CHAPTER 31
Frankie
S calding hot water beats over my naked body. My skin is bright red, but I don’t register the heat.
Rocking back and forth on the shower floor, I sing the twisted nursery rhyme over and over. “When light fades and shadows play, the Realm Eater comes to take you away.”
Cronus throws a bar of soap at me. “Wash that shit off you. You’re fucking disgusting.”
I don’t respond. I don’t even look in his direction. Instead, I continue rocking. “When light fades and shadows play, the Realm Eater comes to take you away.”
Cronus grabs my hair, pulling me to my feet. “You don’t want to listen? Fine, I’ll clean that dirty little cunt for you.”
He slides the side of his hand up and down the folds between my legs. I shudder, pushing it away as he slams me against the shower wall, the back of my head smacking against the tile.
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” he seethes through clenched teeth. I grab my head, trying to ease the sharp pain.
Cronus uses a claw to outline my mating mark. “I can’t believe Zarreth is mated to the likes of you. Maybe I should do him a favor and remove the mark from your skin.”
I launch myself forward, taking a swing at his head, but he backhands me before I connect, sending me to the ground. Curling into a ball, I whimper as he runs his repulsive soapy hands over my body.
I hear him disconnect the showerhead, using it to rinse away the soap. “Get up,” he commands.
I ignore him.
“Fuck it, see what happens if you don’t show up tonight. I’m done with you.” He stomps from the room as I lay here, wishing I was dead.
I’m still laying on the shower floor when Robert enters my room, but I don’t move. I hear a strange noise coming from him when he kneels beside me, but I don’t look at him.
He shakes me, making another weird sound, this one more urgent than the last.
He pulls away, his footsteps receding. A few seconds later, I feel him wrap a towel around my naked body. Turning my head, I finally focus my eyes on him.
His eyes are bruised and swollen. Dried, flakey blood covers his chin and mouth. Somewhere in the back of my mind I wonder what happened to him, but I’m too numb to ask.
Robert opens his mouth to say something, but all that comes out are droplets of blood and a muffled rasping sound.
Wincing, I wearily push myself up, hesitantly reaching my hand out, grabbing Robert by the chin.
I nearly vomit when he opens his mouth. His tongue is missing. Only a small chunk of swollen, black flesh remains where it was cauterized to stop the bleeding.
I drop my hand, pulling Robert close, knowing we both need the contact. We hold each other and cry. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. I never should have forced you to help me escape.”
Robert shakes his head. He tries mumbling something, but the words don’t come out right.
Just then, we hear a knock at the door. “You have ten minutes. You better be ready.”
I wonder what will happen if I stay here, never coming out. I don’t know if I can handle this much longer, but I look over at Robert, knowing if I don’t attend the party, he will pay the price.
Robert turns his back, giving me privacy while I change into the black dress I wore when I first arrived. I somehow manage to wash my face and braid my hair.
When I’m ready, Robert escorts me to the large banquet room. Tables are decorated with red linen and Dante’s signature daisies are spread throughout the room. People interact as if nothing is wrong, as if there aren’t monsters being created in the basement of this very house.
The black, shiny floor looks freshly polished. Large pillars with intricate carvings are evenly spread along the sides of the room. A chandelier made of bone hangs from the tall, vaulted ceiling. Pointed arches frame each doorway where two guards are posted on both sides. A string quartet is playing in the corner as masked people dance with one another.
I guess the costume party is meant to disguise the demon servers, and it’s working. Everyone seems at ease, despite my stomach twisting into tight knots. The atmosphere is light and fun while my soul is heavy and dark. Are people really this na?ve?
“Aw, there she is. The guest of honor.” Dante walks over to me. I don’t react. I think I’m hollow inside.
He’s wearing all black with a red cape draped over his shoulders. His horns have been painted the same shade of red as the cape. “You know, Frankie, this night will be easier if you behave for once. You may even enjoy it.”
He leads us to a raised platform holding two large thrones made of some sort of black wood. Velvet fabric lines the insides. A table sits between the two thrones, with a single covered plate resting in the middle. Guards line both sides of the dais with even more spread throughout the room.
“Sit, sit,” Dante says. “Have a glass of champagne.”
I take the glass from his hand, but don’t take a drink.
He frowns, annoyance framing his features. “You can trust me, My Queen. Why would I poison my most prized possession? With you by my side, I can rule not only the Human Realm, but every realm in existence.”
“I will never be your queen,” I hiss.
