Chapter 33
Dorian and Ian were at the dark island, strategically placing the compact blocks of C-4 throughout the entire house, including the basement and the attic. Once the C-4 was detonated, there would be no escape. The explosion was highly reliable and so small in size, it would go undetected in the crawl spaces and other places they’d planted it.
Ian’s mouth dropped open in shock when he came to the dismal room with the chains hanging from the ceiling and fastened to the floor and walls. All had heavy metal cuffs attached to them.
“I know what you’re thinking, Ian and you’re right. This is not a dungeon in the sense that e.Vampire’s posh rooms are. This is a real medieval dungeon. The canes, whips, riding crops, X-frame and chains are all meant to subdue victims. This is where they have hard core BDSM sessions, where I’ve engaged in that sort of thing as well. And they kill here. Dorian heard the shame in his words. He hated himself for what he’d done. Yet, he’d told Ian the truth about all of it. He owed him that much. The man had shown him unwavering loyalty and friendship.
“When was the last time you did these . . . things?” Ian whispered, unable to take his eyes off the horror of it all.
“It’s been a very long time and I’m truly sorry for it. She’s changed all that and even before her, I felt remorse for the things I’ve done.” He thought again of that innocent young girl with whom he’d had his first sexual experience.
It was so long in the past now, yet every bit of that night was as vivid as if it had just happened. How he’d almost killed that girl and Malachi had finished the job for him.
Even at the blood feast, he’d fed but never inflicted the fatal wound. As for the BDSM sessions, he’d had ruthless sex with mortal and vampire alike in this chamber. He’d have to live with that. It couldn’t be undone.
Ian breathed a little easier. “I believe you. I know you’re a good man or I wouldn’t be here. What’s past is past. It can’t be changed, but you, Dorian can and have changed. I think you’ve always held goodness in your heart and I think Jennifer’s made you an even better man.”
Dorian closed the door to the chamber. Soon, he’d never have to lay eyes on the wretched place ever again. “Speaking of Jennifer, any word on what she’s doing up there? I know she’s alright or you would have told me.”
Ian looked uneasy. “Yes. She’s fine. None of the others have been spotted.”
“I know there’s something you’re not telling me, Ian.”
“She went on a date.”
“Who was he?” Dorian struggled to keep his voice steady, even as a jealous rage coursed through his veins. His eyes burned with it, his eye teeth protruded ever so slightly and brushed against his bottom lip. The jealousy was overpowering him.
Had he really thought he could be happy for her if she found love with another? He’d been fooling himself. And why shouldn’t she see someone else? She had a limited time left and as far as she knew he was out of the picture for good. There was the DVD in which he’d told her he loved her. What if she hadn’t even watched it? And if she had, did she think it a heartless joke?
Ian looked scared.
Dorian knew he was seeing him as he really was; his eyes gleaming fiercely in the dark, his bottom lip dotted with blood from where his vampire teeth made contact.
“You needn’t fear me, Ian. Just answer my questions. Who did she go out with?”
“His name is Jesse Moore. Some guy from college. Big, blonde, outdoorsy type.”
“Did she fuck him?” Dorian’s tone was as cold as ice.
“I don’t . . .”
“It’s a simple fucking question, Ian. Either she did or she didn’t.”
“No. She didn’t. Jose said they had dinner and afterward they went to some lighthouse. She had words with him and he brought her home. That was it.”
Dorian sighed with relief, running his hands through his hair. “Thank God.”
Ian stood at the door. They were finished there.
“Let’s get out of here.” Dorian locked up. They climbed into the black Escalade and headed down the uneven dirt path toward the mainland.
Ian hadn’t spoken a single word since they’d left.
“Is there something else you want to say Ian?” Dorian asked softly. He felt terrible about scaring the man.
“It’s just that . . . I can’t imagine why you’d ask me such a thing. You must know there will never be anyone else for Jennifer. You’re the only man she’d ever give herself to, the only man she’ll ever love.”
