Against the Clock

Vishous:

-The rustling midnight sheets tease me awake in more than one way, the light breath of my female brushing against my heated. My lips curl into a wide smirk and I refuse to open my eyes just yet for I knew what was to come, her lips would touch every inch of my shoulder then up to my neck where she would suck over the vein that lay just under the skin. Almost as if she could feel, taste my blood. I always loved that coming from her, the soft swells of her breasts brush against my arm before I curl it around her body to pull her closer to me earning a delighted squeal from her lips. “I love my alarm clock, leelan” she laughed, so carefree and loving, with that little undertone that told me exactly what she was thinking while her hand roams down my stomach and… still moves lower. I bury my nose in her hair to catch a her scent mingling with the my own dark spice and I smile as I kiss the top of her head. Soon, her delicate hands close around my length while the scent of my bond fills the air and I open my eyes to look at the female I love. Her dark chocolate eyes churning with the depth of her love even after all this time together and I tilt her chin up so I can capture those luscious lips in a passionate kiss. Our breathing starting to change as the heat between us increases, the soft innocent turning eager, seeking more than we would ever say, joining us in an ultimate act of carnal union that would join two incomplete pieces into a perfect whole. Then, something changed. Her moans of pleasure turned to whimpers of pain, instantly the bonded male in me panicked and I pulled back with terror clouding my diamond eyes. The sight was enough to drain the blood from my face. My female’s skin turned ashen, stretched taut over her gaunt face,  reaching for me with a weak hand as pale fingers gripped her shoulder. “I have to go.”  Terrified, I searched the space behind her,  my gaze widening on someone I never believed I’d see again pulled my shellan from my arms, a lithe form in white, red hair billowing like flames around her, a cerub-faced young folded into the crook of her arm. Wellsie… no… NO! Frantic, my hand reached to take Jodi back and found nothing but air. –I don’t want you to go.- Tears glistened in her sunken eyes. “I don’t want to leave you.” Eerily familiar words lingered in my ears as Tohr’s shellan pulled my reason for being toward the door, heavy oak swinging open letting daylight spill into our mated room. “Please, leelan, I can’t… I won’t live in a world without you” Desperate, I leaped from the bed to stop them as the door is thrown wide and the full force of the cursed fucking fireball hits me, and I drop to my knees on a guttural scream, the stench of my smoldering skin filling my nose, the pain of my searing flesh nothing compared to the spearing agony that cleaved at my heart, my anguished bellow snapping me awake to a fresh world of agony-

Zypher

-He grinned smugly as he watched from across the room. Xcor had a way with things, the branding iron was no exception. Absently he rubbed a long healed salt rubbed scar across his chest..a present from their leader. A reminder of who he was and what he was put here for.- You've got him on his knees mine commander...now..make the son of a bitch beg. I bet 'es too proud t' do it.

Xcor

-The screams wrought from the white eyed Brother brought him neither satisfaction, nor enlightenment. He'd divulged nary a scrap regarding the demanding questioning undertaken thus far. He turned to the fiery coals once more, thrusting the iron back through the blistering heat to begin anew. Returning to the bound warrior. Bent, but nay, not broken. Not yet. His hand shot out, twisting into the Brother's sweat dampened hair to pull his head back with a snap. Baring his own set of lethal fangs, scarred face twisted in disgust as he lowered to come face to face with his captive.- It's said ye can read minds, listen in where no other belongs. -He grinned darkly as his eyes bore deep into the warrior's own glowing irises as he spat...- Read mine, Brother. Know well ye won't be findin' escape inta the Fade. Ye'll be callin' fer yer mahmen long b'fore we be through 'ere. -Releasing the hair, shoving the Brother's head back with a jarring motion, he bypassed the irons in favor of running his rough hand over the rudimentary table of items procured for this mission. Hovering over each, thick fingers close around a razor sharp, wickedly thin skinning blade. Lifting it to catch the light, turning it this way and that, he nodded once to Zypher.- We'll be seein' if he values what's left of his manhood, 'nuff t'find his way to the words we be seekin'.

