Wingless (The Lia Hunter Chronicles #1)
Chapter 24

The moment Rodrigo left the room with the promise to be back soon I sagged even further into the chains. What little strength I had left leaving my body in a rush.

Shaking off the annoying voice I met Jake’s grave gaze. Unable to help myself I flashed him my crazy smile.

“I have a plan.”

He cocked an eyebrow, “I have a feeling I’m not going to like it.”

I barked out a laugh, wincing as my body protested the movement “Yeah, well you can take it up with me later when we’re out of this place.”

Straightening in his chair, he snapped into action. No longer was Jake sitting in front of me, but a member of the Seraphim’s first fleet. Pride for the kid had almost had tears welling up in my eyes but I quickly shoved the feeling down.

“Okay listen up. I think I might be able to use my magic to unlock the door and get you free of the chair.”

His eyes lit up with questions but his mouth remained firmly closed. Smart kid. It would take an enormous amount of magic to unlock the door and free him. Far beyond the capabilities of a regular hybrid, especially considering the state I was in. I wasn’t totally convinced I could manage it and I knew for sure that trying would probably leave me unconscious.

“When you’re free,” I continued quickly, knowing he was going to protest the next step, “I need you to go to the top floor of the Empire State Building and stop the Jehiel from declaring war on the Hydro’s.”

Just as I suspected instant rebellion had his frame stiffening, “And what about you? I’m not just going to leave you here!”

“Look, kid, at this point I’m just going to slow you down.” I pointedly glared at the bright silver hook sticking out of my thigh but his face didn’t relax from its mutinous lines. I heaved a sigh.

“I don’t have enough magic to unlock the door and both of our chains.” I said plainly, “Our best chance of escaping this alive is if I free you and then after you stop the war, you come back with reinforcements to bust me out of these chains.”

I could see I was starting to get through to him. Just as I could see him begin to cave, another thought brought the fire back into his eyes.

“And what if he comes back?” He asked fiercely.

It was a very real risk, but it was one I was willing to take if it meant Jake would escape here alive.

“Look the longer we spend arguing the more likely it is he will come back any second.” Taking a deep breath, I softened my voice, “Jake, I’ll be fine, okay? But we have to do this now.”

I stared at him, pleading him with my eyes to understand. His own scrunched closed and I could see what it cost him to relent. To leave me behind. I suppressed a rueful grin, poor kid didn’t realize I wasn’t taking no for an answer.

“Okay.” He said softly, eyes snapping back open, determination practically vibrating off his body. “But I am coming back for you, as soon as I can.”

I acknowledged his heartfelt words with a nod before letting my eyes slide closed. Mentally I searched inside of me for my magic, trying to sense where it had hidden. Mental hands grasped around, reaching desperately for something I was starting to fear wasn’t there. And then I felt it, a mere tickle of magic. Using those hands I grabbed on and began to pull. Tugging with everything I had. My eyes began to burn, my body trembled with magic as the power demanded to be released.

Cracking open my eyes I focused on the manacles wrapped around Jake’s wrists. I knew I wouldn’t be able to break them open and instead cast my attention down. The loop the chain was thread through was bolted down into the floor. Grinning, I focused on the bolts slowly prying them from the floor. The silver groaned under the pressure and sweat trickled down my face.

Panting, I pushed out more magic, smiling viciously when the first bolt slid free. The light pinging of silver against concrete was music to my ears. Tears poured from my blazing eyes, sizzling tracks down my cheeks. Finally, the last bolt slid free and Jake pounced from his seat, shouting in joy. Knowing, I was on the cusp of passing out I didn’t waste a second rejoicing. Instead, I turned my attention to the door behind me.

No longer having the energy for finesse I settled for a single blast of power. Taking a deep breath I gathered every last bit of magic before releasing it out in a shockwave aimed for the door. It exploded with a loud bang, debris peppering me in the back.

I held onto consciousness long enough to feel Jake grasp my shoulders. Distantly, I heard him tell me he’d be back. I forced myself to stay awake long enough to hear him climb around the crunched door and stomp up the stairs. Unable to hold on any longer I let myself be sucked into the darkness.

I woke to a fist slamming into my face. My head snapped backward and I jerked in my chains, coming awake with a start. Rough hands gripped my hair, yanking my head backward. An enraged Rodrigo stood in front of me, seething with anger. Colour rode high on his cheeks, his eyes bulged from his face and his teeth were bared in a vicious growl.

“Where the hell is he, bitch!?” He shouted, spit flying everywhere.

Another fist smashed against my face. Lights flashed and the world spun as pain exploded across my face. Slumping, I couldn’t help the crazed smile tipping my lips. Rodrigo yanked on my hair again and I grinned wider when I met his gaze.

“Gone. He’s going to stop the war, your plans have failed.” I wheezed out around a laugh. “So much for that divine mission.”

Black rage exploded to life in his eyes and I knew I’d just pushed him over the edge. I was going die in this basement and yet I couldn’t regret mouthing off. His fist slammed into my gut and my breath exploded out of me.

“You’re dead.” He hissed, “Fucking dead.”

Letting go of my hair he stalked over to his table of torture and picked up a large knife I was all too familiar with.

“Bring it asshole.” I choked out.

No way in hell was I lying down and waiting for death to come replace me. Everything inside me screamed out in protest as he closed the distance between us. Dregs of magic kindled inside of me, my eyes burning bright as I used every last ounce of strength to fuel the fire. The power burst out of my with a vicious shout and I watched in vicious satisfaction as Rodrigo was blasted back into the table. It snapped into a mess of splinters and I grinned at Rodrigo’s pained yelp.

Sadly, he was already getting up, digging out a few wood chips from his skin. Blood streaked his skin and somehow he seemed even angrier. I didn’t even realize there was a stage past homicidal rage. But apparently, Rodrigo had found it.

Worth it.

“You little bitch.” Rodrigo hissed, digging through the rubble for his silver dagger, “After I finish cutting out your heart, I’m going to track down everyone you love and strip the skin from their bodies.”

My witty retort came out as a series of wet coughs as my body gave up the ghost. Well, this is it I thought.

Can’t say it’s been a fun ride so far, but it sure as hell has been interesting.

As much as I’d contemplated my death over the course of the last twenty-four years, I’d never imagined it happening like this. I’d always thought I’d go out in a blaze of glory. That heroic last hurrah you heard stories about. Instead, I was going to be butchered in a basement. At least I wasn’t going alone.

Hell no, I was dragging Rodrigo down with me. I felt the pinprick of the knife against my chest, directly over my heart. Raising my head, I met Rodrigo’s vicious gaze and let my own monster rise to the surface.

A quick inhale from him, a last regretful thought from me and I attacked. Lunging forward, I sunk my teeth deep into his neck. The coppery taste of blood burst across my tongue, as I tore through flesh. Ripping my head to the side, I inflicted as much damage as I could.

Rodrigo dropped to his knees in front of me, face pale, hands clutching the gushing wound in his neck. I watched as the realization dawned upon, fear eclipsing the shock before his eyes rolled back and he flopped the ground unconscious. I had mere moments to celebrate before the pain in my chest demanded attention. Looking down I studied the dagger protruding from my chest in morbid fascination. My attack might have brought down Rodrigo but it had come at a price. Blackness swiftly flooded my vision, and I could feel the life leaving my body. My heartbeat no longer a heavy thudding but a stuttered pattering. I distantly heard a rush of footsteps.

“Lia!” A voice called out.

Hands that felt like they belonged to a ghost gripped my body.

“Lia.” Came another hoarse call.

I tried to reply. Willed my eyes to open.

But the blackness sucked me down and I embraced the oblivion.