Page 117 of The Vampire's Thirst
He brushed the back of his hand across her cheek, wiping away the moisture. “Never. You are perfect. Pure. All of this is my fault. Blame me. I failed you.”
Her lips quivered into a shaky smile. “Where are we going?”
“I don’t know yet but someplace safe. Stay here. Do not leave this room until I return. Let only me in.”
She slouched into a ball again, squeezing a gray stuffed wolf in her arms. “Please be careful. You’re all I’ve got. I love you.”
“Shower, dress, pack,” Dax reminded. He wanted to storm out, but he would not. He leashed the beast he had created during his Awakening and prowled toward his stepfather’s office, his mind clear, his mission set. He brushed the door open and stepped inside, his shiny black boots sinking into the thick carpet. The bastard was reading ledgers. Before he looked up, Dax was upon him, the crook of his elbow locked around the predator’s neck. Flinging Bounty’s shitty father away from the desk, he slammed him against the wall, the plaster cracking from his newfound strength. “What did I promise to do if you ever broke our deal?”
The asshole had the good sense to be scared. His lids popped wide while his mouth fluttered with pleas. He smelled as if he had pissed his pants, and his skin carried a deathly pallor.
With fingers curling into claws, Dax struck. Blood splattered the carpet, his own chest, his dark leathers, his new boots. The male gurgled, hands to throat.
Locked eye to eye, the Awakened young vampire severed his stepfather’s head. Opening the scum’s mouth, he cut out his fangs, holding them up high. Trophies. A reminder of the evil in the world.
Next stop, he found Bounty’s rapist in one of the rooms, grunting and rutting atop a nymph.
Sagen looked up at the intrusion and rolled off the female. Dax motioned her to leave. She scurried off the bed, looking happy to desert the flabby vampire and leave him to his fate.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? I paid for her, young whelp.” He reached out a hand for the female, but she was gone.
Dax bent his head, his long black hair falling like a shroud over his face. When he lifted his chin, he was in full vampire mode. His canines massive and pointed, his gaze crimson, his cheeks and jaws granite, a hungry, thirsty growl crossing his lips.
Sagen scuttled back on the bed, throwing the sheet across his naked body. Dax curled his clawed hand around the covers and tossed them back, exposing his sister’s rapist. “I will start with your cock.”
Screams fell like music on Dax’s ears. He hoped Bounty could hear.
Finished with Sagen and the blood-soaked walls, bedding, and floor, he showered, added the rapist’s fangs to his new necklace, and packed what few belongings he had. He found his sister dressed and waiting, her scuffed boots tapping the floor, her hands folded in her lap. Her eyes were dull. It was his fault. But he would find the light again and give it back to her. They left from a side door so she would see no bodies.
With his own suitcase and hers under his arms, they left the O blud whorehouse forever. He became Bounty’s caretaker until she was able to provide for herself. But when the Phoenix called him, even the creature who had arisen from the flames to start life anew could not burn away Dax’s guilt. He had let down the only person in the world who loved him.
****
Roarkhad taken Matty out of the cell hours ago. Dax worried. It was a long time for him to be tortured. The guy had guts, but human was human.
Clang. Clink. Clink. Clink. Shuffle. Shuffle.
Chains. The American stumbled along the concrete, demons carrying him between them, each locked onto an armpit. A guard dropped Dax to his knees with one taser load, just enough juice to knock him on his ass. They tossed Matty into the cell where he crumpled onto the hard floor.
When Dax finally pushed himself up, still wobbly from the electric jolt, he limped to his cellmate. The human’s pulse said he was alive. Barely. The vampire Firebrand wiped off blood and checked for the worst wounds, doing what he could to stop the bleeding. Since his thirst was rising, Dax had to concentrate on the task. Otherwise, he would be licking his cellmate’s injuries, a reminder he needed to feed soon.
Stooping to lift Matty into his arms, Dax carried him to a cot. All he could do was wait. Hope for the best.
Meanwhile, he explored every inch of the cage. The window was high, near the ceiling. Even if he could reach it, it was too small to slip through. The enclosure’s walls were solid blocks of concrete. The bars were silver. As a vampire, he couldn’t touch them without severe burns. Despite his willingness to endure the pain, his breed could not bend the metal anyway. Since the guards pressed a remote twice before entering, he guessed the cell had a forcefield ward as well as a locked door, both operated by the handheld device. A warlock or witch had activated wards that controlled Dax’s powers. No shadowflashing. No speed. Sapped energy. He wasn’t even as thirsty as he should be. Lucky for the colonel.
Dax stopped his survey of the cell when he heard a moan. His bunkmate was waking, eyes open but heavy-lidded. “How are you doing?”
“Never better. Sissies can’t hit worth a damn,mi amigo.” Matty fingered his jaw.
“Yeah? You look pretty beat up to me.”
“I tripped over my own feet. Never could dance.”
“What did they want?”
“The usual crap. Which portals are guarded. Troop movements. Size.”
“What did you give up?”
