Chapter Three
A ppearing in Maxim’s office, Max stood still, waiting for Maxim to speak. Just because he was Maxim’s son didn’t mean he got any special attention or treatment. Feet spread, hands behind his back, head held up, Max’s eyes focused on the floor as was expected when in the presence of Maxim or one of his fellow leaders.
“Max. Where have you been?”
“Tracking the one known as Key, as ordered, Sir.”
“Anything?”
“His mate keeps a close eye on him. When he is working, the human is generally in their security area where he is protected. It will be difficult to take him but not impossible.”
“Why not impossible?” Maxim sat at his desk and picked up his hunting knife, twirling it between his fingers.
“There are times when he is alone. Very few, but they happen. It’s a matter of following him at the time one occurs. Usually if he needs to buy something. He tends to order online but there is the odd occasion where he has gone out. His mate, Kelvin, would be easier as he’s out on the street. We tranq him and move him. Select a location where we can do whatever we want.”
Maxim grunted. “The vampire. That’s your solution.”
“No, Sir. My solution would be to capture both of them then use the human against the vampire. They’re mated. Easier to control.”
“My advisors have mentioned taking the human but not both. Why do you think your idea is any better?”
“Because the vampire will do anything and everything to keep his mate safe.”
“I like that idea. We show him the human after we’ve had a talk with him, and he’ll be more agreeable.”
“Talk?”
Maxim smirked. “With a knife as well. Carve his pathetic little face up.”
Max held his face blank. Inside was another matter. How were they even related? No, if he hadn’t met Rex this could have easily been him. Maxim would have made him a mini me, eager to hunt and hurt and kill humans and vampires who disagreed with him. Rex had saved him from this future.
“Whatever works. They’re mated. The vampire will not want anyone touching his mate. In any way.”
Maxim arched an eyebrow. “Rape? What respectable vampire would want to touch him ?”
Again, Max kept his face blank. He was well aware of the thoughts of Maxim where gay people were concerned. He held them in the same disdain as humans. “They don’t have to. All they have to do is make the human think they will. His screams will do the rest, especially if the vampire is close enough to hear them.”
Maxim grinned. “I’ll consider the idea.” Straightening in his chair, he pointed to the door. “I need you to find out what’s happening with Minho. He was seen in a cafe with some human. Another potential weakness we can exploit.”
“Yes, Sir,” Max said then left Maxim’s office, keeping his back ramrod straight. Even when he was in his room, he still didn’t let his guard down. He knew Maxim had his room bugged. Grabbing his gun, Max teleported to the room where they had their own security in place.
Standing next to Asa, he asked, “I need to track the vampire Minho.”
“Maxim sent us your orders. I’ll send the info to your phone. Start at the cafe. That’s where he’s been seen recently. I think he’s interested in the human, so I’m watching him and the cafe.”
“I’ll go now and stake the place out.”
He left security and appeared in an alley close to the café, pulling his hood up over his face, shadowing it. Rex.
How are you? How did your meeting go?
I need to give you a heads up. Maxim is after Minho and Peter. I’m tailing Peter now.
How does he know about my dad?
Max could feel the concern and fear through their connection. Someone saw Minho with Peter in the cafe. They figure something is going on.
Shit. What do I do? Should I warn them?
I don’t know. If you warn them then they’ll ask how you know.
Maybe we should tell them about us.
Max closed his eyes. He wanted nothing more, but if they knew and the information somehow leaked, then Maxim would know and Max was as good as dead. Maxim would never keep him alive if he knew he was mated to a human.
We can’t. Not yet. This will be over soon and then we will be free of him.
I can ask about security. I’ll figure something out. Please be careful.
I love you.
I love you too.
Max moved closer to the mouth of the alley and watched Peter clean tables, smiling at a couple sitting at one. Max had no idea what that felt like. He’d never been able to go into human places, sit and have a drink or eat a meal. From the moment he’d been born, he had only ever been taught that humans were bad and needed to be removed. Every skill he had was for that goal. What would it feel like to sit in that cafe with Rex and be happy?
Closing his eyes briefly, Max exhaled. Opening them, he moved to stand next to a tree, not caring if he was seen or not. Furrowing his brow, he watched Peter. Maybe if Peter did see him, he’d reach out to Minho, and they might be more cautious.
Moving to the edge of the road, Max stood and watched, waiting for Peter to notice him. Minutes ticked by before Peter stared at him then moved to the door. Max darted back down the alley, knowing Minho was seconds away. As soon as Peter contacted him, Minho would appear to keep his mate safe.
Max found a safe place, away from prying eyes, and reached out to Rex. I’m coming.
Rex jumped up from his bed and hugged him. “I’m scared.”
Max hugged him back, needing to feel him in his arms. “Me too. I don’t know what to do.”
