Page 116 of The Firebrand
He looked at Anjeli, whose eyes were still downcast as she ignored his father’s tirade. The perfect female ylve, waiting for a mate, staying above the fray, ignoring the evil on Scath.
Perfect.
****
Reingawked at the busted door before he tore into the living room, nearly stumbling from the coppery scent of blood. The coffee table was on its side. The corner of the rug was flipped up, and the couch was tipped onto its back. He drew a deep breath, his nose filled with Braelyn’s feisty tang along with the familiar whiff of the vampire, Silas.
“Brae,” he yelled, storming from room to room. He picked up a splinter of wood from the bathroom floor but let it drop. He darted for the bedroom where the dresser lay toppled on its side. More blood.
Braelyn’s.I never should have gone to the gym. Damn my thirst. Damn my needs.
She had obviously tried to block the door. That wouldn’t have stopped Silas. Nothing would have stopped him, least of all her. He retraced his steps. Rein clutched his head to stop the spin.
So much blood.
He sniffed the air again. Howling, Rein punched a fist into the wall. Once. Twice. Three times. Fangs bit into his lower lip as he grabbed priceless sculptures, lamps, tables—smashing them onto the floor.
A terrifying maelstrom of fury gripped him. The shadow of its darkness clouded his vision. His face contorted into rage. Rein’s nostrils flared when he imagined Braelyn. Alone. Afraid. Depending on him. Wondering why he had failed her.
Rein inhaled a slow, deep breath, his chest nearly bursting when it expanded. He drew anger into his heart, burying it. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the tight cords in his neck. He settled his shoulders. He shook out his limbs. He unclenched his fists. He soothed each muscle in his body. He retracted his fangs, swallowing his urges.
No more walls. No more uncontrolled wrath. He made a vow, an icy resolve. “Silas, you will die. If you injure Braelyn in any way, your death will be slow. But if you kill her, you will beg for me to end your suffering. I will take you to the edge of life day after day. I’m coming for you. You have what belongs to me.”
In the center of his living room, Rein revolved slowly with his arms stretched wide, his calm vow growing to a roar. “I’m coming, you freak, you fucked-up bastard.”
Rein tapped his D-chip.Silas took Braelyn. I’m going after the bat-shit crazy wack job. I’m going to kill him. If she’s dead, he’ll plead with me to kill him. He can beg, but he’ll die when I’m ready. Just so you know, I don’t care if this is legal or not.
Kole answered.Silas has been on our hit list a long time. Hunt him down. I’ll send Firebrands along with. Wait for them.
They have ten minutes. Then I’m gone.
They’ll be there.
The berserkers were a diversion, Kole. I’m sure of it. I dropped the ward on my condo. Silas knew. He must have been waiting. This was planned. Why Braelyn again? Why does he want her so badly?
I don’t know, but we’ll get her back.
She put up a hell of a fight.
He disconnected from Kole, checking the time. Nine minutes before he unleashed his monster. He didn’t care if he fell into the abyss.Fuck. He was probably already there.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Awarenessdrifted into Braelyn’s consciousness. She was cold. A long, dark shadow fell across her. Someone poked her in the arm with a syringe. She blacked out.
Her eyelids fluttered. Open. Shut. Light was dim. Once her lids stayed up, her vision cleared, and she glanced around. She was on the floor of a cell with iron bars. She pinched her nose. Mold, mildew, urine, a reminder of the alleys in Seattle.
When she tried to sit up, she felt each cut, each bruise, each ache. With her head imitating a boat floating in rough seas, she gagged. She was more cautious the next time.
That’s better.Oops.
Clasping a palm over her mouth, she crawled to a corner to vomit. Spitting out the vile taste several times, she swiped the back of her hand across her lips.
Braelyn clasped her ripped top in her fingers. When her head ceased spinning, she scanned her surroundings. The windowless cell had gray concrete floors with block walls. And she was not alone. Moans, sobs, coughs thrummed in her ears.
Braelyn sniffed the air. That unpleasant smell made her stomach twist again, but she clapped a hand over her mouth, not wanting to upchuck again.
With difficulty, she rose from the cold, hard floor. A knee bent under her, she pushed up on the other leg. Then, while steadying herself with a fist on the cement, she forced herself to stand. Stumbling to the corner, she hurled. With the wall for support, she inched along until she reached the bars. When she pressed her forehead to the slot between the bars, she saw five cells across from her. And possibly one on each side. A wide corridor ran between the cages, opening into a sizable space to the right.
