by I. T. Lucas
There was a lesson to be learned here.
Torture didn’t have to be inflicted by a merciless sadist—a denial of a simple bodily function was almost as effective.
“Better?” Robert asked.
“Much. You don’t have a change of clothes in here somewhere by any chance?”
“In fact, I do. I put on two T-shirts. One is for you.”
What a thoughtful, considerate man.
Holding the steering wheel with his knees, Robert pulled one of his shirts over his head and tossed it to her.
As she put it on, Carol wanted to purr like a satisfied kitten. The shirt, although short-sleeved, was still warm from his body and felt like heaven over her chilled skin. It smelled like him too. A good, clean smell. Laundry detergent with a tiny bit of cologne and Robert’s natural scent which was quite pleasant. Masculine, but not overbearing.
She’d never attached much meaning to the different scents males produced, unless they were unwashed that is, and then she kept her distance from the brutes. And yet, sniffing Robert’s shirt she couldn’t help feeling as if his scent hinted at the kind of man he was. He smelled like honesty and dependability and hard work.
A good man.
Carol shook her head. Her gratitude to the man was playing tricks on her. Robert was good because he was helping her escape, but he was still a Doomer. There was no way he was as good as he smelled.
On the other hand, Dalhu had been a Doomer too, and yet Amanda had taken him on as her mate. Not officially, but they lived together with Kian’s blessing. Or at least his grudging acquiescence. Everyone was talking about the great sacrifice Dalhu had made for Amanda, and how bravely and admirably he’d submitted to the ordeal Micah had demanded. But courage and strength didn’t necessarily mean that he was a good guy. Except, Amanda had apparently deemed him good enough. And so did Kian, the council, and the Guardians.
The Guardians, right. She should let them know she was okay. Her instructors and her classmates must be worried out of their minds. Even if, fates forbid, Ben hadn’t survived to tell what had happened to her, George would have reported her missing.
She’d promised Robert she’d stay with him, and Carol was not going to go back on her word, but she needed to make that phone call.
Lifting up to her knees, she asked, “Can I come up front? Or is it still too dangerous?”
Robert glanced at her through the rear view mirror. “I don’t want to take any chances. Stay in the back where no one can see you through the tinted windows.”
Carol rearranged the comforter to make herself a little cushy seat, and sat down leaning her back carefully against the van’s side wall. So far so good. Overnight, her wounds had healed completely, and all that was bothering her now were the knotted muscles that could use a good relaxing massage.
“Robert?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I meant what I said last night. You are not going to regret this. I’m going to make you a very happy guy.”
His face got so red that the flash of color was clearly visible in the small rear view mirror.
“You being with me will make me happy. You don’t need to do anything more.”
“I know. I want to return the favor in any way I can. And don’t worry about money. I have plenty saved up. I’ll probably need a few days to arrange for a new driver's license and a passport, credit cards and such.”
The color on his cheeks turned from tomato red to deep crimson. “Keep your money. I’m going to find work and support us. I’m a healthy, hard-working male. And I’m certainly not going to rely on a woman for support.”
Without meaning to, she’d offended him. But the same was true for him. His outrage at the idea that she’d support them was offensive to her. But what could she expect from a Doomer? Their views on females and their roles in a relationship belonged in the Stone Age.
Hell, not even then. Caveman had had better opinions about their female counterparts.
She had her work cut out for her. By the time she was done with him, Robert would think and act like a modern man. Not an ape. In the meantime, however, she should be mindful of his sensitivities.
Robert deserved her gratitude, not her derision.
“I didn’t mean to imply you’re incapable of earning an income. I’m sure you are. My offer is for the meantime, just until you find work.”
He nodded, some of the redness on his cheeks receding.
When they reached the town, Carol climbed over the seats and joined Robert up front. “So where to? Any ideas?”
He shrugged. “Not really. I need to refuel if we want to keep going in this van. But I’m hoping to catch someone I can thrall easily into trading cars. I’ll try to find someone at the gas station.”
It seemed Robert wasn’t very confident in his thralling abilities, but Carol hesitated to offer her help. His male ego might get hurt again. She’d wait and see how he was managing, and intervene only as a last resort.
As Robert pulled into an Arco, Carol eyed the gas station’s mini-mart. “Do you have any money? I want to buy a burner phone.”
He cast her a suspicious glance. “Why?”
“Because we need one. And if you have yours on you, you should dispose of it together with the car.”
“Good point. Here.” He pulled out a hundred from his wallet. “Is this enough?”
“I hope so. If not, I’ll let you know.” She took the money and headed for the mini mart. It was one of the larger ones, and she was glad to find a whole row of disposable phones in a wide range of prices. She chose one of the cheapest. After all, she only needed it for a short time to arrange access to her money. After that was done she could buy a full-featured smart phone like the one she’d had before.
The guy at the front desk helped her activate the device, and in no time she had a working phone in her hands.
What a great feeling. Having a phone felt almost as crucial as having a shirt on. She’d felt naked without either.