Dorian apologized for his outburst, hoping like hell Ian was right, that she’d forgive him for the misery he’d inflicted on her and she’d accept him for what he truly was.
He could barely wait for tomorrow night, the night of the blood-feast. All his men were ready. They’d be fighting an enemy unlike any they’d ever come up against. They were only mortal after all. He was the only one with the strength of a vampire.
The next day, the hired men arrived at the dark island during the daylight hours. They waited in the Escalade, pulling it far off the road. Each had blue tooth devices and was given sharp stakes and knives to fight with. Guns would be useless against vampires. Ian and Shane were in the armored truck.
The hired men had questioned Ian about the use of such primitive tools. He’d told them it was a ritualistic killing. That seemed to satisfy them. All were quite skilled in hand to hand combat and asked no other questions. And he’d paid them more money than they’d probably ever seen in their entire lives.
Dorian arrived at the dark island at two-thirty am. Exiting the Ferrari, he gave no indication that anything was off. He didn’t scan the area to see if his people were ready. He didn’t have to. That was Ian’s job and he trusted him to do it.
Malachi’s car was already there. He was sure Bianca and Theodora had come with him. Erik and Liam’s motorcycles were parked next to it. Erik and Liam were the youngest among them. They were always eager to taste the blood of living mortals.
The blood feast served another purpose as well. He knew Jennifer was safe while they were here. Paying the three men up north and those who stood ready to do battle outside had cost him a fortune. He would’ve given up everything he had if necessary. Money meant nothing to him without her. He entered the house, his face a mask of stone.
“Dorian. Welcome, my friend.” Malachi kissed him on the cheek.
The other’s sat around the enormous dining room table talking in hushed, excited tones about what they were going to do to the girl who awaited them in the dungeon. They stood up and nodded respectfully to Dorian.
“Come Dorian and feast your eyes upon our choice. I think you’ll be pleased.”
The girl was a slender, long-legged beauty with flaming red hair. She was bound to the floor by an ankle cuff which was attached to a short chain. Her wrists were tied with course rope and she was blindfolded and gagged. She was shaking all over.
“You’ve done well. She’s positively mouthwatering.” Dorian patted Malachi on the back.
“Thank you. Is there anything more enticing than a feisty redhead to fuck and suck?” Malachi chuckled. The sound of it was bone-chillingly evil. “We shall begin at 3:30. Let the ladies go first and then the boys can have their way with her. You and I shall go last. Always save the best for last I say. We’ll fuck her like she’s never been fucked in her life. And the blood will pour. Would you like the last bite this time Dorian?”
“No. You go ahead. It will be my peace offering to you.” Dorian smiled; a smile that never reached his eyes. They remained utterly cold and cruel, just as Malachi expected.
Malachi shook his head. “You still won’t kill. But, I accept your offering.”
Dorian knew the routine without being told. They liked to feast as close to dawn as possible. It was the thrill of taking a life just before the world came alive. It was also an honor to administer the killing bite. After the feast, they’d go into the basement and seal themselves off from the daylight.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like a moment alone with her. I won’t fuck her. I’d like to taste her skin while it’s still fresh and pure.”
Malachi looked at Dorian intently and laughed. “You beast! How I’ve missed you. Of course, you may have the first taste. I shall leave you to it.”
Dorian watched Malachi leave. Within seconds he’d opened the back door, a signal to the men waiting outside to come and get the girl out.
He flew to the girl’s side, put his lips to her ear and spoke quickly and quietly. “Help is on the way. Sit tight and do not struggle against those who come for you. They’re here to help get you out of here. Do not make a sound from this moment on. I know you think I mean to hurt you, that you’ve heard my voice among the evil ones, but I will not harm you. You have no reason to trust me. You simply have no choice. These people are brutal sadists and killers. Nod if you understand what I’m saying.”
The girl’s trembling eased off and she nodded her head up and down furiously.
The back door swung open and Lucas, Raphael and Angel walked in. The three mortal men were all as tough as nails.