Bringing his face to my ear like we’re lovers, he breathes, “Have it your way. If you refuse to be my queen, you will continue to be my prisoner. Either way, you’ll be under my control. Now do as you’re told, or Robert will pay the price. He can’t afford to lose many more limbs.”
Pulling back, I turn to look at Robert standing behind us, when I catch a glimpse of red hair in the crowd. The woman it belongs to is short, wearing a silver mask covering the top half of her face. No! My heart races. I must be wrong; she can’t be here.
I lean over to get a better look. I knew it! Damn it, Jess! I would recognize her anywhere, even with half her face concealed.
She’s dancing with a tall male whose entire face is hidden by his mask. He pulls it up, winking at me. It’s Ronin. I can’t believe my eyes. What are they doing here? How did they find me? I quickly think of something else, keeping my face neutral before Dante sees my reaction.
He's been talking to me. “... you will need to move quickly. As you know it only takes seconds for the K4 to work and we’re not using restraints today, just the tranquilizers.” My skin buzzes with anticipation, sweat beading down my back.
Dante needs to remove my cuffs for this to work. Will I have time to use my powers on him? I know they’ve gotten much stronger while I’ve been here, but am I strong enough to cause him any harm? What will happen if I fail? It doesn’t matter; this is my chance.
“Ladies and gentlemen.” He stands to address the crowd. “I gather you here tonight to present you with a remarkable gift far greater than your wildest dreams. A promise of unthinkable power and strength; a chance to become more than you have ever dreamed possible. Please welcome my queen, the one you have so patiently been waiting for.”
He reaches his hand out to me, and I just stare at it. He glowers at me as someone shouts from the crowd. “She’s a little old.”
“Where are the girls we were promised?” another voice yells.
Dante turns to the closest guard “What exactly did you tell them?”
“Humans are vile. I knew they couldn’t pass up an opportunity to defile their youth. They’re all expecting under-aged children,” the guard responds.
I’m shocked; sick to my stomach. I can’t believe the number of pedophiles in this room. It makes things much easier knowing I’m not ruining the lives of innocent people. None of these bastards deserve to live.
Dante giggles. He laughs until he’s bent over, holding his stomach. After a few minutes, he finally gets ahold of himself before addressing the crowd. “You imbeciles. You deserve everything coming your way.”
The crowd, realizing they signed up for something much different from what they thought, begins searching for exits in a blind panic.
“What are we doing here?” someone asks.
“I’m leaving! This is bullshit!” someone else yells.
A big burly man steps forward, stupidly standing his ground. “I’m not leaving without my merchandise.”
The crowd is seething as they begin charging the dais. A guard steps forward, slicing the head off the burly man with one swoop of his sword.
Piercing screams fill the room as people scramble in every direction looking for a way out. They have no luck. The doors are locked, and more guards are now standing in front of them for added security.
I frantically search the room for Jess and Ronin, finding them making their way closer to me. I can see Jess trembling from here, her wide eyes lock onto mine as Ronin whispers something in her ear.
Before I know it, they disappear into thin air, leaving nothing behind, not even a cloud of smoke. They simply vanish, along with my only shred of hope.
“Now, now. Calm down everyone,” Dante says. “Things got a little out of control, but you will keep your heads if you simply follow my instructions.”
The noise dies as nervous energy fills the room. “You will thank me when this night is over as you let go of your hesitations and prepare for the blessing awaiting you. The process is quite simple. One by one you will approach the dais. While I place a dissolvable strip on your tongue, my queen will simply touch your throat. That’s all. No need to panic.”
Music resumes as people reach for champagne, hungry for the promise of power, while others remain frozen like deer caught in headlights. I wonder if their drinks are spiked with something or if they’re really this gullible as they slowly start to relax.
Dante clears his throat. Robert steps beside him before removing the cover from the plate, revealing a small rectangular container.
Dante addresses the crowd once again. “If I may have your attention, we will demonstrate the process with my former assistant.” NO, not him.
Robert’s eyes go big. His knees shake as he takes a couple steps back. Guards surround him, grabbing him by the arms, forcing him to kneel in front of me.
One guard is holding a syringe.
“Please,” I beg. “Please not Robert. There are so many others here.”
Robert is so kind and has done so much to help me. I can’t do this to him. The room is filled with terrible people, but Robert is not one of them. He doesn’t deserve this.
“This is what happens when people disobey me. Remember that, Frankie,” Dante says.
