The bats burst into flames leaving behind a thick veil of smoke that burned her eyes, nose, and throat. She started to cough and gag. She tried to hold her breath, but it was too late. Her throat was on fire. She couldn’t stop coughing, which forced her to breathe in more of the noxious fumes. The sensation of suffocating caused her to panic. She stood up. Her head hit something solid and she stumbled backward.
It was apparent from the way he grabbed her arm too tightly that it wasn’t Eli or Cain who had her. “Move!” Jeremy yanked her arm hard.
It felt as if he’d ripped her shoulder right out of socket. “Let go!” Digging in her heels, she put up a fight until Eli spoke again.
“You’re going to get yourself hurt if you keep it up.” He spun her around so that her back was pressed up against his body as he wrapped his arm around her neck. “Now walk with me.” He took a few backward steps. Her throat still burned along with her eyes and nose, but the air had cleared enough that she could breathe again. She wasn’t going anywhere with the vampire. She continued to struggle to get away from him.
Stop. You can’t get away from him. He’s too strong.
Stumbling, she took a few steps with Jeremy. What do I do then?
Just stay calm. I’m not going to let him take you out of my sight. I can’t attack him while he has you. It’s too dangerous.
Clearly Eli was insane. She couldn’t see. She was being dragged off to only God knew where by a vampire. How was she supposed to remain calm? Just do it. Attack him. I don’t care if it’s dangerous. I don’t want to go anywhere with him.
He’s taking you out into the open. That is good. I told you that I won’t let you out of my sight. I won’t let him hurt you.
He doesn’t want to hurt me. He wants to kill me for my father.
No. He doesn’t want to kill you. He wants something from you. I’m not sure what it is, but I know he won’t kill you. Trust me. He can’t get away with you. My pack is surrounding you.
She felt bad for giving Cain a bad time when he was trying to help her. If she’d been more cooperative they would’ve had a better chance of making it out of the cave before Jeremy had gotten to them. Did he kill Cain?
No. Cain is with the rest of the pack waiting for us outside the cave.
***
Eli watched as Jeremy forced Kara toward the exit. He couldn’t fathom why the vampire had any reason to be interested in her at all, but he knew he didn’t intend to kill her for her father. He wouldn’t have involved himself in a matter such as that. He knew from rumors that Jeremy had established an unassailable and prosperous empire in human trafficking. He’d been established in the trade for hundreds of years. As a general rule he only took and bought women and children from the poorest of the poor locations around the world to avoid their disappearances being reported. He was as savvy of a businessman as he was merciless.
Once they exited the cave, Jeremy stopped. “If any of your mutts get any closer I’ll crush her throat.”
Eli knew he could and would break her neck in an instant. He knew his pack understood what was happening. They knew the danger. They would stand their ground, but they wouldn’t blindly charge the vampire as long as he had his hands on her. Then again, rather than take any chances he used his mind to communicate with them to make sure they didn’t rush to attack.
“Let her go,” Eli said.
“That’s it? That’s all you have?”
“She is my mate. If you let her go now I’ll let you run and give you a head start.”
“Your mate?” He laughed out loud. “I thought your mate ran off with a demon. Never mind that for now. I have no intention of harming your second choice. She’s very valuable to me at the moment, but I assure you that if you become a problem to me, she will lose her value very quickly.”
He saw confusion in her eyes. Perhaps even a stab of pain, but he couldn’t focus on it at the moment. “What do you want with her?”
“I simply need to borrow her for a little while. As soon she succeeds in getting me what I want I will let her go.”
“You aren’t taking her out of my sight.”
“That is a problem.” Jeremy paused. “I think I have the perfect solution, if you’re willing put your life on the line for her.”
“I will do whatever it takes.”
“Send your pack away and stay here with us as my captive.”
His pack would stay close. They wouldn’t like him playing the role of a vampire’s captive, but they would obey his orders. Of course they would watch and wait for the perfect opportunity to attack, but no matter how long it took they would stand down until that moment arrived. He met Cain’s gaze. “Get them out of here.”
Cain nodded. “As you wish.”
As expected, when his pack backed off into the woods and out of sight another vampire moved in closer.
“What do you expect her to do for you?” Eli asked.
“Sorry. You’re my captive. As such you don’t get to ask questions. If you wish to fight we can do that, but as we’ve already discussed, if you wish to cooperate with me it will go much better for you and for her.” He handed Kara off to another vampire and pointed to a pine tree. “Cuff their hands together with their backs against the tree until I return.”
The vampire that had moved closer asked, “Why didn’t you just kill the wolf?”
“I need him. As long as we have control of Eli, we have control of his pack. As long as his wrists are cuffed to her fragile wrists we have control of him.” Jeremy explained.
“You don’t need him.”
“If I kill him his pack would come down on us hard.”
I was counting on you to save me. You shouldn’t have agreed to let him cuff you to me, Eli.
I didn’t have a choice. It was the only way to prevent him from hurting you and still stay close to you at the same time.
What do you think he expects me to do for him?
I’m not sure.
I hope he isn’t trying to get my father to pay a ransom. That won’t go well at all.
