Chapter 14

My stomach lurched, I stopped and opened my eyes. It was complete darkness. The music had stopped. “Someone forgot to pay the electricity,” I joked and pulled out my phone to turn on the flashlight. When I did, I froze. Where the hell was I? This wasn’t my room. My heart began to pound in my chest. The floor was covered in scattered garbage and layers of dust. I turned and shone the flashlight around, there was old furniture stacked and long forgotten. I looked back at the floor, the garbage was covered in dust and cobwebs. Moving carefully, I walked toward a wall and held the light, so I could see it. It was a boarded up, window. No light shone through.

Lowering the phone, I opened my contacts and tapped Arius’ name. I held the phone to my ear, my hand shaking.

“Second thoughts, beautiful?”

“Arius,” I almost cried, “I don’t know where I am.”

“What? You were just in your room a minute ago.”

I shook my head. “I’m not. It’s dark and dirty and I don’t know where I am.” Tears threatened to fall.

“Paisley, listen carefully. I want you to hang up and open the app on your phone marked team. There’s only one group on it, dial that, it will call all of us.” His tone was so even.

I nodded.

“You got it?”

I nodded again. “Yes. Yes.”

“Okay, do it now.” The line went dead.

Shaking, I held the phone, so I could read the screen and opened the menu. I’d seen it and thought it was some preinstalled thing that came with the phone. I opened it and hit the only group listed ‘good team’. I put the phone to my ear.

“I’m here.” Arius said quickly. “Do you have your earbuds with you?”

I nodded then remembered he couldn’t see me. “Yes. Hang on.” I reached in my pocket and pulled them out, one fell to the floor. Clasping the other one in my palm, I lowered the phone and pushed the side of the earbud, so it would connect. It took two tries to get it in my ear properly. “Okay.” I said.

“What’s going on?” Victor’s voice was in my ear.

“Paisley has somehow ported herself somewhere.” Arius said sounding like he was running.

“How is that possible?” Chase asked.

“I didn’t think it was without the full mating bond.” Troy said, “Except in the instance of the huntress others cannot do that.”

“So how did she do that then?” Chase said sounding serious.

“Can we fucking analyze this later?” Arius barked into the phone.

“Paize?” It was Daxx.

“Yeah?”

“What do you see?” she sounded calm.

I turned the flashlight back on my phone. And turned. “It’s completely dark. Dirty, furniture and garbage stacked all over,” I moved back toward the window, “It’s boarded up.”

“She’s on your side, Daxx.” Quinton said.

“Yeah that’s what I’m figuring.” Daxx replied.

“What were you thinking about just before it happened?” Alona asked.

I closed my eyes, remembering Arius and I, but wasn’t going to say that. “I-nothing. I put a song on and was going to listen to it then come back to the cave.” I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

“What was the song about?” Crissy asked sounding more serious then I’d ever heard her. “Did the words make you think of somewhere? That happens sometimes, small cues trigger memories.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it and thought about the song. “The words hadn’t even begun; I was just feeling good.” I looked around the musky space I was in. “Where I am does not make me feel good.”

“Can you feel her through the bond, Arius?” Leone asked.

“Barely. Because she’s on the other fucking side and I’m not.” He bit out. “I don’t even know where to port to start and try to get a reading on her.” He growled.

I heard a grunt.

“Arius,” Michael hissed, “killing guards that get in your way is not going to find her.”

“Paize, what do you smell?” Rafael asked.

I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly. I grimaced. “Dirt, mold and that mildew smell and something that smells like—” I inhaled again trying to place it, “I don’t know but it gives me that metal taste in my mouth.”

“Old factory district?” Quinton asked.

“Could be.” Daxx said. “There’s new factories over by the older neighborhoods though, so we need more. It could take hours to search both.”

I turned, flashing the light all around me. “I can-can look around more.”

“Be careful.” Arius said, sounding more level-headed.

I moved slowly, flashing the light at my feet, then checking ahead so I could take a few more steps. “There’s a door. I don’t think it leads outside though.”

“Try it, maybe there’s another way out.” Beth suggested.

I nodded. “Okay.” I shone the light around the door, then moved closer. I didn’t want to touch the door, it was dirty, but I didn’t want to stay here either. There was no handle, so I leaned against it and pushed with my shoulder and hip. It didn’t move at all. “I think it’s nailed shut.”

“What about windows? Can you see out of any of them, give us some landmarks to go by?” Daxx asked.

Turning around, I shone the light along the wall. “I don’t see any space around the boards.” I looked around for something I could use to pry them away. “Just a second.” I went over to some chairs that looked like they’d been tossed in a corner. “I’m going to need to be disinfected after this,” I mumbled to no one in particular. “I’m going to try to break a leg off a chair and see if I can loosen a board to see out.”

