Constricted: Beyond the Brothel Walls

by Ryans, Rae

  Footsteps led up the stairs. I choked on my own blood as it filled my mouth. Jules called for Cora again. Her lips tugged into a half snarl, but she removed her heel from my chest. The door slammed, and I crawled to the bed. Another door slammed closed. My hands cradled hers as I hoisted myself onto the bed. “No … Korri … Angel.”

  The ties broke away as I worked the knots. Tears rolled down my face. No breath rose from her marred chest. Silence enveloped me, and I embraced her, not knowing what else to do. Plucked like a delicate flower, she’d wilted in my arms. All the years meant nothing; I’d meant nothing without my Angel. Had she even realized how much I loved her? The words were neither empty then nor now. Every part of my existence had lived for her seductive light.

  “Jules,” I screamed. “You bastard.”

  His laughter rang through the basement and rattled into my head. The house lay empty except for us, but it didn’t stop me from chasing the shadows. My fists tightened, and I laid her still body back on the bed. Kor’s death wouldn’t be for nothing. I charged up the creaky stairs, closing the basement door behind me, and ran to the second story. Curses shouted from my lips, but I held no notion of the words. Like my heart, they too bled and emptied my soul. Red painted my vision, and I slammed my shoulder into each barred door. They ripped from the hinges; my fists clenched the wood until it turned to dust. The house tore apart as I sought out the crazed, disgusting man.

  “Show yourself, Jules,” I growled, allowing my fangs to extend. “Coward …”

  I had destroyed every last inch of the row home except for the basement and the odd painting. Yet his menacing laughter filled my ears, echoing Hestin’s blight of eternal madness. The front door opened, and I shot downstairs, but the winged fiend greeted me.

  “Well ‘ello again, mate,” he said, winking. “See you found your way.” I froze and met his half-hidden amber gaze as he peered at me from his dark gambler hat. Black wings jutted from his back. A long scar sliced down his cheek and into his collarbone, covered by a red neckerchief.

  “Name’s Veric.” He extended his hand and shut the door with his booted foot. “I’m not going to bite.”

  “Where’s Jules.” I stared him down. There wasn’t any time for this. My hands clenched, but I shoved them into my pockets. He stared back; his smooth lip twitched.

  Veric blinked. “You not going on ‘bout that again are you? Didn’t ya find your ducky? Where’s that bleedin’ sod anyhow?”

  “She’s dead. Jules left.”

  He frowned. “Bloody hell mate, sorry.” His hand landed on a revolver, tucked beneath his black coat. I reached for my own but didn’t draw. A finger touched to his lips, and he took a step forward. My fingers danced over the butt of my revolver. “Someone’s here.”

  The floorboards creaked. “Jules wasn’t alone,” I whispered. Why I trusted him, I didn’t know. The man had fallen from the sky after I’d attacked the demons. Granted, he wasn’t one of them I’d witnessed harming the kids, but he’d been there. My fingers grew antsy, and I wanted answers, but first, Jules.

  “Where’s your goggled mate?” He tapped his head.

  I bit my cheek to stop myself from snickering. Tomas and those damned goggles. “I’m alone.”

  He spun around and smiled wide. “Look I’ve no time for your games.” The face didn’t match his gruff tone. His hand reached into his coat again, and I drew my gun. “You’re serious?” he scoffed, starring down the barrel aimed at his head. Veric rolled his eyes. “Reach in and pull out me badge.”

  Badge? I blew out a breath and aimed the gun at his heart. My hand patted over his chest feeling the outline of a wallet. The small square wasn’t another weapon. At that point, with nothing to live for, did it even matter? I inclined my head, and he reached in again.

  The black object flicked open. “Arcadian Bureau of Demonic Affairs,” I mouthed the department name. “You’re a long way from home.”

  He shrugged. “We’re branching out, and reeling in those law breakin’ sods. Even Hell takes revenge on those who make us look bad.” His smoldering scent shifted, giving way to his lie. Veric hid something, and I aimed to figure it out. The small mantle clock chimed, but I didn’t have a notion of time. Time meant nothing without Korrigan. He too ignored it and shifted his vision to the ceiling above our head. Jules wasn’t up there, but someone was in the house. My eyes drifted toward the painting. Her likeness haunted me from the staircase. Those large eyes stared back at us. “Where’s your vampire mate and the girls?”

