Chapter 14 #4
But more importantly, he had understood her.
He’d figured out her insane attempt to follow Cole’s orders to hurt him with her words in ways that still made her sick.
The trust he put in her was intoxicating, enchanting.
Trust enough in her to not chase after her, to let her figure out this mess partly of her own making.
But, dare she hope, it was love that kept him from letting go of her hand.
Sera brushed more tears from her eyes. She couldn’t dwell on thoughts of Kieran or she’d never get things done. She had to be strong, because Seth needed her. Kieran trusted her. And if she was going to be worthy of either, she had to do one last thing.
As the cool tones and stronger masonry of the Fells gave way to warm hues and patchwork infrastructure, Sera had resolved to her course. Cole stopped her just shy of entering Demon Row, grabbing her arm and yanking her roughly into the shadows of a building.
“I can’t follow you directly in there, but know that I will be watching.”
She tugged her arm free, knowing that she only managed it because he let her go. “Yes, I get it.”
“I know you’ve been scheming this whole time, but let’s make one thing clear, Sera Dear, you’re not nearly smart enough to pull off whatever you’re planning.
You think I missed the fact that you’re illiterate?
How you’re constantly getting yourself into the worst situations like a beautiful stupid moth ramming face first into bad decisions?
” His hand struck, clutching around her face, squeezing her cheeks until it hurt.
With his current level of power, he could snap her jaw without effort.
Her fingers flew to his wrist, but no amount of pulling could sway his arm.
“I was a bad decision. They never see it coming, my web of spies and play things, but you? You made it easy. A walking disaster. Fresh out of a failed relationship and desperate for someone to love you. A few simple praises and you were drooling in my hand.”
Tears stung her eyes. From the way his fingers squeezed pain through her jaw as much as from the truth of his words.
She was a desperate, stupid girl magnetically drawn to the worst of humanity.
And she did it willingly each time. Let herself believe it would be different, only to have reality come crashing back the moment it suited them.
“Don’t think you can fuck with me, pet,” his voice, dripping with honey a second ago, hardened into a cruel drawl.
His fingers flexed and she gasped as her bones protested, threatening to snap.
“Always remember that you’re a stupid, small, insignificant girl in a world of monsters.
The only way you survive is by feeding their desires. ”
He threw her backward, her body hitting the ground hard. Pain snapped through her, but the tremble in her limbs was not from the fall.
Gingerly, she rose to her feet. When she looked back where Cole had been standing, he was gone. A quick scan told her he was out of sight, though unlikely to be far. He’d stay where he could watch and hear her.
Her entire soul was shivering, afraid. Cole’s words slithered like venom through her body, hitting every weakness and doubt she had about herself. Her mother’s voice joined the choir, an endless taunt of ‘stupid, stupid, worthless.’
Somehow managing to put one foot in front of the other, Sera entered Demon Row.
She purposefully avoided a path that would take her near her old building—she could not be tempted to linger right now, and it was too early to meet up with Kieran.
Though every fiber of her being craved his warmth and steady presence, her mind sought out his voice through the muck.
Brilliant.
Genius.
Superior.
Clasping her hands together, Sera focused with her whole heart on Kieran’s voice. Until the tremors subsided. She couldn’t doubt herself. Seth was relying on her. If her plan was doomed…
They were all dead either way. Her only chance was to hope that even if she wasn’t some brilliant strategist, she might at least throw enough of a wrench into Cole’s scheme to get Seth, Kieran, and herself out of this alive.
The architecture shifted as she crossed into the inner hive of larger structures, near the center of Demon Row.
Homes that now spanned an entire floor or the entire building.
Wraith was settled in farthest from the border, surrounded on all sides by buildings, walls, and gates.
Sera had been inside once in her life. An oasis of a home nestled at the heart of the borough.
Every building, including the standalone, expansive mansion, belonged to Wraith directly.
What use they provided, she didn’t know, but he had guards, servants, and staff stationed all throughout the compound.
No one could get in or out without his knowing.
Sera stopped just outside a guard station, glancing around for signs of Cole. He wasn’t exactly ‘stealthy’ with his flashy clothes and more buoyant personality. But then, she saw no indication of his position.
