His Love

Chapter 37

Unknown POV

I woke to find my body suspended from the ceiling, cold silver chains biting into my wrists.

The dimly lit room smelled faintly of iron and damp stone. The walls were lined with tools that suggested one thing—torture.

I sighed, letting my head rest back against the wall. This is what I get for working with that hag.

I tried to use my arms to support my weight, but the effort drained me quickly. Minutes dragged on, and although I managed to hold myself up for a while, my strength eventually gave out. I hung limply, the metal digging deeper into my skin. My hands began to go numb, circulation cut off. My vision blurred, darkness creeping in at the edges, and before I knew it, consciousness slipped away again.

⸻

Klaus's POV

"He's drowned," I scoffed, running a hand down my face in exasperation.

Rebekah, walking beside me, frowned as if I'd doubted her. "I told you, Nik. That's what he did."

We were passing the cellar when Freya joined us. "Should we really be discussing this here?" she asked, eyeing the staked vampires lining the walls.

Rebekah ignored her. "So, how was Tara last night?" she asked with a smirk.

"Tired," I said curtly. "She fell asleep as soon as we returned to the room."

When we reached the cellar door, I opened it to find a man dressed in black hanging from the chains in the center of the room. I turned to my sisters with a sardonic smile. "Excellent work, as always."

Grabbing a nearby bucket, I threw the water over him. His body jerked and he coughed violently, his eyes flying open, darting around in panic.

"Good. Awake," I said, stepping closer. "Let me be clear—the last man they sent here didn't survive long enough for me to have any fun. So, if you don't cooperate, I'll make up for lost time."

He just stared at me in silence.

"Have it your way," I muttered, then drove my fist into his stomach. He wheezed, doubling over, but I kept punching until blood dripped from his mouth.

"You hit like a child," he spat, grinning through bloody teeth.

Rebekah's heels clicked sharply against the concrete as she approached. "Let me try, Nik," she said, amused.

She leaned down and whispered something in his ear, but it had little effect.

"I'd like to see you try," he taunted.

Her smile didn't falter. She walked over to the table of knives, letting her fingers trail over the blades until she found one she liked—a sharp, glinting dagger.

"What are you doing, Rebekah?" I asked, folding my arms.

She ignored me and began unbuckling his belt.

"Really, Rebekah? Must I watch this?" I sighed, turning away.

Freya made a disgusted sound. "This is why I hate getting involved in your messes."

Rebekah pulled down the man's trousers, then reached for his undergarments. He thrashed against the chains.

"Get your filthy hands off me, you vile creature!" he shouted.

I growled. "Do not speak about my sister that way."

With one swift motion, Rebekah yanked off his undergarments. I immediately turned my back.

"Damn it, Rebekah. Some of us don't want to see that," I snapped.

"This is why I hate men," Freya muttered.

Rebekah only laughed, clearly enjoying herself. "We know who sent you. What we need to know is their plan and why they wanted you watching Tara."

He glared at me, staying silent.

She pressed the knife to his groin, her voice low and dangerous. "Talk, or I'll castrate you."

His bravado cracked. "Fine! Fine!" he whimpered. "Her parents hired me. They wanted to make sure she was safe. The last witch they sent failed, so they sent me. I was only supposed to gather pictures and videos for them!"

"What are they planning?" I demanded.

"I don't know," he stammered.

Rebekah nicked the skin with her blade, drawing a thin line of blood.

"Wait! Okay! I overheard them talking about a dance—something's supposed to happen there!"

Freya raised an eyebrow. "A dance? That's it?"

Rebekah sighed, unimpressed. Then, without hesitation, she tightened her grip on the knife and sliced.

The man screamed as blood poured from his mutilated groin. "That's for calling me a bitch," Rebekah said coldly, wiping the blade clean.

Freya muttered an incantation, sealing the man's mouth shut.

"Really, Rebekah?" I groaned. "You think I wanted to see that?"

"Oh, come now, Nik. It was funny," she smirked.

"At least now we know—the attack will happen at the dance," Freya said.

⸻

Klaus's POV

"We should tell Elijah," Rebekah suggested. "The more protection, the better."

"No," I said firmly.

Rebekah rolled her eyes as I turned to Freya. "Give him his voice back."

She obliged, and the man gasped for air.

"You don't have to kill me," he pleaded.

"Oh, but I do," I said, stepping closer. "You insulted my sister, stalked my fiancée, and dared to think you could get away with it."

His eyes widened as I gripped his neck and twisted sharply. The snap echoed in the cellar.

Turning to Diego, who stood in the doorway, I said, "Clean this up."

Without waiting for a reply, I left, my sisters following.

"I'm going to check on Tara," I said.

"If only you were this nice to me," Rebekah teased.

Ignoring her, I made my way upstairs. From outside the door, I heard movement. She's awake.

I opened the door—and the sight before me stole my breath.