“I promised not to hurt you, remember?” he asked.
I nodded again, but had a hard time believing him. I didn’t feel any deception from him, but I hadn’t felt it from Thomas either. And look where that got me.
“You should try to resist being captured,” he suggested.
Duh. What the hell was wrong with me? I was scared to death, that’s what.
I kicked his shin, making him roll his eyes. He grabbed my arm and spun me around, pinning my back against his chest. “Make it beautiful, little mage,” he breathed in my ear.
My stomach folded into a million knots. He wanted me to hurt him, but could I?
“Don’t force me to make you angry.”
“You’ll have to,” I hissed. “I can’t just stab you.”
“Do you know what happens if I bite you and inject my venom into your veins?” His lips brushed my neck, and I tensed.
“Of course I do.”
“Then why aren’t you trying to stop me?” His breath on my neck made my heart race and not in a bad way. What the hell? His fangs punching through skin and muscle snuffed out everything except my fear and memories of the last vampire who tried to turn me.
I drew forth my short spear and drove it through Braden’s thigh, but he didn’t release his grip or his fangs. I pulled another weapon from the air, stabbing his other leg. His mouth withdrew from my neck with a howling laugh and he threw me into the air. I squealed as my head brushed the low ceiling. Before I realized I was falling, his arms wrapped around me again, this time pinning my elbows at my sides. My face was inches from his, and there was no missing the dark red eyes piercing mine.
“More,” he whispered.
I hadn’t released the first two weapons still protruding from his legs. I was tempted to pull the blood from his body but couldn’t bring myself to do it. If he really was an ally, I shouldn’t kill him, but there were too many mixed signals. This man was demented, yet somehow I was supposed to trust him. No, I was cooperating, not trusting.
Do you need my help, princess? Niyol asked, a strong breeze whipping down the damp hall. It was probably the first time the dungeon had seen fresh air in ages.
I don’t think so, Niyol, but if it looks like he’s going to hurt me, then by all means, jump in.
As the wind settled, I focused on creating a protective shield between me and Braden. A thin bubble of water rose from my feet, surging up my legs. It stopped when it reached the resistance between me and my capturer. I pushed harder, forcing it between us. Braden’s eyes widened when he finally noticed the thin barrier.
“Impressive,” he murmured a smile spreading across his face.
“Hold her, Braden!” Thomas yelled, finally catching up with us. “Oh shit! Unlock the door. Hurry before she gets away!” he shouted at the nearest guard.
The man fumbled with the keys, and Braden’s grip loosened around me, probably on purpose. I summoned two small shards of air, fisting one in each hand. My half-assed barrier fell away, leaving a puddle on the already damp floor.
“Do your worst, princess,” the vampire whispered, then licked the side of my neck.
Heat raced across my skin, and I pulled back both my arms as far as he would allow, then drove my weapons into his sides. They sliced through his jacket and shirt with ease, finding his flesh beneath. His head fell back as he screamed, but rather than let go of me, he crushed my body against his, driving the small weapons deeper. There was no way to avoid noticing his obvious desire pressing against my middle. He didn’t scream in anguish, but in ecstasy. My face flushed, but I wasn’t sure if it was anger or embarrassment. I twisted my weapons deeper into his sides, hoping to derail his passion. No such luck. His bulge throbbed against my lower stomach. What had I agreed to? Would I ever hurt him, or would it always be pleasure for him?
“Quick, take her inside!” Thomas yelled.
The panic in his voice almost made me laugh. Who was he afraid of? Me or the monster carrying me?
Braden stomped into the cell, not stopping until we reached the back wall. He slammed me into it hard enough to be convincing, but not really hurting me. His arms took most of the impact.
“My timeline just moved up,” he whispered. “I will have my full day with you sooner rather than later.”
“You’re disgusting,” I hissed.
He smiled, revealing the fangs hanging below his lip. “I’m a vampire,” he purred.
