Chapter 26: Infrignando
It was twilight.
Leila tensed, pupils dilating, eyes enlarging, throat constricting; she croaked, infuriated by his presence. With perspiration gathering on her forehead, she clamped her jaw tightly, thwarted the tide of emotions bursting from her barriers, and, to prove her strength, she met their gazes.
"Going to torture me for information?"
Silence permeated the atmosphere.
"Going to repeat history again, Calder?"
"I just need to talk to you," Calder responded calmly.
"And they decided to send you here with Drakon?" she inquired incredulously. "You must be losing people by the thousands to send the two people that I hate the most in this world."
"Leila, where—"
"I'm not answering any questions, especially if they come from you two," she stated before grinning wickedly. "Why don't you two release me instead?"
But her persuasion didn't deter them.
"We've trained."
"Learnt from the best," Drakon divulged placidly.
"Acacia?" she inquired, raising her eyebrows. "It must be her, considering her ability."
They simply monitored her.
"You know, I always knew that Acacia was Adastros' mate, but I never thought she would resist him. It was interesting to watch, but she's weak, and it's been predestined for her to fall into his hands. It'll happen soon and then all of you will get what you deserve," she stated before snarling and guffawing. "Especially you, Calder. Did you really think you could betray Adastros and live?"
"I betrayed him for you!" Calder shouted with indignation. "But I bet he didn't tell you that."
She simply smiled.
"You were weak," she mocked. "Traumatized by his poor mommy's death. Traumatized by his daddy's hormones and crazed sex-life. Hm, it's interesting, isn't it? Your pathetic mother was a traitor. Your father was a cheater. You clearly come from a dysfunctional and deceitful family. It clearly seeped into your blood and made you who you are. I wonder if your mother ever spread her legs—"
"Shut up! Don't talk about my mother like that!" Calder screamed.
"Or what? You'll torture me? Well, dearest Calder, you've already done that. You have nothing over me," she taunted venomously, eyes slitting. "But I have everything over you."
"Leila, let's stop playing games and just—"
"And what? You want to hurry this along so you can screw your shapeshifter whore?" she mocked, simpering when he glowered at her. "And you can deny that she's a tramp. You can just tell that she's already spread her legs as far as they can possibly go."
He remained silent, but his stare darkened.
"Didn't you say that you two had already met? You must have left a pretty bad impression on her for her to abandon you, forget you, and fu—"
"Be quiet, Leila—"
"Sensitive topic," she stated while chuckling. "But really, Drakon, I can't get over the fact that she pranced back into this realm and claimed you as her mate when in reality she's someone else's. Both mentally, physically and sexually. I bet she doesn't even see you. I bet she sees her former lover. I bet she comforts you but thinks it's him. I bet she talks to you but thinks it's him. I bet she kisses you sweetly but thinks it's him. Have you two fooled around yet?"
His knuckles cracked.
"No," she responded while shaking her head. "Well, if you two had, she definitely would've thought it was him. Probably would've savored it. Probably would've begged for it. It's a good thing she's not fertile anymore or else she would've popped out a few mongrels. Got yourself a lucky one there. You can pop it in and out for the rest of eternity without fearing—"
"Shut up, Leila," he whispered dangerously low.
"Shut up, Leila," she repeated in a deeper tone. "What? You can't face the facts?"
He paced her confinement and glared at her before eventually composing himself.
"I bet if she had fallen to our side she would've opened up for everyone. And I do mean everyone," she divulged, giggling maliciously. "But maybe she would've become one of Adastros' favorites? Although she reeks of semen, she has spunk and personality. Maybe she would've overthrown Acacia as his mate? What do you think?"
He halted; his expression remained stoic.
"No response? Well, that's fine," she retaliated. "I bet you two haven't progressed at all. You're nothing more than platonic friends. And why? Because you two are too traumatized? No, it's not because of that at all, and you know it. It's because you disgust her. She belongs to another. Even if you two do become anything else, even if you claim her, even if you two have some fun, she'll always be his. And that drives you crazy because you know it's true."
"How do you know so much?" Drakon deflected, completely emotionless.
