 |
|||
|
|
CHAPTER 10
Zak and William looked up; worry and hope clear in both their faces, as Azrael and Torin led Robyn back into the room. Zak had gone to great lengths to, calm, William, thanking Michael's forethought with the liquor. "Robyn?" He rose, reaching for her.
She went into his arms, feeling the press of his chest and the strength of his embrace. "I'm all right now," a whisper. "I can accept it, or can until you get the bastards that did this." She turned her eyes up to his. "You will get them right, Zak? The cops won't find them. I don't care what Daniel said. They can't touch these guys, but you will. Won't you?" Her voice was practically begging, pleading with him to see justice served.
"My oath, they will die. I will rip them limb from limb for you. And they will know as they die, why and for whom." The trust and total faith in her eyes touched him. She needed him now, more than she had ever needed anyone in her life. William and he were all she had left. And he would see that she never felt lonely again. Never needed, anything; or at least not for long, ever again.
"Gabriel." Azrael was no fool. It would only be a matter of time before the younger vampire felt the change. Better to tell him now, while he was still grateful for his pets healing. "Childe, we need to speak, there has been an accident."
Zak looked down at Robyn, "accident?" What could have happened? She felt better. Then he opened himself to her, reading her heart fully--. "No." He couldn't believe it. "What happened? You said he was going to heal her. That she was safe." She would never be his now, her soul no longer free. "You have stolen what no one had the right to take. She is mine."
"Yes." Azrael pulled Torin close. "You are correct. What my Chosen did, he had no right to do. The girl does not belong to me. But he erred in judgment, not in intent. He healed her. She is whole again. But the healing took him too far in. He could not pull away without killing her at best, at worst leaving her half alive."
Zak held Robyn. Fear and anger radiated from him in waves as he faced the older vampire. "How can you say this is an accident? I am many, things but a fool is not one of them, and I trusted you. You are my Grand-Sire. I have a right to believe that your word is good. But now," there was no mistaking the accusation in his tone. Both Robyn and William were Mages, Mages a thing all the Vampyr valued. And now, she would be his no more. "Why, was the promise of another Mage so great? Will you challenge me for William too, you will have to, and I have taken him as my husband. Am I to die at last, by my own Lines hands?"
Azrael was speechless. Zak thought him responsible for this. Believed that he had done this to steal the girl from him. "Gabriel, no, how can you think this."
"How?" Zak moved slowly, reaching for William. "Beloved, take our girl here, hold her. Let no one touch her. I will protect you. This is not a safe house." The fear he saw in William's eyes almost drove him past all control. He would die here, and his two would be slaves.
Azrael watched as the, younger, vampire prepared himself. "I will not fight you Gabriel. I wanted neither of your two. Torin made a mistake. He will pay for it, is ready to accept any punishment you deem he deserves, save death. But I will not lay a challenge or accept one from you."
Michael laid a hand on Azrael's shoulder. "What happened?"
"My Chosen has taken her soul. They are soul-bonded. Gabriel believes that I would do this, that I want his two." This was not going at all as he had hoped. "He knows you Megel, please try to explain this to him."
Michael whistled softly. "That is not an easy request Azrael. Had it been Jason, I can't swear I wouldn't feel the same." But he knew Azrael would have never played anyone that way. "I'll try, but."
Zak looked at Michael. Michael understood what had happened. His words were something of a comfort. "Uncle, you swore to my Sire, that should anything ever happen to him, that I could seek protection from you."
"Yes, and I will protect you, and all you claim. But Gabriel, my Sire would no more have willingly cheated you out of your love than I would. If he said it was an accident, then you must believe him. You're a Mage yourself, you know how easily things can be taken too far. Look at the boy, he's terrified."
"He has stolen her from me. Taken away something that she could not afford to lose. I swore I would care for her, protect her, now? If this is the best I can do, she is better off without me. They both are."