He snatched both my wrists with one hand and pulled them over my head, then turned towards the prince still lingering at the door. “You have restraints for her, I assume?”
“Oh, yes.” Thomas waved at the guards who slowly made their way across the room. A single torch hanging beside the door lit the space, leaving dark shadows in the farthest corners. The thought of being chained to the wall terrified me. I’d be at their mercy. Would Braden really allow them to do it? I struggled against his hold, kicking out at him but failing to connect. His grip tightened and he pulled me higher. My feet barely touched the ground, and my shoulders screamed with the strain.
“I will kill you!” I bellowed. “How dare you think you can do this to me. Where is Kellen?”
Thomas’ eyes darted to my left. I followed his gaze, and my heart dropped. My partner hung from chains connected to his wrists. The beautiful suit he wore to the party was mostly gone, and what was left was ruined. The only thing that remained was his dark trousers and leather shoes. Deep cuts crossed his exposed chest and dark bruises circled his waist. His chin rested against on his collar, and he didn’t move despite my yelling.
“You better hope he’s still alive,” I warned. “Because if he’s not, my wrath will be unending.”
“You’ll do nothing when I bring your vampire lover down here to hang next to him,” the prince snapped, raising his chin as if his fight was already won. Arrogant bastard.
“Did you hear nothing I said to you at the palace?” I asked.
His haughty look wavered. “If your elements cared for you the way you claimed, where are they now?”
The guards stopped halfway across the room, uncertainty wavering in their expressions.
“Do you really want that answer?” I asked in return. “I’m giving you a chance to walk away alive, except for him.” I kicked at Braden’s legs, but he dodged it easily. “He will die. I’ll give you the opportunity to change your ways and prove your loyalty. But that offer ends in ten seconds.”
“You don’t understand, Alisandra,” Thomas suddenly pleaded. “There’s no way to win against them.” He pointed at Braden, his finger shaking wildly. “We need to join the winning side or be slaughtered with the losers.”
I shook my head. Was there anything I could say to change his mind? Not likely, especially with Braden in the room pretending to be the enemy.
Niyol? Göksu? Will you help me?
Of course, child. I assume the vampire is an ally? my water elemental asked.
Just for today, I replied.
The cell door slammed shut and a thick layer of ice sealed it. The three mages jumped and spun towards the door.
“Last chance, Thomas,” I said.
The tension on my shoulders eased as Braden moved behind me, pulling my hands and his down around my waist. Did he just make me a human shield?
“You aren’t supposed to kill her, vampire,” Thomas squeaked, frantically glancing between me and the frozen door.
“You think to command me?” Braden asked. “Your heart is too weak to command your own men. You could never control me.”
The vampire’s grip tightened around me as my elementals took form. The prince’s pale face blanched to white when Niyol bore down on him.
“Protect your prince, you fools!” he screamed.
A rock wall sprung from the ground between Niyol and Thomas. I laughed at the idiocy. Niyol vanished, three tornados taking his place. The mages ran in opposite directions while my elemental chased them around the large cell, corralling them into a corner.
; Göksu went to Kellen, and I elbowed Braden.
“Let me go,” I hissed.
“We will have to kill the prince and his minions,” the vampire said, relaxing his hold but not releasing me. “They cannot tell Jack what has transpired here.”
“Whatever, you can just erase their memory.” I said, elbowing his ribs again. Logan had done it to me, surely Braden could do it to them. “Now let go.”
“And your elementals will not harm me?”
“No, not unless you piss me off,” I grunted, nodding in Niyol’s direction. One by one, the mages slammed against the wall and stuck like fly paper. “Why do you think he’s just toying with them? They aren’t a threat.”
“Just toying?”
Braden’s arms fell away, and I rushed to Kellen’s side. He still hung from his chains, but it didn’t stop Göksu from healing the lacerations across his skin.
“He has broken ribs and possibly a concussion,” my elemental said.
“Then we’ll heal his ribs before we release him,” I stated, placing my hands against his dark skin.
