by V Domino
I hold up my hand, halting Draven's comeback.
"Enough. Draven is right, I'm not here for anything other than some information, Mayfly. I need to know if you've done any business with the witches, an elder to be exact."
Mayfly's eyes flare with interest before he nods to his bodyguards. The men usher everyone out of the private VIP section, "Right this way."
We follow the Nymph up the stairs but we don't speak until the doors are closed. Remembering the moth, I put a finger to my lips and begin looking around the small room. Can't be too careful where Merelda is concerned.
"What are you looking for, beautiful?" Mayfly says as he pours himself a drink.
"Black moths. They're the familiars of Merelda Hound."
Mayfly freezes but brushes it off quickly and if I hadn't been watching him I wouldn't have caught it. Please tell me I won't have to kill this guy.
"What do you want with the Elder?" he asks with false nonchalance.
"She took something that belongs to me and I want it back," I tell him coldly, the less details with this dude, the better. I don't want or need him having any kind of leverage over me because I will do almost anything to get Drug back.
"Mhmm." Mayfly sips his drink as he watches us from over the rim.
"Where is the other dog, your mate? He was very possessive last time I saw him. It seems rather peculiar that he isn't here with you considering it's me you're visiting with."
I hate lying so I choose to stay silent with my brow cocked. I'm giving the cunning prick ten seconds to start talking or I use my newfound gifts on him.
Lifting one finger, I begin counting and as each finger lifts, I let my pretty black flames lick on each digit.
Mayfly chokes on his drink at little as I count, "One, two, three, four..."
"Fucking hell, Crow. Put the flames away. I'll tell you what I know about Merelda but I want something in return."
Draven chuckles before pouring himself a drink and sitting back like he's enjoying the show.
"What is it you want?" I ask warily. If he asks for a blowie, I'll bite the thing off. Yep, definitely have a thing for dick removals.
Mayfly smiles salaciously and licks his lips like he's about to eat a full course meal at a five star restaurant and I'm internally groaning. I used to think Mayfly was stupid handsome and while I still do, this wicked man does nothing for my lady parts.
Draven looks like he's hoping the Nymph says something disrespectful so he can tear into him but I have an inkling that the fucking twinkle in Mayfly's eye has nothing to do with me.
"I have a feeling you’ll bring me what I seek most."
The fuck?
I stare at him for a moment, waiting for the weirdo to elaborate but he waits for me to agree. This guy is nuts.
Draven's eyebrows are practically in his hairline as he holds the cup to his mouth, like the ominous response made him pause mid drink.
"Well, do we have a deal?"
"What kind of information are we talking here and what is it you seek most?"
Mayfly bellows with laughter like a maniac and I'm seriously questioning his mental stability at this moment until he opens his mouth and practically throws Drug a life preserver.
"Why, I'm offering you her location and as for what I seek... That's my business." That last part is said with the face of the deadly man he is beneath his charming exterior.
Whatever.
"Fine." I take his hand and seal the deal.
Paralyzing the body while keeping a victim conscious of every moment you torture them is similar to suffering a fate in the belly of Hell. Letting the victim feel every tear and rip of their bodies while keeping them immobile is one of the most gruesome punishments and it takes a special person to give it.
The victim will not only feel the pain but will watch as their limbs are torn from their bodies and see their insides litter the ground but they can't do shit about it except pray for a death that won't come and scream for mercy that won't be granted.
I've seen such things happen within the gates of Hell and I'm immensely grateful I'm only a guard, yet saddened that I can't do shit about it. Honestly though, most of the victims there are some of the worst and most despicable people in all the realms.
Humans and supernaturals know the difference between right and wrong, they know the consequences of their choices but fool themselves by saying, there is no hell, no afterlife. Well, good for you, just do me a favor and keep your cries down when you arrive.
I on the other hand am currently suffering a similar fate only my repentance, or lack thereof, is not what put me here.
