Chapter 20

Octane

I wake up. The side of my head is pounding. I put my hand there, and my fingertips come away bloody.

I get up, staggering a step or two before finding my feet. Pain rips through my skull as I shake my head, trying to dislodge the dizziness…the fog.

Trinity.

I need to get to her.

I need to save her.

That male, Igor, is a monster. Who would force someone to be with them against their will? It doesn't matter what Trinity said. I know she doesn't want to be with him. Igor knows it, too, but he doesn't care. That crazy look in the male's eyes is worrying. He is going to hurt Trinity. He might even end up killing her. He is deranged.

There is no time to get backup. Besides, I know for sure that my friends wouldn't approve. They would try to talk me out of it. Shadow would command me to stay on Draig. A command I would disobey. No! There is no time for anything but action. I'm going to find the tunnel, and then I'm going to Mistveil.

There is nothing else to it.

I look down at my naked chest. At the markings there. I need to cover up. I grab my shirt from the dirt where Trinity left it earlier, pulling it on. Then I pull on the sweatpants she discarded. The pants are too small, but they'll do. I forego on the yellow flip-flops because they're too small and too damned ugly. I'm not winning any fashion awards, but I'm covered. I only hope that the Reds wear clothing, or I'll stick out like a sore thumb.

If they live in cities, use money, and there is a hierarchy, I'm pretty sure they wear clothing. At least some of the time.

Then I start walking. I'm making for the southern side of the mountain. I don't have much to go on. I know that I need to look for a large boulder in the denser part of the jungle.

I look down, the action causing my head to throb. I ignore it. At first, I don't see anything, then I see a drag mark in the sand.

Trinity.

I keep going, my eyes on the ground. There's another drag mark ahead. Then a footprint. Then a freshly broken branch.

I keep going, my heart racing with each step. The shadows of the jungle seem to close in around me, but I push forward. Each indication of Trinity's path fuels my determination to find her.

I must!

The jungle grows denser with each passing moment, which is a good thing. It's exactly as Trinity described. Also, the dense vegetation makes it impossible for the Reds to hide their tracks. I see shifted vines, snapped branches and twigs, as well as displaced leaves.

They were here. I wish I knew how long I was out for. Could have been minutes, but it also could have been longer. That fucker hit me hard. My head is still throbbing a little. My right ear is ringing. I'd guess that I was out for a while. Perhaps as much as an hour. It's hard to tell.

I almost walk into the boulder. I know it as soon as I see it. If I wasn't looking, I wouldn't know that it was out of place, but it is. There aren't any other rocks around. When I rap my knuckle on it, I know for sure that it isn't made of actual rock. It's a clever fake. One that is hiding a trapdoor beneath it. I lift the boulder, and it opens easily on an oiled hinge. Beneath the boulder is a hole with a ladder that leads down into the tunnel that will take me to Mistveil Island…to Trinity.

I might never get to return to Draig – this could very well spell my death – but I have to try. I won't abandon her. I climb onto the ladder and, using a rope attached to the fake boulder, pull it shut above me, which seals me in almost complete darkness. It takes a few minutes for my eyes to adjust, and then I'm descending into the unknown.

Trinity

We emerge from the tunnel, keeping quiet so that no passersby will hear us. The entrance is in a secluded spot on the edge of the jungle on the outskirts of town, so it's highly unlikely, but we're careful, anyway.

The tunnel has been cordoned off with a ten-foot fence and padlocked gate. In other words, not much has been done to keep shifters out, but then again, the king made his wishes clear, and normally, the king's command is adhered to.

Not this time.

Not where Igor is concerned.

The bastard doesn't care about rules and regulations. My heart pounds just thinking about him. Igor is alive. Not only that, but he looks more unhinged than when I last saw him. I've made a promise to mate with him, to share his bed, and to pretend to enjoy it. Not just for a day or two, either. It makes my stomach churn, and my hands feel clammy.

I will escape.

I will find a way.

I won't go through with it.

We reach the fence, and Ranger holds a section open. It's been cut along the side but is hard to see unless you're up close.

"Where were you?" I ask Igor. "Last I heard, you went down on Draig and were presumed dead."

