The Ravenous Dark, page 30
"I need you," the sorceress said plainly.
Bailey's incredulous gaze flashed between the pair as familiar anxiety seeped into her blood and washed her cold. Her muscles tensed. He's going to leave me. Again.
"Ronan, wait," Bailey begged as he rose. Some choked noise made its way out of her as she stood as well and snatched his hand. "Don't," she breathed, shaking. "Stay." Stay with me.
His eyes filled with regret. "I can't."
Fury and sadness crowded her chest. She couldn't speak. Ronan winced as he extracted her hold on him and walked away with Valdora.
As numbness fell over Bailey, she felt like laughing bitterly at her luck. What reprieve they found in each other's presence swiftly faded. A punishment, Bailey thought, from their soulmark. Her left eye twitched as the burgeoning cheers from the crowd grew and grew.
She watched every step of their hurried departure and sneered at the way their heads bowed together. Her only comfort was found in his parting words.
He couldn't stay, which didn't mean he didn't want to stay.
But even that small comfort felt like a consolation prize. Whispered taunts and snickers reached Bailey's ears, enhancing her growing embarrassment. She ground her teeth against the rise of tears that threatened. Her wounded pride and soulmark demanded she chase after him, but the touch of warm fingers grazing the back of her clenched hand made her hesitate.
"Sit with us." Ana slipped her fingers around her wrist and deftly tugged. Bailey resisted, waiting until the pair were completely out of sight before allowing her knees to bend. "Sorry about Ronan," Ana apologized, releasing Bailey. "There are no nights off when you're the boss."
"Right," Bailey drawled.
Ana fidgeted in her seat. Then cast a look over her shoulder at Callum and Wills. Callum quickly traded his seat for Ronan's.
"Give us a moment, will you?" Callum said to the other man. Wills left, grumbling under his breath all the while. Bailey tracked his movements suspiciously before taking stock of the two raven shifters.
"Is this the part where you try to warn me away from him?"
Callum shrugged. "In a sense. The timing isn't right at the moment for Ronan. Maybe wait a few weeks and—"
Bailey's caustic laugh made the pair flinch. "That's bullshit."
Anger soured her stomach. She wanted to lash out further but stopped herself. It wasn't beyond her notice that they'd collected an audience of their own. More than that, she didn't need to provide Ronan with any more reason to reject her. Pissing off the members of his house and family wasn't the way to win him over.
Bailey stood jerkily. Ana squawked in dismay and rose as well. She cast an anxious look in the direction Ronan left.
"You're not going to go after him, are you? He wouldn't like that."
Bailey's teeth gnashed together horribly before she answered through gritted teeth. "No. I'll go where I'm wanted." With her parting shot delivered, she marched back to the Vranas. Her emotions were set like a live wire.
Bailey seated herself with a huff in the small space left between Stella and Raphael, ignoring the looks spared her way by the rest of the Vranas.
"Are you okay?" Stella whispered. She examined Bailey with concern. "We can go—"
Bailey gave a single shake of her head that immediately quieted her friend but increased her concern. Stella's hand slipped onto Bailey's lap and gave her leg a gentle pat and squeeze. The small affection made Bailey's shoulders slump as she leaned closer to Stella for support.
"He's such an ass," she hissed, unable to keep her frustration locked away. "Did you see who he left with? We were having this moment, and then Valdora says three fucking words to him, and he leaves without even a goodbye."
Stella stayed silent a moment, pondering Bailey's confidence. "I'm sure it must have been important for him to leave like that," she finally said.
Bailey stared passively at the fighters, trying to compress her turmoil into something more manageable. When it finally registered that the fighters were two female shifters, she sat up straighter.
"Is one of them Charity?"
Stella nodded and pointed. "The blonde."
"What is she?"
"Wolf-spider shifter."
Bailey balked. "And her opponent?"
"Virginia. She's a bat shifter."
The women were well-matched and proved to be proficient in mixed martial arts as they grappled and traded blows. But Bailey couldn't stop stealing glances at the exit, wondering what was so important that could have pulled Ronan away from her.
