Page 17 of A Sea of Secrets
“We’re going to check the adjoining rooms for any clues or possible exits,” I offered to the new faces. “You’re welcome to join us.”
A few of them seemed relieved to hear that, but others looked at me with visible disgust and prejudice on their faces.Right. I was Auger scum, how could I forget?
“I’d rather hang out with the monsters than spend another minute in your presence,” one guy spat. Literally spat at me, like I was the foulest thing he’d ever encountered.
Kendra stepped to my side; her small hands fisted. “The fuck you say?! You wanna try that again?”
The guy sneered as he shoved her back. “You heard me, desert trash. I hope this place destroys that slut.”
I bristled but held a hand up as, without a word, all four of my guys lurched forward.
The guy opposite had the decency to shrink under their stares, but he held his ground as a few other men backed him. “What? Not going to let your guard dogs do your dirty work?”
“And why would I need them to do that”—I asked sweetly, stepping in front of Kendra until I was face to face with him—“When I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself?”
With one swift movement, I grabbed the dude’s balls in my hand and hoisted them up, squeezing as I did. His face reddened as he gasped from the unexpected assault. He seemed unable to speak. His friends inched forward.
“Uh, uh,” I said while clicking my tongue and raising a finger on my free hand. I twisted the jewels in my hand slightly and the guy vomited at my feet. His friends backed off immediately as I leaned in close, whispering in his ear. “It’s one thing to insult me, but I won’t tolerate you doing so to my friend. You might think we’re trash, but I promise you, our bodies won’t be the ones left to rot like garbage by the end of this trial.” I let his balls go and turned my back on him. “Best of luck, pencil dick.”
Behind me, I heard him sink to his knees with a gasp. I was sure his friends crowded around him, staring daggers at me. Maybe I should have been concerned about a knife in the back, but there was now a wall of muscle behind me only an idiot would try to break.
“Anyone else have any other lovely sentiments to share?” A mix of bewildered faces and chuckles met me, but not a single Potential spoke. “No? Great. If you want to join us, you’re welcome. Otherwise, keep your bad manners to yourself.”
I retreated to a corner of the room and ran my fingers over my eyes. Okay, sure, maybe I lost my cool a little, but I was so freaking tired of this bullshit. There were already enough monsters to go around without adding these pricks.
“Fallon,” Noah asked, pulling me out of my inner rage. “Are you okay?”
A tired smile was the best I could offer. “Yeah, just a little on edge, I guess. Now is not the best time for people to test me.”
I didn’t need to mention why. My sister’s face flashed before my eyes again, and I instinctively winced. Noah took my hand and caressed it gently with his thumb. His honey-brown eyes were so gentle and knowing when I looked at them. He was so kind. Sogood. He pressed a kiss to my hand, then a soft, gentle peck to my lips, and left it at that. Despite the slower burn, Noah seemed to know me so well—my tells, my masks, all of it. I couldn’t be more grateful.
“Let’s get out of this dump, Starfish,” Zane said softly, appearing by my side and lifting me into an embrace. “Help me search for some clues? Dolphin Detective, on the case.”
“Dolphin Detective?” I grinned as he set me down. “Do I even want to know?”
“Babe,” he responded, tucking a stray hair behind my ear, “you just sit back and watch Zaney crack the mysteries of this mansion. This Trial of the Mind is just like a clam. You gotta pry it open gently, then tickle its pink bits until you find the shiny pearl at the end. I’mma win that pearl for you, Starfish, you’ll see.”
I chuckled, instantly feeling better as I watched him knock on walls and search behind pictures, nooks, and crannies. Before long, most of the Potentials were doing the same. We quickly learned both the main entrance, after removing the barricade of furniture, and all other doors leading out were somehow sealed. Brute force didn’t seem to make a difference to this either. Itappeared the Masters wouldn’t be letting us leave until they were good and ready, or until we found some sort of secret lever.
Minutes or hours went by with nothing to indicate how to leave. Kendra, Lou, and I were testing the fireplace for any hidden grooves when a loud beep sounded through the room, followed by the lengthy groan of a door swivelling open somewhere. On cue, the piano’s creepy sonnet plunked to a discordant halt.
“I have a bad feeling about this,” Dick muttered from where he’d half-hidden himself behind Kayden.
“You always have a bad feeling,” Kayden retorted, clapping Dick on the shoulder.
“And I’m usually right,” Dick said sulkily. “I—I don’t wanna go.”
Kayden sighed. “Look, other Potentials are going through the door and they’re all still standing. Come on. Angel, get that fine ass over here.”
I bit my lip, feeling as apprehensive as Dick, with my stomach tying itself in knots from the instinct to avoid whatever lay ahead. The truth was, there was no other option. We had to keep moving.
Kendra took my hand in hers and squeezed once, giving me a nod of encouragement. With a small sigh, we lined up behind the other Potentials moving forward. Almost 20 had passed through without harm, easing my stress a little.
Until another beep sounded.
Zane walked behind Kayden, Noah, and Ace into the next room while I waited for Kendra to pull Lou away from the apparently fascinating room. But at that beep, Zane looked over his shoulder in alarm at the same moment I turned back to him. Those gorgeous green eyes were the last thing I saw before the door snapped shut behind him.
“No,” I gasped, running to the door and wrenching the handle. “Fuck, no. Zane?! Guys?”