"I'm not that easy to kill, sweetheart." He winks at me.

"Did you live off the land?" I somehow can't see it. Igor is nothing like Octane.

He shakes his head. "If I told you, I'd have to kill you, and you're far more valuable to me alive." He chuckles, which is like chalk on a board. Grating!

I leave it alone. I can tell he isn't going to say anything useful.

One by one, we duck through and quickly find the path that leads to the back of the house. Twenty minutes later, we reach the familiar wooden back gate that leads to the large Victorian-style house. I feel ill looking at it. I had only ever planned to come back to get my things.

"Home sweet home, princess." Igor slings an arm around me and kisses the side of my head.

The house itself is tall and imposing, its grand architecture characterized by ornate details and elaborate trimmings. The roof is steeply pitched and adorned with intricately designed shingles, while the windows have decorative frames. A wraparound porch marks the front and side of the house, lined with delicate spindles and carved railings. It could have been beautiful if it had been looked after.

Igor and Titan inherited the house from their grandmother a couple of years ago. It's been left to go to ruin. Vines crawl up one side of the decaying walls, and some of the windows are broken and have been boarded up. The paint is peeling off in long, curling strips, and the wood is cracked in places. Some of the planks are broken on the porch and the railing, too.

Titan opens the wooden gate, which creaks as he does it. The garden is badly overgrown, with weeds so tall they come up to my chest. The tree in the middle of the garden is dead. Its leaves have long since withered and fallen, leaving the branches bare. The saddest part of all is a broken swing that still dangles from one of the branches.

"We'll fix it up, angel." Igor winks at me. He's been saying that since we first met. I don't mind the house. The plumbing makes a noise, but it works. There is a roof over our heads, even if it leaks in places. I don't care about that.

"You can decorate it however you want. We need to start on the nursery," he says as we walk through the back door that leads to the kitchen.

It's a mess. Dishes are piled high in the sink, and the bin is overflowing. It stinks.

"You guys are a bunch of pigs," Igor growls. "Look at this place. I leave for a few weeks, and it looks like this."

"I'll clean it," I tell him. "Then I'll fix something to eat. I'm sure that you're all very hungry."

"Actually, sweetheart…" He still has his arm around me; he squeezes my breast. "I think you should go and take a hot bath. Get cleaned up and get into bed. I believe you promised me a couple of things that involve my cock inside every part of you." He sniggers.

I have to stop myself from gagging. My stomach clenches tight, and I taste bile, but I smile anyway.

"I'm really hungry, my love," I push the words out. I hate lying. I'm sure he'll see right through it. "I didn't eat much while on Draig. I feel lightheaded. Please, can we eat first? Then I'm all yours."

No!

No! Please!

Not yet.

"I have to say," Igor pats me on the ass, "you look well-fed. Like you could skip a meal or two." He clutches my hip. He's looking at me like he's appraising a heifer at an auction.

"Maybe I could do with a meal less, but the baby can't. He needs to grow up big and strong like his daddy." I would hate for him to be anything like his father. Right now, I'll say anything to avoid the bedroom.

"Okay, then. Make it quick. I've missed you." He leans in and kisses me on the side of my mouth.

I start to pull away but manage to stop myself at the last second. I don't want his mouth on me. I don't want him touching me. My skin crawls at the thought. I can't go through with it. I can't! I made those promises to save Octane's life. I would have said just about anything.

"I missed you, too," I say, anyway, forcing another smile. I need to bide my time. I'm going to come clean to Igor, but I need it to be on my terms and I need to be ready for him. I suspect he isn't going to like it. I'm afraid he will hurt me. I'm worried about my baby.

"I can't wait for you to show me how much. You can start with a good meal." He rubs his belly. "Come to think of it, I'm starving."

I sigh when he goes into the living room. I hear the television come on. I get started in the kitchen. By the time I have finished cleaning all the dishes, the guys are yelling at the television. I put the meat on the grill and throw a couple of potatoes in the oven. I want to make a salad, but there are no greens in the house. There isn't so much as a blackened banana.

