Goddess Bound: Goddess Series Book 6 (Young Adult / New Adult) (5 page)

Chapter Six

Legacy awoke suddenly, gasping after the dream she’d just had. After all this time, she’d finally stopped having the recurring nightmares she’d started having after her seventeenth birthday. But this had been different. It wasn’t one with her young self trying to warn about the dangers that lurked ahead or of Adin cautioning her about River’s family. It hadn’t been anything like that at all, but Adin had been in the dream. Boy was he ever! This time, she’d dreamed about him slowly undressing her, kissing every inch of her body, and taking his time seducing her into submission. As if she’d need any coercion. She didn’t allow herself to think much of Adin during the day because she needed to be stay completely focused on Seth, Kate, and her surroundings, always watching for any clue or way to successfully escape. But when she slept, her body longed to remember how they’d spent the night before she’d been kidnapped—and the day of—which consisted of exploring each other’s bodies and taking each other to physical and emotional places neither had ever been before. The dream felt so real. Made her yearn to be in the arms of the man she loved.

By the gods, she missed Adin.

She got out of bed and put on the clothes Seth had given to her. She and Kate hadn’t been able to pack a bag for their excursion to Hell, so he’d had to get them a few things. She hadn’t asked where he’d gotten the clothes, toiletries, or shoes. She was just grateful she hadn’t been subjected to washing her panties in the River Styx and hanging them out to dry across some low-lying branch. But if all went well today, this would be the last morning she’d wake up in this dungeon a prisoner of a destiny she did not want to repeat.

After brushing her teeth—there was no need to floss since she hadn’t eaten anything while being held here—she walked down the hall and knocked on Kate’s door. After several minutes, she still hadn’t answered, so she knocked harder. When Kate still didn’t call for her to enter, Legacy opened the door.

And stood in an empty room.

She looked around, noticing the bed had been made. Not wanting to panic, she left and headed down the hall to where the dining room and adjacent den were located. As she neared, she heard voices. And one of those voices was getting louder and louder. And was clearly pissed. And female. And Kate. Crap! Legacy didn’t need this right now!

“How could you do this to me? I loved you!” Kate cried.

Legacy pushed open the door. Seth sat in one of the dining chairs with his head in his hands. His blonde groupie stood in the corner with her arms crossed, glaring at Kate.

“You don’t understand. I don’t have a choice here. It’s beyond my con—” Seth stopped talking when he looked up and saw Legacy standing in the room. He growled and shot up. “It’s because of her that I have to do this. My life is not my own.” Then he looked Kate again. “I’m sorry,” he breathed. He glanced at Blondie and barked, “Let’s go.” Then he stormed out with the whore of Hades on his heels.

Kate sniffled, jarring Legacy’s attention back to her. “What’s going on? What did you say?”

“Nothing’s going on. I tried to get some answers out of him, but he wouldn’t budge.”

Legacy gritted her teeth. “What did you say to him? Did you tell him anything?” Gods, if Kate blabbed about their impending escape attempt, she was going to shock some sense into her starting right now.

Kate shook her head and bit her lip. Her eyes fluttered several times as if she were trying to fight off tears. “I didn’t say anything relevant.” She sat down in the chair he’d vacated and rubbed her hands along the arms of it. “I-I just wanted to know about that skank he’s with.”

Legacy took a calming breath and walked toward her. She wasn’t surprised her comrade wanted answers about that, but she was mollified that the discussion hadn’t been centered on their upcoming escape. “What did he say?” She sat next to her devastated friend and patted her leg.

“That it wasn’t what I was thinking. That what he’d felt for me was real, but it didn’t matter anymore.” She sighed and looked up. “That’s the gist of it.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you felt so strongly for him.”

Kate frowned at her. “I love him. Just because I don’t gush all over him and giggle with the girls doesn’t mean I don’t.”

“I get that, but—and don’t take this the wrong way—but it seemed like he was more serious about you than you were about him.”