Bailey was prepared to sit and stew for the remainder of the match when Stella's hand tightened once more on her leg. She glanced at her and quickly took note of her sudden sallow appearance.
"Stella, are you about to…?"
Though her question trailed off, Stella gave a jerky nod. Her chin trembled as she stared at the pit, her throat muscles working roughly, as she kept her jaw clenched.
"Hum," Bailey commanded. Stella looked at her, startled. "Hum and work your way to singing softly. Your vocal cords have been through enough this evening. I shouldn't have made you talk to me earlier." Bailey cursed herself and took a deep breath as her friend's chin trembled more violently. "Just try, Stella," she coaxed gently. "It's okay if it doesn't work but try. If not for your sake, do it for mine."
Bailey gave her an encouraging smile and put a hand on her back, rubbing small circles as tears ran down her face. She could feel the vibrations of humming though she couldn't hear it—thank the Gods. The dried blood on her back flaked off against her palm.
Bailey caught sight of Ruby's sympathetic expression behind Stella's back and returned it with one of grim resolution. Ruby nodded slightly; then leaned into Nova's side.
"It's okay, Stella. You're doing great," Bailey murmured as the vibrations increased against her hand. "Breathe through your nose and try singing under your breath."
Bailey's hand stilled on Stella's back as a violent tremor wracked her body. She jerked away from Bailey's touch, launching from her seat, and stumbling forward. Her back bent as her arms went rigid at her sides. Then she tossed her head back, opened her mouth, and screamed.
Bailey tensed at the sight. A horror-struck sadness corroded through her veins as Stella's frame trembled with the force of her supernatural gift. The crowd's attention turned swiftly to the silently howling banshee, even the fighters, who shared wary glances at one another.
Once her deadly cry was fulfilled, Stella crumbled to her knees. Bailey went straight to her side, helping her before she fell flat on her face. Stella gasped for breath, her continuous trembling beginning to scare Bailey.
"We're leaving," Bailey said in her ear. She tried to pull Stella to her feet, but she weakly shook her head.
"Need. Minute," she wheezed. "Please."
Bailey hugged her closer, growing tense as the crowd buzzed with curiosity over witnessing the banshee's powers.
"Well, who is it then?" Someone called out. "I've got bets on the bat!"
Callous laughter sounded, along with some jeers and several more prompts for Stella to share her secrets. When the banshee crowded closer to Bailey, almost trying to hide underneath her, the inquest intensified.
"Stella, if you can stand, right about now would be a great time."
"I—I don't know if I can."
Bailey swallowed. She tightened her grip on her friend, prepared to carry her out, when a cold hand settled on Bailey's shoulder. She froze and glanced behind her at the interloper, relieved beyond words that it was Jakob. His hand was held high to silence the crowd. His glower silenced those who needed more persuasion.
"Enough!" He shouted with unmistakable authority. "If you desire answers, look to your neighbors. None here are ignorant to the remarkable talents of our resident banshee and should know better than to assume she knows the recipients of her death cry. Unless they reveal themselves… the girl is as clueless to her predictions as we."
His lecture was received with varying degrees of annoyance, but Jakob withstood their steely regards.
"I shall escort Stella back to her quarters." Jakob's voice was pitched low enough for only the women to hear.
"I'm coming with," replied Bailey. Jakob nodded, and the pair helped Stella to her feet.
Stella sniffled and uttered a watery thanks, but her gratitude was superseded by a cry from somewhere near the arena’s entrance. The three froze. A woman stood and pointed at the Gothic entrance.
Goosebumps drew up across Bailey's flesh as her heart gave a flutter of anticipation. In the shadows of the entrance, she could make out a shadowy figure and something else.
Or rather, somebody else.
The sorcerer and the shadowmancer. Or the shadowmancer and his next victim?
"Stella… are you sure the Delacroix got the right people behind the shadowmancer?" Stella's eyes gradually widened as she stared at Bailey. Then she gave a little shrug and shook her head.
"Bailey, get her somewhere safe. She's too weak to defend herself," Jakob ordered, sidestepping in front of them. The arena lights blazed to life, and the audience gasped at what they saw.
