Intolerable

by LJ Baker

  "Are you sure, sis? Because around here, I'm not so sure."

  When life was normal and they'd lived on their own, Chase never treated Ari like she was as strong as him. She wasn't weak. She held her own in any competition, but speed, and he still treated her like the weaker one.

  Mostly it was because he didn't understand just how badass his sister was. Now that he was vampire, Chase was stronger than Ari. There was no doubt about that. But he had to admit, before, she was on nearly equal footing. He just wished he'd let her know that back then.

  "What I lack in vampire strength, I make up for in big strong egos surrounding me to take care of the damsel in distress." Ari rolled her eyes and huffed.

  Chase laughed. "Okay, sis. You can take care of yourself.

  "How are things at the training facility? Kids being kept safe?"

  "Isn't Lex talking to you about what goes on there?"

  "Not really. He's been holding a lot of meetings with his cousin Samuel, Gabe, Dex, and Finn. He always seems like he's in a bad mood when he comes out so I don't bring it up."

  "For good reason. A fourth kid went missing. No matter what we do, or how closely we watch them, it keeps happening."

  "Any suspicions?" Ari absently rubbed her hand over her belly as they spoke.

  "If you can believe it, Samuel thinks Finn was involved. He's kicked him off watch duty until he can prove he's innocent."

  "You're kidding? Finn is such a nice guy. He would never hurt children. Would he?" Her eyes widened and Chase thought he could hear the wheels turning in her mind.

  "I don't think so, but what do I know? I've been working with him for the last few months, but really, how well do you get to know someone at work?"

  "I think Alexander would pick up on it if something wasn't right about him."

  "Maybe not."

  "Why do you say that?" Ari popped another apple slice in her mouth and returned to rubbing her belly.

  "I'm sure there's something going on between Finn and the blood witch, Michael. If Finn really was involved, I'm sure he could get his boyfriend to cook up a little spell that could help his cover. Don't you think?"

  "I suppose, but both Finn and Michael seem like good guys to me. The only thing they seem to be hiding is their relationship for some reason. But I guess I could be wrong. You really think he's involved?"

  Chase put his feet up on the coffee table and slumped back in his chair. It had been a long day and he was tired. "No. I don't think so, but I guess you never suspected I would betray you not that long ago either."

  Chase would never get over the guilt he held on to for his role in Ari's abduction. It didn't matter that he was under the influence of vampire powers, thanks to Lex's crazy, now dead, wife, or that a witch cast a spell on him to hide his forced intentions. He'd done what he'd done and nothing could change that. It was something he would always have to live with. Just like the time he almost drained his sister dry of blood.

  "You didn't betray me. None of that was your fault."

  "That's easy for you to say, sis. But I'm never going to see it that way. I can never forgive myself for my part in what happened. You don't know what it's like to hurt someone you love that much." And he hoped she never would.

  "I hurt you." She met his eyes and her mouth fell into a frown.

  "What are you talking about?"

  "I had Dex turn you into a vampire. You never wanted that and it's on me."

  "Don't be a twit, Ar. I understand why you did what you did. I'm not mad at you for that anymore."

  "And I'm not mad at you for what you did, while not even in control of your actions."

  "Touché. But in all honestly, what I did was way worse."

  "Are you sure Dad would have seen it that way?"

  Chase wasn't sure how their father would have seen it. Becoming vampire was the one thing none of them ever wanted. It was a fate worse than death. At least that was how he used to feel about it. Without becoming one, it was hard to imagine how different you might feel.

  But vampires did kill their parents, older sister, and nearly everyone they'd ever knew and loved. When Chase first woke up and realized what he'd become, he hated his sister for doing that to him. It was his worst nightmare. Now that he'd had a chance to live as vampire, he felt differently about it. And more so, after almost losing Ari, he no longer blamed her for making the decision.

  "Dad loved us more than anything in this world. He would have found a way to deal with our current situations." Chase was trying to reassure his sister, but he wasn't sure he believed his own words. He doubted his father would have understood Ari being pregnant by a vampire, on purpose, or him being one of them. They'd all agreed that if any of them were ever turned, whoever was left, would put them out of their misery.

  "Oh my God."

  "Hey, I know that dad felt strongly about vampires, but he would have come around. You can't worry about that stuff anymore anyway. Dad is gone, so it's just us left to decide how we're going to live our lives."

  "No, not that, Chase." Ari's eyes grew wide and her heartbeat sped up enough for Chase to hear it thump in his own head.

  "What's wrong?"

  She gripped her belly and groaned. "My water just broke."

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  "You're growing up nicely. And such a good girl lately. If you keep up this behavior, I might let you see your brother for your birthday." Julian slid closer to Willow on the bed and stroked his meaty hand over her thigh.

  He always promised she would get to see Michael for birthdays or holidays, but he usually found some reason to take it back. The last time she saw her brother was over a year ago. The only reason she even knew he was still alive was because she could feel him through their twin bond.

  Lately that connection was growing weaker though. She wasn't sure if Michael was sick, or farther away, or what, but she knew something had to happen soon, or she may lose him forever.