Ione

What is this? [my voice barely contained as I pushed open the door, lavender eyes narrowing at the scene before me. I surveyed the males, rage rising up to constrict my chest as much as my corset did] I told you he was to be left undamaged! [stepping in, the door slammed behind me with a metallic clang and I stalked over to the battered warrior, shoving Xcor and his minion aside and reaching through the bars to touch the charred wound on his chest] Your connection within the Glymera is already in place for my departure as agreed. Destroying my property was not part of that arrangement so, I trust you have an explanation for this or I’ll be collecting my payment now, information or no. [touching my fingertips to Vishous’s jaw and turning his head to survey the damage, weeks of growth darkening his goatee into a full beard streaked with blood and grime, talking over my shoulder to the two males] These wounds had better not be permanent. [turning his chin, breath catching when his icy eyes open to pin me with a lethal gaze] So you’re awake...slave.

Vishous

-Reality hits like a ton of bricks, pushing away the dream-haze with searing agony. The scent of burning flesh filled my nostrils at the same time the pain registered through my battered body. I was a roadmap of seeping wounds and blackened bruises that had quieted to dull throbs as I tried save as much of my waning strength reserves as I could, not even reacting to the blade gleaming in Xcor’s hand, his already ruined face twisting in impatient anger. Then I heard her. Growling low in my chest, I could barely rein in the instinct to rip her apart.  Even her name had me seething, her sadistic self-indulgence had put the whole race at risk. And for what? So she could get into my leathers? Frigid bitch. Without conscious thought I flinched at her touch, a barely noticeable move but her voice… I opened my eyes to level a look of pure hated at her, her word holding an undertone of delusional puppy-love. She actually prized her possession. Well, la dee daa. My eyes glowing murderous fury, acid-dipped words flying from bloodied lips- I've seen females go to serious trouble to get fucked but this one goes in the record books, bitch .– despite an attempt at indifference, her face fell in hurt. A low chuckle coming from beside her momentarily distracted me from the offended aristobrat, the Bastard holding the branding iron amused by the exchange while Zypher’s lecherous gaze roamed over Ione, jerking my head toward him. – Something funny, dick weed? I’m not sure what’s hurting me more right now, Xcor’s face or your stench.  –my throat burned the hoarsely barked words-

Zypher

-Growling silently, he slid the bowl of salt behind a box, hidden from the female's view- of course he will heal...eventually. -Zypher watched as the Princess assessed the brother and laughed darkly at the title she gave him.- He's stubborn..prideful..and in need of more beating but we can both be satisfied here soon I believe if you'll just leave us -he looked to Xcor- to our devices and trust the males you've hired. We won't let you down..highness. -He didn't stop his gaze from rolling up her long legs and over her rounded arse- 

Xcor

-Bristling as the tiny female's hands pushed him aside, a black growl rolled through his broad chest as her words ricocheted around the room as sharply as a thousand poison tipped arrowheads. His hands curled into meaty fists as thick arms drove them into the table, cutting off the pacifying words of his Bastard- Ye've delivered upon yer word, Princess. We will deliver on ours, given ye find yerself clear o'this place t'allow us t'find the answers we seek. Aye, your pet appears damaged... -waving a hand dismissively- all will be well, and healed, by the time he's delivered unto you.

Ione

[ignoring the narrowly hidden barb of Xcor’s tongue, I stepped back from my caged prize, my eyes searching his with a dark smile] You could end your suffering, Vishous. Give these soldiers what they want and the pain will end. You have little to live for anyway. Why do you resist? The Brotherhood? They have ceased looking for you. They believe the Lessoning Society has taken your life. Your female? You needn’t worry for her, she’s not long for this world. I’ve seen her with mine own eyes, warrior. Your female is with young, and dying. It is over and you are mine. I need only have you branded with the bands of a blood slave and we will take our leave of this tiresome place. [my fangs drop down, barely concealed behind my lips at the idea] I always get what I want. [still watching Vishous, I speak over my shoulder at the two hovering behind me.] My patience wears thin, Xcor. I am sending someone to mark him. You have until tomorrow evening to get the answers you seek. You will have him prepared and restrained.

