Institute of Supernaturals: Savage Collects

by J. E. Cluney

  Nate growled and tightened his grip on me, but I just twisted in his arms.

  “I have to go,” I said gently as I pulled against his grip.

  ‘I can’t lose my mate,’ Nate murmured.

  I stopped once I sat up, his arms falling to the bed as he stared at me sadly.

  I just gave him a soft smile.

  ‘You won’t lose me. I’ll find a way out of here.’

  ‘I should be telling you that, but I’ve tried so many times,’ he said, his tone defeated.

  ‘Well I’m special,’ I said as I gave him a cocky grin.

  ‘I know you are.’ He managed a soft smile as he covered my hand with his.

  I took the moment to savor his touch, before sighing when Tubby grumbled.

  I stood up, snatching my panties off the bed and finding my bra in the sheets.

  My calf ached now, and I wondered how long it would take to heal. Just how deep had the injury been? It had looked pretty bad earlier.

  Time to see what the issue was.

  Maybe I was not fucking like a rabbit and he wanted me to just keep going until I conceived.

  Nate managed a soft snort at this, but the look of worry was evident on his face as Tubby tossed me some cuffs. I wondered vaguely if they were the same ones I’d cuffed him with, or if he’d gotten a new set.

  I did them up, waiting for him to open the cell door as the other males wolf-whistled at me. I’d barely even paid them any attention. From what I understood, Nate was the only decent one in here.

  The rest had twisted from their time spent here.

  I gave Nate one last, longing look as I followed Tubby out of the cell, praying I’d see him again.

  ‘You will,’ he promised.

  I’d hold him to it.

  I groaned groggily as the haziness in my head lifted.

  I tried to remember what had happened.

  I remembered leaving Nate’s cell, and heading into the hall with Tubby, but then magic hit me, and I was out like a light.

  Something cool dug into my wrists, and the cool surface behind my back made me shiver.

  I blinked through the blurriness, turning my head away from the light over my face.

  “She’s awake.”

  I cringed at the voice.

  The Collector.

  I attempted to sit up, but was held down by something across my waist.

  The blurriness cleared slowly, and I peered around the room.

  The Collector stood at the foot of the medical table, and I was strapped to it. My hands and feet were clasped down with metal cuffs, and a large strap was across my waist to hold me down.

  A tremor of unease moved through me as the Collector turned to his female assistant. She had a face mask on, and looked like a nurse about to perform a procedure.

  What the hell was going on?

  I strained against my restraints, growling softly as the Collector focused back on me.

  “Savage, relax. This won’t hurt. You’ve proved yourself to be a capable fighter, more than any of the other kitsunes. I like you. I wanted to use you for the breeding program, but I had another thought, something that’ll be of more benefit,” he said as he dragged a gloved finger up my leg as he circled the table. He even touched the bandaged wound on my calf, clucking his tongue at it.

  I tried to move under his touch, watching him with utter hatred. Magic. That’s why I couldn’t get my aura to flare to life.

  He wasn’t wearing his mask now, and I wanted so badly to punch that smirk off his smug face.

  Prick.

  “Oh yeah, what’s that?” I muttered as I narrowed my eyes at him.

  Why was I strapped here?

  I hated it. Not being able to move as he stroked my navel, and then he finally cupped my cheek.

  I pulled away, before deciding better and turning my head quickly to snap at him. He pulled back before my teeth caught him, and he just chuckled as he waggled a finger at me.

  “There’s a procedure I’ve used on others, makes them more… obedient. Kitsunes were always difficult, drained my magic a bit due to their immunity to many magical things. So I tried to not worry too much about it, just used it on most of my male kitsunes. That newest one, Nate, he was interesting. I wanted to see if he’d break if given the choice between life and death. Imagine my surprise when he bonded with you. He’ll be the most likely to impregnate you,” he murmured as he tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I’ll make sure to make you obedient, but not enough so that when you’re with him, he’ll recognize it. We want him to hopefully impregnate you, but once you’re obeying my instructions, I’ll make you my own personal bodyguard. I always end up with the odd supe who thinks they can challenge me or kill me. Some have gotten a little too close lately, and I need someone with superior skills. A Dorian kitsune would be perfect. And I’ll toss you in with my other males from time to time, and Nate, and eventually I’ll get more perfect little warriors to add to my personal guard,” he said gleefully as he turned to me with an excited smile.

  “Guess you don’t age, huh?” I grumbled. It was the only thing I could think to say. I hated what he was suggesting. Turning me into a mindless zombie to do his bidding. He couldn’t do that. Surely it would fail. I was stubborn, and my magic made me immune according to him.

  But I was nervous now, and a shiver of fear coursed through me as he leaned over my face and tapped my nose.

  “I age, but not physically. I have lived for a long time, my magic gives me immortality. Not many supes can say that. As for you, I might prolong your life too, until I have enough good children from you,” he said as he ran a finger down my cheek. “Such a beautiful, deadly creature. Fascinating.”

  “Let’s see if you still think that when I’m ripping your throat out,” I snarled, imagining my aura flaring to life. I felt it struggling inside me, magic holding it down. I fought against it, my power rolling and boiling inside me.