Another lash opens on my back as Merelda circles me with a sneer on her face. She's a demented motherfucker who would be perfect as the bride of the devil. Honestly, the bitch is fucking crazy.
I receive twenty lashes before the invisible whip stops. My wounds begin to stitch back together and in an hour I'll be healed once more but my abilities are weakened within the cave's stones.
Merelda cackles and my eardrums cringe at the sound.
"I'd rather take more lashes than to hear your brittle fucking vocal chords. Can you shut the hell up?" I'm weak and in excruciating pain but I won't let it show. My hands are bound with simple rope and I'm certain I could easily break them but Merelda has my little sister as bait.
That thought has my Hellhound stirring inside me. I can feel my eyes glowing but Merelda smiles wickedly, "Ah, ah, wouldn't want Elsie to suffer for your lack of control, would you?"
She rubs her hands together like the wicked witch of the west. What a cliche.
"How the hell are you an Elder, you demented old hag? Do they not see your corruption or have you put them under a spell?"
If there's one thing Merelda loves, it's bragging and I'm hoping this broad will sing like a canary and give me something useful for when I'm free. I know my Black Bird is coming and she'll bring Hell with her.
"Even better, little dog. They're all dead!" She cackles again like she just told a delightful story.
"I had them killed ages ago, when they broke the curse on the Blood Crows. Those useless, ignorant leaders felt like showing mercy to the disgusting blood drinkers so I had to teach them a lesson in mercy... or lack of!" She giggles.
I want to rip my ears off. Better yet, I want to slash her throat until her gurgles are the only sounds to reach my tired ears.
Merelda weaves her fingers through the air and my bindings fall to the floor. I wish I could attack her but I will not risk Elsie.
"How did you bring Elsie back?" I ask her as she points to the chains hanging from the stone wall.
When I woke up I remembered the little girl who tried to warn me to run. When I asked Merelda about her and with glee she told me the kid was my sister. I tried attacking the bitch then and that's when she began to squeeze the power out of my sister. Elsie's screams of pain were enough to keep me from attacking Merelda again.
Soon though, I will make Merelda scream louder and hopefully break those horrendous chords.
"Such a stupid family my worthless son created. You all fell for love and it's weakness therefore you all were easy to fool. She never died. I kept her safe until her powers could be useful to me. Blame your cunt of a mother, she's the reason you all are so weak."
I laugh loudly, not with joy, and spit on the ground.
"You claim my mother made us weak but it's you who needs us. You use Elsie because she's more powerful than you. You brought me and my brothers topside because you can't kill the Crows. You are the weak one, Merelda." I laugh at the lunacy of it all.
My back tears open again as she uses her magic to cut at my skin in her anger but it doesn't stop my mocking laughter.
Once I'm close to the chains, Merelda uses her power to lock my wrists in the cuffs and stand before me with rage written in her deceivingly youthful features.
"I tasked you, Drug. Kill the Crows and be reborn."
&nbs
p; Whatever the fuck that means. I don't care anymore, I'm sick of her fucking voice and my body is hurting so badly that I just want to pass out.
"I worry not, the Crows are coming with the Hounds in the rear. Your threats are for naught, your end is near."
I feel something in the corner of the darkened room with us. It feels familiar and comforting. I turn, looking into the darkness just as Merelda storms from the room, her black robe flowing behind her.
The feeling gets stronger and soon, I feel her. Ronny is watching me. She's here.
You can see us? Her voice rings out in my head and I feel my neck burn with something, probably a slash closing.
No but I can sense you and hear you, it feels so good too. Hearing her beautiful voice soothes the ache in my soul. My Hellhound stirs and helps my body heal faster.
I drop my head on a groan as my body mends but the heat in my neck spreads throughout my body. It doesn't burn though it's just... strange.
Ronny's inner voice breaks with a sob and my heart squeezes tightly. Fuck making Merelda scream, I'm gonna rip her throat out for making my Bird cry.
