Page 32 of When Shadows Dream: Shadow Hounds

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, why not? It’s not like I could do anything to you, what with this wall between us and all.”

“Um, for all I know you could be some form of body snatcher who needs a new meat suit, and you’ve decided I’ll do.”

“And how exactly would I go about getting a hold of your, uh, ‘meat suit’?” his voice rang with unconcealed amusement.

“How would I know? I’ve never met one before, unless you are one, then yes, I’ve met one, you. For all I know you wouldn’t even have to touch me to do it. Though, touching might be fun.” Gosh, it was fun to joke around like this. Their circumstances might not be the best, but they could at least lighten the mood for a little bit, right? “Fuck it, if you are a body snatcher or some shit, I will haunt your ass for eternity.”

With that said she flounced up off the completely uncomfortable cot and over to stand before Nithe.

“I’m not a body snatcher, gorgeous, but you definitely have an impressive one. Red hot to be exact.” This time it was he who winked. He’d placed subtle emphasis on the word red and Jezzie got the distinct impression he’d seen through her illusion. Which both terrified and excited her.

“It’s natural, you know? Except there’s no rug to match the drapes.”

His breath hitched and he swallowed reflexively. She could’ve sworn she caught the aftershocks of a soundless groan on the air as his left palm came to rest on the cool glass by his shoulder. Without thought her right hand followed his lead, less than an inch separated their skin. Leaning her cheek against the glass she watched as both hands slowly moved toward the small holes drilled into it. Finally, her palm came to rest over a cluster of them, and she closed her eyes. She could feel the heat of his skin as it radiated toward her, setting fire to her libido and soothing her aching soul.

She gasped, he touched her. His finger to her palm. She giggled and pulled back slightly.

“Was the tickle quite necessary?” She heard the smile in her voice.

“Oh, absolutely. I think making you giggle might just be my new happy place.”

How could someone sound so sad, desperate, and happy at the same time? She wanted more than anything in that very moment to fling herself into his arms and tell him it would all be okay. She’d slay the giant fucktard named Raum and all would be well in all the realms. Instead, she placed four fingers through four individual holes, and touched his. What she didn’t expect was the tug of a tether as it got stronger, a bond she felt might now be much harder to break. The zap of electricity that flung her body back onto the hard gray floor hadn’t been expected either, in hindsight.

“Well, well, isn’t this sweet? So heartwarming to see the two of you getting along so . . . intimately,” Raum’s disgusted sneer at the last word came across crystal clear.

Was he jealous? Sure sounded like it to her.

“Jealous, sweetie? Such a shame no one wants to be near you willingly. Not really though, I can definitely agree with their aversion.” She couldn’t stop the words before they slipped out.

Shit! Ballzy looked nervous as fuck standing off to the side and slightly behind Raum. One day she might just learn to keep her mouth shut. But, probably not. At this point she figured it was a genetic failing. Her mum suffered from it too, and she was willing to bet dollars to donuts her dad did too.

“Such a smart mouth you have, young lady. Let’s see how smart it is when I’m done with you.” The steely glint in his eyes indicated she’d struck a nerve, and going by how he’d just cracked his knuckles, she wasn’t going to like what came next.

“You can make it all stop right now, you know. All you have to do is tell me exactly why you’re here, and sing like a songbird until you hand over the information my friend Balthazar wants to know,” Raum cajoled.

“Seriously?” she said, eyes wide with faux innocence, before she abruptly dropped the act. “I highly doubt you have any actual friends, dipshit.”

“I was so hoping you’d decide not to cooperate. I do love it when I get the chance to have a little fun. The harder you make it, the more fun this is going to be. For me, that is.”

Raum’s smirk may have been a little disconcerting to someone else, but seriously? Considering how many psycho serial killers, and serial killers in the making, she’d soul sucked over the decades, how many blissful moments of delicious torture she’d endured in the pursuit of a decent meal? She was actually looking forward to this as much as he was. Not to mention the added bonus of him entering her cell and his unhindered proximity would place him in the perfect position to become her next yummy banquet. Whatever Ballzy had done to protect his soul, apparently didn’t apply to the asshat standing on the other side of the glass with a self-satisfied look on his face. His soul radiated evil, his aura murky, the color of mud and moss mixed together. It called to her, almost begging to be devoured.

Except, he didn’t enter her cell. No, he turned and walked to the one next door. Nithe had risen from his shocked position on the hard floor and placed as much distance between himself, Raum, and her as he could without taking his eyes off his captor. Note to self, the fucking glass was electrified, somehow. Nice of Ballzy to give her a heads-up about it . . . not. If they both came out of this unscathed, they would definitely have some words about that little surprise.

“Balthazar, my friend,” his eyes pierced through her as he uttered them. “Instruct your little minions to bring in the devices. One in each room, please. I’ll take care of mine. Strap yours in nice and tight.” It was more an order than a request.

Ballzy spoke to the demon huddled behind him, and the odd little creature dashed off to do his master’s bidding. What the hell was with his obedience? The more she watched Ballzy, the more anger, frustration, and hatred she felt drifting off him. But it wasn’t directed at her, it was focussed on Raum. The emotions he felt for her centered around fear, desperation, and hopelessness.

Demons, two groups of four, entered the wide hallway where Ballzy stood. Each group was pulling and pushing a large metal and wooden X mounted to a base board on wheels. One rolled past and stopped in front of Nithe’s cell, the other was brought to a halt in front of hers. Jezzie’s gaze darted to Nithe, but he wasn’t looking at her. His eyes were fastened to the St. Andrew’s Cross being rolled into his cell. It was indeed such a device, seeing the four metal and leather cuffs attached strategically to it triggered her memory.

Sheer terror rolled off Nithe, fine tremors wracked his body, and he shook his head in denial. Clearly, whatever Raum had used these for previously had not been for pleasure . . . At least not for anyone’s other than his own. She tried to give Nithe a smile of comfort, but it fell flat, her face too full of tension, his fear too great. His eyes started to dart around the room frantically, as if seeking an escape. She could assure him there wasn’t one, at least that she’d been able to find.

The click of her own cell door drew her attention back to her own situation. An identical device to the one in Nithe’s cell was wheeled in. The demons stopped a few meters from her and darted back out as soon as they were able.

“You’re up, Balthazar!” Raum stated curtly, shocking Ballzy into movement.

Balthazar walked in and shut the cell door firmly. Turning back toward her, he moved himself to stand before her, taking her upper arms in his large, trembling hands. Holding her firmly he spun her around and placed her back to the device, lifting her so her feet rested on the timber slats at the base. Leaning in close he whispered like a soft breeze in her ear, shielding his words as much as he could as he slid his hand down her arm and grasped her wrist, securing one after the other in the tight restraints.

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