Stealing Fire (Bad Boys Of The Underworld Book 5)

by Mallory Crowe

  Clara scrunched up her face. “You’re not scary.”

  Lucian snorted. “Thanks.” He wasn’t sure whether he should be happy his daughter accepted him or offended.

  “But you can scare the bad men, right? You can make them give Mommy back?” Her words were just as calm as always, but her eyes revealed the fear she was trying to hide.

  “That’s the idea. First of all, I have to make sure you’re safe.”

  “As long as you bring Mommy back.”

  Lucian wanted to reassure her. Promise he’d bring Ella back safe and sound.

  But how could he make that promise?

  He needed to get out to hunt for her. The longer he was gone, the farther away they were taking her. The longer she was missing, the more likely they were to kill her.

  He ground his teeth and tried to clear his vision. Focus! First of all, Clara needed to be safe.

  Footsteps pounded down the driveway. “Clara!” shouted Dr. Murray with a trembling voice.

  “Grandpa!” she called back, seemingly unaware of the tension between the two men.

  Dr. Murray stopped just short of Lucian, sending rays of hatred from his eyes. “Give me my granddaughter.”

  That was the plan anyway, so he didn’t argue. He set Clara on the ground and gave her a pat on the back. “Go on,” he murmured.

  The old man’s brows drew together as Clara ran over to him. “What are you doing here?”

  “Ella’s in trouble. Clara needs to be somewhere safe.”

  “She’s in trouble because of you.”

  Lucian didn’t deny it. “I’m going to get her back.”

  “You should’ve left her alone.”

  “I never should’ve left her in the first place.” He’d thought he was doing what was best for them both. He hadn’t realized the magnitude of what they had. It wasn’t just attraction between them. It was never clear to him until he saw her outside Charlie’s gym. Even before he discovered Clara, he knew whatever was pulling him toward Ella was more than physical attraction.

  He would get her back.

  He could admit that he never should’ve taken her against her will or threatened her family. But letting her go was wrong. He hadn’t been with her when she had to endure a supernatural pregnancy. He hadn’t been with her as Clara aged at twice the normal rate.

  He just hadn’t been there. He’d been waiting for someone like her for centuries. He should treat every moment as a precious goddamn gift. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her so soon after finding her.

  Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose as the pounding in his head got worse. He needed to change. “I don’t have time to argue. I’m going to get your daughter back.”

  The doctor bent forward to hold Clara’s hand. “Why give her to me? Don’t you have an army of men who could watch her?”

  “You’re her grandfather. I think she’d rather be with you than a stranger. The only other myotis she’s met is going to be helping me tonight.”

  The doctor looked even more confused at that answer, but Lucian didn’t have time to reassure him anymore. He handed him a folded piece of paper. “This is my phone number. Call if there is any trouble. I will be in touch. Keep her safe.”

  And then he was gone.

  Ella opened her eyes, but the bright light shining in her face sent a fresh wave of pain shooting through her. “Crap,” she whispered.

  She almost wished she could have amnesia like everyone seemed to get in the movies, but she remembered every painful detail. She would never be able to erase the memory of Cade stepping into the light.

  He was supposed to be dead! She’d almost prefer him dead than whatever hell he’d been put through over the past three years.

  The vampires had turned him into some feral creature. He’d bit her. Not in an “I’m sorry they’re making me do this” sort of way. He’d torn into her already injured neck and drank with abandon.

  She’d struggled for a moment, but his hands gripped her so tightly that his long nails drew blood.

  This wasn’t the happy-go-lucky myotis she knew before. This was something else.

  But why hadn’t he killed her? Was there some part of him still in there?

  She groaned at the question. The vampires still wanted to know what she was. They probably wouldn’t want her dead. Just weak and frightened.

  Mission accomplished.

  Not that she was going to let them know.

  Taking a breath, she decided to open her eyes again. If she stood any chance of surviving this, she needed to be aware of her surroundings.

