Page 135 of The Firebrand
“Big guy.” Ram draped an arm over Rein’s shoulders, pulling him outside. “Let’s get some oxygen. Kole thinks you’re tripping.”
Ram led a dazed Rein out the door to take a deep breath of clean air, free of the scent of blood. Where they stood, a wide country road bordered by alfalfa fields wound up a hill to the main building. The fertile farm was at odds with the death inside.
Two other barns stood to the right. “Let’s check the outbuildings,” Ram suggested, dragging hisfreronalong with. The satyr knew something was up because Rein came willingly.
Hell. Too willingly. Almost catatonic.
Sliding a barn door open, Ram shoved his nose into the crook of his arm.Bloody Coven.Urine, feces, and rotting food assailed his sense of smell. He inhaled through his mouth before his granite stomach rebelled. Gaunt faces stared through the bars of their cells. Some humans sprawled in soiled hay; others huddled in corners, using hands to cover their nakedness, shaking from either cold or fear; still more watched behind vacant eyes.
Ram tapped his D-chip, connecting with Kole.We need help. Earthers. Ten, maybe more. It’s a fucking concentration camp here.
Same-same,chimed in Brak.We’re in the other barn.
That makes over thirty in this stockade, said Kole.I’m calling Cadmon. We’re gonna need clothes, healers, mindwipers to get these people home. Brak, make sure we have a blood sample, names, and contact information from each victim.
Rein, his red-ringed eyes hollow, avoided Ram’s gaze. “I hate to leave you with all this mess,freron, but I gotta bust out of here.”
Ram male-slapped Rein’s back. “Get going, dude. I’ll let Kole know.”
He watched the vampire mix with the reddened eyes and twitching muscles tap his D-chip to portal out. “Good luck,freron.”
****
Reinstrolled into the Cubes on the lower level of the Firebrand Stronghold to keep a promise.
Moving like a zombie, he approached the satyr’s cage, opening it with a spell that shouldn’t have worked down here.
Surprise.
He had tricks up his warlock sleeves. He drew a sword from his back sheath. Without a word, he hacked at the prisoner until only pieces lay scattered on a bloody, slippery floor.
Trudging to the first demon’s cell, not breaking stride, he ripped the door off its hinges. The asshole cowered in the corner, whimpering. Rein touched the point of his blade under the guy’s chin, forcing him to look up. Then he slashed through his neck. Clean. When the cement glistened with blood, Rein moved on to the last cell.
The third prisoner tried to attack in his demon form but could not summon his beast in the Cubes. His eyes hooded, Rein swiped his weapon up, down, left, right.
Two gaffers charged into the cell, one grabbing Rein around his chest, the other latching onto an arm. Rein kept hacking at the dead demon. After the third guard deadlocked his other arm, they dragged the cold, aloof killer into the large interrogation area. When they let go of him, Rein walked out of the Cubes, his stride slow, deliberate, his bloody sword dragging at his side.
He took the stronghold portal to his condo. Inside the great room, he listened. No sounds. No scent of Braelyn.
What did I expect? I almost packed her bags and threw them out the door, her with them.
He lifted his blade, dripping blood onto the floor. It reminded him of the urgency to feed. If he didn’t satisfy it soon, he would go mad.
A laugh bubbled up from his chest.
Madder.
The pain from the ignored call to the Bludhunt, the massacre at the farm, followed by an unscheduled stop at the stronghold increased Rein’s blood craving. But he’d control it. Nothing fresh from a vein. He slammed his fridge shut.Empty. His sister kept a stash.
He portaled to Elisabeta’s house, opening her door with a flick of warlock power, his sword arm still limp at his side.
She was in the kitchen but spun around at his interruption. “You look like hell, brother. And don’t drip shit on my floor. What’s up?”
When he dropped his weapon, he held out a hand, palm down. “The shakes. Blood, Elisabeta.”
“Isn’t there some standby female’s neck you use? Won’t your precious Braelyn let you get your feed on?”
“I can’t control myself. I thought you might have some here.”
