Soul Mates: Sacrifice Read online

  Some motherfuckers just couldn't be convinced to play nice.

  Nikolas was leaning against the wall, looking tiredly out the one-way when Logan and I walked into the viewing room. He wasn't wearing a shirt and was covered in blood. Some of it fresh, some of it old and dried.

  There were cuts all over his neck, chest, and arms, along with a long, nasty-looking gash on his right cheek. His black leather pants had long gashes in them as well, and I didn't doubt there were wounds that I couldn't see beneath them.

  I went right to him, but when I tried to kiss him with just a peck on the lips, he turned his head away and offered his throat instead. To anyone else it would have been a sign of submission, but I knew what it meant where Nikolas was concerned. Kissing in private was one thing. Kissing in the company of others was something else. Something he just wasn't quite ready for.

  I licked at his throat and nuzzled my way up his chin. "You look like hell."

  "Kinda feeling like hell at the moment, princess." He gestured to the window and the room beyond. "Our boy there has been showing me just how pissed he is about being in those chains."

  I turned and faced the window. Caleb paced back and forth like a caged lion that was ready to snap. He was heavily restrained at the neck, chest, waist, wrists, and ankles. The chains were on a complicated pulley system and retracted into the wall when necessary. They were just long enough to let him move around, but short enough that freedom wasn't an option. A control panel for the entire room was located on the wall just off to my right.

  Caleb's clothes were shredded, only a few pieces of material hanging off him here and there. He was covered in blood from head to toe, and from what I could tell, it was all his doing. Long, nasty looking claws extended from his fingers and he flexed and worked them as he paced.

  He stopped abruptly and scented the air, looking right at me. I knew he couldn't actually see me, but he certainly knew I was there. Those once-beautiful brown eyes of his were black and filled with a malevolence that I'd never thought Caleb could be capable of.

  Caleb lunged forward, fighting the chains holding him. He screamed and raged, clawing at himself as he tried to get free, alternating between cursing me and pleading for me to help him.

  The curses I could handle. But the pleading made me ache for him—for the Caleb we knew and loved. I sighed and turned my back to the window.

  "Talk to me, Nikolas."

  "His head is in a seriously fucked up place." Nikolas stared at Caleb for a long while, then looked at me. "You remember when we met Cyril in the diner? How I didn't want you to touch him?"

  "Yeah…"

  "One of Cyril's powers is reading people by touch."

  Logan pushed away from where he stood on the opposite wall. "Like a psychic?"

  "A psychic with an agenda," Nikolas said. "His main goal is to find out a person's biggest fears, weaknesses, and desires."

  "Why?" I shook my head. "What does that possibly do for Cyril?"

  "I think the more trouble he can stir up, the more he gets off on it. Cyril is what some people call a Watcher. One of those angels that are just supposed to sit and watch, I guess."

  "But watching wasn't enough for him," I added.

  "He liked to dip his fingers in the water and play with the human-folk. It didn't set well with his higher-ups, but instead of punishing him, they changed his job description. He's supposed to be a…" Nikolas paused in thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Well, not a warrior and not a guardian. Something in-between, though I can't remember what they're called at the moment."

  Logan cleared his throat. "So, what does this have to do with Caleb?"

  The look Nikolas gave Logan was far from kind. "Are you still down here for a reason?"

  "Nikolas, don't—"

  Nikolas turned that look on me. "This is my territory, Peter."

  "In my house."

  The muscles in Nikolas' jaw tightened as he clenched his teeth. "Step outside for a moment, Logan."

  "Peter?" Logan questioned.

  "Don't go far," I answered, waiting until Logan walked out and shut the door behind him before addressing Nikolas. "You can drop whatever fucking power trip you're on because I will not do this with you."

  "Why is he down here?"

  "Because I can't shield Caleb on my own. Without him, I'd be on the floor screaming."

  Nikolas rolled his eyes. "Well you could have just fuckin' said so."

  "What's the deal, Nikolas?" He met my eyes and I knew part of the reason then. Even a werewolf needed his rest. "How long have you been awake?"

  He shrugged. "I lost count a long time ago."

  "Have you eaten?"

  "Sure, Caleb was kind enough to take a thirty-minute break in screaming so I could go grab a few burgers." He sank down onto the floor and leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes as he spoke. "In all my years of doing this, I've never been so scared of breaking someone."

  "I think he's already broken."

  "That's why I asked Logan to sit in here for a little while."

  "You asked Logan to come down here, but berated him for still being here?"

  He shrugged. "I never claimed to be consistent."

  I crouched beside him. "Did Logan have any insight as to what's going on in Caleb's head?"

  "If he could have gotten into Caleb's head, he might have."

