I swallowed hard and licked my lips. “Are you here to taunt me?” I was no fool. I had enough pride that I wasn’t going to beg.
“Not at all, Mackenzie,” he said, and tossed me the turkey leg between the bars.
I caught it without hesitation and took a big bite out of it. I ate as if I hadn’t eaten in years, and it showed. I looked like an animal. I was certainly being treated like one.
“You’re clean, you’re fed … now tell me, where is the cure?” Isaac queried as those navy blues followed my every move.
I scoffed, “You think just because you showed some decency after you tortured me that I’m just going to magically give you what you want? Not in this lifetime or the next.”
“It’s another day, Mackenzie,” Isaac hummed. “You will tell me what I want to know. Even if I have to beat it out of you.” He went to the door and turned back to look at me one last time. “Enjoy the daytime.” And then he left.
I relaxed just a tad when he said that. If it was daylight, that meant the vamps were going to sleep, which meant I was safe for the time being. I could shift safely. Or maybe that was what they wanted me to think.
It was that kind of paranoid thinking that kept me sitting in the cage looking at the wall for the next four hours. I didn’t move, I barely breathed. I worried this was a trap, but if I waited any longer, those scars on my back would be permanent. I didn’t care if I was being vain; I didn’t want to live with it. I already had the ugliest burn mark on my hip from that time the Mad Hatter burned off my Triquetra tattoo that kept me safe from malicious magic. I didn’t need any more markings on my body. Especially any that I wouldn’t be able to explain to my human family.
Groaning and wincing from the pain in my back, I shed the clothes I was wearing and got on all fours. “It’s time, girl,” I murmured to myself as I reached down for the wolf and brought her out. She was angry. A fire like no other burned through me as my bones broke and made way for the wolf, my eyes silvering, until I was no longer human.
I whined as I pawed around the cage, feeling the ache of the silver. I bristled and sniffed the air. There was no one near, at least not outside the door. Apparently, they didn’t see fit to guard me during the day. That was good to know for when I got my strength back.
Even though I was weak, I sighed with relief when I felt my skin knit together and heal . I plopped down and laid on the ground, resting for the first time since I got here.
I’d overslept, and the sound of people shuffling around made my ears perk up. I had to shift back before someone saw me. I didn’t know why Isaac wanted me to shift, but I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of doing what he asked.
I pushed my human side forward to hasten the shift, but I was blocked. By my wolf.
She growled and paced the cage, looking at the door, just waiting for someone to come so she could attack. She was angry and hurt, and our innate sense of self-preservation was kicking in. But right now I needed her safe. We already had a claw missing; I didn’t want them taking anything else.
I pushed again, but she was stubborn. She wanted to protect us, to fight recklessly like we usually did. But I was smarter now. Wiser. I had to be careful.
Heavy footsteps sounded out in the hallway, followed by others heading this way. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the Elders. I had to shift.
As the steps grew closer, the wolf snapped her canines. I wasn’t in control; I needed to get back in the driver’s seat.
They were nearly upon us.
I pushed against her, establishing dominance until she finally let out a whimper. My bones began to crack, and I shifted back to my human form just as the door to my room opened.
The Elders walked in, finding me naked in the middle of the cage, hunched over on my knees, my arms covering my breasts.
“Looks like we just missed the show,” Isaac commented dryly. Abdul huffed, not impressed.
“And look at that blank canvas,” Stella said maliciously, staring at my now healed back. “Ready for us to start again.”
I thought this would happen, but it was a risk I had to take. I needed to heal, and they would have tortured me either way. Now, at least I won’t be in unbearable pain. At least not yet.
“Get dressed.” Isaac motioned toward my discarded clothing.
I hated taking orders from others. It was like a trigger for me. A tick. But I had to play it cool. I grabbed my clothes and got dressed. They’d given me a new t-shirt since my other one was destroyed, and they gave me sweatpants since my jeans were all bloodied. I looked like I was wearing pajamas.
