AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The rounds of laughter continue. It’s uncomfortable and frightening, making me wonder just how mad this Eminent has become in his underground palace. I open my mouth to speak, but Alexander gives me a quick jerk of his head, and I slam it closed, sitting back in the chair with a huff.
“Were you going to say something, little rat?” the Eminent asks.
I shake my head and lower my eyes. He tips my chin back up with a finger and motions for the room to quiet. You could hear a pin drop in an instant when he sneers in my direction. “Yes, you were,” he demands. “You were going to give me a good reason not to snuff out the infestation in my domain. Because my next order will be to collect your nest and kill them all, one by one.”
Chapter Eight
Infestation
“Sir,ifImight,”Alexander interjects. The Eminent’s swing strikes him across the mouth before he finishes his thought. Alexander takes the hit with a quick snap of his head, but I see the red mark left behind and how he adjusts his jaw.
“Youdolike this one,” the Eminent sneers. “To speak out of turn, she must drive you mad. I know you’ve been lonely, Alexander, but don’t let this vermin make you forget yourself.”
“I apologize,” Alexander says, shifting back into the embodiment of a loyal Assembly member. The speaker raises his lips in a smile, and I narrow my gaze at him, disgusted. The onlookers shift forward in their seats. They’re about to get what they came for, a display of blood across their castle floor.
“Now, Rowan the rat. That has quite the ring to it.” The Eminent turns back to me, lowering himself and bringing his face closer to mine. His long hair brushes against my thighs and that maniacal smile beams down at me. “I’m not asking for much. Just a reason I should keep you here. Feed you. Clothe you. Let’s not forget about your nest. I’ve been waiting patiently for sleeping beauty to join us. Everyone’s so eager to hear from our newest member.”
He moves even closer, his lips almost brushing mine, whispering his threats into my mouth. “I knew you would have something I want. I hope you don’t disappoint me.”
I close my eyes, and there’s a flash of Dean walking on wet grass, a slight limp on one side. Lines of men stretch behind him, all walking toward us — toward the entry of the underground. The rain drenches them all as they draw near, and Dean steps ahead, his glare set on me.
“Come on little rat,” the Eminent’s voice calls from a distant place, but I’m still above the earth, staring at Dean, who grabs me, and pulls me away from the underground. The image of him fades away, replaced by Sam, sitting with me on a cot.
We’re on the Thalassa last year. I recognize the room, the bandage on his leg from the wound that hasn’t healed. His thoughtful eyes meet mine, studying me, adoring me. The boy’s bunks lay open and empty at our sides.
“He’s smart. Probably the smartest fuck I’ve ever come across. It’s too bad he focuses all that on serving himself,” Sam says.
“Dean is a special brand of horrible, but his entire focus isn’t to hurt others.” I hear myself speak even when my lips don’t move, and I step to the side, seeing myself sitting in Sam’s arms. “It sometimes comes out that way, I’ll admit.”
I was so naïve - so stupid.
“No, he wants power at any cost,” Sam shoots back. “He wants to influence and control those around him. He gets off on it. You see that?”
I watch my face crumple in thought, considering Sam’s words.
“It’s power, Sam,” I respond. “It has and always will be power. That doesn’t explain his obsession with me.”
Sam holds me tighter, whispering in my ear and I almost can’t make out the words, but I remember this. This is a memory I was present for, but I need to be reminded. “It’s not love? You two have a history,” Sam says.
“No,” I argue. “He said it was dedication, in fact. I asked him. He said dedication counts more than love.”
“Does he owe you something? Why is he dedicated to you? Is it because of the baby?”
I shake my head. “You’re giving him too much credit. It’s always what suits Dean, what gets him what he wants.”
“And what could he get from you?” Sam asks, running his fingers through my hair.
My eyes fly open, and I’m staring at the Eminent, unsure if I’m about to do the right thing, but letting the words escape, anyway.
“Dean Riggs captains one of the Island Jumpers,” I say. The words are out before I can take them back. The Eminent stares, unimpressed, waiting for more. “His family was one of the first of the Assembly’s… great order. He’s powerful… the most powerful man I’ve…” I swallow hard and straighten my back, and the Eminent rises, crossing his arms at his chest. It’s risky, pitting their egos against each other, but if I’ve learned anything from a lifetime with a power-hungry sociopath, it’s that danger doesn’t exist to them. If this Eminent is anything like Dean, he’ll sacrifice everyone in here to overthrow him and take what he wants.
“He wants me,” I continue. “He’d give just about anything to get me back. No, I mean… He would give anything. I’m sure of it.”
“Why?” the Eminent asks.
“We have a long history, and he’s dedicated to me,” I huff. “And he… believes that I bring him power. He believes this strongly, and he’ll do anything for that.”
“Do you?” the Eminent questions.
