Blaze Read online

  What. The. Fuck. Princess? Employee? What are these things? Frustration brings tears to my eyes, curse my lack of knowledge! Blinking I refuse to let them fall and give this prick the satisfaction of seeing me fail to block my emotions.

  Grunting fills the gap in his blabbering. My eyes flick down the hallway to where I know Crowley and Charlie are trapped. Are they hurting them?

  “No little one, that is… well, it’s a surprise. Allow me to show you why you should comply with everything I ask of you.” Not-Connor stalks away from me. Arms come out of nowhere and attempt to make a grab for him, but he avoids them by stepping out of reach.

  “Come here you fucking bitch, I’ll show you why you should let us go!” Crowley seethes as not-Connor walks by.

  “Oh, Crow, you do amuse me so.” Not-Connor chuckles as he moves further away from where Crowley's arms reach out into the hall.

  “Don’t fucking call me Crow, you foul beast!” Crowley yells, but not-Connor simply ignores him.

  Seemingly reaching his destination, not-Connor stops at the end of the corridor and presses something I can’t see; the click echoes off the walls and I hold my breath.

  “Bring him out,” Not-Connor orders someone unseen to me, then moves to one side as two Brutes dressed all in grey emerge from a hole in the wall. “You motherfucker! I’ll kill you!” I scream as I see who they’re dragging between them.

  Bruised, bloody, his head lolling around as they drag him, Chris grunts as his feet are lifted off the ground roughly.

  “Chris...” my voice croaks out and the dam bursts inside me. I sob as tears slide down my face at the sight of him.

  “Fuck!” Charlie shouts out.

  Crowley seethes, “Motherfucker,” as Chris is dragged past their bars. The black around his eyes blends in with the black marks covering his face. They drag him closer to me, throwing him on the ground face first with a sickening crunch. Turning his snake eyes on me, not-Connor smiles wickedly as he takes in the effect his surprise produced from me.

  “Ah, Kayla, you care for the monster. That bodes well.” Kneeling beside Chris, not-Connor grabs a fistful of his hair and jerks Chris's head off the floor. As his face is revealed to me, black blood pours from his nose, landing on the shiny white floor. My eyes watch the jet-black liquid. Why is his blood black? What is Chris? Not-Connor`s head flicks up from Chris, our eyes lock.

  “Kayla, his blood is the correct colour.” Roughly pushing Chris back to the floor, not-Connor pulls a vial from his pocket, the crimson liquid there familiar to me. “This, is your blood.” Twisting the tube, my blood sluggishly makes its way to the stopper at the other end. “This isn't the right colour Kayla. Now tell me,” faster than I can blink not-Connor`s face is right in front of mine, ''what are you?” Curiosity and more than a hint of madness lights up his blue and brown eyes.

  What am I? Kayla’s my automatic answer. Because that's what I am. I`m human, an orphan of the wastes. A product of radiation from bombs dropped way before my time. Just hours ago, I had four very new relationships, I had plans to kill the man who ordered his men to kill my mother. Days ago, I was just Kayla... but what if I'm not?

  “You're not. But I’ll find out what you are little Princess, and soon. I’ll discover why your blood cures not only the Panda virus but also the immortality I’ve granted my minions. Otherwise, I will kill the four men that your heart desires,” Not-Connor seethes, his handsome face contorted.

  The jolt of terror that hits me is so powerful I barely twist my head fast enough and I almost throw up all over myself. As my vomit flies through the air, not-Connor jumps back as liquid splatters his pristine clothes. Giggling mid-hurl, I try and aim the next heave in his direction. Not-Connor turns his furious gaze on me as it just misses him. Spitting the last of the contents of my stomach from my mouth, I lock eyes with him again.

  “You've got the wrong girl. But trust this not-Connor,” leaning my body as close to him as I can to make sure he sees the emotions in my eyes. “If you hurt Chris, Charlie, or Crowley, you will beg for mercy as I char the flesh from your bones.” His chin tugs sharply to his chest and his eyes widen a fraction. That's right not-Connor, you know I will melt you into a puddle of gore. Do not test me further. Let my men go. Now!

  Answering the words I projected into his head, not-Connor surprises me by saying, “Kayla, that cold you feel? That isn't a temperature thing. That's a serum made by scientists created especially for you. It’s suppressed your element. Your powers won't work, Princess.” The smug look on his face turns my insides to jelly. My powers? Holy fuck, I can’t feel them! I’m completely defenceless. I’ve been so distracted I didn't even notice the missing heat inside me.

