The Claimed (Sin Hunters)

by Caridad Piñeiro

  “Together,” she affirmed, and allowed herself to savor this special time before reality intruded.

  A meager hint of morning sun streaked in through a crack in the wall, rousing Ryan as his body responded to the caress of his affinity.

  The chill at his core spoke to the extent of his injuries. Luckily the blasts that had struck him had only grazed him, but it had been enough to unbalance the vessel that held his Hunter life force and pull him to unconsciousness. Even now the weakness remained, but that single welcome beam of sunlight gradually restored him.

  “Move him away from the light,” Alexander commanded, and Ryan nearly whimpered as they dragged him away. He fought to return to the sun, but realized he was bound to a chair with energy bands much like those he had used on Maya.

  “He needs to recharge,” he heard her say, and tried to raise his head to look in the direction of her voice, but his head just flopped up and down feebly. He was too weak for even that simple motion. Too debilitated to offer up his thanks at Maya’s unexpected concern.

  “If he is too weak, we will not be able to question him,” Maya continued harshly, more in keeping with her true form.

  “You are always so wise,” Alexander replied, and Ryan found himself being yanked back into those welcoming rays, but with a bone-jarring thump as they unceremoniously dropped the chair on the hard cement floor.

  He groaned then, every part of his body still in pain.

  His misery earned only a satisfied chuckle from Alexander. Ryan didn’t even try to look at his former Añaru, instead raising his head to allow the sun to bathe his face. It was early morning sun, just freed from the horizon. The weak beams stroked his face, but quickly shifted down his body as the sun climbed in the sky.

  Was the battle still going on? he wondered as some measure of strength returned. But as he glanced around, he took note of the eight or so Hunters guarding the perimeter of the large room. Maya and Alexander huddled together not far from him. Maya was wrapped in what looked like the sheet from her bed.

  Clearly they had left the compound in haste, which brought Ryan hope that Christopher and their cadre had prevailed.

  “Seems like you lost, Alexander,” he said, just to confirm.

  Alexander stalked over and struck him hard across the face, snapping his head back and cutting open the inside of his mouth.

  “Insolent dog. You and Christopher will soon beg for my forgiveness.”

  Ryan smiled with the knowledge that Christopher was obviously still alive, but that earned him another powerful backhanded slap from Alexander. He savored the metallic taste of blood since it spoke of life, although he had no doubt Alexander would make him pay dearly for his existence.

  “What do you want?” he asked, aware that Alexander was keeping him alive only because he needed something.

  “Maya tells me that you have found the source of that incredible Quinchu power,” Alexander replied, his hands clasped before him as he stood in front of Ryan.

  “If Maya says so it must be true. Maya is so reliable, after all,” he replied, glaring at her as she walked to Alexander’s side. Surprisingly there was entreaty in her gaze, possibly because she was as aware as he of how little Alexander liked being challenged.

  Alexander approached him once again and Ryan braced for another blow. Instead Alexander crooked a finger in the direction of one of his men along the wall. The imposing man walked forward and saluted Alexander. He was much larger than either Alexander or him and Ryan had no doubt he could inflict serious physical injury.

  Alexander seemed to have something else in mind. He raised his hands and as he had done the night before, he erected a shielding force around those closest to them. Unlike that containment barrier, however, this one was merely intended to protect them from the prying gaze of humans which meant they must be close to a public area. If he could somehow break free, he might be able to hide amongst the humans until he could restore his power and return to the compound.

  Alexander laughed as if reading his mind. “There will be no escape for you, Ryan. The only question will be how much pain you wish to suffer before you die.”

  Because he prayed his death would be quick and Christopher’s father was not known for his patience, he goaded his former Añaru. “The only real question is how long before you die, Alexander. I can sense how weak and puny you are.”

  It was likely why the shield was so small and limited in scope and why Alexander had to call his man over to use his energy for whatever torture he had planned.

  A bright flush of color erupted across Alexander’s face. Along his neck a blotch appeared as his fury rattled his control. The first hints of the pox, Ryan thought. Alexander truly was weak.

  “Scott, why don’t you show Ryan why I called you over,” Alexander said in a deadly calm tone, giving no hint of the rage churning inside him, although it was impossible not to feel it or see the shimmer of the shield around them as he struggled to maintain it.

  But Ryan’s attention was drawn to the man called Scott who stepped before him. The man raised one hand, and with sickening fear Ryan watched as that hand transformed into a sharp blade of glowing energy.

  Scott was a Zero Point Reaver, a unique breed of Shadow who could tap into another’s core to cause not just immediate death, but incredible pain and disruption by contorting the empty spaces in their life forces to block their normal pathways. Sucking in a breath, Ryan prepared himself for the blow, aware that it would not be a fatal strike. It would be one meant to deliver the greatest agony without killing him.

  He was not mistaken.

  Scott touched that knife-edge energy to Ryan’s midsection and he jumped as if a burning brand had seared his skin.

  “Ryan, please tell them about Bruno. Tell Alexander where he can find him,” Maya pleaded, and Ryan didn’t know whether to believe the concern he heard in her voice.

