Tortured Soul

by Julia Laque

  ****

  Starved, Evangeline ate in the cabin’s tiny kitchen, feeling refreshed after her bath. To avoid staring at her companion, she took in the cozy kitchen’s atmosphere. There was a window just over the sink showing a darkening sky, casting them in a dim glow at the little table for four under weak yellow lighting. Try as she might, her eyes kept wandering back to him.

  Adam sat across from Evangeline, looking like an overgrown man seated at a kids table, watching her eat. His black shirt stretched wide over his huge pecks as he drummed the tabletop with his right hand.

  She had four slices of the supreme pizza before he took a piece. “Are you going to have more?” she asked.

  “Not hungry. It’s all yours.” He waved his hand over the pizza before placing it back on the table. His left hand rested on his knee, bouncing, picking up the drumming his hand had been doing seconds before.

  Swallowing her last piece, she picked up the napkin on the table to wipe her hands. “Shouldn’t I be the one with a nervous tick right now?” she asked, nodding at his knee and grabbed the bottle of water he’d given her.

  His blue eyes met hers and his knee froze. “Bad habit.”

  Tilting her head speculatively, she crossed her arms under her breasts where his navy blue shirt read, Bears, in orange letters. Evangeline felt a million times better after her extremely long slumber, five slices of pizza and, although she was reluctant to admit, quite comfy in his double X t-shirt and blue scrubs.

  Evangeline’s cool attitude about her predicament was only slightly unsettling to her. She couldn’t describe her calm demeanor after last night’s events. She was resigned now for reasons that made no sense. Could it be because deep down she knew he would never hurt her? Was it the fact he’d saved her from the jackal, risking his life in the process, or her certainty he thought kidnapping her would save his sister?

  She remembered waking up to his magnificent profile. Evangeline had felt a heavy feeling of sadness, not just for her messed up life, but for his too. This man was haunted and her heart went out to him.

  She thought about his reasons for taking her. The sensible side of her was still peeved, but wouldn’t she go to the ends of the earth for her own sister?

  Katherine must be going out of her mind by now wondering what had happened to her. She was sure her family was going crazy with worry. And Cyrus…did he already know she was with the Blacktail alpha as his captive? For an instant, her stomach tightened, imagining what the king would do to Adam for taking his fiancé.

  Again, her eyes fell on his. So much lurked behind those baby blues. Regardless of his rash decision, there was something about him, a peaceful aura that made her feel safe. Nonetheless, she would keep her guard up. Evangeline did not want to fall under this man’s spell by feeling sorry for him.

  “Feeling better?” he asked in a deep, smooth voice.

  “Yes, thank you for the pizza.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re thanking me.”

  She shrugged. “It’s the polite thing to do.”

  He just stared, his eyes hooded.

  Questioning her sanity again, Evangeline couldn’t believe she was sitting at her captor’s kitchen table feeling oddly relaxed. She didn’t know why she trusted him, but her gut told her he was not the hard man he pretended to be.

  It seemed as though they’d come to some unspoken understanding. It must have been their brush with death. They hadn’t known each other for long and yet they’d been through quite a lot already. Hell, he’d almost seen her naked.

  “Did your friends get the jackal?” she asked

  “Yeah.” His brow furrowed. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  One eyebrow rose, incredulously.

  “Okay, it was, but I was foolish to think I could outrun a werewolf.”

  He pondered for a minute, pursing his lips. “You won’t be here much longer. I promise.”

  She blinked. “May I ask what’s going on?”

  He stared at her thoughtfully before he spoke. His intense glare made her lightheaded. “We e-mailed your father from your account early yesterday morning. He’s been calling your cell, but we let it go to voicemail.”

  “You have my cell phone?”

  “Yes. It’s dead though. The second e-mail told him the battery died and you left your charger at home. You told him you’re safe and just need some time to clear your head.” His eyes shifted down to her wrist. “And clearly you do,” he said bitingly.