Even so, they looked around the room, obviously stunned by the dungeon. “Holy fuck,” Angel whispered. “What in hell is this place? Who are these people?”
“Just get the girl out of here. Now. Those who will come for her are no less than monsters. Don’t underestimate them. As soon as they’re close enough, stake them. Make sure you aim for the heart.”
“Killing with stakes? What are they? Fucking Vampires? Why can’t we just get the hell out of here and blow up the place?” Angel seemed to be their leader.
“Yes, that’s exactly what they are. You must never speak of what went on here. If you do, there will be dire consequences to pay.” Dorian looked from one to the other, his eyes dark and menacing. “The C-4 must be detonated right before dawn. It’s the only way to be sure they’re all dead.”
“And you Mr. Taylor? Are you . . . one of those things too?”
Dorian glanced sideways at Angel. “What do you think?” he asked, his tone quietly threatening.
Walking toward the room where the other vampires waited, Dorian looked back. “Get her out of here and leave the blindfold on.”
Just as he reached the door it opened from the other side. Liam and Erik walked in. They’re eyes widened when they saw Dorian and the other three men. Raphael had the red headed girl in his arms and was carrying her out the door.
A low growl came from Erik’s throat. He leaped into the air and landed directly in front of Raphael.
Raphael took a step backward, almost tripping over the threshold. Erik’s eyes were red and ablaze with anger. His teeth protruded in a frightful display. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you it’s impolite to steal someone else’s food?” He grabbed Raphael by the throat, lifting him and the girl off the floor with ease.
Raphael dropped the girl. Lucas came to his side, picked her up and ran out, heading toward the Escalade. Liam went after him.
Angel stood behind Erik. Without hesitation he drove the stake through Erik’s back, aiming for the heart as he’d been instructed. Erik started to scream. Dorian clasped a hand over his mouth in a millisecond. He didn’t want to attract the attention of the other vampires.
The mortals stared at Dorian in both awe and fear at his extraordinary speed and agility.
Erik’s body went limp. He fell forward. Angel stood looking down at him. “Sorry, pal. Looks like we had a last minute change in the menu. We’re having stake for dinner tonight.” He kicked the wood protruding from Erik’s back. The body didn’t move.
“Go help Lucas. Liam went after him!” Dorian ordered with quiet urgency.
Raphael nodded. He and Angel went out the back door armed with stakes.
Dorian grew uneasy; knowing full well he needed to head back to the table before Malachi came looking for him. He stood at the door and looked out into the darkness. Thankfully, he had keen night vision.
He saw Angel and Lucas struggling to get a firm hold on Liam. Raphael got out of the Escalade and joined them.
It took all three of them to get hold of Liam. Dorian heard a loud snap. Liam was fast and strong. He’d snapped Lucas’ neck in seconds.
Dorian saw the look of horror on Raphael’s face as he watched his friend fall to the ground dead. He leaped onto Liam’s back. “Angel, stake this fucker now,” he whispered vehemently.
Angel thrust the stake through Liam’s chest. Liam clawed at the wood jutting out of his body, blood spewed from his mouth. He hissed at them and finally lay unmoving.
Angel dragged Liam’s limp, lifeless body away from the vehicle, putting him on top of Erik’s.
Both were in the woods. If they were able to rise again, the sunlight would put an end to that. Dorian wasn’t sure if stakes would be enough. He’d never seen another vampire killed. He remembered the day he’d been made. The sunlight had burnt his hand in an instant.
“We got him, Mr. Taylor,” Angel said, out of breath.
“Good job. Now leave this place and slide the outside dead-bolt in place.”
Dorian waited until he heard the lock click into place on the heavy steel door. He left the room and went back to the table where the others awaited him.
“Well? Is she as tasty as she looks?” Malachi asked.
He, Theodora and Bianca laughed.
“Oh, I think you’re in for a treat.” Dorian smirked.
“You certainly took long enough with her. We’re behind schedule. And where have Erik and Liam gone to? Oh well. We shall begin without them. I’m sure they’ll be back. They’d never miss this. Ladies, Dorian? Let’s begin.”
