Chapter 10 #2
I winced, pulling the phone away from my ear as the line screeched with static.
“Sorry, the human technology and weapons are fucking with all our communication systems,” he growled, sounding worked up. Considering he swore, which almost never happened, I knew just how upset he was.
“We don’t need a pick-up, but we need a way to locate the other god terrors and get to them,” I explained quickly.
“I got your location.” My father exhaled, relieved. “Sit tight. If that’s what you want, I’ll get you everything you need. Call me immediately on the secure line once they arrive with everything.”
“Will do.” I swallowed before adding, “Love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, Ara.” The emotion leaked through his voice before the call disconnected, making me worry even more about what was going on there. I was glad there were so many powerful nightmares with him. At the end of the day, I knew we could beat the humans, but I worried at what cost.
A mass murder of that kind would make every nightmare’s life a living hell in this country. There had to be a better way, one where the true villains were exposed and nightmares gained freedom, not lost it.
“They are fine, Bella,” Zain assured me. I knew that in theory, but it didn’t feel like that at all.
I ran a hand over my face and sighed. “How long have I been sleeping?”
“Fifty-six minutes.”
I smiled at Ashur. “Counting?”
“I’m finding time has taken on a bit of a different meaning. It is moving slower for me, and when you sleep, it goes back to how I normally view it… I like when you’re awake.” He shook his head at the confusing array of thoughts, as if not understanding it himself but wanting to express it anyway.
I loved that, and I loved his honesty.
“I like that.” I squeezed his hand as voices made their way through the door from outside.
“Where is everyone?” I asked.
“Eating outside. We ordered food—”
I was up and out the door before he could even finish the sentence.
I groaned happily when I saw the take-out boxes on tables spread across the tables, nearly throwing myself in Blackwell’s lap as Cy handed me one.
I didn’t even bother saying anything as Zain recounted the conversation with my dad while I scarfed down some delicious food.
This chicken Parmesan sandwhich was the freakin’ bomb.
“I wonder who they’ll send,” Damian said thoughtfully.
“Probably one of the older teams that isn’t actively manning operations,” Razar said.
“They won’t take them away from their families right now,” Cy added.
“Maybe it’s someone he already has out here,” I suggested.
Saint froze and then groaned. “Fucking hell. How far are we from the Illusions of Crow headquarters?”
“Close,” Razar admitted.
Zain sighed. “That sounds about right.”
“Who are the Illusions of Crow?” Amun’s brow dipped, mirroring Ashur’s concerned look.
“A smaller unit, much like the institute,” Blackwell explained. “But they are way more rogue. We have an okay relationship with them.”
“As long as they don’t stare at Arabella,” Razar grumbled.
“She’s officially our mate,” Saint snarled. “I’ll kill them.”
“I’ll kill them so you don’t have to ruin your relationship with a possible ally down the road,” Ashur offered, causing me to snort.
Saint tilted his head, examining the terror with an odd look. “You would do that?”
“Future ally means more protection for Arabella,” Ashur reasoned. “They can’t do shit to me.”
Saint flashed a dangerous smile. “Ashur, you will be happy to know that I am officially cool with you being here.”
I didn’t bother stopping the eye roll.
“Don’t be a brat.” Blackwell nipped my shoulder, and I made a sound of complaint.
“Faster than he was cool with me,” Amun said dryly.
“That’s pretty chill of you, Saint. You’re getting better at people-ing.” Zain smiled.
“I am, aren’t I?” Saint agreed before looking at Amun. “Still not cool with you.”
Amun barked out a laugh as Razar grumbled something about not being cool with any of this.
Damian offered me a smile, loving this. Blackwell nuzzled my neck as Cy continued to give me food, my body relaxing as I realized just how much we needed this type of peace.
These small moments meant so much to me, and I needed to make them a priority.
It was around thirty minutes later, after we broke into relaxed conversation, that I was ready for bed.
I had managed to find a moment to shower again and use some of the clothes Kalinda had given us.
We were all dressed in fairly standard clothes now, but I could tell everyone felt more refreshed than what we had in what we’d been wearing.
I had figured there would be some fight about where to sleep and who would be sleeping in the room with me since they were so overbearingly protective, so I didn’t get involved.
Nope, instead I fell asleep right into the pillows and closed my eyes, following my body’s lead and completely surrendering to exhaustion.
That was when the dream started.
“Hello?”
The young voice filled with fear immediately had my eyes opening.
I was blinded by the silver light that filled the space on all sides, wincing as I tried to sort myself out.
Something shifted nearby, and as my vision cleared, I realized the light was coming off a young girl, sitting chained to a wall.
Pain hit my chest at the sight. Her hair, which looked like glowing strands of moonlight, hung to her waist and fell across the dirty floor.
Her skin was marred with bruises and welts, and she was so incredibly small.
She was maybe twelve at most, obviously starved by the gaunt nature of her features.
She wore a torn dress, and her massive black eyes were staring at me in fear.
“Who are you?” she asked in confusion as I looked down at my hands, realizing that there was a silver light coming off me as well.
“Arabella,” I answered immediately, looking around the space in confusion. “Who are you? Where are we?”
“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “I mean, this is where I live, but you don’t live here, and I was sleeping… I’m Naenia, but you can call me Nia.”
“Like the Roman goddess?” She blinked at me in confusion. “I don’t… I don’t know what that is.”
“How long have you been here, Nia?”
Sadness filled her gaze. “A few years? I can’t remember. It’s been a very long time. Since I was half the size I am now. They keep saying they’re going to get rid of me, but I’m still here.”
“Who will?”
“The keepers,” she said as tears crowded her eyes. “Will you help me get out?”
“Where are you?” I asked, because of course I would help her. As soon as possible. As I waited for her answer, I remembered the light pulling me to the West Coast from the clearing—it was the same one radiating off of her.
Holy shit.
“I don’t know. Somewhere warm. I can hear the ocean sometimes.” Tears leaked down her face. “Sometimes it floods in here.”
I tried to move forward, wanting to comfort her, but I was cemented in place, and that killed me. Instead, I held her gaze and made a solemn promise.
“I will find you, Nia. I will find you and help you.”
I flung up in bed, out of breath and gasping, my entire body radiating pain. Immediately, Razar was there cupping my jaw and trying to talk to me, but I couldn’t focus on that. I could only focus on one thing—finding Nia.
Instinctively, I knew where she was. I just had to process it in my head. But instead, tears began to track down my face. Finally, when all the lights turned on and my other nightmares filled the space, I got some words out.
“West Coast—we have to go there.”
“What?” Razar asked, looking confused. “For the god terrors?”
“No.”
“Arabella, pixie, you gotta talk to us,” Cy said, making me realize I’d zoned out again.
“A girl. She’s chained up in a basement by the ocean. Her name is Nia.”
“Do you know her, or…”
“She’s another sis meta.”