Redemption - A Darla Gray Novel Read online

  “Well thank God for small mercies, at least I have something I can work with.”

  Darla frowned, perplexed by his response.

  “This place you are now in- Redemption...” He continued. “It’s kinda like a fold somewhere in between the two realms. Not quite heaven and not quite hell.”

  Now it was Darla who felt like laughing. “Surely earth is the place between heaven and hell?”

  Quinn scoffed lightly. “You humans with all your supposed knowledge of science, you’re so ignorant and blind. You have this crazy-assed idea that the time you spend on earth defines where your soul resides in eternity. Good people go to heaven and are reward by God, bad people go to hell and are eternally damned, punished by the devil himself. It’s not quite that simple I’m afraid. For one thing, there are several layers way beyond that of Earth and Redemption and secondly Lucifer can’t punish good, people who do bad things to themselves. That is way beyond his jurisdiction.”

  This time Darla really did laugh. “Now you’re trying to convince me that Lucifer is real.”

  “Of course Lucifer’s real,” Quinn snapped. “It’s one of the few things humans actually got right for a change - well kinda. God you people, you’re unreal!” Quinn gulped back the contents of his glass, slamming it down before pouring another. “Why is it that if you have faith you never question the existence of God but you do Lucifer?”

  Seeing his response Darla regretted her outburst. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh but for most of us that believe in God, the devil isn’t so much a person but more a symbol of all that is evil.”

  “Well down here he’s that and a whole lot more.” Quinn starred into his glass lost in thought.

  “So why have I ended up here?” Darla asked.

  Quinn silently starred at her. “Why?” He shrugged his shoulders. “Well that’s the million dollar Question. If I had the answer to that you wouldn’t be sat here. I can however tell you how you got here. Humans arrive here through a portal. It’s kind of like a rift in space that leads directly from earth to here. Those that predict where and when a portal will open are the oracles. In most cases they contact the powers that be and a retriever is sent to collect the newbie.”

  “In most cases?”

  Quinn nodded taking another long swig of his drink. “Your case was different. It seems that the oracle notified the agency but the retrieval order was sent down from the top.”

  “The top?” She asked curiously.

  “Big G……” Quinn could tell she had no idea who he was referring to. “You know….the head honcho?”

  Darla shrugged, still not understanding.

  Quinn starred incredulously at her. “God! The instructions for your retrieval were dispatched directly from God.”

  Darla snorted in disbelief but on seeing the seriousness of his face she abruptly sobered. “Holy cow! You’re not kidding are you?”

  “Nope!”

  Darla sunk down onto her seat fearful that her legs wouldn’t hold her. “Then why did you need to take me to Maisey?”

  “It’s standard protocol. I wasn’t aware it was a direct order from Big G until Maisey filled me in. Everyone who enters Redemption has to be logged. As a suicide you would need to be sentenced for your crime.”

  “My..my crime?” She gasped.

  “Darla, you took your own life.”

  “But how can that even be possible if I’m still alive. You just said this is all real. So which is it, am I dead or am I alive?” Slamming her glass on the counter between them Darla stared intently at Quinn.

  With her face so close, Quinn reached across the counter top wrapping his fingers in her hair and dragged her closer. Giving into temptation he claimed her mouth in a fiery kiss of unleashed passion. Savouring the whiskey on her lips, his tongue forced its way inside her mouth devouring her with intensity. Releasing her equally as fast he poured himself another drink, refusing to make eye contact. “That feel real enough for you?”

  Left shaken and reeling by the unexpected assault Darla struggled with a response. “Yes.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

  Finally sparing her a furtive glance by taking another swig from his glass Quinn felt a pang of guilt. She looked more lost and confused than ever. The reason behind the kiss hadn’t simply been to make a point, but because she had looked so damned irresistible whilst angry. But now, with the uncertainty on her face and fingers that trembled against her lips….soft tender lips that had felt so fucking amazing……

  “Look the fact is you took your own life tonight. Had Big G not intervened, you’d have been a goner. So read into that what you will. Technically you should be dead, but now you will spend however many years he deems fit, working off your penance in Redemption, at the end of which you could earn the right to go back topside.”

  Darla stared at him in horror. “But I don’t want to go back. I don’t want any second chances!”

  Quinn watched as she buried her head in her hands, finding himself strangely wanting to comfort her. Reaching across, his hand hovered just above her hair before deciding against it. Snatching his hand away he rigidly gripped the glass before him.

  “So why did you do it?” The words sounded strange coming from his lips, questioning, not accusing, almost as if he cared.

  Darla shook her head, too emotional to speak.

  “Hey I’m not judging you.” He reassured. “That’s not my thing. You’ll find out sooner or later that everyone in Redemption has shit-loads of emotional baggage.

  Darla lifted her head. Deep pools of tears collected in the corners of her eyes waiting to burst free. “You said God was the one who brought me here. Why? Why me? Why couldn’t he just let me die?”

  Quinn shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t have all the answers that you need. Maisey’s working on it. Normally you would get your work assignment as soon as you’re logged in.”

  “But not me? Not this time?”

  “No.” Quinn murmured. “But if anyone can figure this out Maisey can. And if not she’ll contact Big G direct.”

