Breaking the Nexus (Mythrian Realm) Page 9

  I’m terrified. She hoped she’d adequately conveyed the sarcasm with that last phrase. It was so hard to know how things sounded with telepathy, though she refused to show fear to the mystery man. He’d only feed off it and use it against her. Granted, she could push him to strike out again with her sarcasm, but hey life was a gamble, right?

  You have fire, I’ll give you that. You’re nothing compared to me. You can’t stop what’s coming. Why try? The voice was taunting her now.

  Is this the part where you offer to let me join you to save my life? Wasn’t that what always happened in books?

  Menacing laughter rang through her head, the sound like nails scraping glass. Why would I want you to join me? You have nothing to offer except fleeting amusement while I watch you suffer and die.

  My, aren’t we a cocky bastard. Sha kept working the threads in her mind, trying to isolate the signature that belonged to the sinister voice. She couldn’t bring herself to call him ‘Nightmare’ like he wanted; maybe she’d call him ‘Pitiful’ instead. Another burst of agony filled her mind. Mother Night that hurt. She doubled over before she could halt the movement.

  “Sha, what the hell is going on? Talk to me,” Connor demanded, his arms around her, supporting her against his chest and giving her an anchor point.

  “I think—” Pausing to take a breath to steady herself, she shook her head, as if that would actually shake free the voice. “I think I’m talking to the killer.”

  Connor let loose a string of emphatic curses. “Please tell me you’re joking and that you’re not having a conversation with the mad man who murdered at least four people, one of whom was made to look like you.”

  A wan smile creased her lips. “Sorry, I can’t.”

  “Break off. Now.” Despite the firm directive issued in a steady tone, Sha could sense his fear and worry for her.

  “It’s our best chance to identify him. Give me a little more time.”

  “I don’t like this. Screw catching this guy if you give him the means with which to take you out.”

  “He won’t, trust me. He’s playing with me now, said to call him ‘Nightmare.’ A few more minutes, it’s all I need. I’m breaking through the complex maze intended to keep me out.”

  He wanted to argue, she could tell from his body language, but she had to give him credit. All he did was position her so her back rested against his chest, the contact helping her further ground herself. “Hurry it up, temptress. We’ve got other work to do.”

  You care for him, that pathetic, weak human male? I’ll kill him first and relish in your despair while you watch him scream and writhe as he begs me to end his life.

  Fury ignited within her. Burn in hell, you son of a bitch.

  Tsk, tsk. So impulsive. I’d hoped your Aquarum traits would temper the impulsivity of your Infernum. You disappoint me.

  How did the bastard know her classes? Come to think of it, how had he known about Connor? He shouldn’t be able to sense anything but her direct thoughts, not with her shields in place. Apprehension knotted her belly and she struggled to maintain her composure. Am I supposed to care?

  I know all about you Sha Phoenix. I’d hoped you would prove a worthy adversary, but I was wrong. You are pitiable. Submit to me now and I’ll make your death swift. You cannot defeat me, cannot stop the coming tide.

  She broke through the last of the defenses he’d erected and she got the impression of a name. “Corvelli,” she murmured aloud, hoping one of the men would think to write it down. A bellow of rage echoed in her mind.

  Not so pitiable now, am I? Triumph surged through her at the small victory of besting his mental fortifications.

  You will regret that. Before I’m finished with you, you will pray for death.

  Raw, blinding agony exploded once more, intensifying with every beat of her heart until finally it was too much and she fell into oblivion.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Fury engulfed him as her scream of excruciating, unadulterated torment echoed throughout his house. God, she’d sounded like she was being tortured in the pits of hell. She’d passed out after a few seconds, and he hadn’t been sure whether he should be worried or grateful she was beyond pain.

  The risk she’d taken in holding the conversation chilled him to the bone. Little fool, he thought as he looked at her pale, strained face coated in a sheen of sweat. Her reckless disregard for her own welfare terrified him even as her courage awed him. He couldn’t define his feelings for her, only knew that seeing her endure such agony while he’d been helpless had ripped him to shreds, leaving him hollow inside.

