Page 29 of Contract Marked (Interdimensional Beings #1)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Erin

A cross the foyer of The Council’s Sanctuary, Cal, Tatianna, and I entered another room. Similar to the previous trial room, two thrones sat across from one another, minus the audience of chairs. Aside from the checkered floors and unusual velvet walls, the room itself felt lackluster as if there should be more, but there wasn’t.

“This way.” Cal tugged my hand toward a side entrance, Tatianna still close behind us. She glared daggers at me, and I swore I could feel them digging into my skin.

The smaller adjacent room welcomed us with paneled wood walls and the same checkered floors, along with a red velvet loveseat, a desk, and a fireplace. It reminded me of a study found in an affluent household. Cal released my hand, moving his fingers to the small of my back, guiding me to the couch. I paused, not wanting to be that close to him, especially not when my nerves were already out of whack, but his touch became insistent until I complied.

Tatianna sat on top of the desk, eyes trailing to where Cal placed his arm around my shoulders, his thigh touching mine. “I thought you didn’t fuck Lower Realms’ beings anymore, Cal?” Her tone was sickly sweet, even if her eyes told another story.

Images of Angelica with Dez and Cal in different sexual positions flicked through my mind like a high-budget porno, making me flush. I bet Angelica was the last Lower Realms’ being Cal slept with. What happened?

Instead of denying it, Cal remained quiet, heat building in my cheeks even more. I didn’t care what Tatianna thought; I just wanted to focus on getting myself freed from Dez’s promise of eternal misery.

Tatianna crossed her legs, admiring her nails. “So be it. Let’s review our talking points, shall we?”

I learned earlier from Cal that each party involved in the case was allotted a representative. Dez was acting as his own representative, while Tatianna was Cal’s. The plaintiff, Dez, was pursuing legal custody of me on the grounds I was his by right of breach of contract. In derogatory terms, a con-bond slave. Cal told me he and Tatianna had won the case previously due to my active contract with Cal. When our contract ended, Dez pleaded to have the case reopened, and since it involved Dez, the Council made it a high priority. Since the defendant, Cal, no longer had a claim on me per our closed contract, it was agreed upon by the Council that I would step in to defend myself.

“You will be asked to choose your representative at trial,” Cal had said, sitting at the edge of the bed not long after I had woken up. “Tatianna is best equipped to win your case. You will choose her.”

I pulled the quilted blanket closer around me to prevent the chill of the room from creeping into where I snuggled in bed. “Like hell, I will. She’d sooner sabotage this trial out of spite than try to win my freedom.”

“Tatianna works for me. If she purposely fails, her life will be forfeit to me for the next hundred years.”

I frowned and scanned his body for any sign of a contract mark, but nothing was visible. Then again, I hadn’t seen any contract marks on Tatianna or Dez either. Maybe they had a way to disguise them. If Cal and Tatianna had formed a contract of sorts, it would explain how she had unlimited access to Cal’s place.

“Do I have to? Is there no one else?” The idea still didn’t sit right with me, regardless if Tatianna had a contract with Cal or if she’d won my case before.

Cal’s eyes narrowed, and I glanced away at the crackling fire. He didn’t reply, but he also didn’t say I had to choose her, either. But who else could I choose? Who else would be willing to fight for me and also be intelligent enough to win?

I should’ve been here defending myself in the first place , I silently seethed as I listened to Tatianna go over our position in trial. Cal kept close even as I attempted to wedge space between us on the couch, a hint of a smile on his lips telling me he got off on the fact I was clearly uncomfortable. I sighed, kicking up loose strands of my hair. Maybe it was for the best that I wasn’t there to originally defend myself. I was out of my element, whereas Cal and Tatianna clearly knew what they were doing, having won the case previously. With the talking points Tatianna suggested, it even seemed like I had a fighting chance to win. But could I trust her?

A clock chimed, like an old grandfather clock, but louder. It was time.

We left our adjoining room into the main space and my heart caught in my throat.

Dez walked out of the room opposite ours alone, in a satin blue suit that brought out the color in his eyes. His hair was perfectly combed back, without a single imperfection in sight. He looked almost human again, aside from his unnatural beauty and height. His piercing gaze focused wholly on me, and I almost lost it right then and there.

Dezmandaro was, without a doubt, still beyond pissed.