She shrugged. “My parents were worried I’d come home pregnant or something. I downplayed it for their benefit,” she said, her voice cracking.

Legacy nodded and decided she needed to get Kate’s attention focused on the current matter at hand. “I got caught up in a dream and overslept, I think. Since that woman was here, that must mean he’s headed out on his midday patrol. We should start looking at the tunnels.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you okay? I mean, this could be it. If we find our way out now, that may have been the last you’ll ever see of Seth,” Legacy whispered. She hated bringing up the obvious, but she didn’t want any surprises when it came to making a run for it.

Kate nodded quickly as a tear slid down her cheek. Legacy guessed she didn’t trust her voice to speak right now, and no way was she going to push the issue.

“C’mon. The sooner we start exploring the tunnels, the sooner we get out of here.” Legacy stood and offered a helping hand to Kate. She took it and stood. Legacy cupped her shoulders and stared intently at her. “And that’s a good thing. Please don’t forget that.”

Kate gave her a chiding look. “I’m not going to run up to Seth, throw my arms around him, and beg him to take me back so I can live out your destiny here in your place. Give me some credit.”

Legacy chuckled. “I’m trying to, Kate.” She let go and headed for the door, stopping to look over her shoulder at her partner in crime. “Believe me, I’m trying.” She just hoped Kate believed in herself as much as she professed. But only time would tell.

Gods, Legacy was so ready to get out of here.

* * * * *

“We turned left at the last split. I promise.” Legacy swiped her arm across her dirty, sweaty brow and motioned for Kate to wave her torch-sporting hands toward the right. Their expedition earlier today had been long enough for them to search two of the tunnels completely and the third partially. The first tunnel hadn’t gone very far, leading out to the horse stables about one hundred feet from the main house. She’d figured at the time that the subterranean passage was utilized for secret trysts that involved rolling in the hay both literally and figuratively. The thought of hooking up on a dirty barn floor in a place that was literally Hell on Earth triggered the
eww
factor.

“Are you sure?” Kate hesitated before pointing her fiery hands in the direction Legacy had indicated. “This path looks familiar.”

The second tunnel this morning had led to a watershed adjacent to the stables. It was then that Legacy determined the two paths had been escape routes leading away from the main house. The path to the barn was probably used to get to the horses for a quick getaway. The path to the watershed was an alternative place, but still an effective hidey-hole since they’d had a complete view of the barn from a window inside the shed this morning. She was relieved she’d kept the tryst theory to herself to keep from hurting Kate’s feelings because Legacy would’ve looked like a sex-crazed idiot. Why would the king of the underworld sneak around to get it on with women? Having a means to escape his home in case of an attack was a much more plausible concept.

Since the first two tunnels were quickly dispelled as being useless for their needs, the girls had quickly entered the third. Almost right away the differences among this tunnel compared to the others were evident. Instead of short, quick dirt paths to one location, the third tunnel weaved and turned, forking off in different directions at irregular intervals, laying a framework of a cobblestone maze. They’d only inspected two paths before running out of time and having to make their way back to the house this morning. When they’d been away from Seth’s constant evil glare this afternoon, the girls had discussed strategy. Neither was sure how long it’d take to investigate all the secret passageways beneath the main estate, but one thing was certain. They only needed one way out. They didn’t care where all the tunnels led as long as they found one that seemed promising for their escape.

Seth had left about ten minutes ago for his second daily expedition, and the girls wasted no time getting back down to the tunnel and utilizing the strategies they’d covertly discussed.

“Positive.” Legacy dusted her hands along her ill-fitting jeans. She pulled out a handful of material scraps, grabbed a piece of one before it fell to the floor, and put the rest back in her pocket. She pushed scrap into the crack following the third stone after the corner. “See. Told you this would work. It’s not glaringly obvious, but it’ll help us if we get lost.”

Kate waved her flame toward the ground and illuminated it. “I hated that shirt. I just enjoyed ripping it to pieces this afternoon regardless of it coming in handy.”

