Broken Souls

by Jade M. Phillips

  “For what?”

  Jax cleared his throat with an awkward cough, making it obvious he wasn’t much for giving thanks. “Thank you for taking the blame for Orie. I know it wasn’t you who fed Cloe your blood.”

  My heart thudded in my chest, and I twiddled my fingers together. “How did you know?”

  Jax rumbled with what I assumed to be a laugh, but it sounded more like a growl. “All the werewolves are aware of my brother’s feelings for that vampire. He’s not the most inconspicuous wolf I’ve ever met. It’s quite obvious what really happened.”

  I clasped my hands together not knowing what else to say, but Jax continued.

  “What you did was noble. And the whole pack has been talking about it all night. It’s not usual that one of you has stood up for one of us.”

  By ‘one of you’ I assumed he meant the vampires. It made me sad even in a society such as this there remained such segregation. I resisted the urge to hug the werewolf, vying to continue the conversation instead. I smiled, thinking of my other roommate.

  “Orie is a good man,” I said, reflecting on our time together. “And he’s a good friend. He doesn’t deserve Horus’ wrath.”

  Jax shook his head. “I’ve tried to tell him that acting this way will only get him into trouble. He’s playing with fire and he knows very well he shouldn’t be meddling with the vampires or he’ll get burnt.”

  I slid him a sympathetic glance. “But he loves her,” I sighed, unable to deny the fact that I was being a gushy, girly, hopeless romantic. But I didn’t care, knowing that I only wanted Jax to understand his younger brother. “And despite what Cloe might say, she loves him too.”

  Jax grunted. “Love or not, he’s going to get himself killed. There’s been many times I’ve had to protect him and hide his stupidity. But I’m not always going to be there. I’m not always going to be able to protect him.” Jax’s frustration over his brother was obvious. But also obvious, was how much he cared for him. I laid a hand on his arm, causing his eyes to go wide.

  “You’re a very good brother,” I smiled. “And if I had a brother, I’d want him to be just like you.”

  For the first time since knowing the werewolf, he smiled, though awkwardly so. But he caught himself and, just as quickly as the smile had appeared, it faded, leaving in its place his normal stern look.

  “Thank you,” he grunted, offering me a sidelong glance. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  TWENTY-SEVEN: GUY

  I don’t know how long I’d been unconscious or, furthermore, how long I’d even been locked up in this prison cell. I’d lost track of the days once I lost consciousness, but I was pretty sure it’d been close to a month, maybe longer.

  Night faded into day and then into night again without any way to tell the passing of time. After another rough beating from Horus and his lackey, my mind slipped away due to blood loss and severe malnutrition. I hung in a constant state of fog, my dreams and reality swirling together like blood in water.

  The only thing I knew for sure was Ruby remained nearby, her light lending me comfort and keeping me going when all else was hopeless. She would visit me in my dreams and offer me words of encouragement, her presence was so real it was as if I was touching her soft skin. Her voice was so melodic, it melted into me.

  But I knew she was just a product of my fever-dreams, signaling the end of my life. I’d heard just before you die, your mind relives your fondest memories and deepest desires, and that is exactly what I was doing; remembering what made me happiest in life.

  I’d lived for so long thinking revenge on the vampires would offer me happiness, but it had taken a vampire herself to show me the true meaning of joy. She’d shown me how to live life to the fullest, reminded me how to laugh and smile again, and taught me how to appreciate the smallest act of kindness, finally allowing me to be content with myself in a way I’d never been before. I was finally able to let go.

  I had fought so hard against Horus, deducing the only way out was escape, but now after realizing my situation hopeless, I knew the best way out was to die a happy man. And Ruby had given me that happiness; I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.

  I’d never been a religious man, spiritual maybe, but never religious, so I found it strange when my body gave way to death, the judgment bells of heaven ringing through my head. Yet the bells were not the harmonious chimes as I imagined they would be, instead being loud screams piercing pain through my ears and body. I shook and trembled at the wailing sound, my painful reaction causing a realization— the realization that I could feel my body once again. Death had not come for me after all, at least not yet, and what I thought to be heaven’s bells releasing me from this earth, were actually alarm horns blaring throughout the town.

