What the Heart Desires Read online

  To his right, another Bender glared back. He mirrored the other Bender, from his body build to his bald head. The similarities didn’t stop there, but the fact they were twins didn’t give them the same abilities. While the former could subdue, the latter’s energy had a riveting charge.

  His attention shifted to Layne as he tapped his fingertips together in front of his chest. Each time they parted, a spark flashed between them. Those sparks reminded her of a plasma ball she had as a child. She’d spent hours with the toy, fascinated with the way the plasma would extend from the center electrode to the outer glass. It was the closest she’d ever come to touching electricity, but knowing that left her with another thought. This man had to be some type of Plasma Bender.

  On the far side of the wall, another Bender held his hand at his waist. Green liquid formed in his palm. A couple drops spilled over the side and plopped onto the floor. It made a faint sizzling sound as steam formed above it. When the vapor disappeared, a chunk of the floor was missing.

  Her eyes went back to the liquid in his hand, liquid she assumed to be acid, highly concentrated acid. Nothing else would have damaged the cement as fast as it had. The thought of what it would do to her and Layne made her shudder.

  The man beside the Acid Bender stood a few inches shorter. His bright red hair blended with the mess of freckles covering his ivory skin. His heated vibrations reminded her of Layne’s fire, but without the same intensity, as if it were diluted. If he was a Fire Bender, he didn’t stand a chance against her Keeper.

  A loud squeak came from the old filing cabinet. The shortest man of the group stood beside it, holding his hand at his side. His fingers splayed, like he was gripping something, though nothing filled his hand. Within a matter of seconds, the metal cabinet began to shake. It creaked and groaned before the sides caved in. Then it crashed to the floor, proving to her that the man was a Metal Bender, like Spencer.

  There were only three men remaining in the room. Before she could examine them, another moved closer to Raphe. His broad shoulders added to his thickness, but not one inch of him contained fat. He would be a tough opponent in hand-to-hand combat. The fact that he had psychic abilities made him a powerhouse of danger.

  Chills crept down her back as she stared at him. He had a chunk of rock in his hand, tossing it into the air a couple times. The last time it flew up, it remained suspended, as if no gravity existed. A moment later, it shot toward her.

  Layne’s arms tightened around her body, jerking her out of the way. The rock went zipping past them, hitting the back wall with so much force that it shattered into pieces and fell to the floor.

  “Are you okay?”

  She had just enough time to nod at Layne before he turned toward Raphe. He used his body to shield her from their captor’s view, as well as the other Benders. They stepped away from the wall, hands fisted for battle.

  Raphe’s laughter kept them from proceeding. He motioned for one to join him in the middle of the room. The same one who’d knocked them unconscious moved forward. Once he joined Raphe, he raised his palm toward her and Layne.

  Any second, he’d wave his hand like he did in the woods. She wasn’t sure if he planned to use his abilities on both of them, but she gripped Layne’s sides, waiting for darkness to ensue. Yet she remained on her feet.

  Layne shot a fire-fueled orb in the Bender’s direction. The man’s energy shifted, as though he’d summoned it all at once. He tried to wave his arm, but the orb crashed into him, spreading over his body.

  Three more Benders started forward just as Raphe raised his hand, motioning for them to stop. He opened his mouth to speak, but the door hinge creaked again. All eyes darted across the room as another cloaked figure walked inside. His black hood hung low on his face, hiding his identity, but Heaven noticed his goatee when he turned in her direction.

  Still facing her way, he came further in, and then hesitated a foot from her captor. Raphe was already looking at him. The longer he held the cloaked man’s attention, the more his mouth opened.

  “Have I wronged you?”

  His question went unanswered. It didn’t prevent him from taking cautious steps toward the newcomer. Whoever this man was, they all gave him the utmost respect. She hadn’t noticed until that moment how the other men were on one knee, their heads bowed in respectful tribute.

  The mystery man paid them little heed. He extended his hand forward, curling his fingers in a way the metal bender had. It made Raphe choke. His face began to redden as he clawed his neck.

