Page 7 of Heal Me

“We are in one of my personal investments. Real estate losses are an excellent tax write-off.” What little I know of my captor is this—he’s a sociopath and he’s an accountant. “You’re really not maximizing your tax avoidance opportunities with Memphis Magic. Too bad you’re not going to leave this room, because I really could have helped you with your next quarter.”

Daring to sneak a peek, I see Brad strolling toward me, and I quickly snap my eyes shut. I focus on keeping my breathing shallow and steady, as I don’t want to tip him off that I’m awake. His hands touch my waist, making my skin crawl. He picks me up, grunting with effort, and drops me in an old office chair. “And ‘energy vampire’ is a derogatory term. I prefer ‘energy opportunist.’ Those who are either too weak or too dumb to guard their aura get conquered.”

He pushes the rolling chair with me in it across the basement floor, and even though I hate I’m acting like such a coward, I pretend to be unconscious. “Aubry Brooks, may I introduce you to Charlotte Patel,” Brad announces.

“You’re going to kill her if you don’t get her to a hospital!” Aubry cries. Ah, shit. I thought as much, but to hear someone else say it makes it real.

“Nonsense. I can feel her energy. She’s fine. Charlotte was my love before you came along.” Wanting to jump in and correct him, I don’t dare make a sound. Do what it takes to survive. I keep repeating that motto over and over. “Her energy was good, not as delicious as yours, but enough to take the edge off. But your energy?” he says and I can hear the smile in his voice. “I actually put effort into wooing you. And I expect a return on investment.”

“You think talking tax write-offs and mauling an overcooked steak is wooing a woman?” Aubry demands with a huff.

“On second thought, I like that smart mouth.”

“You are one sick fuck,” she says with disgust. “Where are her clothes and why is her arm bleeding?”

Why is my arm bleeding? Because Brad is a butcher and a sociopath, I want to scream. And why are my clothes missing? I can’t think about why my clothes are missing or else I’ll spiral.

“Charlotte really didn’t raise my energy the way I envisioned,” he says in a disappointed tone. “So I took a page from the vampire playbook—I sampled her blood to see if that would give me the power my body deserves.” His maniacal grin as he carved my arm open with a hunting knife, lapping my blood like a cat with a bowl of cream pops into my mind. “That didn't work, either.” No, drinking my blood didn’t work, as he puked all over me.

“Of course it didn’t work, you freak.” I want to hug this woman. Maybe in another life we could have been friends.

“But that’s why I have you, Aubry,” he continues. “Your energy sings to me in a way hers never did. I’m still mulling over how the two of us should begin, my little siren. I’d prefer Charlotte rouse so at least she can make herself useful and watch us. Tasting her fear while fucking you—I’m so turned on just thinking about it.”

Oh no, please God, no. I can hear him rustling his clothes, and I want to do something to help, but what? Out of the corner of my eye I spot the hunting knife on the table. Using my foot to push the chair back just an inch, it makes a loud creak, so I shut my eyes and remain perfectly still. Shit, that won’t work. I could try to make a mad dash to the table to grab the knife, but the problem is I’ve been chained to the wall for however many days now, and I’m not sure my legs will work.

A wicked-sounding male voice slices through my thoughts. “Brad Cunningham!”

“Wh…Wh…What?”

That’s my reaction. What? Snapping open my eyes, I look around, but I don’t see another person besides the three of us.

“I am a demon, that’s all you need know.” The male voice is coming from Aubry’s mouth. That can’t be right. I close my eyes and open them, but again, it’s just the three of us. “Harm this vessel that I currently possess and I will be forced to harm yours. I’d prefer not to play musical chairs with bodies. I am just now breaking this one in.” Oh my God, is this real? I would pinch myself if my hands weren’t bound. If this is real, I’m not sure it’s an improvement, or if things just got much, much worse.

“I have been summoned here,” the male voice proceeds. I’m not a religious person, and honestly, I would have never believed it until now. This woman is possessed by a demon! Shit. Shit. Shit. “What is it, Brad Cunningham, that you seek? Let us make a deal so that I may be on my way. Power enhancement is my specialty. Are you ready to let me help you unleash the tremendous power inside you?”

Brad puffs his chest. “Yes! I know that I have my own power. I don’t need these stupid bitches. You could help me learn how to use it?”

“Brad Cunningham, I feel your power. Such a unique man you are, destined for bigger and better things. Many a great man have I helped. Just like yourself, only needing a slight nudge in the right direction. Can’t you feel it?” The voice pauses and then laughs. It sends a chill down my spine. “Yes, you can. You are superior, yet unsure how to harness such staggering power. Let me help you unlock your true potential.”

A scroll floats above us. “Brad Cunningham, free me so we may finalize our deal and that you may finally live the life of your dreams. You’re a man who deserves respect. And my friend, when you unleash your power, women will bow at your feet.”

Brad slowly rises with the knife in hand, and I hold my breath, unsure if I want him to cut Aubry loose or not. He squats next to her, but his back is to me and I can’t see what’s happening.

Aubry stands, and a quill pen appears in one of her hands out of thin air, a scroll in the other. “Brad Cunningham, sign and step into your greatness,” the demon’s voice says.

“Ouch!” Brad whines, but I’m not sure what just happened. He takes the pen and starts looking over the document. I’m too far away to read what it says.

“Brad Cunningham, did I make a mistake in deeming you worthy of my aid?” the demon demands.

“Of course not!” Brad yells and furiously signs. The contract glows red and quickly rolls itself shut, disappearing.

“Yes! More power!” Brad triumphantly cries. Oh, no. My stomach falls at the thought of this monster getting more power. But his cries of triumph quickly turn into cries of agony. He tosses himself to the floor and continues wailing—it’s the most haunting, painful sound I’ve ever heard.

Thankfully, Brad stops screaming. “He got his wish. I amplified his power,” the demon says, using Aubry’s fingers to make air quotes around power. “But since he has no power, other than the covetous desire to take power from others, he’s stuck on a vicious feedback loop of wanting and then taking power from himself. I never agreed to give Brad additional power, nor did I guarantee any outcome. I’ve performed my end of the agreement.”

Aubry runs over to me and I slam my eyes shut. I’m still not sure if this turn of events is a good thing or not. She clumsily checks my pulse, and then I feel her move away.

Having no idea what’s going to happen next, I hear, “Yes, my name is Aubry Brooks. I’m trapped in a warehouse somewhere in Memphis, I believe, but I’m not sure. A man named Brad Cunningham kidnapped me. Another woman is being held captive here. Her name’s Charlotte Patel. She needs an ambulance.” Silence. “Look, my kidnapper didn’t give me the courtesy of telling me his evil lair address!” Under different circumstances, I would laugh. “Can’t you trace this number?”

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