  I shocked myself when I sat bolt upright with hardly any effort, the intense pain from the numerous beatings now subsiding to only dull aches and minor pains. I could already tell my strength had grown considerably and I wondered how such a thing could’ve happened. I wiggled my fingers to test my agility, feeling something slide from one of my hands.

  I released a sharp breath when I saw the rosary I’d given Ruby lying in my lap. And then I knew. Ruby had somehow visited me here in the cell, and from the signs of my improving health, she’d more than likely fed me her blood.

  Ruby.

  The name escaped my lips in a whisper, warmth flushing my body. A comfort only the young vampire could bring, enveloped me like a cocoon. I imagined her violet eyes sparkling and her soft lips parted in a laugh. I rubbed the cross gently between my fingers, my connection to her growing by leaps and bounds.

  Yet despite my happiness, a sudden panic welled within my chest and I glanced through the bars of my cell, quickly hiding the necklace in my hand. As my eyes searched the dark hall, I realized that my fear of the werewolf guard seeing Ruby’s token was for naught, because no one was there. I knotted my brows together, wondering if Horus was starting to realize what little threat I posed, because in all reality and, due to the fact that FUSE had no idea I was here, I was as harmless to Tombstone as a feather was to glass. And if that was the case, and Horus deemed me unworthy of my personal guard, it wouldn’t be long before he deemed me unworthy of my life. My chest clenched in fear, but I shook away the thought, more concerned over Ruby’s well-being than my own.

  The fact that she’d visited me was dangerous within itself, not to mention if she were caught doing so it could mean her death. I couldn’t forgive myself if something happened to her because of me.

  Suddenly, a flood of questions washed through me, and I wondered if she’d already been caught. What if they knew of our connection? What if she was being hurt or tortured right now?

  I instinctively went to stand, but for the numbness in my legs and the chains holding me to the wall, I fell to the floor, my side slamming into the concrete. I crawled back to the bench, realizing I was still considerably weak, and reasoned that physically exerting myself wouldn’t do Ruby any good. After pulling myself together, I stood reassured she was safe for now because my connection to her told me so. I closed my eyes and reached out to her with my mind, grasping for any essence of her being.

  I couldn’t see her or hear her, my bond being more of a state of mind, a presence. My heart squeezed with her sadness, deep and dark as it traveled from her into me. She felt defeated and anxious, scared and alone. But behind her melancholy mood shone a glimpse of light. A glimpse of hope. She remained determined, and I feared the driving force behind her determination was me.

  The piercing alarm stopped abruptly, leaving silence in its wake. I breathed in deeply for the first time in weeks, feeling the cool air course through my lungs. Though she couldn’t hear me, I called out to her silently anyway.

  Please stay safe, Faith. Please leave me be. You have given me all you could and I thank you. Just please leave me be.

  TWENTY-EIGHT: RUBY

  Exhaustion seeped through my body as I yawned, having yet again endured
another sleepless day. I’d been stuck inside The Birdcage Theatre with Jax for the entire lockdown, the hours passing by torturously slow. I’d only dozed off for minutes at a time between Jax’s security rounds, begging the proverbial clock to tick faster. Once the sun finally set, three long beeps blared through the town, signaling the end of the drill.

  Upon Jax’s dismissal, I shot out the doors like a bolt of lightning toward Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, another attempt to get a plate of food for ‘the prisoner.’ I normally would’ve finished blood slave duty first, but I couldn’t stand being away from Guy for another second.

  Yet as I approached the large saloon, a vampire I’d seen around but didn’t know her name approached me, carrying three large sacks over her shoulders. She had large breasts and a tiny waist, accentuating her formal dress. I was well aware the vampires here dressed in the stately 1800s fashions, but this woman’s outfit was purely ridiculous, and I subdued the urge to roll my eyes.