There is more shouting in the living room. It sounds like human sports are playing. I'm not sure what the appeal is. All I know is that now is my chance to put a safety net or two in place. I take one of the sharp serrated knives out of the drying rack, and I run upstairs to Igor's bedroom, shoving it behind the headboard. I change my mind and push it under the mattress instead. Right on the side so that it will be easy to get to but not too easy to spot. I pray that I won't have to use it.

"Where are you?" Igor shouts from the stairs, which he takes two at a time from the sounds of it.

He enters the bedroom just as I'm pulling one of his shirts over my head.

Phew! That was close.

He puts his arms around me. "I'm so glad you're home."

"Me, too."

He hugs me tighter, and I feel something hard against my belly. I know exactly what it is.

Noooooo!

"Let's go eat," I tell him. "The food will be ready." I smile.

"It can wait five minutes." He starts moving me to the bed.

"The meat is going to b-burn," I stammer. "The potatoes, too."

"I took the meat off the grill and turned off the oven."

Dammit!

No!

Shit!

"I'm dirty. I really need a bath. I'm hungry, and I know you—"

He scowls. "Already with the excuses, Trin. You promised me no more excuses. It's you and me now. We're going to mate and be together. Once this baby is born, I'll put another one in your belly. We'll have a big family. We'll be happy." He sounds like he's trying to convince himself as much as me. "You'll see. It starts right here and right now. You need to show me that you meant those promises you made. That they weren't just words. You can start on your knees."

I hate him. I really hate him. I know that he knows I was lying to save Octane. I can see it all over him, but he doesn't care. He doesn't care about me; he never did. I don't think he cares about our unborn child. I need to stand up for myself. For my baby. I need to do it now. Maybe somewhere deep inside is the boy I once knew. I hope and pray that hate hasn't completely corrupted his mind.

I shake my head. "No," I tell him softly. "I won't be doing that."

"This is the start of the rest of our lives. It's what I've dreamed about for so long. You and me. Us! Our future. There is a plan in place to bring down Arctic. He's no good for our people. He wants peace. He wants to put an end to the war with the filthy Draigers."

"That's a good thing." There is a pleading edge to my voice. "Peace would be a good thing, Igor. We could go back to living in harmony with the Draigers."

"Bite your tongue, woman. It's a terrible thought!" He shivers visibly, a look of revulsion on his face. "The male who is going to take over as king is a friend of mine. We're working together to get him on the throne. The people will accept him. Once it happens, I will become the general. I'll get a whole wing in the castle. I'll make big money and be important. We'll take down those filthy Draigers. All of them."

He's speaking like a child who's been offered a whole bag of candy to do something naughty.

"It's going to be amazing, Trin," he keeps going, not listening to me. "I want you at my side when we kill all the Draigers. We'll take over their island. The ground will be soaked with their blood. The Reds will shout my name."

"What made you this way? You used to be sweet and kind."

His whole body tenses. His eyes narrow and turn cold and hard. "My father was killed by the Draigers. My mother took her own life a month later. I hate those bastards. I hate everything about them. I want them all dead." It amazes me how much like Octane he sounds…only it isn't the same at all. Not even close. Octane would never hurt innocent people. He's hard on the outside but soft where it counts. Igor is one big ball of hate.

"You do realize that not all of the Draigers are bad. There are women and children on that island. There are—"

"Stop!" he growls. "There is no such thing as a good Draiger. They're all despicable and deserve to be killed."

"The children don't—"

"I will kill the children myself." His face turns vicious. "They will grow up to be vermin. All of them. No, I won't let their innocent faces deter me." He shakes his head, his eyes blazing with hatred.

"I'm sorry about your parents. I feel for you, but killing every Draiger is not the answer. It won't bring them back, and I promise that you won't feel better afterward."

He laughs. "I assure you that I will. I hope I get to slit your friend's throat. I can't believe you let a Draiger touch you. It's disgusting. But I forgive you. I think the sooner we move on, the better. Now be a good girl and get on your knees and suck my cock. You have a lot to make up for." His voice is hard, devoid of emotion.

"No, I—"

Igor backhands me. It's hard enough to make a loud noise and for me to taste blood where my tooth cuts into the inside of my cheek. I will probably have a bruise, but it's not so bad that I am knocked off my feet. I touch my mouth for a second or two. It stings. I'm a bit shocked it happened, but I'm not sure why I'm surprised. Our relationship was headed for violence. I knew this day was coming. It was just a matter of time. I clear my throat, squaring my shoulders.

