Torrent of Tears (Scourge Survivor Series Book 3)(24)
The faded cream on cream walls and modest tile floors spoke of a simple life forgotten. Forgotten. Is this where I lived? I walked through the empty space, pushing at the resistance of my own mind. Gods, why couldn’t I remember any of this?
The furnishings had obviously been skeletal to begin with but with the Tasso-troupe finished their fine-tooth-combing, nothing personal or even decorative remained. “What? Did they think leaving a picture on the wall might leak some traitorous secret?”
Terran stepped into an adjoining room and I moved behind the plain, brown settee in the living area. I tried to imagine that battered man from the courtyard living here in better days. I couldn’t picture it. That man had life in his eyes and this place had no sense of personality. It was sterile and sad. My heart sank knowing, without even looking, that the rest of the townhouse would be the same.
“Why do you think he did it?”
Terran tilted his head. “Who? Balor?”
I moved to the rectangular window at the front of the house and glanced out at the shops across the way. “Being a breeder is a bit of a big deal, right? So why risk defying the Queen to keep me, just to turn around and give me away?”
A small boy, probably ten or eleven years old, carried a package out of one of the shops across the street. He had the same mint green skin that Stitch and Terran had and I wondered if that was an identifier of an Earth Attalosean . . . Attalosi?
Standing too long in one position had me stretching my back from side to side. There was no help for the ache that was now my constant companion. I knew almost nothing about my life, and standing in this empty townhouse wouldn’t change that. “Forget it Terran. Let’s go. We’re not—”
The creak of a floorboard in the back of the house had me reaching under my skirt and drawing steel. Terran heard it too and jogged to my side, his nightstick out and humming. He must have activated something within the baton, because the rune designs that covered its surface glowed white against the black cylinder. With quick hands, he signaled for me to stay put while he moved toward the back hall.
Yeah. He had a lot to learn if he thought that would work. Gods, what I wouldn’t give to be wearing my leather gear instead of floor-length silk and heels.
Faint footsteps had us aimed at a partially closed door at the back of the house. I eased the door open. The blinds were raised and mid-afternoon light filled the space.
“Come out,” I said, ready and steady. “Don’t do anything stupid. We’re armed.” The shadow of movement passed behind the open crack of the door and I adjusted my grip.
“Armed, Gracie girl? Well, I guess his plan worked then.”
It took a second for the words to sink in, but when my mind caught up, the woman from my vision stood directly in front of me. She looked different—focused, angry, drunker—though there was no question it was the same woman I’d seen.
“Now stand still.” She reached forward and for some reason, I did as I was told. Her finger touched my forehead and a tingle seeped into my skull and stung my eyes. “Give it a minute.”
Standing face to face, forgotten images flickered at the edge of my mind. Teasing. Flirting with my consciousness like a clouded dream in the waking hours. I knew her. I studied her more closely. What appeared to be dark brown hair in the shadows of her haunted hollow was actually a deep auburn laced with the silver-grey of rising age.
Fire Fae. How did I know that?
“Who are you?” I lowered the point of my blade to rest against my thigh.
“I am Sera.”
“And how did you get in here? Surely Tasso and his men didn’t let you in.”
The coy smile that spread across her features softened her appearance. “No. I waited until those bastards left. I want to speak with you. Alone.” Her cold stare raked over Terran and I stepped between them.
The woman shrugged. “The Queen has spies everywhere, Princess. Not a word in front of your soldier friend.”
It went against my every instinct not to defend Terran, but I needed answers and what she said was true. I’d only known him since I woke up this morning. The woman was important. The Fates were manipulative bitches, but what I saw in my visions always meant something.
I cast an apologetic glace to Terran. “Hang back so we can have some girl talk time.”
It was surprising, in the short time of knowing one another, how well the two of us could have a silent conversation of looks and head shakes. It reminded me of how Galan and Nyssa knew exactly what was going on in the other’s head without a word spoken.
After a heated argument of furrowed brows and tense glares, Terran had expressed just how much he disagreed with stepping back and leaving me alone, and I had reminded him I could take care of myself.
Terran threw his hands up and eased back to the far wall. It warmed my heart, how he kept his weapon ready and his mossy-green stare locked on our Fire-Fae visitor. Sweet.
“Now then,” I said, stepping closer to the woman, “what do you have to tell me?”
The woman turned and without a word pivoted back into the bedroom. Crossing the room, she ducked into the closet and disappeared behind the sliding door.
I followed, dagger ready, peering inside the dark space to where a hidden panel in the floor lay exposed. A run of twenty or so steep steps led below and as I started to descend, Terran’s hand caught my shoulder.