Page 36 of The Satyr's Guilt
Learning happening right here and now.
“It’s her job,” Kole said to Nico.
Sabine rested a palm on her Arkansastoothpick hilt. “For the record, Comm, he’s crazy. He ran rightinto the Arisen Dawn warehouse. Without my permission.”
“Your permission? Why do I need yourpermission to do my job?” Nico’s eyes blazed as his volumeincreased.
“I can clear this up,” interrupted Kole.“Because I fucking said you do.” He shot out of his desk chair,checking it out as if he might chuck it across the room like thebig-ass demon he was. “Son, I know your world’s been turned upsidedown, but I’m your fucking commander now. Not your life coach. Theunapproved raid on the warehouse was stupid. Watching and waitingwould likely have bagged us better intel. Nobody understands rashmoves better than I do. Still, not a smart idea for an experiencedagent. Get your shit together, or I’ll ground you from all action.On the plus side, and the only reason you’re still standing, thestupid move netted us a shitload of information and cash. SeemsArisen Dawn is recruiting. Don’t know why. Disobey me again,though, and you’ll see how scary I can be.”
Kole let fly a stream of fire which sizzledacross Nico’s left ear.
The human’s hand flew to his singed lobe.“Shit.”
Kole slumped back into his chair. “Just asample. I could have aimed for your dick, lighting it up like atiki torch. And Immagonnadothat if you don’t see things my way.This shit is boring, and boring and I don’t get along. Denim, canyou still work with Ram now that he’s reformed?”
She stared at the satyr. “As long as hetreats me like an equal. Like a professional.”
Ram winced, but not one stupid word crossedhis lips. He could have repeated all the skills he possessed butshe lacked. He didn’t.
Learning happening again. I am having such agrowth spurt. Pretty soon I’ll be ready for a guest spot on TheView.
“Okay. Here’s the solution to both problems.If Ram acts out, Denim, stab him or shoot him. Anywhere. I don’tgive a fuck. Sabine, you are sticking with the human warlock. Notdissolving your partnership either. Hell, shoot him, too, if hedares to disobey a command, but do not kill him. Just graze him. AsBlood Coven, he’s protected property.”
The four of them stared dumbfounded atKole.
“Yeah. Ya gotta love my solutions. Now. Getthe hell out of here. Bounty?” he yelled out. “Did these four haveappointments?”
“You don’t make appointments.”
“Exactly. So, how the hell did they get in?Nobody gets into my office for the rest of the night without one ofthose appointments I don’t make. I’ve got a shitload of work to dobefore I can go home to my gorgeous mate.”
Chapter Nine
Lizette awoke with Spearinside her. She squeezed her lids tight, turning her head to theside so his lips could not maul her with a kiss. His hips plowed upand down. The bed slammed into the wall, his grunts adding to thenightmare of her life.
This hut was a long way from the New Yorkstreet where she’d been kidnapped before being shipped off to adirty, dank prison run by vampires. Soon after they flung her intothe squalid cell, her jailer sold her to this berserker.
How long have I been at Spear’s mercy?Months?
Long enough that she was dry. No more tears.Crying prompted beatings, but more than that, she didn’t want togive the rutting seven-foot monster the satisfaction of seeing herbreak.
His muscles tightened as he released insideher. When he pulled out, unwelcome moisture dripped between herlegs. Lizette kept her expression frozen, hidden from her ownpersonal monster. No frown. No grimace. No displeasure.
Survive. Survive. Survive.
She lived to escape this nightmare, fakingher enjoyment of Spear’s advancements. Once she was free, she’dkill him. How realistic was this thinking? He was huge. A mountainof muscle. And crazy as a poked grizzly.
Once a radio talk show psychologist at WMRin New York, she never would have used the expression “crazy.” Shewould have said, “He is exhibiting sociopathic behaviors, likely aresult of his upbringing.” She would have lapsed into a descriptionof his actions. Lack of remorse. Antisocial tendencies. Pathologicegocentricity. Specific loss of insight. Now she said things like“savage deranged beast,” “wacked cretin rapist,” or “crazy as apoked grizzly.”
In her previous life, she would have spoutedways to deal with a sociopath. Stay cool. Stay calm. Resist thetemptation to talk it out or change the person. Show them theydon’t have power over you. Consider avoiding the person. Keep yourguard up. Now, she wanted to kill the monster, gouge out his eyes,or cut off his balls. She’d changed. She liked to think she wasmore pragmatic. It was possible she was just more bloodthirsty.
“Get up, female. Ready my breakfast.”Spear’s deep, gravelly voice assaulted her thoughts. Wrapping herchain around his palm, he yanked her out of their shared bed.
Lizette slammed onto the floor, scramblingfor her shirt.
“No.” Spear thundered a command.
She was exposed, vulnerable. Tired of thegame she played to endure, she swallowed her pride, remembering shewas naked but a survivor. If she refused his demand, he would hither. She rejected starting the day with a headache and swollen jaw.Instead, she forced her lips into a smile, a pretense that sheenjoyed Spear’s assaults, a pretense she loved him. All to stayalive.