  He knew more about me than I knew about him. The notion hadn’t unsettled me as much as I’d expected, but I wasn’t ready to lay out all my cards. I lost too much, too soon. “But you’re a demon.” I broke the silence as the clock finished chiming. My brow rose awaiting his answer. “And they’re safe.”

  He faced me, a half smile crossing his mouth. “And you’re a bloodsucker with a demon horse. Let’s not rub the pot.”

  “Fair enough, but why didn’t I sense you like the others?” Not until he was right on top of me. It was the same with Jules. The same with Korrigan too. There were different types of demons, but were some harder to detect than others?

  “Elioud. We’re three-quarters human, mate.” A crash came from below, and I froze. Veric raised his brow and cocked his head toward the door. “Thought you said she died.”

  Angel had died. I watched Jules break her neck. It snapped a horrid chilling crack. The memory of the sound replayed in my mind and chills raced through my spine. “She did—”

  “Petre …” I stepped toward the door but he stopped me, shaking his head. “Petre …” Nails scratched at the door.

  “That’s not her, mate … that’s ...” Curses spewed from his British mouth, and I didn’t have a single notion what he was upset about.

  “Petre,” she called my name again. My body trembled, and my knees collapsed to the floor. The gun in my hand dropped, firing into the floor. Kor squealed; she was alive.

  My eyes widened, and I shook my head. “Open it; I have to see for myself.”

  Veric shrugged and turned the knob. I swallowed hard. The door groaned as he opened it. She hissed, lunging for him, and he raised his pistol.

  “No,” I shouted and tackled his legs. He fell backwards into a table, cracking the surface. “It’s Korri.”

  She blinked, her eyes jumping between us. “Demon,” Angel spat, as my arms dragged her to me.

  “Elioud.” He rubbed his chin, and holstered his gun, before standing. “Well ‘ello to you too, luv. Didn’t fancy meeting you here.”

  I ignored him as my lips hovered over hers. Her cold hands cupped my face. “You’re here,” I said and crushed my lips against hers.

  Veric cleared his throat, and I pulled away. “I l—“

  Her fangs clicked. Fangs … My mind replayed the events yet again. She had been almost dead. I’d given her blood, but I didn’t think she had swallowed. Jules had snapped her neck.

  “Petre, what’s happening to me?”

  She finished her turn before my eyes. Golden brown hair flowed around her cherub face. Her amber eyes sparkled. She said my name again, but I was speechless. Veric whistled and reached for Angel’s hand. Those dagger eyes lit up, and he backed away.

  “It hurts,” she cried, grasping my hand. Her other hand ran over her throat. I needed to find her blood and fast. Mine wouldn’t do and neither would his. “Why does it hurt?”

  As if reading my mind, Veric said, “The boys home. More men will come if not already.”

  My own throat ached, and my fangs pulsed with the thought of revenge. “Angel, you’re going to be okay.” This wasn’t the life I’d wanted for her; hell, I hadn’t known if it was the life she’d wanted. “Korri …” Her eyes lit up and widened. “You’re a …”

  My hand ran through my hair, tugging out tufts. Veric chuckled and said, “Ducky, what your bloke here’s tryin’ to say is you’re a bloomin’ vampire.”

  I ransacked the house again. Th
at blasted corset sickened my stomach, and I all but tore it from her pixie frame. The only reason stopping me was the demon, but neither of us left her alone. When she changed, despite her arguments, we were both present. I had insisted Veric turn around. He rolled his eyes and mumbled about having seen it all.

  That remained unknown because Veric hadn’t laid eyes on my Angel before, or had he? It hadn’t helped that she eyed him as if she’d met him before. “What happened?” she asked. “To the girls I meant.”

  I stroked her wet, knotted hair. “They’re safe.” I added Tomas too, but she’d rolled her eyes as I handed her a button-down shirt and layers of heavy skirts she insisted on needing. The fabric rustled as she layered on the garments. Her taut darkened nipples strained against the white fabric, and I forced my eyes away. The sight of her, whether clothed or unclothed, drove me crazy. There was plenty of time for exploring, but we had men to slaughter and two boys to save. I prayed Jules showed up but had sent a call out to Tomas just in case he showed his face in Nova Scotia again.