Michael shook his head. Zak was young, afraid, and confused. This was not a good time for this. How could Azrael let this happen? He thought to himself. Was Torin really that good? "You are wrong. Even if you have lost her, without your being there, she would have died of grief. Or worse yet, those that killed her brother, they might have chosen to come and finish off all those who know anything about them and their crime. But good or no, you must calm down. Azrael refused a challenge, and if you lift a hand to him, it will be I you face. Will your pets fair better with you dead? Does this cut at you so greatly that you are willing to make your husband a widower and me the executioner of one of my own Line?"
Zak looked behind him at Robyn. He had just met her. She was so new to them and their ways. How could he just turn her love to another? But Michael was right. There was nothing he could do, and his death would not avenge the wrong done to her, or undo the pain she felt. "I bend." His voice sounded defeated. "So Grand-Sire, what is it that you suggest?"
Azrael sighed. The threat was over. "First, reassure your two that they are safe. Then we shall decide what is best for all concerned."
Zak turned reaching for William. "It's okay baby, I was wrong. No one will harm either of you. Relax, you know me, you know how we are.
"What happened to Robyn?" William couldn't decide whether he was angry or frightened. "What did they do to her?"
"The boy, he is like you two, a Mage. When he healed her, he went too far. He and Robyn are linked now, one soul in two bodies. She belongs to him now, as much as he belongs to her. You and I will have to be willing to give her up."
"No." Robyn pulled away. "I don't want him. I won't go, do you hear me. No one can make me."
Zak closed his eyes at the anger and pain in her voice. She was right. No one could force her to finish the link. But if she didn't, the need, the pull would drive her mad. "You can't fight it Robyn. He will pull at you just as you will him. It's only a matter of time before you break. Why suffer?"
"Oh Ga'damn." She was so confused. "You just going to give up? I thought that there was something between us. You said you loved me. I believed you."
"And I do. But I also know that there is no amount of love I could ever offer you that will ease your soul as long as it is apart from its other half. If you choose to fight this, I will stand beside you, help you along as best I can. But baby, you will give in. I'm sorry, I should have been there, should have protected you." Her body pressed against his. He could feel the tremble, smell the fear, and the confusion and pain that battered at his mind without relief. "What do you want me to do precious? Do you plan to refuse, or should I step aside? Name it, I will back you."
What to do, everyone made it sound so easy, like she could just throw out a decision without a thought. "I want to stay with you and Will." There was no way she would just drop the first bit of true contentment she, had, had in years.
Zak nodded. "Sorry Grand-Sire, but Robyn chooses to remain with me. I know that eventually she will leave me, she has really no choice, but for now, I will safe guard her life and her freedom."
Azrael tilted his head slightly in acknowledgment. "So do you wish to punish my Chosen, or shall I?"
Zak looked at Torin, could he touch him and let him live? If he died, he would lose Robyn with him, and if he lived--, well she was angry right now, but when she gave in to the pull, no he dared not touch the boy. "Sorry Elder, but you must do it. If I touched him right now, we would both lose someone we love."
Azrael nodded. Zak was right it would be better if he did the deed. He had no personal stake in this. It was not his pet that had been so unjustly ripped from him. No, Zak was wise in his admittance of his own shortcomings. "The whip, or shall I torture him. It is your call Childe. Torin owes you greatly."
Zak looked to Robyn. "Baby, why don't you go with William, I'll have one of the mortals here take you elsewhere. You don't need to see this." The willingness of her response as he kissed her eased his heart. "I promise, soon, I will find a place that is quiet. Will and I will make you remember how much we love you. But for now, let me deal with the one that has wronged you."
"Gabriel, if it is easier, she can remain here, we can go to my dungeon. Maria, can give her a dose of my solution, she will be fine. Perhaps both need a shot or two. Megel can stay here with them. Surely you believe that he will keep them safe." Azrael looked at Robyn. "Do you still trust me child?"
"Yeah. You I trust." She looked at Torin, her feelings so confused. Part of her wanted to beat the shit out of him, and yet another part wanted to make the fear in his eyes go away.
"Will you remain with Megel? He will hold you both. Keep you safe. There is no one here that will harm you. I swear this."
