The Viking Alpha

Torture

James POV)

As soon as he left Cassandra at the library he took off toward the dungeons.
'Johnathan, meet me at the dungeons. I'd like to have a word with the rebels that caused trouble while I was away.'
He mind linked to his brother.
'With pleasure.'
The dungeons were exactly like you'd expect. Cold stone. Distant sounds of leaking water. Musty and moldy smells. He hoped Cassandra would never have to see this place. She was queen now but it was no place for her to be. It would be like putting an angel in purgatory. Everyone here was miserable, half crazed, and or about to be executed. The rebellions were easy to spot. He didn't spend much time here but he smelled the new scents. Three men were in separate cells. All facing each other. The wooden doors with the small barred windows concealed them. James's guard, Rexton stood close by. The warden of the dungeons unlocked the door. The man standing before James, shackled to the wall by silver thick chains, looked like any other pack member. But the look in his eye when he saw James said it all.
'So.' James pulled up a wooden chair and sat across from the man. 'Who are you?'
The man spit at James's feet. 'I'm not one of your subjects or people any more! You betrayed us! You saddle yourself with a human.' He snarled that last word like an insult. 'A weak, pathetic, whore who will make us all fall in the end. You are a disgrace to your own kind! To your heritage! What would the late king and queen say now, if they saw you?'
James was seeing red as soon as the man started speaking. His wolf was breaking through when he insulted Cassandra. But when his parents were brought up he lost all control. James vaulted across the room and picked the traitor up by his neck. His feet twitched in the air as he choked.
'YOU WILL REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE SPEAKING TO!' His alpha voice rang loud and clearly through the stone walls. It echoed off the walls. He could hear the whimpers from the other prisoners.
'That human is my mate! My family is no longer your concern. This pack is no longer yours. All I want to know is how many of you, rebellions, are there, beside the other two.'
The man continued to choke. Saliva formed at the corners of his mouth. His eyes were red and watery. James dropped him.
'Now. Shall we try again?' He asked, sitting down and facing the prisoner.
'Who are you? What is your name? How many are there?'
The man wheezed out a laugh.
'There could be many of us. I'm going to die here anyway. What do I have to lose?'
James eased back in the chair.
'Death can be delayed. Before that it could be very painful for you. But if you answer me now, I'll make it quick. I'll find out one way or another. You could spare your friends and family more humiliation. Or I could have them...interrogated, right in front of you. So, I ask, one more time. Who...are...you? How many of you are there?'
The man's face looked panicked. James wasn't sure which one but he struck a nerve somewhere.
'My...name is Lucien Rollu. Please...my wife. She's pregnant and innocent. She knew nothing!'
Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees he sneered at Lucien.
'You think so lowly of me. Why not make your wife pay for your crimes. What I'm not satisfied with just you?'
'NO! Please. Our unborn son is innocent!'
James shrugged. 'He could grow up to be like you. Maybe it's best to take care of the problem now. Who knows? Your son may be a future obstacle for my children.'
'No! Please. You can't do that!'
'I think I am alpha and king. I believe I'm entitled to do whatever I'd like. But, I'm not what you think I am. I'd never dream of hurting an innocent. That includes your wife. That is, if she is found innocent. If not, we will wait for her to give birth, she will have her memory wiped, her wolf will be bound, and be banished to the human world. Completely alone. Someone else will raise your son here in the fae world.'
Lucien was crying now.
'Unless you don't want that to happen it would be in her best interest if you start talking right now.'
Lucien was happy to spill his guts after that picture was painted.
Soon after James moved to the next prisoner. This one was hysterical. He looked as young as twenty three. He ranted and raved. Hurled more insults at James, about Cassandra, and cursed his lineage. When James had heard enough, the torture chambers was next.
He was placed on a table made of silver. The sound and smell of burning flesh permeated through the room. When he still didn't speak, the wolvesbayne was then introduced. A small, non-lethal dose was injected in his bloodstream. When the wolvesbayne was injected James knew what the feeling would be like. His father had both him and Johnathan get a taste of it. So they knew what it was. It creates a burning pain all through the body. Like fire. Then the subject vomits black goo. While the subject lies there I a quivering mess madness can take over and you hallucinate. It helps get the truth out of someone. After the prisoners' screams died down, the vomiting ceased, he started mumbling to a man named Micheal. He was talking about little nonsensical things at first. After a little over an hour he said something that caught James's attention.
Something about a trade. Two birds with one stone. Overthrowing James as king. Just when they were getting somewhere the prisoner seized up then his heart gave out.
'No!' James was standing over him. Turning accusatory eyes on one of the guards that administered the shot.
'How much did you give him?'
The guard looked shocked.
'I-it was less then a teaspoon, your highness. I swear.'
Snatching up the syringe James took a whiff of the concoction inside.
'It's been mixed with silver!'
'I swear! I didn't do that. Please your majesty. I don't know how this could have happened.'
James willed his anger down.
'No matter. We have one more. Have someone see if you can track down this Micheal. Anyone seen or affiliated with this prisoner, have them questioned immediately.