“Whatever you decide, I’ll be right here with you.”
Max nuzzled Rex’s neck, fingers sliding through Rex’s chestnut hair. “I don’t know what I’d do if they found out about you.”
“They won’t, because you’ll keep me safe.” Rex pulled back and palmed Max’s face. “We should tell my dad. Now that he’s mated with Minho I know they’ll help us.”
“I need a little more time. I need to find out what his plan is. I know he wants a man inside. He had one but he was found out. He needs someone else so he can have all his pieces in place and set his plan in motion. We’re so close now. I know he’s almost ready. I can’t leave now.”
“Soon.”
Max kissed him then moved back. “Watch your back.”
Rex nodded and Max left, going back to a location near the cafe. He dropped into a crouch and concentrated on the area around him, filtering through the sounds. He knew how Minho sounded, and when he couldn’t hear him, he stood and moved onto the sidewalk, mingling in with the crowd.
Walking past the cafe, he noticed Peter talking to Minho, who was busy watching people outside. Max made sure not to look suspicious. He didn’t want to trigger Minho’s interest in him. Not yet. He ducked back into an alley and teleported to the cabin, his one safe place.
Checking the security system he had in place and satisfied everything was how it should be, Max shrugged off his coat and kicked his sneakers free, and went to the fire. Crouching, he quickly made it with wood and kindling, then lit a match and set the pieces of paper on fire. It didn’t take long to get going, and once he was satisfied it wasn’t going to go out, he went to the kitchen and made a sandwich.
At the table, he picked up the book he was reading about the American Civil War. Maxim didn’t want him to learn anything like this, but Max was fascinated by history, and Rex was always finding a new book for him to read. He’d only allow himself one chapter before tackling the dreaded math homework Rex had given him.
Algebra?
He could almost hear the laughter coming from Rex. I’ve never used it but if you want to become a physicist one day you might need it.
A vampire physicist who can only work at night. Maybe an astronomer would be better suited for a night owl like me.
Everything go okay?
For now. I’ll need to go back with something. I have a couple of days at most, so I have that much time to find out what he’s up to.
Don’t get yourself hurt.
I won’t. I have you to come home to.
I’m going to bed. I love you.
Love you too.
Max sighed and finished reading the chapter on the war then grabbed the math textbook and sighed heavily. His phone rang and he glanced at the screen, freezing when he saw Maxim’s name.
“Yes.”
“Where are you?”
“I’ve been watching the human. I believe there is something between him and Minho.”
“Come here now.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Leaving everything where it was, Max pulled his sneakers on and pulled his coat on. Making the fire safe, Max concentrated on Maxim’s office and appeared there a second later. The chair at the desk was empty and he took a step forward before being sucker punched in the back of his head. Staggering forward, he spun and stared up into Maxim’s glacial cold blue eyes.
“Where were you?”
“I told you, Sir. Watching the café. The CCTV will confirm this.”
Maxim nodded to the two vampires standing by the door. “Make sure he’s telling the truth.”
Max straightened, knowing he was about to be punished, and nodded. Walking over to the two vampires, he followed them outside and let them take him to the room that Maxim had designated the punishment room. It was bare, with no windows to the outside, but had one between this room and the one next to it. There, Maxim could watch and dictate.
“Strip.”
Max stripped naked and stood as calmly as possible. Maxim’s favorite interrogator picked up a cane and whacked it against his hand. Max inhaled then slowly exhaled and waited for the first blow to land.
“Where were you?”
“When I left here, I teleported to an alley near the cafe where we believe the human Minho is involved with works.”
He bit back the hiss of pain when the cane landed across his back. “After that?”
“I moved closer so I could watch.” He barely managed to get the words out before two more blows landed. One from the cane and one from a whip. Both vampires were hitting him now.”
“And?”
“Minho didn’t appear, and I had to come here before I could follow the human to his home.”
Several strikes to his back had him staggering a couple of steps forward before he could stop himself. That meant more punishment and increased severity. He lost count of how many times they hit him, but when the red-hot poker was placed at the top of his neck, he gave out and he dropped to his knees.
“Again. Tell me what you did.”
Max somehow managed to lift his head and repeat what he’d said. A knock on the glass and a second later the door opened. “You’re free to go.”
Somehow Max managed to stand and dress. He pulled his shoulders back, held his head high and ignored the pain that burned with every move he made. He walked out of the room and nodded his head toward Maxim as he passed.
“I need you to follow this Peter tomorrow. Make sure you’re here on time tomorrow.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He kept upright as he left the building, then teleported to his own apartment on the commune grounds. He dropped to his knees and fell forward, one hand hitting the floor to stop his face landing there first. He had less than twenty-four hours, and if he wasn’t ready to work he would be in trouble, and it would be worse than what he’d just suffered.