"Can't I just sit with Will, I'll be cool, not make anymore of a fuss, but I'd rather be with him." The drug he gave her earlier still had a great effect on her, keeping her from breaking completely.
"Of course, you don't need to ask my permission to remain with your friend. You and I will talk later, I promise. But for now, drink what my girl gives you, and seek a quiet spot with your love there. We shall return soon." It still amazed him, she trusted him. Why he could not fathom, and when he reached out to gleam it from her thoughts, he still got her love for his Grand-Childe. She had thrown all her faith and belief into the two she called her lovers, and nothing would shake that faith. He was anxious to begin her training. One day she would be as great a Mage as Torin was to be. And once she allowed the tie to complete and he could make her his as well, he regretted the pain that this was causing them, and he would have never dreamed of stealing what was another's, but when it came, he would prove to Zak that he could care for her as well as he had.
Zak led them both to a large chair, waiting till William had sat, and pulled Robyn into his lap. "Stay here. I promise, I'll take care of everything." He hated leaving them now. They needed him, his time and his love. "I love you, both of you. No matter what happens, remember that. I will always love you, and will be here for you if you need me."
Robyn watched as the three left the room. She had wanted to talk Zak out of leaving her, but she knew he would have refused. Her life was rapidly becoming something other than her own, and she couldn't figure out a way to stop it. And as she rested against William, she began to wonder if she really wanted to. Would it be so bad to belong to Zak, to be as much his, as, Will was. Would it help any if she asked to share the same tie they had. Could it keep her from losing everything or would that just make it worse?
Maria stood before them, two small glasses in her hand. "Drink this honey, it will help you." Poor baby, Maria's heart ached for her. First her brother, and now this she didn't even know the girl, but in her life with Azrael, she had learned to let her heart lead instead of her mind. And her heart knew the pain the girl before her must feel.
"What is it?" She looked at the red liquor in the glass.
"It's like sherry with a weird kick." William drained his glass. "Go on baby girl, it won't kill you. You could use a good drunk right now."
Robyn shrugged and downed the glass. "Does he plan to keep me doped up forever?"
"No, just till you can face all the shit that has hit you." William hugged her. "Right now, I'd rather the fuzziness of the drug to what I was feeling earlier."
The sorrow in his words touched Robyn. She wasn't the only one who suffered because of Adrian's death. "Hold me Will, I can't think right now. It hurts too much."
He felt the tears, even as he heard the first soft sob from her. And together they sat, oblivious to all in the room, and cried.
* * *
Torin knelt beside Azrael as the door closed. He had never been here before, not even for play. This sort of thing never interested him, and for now, Azrael had not deemed it time to begin testing him. He prayed for a beating. Would beg one if they allowed it. The thought of being used here tortured and tormented, frightened him more than death.
"Torin, undress." Azrael touched his cheek briefly as he rose to obey, eyes dilating. "You will accept what is coming to you, here, and once it is over we will speak of it no more. You will not hold anything that happens here against either my Grand-Childe or the girl that is now your soul-bonded."
"Yes, Master."
"Gabriel, have you decided what is fitting punishment?"
Zak shook his head. "I want him to hurt. To feel even a little of what my pretty one is feeling, I don't care what you do to him. I just want him to suffer.
Azrael took Torin's hand and led him slowly across the room, to where a set of leather and chain manacles hung from the ceiling. "Lift your hands pet."
The cuffs bit into the skin of his wrists as Azrael tightened them, this was going to be hard, he, knew it. And once it was over, how was he to just let it drop. "Please." His voice sounded out as Azrael shortened the chain that hung from a hook in the ceiling, his body forced upward. He was almost dangling, there, now just on his toes.
"Be quiet, Torin." Azrael bent reaching for the shackles that would force his to hang, legs spread, and all weight on his wrists. "Do you wish him gagged, or screaming?" The blindfold fit snugly over his eyes. Denying him even the right to see what was coming.
"Let him scream." Zak was fighting with himself now. Yes, he wanted to see him pay, to know that he hadn't gotten away with doing what he had done to Robyn, without some payment. But could he stand by and watch anyone abused like this? He remembered the few times that Thorne had punished him, and how much, he had hated it. But discipline had to be maintained.