Vishous

You fucks must get off at the sound of your own voices.  –my voice gravelly, wincing at the hunger pangs gnawing my gut, my diamond eyes flick up to Xcor- With your face, it’s probably as close as you get to the real thing, huh? –laughing darkly, the sound cut off at Ione’s words, my blood running cold in my veins. It was the nightmare all over again, realization prickling the hair on the back of my neck. The sting of the Brotherhood barely registered for I knew better, with my brothers believing that my ass was on the line there would be no rest. It was just not fucking happening, as much as they knew I wouldn’t open my trap I knew they wouldn’t give up. But my female, my female… fuck. The nightmare had left me too raw for a comment like that and with the flickering handle I had on my curse I played back the image of Wellsie leading Jodi away. Ione wasn’t lying, my female was pregnant. And I knew what that meant. The feedings, the hunger, the weakness. Fuck, I had to get out of here. Fucking. Yesterday.

Zypher

-Zypher crossed his arms over his chest, determined to keep his damn mouth shut. It didn't take two times for Xcor to remind him who was in charge and he had learned from experience that silence could save your life. He couldn't stop the smirk however as the wounded brother flinched at the mention of his pregnant shellan, perhaps that was the way in. He would use this if he could..as he was sure Xcor would-

Xcor

-He nodded once to the female, rolling his shoulders, itching to return to the questioning before the diamond eyed warrior'd had any further recovery time- T'will give us ample time t'garner what we be needin'. He shall be cleaned and trussed fer your takin', princess. -He stepped forward, towering over her. His scarred face barely concealing the expression of contained impatience and irritation as his chin kicked toward the door.- Now, ye'll be excusin' us so we may get back to the task at hand.

Ione

Until tomorrow. [holding my ground, I looked up with barely checked annoyance and returned the curt nod.  I straightened my shoulders and turned toward the exit, Louboutins clicking across the filth-covered floor.] Intact, Xcor. He is of no use to me broken. Physically anyway. [ I had waiting this long. One more night was of little consequence compared to the lifetime I would enjoy with Vishous as my possession. Casting a last glance at the male in the cage and the two brutes circling him, I stepped over the threshold and let the door ease closed behind me.]

Vishous

-With a longing look, the bitch queen left, the possession ringing in her stoking a burning rage in me. I’d be her fuck toy when the Omega sprouted wings and a halo. My diamond gaze fell on the two males that circled like vultures, hooded eyes burning with the promise of much pain to come. I let my head hang between my shoulders, bracing for the torment to come…a seemingly endless cycle of agony and repetitive questions that I’d managed to tune out so far by reciting the Sox line-up beginning with 1901. This time, however, as the routine began anew, my focus was on the words of the aristobrat. Her lackey would be here tomorrow and that would be my one shot before I was on a boat back to the Old Country as a carnival ride for Ione. I was getting the fuck out of here. For my female and our family. I flexed my gloved hand in its iron prison. And God fucking help them all when I did -