  “Why the hell did you bring him?”

  The man growled the words as he jabbed his finger in the air toward Layne. Raphe didn’t respond. He kept digging at his neck. His face had grown a crimson shade, but was morphing into a deep purple. As his eyes began to flutter, the cloaked man drew his hand back then thrust it forward. Raphe’s body slammed into the wall.

  “Useless fool.”

  Something in the man’s tone struck a familiar chord in Heaven’s heart. She peered over Layne’s shoulder, trying to remember where she’d heard his voice. Perhaps she remembered him from the astral plane.

  No. None of Raphe’s men had spoken when they’d shown up in the dream. Still, she couldn’t shake the thought that she knew him, or at least had been around him before. Even the flow of his energy felt familiar.

  The thought made her head thump, especially when the man’s hands rose to his hood. He wrapped his fingers around the fabric and slid it back, revealing his face in the process.

  Layne took a few steps back, causing her to do the same. He moved one arm behind him, to her body. His scorching fingers radiated warmth when he placed them on her hip.

  “Fuck.”

  He mumbled the word under his breath, but she stood close enough to hear him. The same word flitted through her mind as she faced the man who haunted her nightmares. It was like staring death in the eye, and her death is exactly what he wanted. If he got his way, she’d be dead before morning.

  The sinister smile on Nate lips said as much.

  CHAPTER 13

  The ground shifted beneath Heaven as Layne pulled her back into an embrace. She couldn’t control her trembling or the way her muscles twitched because of it. Staring at Nate was like staring death in the eye. Maybe because that’s what he wanted most. Her death.

  Layne shielded her body as much as he could. The fire within him chased away the chill her fear caused. No matter how much her father-in-law leered in her direction, she felt safe with Layne. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d defended her against Dylan’s father.

  “I see my predictions were right.”

  Nate’s voice hit the low, raspy tone she remembered from the engagement party. He strode in their direction then came to a halt not far from the old, office chair.

  “I tried to warn my son that this bitch would hurt him. Funny thing is, somehow I knew it would happen with your help.”

  “You know nothing.” The muscles in Layne’s back corded under her hand as he seethed the words.

  “Maybe I do, maybe I don’t, but all it takes is one seed of doubt to gain me what I want.” Raising his hand in front of his chest, he aimed his phone toward them. A flash of light sent a hundred spots dancing over Heaven’s eyes. “My, my. You make a cute couple.”

  His sardonic tone made her nauseous, but not as much as knowing he’d snapped a picture of her and Layne. Still wrapped in each other’s arms, their entangled bodies would spark the wrong idea to anyone who viewed the photo. But as she watched him make a series of taps on the phone, she realized he intended to share it with only one recipient.

  “Isn’t technology wonderful? Dylan’s not even here, but he’ll get to witness your betrayal firsthand.”

  If it weren’t for her heart pounding in her ears, she would have sworn it had stopped. Her breathing had. By now, Dylan knew they were missing. It had been hours since she tore out of the house, chasing after Layne.

  She knew her husband well enough to know he
would blame himself for letting her go. He didn’t want to at first, would be pissed with himself for insisting she talk to Layne. After everything they’d found out about her connection with her Keeper, would he think the worst? Or would he see the picture and realize his father had captured them?

  Tucking his phone back in his pocket, Nate faced the window where Raphe’s crumpled body lay. She couldn’t sense his vibrations, which could only mean one thing. His soul had made its journey to the spirit plane.

  Nate refocused on her. His lips crooked. “What a shame it is that Dylan’s final glimpse of you is in the arms of his best friend.” He chuckled when her eyes widened. “You’re quite a clever girl. Too bad there wasn’t a way to convert you to my path. I hate wasted talent, but I hate you even more. I will enjoy every one of your gasps as I choke the life from your body.”

  Layne gritted his teeth. The dimple in his jaw hinted to the rage building in him. “As long as there is breath in me, you’ll never lay a finger on her.”