Azrael pressed against Torin. "I had hoped never to be forced to bring you here. You have always made me proud. Try to show me that you have the strength the accept your punishment as befits one of the Vampyr."
"Yes, Master." His arms hurt. The chains that held his legs were too short. He couldn't pull up to relieve the strain on his wrists. He would be forced to hang here, and take whatever was coming. "I love you."
"Yes Tori, I know. I love you too pet, now no more talking. Let us get this over with." Azrael moved to the wall, where several whips hung. He knew each of them well, and which would give him the desired effect. A long Cat was his choice. The six thumb thick thongs of braided leather would cause pain, but if he were careful, would not do more than bring welts. He could not bring himself to scar his Chosen. No matter what Zak desired.
"How many Gabriel?" Azrael shook the cat out, freeing the braids.
"If you plan just to whip him, twenty-five. If you have other thoughts, as many as you deem fit." Twenty-five wouldn't kill him.
"Oh I have several things planned." He would see that Torin paid for his wrong that Zak would never be able to say otherwise. For once he was finished with this, he would never allow Torin to suffer again in any way for this deed.
Torin's breath hissed in a sharp intake with the first blow. Fire lanced across his back. He had made a mistake, but he couldn't believe that his Master was going to do this. But reality hurt as much as the, next, blow as he realized that, yes, he was going to suffer.
He had fought to keep from crying out. Struggled with each blow. But as the ninth wrapped around his back, scoring his chest and nipples, he lost the battle. A short, cry slipped past his lips as his body stiffened. From there he could keep silent no more. Each, blow that fell after that, brought cries. His back was throbbing, his chest and upper arms sang in harmony with the torment.
Azrael worked the cat down his back, letting is wrap around his to mark his chest and belly as well. His Chosen's cries tore at him, but he turned a deaf ear to them and the pain in his heart.
The whipping suddenly stopped. Torin had taken twenty blows so far. He prayed that it be over, that his master had deemed his payment complete. But as he felt Azrael come near, and a hand on his manhood, his fears rose again. "No, oh God, Master, don't." Azrael wouldn't, he couldn't. A blow to him here, like this, it would ruin him.
"Silence." A twist of his wrist brought a scream from Torin. "I told you to be quite." Azrael's will slammed down on Torin's mind, no gentleness, to ease the dominance. "You will remain hard for the rest. And you will remain silent. If you fail me, I will make you wish you had never been born." His powers froze Torin's manhood in place, but the silence would be by his own will alone. Even in punishment came the lessons. He would have to take what was coming, and pray he could keep from screaming.
The first blow brought blood to his mouth as he bit down on his lip to keep from screaming. The braided thongs wrapped around his thigh, lacing his erection, the knotted ends slapping against him, lights in his head as the next fell, and the next.
* * *
Robyn cried out as the tie between her and Torin suddenly flared and she knew what was happening to him. "No." They were killing him.
"Robby?" William fought to control her. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"Let me go, they're beating him." She struggled to get up. "William, they're hurting him."
"Who? That guy that hurt you?" William couldn't believe it. Zak wouldn't hurt anyone. "Robyn, talk to me."
"Torin, they're, oh 'Ga'Damn' ." She won free of him. "I got to stop this. They can't do this to him."
"No Robyn." Michael moved to stop her. "You can't interfere. If you try to stop this now, you will have to be willing to accept Torin and your tie. You have already refused. You lost your chance to save him."
"Fuck you." She yanked her arm away before he could tighten on it. "I'm not responsible for this, you can't make me be. Now either you take me to him, or I'm going to go without you. You're own word that you wouldn't hurt us." She faced him, daring him to try to stop her. "The only way you're going to stop me it to hold me down, and believe me, I'll make sure you have to hurt me to do it."
Everyone in the room stared at her in shock. She was daring Michael to use force. David moved to put himself between her and Michael before the Elder could react. "Megel, don't."
