Mythical Link ▸ Link Neal {Book One}

Seventy One

     Rhett blinked several times. "You mean, scream scream?" 

     She nodded emphatically. "Scream like he did Sunday night! When mom said that dad scared it away, I knew that it was his scream that scared it away."

     "And his scream is powerful enough to turn a werewolf out of its shift," he mumbled under his breath, realizing where Lily was going with this. He locked eyes with Lily, raising his eyebrows. "You understand that if we make him scream, it's going to hurt your ears."

     "Oh I know. We'll just plug our ears with our hands," she said excitedly. She thought it was the coolest thing that her dad had this ability, and she was genuinely excited to see how it works up close and in person. She suddenly grasped Rhett by the hand and began leading him up the stairs. He paused midway, digging his heels into the step. 

     Lily recoiled backward and looked at Rhett incredulously. "We have to take it slow, honey. We don't want to,-" he was cut off by Link crying out and Lily and Rhett took off up the stairs without another word.

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     Link's eyes slowly fluttered open, his head feeling like it was going to split into two. He lowered his eyes to his lap, swallowing as he realized how desert dry his throat was. He saw that he was strapped to Lincoln's computer chair, bound by the ankles and wrists with something leather. His eyes widened as he pulled up on the leather, feeling it burrow into his skin with a searing hot sensation. He cried out in frustration, contorting his body to get the chair to teeter.

     "I wouldn't advise you do that," a voice came from the darkness. Link narrowed his eyes, watching as the silhouette joined him in the street light that was cascading through the window. His eyes widened when he recognized the ponytail and leather jacket.

     "What do you want," Link said, his tone steady. 

     The man smiled, but it was a cold smile that never reached his eyes. "How familiar are you with idioms, Neal?" 

     Link's eyes drooped, he was feeling so worn and tired. The man stooped in front of him, just a few inches away from Link's face. Link struggled to make eye contact. 

     "If you can't beat them, join them." A sickening grin overtook his face as he flicked his claws out, curling his fingers around Link's throat. Link's stomach dropped through the floor as he flailed about in the seat, his nostrils flaring as he whined.

     "If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from my best friend." 

     The man released Link's throat and swiveled on his heel. Rhett stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest with a smug smirk on his lips, because he had just schooled this guy in idioms. The man narrowed his eyes as he slowly approached Rhett. Rhett kept his stance, ready to land a punch to the guy's head if he needed to. Rhett was surprised when the man stopped walking, tilting his head to the side.

"But you didn't say anything about his daughter. Why don't you come on in, Lily?" 

     Link's eyes widened and he struggled against his grips, grunting in the process. Rhett took a step forward, growling at the man. The man didn't even flinch. "Boys," he called, and Rhett swiveled on his heel when he heard somebody trample down the hall. He was suddenly grabbed by the arms and jerked backward, his arms being forcefully pinned to his back. 

     He cried out in pain as he was then tossed forward, and he hit the ground on his stomach and chest hard. He cried out again, his eyes stinging. He felt his arms pressed even harder against his back and a booted foot crushed the small of his back. He grit his teeth as he looked up at Link, to see him struggling as tears glistened his eyes.

     Lily then appeared in front of the doorway, a young man with red hair holding her by the arm. She looked up at him disdainfully as they stopped in the room in front of the man. 

     The man's lip curled into a smile as he lowered himself so that he was level with her. "So, Lily. Your dad finally spilled the beans about us, huh?"

     "Don't talk to her," Rhett grunted, and the dark haired boy applied more pressure with his foot. Link was struggling so much that the legs of the chairs were scraping across the floor. Lily narrowed her eyes as she looked into the man's.

     "I know one thing, my dear," he began, his voice icy. "You look like you're wise beyond your years. Too bad your father and his buddy don't possess those qualities. They wouldn't have been dumb enough to bring you here," he finished as he stroked her cheek. Lily's nostrils were flaring as she glared into the man's eyes.

     "Get your hands off of my daughter!" Link spoke through his teeth as he pulled up on the restraints, his veins bulging in his arms. The leather looked like it was beginning to thin out the harder he pulled. 

     The man chuckled and rose to his feet, turning to face Link. "You're not understanding something, Link. You're not going to do what I want willingly, so I have to give you incentive."

"What the hell do you want?" Link spat, and the man stopped in front of them, his features cold.

     "I want you to join me. I want you to join me in becoming the strongest Alpha in Burbank," he leaned forward, resting his hands over Link's restraints. "I want you to tell me where Terra is so I can kill her too." 

     Link's eyes widened and Rhett lifted his head, his face red from the pain. "Link," he choked. 

     The man snapped his head toward the dark haired man restraining Rhett. "Shut him up!" The dark haired man stooped and grabbed a fistful of Rhett's hair, pulling his hair back and slapping his hand over Rhett's mouth. 

     Lily heaved for a breath. "Dad, scream!" 

     Link's eyes narrowed, his heart stuttering in his chest. Why on earth would his daughter be telling him to scream? He may have been able to control the scream once, but he wasn't sure that he could do it again, and for what? None of these guys were shifted. What difference would it make? Rhett gave Link pleading eyes and Link shook his head, his lips trembling. 

     Suddenly, the man spun on his heel and took two large steps toward Lily, taking her by the throat and pinning her to the wall. "How about I eviscerate your precious child instead," he snarled, holding her firm against the wall with one hand as he flicked his claws out with the other. Lily's eyes widened and she cried, kicking her legs about. Her face was growing red, the oxygen being cut off to her brain completely.

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