  “I’m sure we can do something about—”

  Nate’s voice fell away. Realization swirled in him. Then eerie laughter echoed about the room. Every person standing within it watched him, but he didn’t care. He brought his hands together and clapped.

  “I can’t believe I didn’t see this before. It’s so perfect. So poetically just.”

  “What are you babbling about?”

  The gruffness in Layne’s voice added to Heaven’s frayed nerves, especially when he inched closer to Nate. She clung to his body, squeezing just enough to gain his attention.

  “Layne, stop. Please. He’s taunting you. Ignore him.”

  As much as Layne wanted to inflict pain upon Nate, he fought the urge and drew her closer. If he held her like this any other time, he’d be too distracted by her to worry. This wasn’t one of those times. He glared at Dylan’s father. His defensive vibes rattled like a beast in a cage. He wanted to rip Nate to shreds.

  The smirk remained on Nate’s face. “Absolutely perfect. She already has you trained. I’m impressed.”

  Heaven sensed Layne’s anger before he had time to react. Her hand met his shoulder as his muscles bunched together. Fire burned inside him, but she didn’t back down. She leaned in closer and whispered in his ear.

  “Don’t listen to him. If he distracts you, he knows he can use it against you and attack me. Please, calm down.”

  The vibration of Layne’s energy cooled enough to keep him in place, but Nate was relentless. “You know, Layne, I was once someone’s lap dog, too. I can show you how to break that bond. Or, if you’d rather, I can show you how to have your heart’s desire.”

  “You don’t know what my heart desires.”

  “Sure I do.” Dark eyes shifted in her direction. “She’s in your arms as we speak. You’re a Keeper, Layne. Your Seeker is what you desire most.”

  As the words played through her mind, she realized that Nate didn’t know Layne was her Keeper. Or at least, he hadn’t known.

  “I know about you, Nate.” Layne seethed. “You couldn’t put your duties before anything else. You even threatened the woman you claimed to have loved because she chose someone else.”

  The words wiped the smug look from Nate’s face, but the sudden shift of his energy had her squeezing Layne tighter. His brow folded as the floor vibrated. “I could have had my Seeker if it wasn’t for the bitch you’re clinging to.”

  Something in Heaven snapped. Nate could spew his negativity and lies about her all he wanted, but her mother was off limits. When she tried to step away, Layne kept her body pressed to his.

  “You’re a liar, Nate. My mother and father are soulmates. You couldn’t change that, regardless of whether my sisters and I existed. So you turned to darkness instead.”

  “You know nothing about my relationship with your mother, but it doesn’t matter anymore. Freeing my son from your toxicity does matter. It’s been my plan all along, and I set it in motion months ago. Pretty soon, he will be free.”

  He turned his back and faced the row of Benders behind him, but Heaven refused to let him have the last word. “You’re right, Nate. Soon he will be free—free of you.”

  The arrogance in Nate faded once he spun around. His hand shot forward, fingers splayed. She waited for the pressure to increase around her neck, like it did when he choked her before. Yet the only thing she sensed was Layne. The heat in him swaddled her. She double-checked his face, making sure Nate wasn’t choking him, but no sign of distress showed. Anger did.

  The crease between above Nate’s nose deepened as his arm began to shake. He hadn’t concentrated this hard on Raphe when choking him, and Raphe was dead in no time. But nothing was happening. Her breaths were normal, minus the fact that her heartbeat had increased. Layne’s energy throbbed in defensive waves with no sign of easing.

  Expecting the Benders to join in with their powers, she was surprised when they remained against the wall. Nate lowered his arm, but his anger rippled through the air. He parted his lips to say something when the door swung open. Another cloaked figure walked into the room.

  Her father-in-law observed the man, but said nothing as the newcomer leaned toward his ear. Whatever he whispered to Nate caused him to glare at her, at least for a moment.

  Satisfied that his message had been received, the cloaked man moved away. He never glanced at her or Layne before he slipped around the door and shut it. But he was the least of her worries. The smirk on Nate’s face made her stomach twist tighter.