  “Big G?” Darla snorted, stifling an hysterical laugh. “Maisey works directly for God? You talk about him like he’s a real person.”

  Quinn looked puzzled. “Did I not just explain all that?”

  Darla giggled, sweeping her unshed tears aside. “So just so I have this clear. I dropped through a portal into another world where I need to serve a sentence for taking my own life. So what you’re trying to convince me is that I’m in purgatory.”

  “You see, that’s one of the many reasons why I can’t stand breathers. You’re so Goddamn conceited. You think that everything and everyone should fall into your neat little categories. Not everything’s so black and white you know? If you weren’t all so fucking blind you might actually see things around you that would really blow your mind. And to think God favours you above all others, no wonder the angels got so fucking riled.” Snatching up the bottle and glass Quinn stomped across the room and dropped down onto the sofa.

  Giving him a few moments to calm down Darla composed herself before joining him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed.” She gently laid her hand on his. “It’s just that it all this seems so farfetched, I mean seriously come on, I’m supposed to believe that God would single me out!”

  “Why wouldn’t he?” Turning to stare at the beautiful woman beside him he felt his skin respond eagerly to her touch. “Do you believe you’re so unworthy of saving? Trust me, this wasn’t a standard retrieval. He obviously believes you’re worth the effort, why can’t you?”

  Darla considered him for a moment. Quinn was an enigma that was proving more intriguing by the minute. His behaviour towards her had fluctuated rapidly between anger and deep resentment to….. Well if the kiss from earlier was anything to go by…something altogether different.

  Something about him intrigued her more than she was ready to admit, and yet she knew nothing beyond his name and what he did for a living. “Can I as
k you a question?”

  Quinn nodded, his attention centering on her lips, remembering just how good they had felt.

  “Did you try to take your own life too?” she asked hesitantly.

  “What!” He leapt to his feet and began pacing. “Fuck no! Why would you even think such a thing?”

  Darla blushed profusely at her error. “I’m sorry. I just assumed because you were here too....... That maybe you had......”

  “Well I sure as hell didn’t.” He snapped.

  Accustomed to his outbursts of anger, Darla continued with her line of questioning, unwilling to relent until it was absolutely necessary. “So can I assume you were born in Redemption?”

  “No I wasn’t born here.” He scoffed still pacing, “I was born ......... Someplace else.” Now didn’t seem the best time to reveal who and what exactly he was. After the day she’d had, information like that could prove too much for her and possibly tip her over the edge. Raking his hand through his unkempt hair he began to calm down, eventually dropping into the vacant space beside her on the sofa.

  “A little word of warning for future reference,” his voice softened as he spoke. “Not everyone finds their way into Redemption the same way you did. Some come because they wanna hide, disappear, and forget their past. Not everything you see or experience here may be as it seems. Any beliefs, theories or notions you thought you knew - You don’t! The only thing you can be absolutely certain of is that everyone in Redemption has their own story. Just don’t expect them to wanna spill their guts with it the minute you meet them.”

  For a split second Quinn revealed a brief glimpse of something that Darla was only too familiar with. As fleeting as it had been, it was an expression she had seen staring back at her every time she had looked in the mirror over the past two years. Pain!

  Rising to his feet he headed towards the bedroom door. Pausing with his hand on the door frame he added, “Many of those that find their way here believe that some things are best left where they belong; in the past.” The sadness in his voice was there for her to hear. “I’ll go fix your bed. It’s been a long day, I imagine you must be feeling tired.”

  In those last few moments Quinn revealed more to her than he had during the entire day. And if there was one thing she was certain of, he had suffered; she had seen it written clearly on his face. He was a man carrying around a whole world of hurt and pain. And although there was no denying she was curious, it was a subject she was not prepared to pursue any further. Respecting the privacy of a person’s pain was something she strongly believed in.

  However what now concerned her most was that if what Quinn had told her was true – and as unbelievable as it sounded she had no reason to doubt him- by tomorrow he would be gone from her life. The agent would take her and then who knows where she would end up; serving whatever sentence was handed to her. Strangely the thought of not seeing him again bothered her more than she cared to admit.

  Could it just be down to the pressure of the moment? Or had she possibly kept herself so isolated and detached from everyone around her that this was the first real connection she had felt in just over two years.

  Quinn called out from the bedroom and as she approached she wished in vain that the onslaught of butterflies in her stomach would ease. Pushing the door wide, unsure of what to expect, she was confronted with what had to be one of the most enormous bed she had ever seen. If she hadn’t known any better she would have sworn that the room had been built around the bed due to the way in which it engulfed two thirds of the room’s available space. Five full grown adults could have laid in it side by side and still there would have been space left over. The only other item in the sparsely filled room was a bedside cabinet complete with lamp.

  In the wall opposite the huge bed a door led to what looked like a walk in closet. Chocolate linen on the bed and slatted blinds at the window were the only other decor aside from a shockingly positioned mirror that covered every visible inch of the ceiling.

  Straining her neck at her own reflection Darla blushed, fully aware of the only possible reason behind having such an item, especially in such a strategically positioned place.

