Page 130 of The Firebrand
The satyr trembled, jolting away from Rein’s touch.
“Do you remember the captive Braelyn?”
The prisoner nodded.
“She’s mine.” Rein’s anger rolled around his throat like gravel.
“Ask her. I didn’t hurt her.”
“Irrelevant. Hang on to your nads. You’ll soon be wearing them as bling.”
The satyr’s hand shook, dropping the pencil as Rein stomped to the cell holding the two demons. His fists on the bars, he leaned in close. When he snarled, the points of his fangs cut into his lower lip. “I’m gonna give you sad, sadistic dickheads something to look forward to. I’m going to gut you. With your entrails spilling into your hands, I’m gonna cut out your liver. Then your kidneys. When you’ve screamed until you’re hoarse, I’ll cut out your heart and feed it to shifters. You never should have taken what’s mine.”
“We didn’t know,” said one prisoner, his voice trembling.
“You think I give a shit?” Rein’s vision glowed solid red as his hand shot to his head, pain stabbing at his temple.
Though he’d wait to take his revenge, it would be his. From the doorway, Rein turned to Kole. “D-chip me with the plan. I’m first in the door.” He left the interrogation room to pick up Braelyn in the gym before he did something stupid.
****
Silas’supper lip curled, his fangs popping out as he snatched his brother by the front of his shirt.
“That damn female of Rein’s destroyed our operation.” Though Aisen rarely snarled at Silas, he did now. “Why couldn’t you just forget her?”
“Do not question me. I followed orders.” Drawing back his fist, Silas punched his brother in the jaw, knocking him into the wall, the crack of bone loud.
Instead of cowering, Aisen fought this time. He threw up his forearms to block the next punch before he swung an elbow into Silas’s chin. Grabbing his brother’s throat, he gripped tight, taking his bludfrenzied sibling to the floor. They grappled, rolling, first one on top. Then the other. When Silas, older and stronger, gained the upper hand, he paused, the heel of his palm at Aisen’s nose.
Silas grunted, relaxed, smoothing his brother’s shirt. “This is no time for us to fight. You are right. She was not worth the trouble. Our boss commanded me to bring in all humans on the list. No exceptions.” He rose, offering an assist to Aisen. They needed each other.
Stretching out his hand, Aisen accepted Silas’s help. Upon rising, he paced the room, unable to settle. “What if they get here before we clear out?”
Clasping his half-brother’s shoulder, Silas said, “They won’t. Destroy the files quickly before you leave. We can only assume the captured guards have given up this location.”
Aisen nodded. “When I finish, I’ll join you in Bludhaven. We’ll make it with our heads attached, won’t we?”
“You have a fear of dying, brother? I’ve been heading toward the grave a long time. Get some grit. I’m off to the lab. The only way I can destroy what’s there is to detonate the whole damn place. They cannot discover the blood samples. We’ll meet at the cabin. No one is aware of its location.”
“What should I do with the humans still here?”
“Leave them. When the Firebrands find this stockade, the disposal of the prisoners will occupy them. The longer they spend with the humans, the less time they have to search for us.”
“A berserker with money is here now. He’s looking for a female. What should I do?” asked Aisen.
“Take him on a speedy tour. If he sees one he likes, give her to him. For a high price. We can always use more money.”
“We haven’t received the results on all the Earthers yet. How do I know which ones to sell?”
“Do not concern yourself with that. We need the money now. Turn over anyone he pays for.”
Silas shadowflashed from the stockade, leaving Aisen to handle the cleanup.
****
Reinpicked up Braelyn from the Eastern Stronghold’s gym. Back in the condo, he pounded to and fro, unable to settle after the enigmatic call from his father. He avoided looking at Braelyn, the mating summons playing havoc with his body parts. His vision was crimson-tinged. His muscles danced to some ragtime tune, and his imagination ran amuck. He envisioned Braelyn shackled to a bed while he fed from her neck, thigh, breast. He was fucking her in multiple positions. Never thinking of her pleasure. Unable to stop feeding.
I’m a sick bastard.