  “It seems you have a spot of luck on your side, Seeker. Your bond with your Keeper won’t let me touch you. Affinity bonds have a way of doing that. But it’s okay. I’m a patient man.” His attention shifted to Layne. “Lucky for me, your Keeper isn’t a full-fledged Kinetic. How do you think he’ll fare against my Kinetics?” He faced the wall of Benders once more and laughed. “I want his death to be slow and painful. Make sure she sees every second of it, but don’t touch her.” He peered over his shoulder. “I’ll deal with her once he’s dead.”

  The Benders nodded their affirmation, keeping their heads lowered while Nate backed away. He said nothing else. The grin on his face said enough.

  After he slipped into the hall, he slammed the door shut and engaged the lock. Like some internal bell had clanged, the Benders’ heads snapped up. In perfect synchronization, they stepped away from the wall and crept closer. Their hands flexed at their sides, their eyes narrowed on Layne.

  An assortment of energies swirled around the room, but the driving force was the same for all. Hate. The purest and richest form she’d never sensed in anyone other than Nate. It was as if he channeled the emotion to each of them. He peeked through the window at the top of the door, but most of his face remained out of view.

  In a way, it looked like Dylan was watching them through the window. She wondered how he responded to the picture. Adalyn was obviously blocking them. No emotions vibrated through their connection, just a normal hum. While their daughter might be protecting him from knowing what was wrong, she didn’t doubt the picture upset him. It left her with one question. Was anger or fear controlling her husband? By now he had to know his father captured her and Layne. Surely he wouldn’t believe the picture Nate sent.

  As Layne’s energy built, he released her from his arms. His back filled her vision before he pressed against her. “Heaven, I need you to listen to me.” She leaned closer. Her breath beat against his neck as she waited for him to speak again. “I want you to stay back, as far as you can. Whatever happens, please don’t interfere. Let me do this on my own.”

  “But I’m your source,” she whispered. “You’re stronger when we do this together.”

  Strands of hair tickled her cheek as he shook his head. “No. I already told you, I’m able to control the fire. I can’t risk you getting hit, so stay back.”

  “Layne—”

  The air shifted. He sensed it too, and turned long enough to shove her away. As she fell to the floor, it began to rum
ble. Each passing second seemed to slow.

  Layne readied himself for the approaching attack. Flames formed in his palms. He kept them behind his back and shifted his head from side to side. The Metal Bender ripped one of the iron bars from the window, drawing it across the room to his hand. The Bender beside him stopped and raised both hands to his sides.

  Tension built. Glares exchanged. Then shards of glass shot toward Layne.

  He flung his hand in front of him, the flame inside spread up and out. A wall of fire absorbed most of the shards, but one survived the heat. It sliced through his shirt before hitting the wall behind her.

  As she scurried to the corner, a crimson patch formed around the rip in Layne’s shirt. The glass had cut him. How deep, she didn’t know, but it didn’t take long for the blood to seep through.

  Layne was too busy fighting to acknowledge it. Aside from the shards of glass, cobalt-colored rays spiraled through the room. The Plasma Bender joined the Glass Bender’s assault against her Keeper. He produced electric-filled rays that packed a punch. But what should have been causing mass destruction only revealed his weakness. The more powerful his rays were, the longer he took to create them.

  After Layne spun away from the last ray, he hurled a fiery orb in the Plasma Bender’s direction. The Metal Bender came to his aid. He chucked a metal bar toward Layne, who barely dodged it before it cracked against the wall and fell to the ground. Another orb shot from Layne’s palm. Heaven thought it would hit the Metal Bender and destroy him, but the Transporter reappeared. The orb crashed into him instead and erupted in a flame that devoured the man from head to toe.

  Satisfaction thrummed through Layne. He was holding his own against his assailants, even when a stream of acid shot his way. A wall of fire burst from his hand, rendering the acid useless. She didn’t see it anymore. The flames branched out and caught the Acid Bender’s cloak on fire. He couldn’t loosen the silver clasp at his neck in time and succumbed to the fire.