“Do what you need to, some of us are going to port to Alona’s apartment so we’re on that side. We’ll reconnect to the call when we get there.” Michael told me.

“Okay.” I looked for good place to prop my phone, so I had light.

“One of us will remain on the call the whole time, Paisley.” Victor informed me.

“You are not alone.” Beth said softly.

I nodded. “Good, when we find me, we’ll have a party here.”

Someone chuckled.

“It’s been work, run, run for days—we needed this rousing game of hide and seek.” Chase said not sounding as amused as the words would imply.

I set the phone down propped against an empty bottle on the floor, shining the light on the chairs. If anything scurried out when I moved them, I was going to scream. “I do try to entertain.” I said quietly.

“Don’t encourage him, Paisley.” Alona said in a monotone voice.

Going to the pile, I tried to make out which one I could move without all of them crashing on me. “If I scream, it’s nothing, okay.”

“Scream?” Arius said briskly.

Grabbing the leg of an upside-down chair, I tested the weight of it. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure rodents are the only inhabitants here.”

“And you all wonder why I wear boots.” Alona said, now sounding out of breath.

A few chairs shifted as I moved the top one. Slowly I picked it up high enough to free it from the pile. “I’d be happy with a baseball bat right now.” Setting the chair down on the floor on its side I went over and picked up my phone. “I think I can break this chair. It’s pretty old.” I raised my foot and brought it down on the leg. It didn’t budge. “What I wouldn’t give for your ability right now, Beth.” Stepping up onto the edge of the seat, I put my hands out to balance myself as it wobbled.

“Just ran down the alleys near the new metal plant,” Quinton said sounding out of breath, “nothing boarded up here.”

“I’m checking the next block.” Rafael said.

“Are you able to sense her Arius?” Troy asked.

There was a quiet sound of annoyance. “Not enough to get a direction.”

I wobbled again. “Can I do anything to help that?”

“When I get closer, I’m sure I’ll feel your fear.” He said quietly, sounding distracted.

I nodded. “Yes, there’s plenty of that. If you could bring some hand sanitizer with you too, that would be great.” I took a deep breath and jumped onto the leg of the chair. It cracked, and I found myself sitting on the filth on the floor.

“Did you break it?” Leone asked.

I looked to see the leg lying on the floor. “I did, and my butt too I think.” I got up, trying not to touch the floor with my hands. Picking up the leg, I aimed the light and tried to look for a space in the boards. Something moved on the floor and I froze, slowly lowering the light, trying to see what it was and where it went. “Did you sense paralyzing fear, Arius?”

“No.” He huffed out a breath like he was running. “What’s wrong?”

I moved toward the wall. “Oh, just things scurrying around in here.” I whispered.

“Anything in there should be very scared, sarg,” Chase sounded like he was running, “I’ve seen you in action. My moneys on you.” He huffed out a breath.

“We’re covering the city sister, one street at a time.” Rafael said, his voice sounded like he was running.

I stopped and stared at my phone. They were literally running through the city looking for me. “Thank you.” I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I’m going to try to pry a board loose.”

I heard banging through the headset.

“Let us know if you hear any banging against the boards.” Crissy said. “We found some buildings boarded up, so Victor is kicking them.”

“Oh, trust me if you’re close I’ll let you know.” I nodded.

“Okay.” She said again.

I moved the light around the one board, looking for the best spot to try. There was a small space at the bottom. I kicked it with my foot and the board moved. Going back over, I picked up the grimy bottle to set the phone down against it.

I tried to wedge the chair leg under the board. It wouldn’t fit. Turning the leg around, I jammed the broken end in and pulled up. It didn’t move. Stopping, I huffed out a breath, then picked up my phone to shine it around the room.

“How are you doing?” Alona asked me.

“I could use a crowbar.” I said, walking around to see if there was anything I could use for leverage or pry with. “A hot shower.”

“Checked the lower south side.” Michael reported. “None of the abandoned buildings are boarded up.

There was nothing the right size to use. I went back over and put the phone down.

“My question,” Chase said sounding out of breath, “is why none of you have given her a device that will take her back to the landing room.”

“Why haven’t you given her one?” Quinton asked.

“Me? I’m a king, I can’t be expected to remember everything.” Chase replied.

Placing my foot on the leg sticking out of the board, I put my hand against the wall to balance myself. “Device? I thought I didn’t need one.” Slowly I moved my other foot and wobbled on top of the leg.

“Different device.” Daxx said breathlessly. “This one brings you back to Alterealm.”

I closed my eyes. “That would be handy right now.”

