Love Bites

Him, Her, Them

White hot rage seared through him. Nothing in his path survived his anger as he threw, kicked and smashed everything he could lay his hands on. They were fucking monsters! He knew deep down that he had his role to play in it, that really he only had himself to blame but that didn't do anything to dispel all that he was feeling right now.

Slumping into a chair, his anger suddenly spent he felt a new feeling, one he didn't remember feeling before, one that hurt worse than a stake in the heart; he felt helpless. As the ultimate predator he's always felt powerful, in control. He knew that he was superior at everything, and that whatever life threw at him he could conquer it. Now though, now he didn't know what to do and he knew there was no way to fix what had been done. She was dead and it all his fault.

                                                                                                ***

Pain shot through her wrists as the rope she was tied with bit into them, she twisted and tugged but the bonds did not loosen. The room was dark, but she could make out the bed she was on, and an armchair next to the window. The room, other than that, was bare. She could smell the damp and somewhere close by water dripped in a methodical pattern. She tried to relax, ignore the pain that was seeping slowly up her arms, and concentrate on her surroundings. She reached out her mind, like she'd been taught and discovered one other consciousness but unlike when she'd communicated using mind talk before, this one was closed. It felt as if there was a literal wall that she was pushing against to no avail. Whoever it was they were guarded and she was not getting in.

                                                                                            ***

The view from his office was spectacular, but he could not enjoy it. He had been right about Cal's little pet, she was exactly what he thought she was. However, Marcus had been more closed off about the other one and try as he might they hadn't been able to locate her. The fact that Cal had come to the Council Head Office, even under that stupid disguise, looking for her meant they he didn't know where she was either. He'd definitely found the room, seen the blood but with nothing else to go on he'd headed straight back home. The vampires he had staking out his home had confirmed as much, and they had not seen anyone other than the witch bitch at the house.

                                                                                           ***

Neither knew what to do next. Neither had any idea what was happening or why. Neither wanted to admit that there was a possibility his future was already gone.

"Cal," Cassie said gently. "What do we do now?"

Cal blew out a frustrated breath and raked his hand through his hair, he lent against the door frame with his right forearm, holding on to the upper frame with his hand. "I don't know." he admitted, his voice flat.

The ringing of his mobile made them both jump and he snatched it up with lightning reflexes.

"Tash?"

The caller on the other end laughed, a cruel chuckle that Cassie shrank back from. "No."

"Marcus, I don't have time to deal with any of your bullshit right now." Cal growled and went to hang up.

"If you want to rescue your little girlfriend, you'll make the time."

Cal and Cassie stopped still and locked eyes. "Speak."

"It doesn't work that way Cal. You're not the one calling the shots anymore." Marcus snapped, sounding almost petulant.