A shirtless, barefoot man strutted toward the fighting pit. He waved at the audience as if he was the night’s main event, hand held high in the air. All could see the unnatural black spot undulating in the center of his palm. Bailey felt ill as the mystery man’s lips twisted into a parody of a smile that was all fangs and maniacal delight.
He stopped not far from them, hand lowering as the black matter surged up his arms. He gave a shiver as the black veins spread across his torso like a spider web; then he turned his freshly blackened eyes on Jakob.
XIX
"Go," Jakob barked.
Stella's breath came in shallow pants, gaze glued to the monstrosity approaching them.
"Come on, Stella." Bailey eased them back.
A moment later, the possessed vampyré was only a foot away. His crazed smile was accented by charming dimples.
"I smell something… dolce," the vampyré cooed as he paced from side to side. His blackshot eyes stalked Bailey and Stella, who were sheltered partially by Jakob's figure.
A belated breeze stirred strands of Bailey's hair, and a blink later, Deval and Sebastian were flanking Jakob. Bailey urged Stella to retreat farther, but she stumbled with a fragile cry. The possessed vampyré laughed, the sound guttural. The hair on Bailey's arms rose to attention. Discreetly, she scoured the scene for the missing element to it all: the shadowmancer.
He was nowhere to be seen.
"You think you can hide from me? I am the next evolution! More than a hybrid—a god." His laughter boomed like a cannon in the arena and drew spines straight all around.
"You're no god, Enzo. You are young and easily swayed by the dark magic running through your veins. Yield peacefully, and my sorcerer may be able to exorcise the darkness from you," Jakob spoke calmly, but his words were laced with steel. The threat should he refuse was clear enough in his body language, as well as the men flanking him.
Bailey continued to take subtle steps back with Stella. They seemed to be all she could manage. A hand came to rest briefly on Bailey's lower back, then a voice whispered in her ear.
"Take her through the locker room," Jax instructed before curling in front of them. Not a moment later, Raphael wound his way around Stella in the same manner. She let out a squeak of surprise when his hand seemed to come away from her back in a mirror of Jax's approach.
He passed her a queer look as he went to stand at Jax’s side.
"Let's get out of here." Stella's words shook, but Bailey was glad the rest of her body no longer was.
"Enzo, please. Don't do this." The soft feminine voice drew Bailey to a stop. Stella made a noise of protest but paused as well.
Leaning to the side to see around the men, Bailey examined the newcomer. She was a little taller than Stella's 5'4" and completely opposite in complexion. Her skin was lustrous and sun-kissed, not as much as Deval's, but enough to create a stark contrast with the silver band around her irises. "Please."
"I advise you to return to your seat, Jasmine."
Recognition hit Bailey. This was the vampyré whose partner tried to stab William in the back during a tournament for sunlight rings. Her status at court plummeted after the fact. Bailey heard a rumor she had resorted to selling her blood and body to fund the cost of her living. But the gossip mill also claimed she was part harpy.
"You're going to kill him, just like you killed all the rest," she hissed back, approaching the group with a determined stride. Jasmine placed herself a few feet from Enzo. Her face contorted with warring emotions. "Enzo, come with me. Jax couldn't save the last one. It was their witch, and she's not here."
Bailey's gaze darted to Jax, but she could gauge nothing from him facing his back. Stella tugged on her arm.
The she-wolf allowed herself to be pulled from the scene, though her eyes never left it. She wasn't stupid enough to give the possessed vampyré their backs. Especially when Enzo was lucid enough to claim the rabidus curse made him a god. Dread filled Bailey at the notion, and her thoughts traveled inadvertently to what she overheard in the hall.
Why would a rogue sorcerer seek to give godlike powers to a vampyré when they were already so powerful?
A creeping sensation drew a wave of goosebumps over her skin, and Bailey wet her lips, gaze darting from one end of the room to the other. Where there are possessed vampyrés, she reminded herself, the shadowmancer is never far.
"Stay close," Bailey said as they gained distance from the group.
