by Raven Steele
I took a deep breath, stopping my thoughts from spiraling. I had to find out the truth first before I made assumptions. If Luke was right, then Samira could be trusted. For some reason, I had to know that first, before I killed Silas. I was just beginning to open myself up to others, beginning to trust them. She’d helped me, or so I thought. Was it right to trust her?
Besides, I had everything in place. First Silas, then the biggest monster of them all—Dominic. I was so close, I could taste his blood on the back of my throat. I just needed a little more time.
Time I could take. If they really believed I had the blood, they would’ve already tortured the location out of me. For now, I was safe.
It was well into the night when we reached Fire Ridge. Most of the pack had already left, which gave me another clue that Silas had plans for me. But I didn’t mind, as long as we were alone. I could handle him if he tried anything stupid again.
After I exited the SUV, Silas motioned for me to follow him. “We’re going another way. Follow me.”
He headed away from the mansion toward the forest beyond, typing into his phone with one hand. Probably telling Dominic we had arrived. I stopped briefly and stared at the front door to the house, wondering if I should tell at least Ryder I was here.
"I said, follow me,” Silas snapped as he put away his phone, looking back at me like a master angry at his pup. He was breathing quickly, much the same way he had when we were driving to the restaurant earlier. Whatever he had planned, he was getting excited about it. And that meant that I was going to hate it.
I followed slowly behind him, a growing sickness twisting my gut. The mansion was growing further and further away. I inhaled a slow breath. That could be good for me. No reason to panic just yet.
We approached the woods, but Silas kept walking, taking us deeper into the black. My wolf vision took over, noting that all the animals were scurrying away from us.
“Where are we going?"
His only answer was the sound of leaves crunching beneath his footfalls. He stopped by a thick, gnarled tree and bent down, brushing aside a pile of dead leaves to reveal a circular iron door.
"What is this, Silas?"
He lifted it, unveiling a circular staircase leading down. The darkness within was all encompassing and screamed sociopath lair. Plus—tight space. "This is weird. I'm out of here."
“But don't you want to join Ryder?"
I stopped mid-step and turned back around. "Ryder? Why would he be down there?"
“When he found out we wanted to ask you some questions, he said he wanted to be there. He’s a loyal friend.”
The way he said loyal made pin pricks explode all up and down my spine. Had they questioned Ryder and found out about our connection? Had Silas already tortured Ryder down in that hole? Surely I would’ve sensed it if he had.
But I had to know, and I didn’t want to do it alone.
“Why don’t we have Luke or Gerald join us? The more the merrier for a Q and A session, right?”
“They’re busy, but there are cameras down there. Pack members are watching.” There was a muddy gleam in his eye, one I hadn’t seen before. He was lying. “Now get down there. You’re wasting my time.”
Everything about this situation felt jacked up. Why would he question Ryder all the way out here? In an underground bunker? There was only one comforting thing about that dark hole. I glanced back at the mansion. It was secluded and being underground, probably soundproof. I could kill Silas. Blame it on the Greybacks. This could be my best opportunity. Maybe my only one.
As I stepped into the narrow stairwell, terror washed over me. I gripped the sides of the rail, holding my breath as darkness swallowed me. The walls seemed to be closing in and sweat dripped down my sides. I rushed, hurrying down the stairs before nausea could take over.
"Good girl,” he said. The sound of his cane hitting the stairs as he walked behind me echoed in the concrete encased hole.
Cold blackness greeted me at the bottom of the stairs and it took a few seconds for my night vision to adjust. My heart was pounding and I clutched the wall, feeling dizzy. Silas finally reached the bottom, and I sprung up, not wanting him to know that I’d been freaking out. The tunnel walls were all made of concrete and smelled surprisingly clean, not at all like we were underground. The concrete floors looked recently swept too.
"There's a door at the end. Go through it."