  Julian's hand creeped up, making her skin crawl along his path. The last thing she wanted to do was go along with him, but his punishments were far worse than the evil things he did to her most nights. She wanted to chop off his hand, among other parts, and shove it down his throat to choke him with.

  One of the men he'd brought to use her had taught her a few spells. She'd been extra nice to him and he rewarded her well. Julian didn't know of course, but she'd been waiting for the right time to use them. He kept her shackled with iron bands that kept her from doing normal magic. Only certain spells would work with the bands and lucky for her, she'd been practicing two very helpful ones.

  Julian reached the trim of her underwear and her heartbeat increased. No matter how many times he did this to her, she never got used to it. If she concentrated hard, she could take herself to another place in her mind, somewhere Julian couldn't touch her. Or hurt her. In order to do magic though, she had to stay in the here and now.

  The thing was, she'd only have one shot at it. If she didn't do it right, he'd catch on to her and that would be the end of her.

  Or of Michael.

  She'd practiced, but she wasn't sure she was ready. How could she even know? The best chance she'd have would be to get the bands off her wrists. Julian would never take them off. Even though she'd been too young to have much control over her magic before she ended up with Julian, he worried that she would somehow instinctively know how to use it.

  Sometimes when Willow was alone, she imagined that she was an all-powerful, natural, witch. She could wield her power just by thought, with no prior practice or knowledge. Her mother died before she could teach the twins how to use their gifts and unfortunately, magic was something that required practice and skill. Neither of which Willow had.

  The perv Julian had rented her out to, taught her the basics, even stuff she could use once the bands were removed. He wouldn't remove them for her though. That would have meant his own death if he was caught. He'd felt bad for her, but not enough to risk himself, and certainly not enough to keep hi
s hands off her.

  "You'd like that, wouldn't you my good girl?" Julian was still talking about a visit with Michael. Willow was thinking more about cutting Julian to pieces and feeding them to his dog.

  "Yes. I'd like to see my brother very much. I've been good. How about tonight?" It was a bold request. Julian didn't like when she was assertive. He preferred her docile and obedient. Except the times he liked when she fought back. Although those days were becoming less and less.

  For a while, Willow just went along because she knew it was useless to fight. He enjoyed the excitement of the chase far too much. Over the past few months though, it was more so she could bide her time until she had the right chance to use her magic.

  "That's a brave request." Julian licked his lips and looked over her. She knew he was imagining all the ways she could pay for such an appeal. There was only so much he could do to her. She could soldier through whatever it was if she could speak to Michael, to let him know of her plan.

  "I know." She kept her eyes down in the submissive way that he liked. "I would certainly be willing to do whatever it takes to compensate you for such privilege." Her skin crawled at the thought.

  "Oh?" Julian raised one bushy brow and smiled with all his pointed teeth. Especially for a vampire, Julian was rather homely. He was overweight, smelled of sweat, and had a face not even a mother could love. But it was his hands that were worst of all.

  Thick sausage fingers connected to fat, hairy palms, that were always clammy. Julian's hands were enough to make a female gag. Willow knew most of all, since he'd been touching her any place he felt like it for the last seven years.

  Willow swallowed hard, only barely getting past the growing lump in her throat. "Yes, of course."

  Julian laughed, a deep belly laugh that he reserved for the times when he was going to belittle her to the best of his ability.

  And she snapped.

  A deep, raw, guttural scream ripped from her throat and she leapt onto Julian. Somehow, she had a razor sharp knife in her hands and she plunged it into his chest to the hilt. His blood seeped out, scorching her hands as it ran over them. She reveled in the feel of it.

  And then Michael was calling her name from far away.

  "Willow, wake up. It's me. Calm down!"

  Willow thrashed and fought. She wouldn't let anyone take her victory from her. She'd stay right where she was until she was sure that asshole was dead.

  "Will," Michael pleaded, holding her face in two hands. "It's a dream. Wake up."

  "Goddammit. This was a good one. Why did you wake me?"

  Willow pushed Michael off and kicked the blanket off her feet.

  "It didn't sound good. You were screaming and about to throw yourself off the bed."

  "Well it was. This one had a better ending."

  Michael nodded. He knew what she meant. Most of her nightmares ended before she could get free from Julian. This was the first one she could remember that she'd gotten to kill the bastard. It might not have been the way things played out in reality, but it was still a damn good conclusion to all those years of horror.

  "I'm sorry."

  Michael and his guilt again.

  "None of what happened was your fault. I'm getting tired of telling you. It's time you accepted it and moved on with your life."

  "I'm living my life just fine."

  "No you aren't. You let your guilt hold you back. It's like you don't think you deserve to be happy or enjoy life. You do."

  "I know that."

  "Do you?"

  "While we're on the subject, you should take your own advice. Chase seems like a good guy. Why don't you give him a real chance?" He looked at her with genuine concern, not the usual judgment.

  "He keeps telling me he isn't interested in a relationship, so even if I thought you were right, and I wanted that, it wouldn't matter." Willow slid out of bed and pulled a sweatshirt over her head. "How are things with Finn? Is he still being questioned?"