Flesh and Blood

Jodi
*Three weeks. Nearly three weeks since anyone had seen my hellren. I’d neither slept nor eaten, the fear churning in my stomach leaving me too nauseous for food and the little I did eat left my stomach long before check out time. I fought to keep myself together for Sahv but even his new fascination with crawling did little to keep him engaged. The lack of sleep was taking its toll, though I hung on every word, every ring of the phone, my heart shriveled a little more every time I saw Butch’s worry worn face peer into the nursery to give me an anguished shake of his head when he returned from the night’s search. Inevitably, the sun chased all the brothers back to the compound and like always, Butch was the last one to come home, waiting until the first orange rays peeked over the horizon before giving in and even then Rhage often had to haul him through the door by force. My empty stare settled on the pillows that marked Vishous’s place in our mated bed, the dark silk covers tear-stained and wrinkled from endless nights of clutching it in place of my male in a frail attempt at soothing my fears with his lingering scent. My eyes snapped up from the bed at a sharp cry, Sahv’s wail piercing the oppressive silence of the pit. I took the few steps to his bassinet in an instant, his face flushed, satiny skin gleaming with a cold sweat. Scooping him up from the blanket, I instantly felt the heat radiating from him. Fever. “Jodi, I just came to check on…” Rhage froze in the doorway, aqua eyes widening at the panic written all over my face. “What’s wrong with him?”* I don’t know. He’s hot…fuck, he’s burning up. I have to get him to Havers. *Rhage nodded once and checked his phone, fingers flying over the keypad. “I’ll take you.” He stormed down the hall, trench billowing behind him as I hurriedly dressed my squalling young and gathered his bag, following Hollywood’s hulking form out to the GTO to find he’d already moved the car seat from the Escalade. Ducking into the back, I made quick work of snapping him in, crawling into the seat next to him, leaning in to croon softly, stroking his damp hair back from diamond eyes that had reddened with tears. Nervously watching Rhage in the rearview, his face drawn and stern with worry, the engine of the GTO roaring as if in complaint at having to be reined in for the safety of the young within. After an eternity, the wheels screeched to a halt in the parking lot of the clinic and I fumbled with the button to release the belt on the car seat, Sahv’s cries now quieted to a heart-wrenching keening as Rhage plowed through the front door sending nurses scattering in his wake. Nearly running to keep up with his powerful stride, I finally stepped around him to reach the registration window, my voice half-plea, half-demand* Please, tell Dr. Havers that Vishous’s shellan must see him. *my voice cracked even saying his name, his absence still leaving a raw-edged hole in my heart* Our son is sick. Please…  *I must have looked nightmarish, my presence having garnered the attention of all in the nurses’ station, including that of what I assumed to be another patient waiting at the far side of the counter, her lavender gaze intently fixed on me and my young, the payload of jewelry adorning her flawless skin screaming Glymera. Assured that care was coming, I glanced a final time at the female and let Rhage guide us to a seat, grateful for the brother while he stood over us, a living Greek statue of powerful perfection standing barrier between my son and anything that would harm us. Nervously running my dagger pendant along its chain as I watched the other patients, not allowing myself a full breath until another nurse motioned us into the back, my legs feeling like lead carrying Sahv into a bland gray exam room and laying him on the table to begin undressing him as she’d instructed, just finishing when Havers entered.*

Ione

[That was Vishous’s shellan? Only breeding kept me from laughing out loud, though the more I looked at she and the young in her arms, the less like laughing I felt, incredulous amusement quickly replaced with bitter jealously as my gaze wandered to the child’s face to linger on eyes that were a perfect reproduction of Vishous’s own. These two were why he’d refused me? And still did, despite being caged and beaten like a fighting dog by Xcor’s thugs? My fingers curled into claws under the edge of the counter watching the nurse escort them through the corridor of examination rooms, tucking a file under my arm I paused a moment and followed, not so close as to be suspect but wanting to know more of this female that the warrior had chosen over me. My pride demanded it.]

