I shrugged, popping a juicy tomato into my mouth. “Yeah, our car is packed full, but there’s plenty of room in yours. Besides, how’d the elites get here? Shouldn’t they take their own car?"

I watched as he brought his water bottle to his lips and took a quick sip. He smiled, wiping the back if his hand across his mouth. “I guess it’s a little weird, yeah, but you didn’t expect Mr. Aleksandrov to stick you and me in a car alone, did you? We’re only driving for a two hours, anyway. The rest will be by plane.”

I choked on my own saliva. “Plane—as in airplane?”

Hell no! I couldn’t go on a plane. The thought of being so high up made me sick.

“You’re scared of being in the air?”

“Absolutely. If the plane falls, we are all dead. Eli, I can’t go on a plane.”

He screwed his lid back on his bottle. “Okay, so I’ll let Mr. Aleksandrov know you’re anxious and he’ll sort something out.”

“Like alcohol?” I perked up. “Because I’m going to need at least one whole bottle of vodka to—”

“First of all,” he interrupted. “You’re tiny, one whole bottle of vodka would probably kill you, and I’m one hundred percent sure Mr. Aleksandrov won’t give you alcohol.”

I slumped into myself. “No fun.”

“I’m sure being trapped on a plane with the Elites and Hunter will be fun enough.”

I rolled my eyes. If the anxiety from being in the air wasn’t enough, I also had to deal with being in very close proximities with Faith, Hunter and Eli. Maybe I should sneak some vodka on the plane…

Chapter Four

I can hear him laugh a dark, cold laugh and it pierces my flesh, sinking straight to my bones and chilling me from the inside out. No. It can’t be. I killed him…Lucian is dead.

“Ruby,” he calls, his voice echoing through the darkness. “I’m coming for you.”

A jolt of fear courses through me as I frantically search the dark room. It’s pitch black and all I have are my hands to guide me. I keep them outstretched in front of me, waiting to run into a wall or a piece of furniture. I feel myself breaking into a cold sweat as full-on panic bubbles inside of me…I’m going to die.

“W-what do you want from me?” I ask, my voice quivering.

I stop walking and spin slowly in a circle, continuing to stare anxiously into the blackness.

“What do I want from you?” He laughs once and I flinch. “I want to take your life, like you took mine.”

I’m slammed from behind and a scream tears from me. The wind is forced from my lungs as I’m crushed against the concrete beneath me by a cold, hard body. Suddenly, the lights come on in a flash, leaving me squinting into the sudden brightness. The smell of decomposing wood fills my nostrils.

“You didn’t think I’d kill you in the dark, did you?” He chuckles. His chilling breath freezes the hair on the back of my neck. “No. I want to see the fear in your eyes. I want to hear you cry.” He lowers his voice until it’s barely a whisper. “I want to taste your tears.”

His hands curl around my arms, squeezing with devastating force and I gasp as he flips me onto my back. Pain splits my head in two as it crashes into the concrete. After a few seconds, I open my eyes. The minute movement sends a headache surging through my skull. My heartbeat instantly skyrockets until it’s violently slamming against my ribs. Looking Lucian in the face again is terrifying. I grit my teeth and clench my jaw against an onslaught of tears. I won’t cry for him.

One of his hands releases me as he reaches behind him and produces a stake from his back pocket. I eye the thin, sharp weapon as he draws it to my chest and teases the button on my shirt with its pointed tip. I grimace every time it scratches against the plastic button.

“I’m going to kill you with this stake,” he tells me. I swallow harshly.

His black, soulless eyes glare into mine as he presses the tip of the stake into my chest.

“I’m going to go slow,” he growls. “I want you to feel every single jolt of pain that I’m going to inflict on you.”

He presses harder and I feel my skin begin to stretch and give way under its point. A pain-filled groan escapes my lips as I thrash underneath him.

“Stop!” I beg, letting my tears fall.

I try harder to push him off me, but he doesn’t budge. I cry out as I hear a distinct crack and pain flares sharply through my chest. A rib? I can’t tell. There was too much pain going on in that area. I squeeze my eyes shut, not giving Lucian the satisfaction to read my emotions.