Through the window, she saw Robert approach a guy then shake his head and go back to the pump. She’d been right. Robert’s thrall was weak.
Lifting the phone, she debated whether to tell him that she was going to call home to let everyone know she’d escaped, or just do it and tell him later.
Don’t be a coward.
She needed to tell Robert first and then do it even if he was against it. A small confrontation was better than deceit, and it would set the right tone for their relationship from the start.
Sauntering up to him with a slightly exaggerated, sexy sway of her hips, Carol surprised herself with how easily she was slipping into her old self. Only last night, she’d been convinced she’d never attempt to seduce anyone again. Hell, any thought of sex had been repulsive to her. Still was, but she had a feeling that it wouldn’t last long. Dimly, she was aware that there was nothing better to make her forget the sadist than making love with someone who cared.
Like Robert.
His eyes widened and his Adam’s apple bobbed, as she leaned next to him against the van’s flank and treated him to one of her sultry smiles.
“I have the phone.” She lifted it to show him. “I’m going to call home and let them know I’m okay. They are probably going out of their minds with worry.”
Robert straightened to his full height, looking quite imposing as he glared down at her. “Don’t repay my kindness with betrayal. I didn’t rescue you so you can tell your people where to find mine and annihilate them. I’m a deserter, and they are probably going to hunt me like a stray dog. But some of them are my friends, and I’m not going to hand their enemies their heads on a platter.”
She put her hand on his arm. “I’m only going to tell my family I’m fine, and that you helped me escape. Nothing else. You can listen to the conversation if you want.”
Her placating tone and big innocent eyes melted Robert’s harsh glare away. Apparently, she still
got it. The way he was gazing at her, she could ask for the moon and he’d try to get it for her.
“Wait until we are on the road. I didn’t find anyone who was both easy to thrall and had the kind of car I wanted. We will drive this van into Santa Barbara and find something there.”
“Okay.” She stretched on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
Robert blushed again and got busy with the gas pump, replacing the nozzle and screwing back the cup on.
When they were seated and buckled, Carol lifted the phone. “Now is it okay?”
He nodded.
She’d already decided who she was going to call. Brundar. Other than her friends’, his was the only phone number she had memorized, and he also had direct access to Kian.
“Who is it?” Brundar answered in a tone that was neither angry nor combative but sounded threatening nonetheless.
“It’s Carol. I’m calling from a burner phone. Just wanted to let everyone know I’m okay.”
“Do they still have you or did you get away?”
“I escaped.”
“How?”
“I had help. One of the Doomers risked his life to help me.”
“Does he want to return you to the keep?” Brundar’s tone sounded venomous.
Carol rolled her eyes. How stupid did he think she was? Did he expect her to lead Doomers to the keep’s front door?
“No. We are running away. I promised Robert I'd stay with him. I just wanted to let you guys know so you don’t worry about me. I’m okay now. Their commander thought I could tell him things about the clan, and he tried to torture the information out of me, but I had nothing to tell. As if a pothead like me would know anything, right?” She chuckled nervously, hoping he caught her drift.
“That’s good. But how do I know you’re not being coerced?”
She smiled. “Remember telling me to get in shape and visit the gym every day? Well, I didn’t. I lied about it.”
“That sounds like you. I’m glad you escaped. Saves us the trouble of rescuing you. You caught us at the last minute before we put pressure on the police to search for you.” Brundar was trying to tell her something. He was never this talkative. Besides, there was no way they would’ve called the police. Even if they did, the authorities would’ve done nothing. She would be just another girl gone missing. Were they planning an attack? Were they going to cancel it now that she was free?”
“I’m not the only girl who needs rescuing.”
“I see. Do you know how many?”
Carol felt Robert tense at her side. “How should I know? There are always some damsels in need of rescuing, right?” She hoped Brundar would get what she was trying to say and why.
“Right. Well, good luck to you and your Doomer. Tell him that we owe him a debt of gratitude. He is welcomed to collect it at any time.”
“I will. Goodbye, Brundar.” Carol frowned. Was there a secret meaning in that last sentence too? Or had Brundar really meant it?
“Who was that guy, Brundar?” Robert asked.
How to answer that without lying but also without revealing Brundar’s position? Robert would flip if he knew she’d called a Guardian.
“He is my cousin, of course. All members of our clan are related to each other. And he is also my fitness trainer. Or was, that is.” She smiled innocently.
Chapter 17: Sebastian
“Where is Robert?” Sebastian asked the soldier coming up the stairs.
The man paused, shifting the stack of trays he was carrying to his other side. “He went to town on a supply run, sir.”
“Who did he leave in charge?”
“It would be me, sir.”
“Naturally.” Sebastian grimaced.
He’d never thought to spell it out for the idiot, but with both Tom and him gone, Robert should have known not to leave base for any reason, let alone some missing supplies.
“Did he say when he’ll be back?”
“After lunch, sir. He should be back shortly.”
And when he did, Sebastian was going to have to teach him a lesson. In Robert’s case, it was probably stupidity that had prompted him to do such irresponsible thing, and not insubordination. The guy was a dedicated soldier who’d always performed his duties to the best of his abilities.