I turned toward it, my heart thumping against my rib cage. I traced my hand down the wall as sickness threatened to overcome me. My instincts were screaming all kinds of warnings. I reminded myself that I would never let him have power over me again. If he tried playing some sick game, he was dead.
After walking maybe thirty feet, I reached a steel door. I fumbled with the handle, anxious to get into a space bigger than the tunnel.
“Step aside.” Silas removed a key from his pocket.
I sucked up against the concrete as he passed by me. His body held no scent. Odd for a shifter. Odd for anyone, actually.
Sliding the key into the lock, he turned it, opening a heavy latch. The door groaned, an eerie sound in this darkness, as he pushed it open. He flipped on a light, illuminating a space much bigger than the tunnel.
Blinking, I quickly stepped inside and filled my lungs with air, but it caught in my chest when I saw where we were. The entire room was encased by concrete like the tunnel. There wasn’t a speck of dirt to be found. I couldn’t even smell dust, only the faint aroma of some kind of floral chemical. There was a table pressed against the back wall, with two chairs neatly arranged under it. A small black suitcase lay on the table, lined up perfectly with the wall behind it.
A single metal chair sat in the center of the room. It had been bolted to the floor. Chains lay looped in a perfect circle next to it. I couldn’t see any other doors, nor were there any other tunnels branching off. There were also no cameras that I could see.
"Where's Ryder?"
"Back at the mansion where he belongs." Silas closed the door, sealing us in this tomb together. “Have a seat.”
“I’ll stand.” I watched him carefully, waiting for whatever surprise he had in store for me. My wolf hummed just under the surface, ready to take over when I needed her.
His eyes burned into me, and I could feel the buzz of his excitement running through the room. He placed his cane on top of the table. “I gave you an order."
“I’m done taking your orders.”
He appeared in front of me. I blinked and stepped back, surprised. He grabbed my arm and yanked me close. “You’ve made that clear, but I assure you, following orders can bring the ultimate gratification, if you have the right master.”
“And you think you can be that man? Maybe bend me over your knee, give me a bare ass spanking with that whip of yours? I bet you’d like that.”
“There are other things that can be just as effective. Smaller things.”
“No thanks.”
He wrinkled his nose in disgust. “I was hoping you would be more…curious and maybe willing to have a little fun down here. I thought if you could, I would convince Dominic that you weren’t against the pack.” His eyes lit up. “But, believe me Briar, I’m not opposed to forcing your compliance.”
He gripped my arm tight and tried to shove me into the chair, but I didn’t budge. "I said, have a seat!”
"Go to hell."
He took two steps back, and eyed me up and down, assessing me with a frown. “I must admit, I’m disappointed.”
His breathing grew heavy, and his eyebrows drew close together. He reached behind his back and, pulling out a gun, pointed it directly at my chest. “This gun holds several silver bullets. If you disobey me again or even breathe wrong, I’ll drill you with them. Now take a fucking seat!”
Chapter 45
Very little could’ve stopped me from attacking Silas, but silver bullets were not something I screwed with. I had been shot with one several years back and bled so much, I nearly died.
The only thing that had saved me was me digging out the bullet so my body could finally heal. It was the worst pain I’d ever felt. I thought about going for the knives in my bra, but they would do nothing against his gun.
"How are you going to explain this to the pack?" I asked.
"Sit. Down." He motioned toward the chair with the gun.
I remained standing. "When they find out what you’re doing to me—”
“Luke isn’t coming for you!” He pulled the trigger, screaming. The loud pop hurt my ears, but a heartbeat later all I could think about was the exploding pain in my shin. A silver bullet had pierced the bone, and my whole lower leg throbbed. I dropped to the floor, moaning and gripping at the wound.
He bent over and grabbed my shirt, pulling me close to growl in my ear. “You think Luke is going to save you?” He grinned, as if expecting me to be surprised. “The errand I sent him on will keep him busy all night long. If he ever returns.”
I groaned, still reeling in pain. “What did you do to him?”
“I only did what I have the right to do.”