Dorian looked at them as they rose. He noted the look of lust for blood and sex in their eyes. They sickened him with their decadence and debauchery.
No matter what they did, dawn was approaching and there would be no escape at this point. The basement wouldn’t give them refuge. Not with the C-4 lying in wait.
Theodora, Bianca and Malachi walked together into the room. Dorian hung back.
“What the fuck! Where is she?” Malachi shouted.
The two women moved to the back door and pushed hard against it. It wouldn’t budge. Dorian knew they planned to chase down their prey.
Malachi turned swiftly toward Dorian, his eyes squinting with suspicion, hatred and finally horror as it dawned on him what was happening. “You!”
Dorian stepped backward, over the threshold from where they’d come and attempted to push the door closed. Before he could get out and slide the deadbolt, Malachi flew at him in a rage.
Moving fast, Dorian managed to bolt the door and trap the women inside. However, Malachi had slipped through. He and Dorian stood face to face, listening to Theodora and Bianca shout and bang against the steel door.
“Why would you do such a thing?” Malachi grabbed Dorian by the throat.
Dorian raised his arms and pulled Malachi off him. He dealt him a mighty blow with the back of his hand. Malachi went flying through the air and landed on his feet with ease in front of the fireplace.
“You know exactly why.” Dorian strode toward Malachi, his eyes burning with rage as they bore into his master’s.
“You would kill me for her? I saved your life, lest you forget Dorian. What can she possibly give you that I haven’t?”
“You may have physically saved my life, but she gave me a life! You refused to understand and thereby signed your own death warrant, Malachi. She loves me and she’s made me a better man.”
“But you’re not a man! You’re a monster same as me. You’re fooling yourself if you think otherwise.”
“I know what I am and what I’ve done. I’m not blaming you for any of it, Malachi. I take full responsibility for the choices I’ve made. The time had come for me to make other choices and you simply wouldn’t allow it.”
“Do you really think I’ll just let you go? You can’t kill me.”
“I don’t care if you relea
se me or not. You will die here on this night. I hope you burn in hell.” Dorian wrapped one hand around Malachi’s neck, pinning him to the wall.
“If I’m going to hell, I’m taking you with me!” Malachi swung his arm powerfully, landing a hard blow to Dorian’s head. He stumbled and fell to the floor.
Malachi laid his body on top of Dorian and held him down. “Ah, the dawn comes soon. And here we shall die together. You belong to me and always will!”
Dorian knew full well he had only minutes to get away. Malachi was a very powerful vampire and he struggled against his weight.
Both of them stopped fighting when they heard loud banging on the front door.
“Jesus Christ, Dorian, get the hell out of there now! It’s time!” Ian shouted.
Malachi released Dorian and flew to the door. However, he made one fatal error. He went back toward Dorian.
His eyes went wide when he saw the small, sharp stake in Dorian’s hand. “No!” he whispered, incredulous.
Dorian thrust the stake, which he’d kept concealed in his inside jacket pocket, into Malachi’s heart.
Malachi went down, but he wasn’t dead. Dorian had only temporarily incapacitated him, hopefully buying him enough to get the hell out of there.
Dorian ran at the speed of light for the door.
He felt Malachi tugging at his pant leg, not wanting to let him go.
Dorian tried in vain to shake him off.
Meanwhile, the door was opening.
Ian and Shane grabbed Dorian’s hands and pulled hard.
“Shane!” Malachi’s eyes grew wide with the shock of betrayal.
Shane stared at his boss, his face a mask of utter terror.
“Don’t look at him Shane!” Ian shouted.
Dorian finally shook loose of Malachi’s grip and shoved his way out the door, threw the dead bolt and ran toward the open door of the armored truck. Dawn was beginning to break and he felt the heat of it on his back.
Ian slammed the door shut. All was blessed darkness.
“Dorian, I’m begging you! Don’t do this. I love you!” Malachi’s final screams echoed through the quiet air.
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