The guard, a grimm judging by the vaguest hint of purple near his forehead and neck, nodded toward her. “Got business inside, missy?”
Once inside, it was unlikely that Cole would be following her. Would he hear her through the walls? Fae senses were more refined, but not boundless. She had to risk it.
“I’m here for Miles,” Sera crooned, hugging her coat closer. It was difficult to pretend her body wasn’t still bleeding adrenaline and that her confidence hadn’t shattered into pieces, but this role was habit. Muscle memory. “He said I could meet him here.”
The guard raised a brow. “Miles don’t usually have escorts meet him inside. He knows better.”
Sera sauntered closer. “What’s your name, handsome?” She waited, gauging the reaction to her flirting.
The guard blustered before answering, “Avery.”
The guard station was a smaller building set into the side of the wall that held the gate.
An open window allowed a view of the street and Sera leaned onto the counter that separated her from Avery.
His hand lay on the counter, his pose relaxed, but she had noticed his eyes dipping to her chest more than once. The angle here was obvious.
“I’m more of a present for someone. Miles said it was a special occasion.” She started drawing delicate circles on the back of Avery’s hand. “And once I’ve concluded my business, maybe I could make time for a little fun.”
The spark and dilation in his eyes suggested he was tempted.
She would have to channel all her thoughts into selling her desire, or he’d sense her deception too easily. If she pretended his hair was lighter… maybe white and wearing an apathetic scowl instead of a stupid grin, she might pull off a facsimile of attraction for the few minutes needed.
Sera turned his hand over, so his palm was facing up, and cradled it in hers, drawing his fingers closer to her chest. Rough nails brushed the fabric of her chemise and she suppressed a repulsed shiver.
His gaze narrowed, possibly detecting her revulsion, but Sera summoned an erotic image, desperate to return to her mask of desire.
Kieran’s voice flitted through her subconscious, primal emotion thawing the ice in his gray eyes, his warm hands on her skin, exploring with reserved need, like he feared that too much contact with her bare skin would be too much, like she made him feel too much.
Sera squeezed her legs together. Avery’s face shifted into a wild sort of grin. No doubt he’d gotten the right impression, but Sera wasn’t actually sure how their ability worked. At least, she was back on track.
“Let’s see.” She used her nail to trace the lines in his palm.
“Now, forgive me, I’m not the best with this, but I think this is your life line.
” She moved to another. “And that would make this your pleasure line.” She pressed a touch harder as she followed the crease to his wrist and up his arm.
“A long, strong line like this suggests you’re either impressively put together,” her eyes dipped quickly with the insinuation, “or have the stamina of a god.”
He blinked. “Seriously?”
“Which is perfect cause,” she curled his fingers back into a fist and pushed his arm away from her, “I can be quite insatiable.”
She released him with a gentle pat on his knuckles. “Why don’t you have someone fetch Miles and we can get this business sorted and get to the fun all the quicker.”
Avery scratched his ear. “Well, I…” He blew out a breath, studying her, taking appraising looks up and down. Sera resisted rolling her eyes. Gods, this was getting annoying.
“I’ll just walk you back there, how’s that?” He started to gather some things from a desk, then called over his shoulder. “Gabe, I’ll be back in a second. Watch the gate.”
Avery disappeared as another guard took his place, and then he was outside and staring at her with oily lust.
“This way,” Avery ordered and went about unlocking the gate and holding it for her to enter, then relocked it behind them. He dared letting his hand tease at her hip, which she might normally have been forced to tolerate.
However, once inside there was no more need to pretend.
Sera jerked away from Avery’s hand. “Take me to Wraith. Now.”
Avery blinked for a moment, obviously slow to follow the change in mood.
“He’s in danger,” she pressed, “Cole is likely right outside. Take me to Wraith.”
“Hold on, you mean you’re not interested in having sex with me?”
Sera growled and took off running. She vaguely remembered the way, but Avery had regained his senses and was shouting for back-up.
Her chance of reaching Wraith was minimal.
They were likely to start taking shots at her.
Miles carried the newer style weapons. She doubted he was the only one here with firearms.
She was running blindly now, sprinting for some sort of cover so she could recollect her thoughts, when an arm caught her by the waist.