“I didn’t think to give you one because you had no way to leave on your own,” Arius sounded stressed.

“Can we give me one that stops this from ever happening again?” I bent my knees to prepare to jump.

“Could it have something to do with her ability with time?” Troy asked.

I stopped moving. “If you tell me I’ve transported through time, I’m going to cry.”

“No. No, I didn’t mean that. To my knowledge and our scholars, that is impossible.” Troy said.

“Caveman. Stop talking.” Daxx said abruptly.

Someone snorted.

“Now you know how it feels, brother.” Chase said.

It was comforting to listen to them, to know that I wasn’t alone. I don’t think I’d be as calm as I was in here without them chattering in my ear. “When I get out of wherever here is, someone needs to tell me how to never transport again.” Bracing myself, I jumped and dropped both feet down onto the leg. I heard cracking, but didn’t fall, so I tried it again. This time there was cracking, the leg broke and I stumbled across the floor to keep from falling on it.

“Paisley?” Arius said cautiously.

“I’m okay.” I looked down to see some light shining in. “I broke part of the board off.” I went over and grabbed the board and pulled on it. It wasn’t coming off. Squatting down, I bent and looked to see what was on the other side. “I can’t get it all the way off.” Kneeling, I leaned down further. “I can see buildings.”

“What kind of buildings?” Daxx asked quickly.

I looked again, trying to fit my head out. “Nothing that stands out.” I turned the other way.

“Take pictures.” Crissy said. “Up high ones and I will know where you are.”

I sat back on my feet.

“I see where she’s going. Aim the camera up and take the pictures of the height of the buildings and anything else you think will help.”

I turned and picked up my phone. “Okay. Then just send them to Crissy?”

“You can send them over this app.” Rafael informed me.

“We can send pictures?” Chase asked.

“You cannot.” Alona told him.

“Ruin all my fun.” Chase sighed.

“If you open the screen we’re on, there’s a settings icon in the top right corner, Paisley, open that and it will have send photo option.” Michael said, then huffed out a breath.

“Give us a direction.” Arius said patiently.

“Okay, hang on.” I opened the app and did as Michael instructed. When the camera option came up, I leaned back down to the hole and aimed the phone up. I clicked it then turned the phone to make sure I got a picture of something. I sent it and then did six more, from every direction I could.

“I don’t know buildings like that.” Rafael said.

“They look familiar, but I can’t place them.” Leone told us.

“Criss, any of it look like somewhere you’ve been?” Daxx asked.

I turned and leaned back against the wall beside the hole. Listening, hoping.

“It makes me think of the old part, Daxx, after that bridge that fell down.” Crissy said slowly like she was picturing it.

“Yes, they do. The city expanded but the original main hub was over there.” Daxx blew out a breath. “Just give me a second, I have to get it right to get us there.”

There was no talking for a few minutes. They felt like hours.

“Okay, meet at the building we used when Criss ran us across the supports of the old tracks, I can get us all to the old side from there.” Daxx said.

“I’ll stay on with Paisley. Let me know when you’re back on.” Arius told them.

I smiled; he knew not to leave me alone.

“We’ll figure it out.” He said quietly. “Find out how you did this, so it doesn’t happen again.”

“I know you will.” I closed my eyes and pictured his face. My phone sounded the low battery warning. “Arius, my battery is dying.”

“How much is left?”

I turned off the flashlight and checked. “Five percent. The flashlight must have drained it.”

“We have the pictures now. I will find you.” His voice was strained.

“Please hurry I don’t want to be here in the dark alone.” I pulled my legs closer and looked at the bit of light coming through. At least it wasn’t dark outside. If it had been I wouldn’t have been able to take the pictures.

“Okay, Arius, we’re all here. Get your butt here.” Daxx said.

“Her battery is almost dead.” He said quickly. “I’ll be there soon, Paisley.”

My phone beeped again then powered down. I clasped it in my hand. It was completely silent now. No breathing, talking or background noise coming through the earpiece. I looked at the hole beside me again, making sure there was still daylight on the other side. I didn’t even have enough light to see to get up and move around.

I listened, waiting to hear footsteps or someone calling my name. A shiver went through me and I didn’t know if it was the damp air or fear. I tried not to think about rats or mice, but the more I tried to think of something else, the more I thought about rats and mice.

I closed my eyes, determined to push it from my mind and find something else to focus on. Reaching behind me, I jammed the phone in my pocket and hugged my arms around my waist. As I did my arm bumped Arius’ mark. It was tender, but not in a bad way. I smiled to myself. I still didn’t know where the idea had come from, or that I’d been bold enough to suggest it. I didn’t regret it though. Arius, his family—this whole other realm, it was different in so many ways, but in others it was the same as anywhere else.

