Awakening Book One of the Trust Series(83)

Before the last bulb broke, he took advantage of the quick burst of flame that emitted from the filament. He pulled the flame from the bulb into his palm, the fire coming to life in his hand, bouncing, waiting in anticipation for his next move. Declan transferred a portion of the growing blaze into his left palm before hurling it forward, his right hand to pushing its own inferno into the air towards Lionel like the rains of Hell itself.

Lionel was caught off guard by the attack, but it did not prevent him from stopping all of it, save one piece. He took a direct hit to his waist, sending him stumbling before he was bombarded by another firestorm that Declan threw towards him. Lionel stopped the next blast mere milliseconds before he was engulfed in flames.

Taking distinct advantage of the moment, Declan began throwing more debris from the floor at him, unable to see the man through the heavy curtain of smoke. His eyes widened when the only response to the attack was the distinct sound of Lionel’s laughter ringing in his ear. It was his only warning before Declan hit the ground with a heavy thud.

He coughed as he picked himself up from the concrete dust floor, in time to find that Lionel had transported easily over to him. If Declan had been standing, he would have staggered backwards.

In all their years together, Lionel had always indicated that he was never able to grasp fully the abstract thought and concentration that transporting took. Declan had always taken him at his word, knowing now that it was a lethal mistake.

Lionel used Declan’s momentary distraction to breach his student’s blocks.

Declan knew instantly what Lionel had done. He tried in desperation to set his barricade up again, only finding that the harder he tried, the more he felt it breaking apart. His mind was defenseless, opening up and making itself readily available to his enemy, who was ready to pluck any information he so desired from him.

Lionel’s thoughts echoed inside his head, filled disdain and revulsion. “You thought you were so smart, Declan. So brilliant. There are people far more talented than you and your friends out there who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the Cine Tofa. The time of the Trust has come to an end. I am so tired of the golden child getting exactly what he wants, when he wants. You have never known the pain and suffering I had to endure in my youth. I always had hoped that I would be able to give you one final lesson. This is a lesson you should have learned long ago, a much needed lesson in humility.”

Declan screamed in agony as Lionel hit every sensory system within his brain. He was completely at Lionel’s whim and there was nothing he could do about it. Without a doubt, Declan’s last moments would be one of utter suffering before he unwillingly gave every secret held about the Trust into Lionel’s deceptive hands. Once he was done extracting the information he desired, he would either kill him, or leave him a vegetable with no remnants of who he was remaining anymore.

He willed himself to not scream, despite how excruciating the pain was. He would not give Lionel the satisfaction that he craved.

“Open your eyes, Declan.” He barely felt the swift harsh kick in his stomach. “I said, OPEN YOUR EYES!”

His lungs screamed as he took a shallow breath. “No.”

“It is so going to be a pleasure killing you.”

“Please. Like I would ever let that happen.” His body went into a blissful numbness as Lionel turned around wildly at the feminine voice that was coming from across the room. Caitlyn. “Maybe you should learn how to shield your thoughts.”

“Declan, your little girlfriend has come to save you. How sweet.”

“Shut it, Lionel.” Caitlyn’s eyes flashed with fury. It was a sight to behold and should have been terrifying to the person who was on the receiving end of that anger. Unfortunately for Lionel, Declan knew that he did not know the wrath her anger would bring to him. Declan thanked God that the past few months his contact with his mentor had been minimal, giving Caitlyn an edge as Lionel was only vaguely aware of her true potential.

Lionel brushed off his pants. “While this is cute that you came to save him, I don’t have time for you.”

Without a second thought, Lionel levitated a large old piece of machinery forgotten about in the corner, hurling it at the blonde with as much force as he could muster. Caitlyn raised her hand, stopping the ancient technology dead in its tracks. Declan was not sure that even he himself would be able to stop that with the force Lionel was able to put behind it.

Lionel clapped his hands slowly, making his way over to the woman. “Impressive. Declan told me you were talented.”