Isaac unlocked the cage and waved me over. Cautiously, I walked barefoot over to where the Elders stood.
“Walk with me,” he said casually, and led the way out the door.
I looked at the others warily, but Stella nodded in invitation, so I followed Isaac out the door with the others tailing behind us.
“Tell me, Mackenzie, do you think I enjoy hurting you?” Isaac posed as if truly pondering the thought.
I gave an unladylike snort. “That gleam in your eye is unmistakable. You’re a sadist.”
“Believe what you want, but I don’t. It’s messy and time consuming. Really, it’s just hard work.” He continued walking, his head held high.
We walked through the underground maze until we reached the stairs. By then, I was out of breath. The effects of the silver really did a number on me.
We were heading up the stairs when halfway up, I felt a kick behind my knees. I buckled and fell forward onto my knees.
“Oops. Sorry,” Stella hissed as she walked over me and continued on her way.
“Bitch,” I mumbled. “What are we, in high school?”
I stood up and dusted myself off, and then continued up the winding staircase until we were out of the underground and back at the church’s altar .
I shouldn’t have been shocked to see the pews filled with vampires, but I was. Whatever they had planned for me, there was going to be an audience. Delightful.
I followed the Elders, and when I made it to the center of the altar, I saw what was in store for me. In front of the altar and pews lay a bed of fiery hot coals.
I began to sweat.
I scanned the crowd for a familiar face, even Damon, whom I barely knew, but couldn’t find one.
“Vampires of New York City!” Isaac called out, and a hush fell over the church. “Today, we have a treat for you. We caught the bloodthirsty wolf who killed my dear friend Ephraim.” He lowered his head as if grieving.
What a crock of shit.
“A man who didn’t deserve what this beast did to him,” he continued. “But you know what we do … We get justice for our own, and we like to take our time.” He grinned wickedly.
Thunderous applause and wild cheering rocked the crowd with Isaac’s words. It made me sick. They were in such an uproar, Isaac had to raise his hand to calm them down.
“She has also taken something of ours that we want back,” he began, and I rolled my eyes, not caring that everyone could see. “So, as punishment, she will stand barefoot on these coals until she tells me where it is.”
As murmurs of agreement echoed in the cathedral, all I could do was stand there. My face was impassive, but I think it was because I was in shock. This can’t be what breaks me! I’ll endure this all day long if I have to, because I’m not telling them dick.
“Now, Mackenzie Grey,” Isaac turned to me, those navy-blue eyes alight with excitement, “do you want to tell me where the cure is?”
I looked out at the crowd, then at the bed of coals, and my eyes landed on a cross with Jesus Christ on it. I thought about how funny it was that they had something so holy in such a corrupt place. Then my eyes fell on Isaac.
“I’d rather give away my left tit than tell you.” I said it loud enough so everyone in the cathedral heard.
Stunned silence fell across the church as the vampires waited for Isaac’s reaction. I stared him down unflinchingly, challengi
ng him.
Didn’t he know? I’m an alpha. There’s only one top bitch here, and that’s me.
His nostrils flared as if I’d disappointed him. He really thought the threat of coals was all it would take. Idiot.
“So be it,” he snarled.
Rough hands grabbed me from either side and pushed me toward the coals. I stumbled, but overall, I didn’t fight it. I was in a room full of at least a hundred vampires, and I’d spent the last couple days caged in a silver box that sapped my strength. There was no way I could fight my way out of this one.
The coals sizzled, and flecks of fire snapped in the air above them. I closed my eyes, anticipating the burn.
Think about the monks. They do this all the time. Just pretend you’re one of them.