  “I’ve never done anything like this. He’s going to have a hard time believing it.”

  “I doubt you’ve ever been forced into an unwanted marriage before either,” he said, his eyes darkening.

  She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Narrowing his eyes at her, he said calmly, “Fair enough. I just need to know one thing.”

  She looked at him, not wondering what he was going to ask, but because she couldn’t look away.

  He licked his lips and his Adam’s apple popped up and down. “Has he hurt you?”

  She gave him an incredulous look. “You mean done something worse than flinging me out of a window, suffocating me, or almost getting me killed by a jackal? No,” she said sarcastically.

  His face flushed and he took a deep breath, letting it out his nose. “I’m serious,” Adam said menacingly.

  “I said no.” Evangeline glared at him. “I told you, we just met and other than biting me,”—she raised her wrist at him, the tiny marks were faint pink dots now—“and being arrogant, he hasn’t done anything else. Can we drop it?”

  He seemed satisfied with her answer and nodded.

  Why did it matter so much to him how the king treated her? She found herself wondering what this enigmatic man would do to the North American King if he’d actually hurt her. They were almost identical in height, but Cyrus was slightly leaner, his build more like a swimmer. Adam’s body was…perfect in her estimation and bigger than the king’s.

  He leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table, clasping his hands in front of his mouth as he spoke quietly. “You could have kept running, you know.” His voice was calm and smooth again. “Why did you save me?”

  They stared at each other for a moment. Evangeline had no explanation for why she’d done it. She shook her head and whispered, “I don’t know.”

  His deep gaze was unwavering. “How did you heal me out there?”

  Glancing down at her hands, she said, “I’m not sure. I’ve been able to do it for years.”

  He gave her an expectant look, telling her to go on.

  Before she spoke, Evangeline questioned why on earth she felt comfortable enough to discuss this private part of her life with a complete stranger, a stranger who had just snapped at her minutes before no less. For some strange reason she felt he cared. She brushed the thought away and began speaking. Talking was way better than sitting alone with him in silence. “When I was younger, my sister almost died of Leukemia. Every doctor told us she only had a few months to live.” She paused to swallow hard, looking over his shoulder, remembering those awful days. “We brought her home to be comfortable and one night I came into her room. I remember looking at her and seeing her stare up at the ceiling with tears in her eyes. She was so young. I remember feeling as though I would die without her. ”

  Adam’s face was solemn as he listened.

  “I felt a number of things. I was so unbearably sad, angry, and lost and started to tremble. At first it was a soft shudder, then I started to shake uncontrollably. I threw myself at my sister and the instant I touched her I felt this ball of energy leave me and shoot into her.” Evangeline stared at her hands now in her lap. “I healed her.” She spoke as if she still couldn’t believe it. She met Adam’s eyes. “I’ve never told anyone about my ability. The only ones who know are Katherine, my parents, and Katherine’s doctor, Dr. Moros.”

  “The vampire doc?” Adam int
errupted.

  “Yes. Do you know him?”

  “Of him.”

  Her eyes brightened when she thought of the man/vampire who had tried everything to save her sister. She’d heard he’d married a vampire a few years ago and turned himself. She hadn’t seen him since he’d transitioned. “He’s one of the nicest men I’ve ever known.”

  Adam bit the insides of his cheeks and frowned.

  She ignored his glower. “Anyway, we don’t know how it happens, but we’ve kept it a secret, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone.”

  His frown deepened. “Of course not. In fact, I hope you never do it again.”

  Evangeline flinched. “What do you mean?”

  “You were knocked out for almost two days and you’re just barely recovering. You said it yourself; you’ve never been out that long. It’s obviously taking a toll on you. Don’t ever do it again,” he demanded.

  Shocked at his words, she stammered back, “Don’t…tell me what to do. If it weren’t for me, you’d be dead or dying right now. What would happen to your sister then, huh?”

  His eyes blazed with fury.