Don't cry, Black. I'm okay, just healing very slowly. This room is made of something that dampens my abilities and these cuts aren't what hurts. She's using Elsie to keep me tamed. She locked her in a cage and threatened to drain her of her power. She did it once until Elsie passed out while screaming.
My vision is blackening like I'm on the verge of passing out. I can feel that my body is almost healed which is strange because in the hours that I've been here I haven't been able to heal this quickly.
We'll find you Drug. I promise and we'll get Elsie out of there too. I can hear the raw emotion in Ronny's voice but she has my head popping up at her next words,
I love you.
The feel of her presence is gone but the smirk on my face stays put. I knew she'd give in to my charms. Damn, I really must be suffering from blood loss if I'm here complimenting myself.
The black dots in my sight expand and soon I'm unconscious but Ronny's three word sentence plays on repeat, giving me a sense of peace and a reprieve from this hell.
Darren shows up at the club not long after the deal is made with Rory, Rox and Drac behind him. Of course, Mayfly is a wanted criminal in the supernatural world but Darren has promised to overlook it since he wants Merelda's head on a platter.
Speaking of, I make a mental note to speak to Mayfly about a necromancer for Darren's mate.
"So you're saying Merelda's cave is actually an underground tomb within the Lafayette Cemetery? Why would she desecrate witch graves for that? She is an Elder."
We wait for Mayfly to answer Darren's question but the Nymph shrugs and confuses us further.
"Is she really an Elder or has she created the illusion of being one? Think about it. When have you ever seen the Elders outside of their castle?" He looks around the room waiting for an answer from us now.
He's right, I've never seen the Elders out in the streets. They've never come to enact their rules or to make sure their bounty hunters are doing their jobs. They don't come to any of the gatherings or meetings, in fact, they only send Merelda when or if she's needed.
"That's impossible, I've spoken to the Freda, the Wolf Elder and the Fae Elder multiple times. They can't be illusions." Darren sounds unsure even as he says this.
Mayfly just shrugs, "Whatever the case may be... Merelda doesn't follow the rules. Her location is within the witches domain but her rule is a desecration... why do you think the witches have found sanctuary on the outskirts?"
"He's right Dare Bear," Mayfly scoffs at the endearment but Roxy ignores him, "I've always wondered why there was so much prejudices against Blood Crows even as they send us out to do their dirty work. It makes sense now. Merelda hates us so either she's spelled the Elders to see her side or they're not even alive and she uses their energy to make illusions."
Everyone is quiet for a moment as we absorb this new information.
"I want to open her throat and see if her vocal cords look as old as they sound." Roxy murmurs to Drac who nods vigorously, giving her one of his split smiles.
Mayfly snaps his fingers and one of his many guards comes forth with maps. Unrolling the paper, Mayfly begins to mark routes and paths through the cemetery. There are over seven hundred tombs and each one could be the entrance to Merelda's hideout.
"Do you know which tomb she uses or just a general area?" I question as the Nymph continues to make markings. On closer inspection though, I see he's not making marks, nor is he using a pen. How did I not see this?
Mayfly ignores my question as he pours a black powder around the circumference of the cemetery. Once both sides of the circle touch, he looks at me.
"No I don't and the general area is the entire cemetery. I see your Mate's mark on your arm, have you found your magic yet?"
I quickly cover my tattoo like his mentioning of it will somehow mess it up.
"Yes, we did. Why?"
“Then it's you and your sisters who will need to speak the location chant and it will need blood from your mate or one of his brothers."
Both Draven and Drac bite into their palms and let the blood flow onto the map. Right in the center before pulling back.
"We don't know the chant."
"You play toss the bones, no? It's like that. You repeat his name while picturing him. Your sisters will be your grounding.”
Okay, I can do that. Taking the hands of my sisters, I take a deep breath and will my power to the surface. I picture Drug's face as I told him I loved him, I picture the cave he's in and the wounds that bled freely. I picture his lips moving against my skin and how his fingers tug on my hair. I can almost feel his lips against mine, silently repeating his name as I speak it.