  She wore a maroon high-collared Victorian dress, adorned with black velvet, lace, and buttons. A silver broach sat at her neck and a fan of black material bloomed from its center. Her curly hair was pinned to her head and her full lips curved into a smile when she looked at me.

  “You are the baby vampire, yes?” she asked, and I flinched at the use of that nickname— the one Horus addressed me by. I reasoned it was no coincidence and she must be one of his followers. But I nodded just the same.

  She dropped the large sacks on the ground in front of me with a thud, smiling wickedly. “You are now on laundry duty.”

  Devastation clenched my heart, remembering how much time Cloe spent at the laundry well; a cumbersome job. I wouldn’t have enough time to do the wash, check on Cloe, care for the humans, and get to the jail to see Guy before the night ended.

  I looked down at myself in comparison to the woman. My black dress hung tattered and dirty, where hers lay pristine and perfect. I’d noticed my lack of lavish wardrobe before, but standing next to her now, it was blaringly obvious there were two classes of vampires. The high-society, and the help. It was also apparent as to which category I fell into. I cleared my throat in annoyance.

  “I have to get to The Shelter, and the prisoner at the jail hasn’t been fed since yesterday.”

  The female shrugged, uncaring. “That’s your problem. Horus ordered the laundry be done straight away.” She tugged on the velvet cuffs of her sleeves to straighten them. “We vampires can’t go around looking like dirty derelicts now, can we?” She looked me up and down, insinuating I was the ‘dirty derelict’ she spoke of.

  Heat rose up within me, flushing my cheeks, and I clenched my fists at my sides. Who did this woman think she was? I wanted to punch her in her pretty face, but thankfully she turned to walk away before I was able to act on the impulse. The vampire glanced back over her shoulder at me and cackled as she strode away.

  Damn it. Every time I tried to get to the jail to see Guy something stopped me. I was running out of patience, and more importantly, time.

  I spent the next couple of hours scrubbing the elite vampires’ clothes on an old washboard, wringing out the water and hanging them up to dry. I worked as quickly as possible, anxious to be done with it, but the amount of clothes was tremendous.

  I glanced across the street to the mercantile store and, to my surprise, the same fancy lady vampire who’d given me the laundry stood there, chatting with the store owner. She kept glancing my way.

  I huffed in annoyance, suddenly aware of what she was doing. Now that Cloe was incapacitated, Horus needed to find himself someone else to spy on me. Crap.

  I ignored the vampire and continued my work until finished, pinning the last set of white pantaloons on the clothesline. The moon hung half way across the sky, and I thought I might just have enough time to get to the jail, visit the humans and maybe even check in on Cloe at the infirmary. But I’d have to act fast.

  Once back at the Saloon, and certain Horus’ assistant wasn’t spying on me anymore, I was stopped by Pandora. Double Crap. She appeared in a flash, blocking my way to the entrance, and I would’ve been highly annoyed if not for the foreboding look on her face.

  “Ruby, I’ve been looking for you. I have some news.”

  “The vote?” My anxious eyes widened.

  “Yes.” She flung her red hair back over her shoulders and shifted her weight from one hip to the other. “Like I suspected, it did not go through. I’m sorry. I know you were looking forward to this.”

  My heart dropped into my stomach. That meant the humans would continue to be treated like animals, living in filthy cages. Disbelief washed over me. I was just sure Jax and Morin would’ve overtaken Horus in the vote.

  “But how?”

  Pandora shrugged. “Two to one, darling.”

  Anger boiled my blood, but desperation took over. “But… couldn’t you have used your power of objection? Like you did to save my life?”

  Pandora shook her head. “I am only granted that vote in the matter of a life or death situation. One I feel has been unjust.”

  My body set afire at her words, and anger pulsed through me in hot rivulets. For the humans, this was a life or death situation.

  “The humans!” My voice squeaked without permission. “They’re dying!”

  Pandora stood unaffected by my outburst, studying her sharp fingernails. “The rule only pertains to those like us; Unfortunate Souls. According to the Patriarch —and every other vampire aside from yourself— humans don’t count.”

