Chapter Seven #2
“What a pretty little creature,” Vex continued, reaching toward Newt’s face. “I’ve never tortured a fae before. I wonder if they scream differently.”
Vaughn’s claws dug into his palms, drawing blood. The smell of Newt’s fear filled the room, sharp and acrid. Beneath it lay the scent of determination. His mate wasn’t broken yet, and Vaughn would keep it that way.
“I’ll tell you what,” Vex said, sliding the knife from his thigh with a wet sound. Dark ichor, not blood, oozed from the wound. “Let’s play a new game.”
The demon traced the bloody blade along Newt’s jawline, leaving a crimson streak in its wake. “Such delicate wings these fae have. So easy to damage.”
Newt’s eyes widened in genuine terror. Vaughn remembered what his mate had said about his wings. If they tore, he would die.
Not just be injured. Die.
“Perhaps I’ll peel them from his back,” Vex mused, “one layer at a time. Or maybe turn this pretty thing inside out while you watch. So many possibilities.”
“Don’t touch him,” Vaughn growled, taking a step forward.
Vex’s smile widened. “Or you could take his place. Voluntarily.” He gestured toward the wall. “Let me finish what I started.”
Vaughn stared at the chains on the wall, the metal stained with his old blood. He remembered every second spent hanging there, pain becoming his entire world until he couldn’t remember anything else. The thought of returning to that place of helplessness made him physically ill.
But the alternative was watching Newt suffer, perhaps die. His beautiful, magic-challenged mate who had stumbled into his life and somehow made him feel something other than fear for the first time in months.
“No!” Newt cried, straining against his bonds. “Don’t do it, Vaughn! I can handle whatever he dishes out!”
Vaughn knew better. His fae, his virgin mate who’d never known true cruelty, wouldn’t survive what Vex had planned. The offer touched something deep inside him, though. Newt would sacrifice himself, would endure torture to spare Vaughn from reliving his nightmare.
But Vex had the demon power to amplify pain. Vaughn wouldn’t allow Newt to suffer the way he had. His mate wouldn’t survive the torture.
Hell, Vaughn had barely survived it. But had he really survived? No. Vex had broken him, though he would never confess that to the demon.
“So noble.” Vex laughed, the sound like breaking glass. “But we both know your wolf will never let you suffer, little fae. He’s too honorable.” The demon’s gaze slid to Vaughn. “Isn’t that right? Too honorable for your own good.”
Vex was right. Vaughn would do anything, endure anything, to keep Newt safe. Even if it meant walking willingly back into his own personal hell.
* * * *
Preston peeked inside Vaughn’s bedroom when no one answered, praying he didn’t witness any hanky-panky. He was already pushing his luck. His mate had told him to leave Vaughn and Newt alone right now, but that forlorn look on the fairy’s face had bothered Preston deeply.
He knew what it was like to run from something, and he not only wanted to offer Newt friendship, but—holy freak!—the guy was an actual fairy. Who wouldn’t be excited to hang out with one?
But it was mostly for friendship.
Nobody was in the room. Maybe that was a sign he really should leave Newt alone, for now. He started to close the door until he caught sight of Vaughn’s cell phone lying on the floor in front of the closet. Why would anyone leave their cell phone to get stepped on?
Calling himself a Nosy Nellie, Preston crossed the room and picked it up, turning it over in his hand. He wasn’t sure why, but something told him to tell Zeppelin about this. It might not be anything, but with what was going on lately, Preston wasn’t taking any chances.