The air should have whooshed from her lungs, but the owner of the arm turned with her momentum so her body could decelerate gradually. Once her feet hit the ground, Sera was about to start throwing her fists, but she stopped when she recognized the roguish grin.
“Miles!”
He stared down at her, his arm still holding her up by the waist, and Old Sera might have found the moment swoon worthy. Except, Miles was incredibly annoying and relief at finding an ally was stronger than any effect his mischievous eyes could elicit.
“We should meet like this more often,” he said, not removing his arm. “The imminent threat of violence adds a bit of flare to this storybook rescue.” He winked.
Sera pushed his arm away, but his presence stopped the horde chasing her in their tracks. She kept them in her peripherals as she dusted herself off.
“Interesting choice of wardrobe.” He gestured to her clothes. Aside from his joke, he hadn’t acknowledged the guards waiting to capture her. Clearly, they were awaiting his orders. She hoped she hadn’t misjudged him…
“I was in a hurry,” Sera said. “Cole found me after you left. Waltzed right into Kieran’s home.”
Miles’s grin started to drop.
She continued, a bit breathless from the run. “He threatened me, again. And used threats to demand I steal the Charm from Wraith. I don’t think he plans on me succeeding. I think I’m the distraction.”
She waited for her words to sink in, but no one moved. “I said, I’m the distraction. Cole has taken Divinity, he’s stronger than you can imagine. You have to get to Wraith. Now. Cole’s likely waiting just outside, I don’t know how long before he makes a move.”
Miles locked eyes with someone behind her and jerked his head quickly. Then he motioned for Sera to follow. “Come on, then, brown-eyes. Wraith is this way.”
“Wait.” She hesitated, then pushed through the fear to continue, “I… I’ve delivered his warning. But Cole has threatened my friend and I have to make sure he’s okay. And I have to meet Kieran.”
He no longer resembled the Miles she knew, his face stoic and serious. “I can’t show up without you, but if you plead your case then we can possibly swing some help your way.” He waited for her to start walking and, fearing she had no choice, Sera obeyed.
—
She was in front of Wraith in minutes, standing outside one of the smaller buildings.
Miles explained the situation while she twirled her fingers.
She didn’t have time for this. Cole would know she betrayed him any minute and if he wasn’t caught, then he would flee to signal Seth’s death.
Her only chance was that Cole never got a chance to give that signal.
Which gave her till the following morning to get Seth.
But that only worked if Cole was occupied fighting Wraith.
Wraith listened, nodding along. He was smoking, casually taking drags of a cigarette.
There was something off about him, something almost relaxed in his posture.
She couldn’t name exactly what she was looking at, but for some reason the sight of him didn’t fill her with fear.
Perhaps because he was in his home the ominous energy wasn’t as potent.
“She’s got a friend who needs rescuing. Not sure what can be done there, but she wants to go find him,” Miles finished, and his posture was more relaxed than she thought the situation called for, though the seriousness remained on his face.
“Jones will get every eye on the perimeter. If Cole is in Demon Row, we’ll find him before he can get ten feet. Lady may have given us the advantage we needed, if he’s high on Divinity.”
Wraith gestured over his shoulder, and a servant appeared at his side, leaning so Wraith could whisper and then disappearing. Sera held her breath, then Wraith motioned for Sera to step forward.
“I’ve sent for some clothes,” he said, voice full of gravel. “I did some reading on the Charm and seems you were right, it would have hid intent from me. Good to know it's in pieces.”
“That’s good. Happy to help.” She took a deep breath, her words growing clumsy.
“For warning me about Cole, you can leave and save your friend.” Relief loosened every muscle she had been clenching. He took another drag and blew the smoke above his head. “For getting me the Charm, you can take Miles.”
Sera glanced over and some of that cheeky grin returned.
“She can take me however she likes.”
Wraith chuckled, flicking the cigarette down and squashing it with his boot. “You’ll not make the same mistakes as Cole, Miles. This woman has earned protection, so you’ll do what she says and not a thing more, get me?”
Miles crossed his arms. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Just making sure we’re on the same page. You’re one of my best mercenaries, hate to lose you because you got carried away.”
Miles glared, and Sera sensed that what she was seeing was, in part, for show. She had played to the crowd enough to catch the signs. “Alright, let’s get this over with. Where to, brown-eyes?”