  “That's right, you're in no position to demand anything from me. I will torture you and your men. Unh!” Suddenly not-Connor's face crumples, changing from one of victory to that of pure agony as he drops to his knees.

  “Kayla! What’s happening, speak to us!” Crowley`s voice brings me from my shock.

  “Fight Connor! Fight oh, please!” All I can do is sit there and watch as Connor fights against whatever has control over his body as he writhes on the floor.

  “Fight brother!” Crowley roars.

  “Come back to us, Con!” Charlie bellows.

  “Connor find me. Hear me, please.” My whole body’s shaking, I need Connor back. All at once, Connor’s body goes slack as he slumps to the floor going completely still. “Connor!” No, no, no!

  “What's happening, Kay?” My blurry eyes snap to watch as Crowley and Charlie's arms wave around in the air through the bars holding them.

  “I…. I don't know.” Turning back to Connor, I watch as he pushes himself from the floor. I gulp in air as he turns his mismatched eyes on me. “Connor?” Could it be him?

  “Kay, I... I can't fight him.” The internal strife he battles evident on his face, his teeth grind together, and his eyes scrunch tightly closed. “You need… ah, to leave!” Collapsing on the floor again, Connor grunts and moans in agony.

  “Please fight it, Con, we need you.” Wiggling in the seat, I try once again to get loose. Hot fingers wrap around mine and I look down to watch as Connor unlaces one of my hands. “That’s it, Connor!” He's doing it! Just as the rope is loose enough to pull my hand free, Connor's body is thrown back by an invisible force. “Connor!” He lands with a thud as the guys who dragged Chris run back into the room and stick one of those stabby things in his neck. They drag his body out the door. Fuck!

  “Chris?” I jerk my hand back and forth and finally it comes free, taking pieces of my skin with it. “Wake the fuck up, Panda! Ugh, guys.” I start working on my other hand, pulling at the rope, my short nails scrape at my skin. “I've got a hand free.”

  “Yes! Where’s Connor?” Charlie asks just as the door crashes off its hinges.

  “Shit! Craven.” The massive Brute looks from Chris to me, his wild eyes torn between doing his job or saving the girl tied to a chair before him. Seeming to make a choice, Craven strides to me and grabs the ropes at my wrist. “Thank you.” His strength makes light work of the restraints holding me down. “Get Charlie and Crowley out, I have Chris.” I bend beside him on the floor and lightly slap his cheek as Craven stomps down the hall. “Rescue coming guys,” I shout out so they don't think Craven’s an enemy. The next slap I hit Chris with wakes him with a start. Moving sluggishly he finally looks up at me. “Chris! Get up, quick.” Any minute now, more guards will come through the opening left by the door and we’ll be trapped.

  Hooking my arm under Chris', I help him stand. Something screeches behind us and I know soon my other guys will be free. Thank fuck. “Can you walk?” Pushing his black spiky hair out of his face, I make eye contact with Chris; his eyes no longer glow but are now dim. Normal.

  “Yes,” he croaks out as his eyes flit to the floor, refusing to meet mine. There’s no time to think about why he won't make eye contact with me now because Charlie and Crowley storm towards us. Anger, relief and p
ain on their handsome faces. Chris leans against the arm of the chair I was in. Panting, I let him go and he doesn't fall. More tears pour down my cheeks as Charlie wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me off the floor as he buries his face in my neck.

  “Oh, Kay!” Charlie squeezes me so tightly I can barely breathe. More hands wrap around my body as Crowley stands behind me and holds me just as hard.

  “Guys.” As much as I want to stand here and soak up the love from these guys, we have to get out of here. I tie the material wrapped around me to the side, it allows me to move but flashes more of my skin than I like. Charlie takes off his blood-stained t-shirt and pulls it over my head. It’ll do for now.

  “Thanks.” He smiles a little, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

  “Come on, we need to ghost.” Pushing myself from between them, I move to the empty door. Their faces crease with confusion as I turn to the giant at their backs. “Find a way out. Craven get these three out of here. Go with them, keep them safe, please.” Turning towards the exit, I formulate a plan. As I move, three hands grab me in different places.