Suddenly, the pressure in my chest is relieved and my eyes shoot open to see Lucian fly through the air before landing hard on his back. Strong arms seize me and pull me to my feet. Instinctively, I hunch over, grasping my chest. Two fingers slide under my chin, tilting my face up to the bright light and I squint, trying to see into the face of my savior. The tall figure leans to the left, blocking out the harsh light and relief floods me as my gaze rests on a pair of green irises.

“Eli?” I gasp, melting into him and resting my cheek on his chest.

He’s here. He’s going to save me.

I pull my face back as something wet and sticky rolls down my cheek. A dark liquid stains his black shirt and I reach up to touch it. When I withdraw my fingers, I see they’re covered in blood. Panic tears through my veins, stealing my breath. I snap my neck to look at Eli’s face and he doesn’t seem to realize he’s bleeding profusely from his chest.

“Eli, you’re bleeding,” I tell him, my voice quivering.

“So are you.”

I glance down at my white button up shirt. Blood has drenched the entire front of the fabric and continues to spill, leaking sticky blood down my stomach.

A blood curdling scream rips from me as a burning pain shoots up my arm, on my bicep. Eli’s face cringes and he hunches, grasping his own arm. I look at my arm and almost faint at the sight of the thin chunk of wood that’s protruding from it.

“Well, isn’t this interesting.” Lucian chuckles, yanking the wood from my arm. I cry out, dropping to the floor.

Eli copies my movements and blood trickles down his arm, from the exact same place as mine.

“It seems whatever happens to you, happens to him.”

I can hear the cockiness in Lucian’s tone and it infuriates me. I jump to my feet and whip around to Lucian. I grab the stake from his hand and kick him backwards. He stumbles, barely, and instantly zips forward, taking the stake back and slamming it into my shoulder. I scream—Eli groans—and I immediately fall to my knees.

“Beg for me to stop, Ruby,” Lucian growls in my ear.

I shake my head, refusing to give in to him.

“You’re no fun,” Lucian huffs.

His black leather shoes clap against the smooth concrete floor as he slowly makes his way over to Eli. Gritting my teeth, I crane my neck to look at Eli. His face is pinched in pain as his hand clasps his shoulder. I don’t know what’s wrong. Why won’t he fight Lucian? Why isn’t he talking?

“It seems physical pain doesn’t bother you. Congratulations, you can’t be tortured.”

I watch him as he kneels behind Eli. My breathing is shallow and every large breath I take sends a new world of pain around my body. Eli’s green eyes flick to my face and he watches me blankly. There’s no emotion on his face—no pain—and tears begin to stream down my cheeks. It’s all so weird, so strange.

Lucian cocks his arm back and I throw myself forward. “No!”

He thrusts his arm towards Eli’s back, sending the stake through Eli’s chest. Pain spreads up my spine, forcing me to the floor—

I shot up out of bed, grasping my chest and raking my hand through my damp hair. My chest rose and fell in a deep pant and I watched as my blanket fell off the edge of the bed. I exhaled and dropped back onto my pillow. I was home…it was all a dream. I was never going to get used to this nightmare thing. Was it ever going to stop? Normally, I dreamt about running through a forest, desperately trying to find Mila and Eli. Most nights I found them, only to watch them be slaughtered in front of my eyes. Other nights, I was killed before I could reach them.

I turned my attention to the window. The sun was barely up, coating everything in an eerie, dull light. Outside, I heard Tate clear his throat. I had to give it to them. The elite guards definitely had dedication. I rolled onto my side, trapping my hands underneath my pillow. My breathing began to slow, taking the light sheen of sweat with it. I wish Eli was here with me…I wanted to snuggle into him. He made me feel safe and that’s what I wanted right now.

To feel safe.

***

I handed my suitcase to Lyric and he lifted it over his head before sliding it into the car. I ran my hands over my face, desperately trying to wake myself up. I hardly slept a wink last night and after the nightmare, I didn’t want to.

I heard Faith yawn and I glanced over my shoulder as she stretched her arms high.