“Which is what?”
“I know you’ve grown close to him, that he’s helping you.” Reaching down, he grabbed my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. They were furious. “I’m higher up in the pack than Luke. I get first rights on any new pack members, and that arrogant son of a bitch wanted you for himself. But you are mine. I’m supposed to get first rights!”
I blinked, wiping his spit off my face. “And Samira?”
I had to know her role in all this.
“She was in on it with Luke, I’m sure. Only an old and powerful vampire like her could’ve compelled those Greybacks.”
So she had been helping me. I could trust her after all.
He shoved my head back. “Now, get in the chair, or I’ll put another…” He abruptly stopped talking and eyed me up and down with a slimy gaze. “Actually, take off your clothes first. I want to see your naked skin covered in red.”
I sucked in a hitched breath at the request, stunned.
“Now.”
Every part of me rebelled against the request, but I couldn’t risk getting shot again. I needed the last of my strength if I was ever going to gain the upper hand. Reluctantly and carefully, I removed my clothing, scowling as Silas watched on, licking his lips and adjusting his crotch.
When I was finished, he motioned the gun toward the seat. “Get in.”
Small movements racked my limbs as I climbed my way onto the hard chair. My jaw clenched hard when I had to slide my leg over and accidentally hit it on the chair’s metal leg. I sucked in a breath, trying hard to relax. My wolf was growling and furious, but the silver prevented her from revealing herself.
“Wrap those chains around your leg and lock them.”
I was deliberately slow as I did as he asked. Any chance of attacking him from this far away was out of the picture. Somehow, I had to draw him in closer, but he was smart. Smarter than I gave him credit for.
With my teeth clenched, I growled, "Why are you doing this? I've only ever done what was asked of me."
His eye twitched and nostrils flared. "Did you like what you saw?"
“What?”
“In the hidden room. Did you like the... knickknacks?" His gaze flickered to the chains. “Lock them.”
He backed up further and began to unscrew the top of his cane with just one hand, his fingers moving expertly as if it was something he had practiced. When I didn’t lock the chains, he raised the gun again.
I moved to obey, even though it was hard to form a rational thought. The pain was running up my leg and into my thigh now.
I whimpered a little, dragging my foot closer to the leg of the chair. I locked it and looked up at him, just as he was setting his cane on the table. My eyes filled with intense heat. I couldn't wait to tear him apart.
“Answer me.” He put one of his hands behind his back, hiding something.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. The room was empty.”
“Other leg. Chain it good. Then get your arm.” He stepped closer to me. “I know you saw them.”
He was slowly taking away any chance I might have at battling him.
And he knew it.
“The room was empty,” I insisted. I fumbled with the chain, still writhing in pain.
“Don’t lie to me!” His scream echoed through the chamber and his eyes were frantic, unreadable, as he came toward me. “I hate liars. I had higher expectations for you, Briar. You could’ve ruled alongside us, a mighty weapon in our arsenal. But when you lie to me, I can’t trust you.”
I snarled, severely pissed off. No one yelled at me.
Time to shift.
I called on the ancient power that coursed through my blood. I didn’t exactly understand it, but I knew it was strong. Strong enough to climb up the slippery, stone walls of an old well as a child. Strong enough to snap Silas in two.
“You’re right,” I seethed. “I saw the jars, you disgusting pile of shit.” I looked up then, prepared to reveal myself to Silas just before I took his life. But he was staring at the ground as he walked behind me.
“Unfortunately,” he began, “it’s too late for you. I just can’t trust you like I’d hoped.”
Before I could get him to see the ancient power glowing in my eyes, a sharp sting pierced the back of my neck, followed by a cool liquid rushing into my veins.
“What the…?” My wolf disappeared. Just gone like she had been sucked away in a tornado. My head began to spin, and my vision blurred. It dawned on me in that moment where Silas had been hiding the needles he’d been using on the human. In his cane, of course. “What did you do?”