  “Connor?” Ian’s voice sounded nearly as shaky as he felt.

  “Find out what that name means.” He shifted her, laying her out on the floor so he could check her vitals.

  “Is she alright?” His partner knelt on the other side of Sha, eyes filled with concern.

  “She’ll be fine.” There was no other possible outcome, he wouldn’t allow any other outcome. Her pulse was rapid, yet strong and steady. That had to be a good sign, right?

  “I’m going to grab my laptop from the trunk, I’ll be right back.”

  Connor grunted, his only acknowledgement that he’d heard Ian’s words. Every fiber of his being was focused on Sha. “Come on, temptress, wake up. It’s time to stop scaring me.” What if that son of a bitch had done some kind of permanent damage to her? What if she couldn’t wake up?

  No, he was being ridiculous. She’d be fine. Cradling her in his arms, he rose heading toward the bedroom. Ian would figure out where he’d gone and he wanted to get her somewhere more comfortable than a hardwood floor.

  Once inside, he set her gently on the bed, pulling the covers over her. Her skin felt clammy, sticky with sweat, and it certainly wouldn’t be a pleasant way to wake up. Glad to have something tangible he could do, Connor soaked a washcloth in cool water and dabbed it over her face and neck, wiping away the physical remnants of that hellish encounter.

  It would take a hell of a lot more than a damp rag to wipe it from his memories; he didn’t think anything would erase the image of seeing her face contorted, her back bowed, the brutal cry being ripped from her throat. As he continued to run the cloth over her, he vowed to hunt down the bastard and make him pay for every ounce of pain he’d inflicted on his woman.

  A low moan drew his mind out of the red haze of revenge. “Sha?” Connor asked, dropping the washcloth on the floor and cupping his hands around her face.

  “Yeah?”

  “You okay, sweetheart?” Dumbass question, of course she wasn’t okay. She was probably still suffering the aftereffects of whatever happened.

  “I’m alive, not sure if I want to be, but I’m alive. Mother Night that sadistic bastard is going to die and I’m going to find a way to inflict a hundred times worse torture than what he did. Don’t know how, but I’ll find a way.”

  In spite of the worry, he managed to crack a smile. “Only you would battle wits with a madman and one of your first thoughts upon waking would be how you’re going to kill him.”

  “Hey, you signed up to be with me, didn’t you?”

  He slid his fingers into her hair, massaging her temples with careful pressure. She moaned again, though this time he thought it was more in relief than pain. “Yes, I did, and you’re stuck with me now. When you’re feeling better, we’re going to have a little chat about your propensity for getting yourself into trouble.”

  “Lecture me all you want, just don’t stop what you’re doing. You helped more than you realize, did you know that?”

  “How was that?”

  “Gave me energy and a focus so I could ground myself and he couldn’t trap me.”

  His fingers paused. “There was a chance he could trap you? As in you wouldn’t be able to get out?” In deference to her pounding head, he kept his tone level, although rage seethed within him. “When were you going to tell me that?”

  Lashes fluttered open and sapphire eyes swimming with pain and a ting
e of annoyance met his. “First of all, I just did. Second of all, cut me some slack, we just met. Not used to someone caring about me like that.”

  “Get used to it. Next time warn me so I can actually do something.”

  “He took me by surprise and even if I’d warned you, there wouldn’t have been much you could do. You can’t fight what you can’t see, Connor.”

  “You’re going to give me a heart attack one day, aren’t you?”

  “My mother and father used to say that to me all the time.”

  “It’s no wonder. Rest, Ian’s looking into the meaning of the name and I’ll go down to help him soon.”

  “No argument here. My head’s killing me and it’s making me nauseous.”

  “Call me if you need anything. And Sha, I want you to promise me something.”

  “I will if I can.”

  “Promise you’ll at least try to think before you act, for my sake.”

