Rage (Scarlet Dawson Book 3) Read online

  My interest piqued, I sit up and look at Jared. It was a valid question and one I should have thought of asking myself instead of wallowing in self-pity.

  “To be honest, not much. I trailed after him while he visited a few places. I could tell he was preparing for something and I can only assume it was setting you up for the games. He took me to another of his facilities.” I arch a brow at the word ‘facilities’, more like prisons. “This one was an abandoned office building in Old London, England. It looked more like something The Guild used to work from, I assume it just kept up with his charade that he did work for The Council and this was just another assignment for me. He worked out of another office he held there and had me trailing a Fae male for a few days.

  I did question his ability to teleport and he said it was something he inherited from a grandparent and that I was too young when he left to know that he had that gift.”

  Jared sits on the chair at the side of the bed facing me but doesn’t look at me at all. I can tell everything that’s happened over the last few weeks has taken its toll. He looks withdrawn and defeated. No longer the happy, strong person he was before.

  He draws a hand through his hair and shifts from his Fae form to his Human form. As he pulls his hand away from his head, his shift is complete, and he looks at me with blue eyes that now mirror my own.

  “I’m so tired, Scarlet,” he says to me, his voice becoming hoarse.

  Silas walks in then, scowling at everyone, and ordering us out of the tent so Jared can rest and complete his healing.

  Aylesbury walks off to find his own tent while I silently trail behind Bastian, not really taking in anything around me. He leads us into a tent and when he stops, I look around and see it’s just a huge square with nothing in it except a dirt floor. I frown at Bastian’s back until he steps to the side and I see Lykos standing there, staring at me expectantly.

  I groan loudly when I realise that they both intend for me to train with the stone before going to bed. Then my eyes widen in horror when I think that Vex could be lingering outside and see all this. If he knew what we were up to we would stand no chance against him.

  “We can’t,” I say to Lykos in a whisper.

  He cocks his head at me and says, “Why?” One simple word and I feel like I can’t answer it.

  “We can’t risk anyone seeing what we do in here, what’s to stop one of the Fae teams just walking straight in here. It’s not like we can lock the door,” I say, throwing my hands up in the air hoping my flare for drama will distract them from the real fear I’m trying to hide.

  Lykos’s face remains stoic and Bastian just shrugs. As I begin to frown at them both for their lack of help, Adam suddenly appears in the centre of the room, grinning.

  My mouth drops open for a few seconds before my brain kicks into gear. “I didn’t think anyone could teleport in the games, I didn’t even think you could teleport.”

  Adam ignores me and says, “it works,” then passes Lykos a piece of pitted rusty metal that was bent to form a small square. Adam winks at me than strolls past me and out of the tent.

  I turn my glare on Lykos as Bastian says, “You better tell her what just happened before she has a complete meltdown. I’ll be back in an hour.” Then he stalks out of the tent with his usual predatory walk.

  “Scarlet, this is a Faraday cage, but of the magical variety. Think of it as a null shield in which you can still use magic. It shields everything inside from the view of those outside while containing most magical outbursts that may result from inside. Bastian was also as paranoid as you were and wanted a way for you and the twins to train without anyone outside our group noticing, luckily the Dark Fae’s power is more impressive than I initially thought.”

  “I’d really like to know why you call Adam the Dark Fae?” I ask as Lykos throws the metal square into the air.

  The square stops about a foot away from the apex of the tent and begins to spin, I quickly forget my question and watch as it expands to the width and breadth of the room and a shimmer descends from each of the metal sides forming a box both above and around us.

  I don’t get to stare in wonder at the magic shimmering around us for long as Lykos shouts, “Let’s begin,” then throws the stone at me.

  Being a complete fool, I don’t think. Instead, I catch the stone and succumb to the battering of magic and voices.

  A voice that makes me shudder in terror calls out to me as I fade away. “Scarlet, open yourself to me.”

