by Laura Hysell
“Tell him,” Logan said to his brother. “No one else is nearby.”
Lucas drew in a deep breath and folded his arms across his chest. “Mark’s wolf didn’t speak, but we did get some images. There are other wolves there with Mark, and they’ve been forced to fight. Looks like they’re going to be used as the main force of Henri’s army.”
I nodded my head. This was what we had been thinking since we realized vampires could control us. “So, this confirms our suspicions,” I said, shrugging.
“There’s more,” Logan said, stepping closer and putting a hand on my shoulder awkwardly. He glanced at Lucas, then back to me, sighing loudly. “It was only for a few minutes, but we were able to see through Mark’s eyes. We saw what he was seeing, and felt was he was feeling.”
“What are you getting at?”
“Henri controls Isabella completely,” Lucas blurted out. “Either that, or she’s there willingly. Very willingly.”
I glared at Lucas, feeling my anger growing. “Spit it out!”
“We think that’s why Mark’s wolf came back. He was angry enough to come to the surface. Seeing Izzy like that, with the vampire…” Logan trailed off as I turned toward him angrily.
“Seeing her like what?”
Logan shook his head and backed up a step. “This isn’t easy, Jared.”
“They were fucking, dude,” Lucas blurted out and it took all my effort not to turn and punch him in the face. “It was right in front of Mark, like a show or something. I don’t know the vampire’s game, but Izzy seemed pretty happy to be there, if you catch my drift.”
“She’s stuck in a vampire den! What do you expect her to do? Besides, did you already forget the vampire controlling her before? It should be pretty memorable for you, Lucas, since you played along with that game yourself. Or did you forget that?” I asked, my voice rising in anger.
“We weren’t accusing her of anything, Jared. I’m sure she’s not in control of herself, which makes this situation all the more fucked up. Mark is our priority, though. He’s Pack, and she’s just a human. You need to remember that,” Logan added.
“Are you saying we’ll go rescue Mark, but not Izzy?” I asked, unable to believe what I was hearing.
“That’s not the case, Jared,” Jed said, startling us all as he walked into sight. “If Izzy is able to be rescued, we will try to help her too. We don’t abandon our friends. But this is the first real lead we’ve had in months, and we can’t blow it by getting emotional. If you’re going to be involved in this rescue mission, I need to be able to trust you will obey my rules. We need you, Jared. You have military training that is invaluable.”
I stared at him, taking in his words. “You’re inviting me on this mission?” I had already figured they’d leave me behind, since I was the newest wolf around.
“If you’re part of the mission, I won’t have to worry about you sneaking off on your own,” Jed added pointedly. Of course, I would have done exactly that.
I grinned and nodded my head. “I’m more than happy to help, Alpha,” I replied. “Especially if it means killing some blood-suckers.”
“Hell yeah!” Lucas exclaimed, echoing my sentiment.
Jed shook his head and ran a hand across his face. “We’ll have to plan this carefully, and quietly. As much as I want to, I won’t be able to come with you. This will have to be a small, specific group.”
“When do we start?”
Chapter 11- Isabella
As soon as we entered the building lobby, I shed the fur coat and carried it in my arms. Mark followed silently two steps behind me the whole way back to the suite. I wondered if he knew I carried a werewolf coat in my arms. The vampires who hadn’t been invited to the fights watched me carefully, and I suspected Henri had orders to keep an eye on me, and Mark. Henri’s mind occasionally touched on mine, so I was careful to keep my thoughts neutral. A maid was waiting in my room upon my arrival, and I quickly ordered enough food for both Mark and me.
I set the fur coat on the couch carefully and walked into my bedroom. The shoes were the first thing to come off, as I sat on the edge of my bed. Mark had followed me into my room as well, moving around quickly to ensure there was no one lurking under the bed or in a closet. As soon as he had deemed the room safe, he turned and stood in the doorway, watching outside the room silently.
