Page 37 of Elemental Hope
Dominic half stood. Symeon shoved him back into the chair.
“Behave. Your time will come but I need something from Evrain first. Then you and I will be spending some quality time together.”
Bile rose in Dominic’s throat. “He’s not going to give you anything. Symeon, you’re deranged.” Dominic whispered the words almost to himself.
“Oh, I’m sure that nowyouhave joined us Evrain will be a little more compliant. He’ll give me what I want, thinking he cansave you. He can’t, of course. I can’t wait to tie you down and fuck you until you scream.”
“What happened to make you so evil, Symeon?”
Symeon brushed a hand through his long white hair, blinked once then hit Dominic hard across the face. “When I start torturing you in front of him I’m sure Evrain will be only too willing to give me anything I ask for.”
“That is not going to happen, Symeon. We are not animals, unlike you, it seems.”
Dominic hadn’t heard the door open. He twisted around to see who had spoken. The woman who stood in the doorway was so nondescript in appearance that she could have faded into any crowd, but she radiated authority and power. At her shoulder, two other women hovered attentively.
“Dominic Castine, I presume? My name is Imelda Krenick. Mr. Malus works for me. A situation that will continue no longer. I must apologize as he seems to have, yet again, overstepped his bounds.” She moved forward and stared at the monitor. “What you’re seeing happened a while ago. I put a stop to it. Mr. Malus was told to contain Mr. Brookes, not torture him. This is the live feed.” She pressed a couple of keys and the image in front of Dominic changed.
“He’s too dangerous to pamper, Imelda,” Symeon whined.
“You are dismissed, Symeon. I don’t want to see you again. Do you understand me?”
“We have an agreement.” Symeon seemed to shrink in stature beneath Imelda’s withering glare.
“One I have more than fulfilled. You, however, have flouted my orders and abused my trust. Our relationship is over.”
If Symeon had possessed a tail, it would have been tucked between his legs as he slunk out of the room, casting one last threatening look in Dominic’s direction. Dominic ignored him, turning back to stare at the screen, which now showed Evrainlying on a low cot in his white cell. His hands were cuffed but he appeared to be sleeping.
“Now. Perhaps you and I can have a sensible conversation, Dominic. I may call you Dominic?”
Dominic swiveled his chair around to face her. He gave a brief nod. It was a concession he could afford.
“I know you want to go to him, but we need to have a little chat first.”
She turned to her colleagues. “The two of you may leave. I’m not in any danger from Mr. Castine.”
Dominic didn’t know whether to feel insulted or threatened. Imelda leaned against the frame of the still open door. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes and Dominic knew he was facing someone just as ruthless as Symeon, albeit rather more civilized.
“I’ll get straight to the point, Dominic. My requirements are very simple. All I want is a vial or two of Evrain’s blood, given while he channels. Once I have my supply then you will both be free to go.” She pursed her red-glossed lips. “I know he has some old-fashioned values when it comes to use of his power and that is why you are here. I’m going to give you one hour to convince him to cooperate with me. I’m sure you can be very persuasive. I hope you can be, because if you don’t succeed then I will be forced to bring Symeon back to do things his way and I can assure you that his methods are far less pleasant than mine.”
The quiet certainty in Imelda’s voice was terrifying and Dominic had no doubt that she meant every word. “I have no power to force Evrain to do anything he doesn’t want to,” Dominic said.
“I think you do. Just make it clear to him how much you will be made to suffer if he does not comply.”
Dominic bowed his head. He didn’t want to give in to Imelda too easily in case she suspected his motives. “You can’t keep us here forever, Imelda. People will come for us.”
“No doubt. But do you want to live the rest of your life in fear, suspicious of everyone? Be assured I will keep coming after you until I get what I want.”
“And what’s to stop you doing this again when you run out of blood?”
“A good question.” She pursed her lips. “A single drop of warlock’s blood is enough to boost several potions. It is not compatible with all of them. A few vials will last decades, by which time Evrain will have aged past his usefulness. Assuming he survives at all, that is.”
“Why should I trust what you’re saying?”
“Because you have little choice.” Imelda smiled.
Sighing, Dominic paused before he spoke. “I want some time alone with him.”
Imelda frowned.