“Please find me Arius.” I whispered. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms, trying to distract myself enough that I wouldn’t freak out. If it hadn’t been so dark, I could have paced. Sitting still always made time pass slowly. Sitting in the dark and silence made it feel like time stood still.

I thought I heard something outside. Dropping down, I looked out, listening.

“I’ll take the alley.”

It was Rafael.

Getting up I picked up the broken leg and hit the board. “I’m here.” I screamed. I hit the board several more times, as hard as I could then stopped and listened.

“Paisley.” Arius shouted.

I dropped down to the hole. “Arius, I’m here.”

“Stand back.”

I jumped up and stood to the side. The boards crunched, then broke with the next hit.

Light filled the dark space and Arius stood in it, his red eyes glowing. I launched myself at him into his arms.

“I’ve got you.” He said against my ear, hugging me tight.

I didn’t let go as he walked out into the light. The others stood near the corner of the building. They looked out of breath, anxious. I still couldn’t believe they ran around the city, literally, looking for me.

“Thank the gods.” Troy said.

“I don’t need exercise for a week.” Quinton sighed.

Arius stopped walking and set me on my feet. Leaning back, he cupped my face, searching it. “Are you all right?”

I nodded. “In desperate need of a shower, but okay otherwise.” I rested my forehead against his chest.

“Do you recognize where we are?” Victor asked.

Lifting my head, I looked around.

“Wait.” Alona rushed toward me, taking a device off her wrist. “Put this on. It will either land you in my apartment or the landing room.”

Arius took it and lifted my arm.

While he did it up, I looked at the building I’d been stuck in. There was something familiar. “I have been here.” I pointed to the corner. “There was a street dance. It was the first time I’d seen a professional deejay and knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

“But you weren’t thinking about here when you ported?” Troy asked.

I shook my head. “No, I was just happy.” I looked up at Arius, his eyes locked with mine.

“What were you doing right before that? Before you turned the music on?” Michael crossed his arms, looking concerned.

I felt my cheeks heat and looked back up at Arius.

He glanced at his brother. “We’d renewed the blood bond.”

“No more happy thoughts for you.” Chase said. “Ever.” He motioned up and down Arius. “We need to find out why the pretty one’s blood can do that to a woman.” He smirked.

“I doubt it was the blood, but we have to know if she can do it again.” Victor glanced to Arius.

He nodded and looked down at me. “I’ll be with you, and you have a device now.”

I looked down at my wrist and placed my hand over it and squeezed. “What do I do?”

He wrapped his arms around me. “Close your eyes, focus on one place, picture it.”

I nodded and closed my eyes. Resting my head against him, I thought of his room. I pictured it in my mind.

After a few moments, I opened my eyes and looked around. We were still here with the others.

“That’s very curious.” Victor said.

“Could it be another ability that’s been dormant?” Quinton’s brow furrowed.

“I don’t know what it could be at this point.” Victor said quietly. “The royal blood is what allows us to transport without programmed devices, but others not born to it can only do it with a full bond,” he motioned to my arm, “and only when marked.” He looked to Arius again. “Have Clairee take a look when we get back, see what she senses.”

Arius nodded.

“You should have her room checked too.” Leone said, hugging Bethany against his chest. “Just to be on the safe side, after the spies we’ve discovered have had access inside the chambers.”

“I agree, we can’t afford to not be certain. Their attempt to get Marcus freed failed once, what’s to stop them from trying another way?” Michael looked to Troy then Chase, both nodded.

“You think they were going to use her?” Arius asked, a low rumble in his chest.

“I would put nothing past them.” Bethany said. “They’ve got to be desperate now.”

Daxx nodded, “You spent the night before in Arius’ room that was the first time you were back in yours for long enough to grab something, right?”

I nodded and glanced up at Arius. “They did something to my room?”

He hugged me against his chest. “We’ll find out.”

“Get Clairee and Romulus here to check this building as well, see if they can sense magic.” Troy said in a hard tone.

“I think we should get back, and let Paisley take a shower.” Alona said softly.

I turned in Arius’ arms and looked at them. “Thank you. For looking for me.” I felt my eyes tear up. No one had ever done something like that before.

Chase pointed at me. “Don’t even think it.” He grabbed Alona and they vanished.

“Oh, I am not doing this again.” Daxx turned and grabbed Troy’s arm and they both disappeared.

Beth gave me a soft smile. “They don’t do emotions well.” She nodded then leaned into Leone. Smiling down at her, then they were both gone.

Arius looked down at me, “my shower will have to do, you’re not stepping in that room until it’s cleared.”

“They better not touch my sound equipment.” I leaned against him and wrapped my arms around his chest.