Page 112 of Tainted Souls
CHAPTER 23
WITH THE AIRTENSEfrom unspoken threats, I spring to my feet. “I need to use the bathroom.”
Hanae exchanges a look with Reece, both rising in unison. “I’ll accompany you,” she offers quickly, her tone leaving no room for refusal.
I’m already backing toward the door. “No need.”
“Sit down, Sister.” It’s no request, not even a warning.
It’s reality knocking.
The lounge erupts into motion. Kale vaults over a chair, cutting off my escape through the main door. Irene and Reece move to block the windows, despite them being barred. Palina grabs my arm, anchoring me in place. I twist violently, breaking free only to collide with Hanae, who appears from nowhere to block my path.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Hanae hisses, all pretense of civility gone.
The sound of the aircraft grows louder with every breath. They are so close. All I need to do is find a way out, or a signal, anything to let them know I’m in here.
“It’s pointless, you know?” Palina says, pacing behind me. “The building is cloaked and warded against intrusion. However they found you, they can’t see you. You’re a ghost to them. And even if they could, they would need Ace’s permission to enter.”
My heart pounds like it’s trying to crack through my ribs, hearing but not listening to what she says. I’ll tear through a wall if I have to. I just need one opening. One chance.
My mind races through possibilities. If the mansion is invisible like she says, something must be generating that magic, like a power source. It’s not just a temporary illusion or concealment.
Since the windows are barred, could they be a weak spot? Perhaps not the windows themselves, but whatever lets the light slip through, even if it doesn’t burn them. If the barrier is intended to cause visual distortion and keep unwanted visitors out, then physically damaging it could create a gap—a signal.
Irene and Reece aren’t trying to blockmefrom getting through, but a projectile. I scan the room for anything I could use—a paperweight, a vase, even one of the chess pieces—anything solid enough to disrupt the barrier if thrown with enough force.
I lunge for the fireplace, grabbing a heavy brass poker before anyone can stop me. Palina moves to intercept, but I feint left, then spin right, using the momentum to swing the poker in a wide arc that forces her back.
“Just let me go,” I yell out in a desperate plea, backing toward the window. “You don’t have to do this.”
Saul steps forward, his hands raised. “Give up, Sister. This will not end how you want it to.”
I ignore him, making a desperate dash for the nearest object.
A decanter is my target, but Kale cuts me off with inhuman speed, grabbing my wrist and twisting until the glass clatters to the floor. A porcelain figurine is my next, but before I can reach it, Kale’s other hand shoots out, catching my wrist again. I drive my knee up, aiming for his groin, but he sidesteps, using my momentum to throw me off balance. I’m sent crashing into a side table, more glass shattering as a lamp topples.
The rotors sound fainter now, as if they’re moving away.
Panic surges through me as I scramble to my feet, grabbing a shard of broken glass. Blood wells where it cuts into my palm, but I barely feel it.
“Enough!” Irene shouts, closing in. “Stop fighting, Seraph. You’re only making this worse.”
I throw the glass shard at her face, forcing her to duck, then vault over the settee. Three more steps to the window. Two. One—
Hands like steel clamp around my waist, yanking me backward.
I thrash wildly, connecting with something solid. Reece grunts in effort but doesn’t let go, my body a ragdoll in his hold. Palina appears in front of me, trying to restrain my arms.
“She’s lost it,” Kale mutters, circling to my right.
With a surge of desperate strength, I wrench free from her grasp and slam my elbow into Reece’s solar plexus. He doubles over, giving me just enough space to break away and sprint for the door, knowing my previous plan is a lost cause.
I almost make it, too. My fingers brush the doorknob before Hanae tackles me from behind, driving me into the heavy oak. The impact knocks the breath from my lungs. She spins me around, her forearm pressed against my throat, pinning me in place.
“Stand down,” she warns, her face inches from mine, “or youwillregret it.”
I sag against the door, chest heaving.