  The last item I handed her was another corset. She insisted upon the constrictive garment and forced me to lace it up. Kor explained that the under bust style wasn’t as restricting. When I wouldn’t budge, she turned on her heels and approached the mouth-gaping demon.

  “Right, think I’ll step over there before your chap runs me through.”

  She stuck her tongue out at me, and I smiled, dragging her against me. My mouth dropped to her neck, and my fangs sliced through her flesh. She tasted delectable. Lost in her flavor, I gasped as her fangs nipped into my neck. My hands curled into her skirts, and I managed to pull her closer. “Angel …” I swallowed my moan as she suckled my neck. Her hands fell to my jeans, and she dragged me back into the bathroom.

  Her knees hit the floor as the door rattled shut. My pants dropped, and her mouth covered my cock. I arched against the cold door as her tongue swirled the tip. A low moan rippled through my body as she took me in. “Oh Kor …” She hummed her answer as my hands fisted into her hair. I wouldn’t last long with her mouth working me over. Her hand caressed my balls, delicately dancing over the skin. My hips rolled forward, pumping my cock in rhythm with her mouth until I couldn’t hold back.

  As soon as she pulled back, I was on her. I ripped the skirts aside and tore the ridiculous bloomers away. Her moist slit waited for me, and I dove in. My tongue circled her sensitive bud, flicking it hard and fast. Kor screamed, clawing at my head. “Faster,” she cried, and her hips bucked underneath. I suckled her clit and sliced my fangs into her sensitive flesh. She erupted, shuddering against me. I’d held on until the last wave finished, before releasing my suction.

  Veric fished out his phone as I opened the bathroom door. The Arcadian government also utilized the satellite phones. He didn’t say a damned thing and dialed into the law. “If you give me that address, your goggled bloke, I will pass it along. It’d give him extra protection.” Angel and I exchanged glances. Veric’s eyes rolled over our disheveled appearances, but he merely smiled.

  If he ignored our tryst then I would too. More pertinent matters were underfoot. One, we didn’t know where Jules was or if he had headed toward Nova Scotia. Tomas wouldn’t like the intrusion of the Arcadian Government, but his best men failed at protecting my Angel. I sighed and gripped Korri’s hand. The Duc could hate me later, but at least he and the girls would live. The second matter that remained was the boys.

  “Where’s Jobe and Mellissa?” Kor asked.

  They weren’t here, and their bodies hadn’t been discovered at the farm either. “I hoped you could tell me, Angel.”

  She explained the story, starting with the strange men, and Mellissa telling her to run to the stables. That was the last time she saw either of them. The more she spoke, reliving her hellish week, the more my teeth ground. Veric’s face reddened, and his jaw popped on more than one occasion. Each time, Kor had jumped.

  “You’ll get used to it, luv.” She blushed, and I blinked watching the red flutter over her cheeks. Vampires didn’t blush. He leaned over and whispered, “She fed.”

  “Right,” I said not understanding. She bit me, but my blood didn’t sustain vampires.

  Veric handed her a coat. “Here luv toss this on and let’s load you up with some weapons.”

  “I don’t know how to shoot.”

  “Aim at anything not innocent, ducky.” She batted her eyes, and I chuckled. “Place it inside the coat; there’s a hidden holster.” A final weapon’s check and we were on our way. Demon Spawn waited on the sidewalk, and his head whipped to Korri. His feet stomped, and he reared up. I jumped in front of her, expecting him to charge. “Ah the demon horse, bloody brilliant.”

  She shuddered against me, and I rubbed her arms. Kor swallowed hard but nudged me aside. How much damage could my brother do? I stole a glance at our new friend. He beamed at the horse. “You must share your secret.”

  His words tickled my throat, but I wasn’t ready to share. Instead, I asked, “How far are we?”

  He responded with ten blocks. I grabbed Demon Spawn’s reigns and held him steady for Korrigan. Veric hoisted her up, mumbling about me killing him for copping a feel. We walked, strolling along the deserted streets as if we belonged. At this late hour, few would have wandered out into the bitter snowstorm.