Jodi

*worriedly watching Havers look over my son, while Rhage barricaded the door with his hulking form, Sahv’s cheeks puffed red and streaked with tears while he wriggled under the pokes and prods of a strange hand and squeaking faintly when the cold chestpiece of Havers’s stethoscope finally pressed to his feverish skin. “Heart rate is normal and his lungs appear clear.” Poking a finger into Sahv’s bowed lips, he winced slightly when his effort was rewarded with a sharp bite. “Ah, his upper central incisors have broken the gum line.” Pulling his finger back, he shook it absently. “It is not uncommon for youngs to develop fevers with emerging teeth. Occasionally, the temperature can be quite high. It is nothing of concern. The nurse will provide you with something to control the fever until it passes.” His eyes narrowed thoughtfully behind his spectacles. “Forgive me for saying but, you look unwell yourself.” “She has for weeks.” The silent brother finally spoke from his corner of the exam room.* I told you, I’m fine. *Scowling at Rhage for holding me in place, my temper soothed only by the now calming young in my arms, his fever dropping with the minutes that passed since an overly pleasant nurse had come in loaded down with liquid ibuprofen for Sahvage.  “You’re not fine, Jodi. Far fucking from it. You’re not holding down food, you’re white as a sheet and your eyes are so sunk in you look like you went 5 rounds with Joe Louis.” Rhage jerked his head toward Havers, his trench crinkling at the elbows as he folded his massive arms over his chest. “Let the good doctor see what’s doing. Vishous would never forgive me for not looking after you while he’s gone. The cop either, for that matter and I don’t want my balls in a vise.” Narrowing my eyes up at him, I gave a curt nod to both males, sending Havers darting out into the hall.*

Ione

[My fangs glinted in a grin of sadistic delight. The subcreature was ill. How sad. I hoped it was serious. Chronic, painful and fatal would be wonderful. I could already picture the defeat in Vishous’s diamond gaze when I told him that all the reason he had to deny me was rotting in damp earth. Laughing behind my hand, I leaned into the door, glaring lavender daggers at passing staff that stared too long at me as I strained to listen to the voices on the other side, heels clicking on the vinyl flooring as I duck into the neighboring exam room when Havers stepped out into the hall, calling for a nurse. “Ehlena? Could you come in here with a blood draw kit? We’ll run some tests just to be sure. Please, wait a…” The door closed again, just to open when the strawberry blonde nurse hurried inside and emerged a few moments later with the crimson-filled vials.]

Jodi

*watching the clock as the minutes ticked by, irritation rising with the sweep of its hands until the nurse returned and handed Havers a folder, presumably containing the results.* Let me guess, nothing there. Exhaustion, anxiety… My hellren is missing, I’m sure you’re aware so I would believe both of those are normal under the circumstances.  Can I go now? *Saying the words out loud was a knife to the heart, each syllable another turn of the blade. I was anxious to return to the pit, to resume my vigil in the nursery where I would wait for news of Vishous from his brothers as they checked in for the night. He adjusted his glasses on his nose and scanned the forms, his brows arching as he looked pointedly up at me. “I’m afraid your condition is not so simple, Jodi. It is understandable that you should be thinking little for yourself, but show some concern for the young you’re carrying.” I blinked. And blinked again.* Something’s wrong with Sahvage? You said he was fine. *my heart hammered in my chest as my stomach rolled, looking fearfully down at my son, now fast asleep.* “Sahvage is well, Jodi. I refer to the young in your womb. You’re pregnant.” He eyed me warily and I could almost hear the disdain in his voice. “About seven weeks I’d say. You’re also anemic. Your last pregnancy came with… cravings, did it not? You fed from your hellren?” I nodded slowly, shifting Sahv in my arms and absently fingering the pendant at my collar.* I.. yes, I did. *wincing, I remembered the cravings with painful clarity. And I meant that literally, I’d put off feeding from V as long as I could, until I was doubled over with cramping hunger, every time earning a scolding from my male for fighting the new biology of my pregnancy.* But, Vishous isn’t here, Doctor. Can’t you just give me pills or…? *The question trailed off there. What was I expecting him to do? “I will prescribe an iron supplement. Assuming this pregnancy is as your last, you will have to feed. For your young. You must make arrangements with another male…” Shaking my head, I backed toward the door, my tightening grip earning me a squeak from my snoring son.* No. You’ve lost your fucking mind, doctor. I won’t have someone else feeding me, or our child. *Rhage stopped me at the door, pinning my shoulders with two giant hands. “You have to think of the young, Jodi. Listen to him. We’ll find someone. Fuck, I can talk to Mary…” My eyes prickled with tears at what he offered, he and his shellan’s desire for children manifest in the concern marring his perfect features.* Rhage, I can’t. I just.. can’t. There has to be another way. *shoving past him, I opened the door in time to see the violet eyed female scrambling into an empty office, prepared to make a dramatic exit when Havers’ voice called over my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. “He may not come back, Jodi. Not in time. You have to prepare for that. I am speaking as your physician when I say that if you do not find an alternate blood source, Vishous could lose you. And your young.”

