Darker Days (The Darker Agency #1)(69)

A lump formed in my throat. “Lukas…”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t do it. I want to—but I wouldn’t.”

We stayed like that for a few minutes. Staring at each other as our breathing evened out. I wanted him to come closer, to kiss me again, but I knew he wouldn’t. I could see it in his eyes.

“We should get downstairs,” I said, pulling the office door open. I couldn’t stand it anymore.

He nodded and followed me around the corner and down the basement steps.

When we reached the bottom, Mom gave me a funny look, and for a second, the normal teenager in me was sure she knew exactly what we’d been doing. But after a moment, she simply nodded to Ava, and said, “We don’t know what to expect, so I want you to hang back.”

“You sure you don’t want me to take a bus out of town?” I stepped off the landing and froze. The basement I remembered was gone. “Whoa. I know I don’t come down here often, but when did we have the dungeon installed?”

Tony and another man—the one Meredith had introduced as Gluttony—were cuffed to a long chain that looked like it reached about a foot short of the door. Each had a cot with a brand new blanket and fluffy pillow. Not quite the Ritz, but better than jail, I was betting.

Ava was in the corner, still bound by the cuffs, but the duct tape had been removed. She scowled silently between Mom and Tony.

“I had your father install them. What was I supposed to do? Leave them huddled on the floor bound by duct tape?”

The one I didn’t know surged forward. He hit the end of his chains and stumbled back, snarling. Droplets of spit flew from his mouth, and I had to force myself not to gag at his stench. “Let me go!”

Beside him, Tony yawned. “Don’t mind him. He gets cranky when there’s not excess ta be had.” A moment later, he noticed Lukas standing off to the side and narrowed his eyes. “I’ve still got a headache from that knock ya gave me, kid. Not cool.”

“Apologies,” Lukas said with sincerity. “I acted rashly, but I was afraid you’d leave me no choice.”

“No real harm. If I hadn’t been so busy runnin’ my mouth, I’da clocked ya first.”

Mom stepped in front of me and turned to Gluttony. “Tell me where the others are.”

The Sin’s eyes widened and he backed away. “Go to hell,” he spat. “You’re going to put me back in there no matter what I tell you.”

She held the box out and flipped the latch. Gluttony’s eyes rolled back as he let out a deafening roar. With a snap, Mom slammed the lid down. “Yes, but I can make it quick, or drag it out. Looks painful.”

Gluttony’s expression changed. He started laughing. Eyes on Lukas, he said, “Whatever you do to me, it won’t compare to what we will do to him for betraying us. Again.”

Lukas’ face remained impassive, but I could see it in his eyes. Fear. Whatever the Sins had done last time, he helped put them back, and that had left its mark. It turned my stomach, knowing that soon they’d get the chance to do it all again.

I didn’t think. Snatching the box from Mom, I pointed it at Gluttony and flipped the lid.

“No!” he screamed. “Don—”

He doubled over, a low growl escaping his lips. In a brilliant flash of bright orange light, he threw himself backward against the wall, mouth opening in a scream that never came. His body convulsed, limbs twitching as a strangled gurgle rose in his throat. Stubby fingers wrapped into the fabric of his blue T-shirt, kneading the skin beneath in violent spasms. It almost looked like he was trying to dig the light from his gut. Was this what Lukas had to look forward to? Would I have to watch as he twitched and squirmed in agony, then disappeared in front of me?

The light collected at his middle, then moved up slowly, settling at the base of his throat. Pulsing several times like it had with Envy, it burst from his mouth, accompanied by an almost deafening bang, right before it crashed into the box.

The large man Gluttony had been wearing like a bad toupee collapsed.

Mom ripped the box from my hands. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“I—” I looked from her to Lukas. What wouldn’t sound stupid? The truth? That listening to Gluttony fling threats about what they were going to do to Lukas once he was beyond our reach was driving me cow-shit-crazy? “He wasn’t going to tell us crap.”

“Little lady’s right,” Tony said. “Glutt isn’t a snitch.”

Mom sighed. “If I open it again, will he get out?”

I rolled my eyes. “As if he’s gonna tell you the truth!”

Tony sighed. “Believe what ya want, but no. He can’t escape unless you let him out. Think of it like a one-way traffic jam. When there’s incomin’ traffic, outgoin’ can’t get past. As long as you don’t pop that puppy for any reason other than to stick one of us back in, you’re safe.”

Mom looked from him to Ava. “I don’t suppose either of you would like to tell us where the others are?”

The child sat in the corner, silently sticking her tongue out, but Tony answered, “My lot in life is live and let live. I’ve got nuthin’ against you guys, but I won’t betray my own.”

“Fair enough.” Mom nodded and raised the box. “I apologize in advance—especially if this is painful.”