After I had removed the high heels, I rummaged through my dresser until I found something suitable for bed. The last few months I hadn’t worn anything for clothes, and I wondered what Henri would think to come back and find me clothed in sweat pants and a tank top, not that the drawers contained sweats. I cast a glance at Mark as he stood with his back to me, debating on a course of action. If I wanted to get through to Mark, I’d need time, which meant playing a dangerous game with Henri. Even the black satin pajamas I had worn before might seem like too much after wandering around naked. I pushed the pajamas back in the drawer and rummaged around until I found a thin, black satin robe. It would cover my body, but leave enough to the imagination. Henri would probably be angrier if I walked around naked in Mark’s presence, but the robe was something Henri would approve of, and expect his Queen to wear. For all his pretense of absolute control, Henri was still worried about my connection to Mark. The last thing I needed was his insecurities and jealousy getting the best of him, and Mark taking the heat for it.
The dress was thin and delicate, and I pulled it off carefully before I hung it on a hanger. I pulled the robe across my shoulders and looked at myself in the mirror atop my dresser. The robe was shorter than I had expected, and barely covered my butt. I wrapped the robe around me and tied the sash. My hair was still piled up intricately, with strands of black hair falling loose. A knock at the front door sounded, followed by the tentative voice of the maid.
Mark had already reacted, moving toward the maid and ensuring all was safe. I rolled my eyes and followed behind him. The maid had brought a large platter of food, and was carefully setting it out on the dining room table. Mark moved around me quietly, his eyes alert for any danger. The maid set out a plate for me and stepped back as I sat down and began helping myself to the platter of roast beef and potatoes.
“That’s all, you can go,” I told the maid, who bowed and quickly exited.
I waited until the maid was gone before pushing the other clean plate toward Mark. “Eat some food,” I ordered. Mark looked at me, but didn’t move from his spot against the wall. “Subject 17, get a plate, put food on it, sit down, and eat. Now.”
Mark moved quickly to obey, piling food onto his plate. His movements were precise and militaristic as he sat at the table and began shoveling food into his mouth. I rolled my eyes, but said nothing as we ate in silence. Mark quickly cleaned his plate, then sat back, his eyes darting around the room.
“If you are still hungry, eat some more,” I said between a bite of potatoes. Mark’s eyes darted to me, then to the food, then around the room again. He finally refilled his plate, and began eating at a slightly slower pace.
After the awkward meal, I moved back into the living room. Mark immediately followed, darting around the room ahead of me as though someone sneaky might have entered suddenly without us knowing. After he had secured this room, Mark found a spot along the wall facing the front door and stood, arms crossed over his bare chest.
I wasn’t sure how much time I had until Henri returned, but I wanted to test the limits of Henri’s mind control on Mark. I sat down on the couch, crossing my legs and pulling the robe down. Mark’s eyes flickered in my direction briefly before returning to stare at the door. He was still dressed as he had been in the arena, with only a loin cloth covering his body.
“Subject 17, what did King Henri say to you before we got into the car?” I asked. Mark looked at me, then back at the door. “Subject 17, your King commanded you to obey me. I am commanding you to answer my questions.”
Mark turned his head toward me at that, a frown marring his brow. “My King ordered me to protect
you with my life. He told me that if any harm came to you, that my life would be forfeit. He also ordered me to have no physical contact with you, unless it is to protect you from harm. I am to have no feeling for you, other than the desire to protect you. I am not to remember anything of my time before coming here to serve my Master. I am not to speak unless specifically commanded to.”
I sighed deeply, taking in his words. “What is your name?” I asked.
“I am only called Subject 17.”
“What was your name before you were called Subject 17?”
“I am not allowed to remember that.”
Not allowed to remember. That was an odd choice of words. “Do you remember?” I asked.
Mark was silent a moment and his eyes grew distant. “Sometimes,” he murmured softly.
“I want you to remember. Your name is Mark.”
“I am not allowed to remember.”