  When I’m conscious again, Lykos is gone, and Bastian looms over me, his lips pressed into a tight line. He reaches out a hand to help me to my feet and as I stand, I notice that the Faraday cage is still active around us.

  Bastian releases my hand and crosses his giant arms over his chest making him appear bigger and more intimidating.

  I open my mouth to ask him what his problem is when he says, “Why did you lie to me earlier, and don’t think you can bullshit me like you usually do. Now we’re mated my senses are even more heightened when it comes to your emotions.”

  Hell! I was screwed if I told him and screwed if I didn’t. I stay silent and shuffle from one foot to the other.

  Bastian takes a step over to me and says, “Scarlet, you know that no one can hear you in here.”

  I stop moving and look at him, taking in his shoulder-length white hair and his silver eyes that contrast nicely with his tanned skin. I cock my head to the side and scan his face again, not sure what exactly it is I’m looking for. He is my mate, we are joined together now for eternity, but could I trust him to keep this between us? Would Vex know?

  “Scarlet, I can’t help you if you don’t trust me?” he says, grabbing my shoulders and looking intently into my eyes.

  I break eye contact and look down before saying, “At this point, I’m not sure anyone can help me.”

  Suddenly I can feel the anger radiating from him and I look up to see the fury burning in his eyes. His nostrils flare slightly, and his eyes quickly go black. I take a step back from him. He takes a step forward. My heart starts to pound as adrenaline begins to rush through my body. He is stalking me, I feel like his prey right now.

  He takes another step forward, so I throw my hands out in front of me to stop him. He steps into them and looms over me.

  “I have nothing to tell you,” I say to him innocently.

  Bastian growls and steps further into me. Sniffing close to my neck. I try not to react.

  “I know you are lying to me, I can smell it,” he grates out.

  “You don’t need to know everything in my life,” I say, pushing at him. I was trying to protect him, to protect us all.

  He doesn’t move a muscle; his eyes narrow further. I turn and walk towards the walls of the shimmering cage.

  “I’ll be watching you like a hawk,” he says to my retreating back just as I step through the Faraday cage.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I wake in the morning, surprised to find myself half-lying on Bastian’s chest, my head pillowed by his arm, and one of my legs thrown over his. I was quite shocked at how comfortable his hard body is and amazed that I’d slept through that awful snoring that is now vibrating through his body. Although I can’t deny that I find it comforting to sleep next to him.

  I push away from his chest and slide off the bed to get changed. I riffle through my bags and select a sturdy pair of black combat trousers and a long-sleeved top in dark green. I move into the bathroom area which still shocks me. It has a full-sized, normal toilet, a huge copper bath with full plumbing, and a wooden shower cubicle big enough for several people to stand in. Still not quite sure where all the pipes lead to as this is only a temporary camp.

  I move to stand in front of the mirror and decide today I’d like to be in my Nymph form, I watch as my black hair fades into blonde shot through with green, and my blue eyes change to vibrant green. My ivy vine sweeping around my body looks bright against my pale skin. Satisfied with the change, I splash my face with water,
and clean my teeth before pulling on the long-sleeved top.

  I walk out of the bathroom and straight into the solid wall of Bastian’s chest, but luckily, he reaches out to steady me before I fall on my ass. I narrow my eyes at him and, without speaking, I turn away to look for food. I was still a little annoyed with him. If he pushed me too far, I could potentially lose everyone I cared about. Including him.

  When my eyes land on the table laden with food, I sigh. It looks like we we’re stuck eating dry meat, cheese, and fruit for the rest of the venture.

  Bastian walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my shoulders. “Main meals are served in the communal tent,” he tells me, kissing my cheek.

  I push away from him and say, “So I assume we are pretending that nothing happened last night.”

  He sighs and grabs a shirt to pull over his distractingly naked chest. “I’m confident I’ll find out whatever it is you’re up to.”

