He stands and shouts, “Stop talking!” Pacing, he points at me as he walks, “I’m trying to do the right thing here by warning you the kind of measures my leaders are willing to take to ensure they cleanse this world of demons. I do not want you getting caught in the crossfire.”
“Then let me go,” I plead, “You have my phone, my apartment where you know he’ll be returning. Probably sooner if I stop responding to phone calls and texts.”
He considers me for a second and I think he might actually do it, but then the doorbell rings and he straightens up, fixing his hair and uniform back to rights.Well, there went that idea.
He answers the door and lets in another man, similarly dressed but infinitely more comfortable in the get-up.He looks so familiar.I can’t quite put my finger on where I think I’ve seen him before. His tan skin and ashy brown hair are screaming at me for recognition, but maybe I’ve just seen him around town?
The newcomer sees me and grins, “Hello, demon slut” I just raise my brows in equal parts fury and amused disbelief because any other reaction might earn me a bullet or a punch, “or do you prefer Bel? How about Red?”
“Bel is fine, thank you.” I tell him, trying to match his cavalier attitude and failing terribly.
“Red it is.” He looks at his compatriot and laughs, a terrible, vicious sound, adding, “Well,Redand OfficerTaylor, we are going to be getting pretty up close and personal while we wait for this demon scum to return. As long as you behave,” he says, peering at me, “we won’t have any problems. Got it?”
I nod once, refusing to dignify this fuckhead with any more responses.
“Good,” he chirps before turning and heading toward the kitchen, “Got any coffee?”
He digs through my coffee mugs and grabs the monster fudger one, causing a new flare of rage to course through my body. He must see my reaction since he just keeps grinning as he prepares himself a cup like he owns the fucking place.
Taking a sip from Caspian’s designated mug, he looks over at me, his stupid smug face full of cruel mirth, “Name’s Alastor, by the way, but you can just call me Al.”
* * *
Two horrific days later I’m sitting on the couch without so much as changing out of my sweats. No shower, haven’t brushed my hair, and barely managed to brush my teeth before one— or both of them peeked into the bathroom, instructing I return to the TV room.
I suppose it could be worse. They’ve kept me fed and caffeinated, and let me sleep on the couch. But having two grown men with weapons overseeing you while you eat, sleep and piss is humiliating.
Alastor plops down onto the couch beside me, one of my jalapeño bagels in hand, and whispers to me conspiratorially, “How you holding up, Red? You must be feening for a hit by now.” He widens his eyes comically, and I just roll mine. He scoots closer and tries again, cruelly pretending we can be buddies while he’s holding me hostage, “Listen. I’m sorry Taylor slapped you around like that. It wasn’t supposed to be part of the deal.”
I justhmmin acknowledgment and he continues, pointing his chin at his colleague, “You know he’s got a nickname back at the compound?” This finally gets my attention and I look at him with my eyes narrowed. He chuckles quietly and says, “They call him the Rabid Pup. Wanna know why?”
“No.”
He wraps an arm around me, pulling me closer, lowering his voice, “Based on the state of your face, you’ve already seen it.” I start to push him away but he squeezes my shoulder painfully, all while keeping his relaxed disposition, “He’s like a little puppy, all wide eyed and naive with the best intentions. But push him just a little bit and… well, you know,” he pointedly looks at my face before releasing me with a laugh.
“Oh, no,” the boy in question utters, “Oh, no. Al, this is bad.”
Alsighs and stands, heading toward the kitchen. They’re both looking at my phone when Alastor releases a humorless laugh, “Well, well, well. You have been a busy girl. Two of them?”Fuck.“What have you got between your legs that has them both so smitten?”
Taylor nudges Alastor, “Demons aren’t usually known for…” he swallows, “sharing.You don’t think they could possibly be-”
“Do not say another word, Taylor,” he commands, eyes locked on his subordinate. I note the weird exchange, wondering what Taylor was about to ask him. “She’s nothing special,” he turns to me, “are you? Just a willing body for not one, but two monsters.”
I sniff, ignoring the jab. The only advantage I had was them not knowing about Fritz and now apparently that’s gone.I’m not going to react.I’m not going to give them that satisfaction.
“Yourbestie, Isla, is quite upset about all the lies you’ve been telling,” he keeps prodding, amusement written across his face with every word.I will not cry, not in front of this prick.“Ooh, I wonder whatmommywould have to say about all of this.”
I grit my teeth, fighting back frustrated tears when Taylor grips Alastor’s arm lightly, whispering something to him. Alastor looks down at the point of contact with disgust, showing how he truly feels about his little errand boy.
He looks back up at me and sighs, “I suppose you’re right. Thingshavechanged. She’ll have to come back to the compound with us.” Then a vindictive smile graces his face and chills run down my spine, “We’ll just have to leave a little message behind for her demons to find.”
The look on his face coupled with his words send me off the couch, trying to run for the first time since they’ve been here. If I can even buy myself a few minutes, maybe that’ll be enough time for Caspian and Fritz to get here. I don’t know when they’re supposed to be back, maybe I can get upstairs and lock myself in-
The click of a gun stops me in my tracks, “I’d rather not kill you, but I have no issue at all sending a bullet through one of your legs,” Alastor warns. I get the feeling he’d love doing just that, so I take a calming breath and turn around with my hands up. “Now that’s a good little slut,” he coos, and I want to vomit. He points the gun from me to the couch, gesturing for me to sit.
As I do, he whistles to himself, waltzing toward the front door, “You get the paper here?”Paper?
“The newspaper? No one gets the newspaper anymore,” I answer.