Bound and Determined

The silence was deafening but useful. Being alone in this hellhole was a blessing because it gave me a sort of peace and time to recover from the near-constant abuse I had been enduring in this medieval death trap. Thinking back on what brought me here, details lost in a haze of whatever the fuck the fuckers had tranked me with. Not a lot to go on if I was going to get out of here. The beatings had a pattern, Xcor’s buttboys working me over in shifts had let me track the passage of time, each new day marked by a greeting from their fearless leader. All of Xcor’s merry band of misfits seemed to want a piece of me. And they took their fill. Close as I could tell by the number of times Throe’s happy ass had appeared to douse me with a bucket of icy water, I’d been here just over two weeks.  And despite my captor’s best efforts, my grey matter was still intact, my mind still thankfully firing on all cylinders. I took a deep breath and winced at the pain radiating in my chest where the last male had finally landed a solid blow after a series of powerful, rapid-fire hits and succeeded in breaking a couple of ribs… it really didn’t matter, I was used to pain. It was a trip down memory lane for me, the cycle of pain all too familiar at the hands of males like these. The past was gone but not forgotten and if the fading bruises I could see were any indication, life in the Bloodletter’s camp had been business as usual after I left. The stagnant air around me filled my nostrils, trying to isolate the scents to gain some insight on where the hell I was. The faint stench of mold and dust… aging motor oil and damp stone. The structure was old, unused in recent time and lacked any distinguishing features, the scent of rust mingling with the lingering ozone smell of a cutting torch. So my cage was a new addition. I guess I was the guest of honor in this party. Wasn’t this just homey. I snorted and tried to shift to move the cage, a tingling burn spearing through my pinned arms and balling in my exhausted shoulders. Of course, my captors had the foresight to isolate the one weapon they couldn’t get rid of without frying themselves… my right hand. Compliments of my “deity gene”, I possessed a weapon of mass destruction no one dared approach. Not my brothers, not the bastards. Even the Bloodletter was a chicken shit in an ogre suit when it came to the curse I bore. However, the Bastards had done their research, securely encasing my curse in a lead sphere, my arm immobilized by a steel band the width of my cock. The monstrosity at the end of my wrist  rendered useless the one time I needed it. Just. Fucking. Perfect. True. My head hung limply between my shoulders as I tried to focus on something other than the throbbing of my wounds. If I was getting out of this alive, my head had to remain clear, under the circumstances my brain was my only viable weapon in this game. I’d never been on the receiving end of an interrogation but the drill was the same and the battle of wills began the moment I laid my diamond eyes on the deformed face of the Bloodletter’s lap dog. Two of the males stood a few feet away from me to admire their handy work with the latest collage of gashes and bruises peeking through the remaining tatters of my muscle shirt. Brave fuckers from across a room when their punching bag was strung up like a side of beef. Christ, I should’ve caught the signs with that psycho @Ione_Glymera when she didn’t take the hint that night. That female was a Louis Vuitton bag of batshit crazy. Adding to my annoyance was the knowledge that the band of butt-fucks had found an in with the Glymera and that was a way to Wrath. No way could I let that shit fly.  As soon as I got out of here, the upgrades to the security at the brotherhood’s compound would make the Raven Rock bunker look like Club Med. Voice recognition, retina scanners. The whole nine and then some.  