Nevertheless, this couldn’t go unpunished.
Trouble was, Sebastian could think of no one who could replace Robert even for a few days. Tom’s schedule was already full, and other than Tom the rest of the men were even more incompetent than Robert. They were simple fighters, good at only one thing.
There was no avoiding it, though.
Robert needed to spend a few days chilling his ass locked in solitary confinement and surviving on half rations. What a pity Sebastian couldn’t just whip him and be done with it. True, it was his prerogative as a commander to do as he pleased with his men, but he was too smart and too experienced to use such crude methods. He needed his warriors loyal, and loyalty wasn’t earned with the help of a whip.
Regrettably.
Besides, not only did he not derive as much enjoyment from whipping males, Sebastian preferred to keep his hobby separate from his job.
He could use a good whipping session, though.
The trip to Phoenix had been a waste of time. The redneck owner of the radio station refused to even deal with Sebastian on the grounds that he wasn’t an American.
“What’s wrong with an Australian?” Sebastian had asked.
The old redneck had replied with his own question. “Are you planning on becoming an American citizen, son?”
Sebastian should have said yes, but it just hadn’t occurred to him that this would be a deal breaker.
Damn, he was tempted to blow the old hoot’s precious station up. Stage a terrorist attack. Maybe he still would. No one should be allowed to treat Sebastian Shar with such disrespect and get away with it.
The meeting had been over before it had even begun, and Tom and he had been lucky to catch the last two remaining seats in an earlier flight. He should blow up the radio station just for having to fly coach. First class had been sold out.
It was still too early to pay a visit to Carol. She wasn’t recovered yet from last evenings session. Perhaps he could use Letty for a change?
Nah, the human was a poor substitute for the immortal. Besides, accustomed to Carol’s resilience, Sebastian would probably kill Letty before recalibrating the intensity for her fragile, human body.
Besides, with both Robert and him gone most of the morning, there were things Sebastian needed to do before indulging in his favorite pastime. He would check on the men and make a tour of the grounds, giving Carol another hour to recuperate before paying her a visit.
As he made the rounds, Sebastian’s irritation with Robert subsided. Before he’d left, his assistant had assigned tasks and shifts, and everything seemed to be rolling like a well-oiled machine. Two sets of patrolmen were circling the grounds, a group of soldiers was training at hand to hand combat in the back while another was eating lunch, and the rest were off duty, either sleeping or visiting the girls down at the basement.
He joined the group in the dining room, spending some time talking with the men. All part of the job. Appearing friendly and approachable was crucial to keeping his men loyal. When he was done with that, he went up to his third-floor apartment and took a leisurely shower.
After all, subjecting Carol to offensive body odor wasn’t one of his torture techniques. He even sprayed himself with his most luxurious cologne before heading down to her room.
He’d try to go easy on her.
Normally, she would have several more hours to recuperate before his nightly visit. The healing of the mind took longer than that of the body, and even though her wounds would be closed, emotionally she wouldn’t be ready.
It was a delicate balance. Sebastian needed to tread carefully. He didn’t want to break her beyond repair. If her mind snapped, she would be useless to him. Whipping a zo
mbie was probably as much fun as whipping a wooden post.
As he pushed the door to her room open, he was surprised to find it completely dark. It seemed Carol was sleeping. She didn’t even stir when the light from the corridor banished the darkness. On the nightstand, her lunch tray remained untouched.
Was she planning on starving herself to death? Stupid girl. Immortals couldn’t die from starvation. She’d only go into stasis. But perhaps that was her goal. In stasis, she wouldn’t feel a thing.
Two steps brought him to the side of her bed. He leaned down to shake her shoulder, realizing immediately that it wasn’t Carol’s body under the comforter. He tore it off, the pillows that had been arranged to resemble a female form tumbling to the floor.
“NO!”
His bellow of rage must’ve shaken the compound.
Naked warriors burst into the corridor from the adjoining rooms, and more came running down the basement steps.
“Is Robert back?” he hissed.
The men exchanged looks. “I haven’t seen him,” one dared to speak.
“Go up and find him. Now!” he ordered, knowing perfectly well that Robert wouldn’t be found.
Not now and not later.
The traitor wasn’t coming back. Obviously, he’d absconded with Carol. How had a simpleton like him manage to fool a mastermind like Sebastian?
He’d underestimated Robert, that’s how. All that ‘yes, sir’, the vacant expression when he’d failed to understand something the first time, and Sebastian had had to patiently explain it again. It had all been a great big act.
“He is not back yet, sir,” the one he’d sent to look for Robert came back to report.
For a moment, he considered running upstairs and activating the tracker on Robert’s van. Sebastian’s head was evidently not working well when overheated, because it took another moment before he remembered that it had been Robert who’d attached the devices to the undercarriages of the cars. The guy was certainly not stupid enough to leave the thing on.
Apparently, Robert wasn’t nearly as dumb as Sebastian had thought he was. He’d stolen Sebastian’s most prized possession from under his nose.
