The Midnight Within

Chapter 45

" Shall we play a game? " Black smirked, his eyes lifting from Daniels bruised face as he listened to the faintly mixed sounds of laughter, screams and music. " The next one to come through the door dies? Will it be the wolf bitch? Your sweet Mia or the tubby one? Who loves you enough to save you? Anyone? Of course the wolf bitch has a better chance than the others. " When Daniel didn't answer he looked down, chuckling. " Oh right." He pulled Daniels boxers from his mouth.

" Leave them alone. " Daniel snarled, surprising Black yet again. Most of their toys never lasted long but this one was a fighter. His blue eyes were dark with pain as were his thoughts.

" You're not in the position to tell me what to do. " Black dug a nail into one of the many cuts across Daniel's pale body.

" Fuck." gnashing his teeth together Daniel struggled against the belt that held his arms to the headboards.

Black shoved the boxers back into Daniel's mouth. " We could but your bleeding out and I hate when my partner dies before I cum." Chuckling, Black slapped him and was pleased to see that he still had some fire in his eyes. He had intended to do what Jack wanted and take the boy out but Daniels pain tolerance was admirable, besides, would it not be more fun to watch him stalk and kill his friends? The twins would hate it but that was something the three of them would have to fight out later.

Black plucked the boxers from Daniel's mouth once more. " Any last words? "

" Who is she? " Daniel was staring off into the corner.

" Oh you are fading fast."

" Tell me who she is, who's the blond and what did you do to her? "

Black's amber eyes blazed with hate. " She's long dead and if your seeing her then your almost dead as well."

" What did you do to her? " His eyes remained on the empty shadowy corner.

" I didn't....Jack took care of her for me and anytime you think you can take me or Jack

on just remember that all Vampires can die. "

Black bit his wrist, dark blood pattering down over Daniel's chest and mouth. He hoped it was not too late as he pressed his bleeding wrist to the boys mouth. Had he really seen her, And did he know what Jack had done? Impossible, only black and the twins knew the truth...unless? Black shook his head. The past was the past and he couldn't afford to be distracted by ghosts.

Out in the open Kate was able to concentrate on the wet grass, the smell of rain and blood. It was an old scent but she picked it up right away. Daniel's scent was weak but traceable and was in the same direction as the blood smell. Other scents were stronger, like Britt's perfume and the twins own musky smell. Zakk and Mia were mad to think they could take on either of them, especially if they felt threatened. Following the path through the dark trees she found the gate open and stopped to stare at the dark trailer. She tried to listen for movement and silently cursed

herself for being so dependant on the cocktail that Matty had made for her. She never thought she might need to someday use her senses and almost tripped over a branch as she approached the steps. She didn't need her senses to tell her that death was inside. She could smell blood and rotting food. It was also too quiet as she pushed open the door. She should have told Mia where she was going but it was too late for that.

Gagging, Kate tried to breath through her mouth, pushing herself further into the small space.

Flies buzzed everywhere and her first thought was that no one would dare to live in these conditions, but she had seen much worse at the asylum. Steeling her nerve she walked down a short hallway to what she thought was the bathroom before she realized it was a room so full of junk you couldn't even see inside it. At the end of the hall was a closed door, one she didn't want to check out. Regretting not asking Mia and Zakk to come with her she moved slowly down the dark and dirty hallway. At the door she placed her hand on the knob and pushed it open.

It was so dark inside the bedroom she almost didn't see him on the bed. Was it even a person? It was hard to tell, but she could smell him and it brought tears to her eyes. She was too late. She knew it even before she reached his side. Her eyes adjusted and she gasped at the sight of him, tied to the bed and covered in half healed bite marks. His belt was so tight around his neck his face was almost purple and the mattress under his back was dark with blood. For a horrible moment she thought he was dead.

~ What did you do? ~ She whined deep in her throat, struggling not to lose it as she reached out for him. He was cold to the touch and when she turned his head towards her his eyes were dark and empty. She didn't need to see them to know he would have fangs under his bruised upper lip. She wanted to puke, " No, oh no. " How could she tell Zakk or Mia there were too late to save him.

" What's the matter? Not a Fifty Shades kind of girl? " Black's voice was think with amused hate. Had he been there the whole time? Waiting for someone to come? Laughing at her panic? Growling deeply Kate turned her head to glare at the man who had caused her pain.

" Ohhh Wolf bitch wants a fight? " Black laughed.

Instinctively Kate looked for a weapon of some kind and came up empty. She also wondered where the twins were right before he launched himself at her, falling on top of her before she could roll out of the way, pinning her between Daniel and Black. Pain exploded in her shoulder as the newly born vampire sank his fangs deep, It hurt like hell but cleared her head enough for her to get her knee up and nail Black in the crotch and push him off her.

She dived for the open door and was crawling as fast as she could she made it over the threshold before he grabbed her ankle, pulling her back. Rolling over she kicked him in the face with her free leg and he let her go. She scrambled down hall, managing to get to her feet she reached the kitchen she slipped in more blood and went down hard.

" You're going to pay for that wolf bitch. " He was right behind her and pissed that she had gotten a few blows in. Bending down he picked her up by the hair. " I'm going to take my time with you. " He snarled as she struggled.

" Fuck you! " She screamed, trying to kick him again and only managing to hurt her foot as she kicked the salmon-colored fridge.

" Oh yes, we can do that too. After I gut you. " Black's nails raked across her belly, making her scream louder.

" MINE. " Broken's voice surprised both of them as he spoke. Neither of them had seen him crouched on the counter top and suddenly Kate hoped that Black would just end her life. " Don't worry, you will get your turn. " Black's amber eyes gleamed in the darkness as he wrenched Kate's arm up behind her back, making her scream again.

Growling, Broken leapt down from his perch, bent down and grabbed a sledge hammer from the floor. Kate closed her eyes as she tried not to faint. This was IT and IT was going to hurt more than she could ever imagine. Blood splattered her face and chest as the hammer connected with Black's face. She tried to scream and nothing came out. Bright spots of light bloomed behind her eyes as the room began to spin. The darkness around her deepened into nothingness and fell to the crimson stained floor in an unconscious heap.