  Confused, I shook my head. "What do you mean?"

  "I mean that Caleb, a low-ranking vampire with limited power, managed to keep Logan, Master vampire with considerable power, out of his head. I think the only insight we're getting at the moment is that Caleb's fucked in the head—and is more powerful than ever."

  "But you're afraid of breaking him," I said hesitantly. "Does that mean you don't think this is permanent?"

  Nikolas looked up at me. "Honestly? I'm not sure yet."

  "How do we find out?"

  "We either wait until he's worn himself out…"

  "Or?"

  He shook his head. "Nothing."

  "No, Nikolas. Or what?"

  "Or we get Lucien in there with him to try to calm him down."

  Chapter Two

  "No."

  "Figured you'd say that, so I wasn't even considering it as a valid option."

  "It's too soon for Lucien to be anywhere near Caleb."

  I stood and walked to the window, bracing myself on the ledge. Caleb was still going at it. I was glad the room had the soundproofing that it did, or the screams would have been intolerable. Nikolas followed after me and leaned his hip against the wall.

  "Then we bleed him to weaken him and we wait."

  Or…

  "Pull the chains tight, get his back to the wall." I pointed to Nikolas' boots. "Give me those in case you need to use the shock pads."

  "Oh, hell, no."

  "And let Logan back in here, please. I'll need to talk to him before I see Caleb."

  Nikolas just stared at me. "Take me back to the part where you decided this was a good idea? 'Cause really, I think you've lost your fucking mind!"

  "Lucien is in no condition to come down here and face Caleb now, or any time in the near future. And you know coven rules just as well, or better, than I do. We can't weaken him before we punish him."

  "Lucien is gonna have my fucking ass," he snarled, bending to unbuckle his boots.

  "I'm not going to stay in long, I promise."

  "Not like it's going to keep him from hurting you."

  I grabbed a boot as he kicked one off and slipped it on, not bothering with the buckles, doing the same with the second boot. Nikolas walked over and opened the door, holding it open and gesturing for Logan to come back in.

  "He's going to need your help," Nikolas said to Logan.

  I could feel Logan's eyes on me before I even looked up and decided to stop any protests before they were voiced. "Logan? Your best bet right now is to just do what I ask of you."

  "Whatever you need."

  I glanced at Nik
olas. "Now that? Is something I'd like to hear every now and then."

  "Yeah? Well those of us who actually give a damn about you might be a little harder to convince when you're about to do something stupid."

  I ignored Nikolas. "Logan, if you can get into Caleb's head while he's focused on me, maybe we can figure out what to do next."

  "I hate to even suggest this because of how dangerous it is, but—"

  "Then don't suggest it."

  This time Logan and I both ignored him. "If I can hold onto something of his…"

  I turned and looked at Caleb. There wasn't much on him, but if it'd help, I'd do my best to get something. I blew out a shaky breath, trying to give myself a little pep talk. There weren't really any options. This was something that just had to be done. Something that was part and parcel of being co-leader of this coven.

  But I had to admit – even if just to myself – that the whole thing was like a small platoon facing an entire army. You just knew going into the fight that the other guy was bigger and stronger, but you trudged on anyway. Not because you thought you could win, but because it was your job to be there.

  Nervousness ate at my gut, but I put my game face on anyway. I walked to the door and opened it, but paused and glanced back at Nikolas, who looked like he was just about ready to snap.

  "Watch my back, Nikolas."

  He settled a little, but the look in his eyes was as intense as ever. "I've always got your back."

  "I know."

  I shut the door and walked the few feet to the room Caleb was in. The door buzzed open as soon as my hand touched it, thanks to Nikolas at the control panel. At that moment, I wished he'd have taken his sweet time in buzzing me in.

  But it was too late now.

  I pushed the door open, grimacing at the heavy scent of blood filling the air. I'd played with Caleb many times and had relished the sweet, rich taste of both him and his blood, but there was nothing familiar here.

  This was acrid and bitter. Oh, so bitter.

  Caleb's screams stopped. Black eyes studied me as I moved into the room.

  "Hello, Caleb."

  Silence.

  "Do you know who I am?"

  Caleb grunted, but I wasn't sure if it was in response to my question or because he'd just pulled against a restraint. I suddenly wondered why I thought this was a wise idea. I mean, what could I ask someone who was – for all intents and purposes – not in his right mind?

  "Do you know why you're here, Caleb?"

  He looked away, staring at the floor. "Fuck off."

  "Great, so you can do more than just grunt and growl. And I guess it's obvious you know who I am." I walked closer. "I'm not gonna play games with you."

  "Xander."

  "Xander isn't here."

  "Bring him to me."