  The light didn’t blind her anymore. Cade stood right above her.

  Ella flinched and pushed herself away; the sudden movement made her head scream.

  He continued to stare.

  Looking past him, it appeared they were in the same room as before. Great.

  He still stared.

  “Can I help you?” she snapped. If he was going to bite her again, she damn well wanted some advance warning.

  He blinked rapidly at her words. “They can hear you,” he croaked out.

  Ella winced. His voice sounded so ragged. How many people had he even spoken to since he’d been taken? She doubted anyone would treat him with kindness. Only pain and cruelty.

  “I don’t have anything interesting to say,” she lied. She wanted to shake him. Tell him about Clara. There was hope for his species, and Clara was walking— and much too advanced talking— proof.

  He nodded and his eyes went to her neck. “You heal fast.”

  Her hand came up to her neck and touched the still open and sore wounds, the sting running through her body. “Funny, it doesn’t feel like it.”

  He shrugged a bony shoulder, not offering an apology. “How long have I been gone for?”

  Part of her didn’t want to tell him. Would it make it better or worse if he knew the duration of his captivity? Either way, he deserved to know. “Three years.”

  He nodded, not showing any emotion at the information.

  “Why did you bite me?” she asked.

  He looked up, brow creased at the question. “Because they told me to.”

  “And would you kill me if they asked you?”

  “Wouldn’t you want me to?”

  Ella cocked her head. “Why would I want you to kill me?”

  “Better me than them.” He pointed to the closed door.

  Ella’s gaze followed his finger. Was he right? Would she rather die by the hands—er, fangs—of someone she knew or by strangers full of hate and malice?

  She closed her eyes for a second. She had to stop thinking like that. She wasn’t going to die. She would find some way out and back to Clara.

  Cade must’ve figured out what she was thinking. “Do you think Lucian will rescue you?”

  She carefully considered her words, not sure how she should handle this new Cade. “I’ve never been one to sit back and wait to be saved.”

  Cade grunted but didn’t say anything. The silence started to sting more than Ella’s neck. She remembered Cade’s smiling face. She was so terrified after being forced to stay with Lucian, and he’d gone through so much trouble to make her laugh and relax.

  Now all she got was silence.

  When she couldn’t take it anymore, she asked, “Why are you in human form? I know it was night when they threw me in here.”

  A few seconds passed before he answered. “I haven’t changed since they took me.”

  Ella’s jaw dropped. “Three years? Isn’t that painful?”

  “Yes.”

  She pressed her forehead into her palm. Why would she even ask him that? Of course it hurt him, and his abrupt and short answer gave her an idea of just how painful it must be. Why would the vampires do this? Just for fun? Were they trying to find out something? Had they interrogated him?

  She bit her tongue from asking any more questions. She wouldn’t want to hear the answers and didn’t want him to have to relive any painful memories for he
r curiosity.

  Instead, she stood. No more sitting and feeling sorry for herself. She was going to at least try to figure a way out of this godforsaken room.

  The light didn’t seem quite as bright now that her eyes had adjusted. The room was plain white, with speckled tile on the floor, now decorated with her dried blood, and walls made of cinderblocks and cement.

  How sturdy were cinderblocks? Cade should be strong enough to smash a hole with a strong punch or kick. Wouldn’t he have tried that first thing? Was it rude to ask? She didn’t want to hurt his feelings or anything.

  Screw it. Rudeness didn’t matter at this point. “Can you bust through the walls?”

  “They are reinforced with some sort of spell. The brick won’t budge.”

  She frowned. “That’s possible? Why would a witch help these assholes?”

  “Probably a sorcerer or sorceress. Witch wouldn’t have that kind of power. Who knows why they would help. They could’ve been forced to. They could be evil.”

  “Did they make it so you couldn’t teleport out either?”

  “Don’t know. Might be the drugs. Might be the spell.”

  It was the most words she’d heard Cade speak since they were thrown together. That had to be progress, right?