The men were still trading barbs, keeping Enzo distracted as the two female fighters approached him from behind. Bailey took stock of the audience. Many sat on the edge of their seats, eating up the anticipation rife in the air. Others had drawn to their feet and were cautiously edging their way toward the Gothic entryway, or higher, to presumed safer ground.
A glance up confirmed that the Royal Households had chosen to remain in their private boxes. Even the Delacroix, who no longer wore their pride so openly.
"Oh, my—" Stella's muffled cry was drowned out by several others from the audience.
Bailey's attention snapped back to the floor. Jasmine was hurtling through the air, arms pinwheeling as she shrieked. Courtiers zipped out of the way before she crashed into the stands. Bailey gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide at the sudden violence. A guttural roar broke the ensuing silence. Bailey quickly jerked Stella behind her as Enzo charged, nearly succeeding in pushing through the wall created by Jakob, Sebastian, and Deval.
"Enzo, stop!" Jasmine shouted, hauling herself up and using her vampyric speed to join the fighters.
This snapped the crowd to life. They cheered as the fighting began in earnest. Bailey struggled to keep up with the lightning pace they set. Neither could Charity's opponent. She was launched from the fray and landed with a sickening thud back in the pit. Bailey slammed her eyes shut and breathed through her nose. Shuffling back, she bumped into Stella.
"We need to go," Bailey said, voice thick with emotion as she opened her eyes.
She spun, no longer caring about keeping their backs to the fight. Grabbing Stella by the upper arm, she rushed them toward the tunnel-like entrance to the locker room. Stella whimpered, tripping over her feet at their haste.
"Slow down, please," she begged. "I can't—"
Bailey dug her heels into the ground abruptly. A figure lurked in the tunnel's shadows. Bailey's heart leaped to her throat as she locked eyes on the shadowmancer.
"This way," Bailey said.
"But Jakob said—"
Bailey whipped them back around before Stella could finish. "Go back to Ruby. She and Nova will look after you."
"But—"
"Go."
Stella went reluctantly. When she was a safe distance away, Bailey steeled her nerves and turned back to the locker room's tunnel entrance. He was gone.
Or hiding.
Bailey tensed. All her senses warned an attack was imminent, but from where was yet to be seen, or at least, not in time. Bailey crashed forward as something hard and solid hit her from behind. The hefty weight pinned her to the ground, and then issued a groan.
Bailey wormed her way out from under the groaning body and jumped up into a fighting stance.
"Oh shit." Bailey dropped to a knee before Charity. The spider shifter’s arm was a mangled mess, angled to an unnatural degree with far too much bone showing.
"Fuck," Charity wept.
"Try not to move."
Bailey's gaze swept to the Vranas. Stella was among their ranks, crying and held back by Nova and Ruby. She winced. They would be of no help to her. Bailey made eye contact with Briar, seated in the row behind. The ex-Roux raised an eyebrow.
"A little help would be appreciated," she yelled over the din of the crowd and jerked her head to where she was in case Briar acted like she couldn't understand her.
Briar heaved a sigh, stood, and smoothed her dress before strolling over. "Shall I put her out of her misery?" she asked once a few feet away, head gently cocked to the side.
Bailey's mouth was a gape as she absorbed Briar's offer.
"No," Bailey choked out. "I need you to make sure nobody else does."
Briar scrunched her nose. "And what are you going to do?"
"The shadowmancer is lurking somewhere around here. I'm going to find him."
"You want me to play babysitter, like those two?" she huffed, gesturing briefly to Ruby and Nova.
"Yes." Bailey stood. Although the crowd's cheering and yelling had grown obnoxiously loud, she could still make out Briar's exasperated sigh with crystal clarity.
"Fine," she agreed, crossing her arms. She spared Charity's prone form a disgusted look. "Is that noise really necessary? It's only a flesh wound."
Bailey avoided Charity's glare and left her in Briar's care with a mumbled apology before jogging over to Jax.
"The shadowmancer is here," she said.
Jax stiffened and scanned the room with eerie intensity. "Where?"