  "Samuel has him in interrogation. Who knows when he will get out of there. I've heard things about Samuel and he tends to assume guilt unless the accused can prove one hundred percent to him they are innocent. Which is damn hard to do." Michael sat on the edge of Willow's bed and dropped his head in his hands. Willow couldn't remember seeing him look so vulnerable since before they escaped.

  "Hey, that asshole will figure out Finn is innocent. You know he didn't have anything to do with those missing kids and everyone else will know soon enough."

  "Not soon enough. That would mean he'd already be out of there."

  "And into your arms." Willow stifled a chuckle and Michael glared at her.

  "This is serious, Will."

  "Of course it is. Want to come up with a spell to bring that egotistical dickface to his senses?"

  "No. I want to stay here, remember?"

  Willow rolled her eyes. "Come on. Who's going to find out? It's not like there are any other witches around here to pick up on our magic."

  "Are you so sure about that? Samuel brought some of his people from headquarters with him. There's no way to know if there was a witch among them. And to be honest, it seems like the kind of thing he might keep to himself."

  "Maybe, but even if that's true, he would only find out if he was on the alert for it.

  "I'm not taking any chances." Michael paused and turned away from his sister. "Unless it becomes necessary."

  Willow knew what he meant. He meant that if they were going to pin this bullshit on Finn, Michael would do what was necessary to get him out of it. He'd never talked about taking any sort of risk like that for anyone but her. She'd known that Michael was falling for Finn, but this confirmed just how hard.

  ***

  The kids were huddled in the middle of the room surrounded by Gabe, Dex, and the King. Several guards sat on nearby cots looking woozy and Samuel paced back and forth between them.

  Willow decided to keep a low profile and stay on the sidelines. She wanted the details of what was going on, but she didn't want any attention being drawn to her either. If things kept up, her brother may need to do something no one would like and she'd be there to back him up every step of the way.

  If he would let her, anyway.

  Since he'd been getting closer with Finn, even though he still denied it, he was keeping her out of his life. Other than the occasional chat or argument, they barely spent any time together in over a month.

  Maybe Willow did need some friends.

  "How the hell could this happen again?" Samuel roared. "There has to be more than one person in on this. I want to know who the accomplices are. Now."

  "Do you think that it probably means that Finn wasn't involved since he's been in your custody all this time?" Gabe was the one who stepped forward to challenge the angry vampire. Clearly he was the only one thinking straight.

  "No. I do not think that. Just because Finn has been unable to carry out the abductions himself doesn't mean he didn't have help. In fact, this would be the best time to pull such a thing and try to make him look innocent."

  "What exactly will it take for you to believe he actually is innocent, cousin?" Alexander asked. "Because this feels awfully familiar to an inquisition where poor Finn can never prove he is innocent."

  "You put me in charge of this, Lex. Are you saying you don't want my assistance?"

  "I'm not saying that at all, Samuel. I just think that you may have the wrong person here and not just because more kids went missing while Finn was in your custody. I've known Finn for some time now and I've never gotten anything off him but genuine concern for his duties."

  "I'm sure you know, after what you and your mate have been through, that true intentions can be hidden."

  Alexander growled low under his breath, but it was enough to take his cousin down a notch. Not that it mattered much. A plump looking human came running in to take the king away on some other emergency, leaving Samuel unchecked.

  "We're down to ten kids. Out of Sixteen." He growled an
d paused while those numbers sank in. "Someone on the inside must be involved. Whether it is Finn, someone else, or several individuals. We need to find out what is going on. I don't think keeping them here is working."

  "There's clearly a witch involved. How else could someone have knocked out six guards and gotten past Jayce while he was on watch duty?" Dex glanced at the guards who still looked a bit green. "And how could no one have seen anything? Not even the kids."

  Willow didn't like the implications. Nor did she like the way the males in the room turned around to look at her. The last thing she needed was to find herself locked up like Finn.

  "I had nothing to do with any of this." She held her hands up in front of her and took a few steps back. Willow had spent enough time in a cage. She wasn't about to let anyone put her back into one, ever again.

  "No one is accusing you, witch," Gabe said with a stern look to Samuel, just to make sure he wasn't actually accusing her. "But it does make sense that there was some witch involvement. Don't you agree?"

  She did. But did she want to admit that in this crowd?

  What if they blamed Michael? He had something going on with Finn, and as much as he liked to deny it, everybody knew it. She didn't need them accusing her brother either. Willow knew enough about history to know how witch hunts went down.

  "No response?" Her silence caught Samuel's attention and he walked toward her.

  Great.

  "Did you need one?" Willow brought her hand up to her hip and held her ground. She wasn't going to let him intimidate her.

  "Yes. I think I'd like an answer." Samuel was right in front of her, with his chest puffed out.

  As if he needed to prove his importance any more.

  "Fine. Yes, I think a witch was involved. I can feel the residual magic in the room. I can also tell you it's not a signature I'm familiar with."