Cal squeezed my shoulder, the last person I expected any sort of comfort from. Dez’s composure slipped. His eyes shot to Cal’s hand as if he wanted to slice it clean off, and Cal retaliated with a smirk. Great, not only was I fighting for my life today, but I was also being used as a pawn in a long-standing feud between two arrogant assholes.

We walked into the center of the room between the two thrones, Tatianna and Cal standing between me and Dez. The walls shuddered, and the checkered pattern floor moved even as our feet remained still. It felt as if I was on a wild mushroom trip.

Intense pressure slammed into me from all sides, and I hunched over. Tatianna laughed. Cal clasped my hand, my body sagging in relief as the pressure was lifted enough for me to stand upright again. The Council’s voices reverberated all around us, and a spectrum of color encased the room, but no physical bodies appeared.

“Are all intended parties and representatives present?” The choir of voices came from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

“Yes,” Dez said, and I could still feel the weight of his gaze as I concentrated on the checkered floor, trying not to heave up my coffee from earlier.

Silence reigned until Cal elbowed me. I knew it was my turn to speak, but doubt still plagued me. Could I trust Tatianna? Who else could I choose?

Then the answer hit me.

I waited until I knew my voice wouldn’t shake as I said, “No.”

All three beings beside me stiffened.

Cal’s hand tightened painfully on mine. “Erin—”

“Choose your representative, Erin Jay Williams,” the Council thundered.

I ignored Cal’s steely gaze. “Llewyn. I choose Llewyn to be my representative.”

“You what?” Tatianna spat, her face contorted in outrage. Unusually so. I’m glad I followed my gut in not trusting her. A hundred years or not, Tatianna would’ve risked it just to see me fail.

Llewyn appeared beside me, his hair flowing around his shoulders like the leaves of a willow tree, with skin so pale it was almost translucent. He didn’t wear a suit or a dress but a layer of robes in assorted patterns from cotton waves to silk flowers.

“Llewynelle, we call on you as a representative for Erin Jay Williams. Do you accept?”

It was risky calling on Llewyn, and I hadn’t been sure a prisoner could stand in as a representative, to begin with, but the abilities Llewyn possessed were beyond that of any other being I have met. I had to hope he had the power to win this, but it all depended on his answer. He could very well say no, and I would have no choice but to choose someone else at random, Tatianna or myself. All of which would lead to my inevitable doom.

“Yes.”

I almost passed out in relief.

“Let the trial begin,” the Council bellowed.

Dez and I took our places in the thrones opposite one another, Llewyn standing beside me. Cal and Tatianna had been permitted to watch from the sidelines but were not allowed to interfere. The fire in Tatianna’s eyes hadn’t faded. Cal didn’t look any happier, his expression promising retribution. In my two months here, I’ve already pissed off a few of the most powerful beings. If I didn’t figure out how to get back to Earth, I was as good as dead. Actually, at this rate, I’d be lucky for a swift death.

A metal bar settled over my lap before the chair skyrocketed into the air. I screamed until we came to a complete stop, far, far above where Tatianna and Cal stood. Dez sat cross-legged across from me, wearing an unkind smile. At least I had Llewyn beside me, hovering in midair. From this height, the checkered floor looked like black and white beetles, the velvet red walls extending far past the ceiling of the room we’d just been in. It surrounded us with waves of light and color that I guessed signified the Council’s presence.

From this point, I didn’t do much talking, as Cal had said would happen. The exception is that now, Llewyn presented my case and standing argument as a representative instead of Tatianna.

“We deny Dezmandaro’s claim on the grounds of deliberate misinformation, duress, and blackmail per section ‘Calling Contracts’ rule number one.”

While Llewyn hadn’t been present for the pep talk, I had no doubt he would already be up to speed on everything. I hadn’t seen Dez, Cal, or even Tatianna display the kind of powers Llewyn did. It could be that I just hadn’t had a chance to witness it yet, but my gut told me Llewyn was a special case and that not just anyone could read minds or access and flow through people’s memories like a finished movie—well, except maybe the Council as the world shifted.

The velvet walls faded to my apartment’s white ones. The moon crept in through my broken blinds I hadn’t gotten around to fixing yet, and my bumpy, uncomfortable black couch I sat on before pacing around the room and eventually settling on the salt circle where I butchered the ritual Megan and I had just done the night before.

Similar to when Llewyn showed me my shared memories with Megan, I wanted to shout at myself. To tell my past self not to accept those terms, that Megan was okay, that all of it was a misunderstanding, and to take the fortune teller’s warning to heart.