  Her lips twitched. “No guarantees, but I’ll try.”

  “Thank you. Now sleep.” Smoothing her hair back from her face, he watched as it relaxed. When he was sure she’d gone under, he pressed a gentle kiss to her brow and stood up, finally unleashing the wrath he’d banked until he’d known she was going to be fine.

  Oh, yes…someone was going to pay.

  *******

  “How’s she doing?” Ian asked from his seat at the table as Connor came down the stairs.

  “Hurting but asleep now. Have you found anything?” Connor went to the sink and splashed cool water on his face, bracing his hands on the counter as he worked through the anger.

  “Not a whole lot so far. I think the name could belong to a Jack Corvelli who lives here in Denver. There’s not much on him that I’ve been able to find. A few convictions for misdemeanors and a couple busts for drug possession, but nothing that pops for committing the sort of brutal homicides we’ve seen.”

  “This guy Sha was talking to, he’s smart. She might’ve gotten intel from him, though I doubt we’re lucky enough to have gotten his name outright. My guess is this Corvelli is linked to him but not our perpetrator. See if you can find an address on him.”

  “Maybe. Guy’s last known address is about twenty five minutes from here.”

  “Perfect, I want to pay him a visit.”

  “Connor, I know you’re livid, but don’t do something stupid. You can’t help if you get yourself thrown in jail on assault charges.”

  “I won’t. Let’s keep digging on him for now. I don’t want to leave her alone, and I have a feeling she’ll be out for a while. I want to see if there’s anything at all linking him to any of the cases.”

  They worked in silence for several hours, striving to find any connection between Corvelli and the murder victims. The entire time, Connor battled the urge to check on Sha every five minutes. She was fine, he told himself. Contenting himself by looking in on her every half hour was a study in willpower. Every time he glanced in the room, she was in the exact same place, a testament to her exhaustion. When they’d awoken earlier, he’d seen how tousled the bed covers were; Sha was not a quiet sleeper by any means. Given her energy and vibrancy while awake, he’d expected nothing less. That she didn’t move a muscle for close to three hours was a bit alarming.

  As the sun began to peek up over the horizon, the men began to make calls to Corvelli’s known associates. His patience was wearing thin, and his tone must have conveyed this because the people he spoke to were far less combative than he’d expected. Or maybe something else had them on edge, it was hard to say exactly. He got the impression they knew something, but no matter how hard he pushed, nobody would talk.

  “We’re not getting anywhere with this,” Connor said, frustrated at the runaround they were getting.

  “I can’t confirm he’s still at the address we have and it’s about four years old, but worth checking.” Ian’s phone began to chime and he took it out, checking the display. “Captain Morrison wants an update. How much should I tell him?”

  Connor considered it, debating himself. Until they could confirm Corvelli’s role, he was hesitant to reveal everything for fear of increasing the pressure from the higher ups. “Tell him we’re pursuing a lead, but try to leave out the part where she made contact with the killer until we know more.”

  “He’ll want all of the details eventually.”

  “And he’ll get them. Just—” Something felt like it was pushing at his brain. Confused, Connor focused on the sensation, trying to understand what was happening.

  “Everything okay?” Ian asked.

  “Shut up, give me a minute.” Instinctively he closed his eyes, concentrating. Another push, this time the impression of words formed.

  Connor? I don’t know if you can hear me, but if you can, come upstairs. He’s back, talking to me.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  One minute Sha existed in a dreamless slumber, content to remain adrift in a sea of nothingness. The next, everything began to shift, morphing from swirling shadows to a landscape eerily similar to Fire Falls. As the surroundings became more and more focused, she realized it didn’t just look like Fire Falls; it was the city of her childhood.

  It started identical to her memory, the idyllic town nestled on the island amidst towering waterfalls. Children laughed and played, everyone went about their business, walking the cobblestone streets between the beautiful stone shops and houses. A pang of homesickness swept through her; she missed those days, missed swimming in the endless pools and the carefree, sheltered life she’d had as a child.

