Dead World 2, page 20
"I didn't think that 'quiet' was on your agenda. You seem to have gone out of your way to draw attention to your actions."
"I've always considered myself and my actions rather subdued," Roark said.
Morgan snorted. "I'm sure, but you should probably re-watch your history vids. Elimination of an entire race of people has been attempted again and again throughout time and it has always failed."
Roark's eyes narrowed. "It won't fail this time because you're going to give me the proof I need. The chains on your wrists and ankle are too small for your hands and feet to slip through, but a paw might have a chance." He glanced at the bindings. “You're going to show the world that you're a monster."
"Why would I do that?" Morgan asked.
"Because it's the only way you'll ever escape this place,” he said. “Especially now that I've captured the spy you planted in my office.”
“Spy?”
“You know very well who I’m referring to,” Roark said.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Morgan said.
"Oh please, don't play stupid. I saw you fight Kane. He was your cousin, right? That's how I was able to trace your personal history so far back. He gave me all the information I needed. Must have been hard to kill him. I bet you still mourn his death."
"Shut up," Morgan spat.
So Kane had done more than kill women and try to take Gina away from him. He'd also broken the trust they'd shared. He'd betrayed Morgan and the Others. His cousin's treachery stung, but Morgan refused to give Roark the satisfaction of knowing how deeply he'd hurt him.
Roark watched him closely, amusement lighting his eyes. "I didn't realize my assistant, Michael Travers was sending you information. I admit the man had me fooled, but not anymore."
Morgan kept his expression neutral. Michael had helped them a little and had planned on sending them more information if it was needed, but otherwise, they hadn't heard from him. "Who’s Michael Travers?"
"I really wish you'd stop lying to me," Roark shouted. "I don't accept it from purebloods, and I certainly won't accept it from a filthy animal." He pressed a button on the side of the wall and Morgan's chains electrified.
He screamed, his body bowing under the current as pain shot through him, blackening the skin touching the metal.
Roark released the button and the electricity shut off. "Lie to me again and I'll leave it on until you're nothing but char on the floor."
Morgan gasped, his heart racing. His ears were ringing and his limbs wouldn't stop shaking as the last of the deadly current swept through his body.
Sweat broke out across his forehead. It had been a long time since he'd been tortured. Not since the war had he experienced this much agony.
The thought of Roark getting his hands on Gina and subjecting her to similar treatment left him cold. He couldn't allow that, even if he died trying to stop him.
"What have you done to this Michael guy?" he asked, wondering if he could somehow get word to Raphael.
Roark's smile returned. "He's been chipped. It's amazing what happens when you place an artificial intelligence chip in the frontal lobe of the brain. Did you know that you can induce schizophrenia? Make the person see malicious shadows? Science can accomplish so much these days with a single touch of one tiny button."
He pulled out a device that wasn't much smaller than his palm. It had a green button in the center that stuck up like a pimple on its black face. He thumbed the button, stroking it lovingly.
Morgan swallowed hard. He had no doubt Roark had done what he'd professed. The man didn't make idle threats. The question was, had he implanted him as well?
Roark pressed the button. Morgan braced himself, expecting pain and delirium to start at any second, but nothing happened. He cocked his head. It was then he heard screams and thrashing. They were far away, but still close enough for his wolf to detect.
"I can't hear his agonizing cries," Roark said with a malicious grin. "But I know you can."
"I thought you said this man worked for you for years,” Morgan said.
“He did,” he said.
“So he couldn't have been spying all this time."
Roark frowned. It was obvious that hadn't crossed his mind. He quickly recovered. "It doesn't matter when his betrayal started. All that matters is that it did. I can't believe I allowed an Other so near me." He shuddered. "I should've been able to detect him."
"Why?" Morgan asked. "We aren't so different than you. We have the same wants and needs."
Roark slammed his palm down on the button on the wall. Electricity shot through the chains and straight into Morgan's body. He bit his tongue and tasted blood as all his muscles stiffened and convulsed. Roark kept it going for a few seconds. Morgan felt the skin at his wrists and ankle split. He couldn't prevent the cry that ripped from his throat.
Roark released the button. "Don't you ever compare yourself to me or any other pureblood. You're an abomination. They should never have made you."
Morgan gasped. "People do strange and desperate things in times of war," he murmured. "I'm curious, though. Was there ever a finished clone of my wife and child at any of the labs?"
“No.” Roark laughed. "I stumbled upon them quite by accident—thanks to the information Kane shared about your kind. I had no idea that creatures like you could live so long."
"There was a time when we were called heroes," Morgan muttered.
Roark scowled. "That was a mistake, but the scientists paid for their arrogance by losing the war."
"Was there ever a Scarlet vaccine for blood mutations?" Morgan still had mixed feelings about that. What if he'd been wrong about its existence? What if he had destroyed the only thing that would give Gina a chance at a normal life?
“No.” Roark shook his head. “That’s why I needed someone to blame for its destruction. My investors were growing uneasy. It was only a matter of time before they realized that Scarlet didn't exist. Couldn’t have that.” He shifted his bulk. “When you showed up to “save” your family, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to kill two coyotes with one laser blast."