Not even the Clinic would safe. It was time to suggest to Wrath that the brotherhood have its own medical staff. Havers was a skilled physician but who knew who the fuck was behind him pulling his strings. No doubt the good doctor had no fucking clue as to what happened. I could just see him standing by the new wing and fixing his glasses, making some very polite and subtly disgruntled comment about my no-show act. The brotherhood had certainly been alerted to my disappearance. Fuck, Jodi had to be losing her mind. After the first few rounds with the males, I’d learned something of the group.  Although there was a clear chain of command, Xcor’s soldiers acted as a united force… a band of brothers… and if it weren’t for wanting to force-feed them their own cocks, I could actually appreciate the way they worked together. The male with the marred sneer walked in with the arrogant authority of a true asshole, his hand on his scythe, as if tenderly caressing a lover. Glowering through the bars at me, hatred and disdain burning in his gaze, he lifted his chin toward me in a sardonic greeting at the onset of each session. That was the starter pistol for the next race to see which took the worst of the damage…my body or their fists. Where hands failed, the bastards had a seemingly endless array of razor sharp blades that they wielded with the skill of a surgeon. I was steadily draining with each passing day, the energy spent to heal drawing on a dwindling reserve, my need to feed was rearing its ugly face and glaring down at me. Funny, I couldn’t even remember the last time I fed from a Chosen. Jodi had grudgingly come to accept Naima, even to appreciate her though I paid with my hide every time the chosen left after a feeding, fondly remembering the sting of my shellan’s lash across my shoulders in the hours that followed. For the millionth time I cursed biology for being a major fucking bitch. I’d waited as long as I could between feedings, calling Naima only when absolutely necessary, not wanting anyone’s vein but my female’s. How long had that been? A month? Two? Without conscious thought my tongue lightly prods my split lip to assess the damage, the sting of the slowly healing wound barely perceptible… not nearly as bad as the throbbing in my head that seemed to get worse the more I tried to move within the cage. Fucking hell. If they wanted information why would they think constant blows to the head was a good idea? Fucktwits. Not that they neglected the other parts part of my body, a mottled patchwork of bruises and blackened blood covered nearly every inch of me until the healing process began again. The bastards had really taken to heart the Bloodletter’s teachings, his sadistic nature rang clear in every slice of a blade, every blow, every curse spat in my direction. Especially, the wannabe brother mine. The torture chipped at the carefully built wall surrounding memories of the hellish years I’d spent under the Bloodletter’s boot in that cesspool he called a training camp. God damn that fucking place. But I would not give into that weakness, I would not fall to the memories of a fa… no… of a monster that brutalized countless males in the name of training… to have a child pinned down for hours of… nope. The thought went as soon as it came as I lightly moved my head from side to side as if physically denying the thought would make my resolve that much stronger. For the sake of my family, for the sake of the brotherhood… I had to keep my shit together and give Xcor’s cronies jack shit. Knowledge was power and what was locked in my head had the potential to unravel everything. Something Xcor said played back in my pounding head. He had been wrong, though. I had learned in the Bloodletter’s camp. Flexing the hand I could move to keep the blood flowing in my numbed arm, I craned my neck as much as I could to look over the damage they’d inflicted. Let them think they were wearing me down. Let them exhaust themselves with their brute tactics and cock-driven bravado. They were all living on borrowed time and when it seemed they’d get what they wanted, I’d nail all their asses to the grime covered walls and skin them while they watched for threatening my family. My ears picked the creak of the door as the gargoylish leader entered.  My face turned stony, my eyes burning icy beams of hate at Xcor’s distorted smirk, followed by one of his men brandishing a tire iron. A new day was beginning.