  “My, you really are strong. Four tails too, I’ve not seen so many tails in a long time. I heard stories of a nine-tailed kitsune long ago. Never saw it. Powerful creature,” he said as he straightened, staring off into the distance.

  I continued summoning my energy, desperate to break free.

  I was not going to lose myself to this freak.

  “My, she’s a fighter,” he laughed, looking over to his assistant. “Time to put her under, love.”

  “I was able to make your friend obedient with just a touch, witches are so easy to manipulate sometimes, especially if their minds are already jumbled,” the Collector gave me a sly smile.

  I just blinked dumbly at him. A witch? Who was he talking about.

  “I made him send you on that mission, to tell me everything about you all. You and your mates. I learned about the hunters, and knew they’d be perfect to split up your group. I didn’t even have to do anything, they were already onto you all,” he chuckled.

  Dominic.

  That’s who he was talking about.

  Stupid little witch! Not that I could be annoyed at him, he’d been forced, but still. He said his mind was already jumbled. Did he mean about Tristan? I knew he was still having issues with us being mates.

  Not that that mattered now.

  My eyes flicked to the nurse as she began rounding the bed, a syringe in her hand.

  Oh hell no.

  “Fuck off!” I barked as I fought my restraints, begging my aura to protect me.

  The Collector frowned, and I could feel his magic strengthening to hold me down.

  My mind flicked to my mates. All of them, including Nate.

  And for the slightest moment, I could’ve sworn I felt them. Their minds, determined and set, searching for me.

  Had they found me?

  ‘I need you!’ I mentally screamed, praying they heard it.

  I could only hope they could get to me.

  “It’s no use, you are mine, Savage,” the Collector stated.

  I belonged to no one.

  I turned
my head to face him, a smirk playing at my lips as my aura bubbled inside me, straining against the magic fighting it down.

  “Fuck you, asshole.”

  32

  Damien.

  Watching Mr Oxley work with his golden, sand-like magic was intriguing. But what caught my attention was the look of determination on his face. He was invested in taking down this Warlock and getting Sav back. But I knew there was more to it than that.

  Something about the look on his face, the way his lips were pulled into a grim line and his brow was furrowed and jaw set. There was something he wasn’t telling us.

  The magic had snaked over the stone walls around the estate, and I’d peered through the gates and watched as it reached the mansion.

  It dissipated from sight before anyone could see it, but I knew it was working at tearing down the warding.

  “Do you think she’s okay?” Wesley asked. He’d been quiet mostly since Mr Oxley had gotten to work, and it was no quick task. It felt like hours had slowly ticked by as we all stood around murmuring and on edge.

  I didn’t respond as I reached out again with my mind, desperately hoping I could reach her through the warding.

  “She’s going to be okay,” Leon murmured instead to assure Wesley.

  Tristan was standing closer to the gates, his grip tight on his pair of demon blades as he waited to unleash them on the grounds.

  ‘I need you!’

  The mental shout slammed into my mind and my three companions all flinched from it as well.

  “Warding is down, go!” Mr Oxley barked as he removed his hands from the two witches heads.

  The pair collapsed, exhausted and drained, but Sav’s brothers were growing frantic as they felt for their mate as well.

  “She’s in trouble!” I snarled as my wings exploded from my back, pushing through the rips in my shirt I’d made earlier.

  I filled my feet with my golden white energy and propelled off the pavement, my wings beating hard as Leon joined me in flight.

  I saw Tristan’s demon blades whizz past down below, taking out the first guard we were headed for with ease.

  A burst of orange light made me look back in time to see the fiery red phoenix launching into the sky. He was the size of a horse if I had to compare him to anything, with flames encasing him and flickering off his fiery red feathers.

  My heart hammered as I reached out for Sav again, hating the mental scream she’d projected for us. She was scared, not that she’d ever admit it.

  But Sav didn’t scare easy. Which only worried me more.

  ‘We’re coming, Sav,’ I sent out, praying it got to her in time.

  Wesley glided along behind us, our wings beating hard as we came upon the house.

  Sav’s mental location was coming from the left side of the mansion. At least all the windows were visible.

  I dipped, pulling in my wings as I held out my hand, filling it with my angelic energy.

  I launched it at the incoming window, the shattering glass a precursor to my arrival as I shot through it.

  Leon followed, and even Wesley was able to fit through the large window, although it was awkwardly.

  I didn’t look back as my feet touched down and I took off into the halls, honing in to Sav’s mind.

  We had to get to her.

  She needed us right now.

  I launched into the hall, barreling into a mixed group of men and women who all gasped as I knocked them down.

  One of them shot to his feet, snarling as his eyes flashed yellow. Werewolf.

  I spun on him, slamming a fist of angelic energy into his chest, watching as the blood, bone, and other unsightly innards exploded from his back and splattered the wall.

  Our power could be deadly when we needed it to be.

  The women screamed and scrambled to get away while the other two men hesitated before coming at me.

  I didn’t need to do anything as a ball of light sent one flying down the hall, and the other burst into flames.

  I didn’t even glance back at my companions, but I knew Wesley had shifted back to a man, although he was fully on fire right now, wanting to be at his peak for battle.