  The door opened and Ella jumped a good six inches. So much for not showing fear.

  Rok stood in the doorway, not seeming threatened by Cade at all. Though, the way he sat solemnly and stared intently at the floor, a bunny wouldn’t be threatened by Cade.

  “Are you ready to be honest with me yet?” asked Rok.

  “I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”

  “You can stop fucking lying to me.” His voice didn’t seem threatening at all, but the room seemed to vibrate with menace. “Besides, if you don’t know anything, you aren’t useful to me.”

  Ella looked to Cade, who still had his head facing firmly down. “You kept him around. What’s his use?”

  Rok’s face filled with an evil grin. “That thing? He started out like you. Torture, interrogation. But he was just so much fun to have around. Isn’t that right, buddy?” Rok’s leg shot out and viciously kicked Cade in the face.

  Cade flew halfway across the room, landing in a heap on the floor.

  Ella ran to him. “What the fuck?” she shouted.

  Once she reached Cade, she was hesitant to touch him. Was this the gentle friend she remembered who needed comforting or was this a feral animal who would lash out?

  She bit her lip and ran her hand along his back. “Hey, buddy,” she whispered.

  To her relief, he didn’t jerk around to punch her in the face, but he didn’t seem happy at the touch. His muscles coiled, as though prepared to spring at any moment.

  She wanted to whisper words of comfort and reassurance like she would when Clara had a nightmare, but couldn’t bring herself to speak. She refused to lie to him. Not when he’d been stuck there for three whole years.

  How could she possibly tell him everything would be okay after that?

  “I’m here,” was all she said.

  But Rok wasn’t done. “Dog. Grab the girl and bring her to me.”

  Obediently, Cade pushed himself up, blood now dripping from an open gash on his forehead. His face was completely blank as he gripped Ella’s arm and brought her to stand a foot from the vampire.

  His grip was painful even though she didn’t resist. She knew they would both get hurt if he disobeyed.

  Rok ran a hand over her bloodstained hair. “Last chance of the night. Tell me what makes you special to Lucian.”

  Ella met Rok’s brown eyes with her own. “He loves me.”

  Rok scoffed. “There has to be more to it than that.”

  “There’s a lot more. But the main reason he’s going to kill you is because you hurt something he loves. That’s what this all boils down to.”

  “Is that your final answer?”

  “That’s the only answer.”

  Rok’s lips tightened but he didn’t say anything. Unable to take his gaze any longer, Ella squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to imagine her punishment.

  She didn’t have to wait long.

  She registered the sound of something snapping before the pain in her wrist registered. She bit her tongue as she tried to hold back a scream, but a second later she couldn’t stop the gasping moans from escaping.

  Her breaths came in quick pants as she tried to focus on anything but her unnaturally bent arm.

  She glanced at the strange angle of her wrist and quickly looked away. Her stomach clenched and her throat constricted. The lack of food and water left her with only dry heaves, but every twitch was agonizing.

  Her knees gave out; Cade put his other arm around her waist to hold her up.

  “I’ll give you some more time to think about it. I’ll be back in a few days, probably. If you don’t have a better answer the next time I see you, I’m not playing any more games. You won’t be as amusing to me as he is.”

  She would’ve told him where to stick it if she wasn’t so busy trying to keep herself from crying. Her eyes were still closed when the door shut behind Rok and she was left alone with Cade again.

  His arm tightened around her waist and he lifted her just off the ground, carrying her to the closest corner. She leaned her head back against his shoulder and focused on controlling her breathing.

  Clara. Focus on Clara. Your daughter is safe with Lucian. He’ll keep her safe.

  “Clara,” she whispered under her breath, the physical word giving her strength.

  “Who?” asked Cade.

  Ella opened her eyes and stared straight into the bright light. “No one.”

  Clara stared at Grandpa’s TV but didn’t care what the cartoon dog was saying.

  She wanted Mommy. Where was Lucian? He said he’d bring her back. It was almost night again. Did the monsters have her all day?