  “No, we stay together,” Crowley insists.

  “Fuck no, you’re not going anywhere without us,” Charlie says, hurt evident in the way his pitch changes when he says ‘us’. Shit.

  “Let us protect you, Kayla.” My eyes meet crystal blue ones as Chris finally speaks. “They had me drugged, experimented on. I need to feed.” His eyes flick to the floor again and frustration stabs my stomach. Why won't he look at me?

  “Guys I don't need....” I start to say I don't need help, but Charlie interrupts me.

  “We don't think for one second that you need our help, Kayla, we know what you're capable of. With or without your fire.” Charlie steps up to me, our bodies touching from our knees to chest, his intense eyes holding mine hostage. “We protect you, not because you need it, but because you’re precious to us.” His warm hands cup my face and I lean into his palm as his heat spreads through me. “We had no idea Connor wasn’t himself, let us help you find him.” His eyes flick back and forth between mine, searching for something. “I love you Kayla, don’t split my soul in two by pushing me away now.”

  A soft gasp forces its way from my throat. He has such a way with words, my heart melts and heat spreads through my veins as he gently presses his lips to mine. I greedily kiss him back, savouring the passion and love that flows from him in waves.

  “I’m not smooth with words like Char is,” I turn my head slightly but leave my lips barely touching Charlie`s to look at Crow. “But we want to be by your side for all eternity, Kayla. If you'll have us?”

  My eyes track to Chris`s face as he says, “We are yours.”

  Can I give these guys my love? My forever? Drawing a steadying breath to calm myself, I say, “Let's go get the fifth piece of my heart and cast out whatever’s taken him from us.” The three of them smile, nodding in agreement. Together, we exit our prison.

  Crow takes point, Charlie behind him, then me, Craven and finally Chris at our back. We slowly make our way through halls, checking doors as we go. Connor has to be here somewhere. I don’t know what will happen when we find him, but I know one thing for sure. When I get my hands on his dad, I’ll fucking burn him to a crisp. Crowley’s fist shoots up into the air and we stop and press ourselves against the shiny white wall. Everything here is white, it’s freaky as fuck and it makes my eyes ache from the brightness. The sound of scuffling feet fades, and Crow signals us to keep moving. Charlie has yet to let go of my hand, his hot palm against mine continues to thaw my blood.

  “This room’s unlocked,” Crowley whispers sometime later. His face made of stone, he looks at each of us, his neck craning up to meet Craven’s eyes. “I go in first, you guys follow. Craven close the door behind you. Ready?” At our nods, Crow pushes down the handle and rushes in with all of us filing in behind him.

  “Shit.” We pull to a stop as we’re confronted with large tubes of green liquid like those in the room with me when I first woke up in this wretched place. Except these contain males. In different stages of life, they range from a young boy to men around my age. They’re all the same person, Connor. What the fuck? “Err what the holy hell is this shit?” I ask no one, but Charlie answers.

  “Clones. Looks like Keeper’s been playing God with his son’s genetics.”

  I have no idea what any of that means, but it doesn't sound good at all. Walking further into the room, I realise all the bodies inside the tubes are dead. “They're dead right? I mean, they can’t be alive, none of them have moved since we entered.” I turn to Charlie, the sight of Craven’s huge body in front of the door allowing me to relax a little. If anyone wants in this room, they'll have to get past that wall of a man first. Releasing my hand, Charlie moves to a wall of panels that look like bigger versions of my device.

  “Yes, all dead.” He presses his fingers to the screen, and it changes to a different picture with lots of writing on it. Scanning through it, Charlie continues, “Experimental genetics gone wrong. Shit!” He turns his brown eyes to mine. “The real Connor’s not the one we’ve been talking to, the original died years ago.” Shaking his head in confusion, Charlie turns to Crowley. “Connor was bitten, it says here that he was bitten as a child, turned into a Panda.”

  “That's impossible, we would’ve noticed if he swapped Connor for a clone. Wouldn't we?” Crowley asks angrily.

  I continue to search the room as they argue about whether they would’ve noticed their lifelong friend being replaced. There must be something we can use for when we come across guards. Moving further into the darkened room, I soon realise there’s nothing here. Just boxes of papers and plastic things I have no name for.