  I roll my eyes at him then stalk out towards the communal tent at the front of camp. I ignore the stares from some of the Fae as I walk inside. I pause just through the entrance and see three tables laid out with food, at each table sits a team. I scan each table, my eyes falling on a familiar face watching me through widened eyes.

  What the hell was Bronwyn doing here?

  She looks like she had no idea that I am here as she ducks her head back down to the table, her hair covering her face. I stand watching her through narrowed eyes for a minute, wondering why Queen Shae would have released her when I feel fear crackle along my spine, my body reacts with a shudder.

  I look over to the table on the far left and see Aylesbury rise from the table, pure anger on his face. Phoenix watches us in confusion.

  I slowly turn around and come face to face with Bryn.

  “I couldn’t be happier you’re here, Scarlet. Never forget the old proverb: revenge is a dish best served cold,” he says to me.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I say through gritted teeth, my hands clenching into fists at my side.

  “Oh, mummy dearest has to give us a chance to prove our loyalty to her by law. So, she entered us in the games, if we survive, we’re free to go our separate ways,” he says casually with a snarky smile.

  Fantastic! Another psycho free again in the world. I was starting to think the whole world was against me.

  “Bryn, Bryn, Bryn,” I say to him with a smile. “Don’t forget anything goes outside of camp, by the end of The Games you’ll be dead.”

  His smile falters as he takes a step towards me just as Bastian steps through the tent and seizes him by the throat.

  “Touch Scarlet and I’ll make sure you’re dead the minute you step foot out of the safe zone. Are we clear?” Bastian says in a low menacing voice.

  Bryn makes a strangled sound in his throat. Bastian simply lifts him off his feet and releases him to crumple on the floor.

  Both teams watch the interlude without so much as moving from their seats, the minute Bryn hits the floor they go back to eating and talking like nothing ever happened. There is obviously no love lost between Bryn and his team, even Bronwyn doesn’t race to his side.

  I sidle closer to Bastian and say, “If that display gets us disqualified, then you will feel my wrath.”

  He simply smirks at me and says, “It’s a good job I asked for a definition of what is classed as causing harm to another team in the neutral zone then, isn’t it.”

  Bastian turns and makes his way over to our table. Interested in the ways in which I could twist these rules to my advantage I say to him, “So what exactly does ‘harm another team’ encompass?”

  He grins at me as we reach the table and sit opposite each other. “Threats are allowed and apparently encouraged, so long as you don’t cause them actual body harm—

  “But you were strangling him?” I interrupt. Clearly strangling someone was causing that person harm. “And how do you know all this?”

  “Not everything can be detected by magic. There is a neutral person that monitors the games. Any cause for disqualification is to go through him. I met him last night with all the other team leaders. If you turn around now, he just entered.”

  I turn around to glimpse what I assume to be a Fae walk through the tent’s entrance. He is at least seven feet tall with long, dark blue hair and a set of fangs that overhang and rest against his bottom lip. His face is scrunched into a scowl the likes of which would bring anyone to their knees. He is leanly muscled and throwing off a ‘mess with me, I dare you’ vibe that I thought only Bastian was capable of.

  Bryn picks himself up from the floor and takes a step towards The Neutral. The Neutral throws his hand up stopping Bryn in his tracks, then says, “If you think enlightening me of your petty squabble will get the mixed team disqualified then think again. I’ll also stress at this point that I don’t like you so don’t bother wasting your time in future either.”

  His voice is deep enough that everyone can hear him clearly, even though he didn’t raise it. He turns his head to our side of the tent pinning Bastian with a glare. “That also doesn’t mean I will allow every transgression to slide, Beast Master.”

  He moves over to the nearest table, the one that I assume must be the Seelie’s, as Bronwyn sits cowering amongst her brethren. I watch in awe as he grabs a plate of food from in front of Vex, piles on more eggs then stalks out of the tent.

  Vex catches my eye but I ignore him and turn around, saying to the others at the table. “I like him.”

  As usual, Bastian narrows his eyes.

  Aylesbury lowers himself back down to his seat next to Silas and says, “Is no one going to address the elephant in the room.”