  She rubbed her nose, but it already hurt from too much rubbing. Had she ever cried enough to hurt her nose?

  She pushed herself off Grandpa’s couch, keeping her stuffed dog, Reno Jr., tucked tightly under her arm. “Grandpa!”

  He poked his head in, brow furrowed in concern. “Are you doing okay?”

  “I want Mommy.”

  His face got sad and she knew what he was going to say before he started. “Your mommy isn’t back yet.”

  “Then I want Lucian. I mean, I want Daddy.”

  His face wasn’t sad anymore. “That man isn’t your ‘daddy.’”

  “Mommy said he was.”

  “Lucian is dangerous. You and your mother need to stay away from him.”

  “I know he’s scary. That’s how he’s getting Mommy back. He’s scarier than the monsters.”

  Grandpa shook his head. “Help is on the way. You just sit tight and we’ll have your mother back in no time.”

  Clara hugged Reno Jr. tighter. How was Grandpa supposed to fight the monsters?

  She sat in the middle of the floor, folding her legs underneath her. She tightly clenched her eyes. Maybe if she wished really, really hard, she could bring Mommy home.

  She thought of Mommy’s smile. The way she’d tuck her in at night. The stories she told about monsters and how she promised to always protect her.

  She thought of walking with her and Reno. Eating hot dogs in front of the TV. She thought of the last time she’d been hugged before Mommy tucked her in and turned on the nightlight.

  She thought of the second she realized Mommy was taken.

  Ella opened her eyes, once again confronted with the bright light. It wasn’t the pain in her head that she noticed first.

  Her arm was still front and center. Looking down, she saw it was back in its normal position, though still swollen to twice its normal size.

  “I set it.” Cade’s voice rumbled against her back and she realized he still held her.

  “I didn’t wake up?”

  “You did. Then you passed out.”

  Great. She was already
repressing memories. Whatever he’d done, her arm felt much better. Still hurt like a bitch, but it wasn’t the same screaming agony from the night before. Or day before? It was so hard to mark the passage of time with no windows or other technology.

  “Your neck looks good,” he said.

  After he said it, she realized it felt better too. Or maybe her wrist distracted her from feeling the pain. She’d take any relief she could at the moment. “How long was I out for?”

  “Most of the day. Maybe ten to twelve hours. What month is it?”

  Ella sighed. “November.”

  “Probably twelve hours then.”

  His bony chest was hardly the most comfortable seat and he obviously hadn’t bathed in a good long while, but his warmth was a bit relaxing. “Thanks for staying with me.”

  “There’s nowhere for me to go,” he pointed out.

  Ella gestured to the opposite wall. “You could be over there.” She looked up to see whether he had any reaction and wanted to pump a fist in the air when she saw the corner of his mouth tick up.

  “Think Lucian will be mad when he finds out I slept with his girl?”

  “You’re good. I think Lucian will be too distracted being pissed off at everything else that’s happened.”

  She got another small smile from Cade, but neither spoke after that. She was becoming more comfortable with the silence. Talking was too depressing. Everything came back to the things they missed and might never have again or the shitty situation they were in.

  At some point, she fell back into unconsciousness. Suddenly, Cade’s entire body went stiff against her. She opened her eyes to see what changed, but quickly realized she was dreaming.

  Clara was there. Her eyes were tightly closed and she wore her cupcake pajamas and held her favorite stuffed dog that looked like Reno. She’d given it to Dad last Christmas because she’d felt sad he didn’t have a Reno of his own.

  Ella smiled at the dream mirage, happy to take any image of Clara she could. “Hey, baby.”

  Clara’s eyes snapped open. For a second, they just stared at each other, Clara with shock and Ella with relaxed joy. Then Clara ran like a bullet into Ella’s arms, jerking Ella’s broken wrist and holding her neck tightly. She bent forward and inhaled Clara’s scent. The familiar smell of her daughter brought tears to her eyes.