Undertow by K.R. Conway (1st book in trilogy)

Chapter 23

My head was pounding and my body felt stiff and cold. I managed to open my eyes, but the dark boiler room was still spinning.

"What the . . ."

I managed to moan, putting a hand to my throbbing head.

There was a soft light from a cluster of candles on the floor near me. The low light allowed my eyes to slowly focus and I saw Dalca standing above me, silver gun in her hand. It was pointed at the space between my eyes.

"Welcome back, sunshine," she said in a tight, superior voice.

She was standing next to a dark-haired, imposing figure of a man with eyes as black as an eclipse. It took me a moment to recognize him, but when I did, I knew Raef and Kian had been right. It appeared that Mr. Grant, my creepy history teacher, was definitely dangerous. He stood alongside Dalca, watching me.

"Dalca? What are you doing?" I managed to ask, my voice gravelly and panic clawing at my lungs.

I glanced around the room and saw, to my horror, Raef and Kian on their knees. Both were being restrained by three men each, all dressed in the same dark clothing. Raef's face was cut and scratched, as was Kian's, having obviously fought against their captors. Ana was standing, her back pinned to another man behind her, his hand around her throat preventing her from the slightest movement. Her lip was split and her eyes red with past tears.

Raef looked menacing, as did Kian. Their eyes were black and their bodies were covered in the Fallen symbols, elegantly displayed beneath the cuts. A murderous rage hummed through both their bodies, causing the black lines to pulse with each heartbeat.

I knew that the only people capable of restraining Kian and Raef were their own kind. Or mine. These, without doubt, were all Clansmen. While each looked physically different, they all shared the same black eyes, formal stance and cryptic markings.

They were fighters. Killers. A vigilante militia and I knew what they wanted. Any hopes I had for us disappeared.

I slowly rolled to my side, attempting to sit up so I could get to my feet. The movement caused a searing pain to run through my head, and I paused on my hands and knees, trying to let the throbbing subside. Dalca grabbed me by the arm, however, and yanked me to my feet, causing me to stagger.

"HEY!" growled Raef, furious that I was being manhandled. I managed to refocus, and I was now facing Dalca and Grant.

"Dalca, what are you doing?" I asked again, glancing to Grant. She just laughed, but Grant held up his hand and she immediately fell silent.

"Eila Walker. I must say that even I was surprised that you came to the house on Main. You should know that no one gets a home for free. Payment is always due," he chided as he reached over to Dalca's necklace and yanked the vial brutally from her neck. A flash of pain crossed her face for a mere fraction of a second, but she didn't move.

"You know, Elizabeth was quite the masterful Lunaterra. She took no prisoners, if you know what I mean." He stepped closer to me and I held my ground, refusing to give him the satisfaction of my fear.

"You are like her – an elegant statement of hidden violence. You and I, Ms. Walker, are not so different."

Like hell we weren't.

I looked over to Dalca and for the first time, really saw her. It was only then that I realized Mae and I had indeed been given a gift for the house.