Hydromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 4)

The memory always shook her. “We gave him the funeral he deserved. We all fired our guns, sending stray bullets into the air. I stood in the shower of ammunition, praying that a bullet would hit me so I could pay for my sins. When it didn’t, I swore I’d give my life to fight the crime I’d once chosen, the crime that had killed Darren.”

She gave a soft chuckle. “Besides fighting, Darren was a mean surfer, but not as mean as me. I could surf the pros into the ground. I managed to make a living out of it. I got to give up the Flats, but I’ve been paying for Darren’s death ever since, with every opportunity I could find.”

That was how Cain had found her, when she’d manipulated the water in an international surf contest. Cain knew what she was and explained things about herself that she couldn’t begin to understand. She’d vowed to destroy the arms lords who supplied weapons to gangs. Cain had offered her the chance to make good on her promise and to fight in a much bigger war.

She looked at Tim’s handsome face. This was the hard part, the part that would earn his hatred, when he learned that she wasn’t who she pretended to be.

“Darren loved you, Maya,” he said. “It was his choice to make. He chose to give his life. You should honor that, instead of living with regret and guilt. A man who loved you wouldn’t want that for you.”

“No, you don’t understand. Darren didn’t believe in love. He also taught me to never let anyone in, to keep my heart to myself. He said emotions were a sure way of getting weak, and getting weak equaled getting killed.” Her laugh echoed in the space. “Then he went and did exactly that. He let his emotions run his mind and got himself killed.”

“Looks like he did believe in love after all. He was only trying to protect you the best way he knew. You lived a hard life, but you loved each other. When he had a choice, he saved you. You also made a choice. You got yourself out of the gangs. You see, beautiful Maya, love makes you stronger, not weaker.”

Tears burned at the back of her eyes. “There’s more, Tim, and when you know the rest of the story, you’re going to hate me.”

“No,” he said with fervor. “I don’t care where you’re from or what you’ve done. I care about you because I know who you are.”

He didn’t know half of it. “Tim, I—”

Her words were cut short by the turn of the key in the door. It opened with a squeak. By the lack of sunlight, she deduced that dusk had fallen.

Ilano appeared at the top of the stairs. Tim tensed next to her. His chains rattled as he scrambled to his feet, flashing his fangs. Ilano, flanked by six guards with automatic weapons, came down and stopped in front of them.

He nodded at Tim. “Thank you for accepting my invitation on such short notice.” Inclining his head toward Maya, he said, “Miss Martin had less of a will in the matter.” When Tim said nothing, he continued, “Aren’t you going to ask why you and Miss Martin are chained to my basement wall?”

“All right,” Tim said, “if that’s the way you want to play it. What the fuck are you doing?”

“Before I get to the point, I have a show planned for you.” Ilano motioned at a dark corner of the basement and turned to one of the guards. “Give us light.”

Spotlights stuttered to life, illuminating a glass box big enough to fit a human. Ilano flicked his fingers. Two men approached her, pulled her to her feet, and started unlocking her cuffs.

Tim strained against his chains. “Leave her the fuck alone!”

She didn’t know what Ilano had planned, but she had no intention of waiting to see. The minute her arms came free, she mustered all the strength she could and brought her palm down on the first guard’s nose. The cartilage broke with a crunch.

He cried out and stumbled back, clutching at his nose as blood spurted through his fingers. She was ready to kick the second in the groin, but Ilano pulled a Glock from his waistband and pushed it against Tim’s temple.

“Temper, Miss Martin.” He clicked his tongue and gave a disapproving shake of his head.

Before she could execute another move, two men grabbed hold of her arms and legs and carried her to the Perspex tank.

“Ilano.” Tim’s body was visibly shaking. “Whatever this is, it’s between us. Let her go, I beg you.”

The men mounted a stepladder pushed against the side of the glass cage. With a sinking heart, she realized they were going to lift her inside. Tim shouted protests. His chains jangled as they pushed her fighting body over the top. She landed on her feet in a crouching position. There was just enough room to turn in a circle. The cage went well over her head. Pressing her palms on the thick, transparent walls, she regarded Ilano through the glass with her heart beating in her throat.