“Damn it,” I muttered. The knife pulsed on my side and I felt the strange presence of the knife before I heard the voice. Touch him.
I didn’t question it as I stood and walked toward Mark. He looked at me, but seemed not to care that I was walking toward him. I stopped in front of him and looked up at his face. Mark looked anywhere but at me. As I closed the distance between us, Mark shifted minutely away from me. I pursued him and reached out, touching my hand to his chest.
Mark shied away, his eyes suddenly wide. “I am to have no physical contact with you!” he exclaimed, backing away in a panic.
“I order you to stand still. If I choose to touch you, that is my choice. I am in charge here!” I said boldly, and Mark stopped moving. His eyes remained large and wild, but he stood still.
I reached my hand out slowly until I touched his chest. His heart pounded against my hand and his breathing grew faster. We stood there silently for several minutes neither of us moving. After his breathing returned to normal, I reached my other hand up and touched the side of his face. His eyes were wide as they looked at me. He was scared.
“Mark, please, remember,” I urged. We stood like that for several minutes, while I rattled off memories of our time as teachers. I teased him about his conspiracy theories, I laughed about the other teachers we didn’t like, and I reminisced about his wrestlers. Nothing happened. He stared at me blankly, and I felt like I was talking to a brick wall.
I finally lowered my hands and stepped back, eyeing him like the frustrating puzzle he was. My hand drifted to my side and I stroked the hilt of the knife under my short robe. No, the voice said.
He touched the knife before. Why not now? I asked the voice, but I hadn’t expected a response.
Not now. Too dangerous. The voice in my head was soft, but sounded very sure.
Well, do you have any better ideas?
Trigger an emotion. That worked before.
Before? I asked, thinking back over the evening. Only once had I seen any reaction or light in Mark’s eyes. It had been when Henri and I had had sex inches from his face. His hands had clenched into fists, but he hadn’t done anything else. I wasn’t entirely sure if I had even seen his reaction. It was worth a shot though.
“Mark, Subject 17, look at me,” I ordered as I stepped back. “I need you to remember who you are.”
I untied the robe and dropped my hands, letting the fabric part naturally and reveal bare skin. Mark stared at me, but his eyes registered no reaction. I moved my hands to the top of the robe and parted the fabric seductively. My eyes watched Mark’s, waiting for a reaction. His eyes moved, taking in my naked body. I pulled the robe off my shoulders and stepped toward him.
The knife of my side suddenly pulsed warningly, and I pulled the robe back on. I turned and walked toward the door, tying the robe as I went. Henri opened the door a moment later, and I plastered a smile on my face. Henri’s eyes took me in, then he flickered a glance at Mark.
“My King returns,” I said, and Henri turned his attention back to me. “I was just about to go to bed.”
Henri grinned and walked toward me with a bag in his hands. “I’m glad you hadn’t yet. I have your winnings,” he added, hefting the bag.
“Winnings?”
“You were the biggest winner tonight,” he stated, tossing the bag to me.
I caught the bag and peered inside, taking in the piles of cash. My mind reeled at the thoughts that came to mind, but I quickly pushed them away as I reached inside the bag and pulled out a wad of hundred dollar bills. I fanned them out and grinned at Henri mischievously. “How much is in here?” I asked, trying to keep a straight face.
Henri shrugged and said, “There’s a ledger somewhere that lists the total, but I think it’s a couple hundred thousand.”
“Hmm, could we put these in a pillow?”
“Pillow? I don’t know that it would be comfortable,” Henri responded seriously, a frown on his face. “Why?”
“So I can say I slept, literally, on a pile of money,” I said, grinning widely.
Henri chuckled and shook his head. “Oh, my Queen, I have a better idea,” he said, taking the bag of money from my hand.
Henri led me toward my bedroom and opened the bag of money, shaking it out onto my bed. He turned toward me and grinned as he loosened his tie. I fanned myself with the money I still held, while Henri pulled off his clothes. I could feel the pull of his vampire magic, and I knew where he was going with this.