"Your life resembles a soap opera," she orated, evading his question.
"And you're living in it."
"I am, aren't I?" she questioned rhetorically, chortling. "Well, let's look at the facts. My parents get murdered in front of me, so I become an orphan who gets adopted by two seemingly loving parents who are actually feeding me lie after lie. Then I gain status, enlist myself in the very thing that killed my parents, and follow an inexperienced leader into the middle of the jungle, where I met my soul mate who somehow regains his conscience and becomes traumatized by my death. And in that very place, my so called brother betrays me, offering my life in exchange for his. I screamed for him, thought he would die, but it was just a ploy. And then I die. But plot twist—I come back to life. And then I turn sides. Oh my heavens, that's definitely soap opera material right there."
She hummed, cradling herself.
"Won't you release me? It's really the least you two can do. I won't escape now, and you know that. I'm not stupid. I know when I've been bested. Obviously, I'll try again later but for now, I'm content to stay here and make you two miserable," she stated while twittering with laughter.
Drakon released her, making her sigh with relief and rub her wrists.
"Drakon dearest, you should really be careful," she proclaimed, looking genuinely concerned. "You could get diseases and fleas from that prostitute."
Unable to handle his anger, he exited and slammed the door behind him. Humming with pleasure, she directed herself in front of Calder before brushing his cheeks and causing his eyelids to flutter.
"I've heard of what you've done, Calder. We could've been great together, but you ruined it. You ruined me."
"Leila, I'm sorry—"
But she guffawed.
"Sorry! Just the thought of us together made me laugh. You're far too weak for me. And you don't look like a good enough lover either. But Adastros is really good. Really, really good," she declared, giggling joyously. "He really knows—"
And he barreled through the exit, making her applaud and chortle.
From the other side of the one-way glass, Leah simply watched Leila, who entertained herself but eventually calmed down. Her lips turned down; her eyes darkened but became hollower.
"Can I go in?" Leah asked.
"I'll go with you," Acacia volunteered, while the two men hardened themselves.
They entered, merely riveting her when she perked up.
"Leah Clearwater," she greeted pleasantly. "Can I just say that you have quite the punch?"
"Thanks, Leila," Leah answered while grinning sarcastically.
"And Acacia, you have quite the spirit!"
"Thank you, Leila," Acacia responded, cracking a sardonic smile.
"I see that I've impacted the boys more than I had thought. I expected them to return, but then again they're just boys. Can't really expect much from them," she divulged before sighing. "But I'm glad you two are here to keep me company. I was afraid I would die from boredom."
"Now, Leila, why do you lie?" Leah asked curiously.
"Because it's interesting to see how people react," Leila answered honestly.
"So you enjoyed seeing Calder leave?"
"Of course!" she exclaimed, thrilled. "His expression was priceless. When I told him that I was cavorting with his number one enemy, he just fell apart. He's honestly so whipped. That possessive, jealous act really isn't cute. It's definitely funny but not attractive."
"So you haven't had sex with Adastros?" Leah inquired.
"Of course not," she recited while scrunching her nose. "He's obviously attractive, but we have a much more significant relationship. We're confidents."
"Do you really think so?"
She smirked, her expression playful but taunting.
"Of course. We're practically equals. Siblings really."
"Why are you telling us this?" Acacia inquired.
"Because, dearest Acacia, it unnerves you more than you realize to know this. And if I'm going to be trapped here, I might as well entertain myself."
Silence reigned.
"You two are strong women. So are the rest of the women. But they've developed such strong bonds with their mates that they would instantly die if they died. They wouldn't have the will to live."
"You're wrong," Leah stated.
"Am I?"
"You are," Acacia disclosed.
"Look at it from my perspective: I attacked Artemis, and Acastus instantly appeared. I attacked Carabelle, and Alcander instantly appeared. Delia arrived, and so did Nico. All of them are attached to the hip. That makes them very vulnerable. But you two—well, you're special. Acacia, you don't want your mate, and you don't need him—"
"He's your superior—"
"He's my equal, as I stated previously. Alecto loves me. He adopted me as his daughter. I can speak freely about my 'brother,'" she interjected. "Now, do you two understand what I mean? Acacia, you plan to murder Adastros. And you would have if Alecto hadn't interjected. And, Leah, you obviously had problems forgetting your former lover but that made you stronger. You fermented your anger instead of vanquishing it. And you don't rely on Drakon. You two are friends, and you don't need anything more from him."