  During the short journey, Veric told her about himself. I remained silent, noticing the small details he left out. “My brother thinks me dead,” he said, smiling wide and tipping his hat.

  “How dreadful; I wish I had family that missed me.” She did; I missed her during our two week separation, and then again when I thought she was dead. The life we could’ve had flashed before my eyes. I was her family in heart, and somewhere out in the remainder of our cruel world, there might be blood that longed to reunite with their lost daughter. Veric glanced at me and shot me an odd look. His hat fell down covering his eyes, but not before I’d caught the eerie glow. “How will we find Jobe and Mellissa?”

  My lips turned up; they held enough power to control my brother. Unless they were dead, even I wasn’t worried for them. “We’re here.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  My throat burned, and my body ached with pent up energy. Demon Spawn’s hooves crunched through the snow, and I bit through my grimace. My surroundings blinded me, and the slightest bit of light sent daggers into my head. The falling flakes landed, and I swore I’d heard them too. Pinpricks, muffled coughs, echoes all blended into one drum piercing sound. Petre’s voice, such a sweet sound, pounded inside of my head. The sounds encircled me, so many I could not tell them apart.

  Agent Veric’s tones hadn’t fared much better, the same man from my dreams. His presence confused me in both reality and the nightmares.

  “We’re here,” Veric whispered, but he might as well have shouted in my ear. The phrase rattled, and I’d smack him if that too wouldn’t have made my head hammer. I let out a hissing breath as the lawman offered me his hand. The touch was a mistake. My breath whistled, and I stared into his red eyes. Veric’s lips parted as if to speak, but he said nothing.

  Much had changed these past few weeks, and I laughed. Me, a vampire, I would not have guessed it in a million years. Weeks ago the notion alone … I shook my head.

  “I love that sound,” Petre said, engulfing me in his arms. The brush of fabric raced a chill through my spine. His lips caressed my forehead, and my body trembled under his lukewarm touch. He was not cold anymore, but it hadn’t bothered me before. The thought of eternity and us muddled my thoughts and changed everything. Petre couldn’t leave me, but I couldn’t break his curse either. What should have been a happy moment turned somber. As much as I hadn’t wanted to be tossed aside, I had also wanted Petre’s happiness. As long as his beast of a brother lived, he would not find peace.

  Smooth fingers hooked my chin, and his lips brushed against mine. All of my nerve endings fired at once, and heat surged in my veins. His scent grew stronger, and I wanted more of him. I did not
care who saw us, but he dragged himself away.

  Petre whispered, “In time you’ll get used to your sharper senses.” A shy smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and those eyes bore into me with the same intensity as before. I loved when he turned his attention to me, but we were on a mission, and his boyish charms became a distraction. Thick lashes fluttered as the demon checked the perimeter. So had Veric.

  I reached for Petre, gazing into his grey eyes. There were specks of sky blue and silver intertwined that I hadn’t noticed before. His scent, peppery and sweet, watered my mouth. Our hands laced together; we were two magnets, wanting to attach, but forces had kept us apart.

  The weakness and faults were my own fault. Puny and useless, I’d allowed Jules to capture and torture not just me, but our missing friends too. I glanced away as the tears burned in my eyes.

  “Angel …” The space disappeared, and his hardened chest replaced the suffocating air. There were no words to express the swelling of my heart. It was just him, and although I knew little else outside a brothel’s walls, I knew enough to find contentment. But how long would Petre wait for me?

  The agent mumbled, “Bloody hell,” and I leapt away.

  We strolled hand in hand through the front doors. Veric had unlocked them with a hidden key placed under a large garden rock. The floor split into two as we walked into the foyer. I paused; my eyes drifted between the two levels. In front of us, Veric’s hand dropped to his weapon, and he withdrew it in a swift motion that I heard more than saw. The demon worked his way across the first story. Petre tugged my arm and crept downstairs. We checked the basement, my feet clicking along the cement. It lay empty and unused for anything aside from storage. I bit my lip as we climbed up the creaking steps. Our movements sounded like a steam engine in my head.