Page 131 of A Debt of Darkness

“Both,” I say, wearily. “I’m far from done. It’s going to be a long night. Or longer.”

Ryan nods and doesn’t bother smirking.

“She’s fine,” he says, handing me a unit of blood. “Quite comfortable and not at all phased.” The expression on his face suggests otherwise as he turns his back to the fucker who caused it. “Cuddling up in Matt’s lap like a perfect little pet. I assumed you wouldn’t object, in this instance.”

I nod.

I fucking mind my pet curled up in anyone’s lap other than my own, but she needs comfort and I need to be here.

His eyes light with the glory of a victory I don't understand. He flicks them toward the vampire he's stalking toward and smirks, wicked. Iniquitous. In full fucking control.

“Feeding time.”

Ryan's claws pierce the blood bag and he forces just enough into the other vampire's mouth to start the healing process. Not one drop more. It's artful. Precise. Fucking elegant to watch.

“You didn't think the Brotherhood were on your side, did you?”

The vampire screeches as his bones knit together and his joints find their sockets, clicking back into place. The trickles of blood run slower and the strands of muscle I've spent hours separating begin to organize themselves, finding order instead of the carnage I've caused.

“He did.”

Ryan's eyes darken to the color of the depths of the ocean and he forces a few more drops of blood down the cunt's throat.

“Did he give you everything you need?”

“No.”

My voice is definitive. My judgment final.

“It's hard to conceal the truth when blood reveals all. There's only one way I know, Henry. I assume a deviant priest bound it behind the darkness of the unknown.”

The vampire's face falls for the briefest of moments. It lasts for a mayfly's heartbeat and I'd miss it if I wasn't paying attention. But it’s the tell that gives away the whole damn mystery and Ryan’s closing in on his triumph. One he’ll claim without taking mine.

“I’ll summon Emmanuel.”

Ryan hisses and the sound echoes around the cell. “The Brotherhood believes they’re infallible and their protection is absolute.” He drags a nail down the vampire’s chest, drawing blood and another scream of pain. “They’re mistaken. Grossly mistaken.”

The vampire thrashes, kicking wildly as his body writhes and swings on the chains suspending him from the ceiling. It’s futile and the panic is exquisite, his fear feeding my darkness and making me crave more. Much more.

I arch my eyebrow as Ryan laughs.

“The rite is surprisingly easy,” Ryan says, taunting the flailing vampire who knows his torture’s going to escalate. “It’s fucking painful, though. I’d rather have my balls chopped off and stuffed down my throat than endure it.”

Liquid hits the floor and it isn’t blood.

I smirk, ignoring the fact that if I was facing Ryan, I’d probably piss myself too.

“I’ll tell you what you need to know…”

The cunt’s cries crescendo as Ryan tortures him without lifting a fucking finger. He plays him like a fucking instrument, conducting the music of the torture chamber with a skill I almost envy.

“You’re wasting your breath,” Ryan says, drawing some runes on the floor in blood. “It’s no effort at all and this will give us the certainty we need. Consider this a gift. Few learn they are the source of their own torture.”

Light bursts from the runes, exploding faster than my eyes can track and burning brighter than the light of day. The vampire makes a sound only those who’ve heard the inhuman and unworldly screams of agonizing, soul-destroying pain and anguish know. A noise filled with torment and despair, misery and desolation. It’s a note that only sounds when hope is lost and there’s no purer tone in the whole of existence.

The light burns away the vampire’s skin. Ryan and I remain untouched, spared the indignity of the exposure we’ve inflicted on the wanker writhing in his chains. The rite Ryan performed may be unknown to me, but it’s working as its magic peels back layer after layer of its victim’s façade,demolishing the barriers that contain the truth.

“Whenever you’re ready, Henry.”

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