With a guard holding a knife to my neck, Dante removes my cuffs. He opens the lid to the small container, removing a thin piece of yellow ribbon. Robert’s eyes get big as Dante instructs him to open his mouth.
He hesitantly parts his lips, revealing the raw fleshy stub, still oozing with fresh crimson. Dante slips the ribbon inside before sitting back with grim satisfaction. Steepling his fingers together, he squeals like a schoolgirl, unable to contain his delight.
Panic floods me as Robert roars, freezing me in place, unable to wrap my hands around his throat.
“Now, Frankie!” Dante yells.
Robert blinks, and when he reopens his eyes, they’re glowing red. Foaming from the mouth, he doubles in size and lunges forward.
The guards try to hold him back, but he easily throws them off. Just when Robert is about to attack me, he turns, leaping toward Dante. The fangs protruding from his mouth rip away a piece of Dante’s throat.
I scream as blood sprays all over me. Soon, I’m surrounded by smoke as Dante traces away, leaving pure chaos behind.
Robert looks at me, and for a moment his eyes soften. He almost looks human again, but then he lunges at me. I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing myself for pain that never comes.
My eyes shoot open when I hear a loud roar. Robert’s head is floating in the air, while his body is sprawled out on the ground.
“Nooo!” I scream.
Before I realize what’s happening, Ronin materializes before me holding Robert’s head. “I love being invisible.”
“You killed him!” I scream.
Ronin tosses the head behind him, grabbing my hand. “He was about to kill you. I had no choice.”
“He was my friend,” I cry, pulling my hand from his grasp. I stand, looking around. “Where’s Jess?”
“She’s safe. Now give me your hand. We need to leave,” Ronin insists.
I search the room for Dante even though I know he traced away like the coward he is. Demons are killing each other; child molesters are frantically running around trying to find their way to safety.
A sense of peace washes over me when I realize each one of these vile bastards will die tonight.
Closing my eyes, I finally grab Ronin’s hand. A spinning sensation overcomes me, making me feel like I’m falling. When I open my eyes again, we’re outside the mansion. I immediately fall to my knees, vomiting what’s left in my stomach onto the ground.
“Frankie!” I hear Jess yell. She runs toward me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, both our faces wet with tears as we hold one another.
“I hate to ruin the moment, ladies, but we need to go.” Ronin grabs us both, tracing us to Jess’ parents’ cabin.
With my hair wrapped in a towel, I sit in front of the fireplace wearing Jess’ fluffy pink robe. She was hoping a bath would make me feel better. I didn’t have the heart to tell her it’s going to take more than a bath for me to truly feel anything.
“Here.” Jess hands me a cup of hot chocolate, giving me a soft smile. “It even has those gross hard little marshmallows you like so much.”
I blow into the mug before taking a sip. My nose tingles like it always does when I want to cry. I don’t deserve her kindness. Would she still take care of me if she knew I was a murderer?
She sits in the chair across from me, holding her own cup of hot chocolate. “Frankie.”
I can tell she feels helpless. I know she wants to make everything better, but she can’t. No one can.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she finally asks.
I shake my head. That’s the last thing I want to do. “How’d you guys find me?”
“We assumed you went to Dante, but we didn’t know where he was holding you so Ronin couldn’t trace us there.”
Jess shudders before continuing to speak. “I got some intel on an underground sex-trafficking group from the dark web and found the event being held by the Horde of Shadows. I was surprised at how easy it was to get in. I guess Dante didn’t care who showed up; none of them were leaving.” She gives me a halfhearted smile.
“How did Dante not see you coming?”
“Ronin said Dante’s visions are sporadic; he can only see the future if he focuses on it. Even then, his visions aren’t a sure thing because the future changes every time someone changes their mind. We knew he wouldn’t be focusing on me, so I kept Ronin in the dark while I searched for you.”
I stare at my friend in awe, imagining how scared she must’ve been this whole time. She looks like she hasn’t slept since I left. Guilt consumes me. I think I prefer being numb.
“I need to go for a walk,” I blurt out, the words rushing from my lips as I begin to feel suffocated by my shame.
“Do you want me to come with you?”
I shake my head. “I need some time to think. I won’t be gone long.”
I change into clothes that Jess had already packed for me and step outside. The cool air feels good against my skin. I wander down the dirt road, not caring where I end up.
Her parent’s cabin is nestled in the woods close to Canada. It’s quiet here, but my mind is anything but peaceful.