"Leila—"
"You know it's true."
"Then I don't need to spread my legs?" Leah asked without any edge.
"Of course not, silly! Males and their egos. Can't handle any competition. They always believe that their precious mates have to be completely pure," she clarified, laughing. "Obviously, you're still a virgin. Well, kinda, right? Never went all the way, did you? You just did some things. Very naughty things, right? You wanted to wait until marriage. But don't worry so is Acacia. So am I. So are the vast majority of unmated females and males these days. Just look at Drakon and Radley and all the others. There's just no more time for any fun. And honestly, everyone's probably afraid of creating a kid in these circumstances. Who could blame them? And everyone's afraid of sleeping casually with each other, just in case they somehow get trapped by the other side. But still. Women don't have to be sexually pure. I'm sure after this war ends, they'll be plenty of time for personal fun, and they'll be a baby boom."
"And who do you think will win?"
"The side that works the hardest," she verbalized abstractly but smiling.
"And how do you know this information about us?" Leah asked.
"Word gets around of course."
"You know that Adastros left you here on purpose, right?"
"Of course! I'm not stupid."
"And why did he leave you here?"
"I guess to cause trouble," she answered sincerely while twiddling her thumbs.
"And why are you revealing this?"
"Well, Carabelle can detect the truth. So can Adara. I really have no point in lying. And, like I mentioned before, this open easiness unnerves all of you."
"So will you tell us where the next attack will be?" Acacia questioned.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you."
"Can't?"
"Won't," she repeated finally.
"But Alecto knew that you knew?"
"Well, of course!" she exclaimed, enthralled. "He told me before. He obviously wanted all of you to know."
"Why?"
"It's unnerving," she chirped happily.
"So why won't you tell us?" Leah prompted.
"Because it's not time."
"Leila, you have to tell us now."
"No can do," she harmonized, giggling.
"Leila, don't make us do this," Acacia pleaded.
"But, dearest Acacia, I'm not making you do anything," she rehearsed, instinctively pouting.
"Leila—"
"I won't say anything."
"Then it has to come down to—"
"Torture?" she inquired rhetorically. "I already knew."
Calder entered, followed by Nicodemus and Drakon.
"Nico, you can start."
And he assailed her mental barriers, which instantly fortified themselves; he prodded and poked, clobbered and battered them, but they continued rebuilding. He drilled into her, while she twisted and withered. Her temples throbbed; her heart pulsated; her blood pounded. Perspiring, she heaved and lurched up before falling and shrieking. Darkening his essence, he entered but retreated two paces when she bounded forward. Her essence cackled, hissing and menacing. But he barged through and defeated her. He presented the contaminated visions, zipping through them with difficulty when her defenses began escalating and strengthening.
Frantically, he defeated her, causing her to slump over and sweat. He filed through her memories, watching as Adastros revived her; he watched as Alecto monitored her closely and sent forth his best warriors; he watched as she mercilessly murdered them and gained their trust; he watched as Alecto showered her with luxuries and favoritism, treating her as his daughter; he watched as she boldly spoke out against Adastros and created plans that rivaled his.
Calder sprinted forward, holding her quaking hands. Her eyes snapped open, and her chin flex down when she rapidly gnawed on his hand; he instantly retracted it, staring at her with an indecipherable emotion.
Nico groaned when she threw him back.
"It's midnight. If we're going to get any—"
And Nico barreled through once more but without any difficulty; her barriers had lowered themselves.
"The Infrignando are next, Leila," Alecto stated. "Do you know what you have to do?"
"Of course," she stated. "Pretend to run away, distract them until it's time and then show them when it's too late."
"That's my girl."
And Adastros shot her another glance, while she smirked.
Nico skyrocketed, wheezing with urgency.
"The Infrignando are next."
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