Michael didn't know who to be more shocked at. Robyn, who practically was begging to be put in her place, or David, who believed he would be the one to do it. "Relax Vincent. If she is determined to do this, I won't stop her. She is Gabriel's pet, let him deal with her."
"You gonna take me?" She could feel Torin's pain, and the part of her that was now part of him screamed with horror. "Please Michael. They're hurting him."
Michael smiled at her softly. "Yes, Robyn. I will take you. Just remember what I said. The only way you are going to be able to stop this is with your agreement." He took her hand. "Be prepared to make the choice."
* * *
Azrael caught him as the manacles were released. Torin could no longer stand on his own "speak to me pet. Are you still with us?"
"Please." The sob ripped from him. The very contact of flesh on his back and chest brought more pain. "Forgive me."
"I have. I will blood brand you now pet. After that, if my Grand-Childe is satisfied with your punishment, I will allow you to heal yourself, and hold you." He bent and kissed him. "The pain is almost over." He laid him on a table, hushing a cry of pain as Torin's back touched the cold top. "Soon precious, soon."
* * *
A sound at the door drew his attention, as suddenly it was thrown open. "Megel?"
"Forgive the intrusion Azrael, but the girl was suffering with him. She insisted I bring her here." He smiled. "Threatened to force me to have to harm her to keep her from him."
Robyn ignored the three as she moved towards Torin. "Oh damn--damn you both" She couldn't believe her eyes. Welts covered Torin's chest and groin, his erection still present and blood, ran, from several welts that had broke the skin.
"Mistress, please." Torin looked at her, eyes begging. "You can't be here. Please I, hurt you, I deserve this. Please."
"No." She turned to Azrael. "How can you do this to him? You are supposed to be his friend." They wouldn't touch him again. Of this she was certain.
Azrael shook his head. He should have known she would try something like this. "Robyn, you can not stop this. Torin has to be punished. I cannot allow Gabriel to hold this over his head. I must make certain that he pays for his deed."
"Over my dead body." They weren't moving her. "Zak, please. Stop this."
"I can't. You refused him. He took from you something he had no right to. And you were asked if you wanted him, and you refused. He has to be punished. We just can't allow this sort of crime to go without it. Go back to William, it is almost over."
"I'll do it." She looked at all three her body, still, between them and Torin. "Okay, I'll go all the way. But you aren't going to hurt him anymore."
Azrael moved slowly towards her. "Do not be afraid, dear." He took her arm. "Listen to me. You cannot do this not, like, this. You are asking to trade your life for his. If I allow it, you lose everything. Will you be willing to belong to him? Call him and the entire Vampyr master? No, let me finish what I must do. Hold on, once I am finished, if you still wish to complete the tie, then you may, and do so without loss. But if you insist on stopping this then it is you who must pay for his relief and it is with your own freedom. Go with Megel, he will take you to my workroom; place you under shields so that you no longer feel my pets pain. Just hold on for a few minutes more, and it will all be over"
She moaned shaking her head. She couldn't do it. She couldn't just walk away. It didn't matter if she didn't feel it anymore, she would know it, and that was too much. He was being hurt because of her. "You said it was an accident. That he didn't mean to do it."
"And it was, but he must pay for your life. Please, little one, go with Megel. Do not do this."
Robyn looked behind her, at Torin who lay there. He was hurting so much. Again she looked inside her self, trying to decide what to do. Was her freedom worth what he was going through? If she gave it all up, what would happen? She had just been willing to give it to Zak, but she loved him. Could she love this one too?
Real stupid question girl, 'he's your soulmate' . She berated herself. She was soulmated to this guy, whether he meant to do it to her or not. There was nothing she could do to change that. But she could make the best of it. Learn to live with it. Maybe, if she was lucky, learn to be happy with it. But if she went with Michael, and let them finish torturing him, she would never be able to face herself in the mirror again. She wasn't like that; she couldn't buy her freedom with someone else's pain. "No."
"No, you will not give your freedom for his life, or no you will not leave?" Azrael hoped she would go. He did not cherish winning her to his Chosen and himself like this.