  Shit. His sister was a touchy subject, obviously. “I’m sorry. I know you’re worried about her.” She looked at him cautiously. “Mr.…” She paused, feeling awkward addressing her captor formally.

  He brushed his hand through his tousled hair edgily. “You know my name. Just call me Adam.”

  “Okay, Adam.” She liked the way his name sounded out loud. “I believe you think the king has your sister, but I have to say, I’m not convinced he does.”

  He gave her a sharp look.

  “Just hear me out before you jump down my throat,” she said, exasperated.

  He jerked his head to the side, but the scowl remained.

  “It just doesn’t make sense. The whole timing is off. Say he was plotting to take your sister. Why would he knowing it would cause trouble, perhaps even a war, when he was planning to marry me?” Rolling her eyes at herself, she went on. “I’m not exactly sure how long he’s planned this, but according to my father, he’s been watching me for some time. I find it hard to believe he was planning marriage, contributing to the Vampires in Transitions Facility and, as I read recently, signing a Vampire Treaty with the Asian King. Not to mention the attacks on your Fighters… it all just seems off base to me. Why would a king, albeit, a conniving one, who has struggled for control in these parts wreak havoc on his enemies now of all times?”

  “I’m sure you think you know what you’re talking about, but you have no idea the kind of filth Cyrus Stewart is.”

  “I beg to differ.” Evangeline’s voice was laced with malice.

  He clenched his teeth. “Then why the hell are you marrying him?” he hissed.

  “I don’t have a choice,” she shot back.

  His eyes fastened on hers, his expression unnerving.

  Leaning back against her chair, she looked away. He was bent forward on the table, his arms bulging like he wanted to break something, fists clenched. “It’s just something I have to do,” she said more calmly. “It’s fine. I’ve come to terms with it.”

  “No, you haven’t. You tense up every time we talk about him and this overwhelming depression fills you up.”

  She sat up, stunned, remembering too late werewolves were emotional readers. Great.

  Resting back against his chair, he nodded slowly at her. “Yeah, I can feel it. Depression is all around you. It never goes away.”

  They sat in silence for a while, eyes locked on one another. Evangeline was feeling something else at the moment and prayed to God he didn’t sense it. His thick golden neck twitched as he spoke and Evangeline imagined herself kissing him all around his throat. She looked away.

  Why did he care so much? Why did it matter to him who she married or how many people she healed? If she didn’t know any better, she would think he actually felt something for her.

  Evangeline stared at the countertop, but her mind and body were completely aware of the man in front of her and she shut her lids, fighting not to look into those intense eyes. Eyes that saw right through her, eyes that made her insides melt to pure mush.

  Oh God! She was a freaking cliché’. Was she, like so many captives, suffering from Stockholm Syndrome? Yes. It had to be, because the sane part of her would not lust after her captor.

  She looked at him reluctantly, and a huge knot formed in her stomach. “Look, I’ll help you get your sister back.”

  “What?” he asked skeptically.

  “If keeping me prisoner…”

  He gave her a wry look.

  “You know what I mean…if you think keeping me here will get your sister back, then I’m game. It’s not like I’m in any rush to marry anyway.”

  Adam’s nostrils flared.

  “All I ask is you treat me with respect and let me walk around the house and not locked up in the bedroom the whole time. I’m not going anywhere after yesterday’s debacle and I don’t even know where I am.” Shrugging, she added, “Are we agreed?”

  Adam gave her a small smile and she found it hard not to look away from his lips. “Agreed.” He leaned in close, his eyes darkening, not with anger, but what she could only describe as hunger. “But I suggest you get a reign on your hormones there.”

  She gasped in shock.

  “Or I’ll act on your emotions, Evangeline.” Her name rolled off his tongue, low and sweet.

  Her cheeks flushed as she stared at him. How in God’s name could she control her emotions around this man?