I can’t believe Robert is dead. I know I should be happy he’s no longer suffering, but I can’t get the image of Ronin holding his head out of my mind. Robert was my friend. He deserved so much better.
Everyone around me deserves so much better—my brother, my mate, my friends. They wouldn’t have endured any of this if I didn’t exist. They’d be better off without me. The weight of that realization presses down on me, leaving me even more hollow and lost than I already was.
Unable to go on any longer, I find a giant boulder and take a seat. Next to me is a wilted flower, calling out to me. Magic immediately comes to my palms, but instead of mending itself back together, the flower wilts away to nothing. Maybe I’m no longer capable of doing good. What if I spent so much time killing, that I lost my ability to heal?
“Hey.” Ronin’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. Two swords are strapped to his back. “Jess said you wanted to be alone.”
“So then leave,” I bite out, not meaning to.
He chuckles, sitting next to me on the rock. “Since when do I take orders from you guys?” He brushes his shoulder against mine. It’s almost comforting, being close to him. He looks at me like he knows but doesn’t judge.
I don’t deserve his kindness. I wonder how Ronin can stand sitting next to me knowing I’m the reason his best friend is gone. He’d still be here if I hadn’t pushed him away. I want to apologize, but I can’t find the words.
“Did you find Dante?” I ask instead, knowing Ronin went back to the Horde of Shadows after tracing us to safety.
“No, but I made sure not one of those pieces of shit got out alive.” He tosses me a sword. “Here. Swinging a sword always seems to help when I feel lost.”
I catch it by the hilt, balancing it in my hands. It feels good to hold a sword again. I get into my stance, pointing the tip at Ronin.
“Good, you remember your form,” he says before lunging forward, his blade slicing through the air with precision. I perry his swing and thrust forward. We go back and forth a few times, but Ronin easily side steps my every attack.
“Quit holding back,” he barks.
“I’m not.” Sweat runs down my neck. “I’m just out of shape.”
Technically it’s not a lie. I’m breathing heavily and my side is aching from swinging the sword. But Ronin is right. I’m holding back. Who knows what will happen if I unleash my feelings? And I refuse to hurt anyone again.
I swing my sword again, but Ronin easily dodges it, not even trying at this point. He’s toying with me, and it’s pissing me off.
He slaps me on the ass with his sword. “So, you’re just weak then? I expected more from you.”
I bare my teeth, throwing my sword down as my fists clench into a ball. “Fuck off, Ronin,” I seethe.
“That’s it, get mad.” He dances around, taunting me as he flips the sword back up to me. I catch it on instinct. “Show me how you really feel, Frances.” He calls me by the name he knows I hate, hoping it will make me lose it.
“Damn it, Ronin! You don’t know what I’m capable of. What I did in there. All I do is destroy everything around me. I’m the fucking Realm Eater.” I surge forward putting my entire weight behind the strike.
Ronin blocks it, rolling his eyes. “Please, you don’t think I can handle the Realm Eater?” He pokes me mockingly. Treating me like I’ve never held a sword before.
The tension coils inside me as I feign to the left, then pivot to the right. I catch him off guard with a quick thrust. He deflects it, but his eyes widen in surprise.
“Finally.” Ronin lunges toward me with a big grin on his face.
Swords clatter as we turn into a whirlwind of strikes and blocks. A flood of different emotions surges through my body, but I don’t hold back.
We move, swinging our swords until my muscles burn, and I can no longer hold my sword up. Unable to continue, I drop my arm, letting the sword fall to my side. I look at the sky, finally admitting how I feel as a single tear falls down my cheek. “I’m scared.”
Ronin sheaths his sword before pulling me into him, his arms wrapping around me. “I know.”
He doesn’t explain it away or tell me everything is going to be alright. He simply holds me, letting me cry, and I love him for that.
I finally pull away, wiping my eyes with the back of my hands. “We need to save Zarreth and Nate. I can’t just sit here while they’re...”
“I know.” Ronin cuts me off. “We’ll leave once you get some rest and a good meal in your belly. I already packed you a bag.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, grateful for the friendship and support he’s shown. I don’t deserve it.
Back at the cabin, Jess offers me a melatonin. “So you can get some sleep,” she says, giving me a reassuring smile.
“Thanks,” I mutter as I take it and head to bed.
We spend the next day planning and preparing. To Jess, only a few hours will pass while we’re gone. But, for Ronin and me, it could be days or weeks.
I’m ready to go through hell and back to save my mate and my brother.