Chapter Eight
Consciousness cameback slowly.A sharp throbbing pain ricocheted through her head, causing a small moan to escape.Not even moving and she already had a migraine from the punch Apex gave her.Little by little, awareness came in full color, and when she moved her wrist, the metal cuff around it rattled.Confused, she glanced at it and realized she was chained to the floor.
“Ah, sleeping beauty is awake.”
The caustic words had her looking around.The chain prevented her from moving too freely.Fear spiked as she realized she lay at Apex’s feet.His black eyes focused on her, sending unsettling chills down her spine.She felt like prey getting ready to become a snack for the big, bad wolf.Another man sat down near her, a sneer twisting his lips.
“We all thought you weren’t ever gonna wake up.”
He licked his lips, staring salaciously at her chest.Revulsion had her scooting back as far as the short chain would allow, which wasn’t very far.When Adalyn glanced around, she discovered she was in a very large community room, with about a dozen people, mostly men, staring at her.The few women that were there were performing sexual acts, either giving blow jobs or spread eagle on a table while a man rutted between their thighs.A chill sluiced down her spine, as she came to the conclusion she was in very serious trouble.
“Can I have her when you’re done, Apex?”
“Sure,” Apex replied.
Horror filled her as she realized this was how her life would end.Beaten, raped, and passed around like she was a toy to abuse.For a brief moment, she thought about Lord Huntley, and regret filled her heart.In that moment, she realized she wanted to be his thrall.She would’ve liked to have seen him one more time.Kissed him.Hugged him.The life she could’ve had with him was just another thing she had to mourn.
Apex bent and grabbed part of her chain, and yanked hard, trying to pull her close to him.She resisted as much as possible despite the pain in her head and fear in her soul.
“Come here, bitch,” he snarled.
Giving an aggressive tug, she went flying and fell face first into his chair.A sharp edge, or maybe even a nail, sliced her palm open.She screamed as blood sprayed, the pain now in her hand outshining the pain in her head.Apex laughed as she cradled her injured limb, the chain heavy as it clanked.Useless tears filled her eyes and she tried hard to blink them away.She didn’t want to feel sorry for herself, but it was getting harder to keep her chin up.Harder to keep desperate hope alive.
Her only solace was knowing that Lori would never hurt anyone ever again.
Forgive me, Marilisa.At least I’ll be seeing you soon.
Apex reached down and grabbed her hair, and another small scream erupted from the unexpected agony.Just pain upon more pain.Adalyn had a feeling she wasn’t going to be able to put mind over matter for long.Would she reach a point where she begged for death?
Suddenly, a loud growl echoed around the room.Apex let go of her and stood, as did his other men, all looking at one another in confusion.The door practically exploded outward and Lord Huntley marched in.Gone was the sophisticated vampire, and in his place was a demon.His eyes had turned red in his savagery.Fingers turned into claws.His fangs elongated to razor-sharp points.His gaze landed on her, and his lips tightened.
He was therealapex predator in the room.
Behind him stood Brennen and Chester, with guns in hand and pointed forward.Back-up to the vampire lord.No one moved.Not a peep was uttered.The chessboard was set and all the pieces frozen, not knowing what to do or where to go.There was no escape as Lord Huntley suddenly charged.Adalyn tried to track his movements, but vampires were fast creatures.In the blink of an eye, all the men but Apex were dead.The self-proclaimed despot backed as far away as possible from the angry and bloody vampire.
Brennen came forward, his gun steady on Apex.“Give me the key to her shackles.”
The smell of urine soured the air as Apex lost control of his bladder.From his pocket, he pulled out a key and threw it over.Brennen caught it and strode purposefully toward her.Adalyn tried to smile, but she was too overwhelmed with relief.In seconds, the chain holding her captive fell away and he helped her stand.She went to take a step, but her legs buckled.Lord Huntley caught her and swept her up into his arms.
“You saved me,” she whispered.
