Fire And Ice

Chapter 85 - Cross The Line

Natalia's P. O. V

She didn't get far.

Everything I'd done to her up until this point would heal. But I couldn't go through all this trouble and not leave her something to remember me by. So I turned up the heat on one hand and gloved the other so I could smear Wolvesbane on her from the pouch I'd brought.

I'd planned to force it into her mouth, have it sear her lying tongue before allowing her to spit it back out, but ingesting even an ounce would likely kill the baby that prevented her shifting to escape me. And it was so much more fun this way.

So, I settled for using it to decorate her body, then compounding the wounds with fire.

I toyed with her, revelling in every terrified glance she gave at the slightest sound. Her screams and cries were piercing melodies to the performance of the pain I inflicted.

She was scampering away on all fours, looking behind and around her for any sign of me, when she finally succumbed to the agony and passed out in a heap on the forest floor.

I stood over her and soon after, Kirstin joined me.

Her mouth was drawn in a tight line as she stared down at Kylie's prone form, arms crossed.

"She's carrying my mate's baby..." She said, her voice empty.

I couldn't see myself being this shaken if I were to find out Brittany and Callum were expecting. They weren't worth the heartbreak and neither was Harry. But she was obviously affected so I did my best to understand.

I sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry..."

Frankly, I was surprised they hadn't already popped a few of their spawn out.

She shook her head, holding back the tears that glossed her eyes, "It is what it is. I shouldn't be surprised."

After that, she said nothing and silence reigned on our way back. As we drew closer to the rental, I put the necklace on Kylie's unconscious form and did my best to look natural while dragging her body through the streets.

We returned to see Hailey and Timothy pulling up to the driveway.

"Hey, Ari." Hailey greeted, hopping down from the van, "Hi Kirstin, how've you been?"

"I've been okay. Just... looking forward to this all being over." She replied, shifting her weight.

Hailey's expression softened, and she offered a hug that Kirstin took, "It'll all be over soon, just be a couple more days."

Kirstin sniffled and nodded into her shoulder.

I guess that's how you properly comforted someone.

Timothy walked over to me as the two of them went inside.

"Who've you got there?" He jutted his chin at the hand that was holding Kylie, "Don't tell me you kidnapped another person."

I gave him a toothy grin, "Another? The first three were on my territory. It doesn't count if they came to me."

He shook his head, "You tortured someone again."

I looked off to the side, suddenly interested in the van's detailing. It had a nice light blue finish, "I don't know what you're talking about, we just played in the forest a bit."

He raised a brow, folding his arms, "Oh yeah? What kind of game did you play?"

"Tag. She wasn't very good at it."

He almost chuckled, but caught himself and looked at the van, "Good thing there's room for one more."

He helped me deposit her with the others. Since we couldn't rely on Wolvesbane to keep her down, we upped the drug dosage and secured her to the van.