No. He knows your father believes you’re dead. It’s something else. Eli explained.
It must have something to do with my mom. He believes she’s still alive. I can’t think of anything he might find...oh, no. He’s looking at me like…do it. Break the cuffs. I know you can do it. She said.
I can’t. Never in all of his life had he imagined he would find himself in such a horrible situation. I would rip your arms off.
It’ll only hurt until I pass out from blood loss. And if you’re quick you can kill him before I pass out and then I won’t miss a thing.
Forget it. She was scared to death, but doing her best to put on a good show. He wanted to tell her that her mom was still alive, but the news might lessen her ability to focus. He needed her to be able to function when the time to act came along.
We’re going to die, aren’t we?
It was possible, but he refused to admit it. No. Not today.
You’re trying to make me feel better, Eli?
Is it working?
A little.
That’s better than not at all.
How many vampires are there?
Only a few, but there are many more ghouls.
Just as I suspected. But what happened to trying to make me feel better?
Oops. Sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.
He heard her gasp. What’s wrong?
Nothing.
Don’t lie to me. Something startled you.
Jeremy is looking at me like he…oh, shit. He’s walking toward me.
***
Kara knew what was on Jeremy’s mind as he walked toward her. He had a knife in his hand, but she knew he wouldn’t use it soon enough. He planned to rape her. Along with her own horror she felt Eli’s horror and rage.
Do it. Break the cuffs.
I already told you that it’s not happening. Stay calm.
Please. She pled.
Look at him like y
ou want him.
It’s not happening.
Make him think you want him.
You’re crazy.
Trust me.
Jeremy pressed the blade against her throat. “Call out to your mom.”
“She’s dead.”
I’m good but I’m not that good, Eli.
You’re better than good. You’re wonderful. Get him to undo the cuffs. The second you do, my entire pack will be free to attack.
Why did you let him cuff us together?
I didn’t know he would do it. I only wanted to stay as near to you as possible, until I could kill him without putting you in danger.
How am I supposed to get him to undo them?
Seduce him. Make him need to feel your hands on his body.
If I do it, will you kill him immediately?
Slowly and painfully.
“Call out to her now,” Jeremy said.
“Help me. I’ll try but I don’t know how to do it. She died when I was young. I can’t feel her.”
Seeing him smile filled her with so much hatred and rage. You will kill him as slowly and painfully as possible, right?
I promise.
I want to watch.
Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Promise me that if this doesn’t work, you won’t let him rape me. Swear to me that you will break the cuffs and you will kill him.
I won’t allow him to rape you. I swear I will break them.
Kara knew deception well. She’d spent a lifetime learning it. She braced herself. She made sure Jeremy saw interest and appreciation in her eyes. “You look familiar. Did we meet before when my mom was still alive?”
He moved closer. “Do you like what you see in me?” He was so close to her. Too close. She could actually feel the unnatural chill of his body. He reached out and wrenched her head to the side.
“Yes. I do.”
“Stop fucking with me!” He slapped her across the face.
Eli yanked on the cuffs. It hurt like hell, but she didn’t allow it to stop her. Tilting her head back against the tree she looked up at Jeremy. “I didn’t mean to upset you. You asked. I answered. Would you rather I lie to you?”
“You want to play for a while, before I kill you?”
“You don’t want to kill me. I know you would’ve already done it if you truly wanted me dead.”
Jeremy wrapped his hands around her throat and squeezed. When he released her, he had a blank look in his eyes. She knew that Eli was in his head and controlling him. He blinked twice and then he took a step back as he walked to the other side of the tree.
“You think you can control me,” Jeremy asked. “Control this you dumb piece of shit!”
Kara heard a grunt. She knew Jeremy had used the knife to stab Eli. “Hey, Jeremy.”
What are you doing? Eli asked.
I’m hoping to convince him that it’ll be much more fun to play with me than you.
“Please come over here, Jeremy. I need to tell you something.”
There was silence. She felt the chains tightening again. She could feel Eli’s frustration. Seconds later, Jeremy stood in front of her with a bloody knife in hand. How bad are you injured?
I’m fine.
She could hear Eli’s struggle to breathe through the pain. She made eye contact with Jeremy in an attempt to take control of his actions through his mind. She looked up at Jeremy and smiled. “I want you to take me away from Eli and everything. Let us begin a new life together. Choose me. Be with me.”
No! Don’t do it. I won’t break the cuffs. Eli said.
Trust me just as I trusted you. I can make him release you. I can do this.
***
Head bowed and eyes closed, Eli gathered his strength as he felt Jeremy standing in front of him. Grabbing a handful of Eli’s hair, the vampire slammed the back of his head against the tree. He didn’t react in the slightest. Keeping his body limp, he allowed the vampire to examine and prod the knife wounds he had inflicted on his chest and belly. “If we kill him outright, his pack will immediately attack. Take the cuffs off her and then cuff him back up to the tree.”
“He’ll get away. If he isn’t cuffed to her, what will stop him from breaking free?” The other vampire cautioned.
“Just do it. He’s too weak to fight,” Jeremy explained.
