Page 12 of Plug and Tame

All the pups’ eyes were shut as they slept, unaware of the fate awaiting them.

All except one. The dark-furred pup whose ears had pricked now opened her eyes, and she lifted her snout from the bone and scented the air.

Kira’s heart jolted as she recognised that part of her—the one who was feisty and wary of strangers.

“Perhaps, we best skip this part,” Nathaniel said quietly.

Dark smoke billowed at the edges of Kira’s vision, but she seized Nathaniel’s arm, her hand passing right through in the dreamlike state even though she gripped his shirt in the cave.

“Wait,” she said, her gaze fixed on the awake pup. The pup was now on all four paws, pulling the dark ear of another one to rouse her.

The second pup lifted her head blearily, blinking sleepy eyes. Kira immediately recognised her as the shy, sensitive one.

The first pup whined and pulled at her coat, urging her to rise.

Other pups were stirring as the sound of commotion outside in the corridor grew louder.

“Kira…you do not need to see this,” Nathaniel said.

“Yes, I do.”

The swirling smoke receded just as a door opened and a guard burst into the room. All of the cubs looked up as the guard shut the door and barricaded it.

Kira’s insides twisted as the shouts on the other side grew louder.

“All of you, hide!” urged the guard, his face slick with sweat. “Now!”

Fear stabbed through Kira. The two pups she’d been watching were the first to move, scampering away to the far end of the room. The others merely blinked in confusion.

“Run!” Kira shrieked, running forward as if to shepherd them, but they did not see her. Her eyes welled with tears, her heart breaking and the air too thick to breathe as she desperately tried to prevent what had already happened fifteen years ago.

A second later, the door crashed open.

A young, fourteen-year-old Nathaniel walked in, his build more gangly than it was now, his blue eyes carrying uncertainty as he surveyed the pups.

He was flanked by several adult vampires in black cloaks that hung open, revealing blood-red clothes. There was something unearthly about their appearance; their skin was grey, their hair dry and brittle, the shadows under their eyes purple like bruises. They stood straight-backed and eerily still, but when they did move, they were quick and precise.

“Made vampires,” Nathaniel said with dismay. “My father’s creations.”

Kira stood in front of the pups, trying to shield them.

“What are you waiting for, Nathaniel?” leered one, his voice harsh and wicked. “Easy prey.”

Kira tensed as she realised what that made vampire was asking. She snapped her head to look at the adult Nathaniel beside her, silently asking if he’d really killed the cubs himself.

His jaw muscles flexed visibly. “No, I did not. Could not. But…I stood by and did nothing.”

Wide eyed, she returned her gaze to the young Nathaniel who had not moved.

The made vampire made a disapproving sound. “Your father will not be pleased,” he remarked absently, scooping up a cub who was trying to get away. Without warning, he bit the pup, who yelped in pain, his shrill howls sending the other pups scattering.

“Enough,” Kira whispered, panic filling her like wildfire as the made vampires advanced on the fleeing pups. “I’ve seen enough. Please.”

Nathaniel squeezed her hand.

Blue smoke swept the scene away, but not before she saw the made vampire who’d spoken discard the drained pup at the young Nathaniel’s feet.

“You can take credit for that one, if you wish,” the made vampire mocked.