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to lie down. Unfortunately, her head was inches from my thigh. Her scent wafted into me and I tensed as my cock twitched. What the fuck? I seriously needed to get laid. I shifted away, then leaned my head back against the tunnel and closed my eyes.

  It took ten minutes before I heard men running down the corridor. Doors slammed and men shouted in panicked voices. They were looking for her? I wondered if she was a scientist. They wouldn’t be so frantic if she was the janitor. Who the hell was she?

  I glanced over at the woman lying quietly beside me. If she gained thirty pounds, she might be considered beautiful. A few freckles graced the bridge of her small nose and her long eyelashes were jet black.

  I knew she was pretending to sleep. Christ, the chick flinched every time footsteps ran down the corridor. I was curious and surprised she had kept her trap shut. One scream would’ve instantly given us away.

  Maybe she wanted to live. There was no question I’d kill her if she opened her mouth. She may not look like much, but she was fuckin’ smart to do as she was told.

  My senses went on high alert.

  Jesus. What the fuck?

  I knew that smell and it reeked of CWO. What in the hell were they doing here? Those bastards could pick up on my telepathy—fuck. I’d have to go radio silent until it was time to kick some ass.

  I wasn’t often taken by surprise. I’d staked out this place for days and I failed to pick up on the CWOs. How the hell had that happened? I’d used my vision to scan every guard and not one had been a CWO. Were they kept underground unless there’s an emergency? Cluster fuck. Well, at least I got off on cluster fucks.

  It was hours later when I heard her rocking back and forth. She clutched her arms around her breasts like she was protecting herself. I shuffled over to her and shook her shoulder. “Wake up.”

  The chick reacted to my touch and, without opening her eyes, started punching and kicking. “Jesus.” I wrapped my arms around her and I felt as if I was going to snap her in half. She was so goddamn frail. “Fuck, woman. Stay still. Do you want to die?”

  She instantly stopped struggling. Her horrified eyes flew open and met mine. “Yes.”

  I stiffened, eyes narrowing. Her heartbeat raced faster than a cheetah running at full speed. “You want to die?”

  “Yes.”

  I let her go, but cupped her chin so she couldn’t look away from me. I knew my fingers dug hard into her chin and I was rather impressed, if that was at all possible. I gave pain with ease. She took it well.

  “How long have you been in this shithole?” When she refused to answer I put my knife to her throat. “And, babe, answer me the first time. It really pisses me off to have to repeat myself.”

  Her thoughts plowed into me for one brief second—and how many times have you told people that?

  I didn’t take well to ridicule either. Nor did I take it easy on anyone who decided they’d take that chance. I should kill her now and save myself the trouble of dealing with trying to get information out of her. I’d interrogated enough people to know what made them give, but a woman . . . I’d rather fuck them than interrogate them.
r />   “Seventeen years, three months, and two days,” she replied.

  Odd how she’d remember that, or was she just being a smartass? Also odd that she’d have just been a kid as she looked about twenty. “What’s your specialty in this hellhole? Torturing innocent people or do you just like to watch?”

  Her eyes flashed fire for a split second, coming alive for the first time. If I ever smiled, I would’ve at that moment, but it took too much effort and I had no inclination to waste it.

  “I watch,” she said.

  I dropped my hand from her jaw with disgust. She was probably one of the ones who were doing experiments on Ryker.

  I should kill her now. Except sitting in an air duct the rest of the night with a dead body would suck. Besides, the smell might give me away.

  I ignored her as she shifted further away from me. She stopped at three feet’s distance and I allowed it. It wasn’t as if she could escape.

  “So you enjoy experimenting on innocent people.” I should keep my mouth shut. But I wanted to hear her explanation, why she enjoyed hurting people.

  “You know what they do here?” she asked. “I don’t enjoy being—”

  “Yeah, because you’re a coldhearted bitch.”

  She jerked her eyes to me, and I saw that flash of anger again. But as fast as it came, it was gone. She shrugged like it didn’t matter what I called her.

  I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. A few more hours and I’d be gone; she’d be dead, and Ryker would be safe.

  I LEANED UP AGAINST the wall of the dingy hotel room, arms crossed as I watched Danni sitting on the bed talking to Delara and Jedrik. After scouting the area, the mission was solid. Well, as solid as it could be with fuckin’ Kilter pulling his bullshit.

  Danni laughed at something Jedrik said.

  I loved everything about her. The way she moved with no pretention. How her eyes gleamed when she laughed. The way her nose scrunched up button-like when she was pissed. But just as quick as it came, it could disappear. No grudges, because she had forgiveness in spades.

  Her commitment issues were a hitch. I understood her apprehension about becoming too close to anyone. Shit, her mother died and then her father blew his brains out. Even though she was fighting for us, I sensed her hesitation, that inkling of dread that weighed heavy on us both.