Page 11 of The Storm Within

That had been the topic of their argument after Ryker had checked in. Otis, one of Diobno’s lowly minions and the demon who worked the front desk, had telepathically informed his master that instead of the usual human, Nate had lured in a bear shifter.

Despite wanting desperately to escape from his situation, Nate refused to drag someone else into this hellish existence, even if it would’ve been incredible to finally have some company.

Someone who wouldn’t leave him alone for long stretches of time or treat him like garbage. Diobno was a migraine and a half to deal with, but terrible company was better than none at all, because when his uncle went on one of his hiatuses, he took Otis with him, leaving Nate all alone.

Even the thought of Christmas—which he’d once thoroughly loved—and the chance to escape hadn’t cheered him up. Since his imprisonment, it had turned into a holiday of desperation instead of a joyous occasion.

Ryker mentioned having a young nephew, and Nate didn’t have the heart to separate the bear shifter from his family, no matter how lonely he felt. Too bad Nate couldn’t permanently separate himself from his own family.

Every cell in his body craved to get away from Diobno.

But Ryker had walked out, like everyone else had, so Nate no longer had to worry about watching what he said around the guy. He also didn’t have to be concerned that Diobno would conceal his physical form and eavesdrop, knowing Nate couldn’t detect his presence.

Hugging himself, Nate wondered if he would ever experience the kind of comfort the bear shifter had given him now that Ryker was gone. But he didn’t want anyone else to try.

He wanted Ryker.

Tears welled up in his eyes, and a heavy, burning lump formed in his throat. Being immortal, a century might seem short in the grand scheme of things, but it was an excruciatingly long time to endure isolation, to simply exist without any joy, connection, or love. Just unbearable anguish and despair.

“I hate you!” He screamed at the top of his lungs while throwing up his middle finger. Hadn’t he already paid a high enough price for a stupid joke?

He was done letting Diobno punish him. If Nate couldn’t walk out of the motel a free man, he would burn the retched place to the ground. At least then he would no longer be at his uncle’s cruel mercy.

Anything would be better than living another second in this miserable hellhole, praying futility that the next traveler might help him defeat his uncle so he could get out of there. He was sick and tired of the never-ending cycle of hope turning into despair.

Now that Nate was once again alone, the motel felt even bleaker than before. He wiped the tears from his eyes, his heart and mind filled with a level of desolation not even his imprisonment had been able to achieve.

“I’m going to assume your declaration of hate was aimed at your buddy.”

Heart hammering, Nate whipped his head up at the sound of Ryker’s deep, silky voice. “Why… You’re still here.”

Tension-filled butterflies swept through his stomach as Nate gazed into Ryker’s beautiful gray eyes. The bear shifter hadn’t abandoned him. He hadn’t walked out and left Nate to his isolation and despair.

“We’ll discuss things later,” Ryker said as two huge men flanked the guy.

Taking a step back, Nate’s gaze darted between them. “Who are they?”

“My dad and brother.” There was a hint of pride warming Ryker’s tone.

Nate glanced at the two, something about them screaming danger and devotion in equal measure. They weren’t just here for Ryker—they looked ready to tear apart anyone or anything standing in their way of reaching him.

“This is so messed up,” Nate muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Ryker furrowed his brows. “That my family is here to help us?”

“No.” Nate waved a hand toward the two men. “You’re gone for twelve damn hours and your father and brother mount a rescue to find you! I’ve been stuck in this hellhole for a century, and my family probably hasn’t even noticed I’m gone!”

“I warned you.” Diobno’s voice echoed, soft but icy, threading through the air like a whispered curse. Around them, the motel began to waver, its walls dissolving inch by inch into a slow, creeping void.

“Get out!” Nate rushed forward to shove at Ryker. “If you stay, you and your family will be stuck in limbo with me!”

Ryker grabbed Nate around the waist and hauled him off his feet, everyone racing toward the exit. Nate didn’t tell Ryker he couldn’t leave the motel. A huge part of him prayed, just this once, it actually worked.

The father and brother shot out of the front exit. When Ryker crossed the threshold, Nate was yanked back, the door slamming shut.

“Nate!” Ryker pulled at the door, desperation clear on his face as he tried to get it to open.

“Ryker!” Nate plastered himself against the wood, staring at the bear shifter through the wired glass window in the top portion of the door. Nate sobbed as the motel faded even more.

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