Mark had followed us into the room and stationed himself in the doorway, facing away from us. Henri’s eyes flickered to the werewolf behind me as he piled his clothes on the floor. “Subject 17, stand guard outside the room. Let no one enter.”
The door closed and I was alone with the vampire. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Henri pulled me toward him, enveloping me in his arms. He moved his mouth toward my neck and bit down, sucking in my blood. I closed my eyes and tried to relax. The last several months I had been under Henri’s control, but I didn’t remember it. Bits and pieces occasionally came to mind, but it was just a series of random images. I still knew what had happened though, just like I knew what was going to happen now.
The knife pulsed on my thigh, and the voice whispered in my mind. Kill him, and the werewolf will be free of his control. I smiled at the thought. Mark and I would both be free, but what would happen after I killed Henri? How many vampires were in the building? Could I get past all of them and out of the city? Would they kill me in revenge, or just drain my blood? They were just vampires after all.
Do you have any better ideas? I asked the voice. I can’t kill him yet, even if I thought I was fast enough to pull that off.
What do you want to accomplish?
I need him to think he still has control over me.
Then act the part.
I moaned as Henri’s hands traced across my body, but it sounded fake even to me. I don’t think I can. I don’t want to do this! I don’t want to act the part, and I’m not very good at acting anyway. He will see right through me.
Kill him.
You’re not helping! I screamed at the voice in frustration. You’re a magical object, aren’t you? Do something magical!
The voice didn’t respond, and I didn’t have time for any more questions as Henri stopped drinking my blood. He leaned back and looked at me, his eyes two deep, black pools. The power emanating from Henri was palpable. If he hadn’t been holding me, I would have stumbled backward under the weight of that power.
Then the fog was there in my mind, and I gladly embraced it. All thought left my mind as the fog pulled me under. Henri’s power was there, pulsing with a golden, ethereal light. His mouth touched mine and darkness enveloped me.
Hours later I awoke, naked on my bed, covered in hundred dollar bills. The door to my bedroom was closed and I was thankfully alone. Whatever had happened with Henri, I couldn’t remember a thing, and for that I was very thankful. My aching body was indication enough. I stood and stretched before pulling the robe on. The money was scattered everywhere, on the floor and bed
, but I scooped it up and straightened it the best I could. There was a considerable amount of money, and nothing to spend it on. I took a couple stacks and shoved them into the side pouches of the backpack. Then I put the rest in the top drawer of my dresser before making my way to the bathroom.
Mark stood outside my bedroom door, arms crossed over his chest. He was dressed in black cargo pants and a black shirt, and he looked freshly showered. He cast me a quick glance, but said nothing as I moved to the bathroom. I took my time freshening up before going back to my bedroom to get dressed.
I rifled through the dresser, searching for something suitable to wear. Most of the clothing was skimpy, black and thin, but I managed to find a single pair of tight black pants in the bottom drawer. I paired it with a gray tank top and pulled my hair back in a ponytail. I still had my black boots, which I pulled on.
Don’t forget the gun, the voice said suddenly, startling me. I stopped and looked at the dresser, where the small gun I had worn the night before rested. I grabbed it and strapped the gun to my ankle. It was small, but it was something.
Thanks.
We need to talk.
I laughed aloud, shaking my head. I was losing my mind! The voice in my head, that I assumed came from a magical knife, just said that we needed to talk. What were we going to do? Sit down for a cup of coffee and share our feelings? Sure, let’s talk, I responded, still chuckling.
I’m not what you think I am.
Oh, then what are you?
The knife was created to combat vampires. Magic was used, infused into the metal.
I sat down on the bed and pulled the knife out, examining it. I heard as much, I replied.
This knife wasn’t the only one created. There were other weapons forged, and each weapon was linked to a man chosen to wield it.
I was told something along those lines. I had also heard that most of these men weren’t exactly the best of the best. Chosen might have been too strong a word. It was more that they were the only option at the time.