  Somehow he managed to focus on her to distract himself from the pain. “Feeling guilty, Maya? Or are you worried that you chose the losing side?”

  Scott inched the blade into his abdomen and red-hot hurt ignited in his gut, nearly blinding him. His breath heaved in and out of his chest as he battled the pain, trying to retreat all his energy in his core in order to preserve his life force. He numbed the non-essential parts of himself, but as Scott sensed what he was doing, he laughed.

  The Reaver assassin leaned down until his nose bumped Ryan’s forehead and said, “Do you not believe that better men than you have tried and failed?”

  That he was a skilled Zero Point Reaver was evident as he drove his energy ever deeper and, with a tug, yanked Ryan’s power back into his gut and proceeded to twist the pathways into a knot of agony.

  Mind-numbing pain shattered Ryan’s command and he screamed aloud, unable to contain himself.

  “Scott,” Alexander said, and the pain withdrew as the Reaver yanked out his blade.

  “Little girl,” the assassin said with disdain as he took a step away and awaited Alexander’s further instructions.

  Ryan lolled weakly in the chair. The only things keeping him upright were the energy bonds tying him down. Lingering distress remained in his abdomen, reaching all the way back to his spine. Sweat bathed his body, and in the absence of sunlight, it created a sickening chill across his skin that matched that at his disrupted center.

  He wasn’t sure he would survive another attack from Scott.

  Alexander smiled, aware of that as well as he laid his hand on Ryan’s thigh and gauged his life force. He rubbed his hand there and murmured, “It would be so sad to lose you, Ryan. You have such beauty in you. Such honor and loyalty.”

  Alexander rose and motioned to Maya with a crook of his finger. “Come here, Maya. Share yourself with Ryan. Show him what he will be missing.”

  “Alexander?” she said, confusion in her voice.

  In more curt tones, he instructed, “Give him your energy, Maya. Awaken him.”

  He then motioned to the four other men withi
n the barrier, who came over and picked up the chair, holding it in midair.

  Ryan knew then what he planned, as did Maya. She surprised him with a momentary sputter of protest before she did as Alexander had instructed.

  She laid her trembling hand on his thigh. Her gaze locked on his, surprisingly filled with regret, but knowing the punishment for failing to obey.

  Death or torture.

  If the positions had been reversed, he would have chosen death, but Maya had always been all about her. Today was no different, and yet she took her time rousing him, slowly releasing her power, so slowly that he was able to gather some of it to strengthen his failing energy.

  “Do not defy me, Maya,” Alexander warned, seemingly aware of her ploy. “Finish it or I will finish you.”

  She finally released the full force of her sexual power and his cock and balls responded, coming alive with need. He shook from the force of the pleasure and awareness of the pain that would follow.

  As Maya stepped away, Alexander took her place and leaned forward. He sent another little blast of power to up the need in Ryan. To increase the pain that would follow because Alexander was a sadist who delighted in the distress of others.

  “Perfect,” he said, and when he stepped back, Scott immediately took Alexander’s place. The Zero Point Reaver smiled gleefully as he transformed his hand into that deadly blade once more. He dropped the blade of energy beneath the edge of the chair the men were holding aloft.

  “It’s not too late to tell me, Ryan. All I need to know is where I can find Adam Bruno,” Alexander said, his tone cajoling.

  Funny thing was, Ryan didn’t really know. He had his suspicions, but he wouldn’t reveal those. He would not do anything to jeopardize Christopher or his newfound friends.

  “I seem to be having trouble with my memory,” he replied, and braced himself for the Reaver’s blow.

  Nothing could have prepared him for the pain as Scott drove upward, piercing his genitals from below.

  His scream rebounded inside the shield Alexander had created and echoed in his brain, chasing him into the oblivion that claimed him.

  CHAPTER

  33

  After their bonding, Victoria and Christopher had almost immediately returned to their people, helping them with their Equinox-amplified power. The sun was up by the time they finished tending to all the injured and arranging for the handling of the dead.

  Thanks to Alexander’s shield and the distance between homes along this stretch of the shore, none of the neighbors were aware that a battle had been fought. If anything, the volley of blasts that had not been disguised by the shield had probably sounded like a fireworks display to those in the distance.

  But it had been a battle and it had drained all of them, including Adam and his parents. Their healing talents had been invaluable, and Bobbie’s military experience had helped with the logistics of moving the wounded and securing the compound once again. Her compassion had been felt as well into the early morning as she had gone around checking on the injured. Now they were all safely resting in spare bedrooms in the compound, guarded by the Desert clan cadre they had summoned to help.

  Although Christopher had put on a good face as he took care of his people and thanked hers, the weight of his upset registered within her. He was worried for his people and concerned for his missing friend.

  They had just finished up with the last group, securing the Shadows who had been captured, when she stumbled from exhaustion, feeling more tired than she ever had in her life. Of course, she had never had to expend so much energy in so short a time.

  Christopher eased his arm around her waist and steadied her. “You should go get some rest. I’ll take you to my room.”

  She shook her head. What she needed to do was to recharge. “I need to go into the water and hunt. Besides, I don’t think you plan on heading to bed any time soon.”