"You know I'll never help you no matter how many times you shock me," Morgan said.
"You will eventually. Once the people see the truth on the vids about your kind, see that monsters truly exist. They'll come running to me for help. Uniting the republics will take no effort at all."
"If you really do have your assistant under your control, why don't you just use him to show the world?"
Roark's expression soured.
"Oh," Morgan chuckled. "I see. You don't want anyone to know you've had an Other working for you all these years. I suppose that would cause quite a bit of embarrassment."
"You must really love pain." Roark hit the button on the wall, sending another jolt of electricity through Morgan's system.
Morgan's head fell forward and he allowed his body to sag. He clenched his jaw to fight the pain and worked to regulate his breathing so he could feign unconsciousness.
He'd been so blind. Not being able to find the clones had been his first warning. Morgan had ignored it in order to get to the bottom of the cover-up. Well, he'd found out the truth as the trap sprang closed. Now his mistake might very well cost Gina her life.
The sad part was, he couldn't even warn her. If he did, Roark would have the proof he'd been looking for. So he was stuck. Bound to the wall like a rabid dog until all hell broke loose and madness overtook him. God help anyone who was around, when that happened.
Roark shut off the current and stood for a few minutes, staring at him.
Morgan could taste his anger and disgust on the foul air that he sucked into his lungs. Now that Michael had been captured, the Others were in danger. More danger than they'd ever been in before.
Finally Roark snorted in displeasure. "How disappointing," he said. "Hopefully the girl will put up more of a fight."
Morgan waited for him to leave, then raised his head once more. His muscles continued to twitch. He pictured his lovely Gina and tried to imagine her hanging limply beside him.
Pain crushed him, squeezing the breath out of his chest. He couldn't let that happen. Morgan focused everything he had on mentally reaching her.
"Run, Gina. Run," he murmured, hoping somehow she'd hear his pleas.
Raphael froze as Morgan's voice filled his mind. He'd heard his whispered cry. It had sounded so very far away. He had slathered his body in sun barrier and thrown on sunshades before rushing outside.
The sun scorched his skin despite the covering. He inhaled, smelling Red's scent on the air. She was here. Somewhere close. Raphael poured on the speed, following Red's sweet aroma from the dissecting lab to the water trader. He should've known.
People were outside, waiting to be let in. He brushed past them and then turned to hiss, flashing his fangs in warning. They scattered, running in all directions. He had no doubt some would end up at the sheriff’s station, but he didn't care. He had to get to her.
He forced the door open and rushed inside. Three men came out from behind the pillars, surrounding him. Red stood at the bar, her hand resting on her laser pistol.
"Where have you been? I've been looking all over town for you," Raphael said. "Call off your dogs before I send them packing."
Red smiled and nodded to the men, letting them know everything was all right. The men relaxed, but didn't leave their positions. "I doubt that would be as easy as you think," she said.
Raphael smiled. "I like a challenge," he said, giving her a slow perusal.
Red stiffened. "If you've come here to ask about Morgan, I haven't seen him since I left him at the detention center."
His smile dropped. "I know he's nowhere near here. I just received a message from him."
"How? He's alive? Where is he? Is he okay?" she asked.
"How is unimportant. As to where he is and how he's doing, I don't know." Raphael shook his head. "What is important is the message itself. He wants you to run. Get away from here."
Red gave him a sad smile and slowly shook her head. "I'm not leaving Nuria unprotected," she said. "IPTT will tear this place apart looking for me."
"Don't be daft, woman. Nuria can take care of itself," Raphael growled.
"So can I." Red arched a brow.
"Apparently not, if you're being accused of breaking a detainee out of detention," Raphael reproached.
Red's lower lip trembled. "Roark is behind this whole thing," she said. "I just can't prove it."
Raphael reached out and touched her cheek before quickly dropping his hand. "You can't fight him if you're dead."
"I won't let him destroy the town. I promised Morgan I'd look after Nuria and I plan to keep my word."
"How are you going to do that?" Raphael asked.
Red bit her lip. "I don't know yet, but I'll think of something. I have to, for everyone's sake."
The door to the water trader burst open and Maggie came rushing in with several deputies in tow. "I knew I'd find you here," she said, watching Raphael and the others warily. "A friend just called from the Republic of Colorutah and said that the tactical team is on its way. What were you thinking bringing Morgan here? You're going to get us all killed."
Red stepped past Raphael. "Morgan isn't here."
Maggie scowled. "Don't lie to me."
"Use your wolf to discern the truth. I'm not lying. I don't know where he is," Red said. "I wish I did."
She ignored her. "The report said you helped him escape."
"She didn't," Juan said.
Maggie swung on him. "How would you know? You're probably just sticking up for her because she's sleeping with you. She's sleeping with you all."
"We wish," Takeo muttered.
Demery laughed.
Maggie glared at him until he stopped, then faced Red once more. "Wherever you're hiding him, you need to leave now. Or I'll be forced to have the deputies arrest you and hold you until tactical team arrives."
Red let out a frustrated breath. "I told you, I don't know where he is. The last time I saw Morgan he was locked up."
"So you admit you were there," Maggie said.