  Noting the direction of her gaze Quinn coughed uncomfortably. “I inherited it from the previous tenant. Don’t expect you to believe me. Don’t really care either way.”

  Turning around he left the room without further comment leaving Darla alone with nothing but her reflection. He may very well have inherited it but oh boy, it was so him.

  Following him into the lounge she leant against the door. “I am kind of tired and it’s been a really long day. Do you mind if I turn in?”

  “Go ahead, the bed’s all yours. I’ll take the couch.”

  “But that’s not right, it’s your bed.” She protested.

  “It’s fine.” He assured her.

  The tone of his voice said it was anything but fine. Being saddled with her was by no means his idea of fun but having to give up his bed also, well that was just adding salt to the wound.

  “Couldn’t we just share it?” Noticing the instant his shoulders stiffened She hurriedly explained, “I mean we’re both adults and the bed is enormous, perhaps we could put pillows down the middle?”

  Quinn almost laughed outright at the preposterous idea. As if a few pillows would hold him back once she was lying right beside him. Did she have no idea of her appeal? “Just take the damn bed Darla,” he snapped.

  “If it’s easier I can take the sofa. I really don’t mind.” Darla offered oblivious to the conflicting thoughts battling in his mind.

  Desperate for some kind of respite from his perpetual state of arousal Quinn’s patients finally gave way. “I do mind.” Pivoting to face her, his eyes flashed with anger. “Jeez’ nothing’s ever easy with you is it? Just take the Goddamn bed and give me some fucking peace. It’s been a long day for both of us.”

  “Fine! Goodnight!” With the frosty tone Darla stormed into the bedroom just barely refraining from slamming the door. Dropping down on the bed she clenched her fists and silently fumed at her reflection.

  He really was the most aggravating and annoying of men!

  Deciding to leave the door ajar so as the room filled with a soft glow from the lounge, she climbed into bed, her body wound tight as a coiled spring. Two years! Two years of her life had been empty of all emotion and now this arrogant, stubborn, pig-headed man seemed hell-bent on igniting her temper at every chance that he got.

  Reeling in her anger with a couple of deep calming breaths, Darla sank further into the incredible comfort of the bed allowing its warmth and softness to sooth away all her frustration. Drawing the covers higher Quinn’s scent engulfed her, wrapping around her body like a second skin. A glowing warmth spread from inside, and realising just how weary she truly was, Darla drifted into a deep sleep haunted with visions of Quinn dressed in nothing but a towel.

  While she slept peacefully, Quinn’s thoughts were far from calm. For the past hour his eyes had been fixed on the gap leading to his room. The faint glow from the lounge highlighted the figure of the woman lying beneath his sheets. The faint rise and fall of the covers a tell-tale sign she was sleeping.

  Raking his hand through his hair he quickly swallowed back another gulp of the fiery amber liquid, her suggestion of them sharing the bed still plaguing his thoughts.

  Was she so oblivious to her own beauty that she had no idea of the effect it had on others, and boy did it have effect! Just the thought of her lying there in his bed and his painful response was once again pushing against the fly of his pants, protesting of its confinement. What if he were to give in to his basic instincts and storm her peaceful sanctuary. Would she welcome him? She’d not rejected his kiss earlier but was that just due to the element of surprise. And what if she were to welcome him? What about afterwards? When she found out what he was – his true origins. Would there be condemnation, disgust? Quinn knew better than most how humans viewed his kind. To her the name of his species would be
abhorrent. Demon!

  Silently moving to the open doorway he stared down at her peaceful sleeping form. Her jet black hair splayed out over his pillows coating them in her scent. Her head tilted beck slightly and her lips parted as if awaiting a lover’s kiss.

  Shit! What he really needed right now was air – fresh cooling air. Deep cleansing lungful’s of the stuff to clear his head and stop him from doing something crazy. Leaving the bottle and glass on the kitchen counter Quinn blinked twice and vanished from the room, rematerializing on the roof of the apartment block.

  * * * *

  Transporting was so much easier alone. All the logistics of weight, DNA separation and of course the occasional vomiting it induced simply became irrelevant. Moving himself from one place to another was second nature to him.

  Hopping up on to the low ledge that defined the edged of the flat roof, Quinn crouched down on his haunches, arms resting on his knees, drinking in the sounds and smells of the city. Night time was when central really came alive. Buzzing with a pulse all of its own. The inhabitants of the city generally preferred the twilight hours in which to go about their business. Considering that most of the business performed here was of a shady nature it was the perfect time, shrouded in the cover of darkness.

  Daylight hours brought a more sedate pace of life to the sinister city, transforming Central into a much quieter and safer place. But it was during the night- where danger lurked in every corner- that Quinn felt more a part of the city that he had learnt over time to call home.

  From high on the rooftop, he could easily observe the people below, scurrying along in the shadows, weaving in and out of the darkness. Females of the night worked their doorways, not only selling their services but more often than not, performing them right where they stood. Central was a cruel, harsh city that fed on the weak and destroyed the innocent. Wishing neither for the woman that lay sleeping in his bed Quinn could only hope that Maisey would relocate her somewhere not only far enough away from the temptation she presented but also somewhere safe.