  “I need to find Ryan.”

  “You need to strengthen yourself first. You won’t do Ryan any good if you are too weak to help him,” she urged, placing her hand on his chest and feeling the fragility of his vitality. He had taxed himself with his exertions since their bonding.

  He looked away from her, toward the horizon where the sun glared brightly in a clear cerulean sky. “The sun is Ryan’s affinity. Even if he was hurt, just being outdoors will help him.”

  “I’m sure he’s fine. Alexander wants him for a reason.”

  “He wants information, but Ryan would rather die than help him. That’s what worries me,” Christopher said, and she wrapped her arms around him. As he returned her embrace, her core vibrated as it recognized his energy and rejoiced.

  “We must be ready. For Ryan’s sake,” she said, knowing that was the only way she would get Christopher to take the time he needed to restore himself.

  Christopher nodded and passed his hand along her hair, his touch gentle. Then he took hold of her hand and led her to his office. He stood in front of the map of the area, which was marked up with an assortment of pins that had no meaning for her. All his attention was on the map.

  She understood. There was only one priority right now: Find Ryan.

  The scream stopped Sammie in the middle of her morning jog.

  She pulled up, breathing hard. She cocked one hand on her hip as she ripped out her headphones and listened more carefully. The only sounds were the susurrus of the ocean and the echo of another runner’s footsteps as they plodded through the shell of the derelict casino in Asbury Park.

  Had she imagined it? she thought, but then another scream came, curdling her blood as she imagined the pain that must have prompted it.

  She raced in the direction of the casino wall, just a shell of artfully painted plywood tacked up over a mishmash of old rusted girders and new aluminum support beams. An observation hole was cut into the plywood so visitors could track the renovations underway. Sammie stopped often to check in, enjoying even the slightest progress being made on the project as it signaled the rebirth of Asbury Park.

  As she stared through the hole, weak rays of sunlight illuminated the interior of the space and the group of people in the center. Four men held up a chair in which a bound man sagged downward. A woman wearing an oversized man’s shirt and an attractive older gentleman stood before the chair, speaking in low tones to their captive.

  The man barely moved, just gave one weak shake of a strawberry-blond head. The color was familiar, as was the general shape of the well-built man.

  The older gentleman, clearly the leader, barked out a command to a very tall and scary-looking man who had been standing off to the side.

  “Not much going on, is there?” someone said from beside her, tearing her away from the sight of the group within the space.

  “Excuse me?” she said to another jogger, who stood at a different peephole about two feet away. Sweat dotted his face and arms and he swiped at his face as one bead trailed down his temple.

  Motioning to the hole, he said, “You seemed so involved, I thought something might be going on inside.”

  Was she crazy or was he? Sammie wondered as she stared back through the hole and watched as the large man suddenly seemed to be holding a bright shard of light in his hand. Before she could ask the jogger if he saw it, the man thrust the light into the other man’s abdomen.

  The strawberry-blond man threw his head back and howled in agony. She recognized him then even though his face was contorted with pain. The sound echoed through the walls of the space. She pulled back and asked the jogger, “Don’t you see that? Hear it?”

  The jogger squinted into the peephole and then back at her, clearly thinking she was delusional. “Gotta run,” the man said and raced away, his footsteps loud in the empty framework of the casino building. No sooner had he left than a bicyclist rode in and the tires whirred on the broken terrazzo floor. The sound barely covered up the low, guttural moan from Ryan.

  She didn’t understand what was going on, but she knew she had to get help for Chr
istopher’s friend. Alone she was no match for the group within the renovated space, especially the weird energy man with the deadly looking hand.

  She had to call Victoria, but before she did so, she stared back through the peephole, wanting to confirm just how many people were in the space. This time she was able to see another four men guarding the perimeter. Big, brawny, and powerful-looking men.

  They were going to need a lot of help, she thought as she raced down the boardwalk to her T-shirt shop to make the call.

  CHAPTER

  34

  Victoria’s cell phone rang, but she hit “Ignore,” her attention on Christopher and his second-in-command as they discussed how to safeguard the compound for the short term while also going in search of Ryan.

  But the phone immediately chirped again. She was about to ignore it once more when she realized it was Sammie calling. Sammie would never be repeat-dialing like this if it wasn’t urgent.

  She answered.

  Winded, Sammie said, “Christopher’s friend. Ryan. He’s in trouble.”

  Victoria popped up from her chair and waved at Christopher. Hitting the speakerphone key, she said, “I’m with Christopher. You say Ryan’s in trouble?”

  “A guy with some kind of laser thing on his hand is hurting him. Ryan’s in a lot of pain.”

  “How many other people are with him?” Christopher asked, leaning toward the desktop where Victoria had placed the phone.

  “An older man and a dark-haired woman. At least another eight men.”

  Maya, Christopher mouthed, and Victoria nodded, then asked, “Where?”

  “In the old casino building along the beach in Asbury Park,” Sammie said, her breath slowing to normal.

  “We’ll be there soon. Stay away from them, Sammie. They’re dangerous,” Victoria replied, worried that her ever impulsive friend would take matters into her own hands.