But I didn’t, knowing it was far too late for that.

The memory played out. Dez materialized, taking in my crumpled burger wrappers from the night before, barren walls, two pieces of furniture, then to me shouting at him with my hands on my hips. Our contract and the terms for it were repeated for all involved.

Dez handled the accusation smoothly, his words and mannerisms showing a wealth of knowledge and experience in this department. Essentially, I couldn’t argue deliberate misinformation, duress, blackmail, or even a state of heightened influence since that only applied when the contract was initially agreed upon, not after. Llewyn brought up points I hadn’t thought of, his tone soft spoken and patient. “Erin Williams never would have agreed to this contract if she had been fully cognizant of Megan’s wellbeing. Dezmandaro had contradicted this, leading Erin to agree to a contract under false pretenses.”

“Technically, I hadn’t given any false information. Erin Williams came to her own conclusions.” Dez’s smile was triumphant as if he had all this planned from the start. “Replay the scene, if you would, honored Council.”

It was me who assumed I’d ruined Megan’s contract, but Dez never confirmed it in his own words.

“Blackmail and duress don’t apply here either,” Dez continued, “since I never explicitly stated I would or wouldn’t harm Erin’s friend, Megan Dunn.”

Llewyn didn’t look as nervous as I felt. “You said Megan was in the Council’s prison, heavily implying she was in danger.”

A hum of voices from the Council rang around us, confirming Llewyn’s stance.

Dez didn’t look fazed. “That was true and still is. Statements cannot be applied as blackmail or means of duress if they are true and the action itself has not been done or conducted by my person.”

Another hum from the Council and both Llewyn and Dez engaged in another argument, but I couldn’t hear over the ringing in my ears as fear closed around my throat and visions from Dez’s nightmares haunted me. Me ripped away from my life and everything I loved. Never seeing Megan again, or going to the bar with her and her friends, watching romantic comedies, or taking trips to go hiking in the mountains together. My apartment turned into a cage with no windows with my hands shackled to Dez, his claws caressing my throat.

Llewyn’s hand rubbed mine in solidarity, even as he continued to speak on my behalf. Voices came back in a tumble.

“Erin Williams fully accepted my contract price. Twice. Once before settling the terms of the contract and afterward in my bedroom,” Dez said.

To my utter mortification, the Council rolled out the memory showing the second part of our contract. My cheeks were hot to the touch as I looked at myself, completely nude in Dez’s arms, as he touched me in places that were far from appropriate. Dez looked completely unbothered, still sitting cross-legged on his throne as if he belonged there until our eyes met.

His gaze darkened, and I read his lips as he mouthed, “You will be mine again, Erin.”

Between Dez’s words and my entire naked body being on display for everyone to see—including Cal and Tatianna—I hid my face in my hands. Like an ostrich sticking their head into the sand. I wanted this all to be over. I wanted to be back in my apartment, dreading having to go back to work Monday like everyone else instead of wondering all the ways my life was going to be miserable for the next, however many, centuries.

Llewyn tried his best to defend me, but I had already screwed myself at this point. I had accepted Dez’s terms, even using his exact terminology, leaving no room for plausible deniability. The fact that I could’ve refused his price and asked him to renegotiate, was news to me, but it was a little too late for that. Maybe I should have taken Cal up on his offer to teach me a thing or two about The Higher Realms. I clearly needed it.

Equivalent Exchange was brought up, an ambiguous term with room to argue, but because of my complicit agreement, twice, to the terms, there wasn’t much leeway there either.

I was completely fucked.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed at this point since half of me was internally screaming, the other half running away to fantasy land, pretending none of this was happening. Eventually, the Council called for an intermission.

The checkered floor grew bigger and bigger until it brushed my feet, the metal bar retracting from my lap. Llewyn helped me out of my seat wrapping his arm around my shoulders, his extensive robes acting as a shield between me and the others.

The door clicked shut to the study I’d been in previously, except Llewyn stood where Cal and Tatianna had been. I sat on the couch with my head in my hands. I hadn’t realized I was crying until droplets darkened the pants of my jumpsuit.

“I’m glad you called me here despite the circumstances. We haven’t had a chance to speak yet.” When I didn’t look up, he said, “Don’t worry, Erin, you’ll win this.”