Göksu’s watery hand covered mine, and we pushed waves of healing into my partner. Loud cracks and pops elicited a pained groan from Kellen. My eyes darted from his chest to his face. He looked down at me beneath heavy eyelids.
“AJ?” he mumbled.
I ran my fingers up his neck and gently cupped the sides of his face. Bruises covered his left cheek, and I swallowed my anger for the prince.
“I’m here, and we’re taking you home,” I said.
His eyes closed for a moment then popped open again. “Thomas did this.”
I placed my fingers over his lips. “I know. I’ll take care of it.”
He laughed softly. “My little partner saving my ass.”
“Well, we can’t all be perfect,” I quipped. “Now be still so we can get you out of these chains.”
“Yes, princess,” he murmured.
His eyes drooped again, and I spun around, running into Braden’s chest.
“Move!” I commanded, pushing against him and looking for Niyol and his prisoners.
He took half a step and stopped. I huffed and looked up at him, immediately frowning at his stupid grin.
“I said, move.”
He stepped back and bowed. “Of course, princess.”
I mumbled a curse and crossed the space to the three mages plastered to the wall by Niyol’s torrent.
“Give me the keys.” I commanded again, holding my hand out the guards.
“I can’t move,” one of the men said through the corner of his mouth.
“Which pocket?” I asked.
“Right thigh,” he replied.
I closed the space between us and opened the cargo pocket on his thigh, retrieving a key chain with only two keys. I sprinted back to my partner and quickly realized I couldn’t reach the lock above his wrists.
“Well, shit.”
I turned back to Braden, just as he pulled his jacket from his shoulders. Blood stained his white shirt just above his belt. A moment of guilt assaulted me, but it didn’t last. He’d asked for it, then enjoyed it.
“Unlock his chains,” I said, holding the keys out to him.
Before he could protest my command, the ground beneath us shook. Braden was by my side instantly, keeping me from falling. Why? It’s not like he was capable of caring.
“The vampire will not touch him,” a low, rumbling voice said from behind me.
Braden’s eyes widened. Was that fear? I slowly turned to find the wide stone form of Kellen’s earth elemental standing between me and my partner. Everything else in the room was immediately forgotten.
“Really? Where the hell were you when these mages beat the shit out of my partner?” I bellowed. “You and that damn fire elemental abandoned him when he needed you! You should feel nothing but shame for your actions.”
The accused fire elemental flared into existence at earth’s side, brightening the room. “How dare you insult me!”
“How dare you let this happen to your mage and then have the audacity to deny someone who would help him.” I glared at the two of them, allowing my anger to overrun my fear of the two deadly beings standing in front of me. “Get out of my way.”
“I will release my mage, princess.” The earth elemental reached up with his stone hand and forced apart the iron links of Kellen’s chain. My partner fell into the elemental’s waiting arms. “We are not allowed to act against another mage without consent,” he rumbled.
“Are you telling me Kellen forbid you to protect him?” I asked, not believing that bullshit.
“No, he was unconscious the entire time. He could not give his consent.”
My hands fisted at my sides, my neck growing hot. I swiveled around to face the prince with nothing but death on my mind.
“You did this to him while he was unconscious?” I asked, closing the space between myself and the other mages. I shook with uncontrolled fury. “You cowards! You filthy, disgusting, cowards!”
Tears pooled in Thomas’ eyes, but I knew it was fear, not regret or remorse. Two shards of glass appeared in my hands, the edges slicing my palms from my grip. Who does that shit? How can someone be so heartless? A vampire, sure. Not a mage.
“Please Alisandra,” the prince whispered, his eyes darting from my hands to my face.
Too quick for him to see, I embedded the blades in each of his palms, shattering the bones. He screamed in agony, and I spun around on my heels. My entire body trembled with my rage. What was wrong with these people? The mages, the vampires, and even the damn elementals.
“All of you disgust me!” I roared. “Whose consent do you need to protect him? His or mine?”
Kellen moaned, and my anger abated. I rushed to him, still in earth’s stony arms.