"I never denied it. But I didn't break him out."
"This town has had nothing but bad luck since you arrived."
If Red hadn't been watching closely, she would've missed the fear in the woman's eyes. She'd never understood why Maggie had changed after Morgan left, but now she did. Maggie needed someone to blame for all the pain that had been heaped upon the Nurians.
She couldn't blame Morgan or anyone from here. Her only option had been to target an outsider, and Red was the only outsider around. At least she knew now what motivated her.
"I'm sorry you feel that way," Red said. "I came to Nuria to do a job. I stayed because I fell in love and thought I'd found a place where I finally belonged. I realize now that place doesn't exist. Despite all the pain you and the other people in town have caused me, I won't let the tactical team level Nuria."
Maggie's gaze searched hers. After a few seconds, she nodded and left. Clearly torn between duty and loyalty, the deputies lingered behind until Red dismissed them.
"What are we going to do?" Takeo asked.
"We aren't going to do anything. You guys are going to get out of town before the team gets here." Red turned to Raphael. "I know I don't have the right to ask this of you, but I need you to get in touch with your brother. I have to find out what Roark has planned. The only person who might know is Michael."
Raphael reached for her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles. "I will try to do this, if you grant me one favor."
"What?" she asked.
"Please allow me to bite you."
Her eyes widened. "Why do you want to do that?" she asked, looking around at the recruits, who were staring at her with a mixture of surprise and amusement.
"Other than the pleasure..."
Her eyes narrowed.
Raphael held up his hands. "It will allow me to speak with you when words are not possible."
"Like you talk to your brother?" she asked.
Raphael's expression dimmed at the reminder of his brother.
"What?" she asked. "What aren’t you telling me?"
"I fear it may be too late to contact Michael," he said.
"Why?" Red paused, an unwelcome feeling gathering in her gut.
"Because his last message to me was cut short and I haven't been able to reach him since. It came a day before Morgan's plea."
Red recalled her first encounter with Michael Travers. On top of being a genetically engineered vampire, he'd also displayed frightening psychic abilities.
If those powers fell into Roark's hands, heaven help the people of this world. Not even an army of Others could stop Michael Travers if he was bent on destroying them. Her fear must have shown on her face because Raphael gave her hand a quick squeeze.
"I know," he said, as if she'd voiced her concerns. "I will find him."
And kill him if necessary was left unspoken.
“Now please.” Raphael stepped forward and gathered Red into his arms for what he was sure would be the last time. She felt good there. Her soft curves met the hard planes of his chest. It took effort not to crush her to him.
"I didn't agree," she said breathlessly.
"No, but you didn't protest either." Raphael looked around at the recruits. "Gentlemen, can you give us a little privacy?"
They looked at Red. She nodded. "It's okay. Just go upstairs for a moment."
They didn't seem happy about it, but they did listen. Raphael waited until the last man had left, then brushed his thumb over her lower lip.
Awareness flared in her hazel eyes. "What do I have to do?" she asked.
He smiled. "Just relax. This shouldn't hurt. I've been told my bite brings pleasure."
She arched a skeptical brow. "I'm sure." Her tongue darted out wetting her mouth. Whether from nerves or anticipation Raphael didn't know. But she now had his undivided attention.
He stroked the side of her face, trailing his fingers down her slender throat.
"This doesn't have any meaning, does it?" Red asked. “I mean when Morgan bit me, it meant something. Does your bite have any meaning like that attached to it?"
Raphael debated how to answer. On the one hand, he bit people for sustenance. On the other, his bite could bind him to the person he was biting. He hadn't allowed himself to be bound to any woman.
The thought of her having so much control over him was frightening...and incredibly alluring. Delivering that blessedly cursed bite was selfish, he knew. But he longed to have Red in his life in a deeper way than she currently existed.
Morgan's plea replayed in his mind. He’d been in so much pain, but his love for this woman had been clear. Raphael couldn't do it to Red. It wasn't her that prevented it. Or even himself.
It was the thought of what Morgan was going through to save her. Despite everything that had happened, he still considered the man his friend.
"No," he said finally. "The bite will only allow me to speak with you."
"Okay," Red said. "I'm ready." She braced herself.
Raphael smiled again, then kissed her lips tenderly. He didn't try to deepen the kiss. Instead, he allowed his lips to slide over her jaw until he could nuzzle her ear. He sucked the lobe between his fangs and worked it with his tongue.
Her skin was so soft and succulent. He longed to taste every inch of it. If only they were on a rest pad and not standing in the middle of the water trader.
Red trembled beneath the onslaught of his attention. Raphael groaned, releasing her lobe to lower his mouth to the pulse pounding in her throat. His tongue laved the area, the toxin in his saliva numbing the skin. His fangs wept as his hunger rose with each swipe.
"Relax." He breathed the word against her heated skin. Gooseflesh rose on her arms and he felt her nipples harden against his chest. He swallowed a groan. She had no idea what this was costing him.
Raphael closed his eyes and opened his mouth, then bit down. Pleasure erupted inside him as her warm, salty blood rushed past his lips. He growled, making happy noises in his throat as he sucked the delicious sweetness into his mouth.