Something tickles my nose and when I open my eyes, not realizing I had closed them, I see I'm levitating. I look at the my sisters whose eyes are white while they stay seated on their chairs like my levitation doesn't affect them. Hmm, they really are grounded.
I continue to chant softly and watch the blood flow from the center of the map to the west end of the cemetery until it stops at a small burial plot.
I stop chanting and drop to my seat. That was crazy and I totally want to do it again.
"Of course, she uses a tomb that's totally inconspicuous."
"Really? I would have thought the powerful witch would have chosen a tomb fit for a queen." Roxy says while tapping her chin like she's pondering the meaning of life.
"What matters is how many traps does she have for unwanted visitors?"
"Good question my dear Rory." Mayfly says as Draven flashes Hellfire in his eyes, a threat the Nymph understands clearly but smiles at nonetheless.
I'm starting to think Mayfly has a kink for threats.
"I've only known her to use one entrance and as for traps, I'm certain her wards are vicious enough to kill but she wants to kill you so I say we hand one of you lovely ladies over to her."
Draven and Drac jump to their feet immediately, smoke pouring from their flared noses as they growl at Mayfly but I stand between them and the Nymph.
"He's right. If she thinks he has caught a Crow for her and wants to make a bargain with her, she'll drop the ward for a moment to let him pass. That'll be our window into her domain. You four can go in cloaked behind us and once we're with Drug we can fight."
"You said our powers don't work in there," Draven says unconvinced of this plan.
"That's what I thought when I first had the vision but when I actually spoke to Drug this time he said his power was weakened but it was the threat to Elsie that kept him from fighting back."
Fuck, I hadn't meant to let that slip.
"Threat to Elsie!?" Drac shouts as Draven goes still as a statue.
"Yes, she is Merelda's power source but draining her of her powers hurts Elsie so in order to prevent that, Drug doesn't fight back. I didn't tell you guys before because I didn't want
you going on a rampage without a plan. Now we have one."
"She's right, Dray." Rory places a comforting hand on Draven's shoulder, making him soften a little... not much though.
"Fine, Bird, but don't ever keep information from us again."
I nod sharply. What can you do? If it were my sisters in that situation, I would have killed the person withholding that from me as well.
Draven takes a seat again, "Merelda isn't stupid. She'll know Ronny is too stubborn to turn herself in willingly so how do you plan to fool her?"
Ouch. But he's right, I am too stubborn.
I hate the smug look that crosses Mayfly's face as he looks me up and down like I'm a meal, "There's a few options here, one; we have beautiful sex and you become mine then I tell the old witch that you'll do anything I say and I'd like to strike a deal with her for your pretty little head."
The guys, including Darren, growl at that while my sisters and I roll our eyes. It's not really a surprise he's using this situation to get a good fuck out of me.
"Or?" I motion with my hand for him to move on to another option.
"Or, if you want to be boring, you can just pretend you're under my spell. You'll have to make it believable or she'll see right through the charade." He licks his lips and quirks a brow at me.
Oh boy, this guy.
"That'll work brilliantly!" Roxy exclaims, "Now can we go? I'm bored and my fangs are aching for some action."
Much to her dismay, we ignore her griping.
"Make it worth it for her and offer me as well." Darren says. I'm sure he just wants to make sure I'm safe and get his pound of flesh.
"Do you want to pretend to be under my spell too or perhaps you'd really like a go at it?" There's no fucking bounds with Mayfly.
"Down, boy. Just pretend you knocked me unconscious with some poppy or something when I came to dissuade Ronny from you."
Mayfly ponders that for a moment then nods, "That'll work."
Great, now we can finally take the bitch down.
"How will we get out of there once we have Drug and Elsie? Won't the wards be back in place?" Drac asks seriously.