The third prisoner was an old man. Almost completely white hair. His eyes spoke of age and a lifetime of knowledge. But considering where he was sitting now, maybe not so wise. He just sat staring at the wall across from him. Quiet and calm. When James told him what would happen if he didn't speak soon the man finally looked at him.
'Maybe, your highness we can make a deal? I may know something that can help you. You could kill me or torture me, but you may never know all you need to.'
'I don't make deals with traitors.' James spoke coldly.
'What if I became a man that saved you, and your precious mate? Your future as well.'
'What do you mean?'
'Do we have a deal?'
'No.'
The old man sighed. 'Pity.' With that he just sat back against the wall and continued to stare at nothing.
James had enough of this.
'Bring the wolvesbayne ropes. '
He mind linked to the guards.
Within seconds the guards strung him up by his wrists with the rope that had been soaking in wolvesbayne. He was hung up from the rafters. Dangling three feet off the ground. He groaned in pain as it burned his flesh.
'You will stay like that for the night. Maybe by morning you will have something to tell me.' James left the cell.
'Watch him. Tell me when he is ready to talk.' He ordered the guard.
'Yes, your majesty.' He bowed as he spoke.
'That went well.' His brother recapped as they left the cell. 'Not much to go on so far besides a name.'
'We still have one more.'
'But will he talk?'
'He doesn't have much choice.'
'Hope you're right.'
Checking his watch as he left the dungeons, he realized he had been there for three hours.
Cassandra's tea was well over by now. He froze.
'Shit! We missed the hunting appointment.'
'Yeah.' His brother looked sheepish. 'I was gonna mention that but it looked like you were in the zone.'
Glaring at Johnathan he mind linked quickly to the maids and few guards watching Cassandra for an update. Apparently it went well at first. Until an hour ago. Then the three women became drunk and were laughing then they were...crying? He had to speak to Cassandra quickly. Rushing up to their room he showered and then he mind linked Rexton, and a couple other guards to find Elijah apologize on his behalf and bring him to the woods. He would be there shortly. Then he sent a message to his brother to meet him there as well.
Finding her wasn't difficult. She was by the fountain that they were at yesterday. Except she was still with Natalie and Madga. The children were nowhere to be seen. The three women were barefoot and dancing to flute music played by one of the court entertainers. The two women and the man playing the flute stopped what they were doing when they felt his presence approaching. The women clumsily bowed as the man kneeled.
Cassandra back was turned to him. She came to a halt and then swayed a bit unsteady.
'Heeeyyyyy. You guys don't have to bow to me right now.' She giggled. 'I'd actually prefer it if you didn't.' Her voice was slurred.
'Cassandra.' James called now right behind her.
She spun and tilted sideways. He kept her steady by holding her arms.
Her smile dazzled him.
'Hi! You're here! My new friends and I are having a blast! You guys sure keep good liquor around here. It's been very good to us, that's for sure. Am I right, ladies?' She wobbled as she turned to face the women. Natalie and Magda looked as drunk as Cassandra. They covered their mouths as they tried to hold back the girlish giggles.
He chuckled. 'That's very good that you three ladies are enjoying yourselves. Where are the children?'
'Oh.' Natalie spoke up. 'Cas...er...H-her majesty suggested we have a...a...what was it again?'
Natalie looked at Cassandra wide eyed. Was she about to call Cassandra by her given name? Perhaps they all bonded rather quickly. Or maybe it was the alcohol that was to blame?
Cassandra laughed. 'A happy hour!'
All three women laughed.
'It's been a very happy hour.' Magda piped up.
'So,' Natalie continued. 'A couple of the maids offered to take the children to bake in the kitchen with them. They are very nice ladies. They deserve something nice.' Natalie sniffed.
'We should have them join us next time! It'd be a girls night.' Cassandra suggested excitedly.
'Yes!' The women cheered.
Chuckling again. He kissed Cassandra's cheek. 'Well. I'll let you ladies continue your fun. The men and I are going hunting.'
Cassandra peered up at him.
'I thought you already did that?'
'No. I get held up with politics and other boring royal duties.'
Cassandra didn't look fooled. She squinted up at him.
'Know what I think?' She asked.
'No, sweets. What do you think?'
She poked him in the chest while leaning into him.
'I think you're up to something. Something you don't want me to know about.'
He stiffened. Even drunk she was intuitive.
Forcing a smile, he kissed her on the head. No way in hell he was going to put the horrible images in her head.
'Nothing that concerns you at the moment, love. I'm going now. Go have some more fun. I'll have one of the servants bring something for you to eat.'
'Oh thank you, your highness! I'm ravenous.' Madga announced.
'Then it's settled. Enjoy.' He turned to Cassandra and kissed her one more time softly on the lips. He didn't expect her to grab him and kiss him so passionately. But it was quick. He was actually almost breathless when she pulled away.
Smiling, he gave her a peck on the lips again. Their audience was looking away. The women giggling again.
Turning away, Madga's voice stunned him into an abrupt halt
'Will you tell that no good, cheating, sadistic, abusive, bastard mate of mine that we are through?! I don't want him near or ever to touch me or my daughter again!' Tears were in Madga's eyes as she spoke. Anger and pain were clear in her face.
Cassandra and Natalie consoled her while hugging Madga on both sides.
'You can stay with me.' Natalie offered. 'My mate won't mind.'
'Or me. We have plenty of room I'm sure.' Cassandra soothed.
James's eyes went wide.
Not only apparently had Elijah been physically abusing Madga but their daughter too! Nausea swam in his stomach. Anger soon followed. Time for the hunt!