  “Kayla, it's time to move.” Crowley’s voice filters to me. Rushing, I rejoin them back at the door. Charlie doesn't take my hand again but instead walks behind me, clearly deep in thought. Exiting the death room, we continue our journey through the blinding corridors. Crowley checks doors as we go, and when one opens, we file in and look for weapons of any kind to help us fight our way out of here.

  “Craven.” Charlie suddenly stops and looks up at the giant. The rest of us stop and press ourselves against the wall. “You work here, big fella. Where can we find weapons?”

  Huh, good fucking point. We all twist our heads to the side and up to look at the Brute.

  “Yes, I show you.” The bass of Craven’s voice rumbles through my feet. My mouth pops open audibly in shock because as he speaks, I'm thrown into my own mind as images flit through it at speed.

  “You cannot do that, Kayla! You mustn't ever choose a Brute. They’ll crush you without meaning to.” My mother stands before me. I have to crane my neck up to meet her eyes, so I must be very small. All four of my dads stand behind her, their faces furious, shaking their heads while looking at me in disdain.

  “Well then I’ll never choose, mummy. I want Crave! He's fun.” I stick out my little lip and pout. Mummy doesn't understand me at all. Crave is twice my size, super strong and he calls me pretty girl. I like him. I want him to be one of my guards. Princesses like me need guards; mummy tells me that all the time. So why can't I choose them?

  The heat of a palm against my cheek brings me back to reality. Shit a duck, I'm a princess? Of what exactly? Did she just call me that as a nickname? The way Charlie calls me Doll or Crowley calls me Darlin? Or could I actually be a Princess, whatever that is?

  “Kayla? Doll, we need to move.” Opening my eyes, I see Charlie’s sweet smile.

  “Ok, let’s go.” Nodding, Charlie continues down the hall and this time he takes my hand in his. More heat slips into my soul and I feel the first stirrings of my power. Oh, thank fuck, whatever they drugged me with is starting to wear off. Looking back towards Craven, I can't help but wonder if he remembers we knew each other as children. Once we’re out of here I’ll make sure he and I have a conversation about the vision I just had, but right now we have to hurry up and find Connor.

&nbs
p; My face meets Charlie’s shoulder as we skid to a stop, ouch. Licking the blood from my lip I realise why we suddenly halted. Blocking the hall in front of us are three Brutes, four guards and Connor.

  “Where are you going, little Princess?” Not-Connor’s lip pulls up in a snarl as he takes in the four of us. “Traitor! Craven, I should've known you recognised her at the gate.” Shaking his head at the giant he turns his evil gaze to me. “Stop this immediately and I will be generous, I'll allow one of them to live,”

  “Fuck you, demon!” Crowley barks as he launches himself at the nearest guard. Charlie follows and tackles one to the ground, Craven pushes past me and takes one of his brethren in each of his massive hands. As fighting breaks out all around us, not-Connor and I stare at each other. My eyes flicking between hazel and cerulean.

  “Connor, please see me. I know what you are, and I don't care. Kick Thirteen’s arse out of your body!” I yell over the cacophony of noise in the small space. An errant fist hits me in the ribs but I don't even blink as I watch Connor switch between Death and the real him.

  Avoiding the brawling bodies between us, I make my way to Connor. A Brute wraps his arm around my waist and lifts me above his head. A shriek leaves my lips as I fly through the air towards Connor, only to be jerked to a painful stop as another set of arms plucks me from the air. I bring my elbow down onto the hardest skull I have ever felt, sending shock waves up my arm as it connects.

  “Kay…” My name rumbles through my whole body as I look down into Craven’s bright blue eyes.

  “Shit, sorry Crave.” My guys are kicking arse while I look down at them. Crowley stands atop one clearly dead Brute while he swings a large red tube at another. The sickening thunk it makes as it connects with its skull brings a sense of pride to my heart. Crowley’s a brutal fighter. I bloody love it.

  Twisting my head again, I find Charlie in a throng of people. He’s light on his feet as he weaves between guards, taking out knees and knocking them out as he moves like lightning. Fuck yes! He takes out two guards at once while another watches, his mouth hanging open in shock. Abruptly my feet meet the floor as Craven sets me down in front of Connor, who then pulls out a blade from the holster on his hip. Shit, I have nothing to fight him with. Wait! Closing my eyes briefly I attempt to call on my fire, but the space inside me it usually sits is dark, just a small spark in the middle, not enough to set me afire. Crap.