“Will I?” I choked back a sob. “It doesn’t look that way. Dez is going to drag me back to his dimension and torture me for the rest of my days. My life, Megan, all of it—” I smothered my sudden wail into the couch cushion.

Llewyn sat beside me, rubbing my back in soothing circles. Similar to when I was in his cell, the overwhelming sadness and grief ebbed away until I could breathe again. I could think clearly again.

“You’ll pull through this, Erin. You always do, and you always will, no matter how hard the road is ahead of you.”

I wiped my tears and glanced at him in all his beauty. “How do you know so much about me?”

He smiled. “Who do you think gave you that Sylvain Silver?”

My eyes widened. “You’re the fortune teller lady?” I never did catch her name.

Llewyn laughed, and it was like the prettiest music to my ears. “No, the woman you spoke to is my wife, Sylvain. But it was I who told her to give you the silver.”

The blurred woman in Megan’s memory had to have been Sylvain. That’s why the voice seemed so familiar. “Wife? Aren’t you a Higher Realms’ being?”

“Yes, but love isn’t tied to one realm or the other. Sylvain wanted to be married in her world, and so we did.”

I stared back down at my lap. “I’m sorry I lost your coin. I’m sorry I didn’t take Sylvain’s warning more seriously.”

Llewyn patted my shoulder. “It’s not entirely lost. It currently rests somewhere in Dezmandaro’s dimension. Though, I’d urge you to find it before Caliphiste does.”

“Cal?”

“The Council sent Caliphiste after Sylvain and I when we first created it. I wanted Sylvain to live as my equal here, so we worked together to create a talisman for her, a Lower Realms’ being, to use in order to have the same powers as a Higher Realms’ being, like myself. The Council hadn’t outlawed it yet, but once they found out, all means of these tools were made forbidden, collected, and guarded by the Council. Caliphiste had been sent to collect them all, and he’s been successful so far, except for this one. The last remaining one of its kind that is not in the Council’s hands.”

I glanced up at him. “But if it wasn’t illegal at the time you two made it, why hunt you down? How come Sylvain didn’t know any of this?”

Llewyn frowned. “Power. We’re not much different from the Lower Realms in that regard. In fact, we have more in common than the Council and the others would have you believe.” His expression became haunted. “They sent Caliphiste to kill Sylvain and lock me up.”

I’m their executioner, Erin.

I bit my lip. I knew Cal was a heartless bastard, but to have it confirmed time and time again, made my heart hurt for some reason.

“Fortunately, Caliphiste was reasonable and offered an alternative. If I agreed to wipe Sylvain’s memories of us, our entire life together, and accept my eternal imprisonment, he would spare her. At least this way, she’ll live out the rest of her life peacefully.”

“That doesn’t seem very fair.”

“Caliphiste is a lot more fair than previous executioners. I’ve been alive long enough to see that kind of power corrupt a being over and over again. Caliphiste left me with my powers and a comfortable place to spend eternity. While Sylvain may not remember me or know who I am, she is gifted. We connect in dreams, in visions, even if she believes me to be just another rogue spirit.”

“That’s …” Sad didn’t cut it. It was downright heartbreaking and unfair. Like Saya and what her contractor, Wyll, had done to her for who knows how long. “How is this world any different from ours?”

Llewyn shrugged. “I’ve been pursuing that notion for centuries. I believe we are one and the same, just at different stages of time.”

I didn’t really understand, but wasn’t going to question him. What would I, an almost-thirty-year-old girl, know compared to an ancient being? “How do you know all this? I mean, I haven’t seen any other being with powers like yours.”

He nodded, standing up and leaning against the wooden desk. “When you’ve lived as long as I have, you … develop additional abilities. Most don’t live to be as old as me, choosing to be reborn before the flow of time takes their sanity entirely. I was no exception until I met Sylvain. She returned my spark for life. When she passes, I will long to return to the source of creation.”

I blew out a heavy sigh at his admission, but I also sensed he wasn’t telling me something, as if he was hiding the full truth. “Am I going to win this, Llewyn? Are you able to see that?”

He looked up at the ceiling, but his eyes focused on something I couldn’t see. “I can’t say at this time, but I will try everything in my power to save you, Erin. Your future has many branches, all leading to something entirely unique and new. I haven’t met another Lower Realms’ being with a path quite like yours.” He smiled at me. “For now, I suggest you get some sleep. The trial won’t resume for some time. I’ll come and find you, and we’ll reconvene then.”