"I'll do it. Anything I have to, but I won't let you hit him again. If you do, it will be through me." Her chin thrust out just a little as she faced him. "I will hate everyone of you for the rest of my life, never trust you or work with you ever if you hurt him again." She turned to Zak. "I mean it Fang's, you hurt him anymore, I will hate you, I swear it. William will too, you know that."
Azrael held up a hand to stall Zak's protests. "Be very certain of your desires girl. For even though you are soul-bonded to my Chosen, it will be to me that you are given. I will be the one you answer to, until such time as Torin becomes full Vampyr. It will be my blood that you will drink, and my will and wants that you will submit to. Before you answer me, think. Are you sure this is what you want? So much has happened to you, your life is so full of grief right now. Are you thinking clearly?"
"Hell no, I'm not thinking clearly." She swore at him. "If I had been thinking clearly, I wouldn't be in this mess. But I am, so I have to do what I have to do. If I have to answer to you." She shrugged. "I'll just have to learn to live with it. I'm not real good at taking orders, but I'll give it a shot."
Azrael looked at Zak. "Gabriel, you have heard her. What is your decision? I cannot accept her without your release. She is yours."
Zak shook his head. "No Elder, she was never mine in the way you mean it. I love her. She is to me, almost, what William is, my friend, my love and my life. If this is her choice, I will abide by it. But Azrael promise me this, as long as I remain here, William and I will still be allowed to love her. He lost so much today too. I can't ask him to lose his best friend. Will you and the boy agree to this?"
"There is no mortal, or Kin in my house forbidden to love any other. If she chooses to continue her love affair with the two of you that is her right, I am no monster. I understand what this must mean to her, and what she is losing. Neither Torin or myself will ever deny the three of you your love for each other, or hopefully later, your love for us as well. So will you give up your claim to her to me?"
"Yes." He turned away. "I won't stop you, or protest. But please, but gentle with her. As you yourself said, so much of her life right now is grief."
"Always. I find no pleasure in hurting those in my care. If she misbehaves her punishment will be light and forgiveness quick." He smiled at Robyn. "Go pet, tell your love goodbye. For when you next see him, he will be your Master as well."
"You'll explain everything to Will right?" She let herself enjoy the comfort of his arms once more. "Make him understand, I gotta do this. Don't let him lose his shit over this. I'll be fine. I trust Azrael, really I do. I don't know how well I will be at being a slave, but I'm going to give it a shot. Who knows, maybe I'll find love like you and Willie have."
"I won't leave you. I promise. You heard you're," the word was hard, "Master. We will be together."
She closed her eyes, pressing her cheek against his chest. "I'm holding you to that."
"Gabriel, you go with Megel. I am sure your husband needs you now. I will care for Robyn. But for now, we need privacy." Azrael hated to have to break them apart. The whole thing ate at his soul. There should be a way to make it right again. But for now, he could not think of any. "Megel, see that neither he nor his love are left alone for now. Pass my word to the rest."
"Yes, Master." This was not how Michael had seen it ending. He hoped Azrael knew what he was doing, accepting her submission as such now. What would happen once the pain faded, and she began to realize what she had traded? "Gabriel, let's go, Azrael will take care of them both."
Zak hugged Robyn to him once more, imprinting in his mind, and heart, the feel of her there. For once he gave her up, she would never be his again. "Be good precious. Don't fight him. Let your Master do what he must. I will be there later, if you need to talk." He let her go.
"Tell William I love him." She wouldn't cry. She was doing what had to be done. It hurt, but she wouldn't cry. If she started now, Zak would never forgive himself. She knew this. "Talk to ya soon, okay."
"Go you two, I will see you both in a hour or two. I promise, she will be fine, Gabriel. And tell that boy of yours that if he wishes, he may sleep with her and Torin come light. I will hold off on giving him the Gift for a few days, let the two of them begin to come to terms with their new life."
"Come on Gabriel, you heard Azrael, he must begin to settle things. They'll be out soon enough." Michael gently but firmly took Zak into his arms. "We will be waiting for you, Master." And he led the heart-wounded vampire from the room.
|
|
|