  Slowly the dreamscape changed, the vibrant greenery shriveling, buildings crumbling, roads cracking. Instead of crystal clear water pouring from the falls, it began to darken and run red, the thick metallic scent of blood and decay permeated the air. The sound of sobbing and screaming echoed throughout the basin.

  This is what will come, what you can’t stop.

  Fury welled up. That bastard was in her head again. What do you want?

  I told you what I wanted.

  Yes, you said you wanted me to suffer and die. How unoriginal. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out what was going on, how to warn Connor of what was happening.

  He can’t help you. He’s weak, nothing compared to me.

  The bastard was reading more of her thoughts than she intended and was trying to get under her skin. Not for long. She dove into the depths of her memory for the tricks she’d been taught so long ago. Burying herself under layers of protection, she pictured herself in a deep, endless ocean, the waves drowning out the sound of the voice. It wouldn’t last, but it’d give her time to contact Connor.

  Connor? I don’t know if you can hear me, but if you can, come upstairs. He’s back, talking to me.

  Sha paused for a moment, waiting for an attack from Nightmare that would signal he’d picked up on her effort to contact someone. None came.

  Are you trying to hide from me, little bitch? I thought you were better than that. Come out, come out wherever you are. Sinister laughter rang through her mind.

  She had to surface before he grew too suspicious, but she was sure her message had gone out without alerting him. It wasn’t much of an advantage, but something was better than nothing.

  Why are you showing me this? Why bother taunting me?

  I’m bored. The humans are pathetic and chasing their tails. Even with that little name you pulled out, they won’t find me. You could prove to be an interesting diversion with your misguided sense of honor.

  You’ve said it yourself, you want to kill me. Why should I play your game if I’m going to die anyway?

  You won’t be able to stop yourself. Even knowing it’s futile, you’ll want to try to stop the cataclysm, try to save the world. He said it as distastefully as if he were discussing saving a disease-infested rat. She hated to admit he had a point; she wouldn’t be able to resist trying to save everyone she could.

  The bed shifted, a light touch on her arm. He’d gotten the message. She battled to st
ifle the wave of relief at knowing he was here, that she had an anchor to keep Nightmare from pulling her down with him. Pressure on her shoulder distracted her for a moment. Was Connor still picking up her thoughts? Another squeeze. Okay, no idea how that was possible since she hadn’t been trying to communicate, but there were other things to worry about. Enough time had passed that her power had begun to regenerate and she began to mount an attack of her own.

  I find it interesting that you’re spending so much time trying to scare me. Are you compensating for something? Insolent whore. I could crush you with little more than a passing thought.

  Yawn. You got in a lucky blow because I was drained; it won’t happen again.

  Ah, yes. Your battle with my pet. Pity you vanquished her, but worry not, I have more presents for you.

  Drawing on energy from the connection to Connor, Sha was almost ready to give him a present of her own. It relieved her that Nightmare hadn’t seemed to react to any of the thoughts she didn’t direct his way because it meant her safeguards must be holding. The proximity to her detective could have been adding weight to the buffers.

  I look forward to sending the rest of your presents straight to the Seven Hells. You may think you know all about me, but you’re wrong. If you did, you’d know better than to underestimate me.

  Taking a deep breath, she focused on the path to Nightmare, and sent a ball of pure fire hurtling his way. She felt the instant when he realized what she’d done, his attempt to deflect, and her lips curled in triumph. Exactly as she’d predicted he would react. Without hesitating, she unleashed the real attack, a series of concentrated bursts of raw power designed to explode into molten waves upon impact.

  Nightmare bellowed in pain and rage, the sound reverberating beyond the confines of her mind and echoing off the walls of the bedroom, before the connection to him cut off abruptly. Her eyes opened to meet Connor’s startled gaze.

  “I do believe I won that round,” she said and pulled him down for a hard kiss.

  *******