  I stare at him, confused, then quickly scan the faces of the others at the table. Silas shakes her head and Phoenix looks like he’s got a stick up his ass and he’s chewing on something sour, which really ruins his usually good-looking face.

  Aylesbury throws his arms up in exasperation then points to Bryn. “What. Are. We. Going. To. Do. About. Him?” he says very slowly.

  I roll my eyes at him and say, “Seriously, Aylesbury, we’ve got bigger problems.”

  I can feel Vex’s eyes boring into my back and Bastian’s boring into my front. Bryn is the least of my worries.

  “What are we going to do about him?” Silas mocks under her breath.

  “Really, Red, even the Pixie wants to know the answer,” Aylesbury says.

  Silas glares at Aylesbury and says, “Not. A. Pixie!” at the same time as I say, “She’s mocking you.”

  Aylesbury glares at us both before sitting back down and mumbling, “Well, someone should be doing something.”

  I’m about to start a petty argument back when Adam runs into the tent with Jared close on his heel. Jared looks good but still a little tired. I flash him a smile as he catches my eye.

  “We have a huge problem,” Jared says, his face the gravest I have ever seen. “Follow me.”

  As we all get up and turn towards the tent opening, I notice that the other teams are also getting up and filing out. We walk out, following Adam and Jared who turn to start the climb to the top of the cliff, along with the other teams.

  Nobody says anything on the grim climb up the cliff, I’m unsure whether it’s because we are trying to keep some knowledge from the other teams, but it makes the ascent quite solemn.

  As we crest the rise, I see that Trenton and Jackson are already there, looking out at the view, I move to stand at the side of them listening to the other teams gathering and cursing.

  The view is amazing. It looks like a jungle has taken over ancient ruins that are spread over thousands of miles of hills and valleys. I turn and frown at Adam who’s waiting for Phoenix and Lykos to move over and join us.

  Lykos reaches the edge and says, “Well, fuck!”

  The only ones that understand what we are looking at are Adam, Jared, and Lykos. Even Silas frowns at Adam.

  “What exactly is the problem?” Phoenix asks, beating me
to it.

  Adam sweeps his arm at the view and says, “This is the lost city.”

  Silas blanches and shrinks back from the edge. “We’ve been sleeping in that!” she says, her mouth hanging open in shock.

  I turn to Adam and say, “For those of us who have no clue what that is, can you explain?”

  Lykos opens his mouth to answer as The Neutral fellow steps up behind him and silences him with a hand to the shoulder.

  “Allow me,” he says, “This was once the city of Luin.”

  “But that’s a myth,” I say.

  The city of Luin was like the Fae version of Atlantis: rumour and myth. Never substantiated.

  “Quite the opposite, I can assure you. Luin was once our greatest city ruled by Oberon and Tatiana. A city where both Seelie and Unseelie lived together until the Demons arrived seeking help. The city was divided, thrown into chaos. The Seelie couldn’t stand the idea of the Demons polluting our greatest city and the Unseelie disagreed. The city descended into violence, and war ravaged our once great nation. When the city fell, only a quarter of our population remained. Those that survived sought shelter in neighbouring lands and created their own cities as far apart as they could get. The Seelie blame the Demons and still fight with them to this day, and the Unseelie blame the Seelie. Those conflicts still tear our world apart.”

  I listen to the story as I watch the other teams scowl and call each other names before descending the cliff. Once he finishes, I say to him, “But that still doesn’t explain what the problem is.”

  “Quite the contrary, my dear, the ruins of Luin hold many dark secrets and let’s not forget that this was once a trap-filled battlefield. Simply navigating a few miles of this Terain can add your numbers to that of the dead that are already cursed to remain here.”

  That was it, that’s why Vex was here. He wanted an army, and below our feet rested the greatest number of dead Fae to ever exist. I almost betray my sudden excitement with a twitch of my lips. I could work with this if I could access the stone’s power.