Cornelius raises his brows at me, but doesn’t press when I don’t say anything else. Whirling around, I make a break for the exit, knowing without having to turn back that they’re both right behind me.
THIRTY-ONE
THE LIGHT IN THE DARK
Zion
It’s beendead quiet for the last few hours.
While I’d like to think the reprieve is due to Gemma being bored with her silly little games, I know it’s more likely she’s using it as a tactic to throw me off in anticipation of the real fun being suddenly tossed at me.
Which means Gemma is unaware of what time and space allow me in the grand scheme of things. This is what’s best about narcissistic, power-hungry people. They’re so focused on themselves that they miss the important things going on around them. They even miss critical details about the very people they hope to destroy.
Sighing, I force myself to lie on my back on the hard stone, my hands resting on my stomach. Closing my eyes, I inhale, visualizing oxygen entering my lungs before slowly exhaling. I repeat this process a few times, then my heart slows, the rush of blood in my veins a soft echo in the far recesses of my mind.
Zion.
Trickery. Delusion.
Hope.
My breathing slows, slowing, slowing until my breath skates on the edges of time and my heart stalls in my chest. I sink down beyond the far recesses of my psyche, settling into the cool depths where reason and truth coexist. Then I wait.
Zion.
Faintly, it comes through. My mind’s eye pivots, searches, seeking. Knowing, knowing the source and needing to be heard.
Zion.
Again, louder this time. Exhilaration rushes over me, euphoria on its heels. My hands slide off my stomach, arms stretching outward, palms up, resting on the stone. Inhale. Exhale.
ZION.
Flinching, I force myself to remain still, to remain afloat along the top of that still water instead of throwing myself deeper, instead of diving in search of that which I seek.
To descend too quickly would erupt into chaos, possibly pushing me down so far that returning could be impossible.
I ease off, forcing myself to recenter and refocus before continuing on even more slowly.
Zion.
The softly uttered word tickles my senses. Sighing, warmth settles over me. A familiar pulse of electricity. Contentment.
She may not feel me, the newness of our bond and whatever recollections she may have had not making her open to what she may not know.
I soak it all in, allowing the feel of her to re-energize me. Her heart races, her thoughts jumbled. “It's okay. You're okay,” I whisper, pushing calm along that electrical current until slowly, her pulse steadies and her thoughts realign.
Hands gripping onto my arms yank me free, and I immediately release her, hoping she didn't feel my abrupt departure.
Not wanting to appear outwardly startled, I open one eye, glancing nonchalantly at the two goons grabbing onto me. I don't struggle, but I also don't help them bring me to my feet. Once I'm standing, I shake them off, not wanting their hands on me any longer than necessary. A shiver rolls over me. I curl my lip in disgust while I force myself not to attempt to wipe their touch from my skin.
The door to my cell clangs open, and both goons walk toward it without saying a word. I remain where I'm standing, watching them exit, and then after a few moments, one of them comes back and gives me a look. I raise my brows at him and cross my arms over my chest. His eyes narrow, and then his buddy appears right beside him, also glaring. But then he says, “Let's go.”
Pressing my lips together, I consider being a dick about it. Of course, I fully realize that it would be pointless and likely a huge waste of energy at this point in the game. So after another moment of consideration, I relent, inclining my head in acceptance as I slowly walk toward them. They turn and continue on without comment, and I follow along begrudgingly.
They lead me down long winding corridors until I lose track of whether we're going up, down, or all around. Even though I should be accustomed to this type of puzzle, knowing I'm likely being led into some ritual-like lunacy is slightly disconcerting.
Sure enough, after a few more winding dark corridors, they lead me through a doorway that opens into a large room. If you can even call it a room, considering it more resembles a cave. Demons of all sorts are milling around, but when I enter, they all stop what they're doing and turn to look at me. A few of themimmediately take up the resemblance of Vivian, which at this point, I'm finding incredibly annoying.