  Sitting back in his chair, he shook his head. “Sorry. You don’t deserve that.” He stood up. “I’m going out. I won’t be far and I’ll still be able to hear you. Don’t worry, your safe, just call out if you need me.”

  Evangeline watched his broad back as he walked out of the cabin, barely noticing she gripped the sides of her chair. The craziest thought slipped through her befuddled mind and she pictured Adam Perez’s large frame straining over her as he “acted on her emotions.”

  ****

  Peter Vance checked the time on his corner office wall. He’d be home late again tonight. As an Alderman and lawyer in Wilmington he often worked long hours. He didn’t mind, though. It beat going home to be ignored by his wife.

  Stretching at his desk, he wondered if he should pick up some Chinese food on the way home. There sure wasn’t going to be a home cooked meal waiting for him.

  Where had he gone wrong? Sure, he wasn’t the same man he’d been years ago, fawning over Mona and buying anything and everything she ever wanted, but people change in a relationship. Peter wished his wife would see he was still here for her. He loved her still and wanted to make things work between them. He couldn’t stand to have a wife who was never home, but whenever he brought up the subject, she’d jump down his throat.

  He opened the left-hand drawer of his desk and took out his flask he’d gotten as a best man gift from his brother years ago. Twisting the cap off, he took a long swig of Jameson then placed it on the desk. Lord knows he’d just go fishing for it in a minute or two if he put it away.

  Mona told him earlier she was going out to dinner with her friend, which meant she’d be gone as long as the wine held out at the restaurant bar.

  Great.

  His computer made a sound indicating he had a new email. He checked to see whom it was from and smirked.

  His friend Seth sent him an e-mail and the subject read, Open with Care ;).

  Seth was a sixteen-year-old boy at heart. Shaking his head, Peter clicked the link and instantly a black and white image of a bathroom popped up. There were two stalls and two sinks along one side and near the adjacent wall were two men and a woman.

  The woman was clearly drunk and servicing both men at the same time, loving every minute of it.

  Squinting at the monitor, he recognized the ring she wore.

  “Mona?” Peter said in disbelief.

  He looked closer at the screen with wide, shocked e
yes. It was her, his wife, fucking two guys in a bathroom like she’d done it a hundred times before. He checked the bottom of the screen to see this was streaming live. Just then, the two guys turned to look at the camera, and as if they knew he was watching, smiled, revealing fangs.

  Chapter Nine

  The annoying sound of birds chirping woke Adam at the crack of dawn. He lay sprawled on the sofa, one foot on the floor, the other dangling off the arm, his large body too big for the dainty thing.

  He kept his eyes closed, his mind filled with images of Evangeline laying on her side in his bed, in the tub, wrapped in a towel and, he thought with a surge of possessiveness, draped in his oversized Bears t-shirt.

  Adam remembered how her slick skin felt beneath his fingers and imagined what she looked like. His body was becoming overheated. He had no blanket and no shirt, but his chest gleamed with moisture. Draping his arm over his eyes, he refused to let the early morning light diffuse the hot images of her in his head. He fumbled with the buckle of his jeans, giving his hard on a little more room to breathe.

  When it didn't help, he found himself slipping his hand in his briefs to shift his swollen sex, but the ache he felt for the girl in the other room made him grip himself hard. His face tightened and his jaws locked at his vice-like hold. Breathing a little heavily now, he began rubbing himself slowly, his chest heaving up and down, as he pictured Evangeline on top of him, gyrating her hips as he watched her.

  A door creaked and his hand shot out of his pants at the same time he jumped up off the couch. Before Evangeline could step out he zipped up and buckled his jeans.

  She paused when she saw him, her hand coming up to tame her hair. She looked even more beautiful this morning in his shirt with her hair all tousled. When she looked him over, he didn’t move, letting her get her fill of him, shirtless, and hard for her.

  The energy between them seemed to swell to new heights. Her eyes lingered for a moment on his chest and her cheeks flushed. “I’m…just…” She stammered and pointed toward the bathroom.