He locked the last of the chains around me and moved back, watching me curiously. He no longer looked angry.
I lifted my eyebrows trying to get my eyes to focus.
Silas smoothed back my hair. “There is one way you can help me. And it’s convenient since Dominic is hesitant to try the Scorpion’s Breath on any of the wolves in the pack.” He smiled. “I would’ve preferred to use it on someone else, but since you are a lying bitch, you will do just fine.”
He cocked his head. “Tell me, how do you feel?”
My muscles had relaxed, and I sunk into the chair. I probably would’ve fallen off if my legs hadn’t been strapped to the chair.
“I feel good. Like I’m air.” My voice was deeper than usual. Was it even my voice? I stared up at the white ceiling. I think I was smiling. I felt like I was smiling.
“Now that you’re being more cooperative, let’s start over. Tell me, how did you do it?”
My eyes rolled into the back of my head. The room had turned pink. No, orange. The ceiling swirled into a dark storm. It started to rain, and I tried to reach up to catch the drops in my hand, but my arms wouldn’t budge. A sharp pain erupted in my leg, bringing me back to the concrete room.
Silas stood in front of me. “I must know. How did you get the briefcase?”
I laughed in a voice that was not my own. It was too shrill, too manic. I began talking. I couldn’t stop. The words just fell from my mouth like water over a cliff.
I told him everything. My alliance with Ryder, my uncle, and even how Samira and Luke had helped me. I confessed how I had warned the Greybacks and gave him their location. I hated that I was talking, but I wasn’t in control any longer. It never dawned on me that I would be the one to ruin my own plan.
The room burst into colors and sparks lit up around me. I jumped, trying to claw my way out of the chair, afraid I would catch fire.
Silas grabbed me, holding me still. “But why? Why spend so much effort to destroy us?”
The scene in the room changed. I was back in the woods. The smell of sweet rolls and homemade root beer filled the air. Music echoed through the trees. Violins, cellos, and French horns hummed a sweet lullaby and angels came from heaven to hear them. I looked around me, amazed at the white satin ribbons and sheer drapes that weaved th
eir way through the tops of the trees. The whole place was glowing. I danced below them, twirling my dress round and round.
My brothers, Stefano and James, were with me. They were laughing and talking excitedly. Our mother came to shush us. It was time. I could barely stay in my seat.
The music changed: a familiar sound I’d heard last summer when my aunt was married. A moment later my favorite person in the world appeared at the end of the row. My soon-to-be new sister, Sarah. My other brother, Will, waited for her at the end of a small platform. She walked down the aisle, smiling brilliantly, and when she winked at me, I giggled.
Everything was beautiful. The world was perfect.
They stood together beneath a wooden arch, graced with ivy and lilacs. A preacher spoke about finding your true mate, and how important it was to find that special someone to spend the rest of your life with.
I couldn’t wait to find my true mate.
But then, everything changed.
Satin ribbons dripped red, screams of terror replaced the violins, and the smell of copper and gunpowder polluted the air.
Rain dropped, falling from the dark sky above me, releasing its pent up rage. Or maybe it was me. Was I crying?
“Keep talking.”
Was I talking? I wasn’t sure, but the memories kept coming, battering my mind like a spiked wrecking ball. I cried out as the pain from the memories ripped me to shreds. I clung to the shoulders next to me, screaming.
Suddenly Dominic was there, holding my small hand to prevent me from running away, and I sat upright.
This. This was something new. Something I hadn’t remembered before.
He was forcing me to watch Silas, who was bent over Will’s body. Silas’ eyes gleamed in the night, and he stabbed and stabbed. Stabbing Will everywhere, except for in the place that would kill him.
My shoulders shook, and I sobbed as I remembered Sarah, laying near Will, and in so much pain. She couldn’t save my brother; Silas had shattered her legs. She watched helplessly but didn't cry. She was so strong. Instead, she whispered words of strength and encouragement to my brother.