I lifted my foot cautiously, feeling the waves of heat on my skin, when I was suddenly pushed forward. I stumbled onto the coals, screaming from the pain that lashed at the bottoms of my bare feet.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as my flesh blistered and burned. On shaky legs, I tried to walk over the coals in hopes it would ease the pain, but that only intensified the agony. I gritted my teeth as I held back the scream that threatened to burst forth, spittle flying from my mouth. I gripped my pant legs tightly as if it would ease my pain, but nothing could distract from the smell of charred skin or the torment of burning flesh.
Stella came into view. “We can make this all go away. Just tell us where it is,” she coaxed, crossing crimson-tipped hands over her chest demurely.
“Fuck you!” I yelled, the sound echoing as it bounced off the walls and high ceiling.
“You’re making this difficult on yourself,” she sighed and looked at her nails. “Don’t be so stubborn.”
“Stubborn is my middle name,” I gritted and looked Stella dead in the eyes. “And you better watch out, because when I kill you, I’m gonna make sure I do it real slow.”
There was an air of arrogance to her as she flipped her hair back dismissively. She would regret that. I would make sure to remind her.
Isaac took her place, but instead of offering taunts, he only watched me as if observing an animal in the wild. I could tell he was thinking of different ways to break me, but I wouldn’t make it easy. He was starting to realize he would have to get creative.
I stood there for half the day while each of the Elders asked me the same question over and over again. Where is the cure? To my credit, I was very colorful with my responses.
The soles of my feet had turned numb from the pain, and although it was there, it was distant. I stared straight ahead at the doors to the cathedral and daydreamed of better days. Of a day when this would all be over, and I’d get to see Bash. Those blue eyes that were as clear and cold as the ocean, but warm when I looked into them. That was all I thought about, because it was the only thing that ebbed the pain and kept me sane.
I daydreamed of Bash busting into the church and saving me. I was no damsel, but damn, was I in distress. Even chicks like me wanted to be held once in a while. I couldn’t maintain the tough act all the time. This was one of those times.
The smell of scorched fleshed filled my nostrils and my stomach turned. I wouldn’t be able to eat meat for a good while after this. Of that much I was sure.
I wiped away the sweat that dripped into my eyes with the collar of my shirt. When I looked back up, I saw a familiar face in the crowd. My gut clenched, and I had to choke back a sob.
Lucian.
He maneuvered himself into my line of sight, his face unreadable, but his eyes—those dark eyes told me all I needed to know. He was five seconds away from whisking me away, consequences be damned.
I shook my head slightly. It could have easily been seen as a tremor, but he knew what I was telling him: Don’t do it. Don’t do anything stupid.
Lucian put his hands in the pockets of his slacks, I’m sure to hide his clenched fists, and I worried what he would do. I was afraid he would call Alexander.
As Isaac came into my line of sight, I tore my gaze away from my friend. “You’ve lasted longer than we expected,” he remarked, almost upset. “It seems that whatever I try isn’t good enough, Mackenzie. I’m slightly offended. Tell me, what is it you fear?”
That statement sent shivers down my spine, even though I stood on a bed of lava. The things I feared—truly feared—weren’t something I would ever voice. No matter how much they wanted this cure, I didn’t think they’d cross that line. Then again, I honestly didn’t know.
What I feared most in this world was Logan St. James. I know, I know, the man was dead. I killed him. But I feared what he represented. What he was capable of doing to me. What he almost did to me. The thought made me tremble.
“I know you’re thinking it.” Isaac grinned, inching forward. “Tell me.”
“Suck my burnt toe,” I growled and stared him down. “What kind of dummy do you think I am? Tell me?” I mocked. “You’re the worst villain in history. Go back to school.”
Isaac’s whole face tightened with rage, and I could tell I’d plucked the last straw. He’d had enough of me. He reached for me and grabbed me by the throat, lifting me in the air. My feet dangled, and I had a temporary reprieve as a cool breeze washed over the soles of my sautéed feet. But it was gone as quickly as it came when Isaac slammed me down onto the bed of coals and smashed my face into them.
“Disrespect me again, little girl, and see what I do to you,” he sneered as he shifted my face to the side so he could see me.
