“I won’t harm a hair on your head,” Gethin assured him easily. “Unless you pose a threat to me or mine. But, we should probably talk about the source of your injuries.” His tone gentled. “Are we right to assume you’ve been held captive by a vampire who’s been feeding from you?” There was no need for metaphors or secrecy. It was probable if they were careful they’d be able to remove his memories of his time in this flat, but judging by his injuries and overall demeanour, Sorley doubted the mystery vampire had been thoughtful enough to spare the boy any discomforts at all, and trauma could stick. He most likely wanted him to be scared at all times. The puzzle was why he’d sent a messenger and not got their attention some other way. Maybe he had a flair for the dramatic.
Sorley paid attention to James. He set his fork down and exhaled noisily. After a moment, he raised his gaze.
“He hit on me at a nightclub.” Sorley’s eyebrows rose in surprise: when he’d fed from him, James said he was straight.Maybe he didn’t fancy you, eh?
“Which club, do you remember?” Gethin asked.
James frowned. “Delirium,” he admitted, looking shifty when Sorley’s eyebrows rose higher. “I’m not gay. They have good music and the two for one offer on drinks most nights.”
“Nobody said you were, not that we’d judge you either way,” Gethin said comfortingly. He whipped out his phone and sent a text, Sorley presumed to someone on the Council. He leant on the counter, propping his head in one hand, and tried to look non-threatening. “Go on.”
James continued. “I told him I was straight but he said he didn’t mean sex. He said he was a scout for a modelling agency.” His gaze dropped again. “I know it was stupid to believe him, but I’m not…I mean, I’m notugly—”
“You’re certainly not,” Sorley murmured.
“—and I’m not some feeble kid. I figured he might be scamming me, but I’d be able to get away if shit got rough.”
“But you couldn’t,” Gethin supplied.
“I didn’t know vampires fuckingexisted,”James said hotly, the first sign of a spark in his indignation. “I mean, we all know the stories, but, uh, seems like they’re true.” He stabbed at some toast crumbs dotted on the plate. “He took time with me when I told him I have a degree of hearing loss in both ears. Didn’t mind repeating himself. I thought it meant he liked me. People can be mean sometimes. They say I’m stupid when I can’t hear properly, but I just need it to be quiet.” He inhaled shakily. “He was nice at first. Took me back to his place. Gave me booze and some weed. But then he hurt me…A lot.” Sorley noted his hands were trembling. “He didn’t like it when I said no. Don’t think he likes that word.”His scoff was harsh, then he whispered, “I don’t think many blokes turn him down.”
Sorley felt his molars crunch as he ground them together. They already knew they were dealing with a murderer. Was this shitstain more than that? Keeping his tone neutral, he asked, “He’s good looking?”
James shrugged. “If you like that sort of thing. Tall and uh, kinda ripped. Blond shaggy hair like he goes to a fancy barber. Green eyes. Designer stubble. Nice threads. He looks like a model himself. I’m not gay,” A hint of defensiveness crept into his tone, almost as if he was trying to convince himself, “but I’m not blind. He’s fit…I guess.” He scrubbed a hand across his eyes and repeated, “I’m really not gay, whatever he said.”
Sorley’s blood ran cold. James sounded like someone on whom thrall was only partially effective, and who was fighting a suggestion that had been continually pushed into his mind. Gethin clicked his tongue softly. Sorley looked up to meet his boyfriend’s raised eyebrows. He absorbed Gethin’s unspoken question and shook his head. The vamp sounded classically attractive, but their transformation to immortal life usually gave Mother Nature a boost to enhance whatever they’d been born with. It was so much easier to enthrall a food source when they were half dazzled by beauty. But the description didn’t ring a bell; he still had no idea who they were dealing with. He urged James to go on.
“He kept me in a room. It was okay at first. I had a bed and a TV and everything.” He blushed. “A loo. But he left me alone and locked up for hours at a time. I was hungry, and thirsty, but I got water from the basin tap. It didn’t taste great, but it was alright. He didn’t let me shower, or have clean clothes. I tried to keep as clean as I could.” His voice lost its defensive tone and began to sound weary and defeated. “He hurt me.” A tear leaked from his eye and trickled down his cheek. “I didn’t mind so much when he bit me, but he hurt me a lot.”
Sorley caught the look on Gethin’s face and knew they were both thinking the same thing. He had to control his rage or he’d frighten the kid.
Craaackk.He stared down at his mug, watching the liquid seep over his hand and onto the work top. Oops.
“I’ll get a cloth.”
Gethin helped him clean up, then jabbed a finger at the congealed remains on James’ plate. “You done with this?”
“Sorry I couldn’t eat any more. It was really good. I’m just…” He tailed off, his eyes misty as if he was trying desperately to keep a hold of his emotions.
Sorley cleared his throat. “Would you like a shower and some clean clothes?” He threw a hint of challenge in Gethin’s direction. “We’re taking off the cuffs. He’s no threat.”
“I agree.”
Sorley left James with Gethin while he went to hunt out some clothes to lend, or more likely, give the kid. When he returned, Gethin was handing Marlowe some cash which Marlowe was attempting to hand back. Gethin snarled. Marlowe threw his hands up.
“Okay, I’ll take it. You want receipts, I presume, if it’s on expenses?”
“Whatever,” Gethin growled. “Watch your phone in case I think of anything else.”
The mage hurried out the front door and Gethin locked it securely behind him. Back in the kitchen, he said, “Painkillers and stuff like arnica, in case James needs anything.”
To James, he said, “There’s a shower room in the basement. I’ll take your cuffs off, then Sorley will keep an ear out for you while you get clean.”
42
GETHIN
When he could hearthe water running, Gethin slipped downstairs to speak to Sorley.