Legacy chuckled. “C’mon. Times a-wastin’.” Kate nodded her head in the direction her torch was aimed, indicating that Legacy should precede. She did with Kate following right behind her. They walked for several minutes, making three separate turns and stopping at each to mark their way with the shirt remnants Legacy had brought. When they reached the fourth turn and Legacy stopped to mark that turn as well, Kate shifted her weight and looked around nervously.

“Um, there’s something I should tell you.”

Legacy glanced up, immediately halting her work on securing the marker. “Why don’t I like the sound of this?” She stood up slowly and put her hands on her hips.

“It’s probably nothing, which is why I haven’t said anything before now, but I don’t know…”

“Girl, if you don’t spill now, I’m going to grab your hand and light a real fire under your ass. We don’t have time for heart-to-hearts down here.” Legacy squatted and pushed the scrap of material into the crack. Then she stood and started walking. “Move and talk.” No way was she just going to stand down here and have a conversation. If Kate wanting to speak, she could do so while looking for an escape route.

“Seth kissed me.”

That made Legacy stop. From the way Kate said it, she hadn’t meant a long time ago. She whirled, almost hitting Kate’s torch hand. “What the hell?”

“Okay, just listen. It happened the night before we snuck into the den and did the fireball one-way video call to River and Adin. It was just that night, and he hasn’t tried since. I mean, I don’t think he has.” Kate shook her head.

Legacy gaped at her. “Seriously? That was weeks ago! Why are you just now telling me that, and what do you mean don’t
think
he’s tried it since? Wouldn’t you know?”

Kate sighed and started walking again, but going much slower than they had been. “I just mean it was really weird. He came to my room and apologized for getting me involved in all this. He apologized for the piece of ass that’s been hanging all over him. It was just weird. It was like he was himself. He said something like, ‘I wished I could make it stop, but it won’t come true. But if you get the chance, all you have to do is wish you were back,’ and then he kissed me fast and hard. He pulled away quickly and then his face turned cold again. He growled, and I thought he was going to attack me. It was like he was a completely different person. He moved so fast that I knew I was in trouble, but he just brushed past me and slammed the door as he left.”

Legacy grabbed her arm above the flame, making her stop. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because his mood swings don’t seem right. That’s why I tried confronting him when you walked in on us in the den. He’s acting really weird and that bitch with boobs is just another example.” She yanked her arm free and started walking again. Legacy followed, but around the next bend, they were at a dead end.

“Crap! Let’s go back to the last turn and go the other way. That’s probably all the time well have today before we have to head back.” Kate nodded and started back down the way they’d come. Luckily, it hadn’t been far since they’d reached the last turn, so they were quickly covering new ground. “I totally see why you’d think his mood swings aren’t right,” Legacy started once they were making positive progress again. “But he’s been moody from day one.”

“Yeah, but at the time, I thought he meant he wished now that he could make whatever he was doing stop. But that just didn’t feel right. Now I think I know why.”

“Are you going to tell me anytime today?” Legacy bitched as she started stomping faster down the path.

“When he turned seventeen last year, I got him a cupcake with a single candle in it. He made a wish before blowing it out and told me then, ‘I wish I can make it stop.’ I asked him what he meant then, but he played it off, saying if he answered me then he wouldn’t get his wish.”

Legacy stopped and felt a cold chill race over her body. “When was his seventeenth birthday?”

“March fifteenth.”

She turned and faced Kate. “It was still February when he took us and we’ve been here for weeks. His birthday has either already passed…”

“Or is about to happen.”

“Oh gods. He could become extremely powerful any day now.”

“Or he could have already ascended—if that’s the right term. I think the night he came to my room he was still seventeen. If he’s already changed, it had to have happened after that night.”

“Good theory. But if time travels the same here as it does back home then it’s already passed his birthday and nearing the end of March.” Legacy gasped. “Adin’s birthday is at the end of this month.”

“He’s already ascended, though. Granted, he died to reach his godlike position and didn’t ascend the easy way on his eighteenth birthday, but regardless, he’s already finished becoming powerful.”