  My fangs throbbed in reaction to my rage, but I reminded myself to breath. Pandora couldn’t help the outcome of the vote and was just following the rules, but that didn’t stop the disappointment that sucked at my insides. I exhaled slowly, trying to reel myself back in.

  “Who was it? Who tilted the vote?”

  Pandora raised an eyebrow at my gruff defiance, but released a sigh. “Not that it’s any of your business, but it was Jax and Horus who voted against the proposition.”

  At hearing Jax’s name, a lump formed in my throat. Why would he have voted that way? Only a few hours ago in the theater he was sympathetic toward the humans and their living conditions. In not so many words, he’d claimed himself to be more human than wolf. Something wasn’t right, I could feel it, and I had a sneaking suspicion Horus was involved. Pandora turned to leave, glancing back over her shoulder at me.

  “Listen, Ruby, I tried. But I told you I couldn’t promise anything.”

  My heart pounded frantically. “Wait. Where is Horus right now?”

  She turned and looked at me dubiously. “He said he was going to visit The Shelter.”

  Anxious thoughts took over my mind and I knew I needed to get down there right away and check on the humans. They had no one else to protect them but me. I went to leave when Pandora stopped me, knowing my intentions.

  “Just a fair warning. He’s in a foul mood right now. I wouldn’t bother him.” Pandora’s warning was meant to protect me, but I ignored her words. After grabbing the cart of food and water, I rushed to The Shelter. If I had to face Horus in his fit of rage to protect the humans, then so be it.

  I breathed a sharp intake of air when I arrived. The tall glass windows to the front room were shattered, shards of glass littering the wooden sidewalk. The doors stood wide open. I didn’t have to guess who did it, I knew. I glanced around, half expecting a confrontation with Horus at any minute, but I sensed no Unfortunates in the building. He’d already left.

  I raced through to the holding area to see the humans curled into corners, shivering with fright. My heart pounded as I sped up and down the center aisle checking to make sure everyone was all right. I suddenly stopped in front of Earl’s empty cage. He was gone.

  The pit of my stomach flipped and my dread turned into full-blown horror.

  I looked to Kate, a skin-and-bones woman who was in the cage next to Earl’s. She trembled and tears streamed down her face. I struggled to breath, my voice unsteady and rasping.


  “What happened?”

  “He came,” she choked. “The vampire with the black eyes. He said we needed to pay.” I knew what the woman would say next, but I kept a shred of hope I was wrong. I couldn’t bear the thought of it. But the words came from her mouth just the same, breaking my heart to pieces.

  “Earl’s dead.” She sobbed like a child scared of the boogie man.

  “No,” I whispered. “No…”

  A lump burned its way into my throat, my lungs gasping for air. My knees shook like tremors after an earthquake and it took everything I had to keep them from buckling. But I couldn’t let the humans see me like that. I couldn’t let them see me break down. After all, I was the one who did this to them. It was all my fault. If I hadn’t tried to change things, Earl might still be alive.

  Kate brought her skirts to her eyes and cried into them. I stood there, numb, staring at her blankly. Ever since turning, everywhere I went I caused trouble. I caused harm to the people I cared about. All of it was because of me.

  Earl died because of me.

  Wilson died because of me.

  Cloe was beaten senseless because of me.

  And because of me, Captain Guy Stone, my true love and one of the bravest men I knew, lay defiled and broken within a prison cell which he might likely never escape. I glanced to Earl’s empty cage and saw drops of blood on the floor. Earl’s blood.

  In that moment, part of me shattered, and I wasn’t sure I could go on.

  Standing there in the Shelter watching the humans crawl on the floor like animals, fearing every second their next breath might be their last, I broke. I completely and utterly broke. The hope I’d held inside me for so long fled, the dreams of something better floating away like ash on the breeze.

  I turned around in a blur, scanning the terrified humans. I wished I’d never come to this place. I wished I’d never stepped foot into the gates of Tombstone; a nightmare come to life.