  I dashed down the hall with them, taking out those in our path with ease as I assured Sav we were coming.

  We all stumbled as an earth-shattering roar rocked the house.

  Fear and pure terror coursed down my spine as I looked to Leon and Wesley.

  “What the fuck was that?” Wesley gaped.

  ‘Guys, you will not believe what Mr Oxley just fucking turned into!’ Tristan’s voice hit our minds with pure shock and awe.

  Wait, was that Mr Oxley? What the hell was he?

  As Tristan muttered the word into our minds, we all just stared wide-eyed at one another.

  “Everything makes so much more sense now,” Leon muttered.

  “Seriously? What the fuck,” Wesley gaped.

  I turned away, still stunned, but knowing we had a job to do.

  33

  The roar that rocked the building had my smirk failing as the Collector looked to the ceiling with utter glee and admiration.

  “He’s finally returned!” he grinned.

  I just stared dumbly at him, at the pure joy and happiness on his face.

  “We must capture him, above all else, you, deal with her for me, keep her under sedation until I return,” he barked at the nurse who was now beside me with her syringe.

  She just nodded, and I blinked as he spun away and flew out the door.

  Someone sure was excited.

  But what the hell had that been? It was terrifying.

  I heard the nurse move forward, and I spun my head, grinning at her.

  “He’s gone,” I stated.

  She just frowned at me as she reached for my arm.

  My aura arm burst to life, slamming her away. She flew back into the wall, crying out as the syringe fell on the floor and she groaned from the sheer force of the hit.

  I willed my second aura arm to come to life, and they both worked on freeing me from this god-awful table. They tugged at my restraints, which were obviously magically infused and meant to dampen my power. I could feel it fighting my own energy, but I pushed through it, determined to escape.

  I could feel my men out there, assuring me they were on their way.

  They were in the building.

  I was both overjoyed and terrified for them.

  I snarled as my aura arms struggled on my restraints, the fiery pink and white glow encasing my body.

  I imagined it expanding until the restraints all snapped, and I closed my eyes as I willed my energy to do just that.

  The satisfying groaning of the metal cuffs gave way to metal bending and snapping, and in what felt like half a minute, I was sitting up and massaging my wrists as I looked down at the dazed nurse.

  “Best stay down, miss. Otherwise I’ll have to kill you,” I stated as I slid off the table.

  I half expected her to get up and attack me, but she chose the safer route instead and just looked down at the floor.

  I stumbled as something struck the building, the sound of walls crumbling further along in the building and screams echoing through the walls.

  What the fuck was going on?

  Why had the Collector madly rushed out?

  I reached for the door, my hair standing on end as the handle turned. My aura was ready to attack, my blood thumping in my ears as adrenaline coursed through me.

  I’d fight my way out of here and to my guys.

  My stomach flipped as the door swung open, and I hurled myself at the first person to step through.

  Damien caught me, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tight as he sighed and nuzzled my neck.

  “Sav!” Leon’s face lit up behind him, and Wesley’s flaming body died down to just him standing naked in the hall.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Tristan’s voice reached me, and I knew he was dealing with everyone from a distance. He was possessing some of
the people in the building while also using his demon blade to take out others.

  This place would be left one hell of mess when we escaped.

  ‘I’m okay now,’ I sighed as I hugged Damien back, drawing in his familiar scent. God, I hadn’t realized how attached I’d become to them, but I was beyond ecstatic and grateful to see them.

  Another roar rocked the building, and it shook as more of the structure groaned.

  “What the fuck is that?” I asked as I pulled back from Damien.

  “You wouldn’t believe us,” he murmured as he caught my chin in his thumb and forefinger.

  And then his lips were upon mine, desperate and relieved. I kissed him back, the kiss heating me up as he chuckled.

  “Really, you’re still getting horny at a time like this?” Wesley snorted as he pulled me away to hug me, breaking our kiss.

  “I’m a kitsune,” I chuckled as I hugged him, loving how warm his naked body felt against mine.

  I tried not to think of how only my panties separated us, and I felt him react to the thought as his length sprung to life and pushed into my stomach.

  “Guys, now is not the time,” Leon rolled his eyes, but a smile was playing at his lips as he waited for his turn.

  Wesley planted a warm kiss on my lips before I moved to hug Leon tight.

  My men.

  I was finally back with them.

  “So, we hear you have a new mate,” Wesley mentioned as Leon gave me soft, tender kiss.

  “Um, yeah,” I murmured as I broke away from Leon. “Speaking of, we have to free the others. The other kitsunes.”

  “Where are they?” Wesley asked.

  “Basement, in cells.”

  “Wow, cells?” Leon frowned.

  “Yeah, welcome to my life the past few days or however long it’s been,” I sighed.

  “Well, we best get moving then,” Wesley said as another roar rocked the building.

  “I really want to know what that is,” I murmured in disbelief. Whatever it was, it sounded huge and terrifying.

  “I’m worried the whole building will come down,” Leon muttered as he turned to head back out into the hall.

  ‘Samson and the others have released the kitsunes. The fathers are freeing other supes locked up in the building.’