“Kellen?” His eyelids fluttered with my voice. “Tell them to protect you, please.” I ran my fingers over his brow and kissed his cheek.
“Why the hell would I have to tell them that?” he mumbled, his eyes barely opening. Definitely a concussion, probably severe.
“That was my thought, too, but apparently they can’t think for themselves,” I replied.
“Yes, protection is good.” His eyes fell shut again, but his hand reached for me. I took his fingers in mine, and he sighed.
“Get him to the palace and make sure they do whatever is necessary to heal him,” I commanded, not taking my eyes from his face.
“Yes, princess,” the earth elemental said, moving toward the door. Kellen’s fingers slid from my hand.
Large chunks of ice crashed to floor, then the door swung open. The stone giant with my partner disappeared into the hall. He would be okay. He had to be. Despite the nonsense I spouted to Braden, I couldn’t lead the mages without Kellen.
A wave of heat brushed my back, and I spun around just in time to see a wall of fire smashing into Thomas and his two guards. The flames consumed them before they had a chance to cry out. I twirled again, looking for Braden and was surprised by my relief to see him standing by the door. He raised an eyebrow at me but remained silent.
“We needed them alive,” I spat, turning my rage on the fire elemental.
Flames surged around its humanoid form and its black eyes narrowed at me. “No, you don’t. Four other mages participated in this,” it said. “They will confess to their king when they realize the prince is dead.”
“You will protect my partner,” I ordered. “Just don’t be stupid about the threat.”
“If Earth had not stopped me earlier, all seven of them would’ve died before my mage sustained those injuries.” His intensity waned. “But I might have misjudged your elder vampire.”
“Yeah.” I glanced over my shoulder at Braden. “I’m still on the fence about that one, too, but he’s kept his word so far. Until that changes, he isn’t a threat.”
Braden leaned against the broken door frame with his jacket draped over his arm and smiled. How did he find any of this humorous? I shook
my head. This whole day sucked. Why couldn’t I just enjoy a great party? Because I wasn’t destined to enjoy anything, it seemed.
“Go with your mage and make sure he arrives at the palace. I still have to deal with the king.”
“Thank you, princess.” The fire elemental disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving me alone with Niyol, Göksu, and Braden.
Niyol’s wispy form fluttered around me ruffling my hair and cooling the stifling air. He solidified in front of me and tilted his head. “I wasn’t included in your disgust, was I?”
I smiled, exhaustion replacing my anger. “No. I love you too much for that,” I replied. “I’m sorry for losing my head.”
He wrapped his arms around me, and I fell into his soft touch. It was like hugging a fluffy pillow. Göksu’s soothing embrace joined Niyol’s, and my anger fell away.
Thank you, I said to my best friends.
What do you need from us, child?
Where is Logan? I asked, needing to know he was safe.
I believe he’s at home, Göksu replied.
Can you stay with him? I knew it was an unfair question. My water elemental shouldn’t be my vampire’s keeper, but I couldn’t help it.
Of course, child.
Thank you. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.
You don’t have to. I already know.
Our little huddle broke up, and Göksu cascaded into the floor. Niyol looked over my shoulder, and I turned to face Braden.
“I can kill him for you, Alisandra,” Niyol said, drifting towards the vampire.
Braden’s eyes widened, but he didn’t back away.
“What’s wrong, Braden? Don’t like the thought of being tortured by my elemental?” I teased, letting a smile cross my face.
He glanced at me, then Niyol. “Not especially, no.”
My elemental disappeared in a violent gust of wind, dragging the burned ashes of the three mages into the air. I covered my face with my hands and held my breath. I did not want to inhale someone’s ashes. The thought made me queasy and I headed for the door.
“That’s not funny, Niyol,” I grumbled. “We’ll find something to kill later.”
“A blood-thirsty elemental?” Braden mumbled, following me into the hall. “I didn’t think anything could surprise me, but you’ve proven me wrong several times today.”
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