Hearing her and Tate chat outside my door in low tones all night didn’t help much, either.

“Sleep well?” Hunter’s familiar voice filtered through my ears and I snapped my head to the left, meeting his bright blue eyes.

A smile spread across my lips. It was nice to see him out in the fresh air—and in the sun. It made everything I went through to bring him back worth it.

“You know I didn’t.”

With a sympathetic smile, Hunter’s eyes raked me. “Nice dress.”

I glanced down at the light purple dress I was wearing. Mr. Aleksandrov and Eli suggested I keep my guardian uniform at home. While we were in the presence of the council, I would have to act like a goddess. Funny, considering I don’t think I’ve ever acted like a goddess. “Thanks.”

Hunter’s gaze drifted over my shoulder. “Who’s the elite guard?”

I rolled my eyes. “That is Faith.”

“She’s cute,” Hunter added, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Lyric slammed the back of the car shut and leaned in to me. “Told you.”

I shoved him out of the way, my chest hiccupping with a giggle. “What is wrong with you two? She’s a total pain in my ass.”

“C’mon, Ruby, you don't like her because she called you out on your unpredictable behavior.” Lyric chuckled.

“That’s not tru—”

“And because she has her sights on Eli.”

I frowned, my lips straightening into a line and Hunter’s eyes widened as a mischievous smile spread across his lips.

“Ruby Moore has competition?” He laughed. “This trip should be interesting.”

I rolled my eyes as a figure behind Hunter caught my attention. I glanced over his shoulder, spotting Eli as he approached. His eyes squared in on the back of Hunter’s head before flicking onto me. Oh boy…this was going to be awkward. Eli and Hunter hadn’t spoken to each other since God knows when, and I’m pretty sure the last words they exchanged were anything but pleasant.

“Good morning, gorgeous,” Faith greeted Eli and I clenched my jaw as she strolled up beside me like we were old friends.

Lyric took his leave and climbed into the car to wait for Mr. Aleksandrov and the others. Hunter looked at me, highly amused by Faith’s greeting, and I narrowed my eyes at him as Eli slowed to a stop beside Hunter, giving me a tight smile.

“Good morning,” he replied, glancing at the ground.

Faith looked around the circle, eyeing us all like we were some strange form of entertainment.

“Tense…” She chuckled and I fought the urge to roll my eyes again. “You must be Hunter,” she said, stepping toward him. “I’ve heard so much about you…”

Faith’s brown eyes flicked between Hunter and I. “You know, you two could be brother and sister—the black hair and blue eyes…it’s kind of creepy actually, considering you two are…whatever you are.”

Frowning, I glanced at Eli. His lips twitched at the corners as he fought a smile. Of course he’d find the obvious incest comment humorous.

“What do you want, Faith?” I sighed, shifting my weight onto my left leg.

She raised her hands, exposing her palms to me in some sarcastic gesture. “I’m just trying to get to know the crew.”

“You’re not going to be around long, so don’t bother.”

She smiled. “Neither are you if you keep breaking the rules.”

I turned my body toward her and Hunter abruptly shuffled between us.

“I wouldn’t push her,” he told her. “She has anger issues.”

I shoved him, slightly. “I do not have anger issues.”

Since when did I have anger issues? I’d come a long way since my first year at Sage and the unfortunate events of Mount Kuuce. I liked to think of myself as more…grown up. I was level headed now and I made appropriate decisions, or at least I did until Faith showed up. I hadn’t been in a girl fight since Raina—not my proudest moment, I’ll be the first to admit.

Faith’s eyes brightened. “A lover’s quarrel, how sweet.” She beamed at Eli. “There’s a lot of built up sexual tension over here. You might want to step up your game before Mr. Handsome steals your girl.”

Eli’s jaw tensed imperceptibly and suddenly, keeping my composure became difficult. What a Goddamn pot stirrer!

Eli cleared his throat and crossed his arms over his chest. His black shirt clung tightly to him, accentuating the strong, muscled ridges of his bare forearms.

“You’ve mistaken my casual relationship with Ruby for romance. We are friends and colleagues. Nothing more, nothing less.”