The right side of my face sizzled as it burned, the fire eating away at my flesh. I let out a bloodcurdling scream that could be heard throughout the city. As the anguish of pain became too much to bear, black spots danced along the edges of my vision until I blacked out.
I groaned as my eyes flickered open and I stared at a gray concrete ceiling. I was lying on my back, and without looking, could feel the draining effects of the silver cage. They’d locked me up again. My face ached, and I could barely move the right side. I lifted my hand to touch my cheek, feeling the dry, flaky, charred skin. I winced and whimpered at the same time, remembering what happened. When I blinked, the eyelashes on my right side almost got stuck together. Everything ached. I couldn’t stand up even if I wanted to. My feet were destroyed. I knew I needed to shift so I could heal, but I couldn’t risk it, not yet at least.
“How are you feeling?”
I swung my gaze to the voice outside the cage and found Damon lounging by the bars.
“I’ve been waiting for you to wake up for a while now,” he said, twisting his dreads between nervous fingers. “They sure did a number on you.”
I instinctively touched my face again. “I’ll heal,” I mumbled.
He screwed up his face. “About that … you might want to do that now.”
I wished I could be more expressive, but I just couldn’t. My face hurt too much. “Why?” I asked, barely moving my mouth to speak.
“From now on, they plan to have you watched during the day. So hurry up and shift before they come busting in here. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
I didn’t have to be told twice. Still seated on the ground, I shimmied out of my clothing and started the change.
With Damon as my look out, I was able to shift without a hitch and heal, which was the most important part. I also didn’t have to fight my wolf on this. Since our little tug of war the last time, she’d been quiet. I almost felt bad. The last thing I ever wanted to do was isolate my wolf. Our bond was everything, but right now she was a little out of control, and I needed to be rational.
“Better?” Damon asked as I shifted back and put my clothes back on. My skin was baby smooth again.
“Much,” I sighed. “Aren’t you afraid of getting in trouble?”
He shook his head. “I know the guards. Here, catch.” He reached into his jeans pocket, pulled out a little glass bottle, and tossed it to me.
I caught it and swirled the liquid inside, a sea glass green. “What is this?”
My eyes widened as I tightened my hands around the bottle. I knew Bobby would come through. “What will it do?” I asked, my eyes never leaving the liquid.
“According to your friend, it’ll give you immunity to silver for a few days, which means you should get your strength back.”
I grinned wildly. Damn, Bobby. I hate you, but I can’t quit you.
I popped the cork and chugged the sweet potion, letting it go down smoothly. Within seconds, I could feel its effects. The fuzziness in my head went away; my muscles tightened, leaving behind that languid feeling, and my eyes silvered.
“Let the games begin,” I said, crushing the bottle with my hands, scattering tiny little pieces across the floor.
During the day I was watched like a hawk, but by the time they arrived it was too late; I’d already shifted and they were pissed. I languished around the cage, pretending as if the effects of the silver still wore on me, because I didn’t want them to know. I needed the element of surprise. My senses were sharper than ever now that I was at full strength. I heard Isaac’s footsteps way before he entered the room.
“Mackenzie,” he mused as he came in alone. Odd. The Elders tended to do things as a group.
“Isaac,” I countered. “What brings you to my humble abode?” I waved to the cage with a pretend-heavy arm, letting it flop to my side limply.
“I thought we’d have a chat. One-on-one.”
I gave him a mocking smile. “Oohh, ominous.”
I knew what happened when I taunted him too much, but I just couldn’t resist. He made it all too easy. I’d take the beating every time.
As if reading my thoughts, he began, “I’ve realized my tactics aren’t working. You seem to be able to withstand pain, and although I’ve barely scratched the surface, I have a feeling nothing I do will make you tell me where the cure is.”
“Glad we finally agree on something.” I sighed heavily. “I guess we’re at an impasse. What to do, what to do?”
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