"No talking back, Trin. On your knees. You made some promises to me. Promises you will keep or so fucking help me…"

"I promised those things so that you wouldn't kill my friend. He helped me. He was nice to me."

"So, you let him fuck you. I can't believe that, Trin. You are a whore! A fucking whore. Now suck my cock!" he yells, his face turning red. Spittle flies from his mouth.

This male is insane. My heart pounds, and sweat beads on my brow. My hands are shaking, so I clutch them together, trying to stay calm. I need to focus, or he will kill me. I know it.

I won't let him do this.

"I made those promises to you under duress," I tell him in a calm voice. "I don't love you, and I never will. Please don't do this. Please let me go." I have to try one more time to reason with him. To reason with a madman. I don't think I'll be successful.

Then again, maybe there is a shred of decency inside there somewhere.

"Let you go." He laughs. "Let you go?" He grabs me by the hair, making me gasp as agony tears into my skull. If he pulls much harder, my hair will come out in a chunk.

I whimper as he marches me to the window, standing on tippy toes to try to alleviate the pain. "Do you see females growing on trees? Well, do you?" he asks, shoving my face toward the dirty glass.

"No."

"Exactly. There are no females. I only see one…you."

"What about the Tributes?" I ask. "Surely, you'll be first in line to get one? I mean, you're important." His hand eases, and I want to groan with relief. I don't.

"What do I want with a human? I'm too good for a human." His hand slowly eases its hold even more, and I want to sag in relief. "I want you, Trin. Why can't you accept that? You are the mother of my child. You! It's always been you. I love you." His hand tightens again, and my scalp stings as he pushes me down. "Now suck me."

Love. Igor has no concept of what love is.

No!

Shit! Shit! Shit!

"This is rape." I won't pretend otherwise. "If you make me do this, it will be against my will."

Igor gives me one of his signature smirks. To think I found him attractive once. "Put your pretty mouth around my cock and make me come. If I feel so much as a tooth, I will kick you in the stomach. It'll be hard, Trin. I'd be surprised if the kid makes it."

"You would hurt your baby?" I ask, my throat clogging with emotion. I shove it aside. I need to think clearly. I don't have time for anger or fear or frustration. I need to focus, dammit.

He shrugs. "We'll make another one. If I need to use this one to teach you a lesson, then so be it."

He's insane. I called Octane insane several times, but I was wrong about him, just as I was wrong about Igor when I first met him. My eyes are wide open now. I need to survive. I must!

I take his cock in my hand, trying not to vomit. I stroke him up and down. He groans, his head falling back a little. "Yes," he hisses. "That's a good start." He rocks his hips forward when I stroke him again. "Yesssss…now suck me, baby. Suck me."

"Get on the bed."

"What?" He looks down at me, his eyes hazy with confusion.

"Get on the bed." I lick my lips. "I'll do a better job if I'm comfortable, too."

He grins at me. "Take off the shirt."

I do as he asks.

"You're quite chubby now that you're pregnant, but I like how much bigger your tits are." His eyes dip down, and he leers at my chest.

I have to work not to cover myself.

"On the bed." I try to sound husky, but it comes out sounding a little afraid. I stand.

Igor doesn't seem to notice or to care. "No problem." He flops himself on the bed. "You said you were hungry, baby… You can swallow me down when I'm done." The edge to his voice tells me that it isn't a request; it's a command.

I nod once, licking my lips, my eyes on his member.

I can do this!

I must!

I straddle his legs, gripping his cock in my hand again and stroking him. I need him to relax. To let his guard down. I'm praying I don't have to actually suck him. Even touching him makes me feel sick to my stomach.

I lean forward, stroking him harder.

"Yes…oh yes…now, Trin." He rocks his hips. "Blow me. Do it!" There's a growl to his voice. His eyes are on me.

Dammit!

I lean closer, blowing air on his head softly, pretending to be a little shy. Like this is a game. Finally, his eyes close. I keep stroking him with one hand and grab the knife with the other.