“But…”
“Do it!” Jeremy shouted. “He has lost the majority of his blood. He can’t even hold his head up. He won’t be able to do a damn thing for hours.”
Eli kept his body limp as they freed her and cuffed him to the tree again. Though becoming anxious, his pack was waiting for his command to attack. Kara didn’t give Eli a warning. She held Jeremy captive with her gaze as she thrust the knife into his chest. Eli turned his wrists so that he clenched the metal cuffs in his fists. He yanked them hard using all of his strength until they snapped. Knowing a knife wound wouldn’t kill Jeremy, Eli shoved Kara to the side. He planned to kill Jeremy, but the vampire dissolved into a black mist and disappeared.
He took her hand. “Kara.” As if in a state of shock, she stared down at the spot that Jeremy had disappeared from. He framed her face between his palms to force her to focus on him. “Are you okay?”
“Okay? No. I’m better than okay. I controlled his mind.” She smiled up at him. “I thought he was too strong.”
“You sure did. You’re a very clever woman. You saved us both today.”
She laughed out loud. “You didn’t need any saving. You were only stuck to the tree for my sake. You shouldn’t have allowed him to take you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. Holding the deepest knife wound on his left side he wrapped his right arm around her as he bent down and kissed her. And she returned his kiss with enthusiasm, but she stopped suddenly. She released him and stepped back. “What are you doing?”
“I was kissing you.”
“That’s the last thing you should be doing.” She looked him up and down. “You’re hurt. We need to get you to the hospital. He stabbed you.”
He cringed at the sound of his pack’s laughter coming from all around. The last thing he needed was for her to start babying him in front of them. “I’ve no reason to go running to the hospital. They’re already healing up just fine.”
“You don’t look fine at all. You look pale. Maybe you should sit down before you faint.” Obviously attempting to make sure he knew that she was fully aware of the fact that she was embarrassing him in front of the pack she smiled and winked at him.
“I don’t faint.”
“Ever?”
“Never.”
“She’s right, Eli. It’s okay. Sit down before you fall down. That big bad vampire really messed you up with that knife. You look like shit,” Cain said.
Listening to her laughter, Eli forced himself to frown. “Don’t encourage her.” He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.
She snuggled up to him. “If we aren’t rushing you the hospital what’s the plan? It’s getting dark.” She shivered. “And I’m beyond cold.”
“I’ve a home close by,” Eli stated. “We will go there for the night.” He began to walk with her.
“Where exactly are we?”
“We’re right in between Latourel Falls and Multnomah Falls.”
“Will we get there before dark?”
“I’m sure we will. It’s less than a quarter of a mile away.”
~Nineteen~
ELI PLANNED TO tell Kara about her mother as soon as he got her to his home and warmed up. Opening the front door for her, he motioned for her to go inside. He followed her in and shut the door.
“What about the other guys? Aren’t they coming inside?” she asked.
“They prefer the outdoors.” He hit the switch for the entryway light and led her to the other side of the house.
“But it’s cold outside.”
“You forget they have fur to keep them warm.”
“I thought you haven’t been back her
e for years. It’s in much better shape than I expected.”
“I have a caretaker to look after it.” He took her hand and led her into the living room. He hit few more light switches, and then he knelt down in front of the fireplace and started to load wood into it. “Sit down and I’ll start a fire to warm you up.”
“Are you kidding? The furniture is exquisite. Everything in here is downright immaculate. I’m filthy. I stink. There’s no way I’m going to sit on anything in here.”
He turned his head to laugh at her, but one look at her told him that not only was she serious she also appeared to be on the verge of tears. Dirt had never actually bothered him. He certainly didn’t care if she got the furniture dirty. The only reason the house was kept up so well was because it wasn’t his main residence and he didn’t have anything to do with the upkeep or the furnishings. That was what he had a caretaker for. He’d been on the road for a long time. He remembered dirt and mud bothered his mom a sufficient amount, enough to get his dad chased by a broom more than few times.
He picked up the box of matches on the base of the fireplace and closed his fist over it as he stood up to face her. “Looks like I’m going to have to hunt for matches. I know you’re cold. It might take a while to get the fire going. I’ve a better idea than waiting for a fire to warm you up.”
“What’s that?”
“How about you take a nice hot shower while I work on getting the fire started?”
Her eyes going wide, her lower lip trembled. “So you agree? You think I smell bad?”
Shaking his head, he swallowed hard. What the hell just happened? He’d been so careful to avoid saying anything that might hurt her feelings. He’d even hidden the damn matches. She busted out laughing hysterically. Perfect. She’d had a traumatic day and now she was going to get all hormonal crazy on him. He wasn’t good dealing with hormonal crazy females. In fact, he wasn’t even sure how to proceed. “What’s so funny?” he asked. Not that he wanted to know. Because he sure as hell didn’t. He wasn’t even sure why he’d asked. The question sort of came out of his mouth.
“That was great.”
“What do you mean?” Suddenly the house, the room they were standing in, was too small. He felt cornered, trapped. He wasn’t able to identify her vibes, but they felt unstable. He actually considered making a run for it.
Hot Decadent Rising (Breath of Darkness) Page 23
