Page 17 of Hysteria Rises
I give a swift and decisive shake of my head,only to have the bastard let loose a loud chuckle, his lips twisting into a mocking grin.
“Fuck off,” I grumble.
“Gladly.” Malakai shakes his head, more laughter falling from his lips as he walks away.
The look Hayze shoots me simply readsIgnore him.
And so I do, but only because I know it feeds his ego to get under my skin. Instead, I slip an arm under the girl’s back and hook her knees, gathering her to my chest.
“You got her?” At my nod, Cross sighs. “Don’t let him get to you.”
“I’m good. Promise.” I work my jaw to the side, wondering if I should say more.
“What?” Cross murmurs, clearly noting I’ve still got something on my mind. He moves his hand in a circle, motioning that I should continue. “Hurry up and spill. We’ve gotta get going.”
I let out a reluctant sigh. “Is it my imagination playing tricks on me or has the animosity between Hayze and Malakai kicked up a notch overnight?”
“Mal delights in finding weak spots and purposely prodding at them with a sharp stick. You should know that better than anyone… and you definitely aren’t the only one he fucks with.” With a quick search of my eyes, Cross turns on his heel.
I nod. He’s totally right. I simply don’t know what it is about me that sets him off. Setting it aside, I watchCross as he starts pulling medical supplies off the cart. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going down there prepared. Fail to prepare, then prepare to fail and all that, right?”
Sounds like one of Finneas’s teachings. Speaking of, I can’t help wondering where he is. His absence is unsettling and not at all normal, but there’s no time to dwell on it right now.
Cross flips the lock to the cellar stairwell and pulls open the door. “Lemme go first, just in case.”
I nod, shifting the dozing sprite in my arms to ensure I’ve got her. There’s silence from below, the lack of sound almost echoing off the damp stone walls as we descend. I keep an ear open but hear nothing of consequence. So far, so good.
Turning my attention to the girl in my arms, I skim my gaze over her.What’s your name, siren?I bury my nose in the hair at the side of her head and breathe deeply. As her scent infiltrates my senses, it’s as if it takes over every cell in my body. My chest expands on the groan of contentment that rumbles within my chest. A lick of need shoots down my spine while the knowledge that disaster is sure to follow eats at my mind.
Hayze waves us forward as we hit the cellar floor. “Had everyone relocate into the children’s rooms. Move fast.”
Passing through the women’s quarters, Cross and I pick up our pace, skirting around the long table and chairs and benches that run down the center of theroom. The ceiling here is low, which is why I almost always avoid it if I can. It inspires the strangest feeling that everything is closing in on me. I’ve always fucking hated it down here. But maybe it’s because the place holds memories of things I’d rather forget.
I’m almost to the back hallway where Malakai has the door held open when a tiny voice stops us in our tracks. “Arrow!”
I look carefully over my shoulder, seeking out the blond three-year-old I know will be standing there. His eyes lock on me with giddy excitement. He holds a piece of paper between two grubby hands for me to see. “Yook! I been drawling the trees outside the window!”
I exhale steadily, turning my head to find Cross’s gaze already questioning what I want to do. A brief glance toward our destination reveals Malakai waiting with a sour look on his face. I assume Hayze is making sure the holding cell is in order.
The truth is, we can’t afford to stand here much longer, especially since the medication hasn’t fully knocked the girl out. It’ll only cause problems. And I know my brother—things will go easier for us if I don’t argue with the little guy.
“Go on,” I whisper to Cross, then motion with a jut of my chin toward the dark hallway that he should take off without me. “I’ll be right there. Lemme deal with him.”
“Yook, Arrow!” Summit whines as he waves me closer. “Pwease!” I know my brother. Decision made, Icover the distance between us in a few strides, then duck down, examining the artwork.
“That’s really great. Good job. Where’s Bodhi?”
I glance down just as Twenty-three moans aloud and find her eyes flickering open.Shit. One word claws itself from her throat. “Nooo.”
“Who’s dat?” His brow furrows, eyes trained on the unwieldy load in my arms.
“Just a girl. Go on, now. Back to your room.”
“She’s sweeping?”
My lips press together. Summit is too young to remember the arrival of any of the other women. Now is not the time to explain it to him. “Oh, she’s not feeling so good. We’re gonna take care of her.” I give him a brief smile. “I’ve gotta go”—I hesitate only a second before I rush on—“but will you draw another picture for me?”