  "You're in no position to make demands."

  Caleb swung his head up and glared. "Bring him to me!"

  "Why? So you can hurt him like you hurt Lucien?" Caleb grimaced as if the mere mention of Lucien's name physically hurt, so I kept on. "You do remember Lucien, don't you? The man who gave you everything?"

  "No..."

  "You took him from his bed, from his safe place, and you buried him in a fucking wooden box. But no, that wasn't enough, was it? You laid him on a bed of silver fucking spikes and bled him, poisoned his body—"

  "No!"

  He struggled against the restraints, and when they didn't give, he turned his attention back to me and screamed. I felt Logan there in my head, acting as a buffer, and I knew that if he hadn't been I'd have been on the floor. There was a sharp prick at my cheek and I reached up, only to find blood on my fingers. Another prick on one arm, then the other, and then on my chest.

  Son of a bitch.

  Nikolas' injuries and cuts made sense to me now, but I wasn't about to let Caleb think I was just going to walk away. I stepped forward and grabbed Caleb by the throat, meeting his eyes.

  "You left him to die!"

  He struggled and tried to bite me, but Nikolas pulled the restraints back just at the right moment, tearing Caleb from my grasp and preventing me from getting my arm ripped open. Caleb immediately went silent, refusing to even open his eyes to look at me. This had gone absolutely nowhere and I'd yet to see anything in him that was even remotely redeemable.

  Maybe the punishment for Caleb should be the same that anyone else would receive for this crime. But I couldn't think of that. Not now and certainly not while standing in front of him. I stepped away and shook my head.

  "You'll be kept here until a decision is reached on what to do with you. You may not have managed to kill Lucien, but you sure as hell lost him."

  I walked to the door and waited for Nikolas to buzz me out. Just as I was about to close the door behind me, I heard a whimper from Caleb. I stopped, but didn't look back.

  "Xander…"

  "Yeah, you probably lost him, too."

  Caleb roared out again, but this time I heard something other than anger in those growls and screams. Something that sounded a little like fear and a whole lot like sorrow. The door to the viewing room opened and Logan leaned out.

  "We need to talk."

  * * *

  "So what you're telling me is that he shouldn't be punished for what he did?"

  "No, no." Logan sat forward in his chair. "I'm only saying that he wasn't fully aware of the consequences of his actions. He had Cyril constantly in his head, clouding his rational thinking. Caleb still knew what he was doing was wrong. He just couldn't seem to care because Cyril was always there, working his magic."

  "So it's all Cyril's fault?"

  "No…"

  Nikolas mumbled something around the mouthful of burger he had stuffed in his mouth. Simon had brought him four burgers less than five minutes before and Nikolas was almost finished with the third.

  I rolled my eyes. "Anybody ever teach you to chew before you speak?"

  He flipped me off and took a drink of his tea. "What psychic boy over here means is: Caleb had the desire to do what he did. Cyril just gave him the power and the means to do it."

  Logan shifted uncomfortably. "Caleb's issues may have been buried so deeply that he may not have even realized they were there."

  I'd heard enough. For now, at least. I stood and took one last glance at Caleb. He hadn't moved since I'd walked out of the room. I was so conflicted about what needed to be done with him. There was a strict coven rule about weakening someone before they were punished, but I figured different situations warranted different actions.

  "Bleed him. Call me when he sleeps."

  I couldn't look at Nikolas when I gave the order. I was afraid that if I did, he'd give me that smug, satisfied look that said 'told you so' and that might have made me change my mind again.

  "If I'm awake—"

  Nikolas snapped his mouth shut when I turned to face him. "If you're not here, then make sure whoever is here knows exactly what is to be done."

  "I will."

  "Peter…" Goose bumps rose over my entire body and it almost felt as if Lucien was right there behind me, touching me. I could almost feel his breath caressing my neck. "Come to me, lover."

  "I'm on my way. Are you okay?"

  "I need." He was in that weird space he woke into on rare occasions where his body was waking and hungry, but he was still a bit disconnected. It never lasted too long, but it was both painful and disorienting as hell. "Need to…"

  "Xander is right there with you, baby. He'll feed you."

  I could feel the struggle in him and I knew that if he could just open his eyes, he'd come out of it that much faster. And then he did and I saw Xander through his eyes. Xander hovered above Lucien, fingers moving over Lucien's cheek, his expression full of love and devotion.

  "See? He's right there, ready to give you what you need."

  "I need you."

  "I promise; I'm on my way."

  I broke contact with him and didn't bother to say another word to Nikolas or Logan
as I headed for the door, and both of them remained silent as it shut behind me. I managed to make it to the outer door of the dungeon before a throat cleared behind me.