The Soldier's Hostage

Chapter Eight

I blinked awake the next evening and tried to get up. I ended up yanking hard on my wrist, locked in the handcuff. Still not quite awake, I stared at my wrist, tugging again experimentally. Then I groaned and flopped back down onto the pillows.

"Well this is embarrassing." I debated whether I should wait for Arthur to find me or just call him and get it over with. My bladder made the decision for me. "Arthur?"

It only took two minutes for Arthur to come in. He skidded to a halt in confusion when he realized my problem. I thought I caught a slight upturn of his mouth in amusement as he left to retrieve the key. He returned in short order to unlock my wrist, carefully neutral. He didn't say anything about me locking myself up in my sleep.

I glanced at him when he seemed to be debating what to do with the cuffs. I needed the restroom however. When I was done in there I washed up and was on my way to the kitchen when I noted something. I glanced back into my room and swallowed. For whatever reason, Arthur had left the cuffs hanging from the bedpost.

I sighed, shaking my head as I went out to figure out what I was going to do about breakfast. I was a little surprised when Arthur sent me back to my room to get ready to go out. Then we went to get coffee and muffins.

It was a little after Arthur had dropped me off and left for work that I worked it all out. Arthur was attempting to give me as much freedom as possible before I went back to Sophia's. I appreciated that. The cuffs, on the other hand, he had left in case I felt the need to lock myself up again. I shivered and set about trying to distract myself. The fact that Arthur had noticed I felt more comfortable restrained in some way was a little embarrassing.

A day later and we were all assembling in Katty's apartment to wait for Sophia's arrival. I went to stand with Max and the others. I noticed several worried looks thrown our way. Emilio in particular was looking rather possessive. I just tried to ignore it all, breathing deep and tensing in readiness.

When Sophia swept in the door, it went about how I had expected it to.

Max jerked Jake behind him and shoved me aside as Sophia rushed us, hunger in her eyes. I pushed Jake behind me and got right behind Max. When she was through with him, I would be the next one she would feed from. After the both of us, she would be less likely to kill the last three.

I glanced at Arthur and noticed him watching me. He seemed almost... worried. My attention was dragged from him as Sophia dropped Max and he crumpled to the floor. I couldn't even try to grab him and soften his fall, or run the risk of her bypassing me for the others. Then I was stiffening in fear as she grabbed me.

Fangs ripped into my throat. Pain, cold and sharp. I fought the instinct to struggle, knowing that would only further my wounds. Make it that much harder to heal. She drank me in, making me go cold and weak. Then heat flooded me. A larger dose of pheromones than usual.

I started to black out. I regretted having to die. Then I was on the floor, shivering and too weak to do much besides just hang on to life.

I forced my eyes open when I was moved. Sable was propping me up. Pressing something to my lips. I drank in the juice she was offering. I needed it. I managed to get the entire thing down, then she pressed a couple cookies into my hand.

I managed to bring one to my mouth as she moved on to the next. Isaac, I thought. I tried to focus on the conversation taking place. It was getting loud. Katty was standing firm even as Sophia snarled in anger. She suddenly turned to stalk out the door.

"Your humans?"

Sophia paused and looked back at us. "They're no use to me anymore. Do as you like with them. Though I might kill that dark eyed one were I you. He's still not broken properly. Though I suppose it would break him to watch his little friends die." She turned and stalked out the door.