Penance

Chapter 5

Chapter Four

Ethan

––––––––

The guard left him beaten and exhausted in the cell after hours of t*****e. Because of Faye’s twisted mind, however, he was allowed to feed on the girl. The blood worked quickly, and in no time, his wounds were healed and his mind became clear. Which brought his thoughts to Nikki.

What had Faye done?

The last memory of Nikki was in the casino, when both he and Duncan had been monitoring Nikki as she tried to lure in the lycan. Obviously, that had been the first mistake. He should have never allowed her to be used as bait, even if it was to find her family. Then, he’d been distracted by a woman who looked exactly like Miranda. Only, it had turned out to be Faye. A shape-shifter he’d destroyed back in Shore Lake. Or thought he had. She’d injected him with something and that was the last thing he’d remembered before waking up as a prisoner in her chamber of horror.

I should have beheaded her, he thought tugging on his chains again. Like a damn zombie.

Shifters were a deadly lot, and apparently, draining them of their blood wasn’t enough to destroy them. It had been a costly mistake. One he wouldn’t ever make again.

As he brooded about this, the dungeon became alive with the sound of violence being inflicted upon someone else. Unfortunately, they were out of eyesight, so he couldn’t see much of anything.

“You like to give punches, huh?” growled Godrick from somewhere deeper in the dungeon. “Well, how do you like taking them?”

There was a loud grunting noise, and it sounded to Ethan that the other prisoner hadn’t taken it well.

Godrick laughed. “How about a couple more?”

The prisoner said something and the guard swore at him.

“Knock it off. Both of you. Put him in the cell across from the other one, Godrick,” snapped Faye.

“Will do,” replied Godrick. Then his voice hardened. “Come on. You heard what she said. Continue fighting me, and I’ll cut off your feet and drag you inside.”

“Do what you have to, Godrick,” said Faye. “But don’t kill him. Not yet.”

“As you wish. Dammit, knock it off,” snapped Godrick as they stepped into view. When Ethan recognized the other captive, his eyes widened.

Faye came up behind them and smiled at Ethan. “Good. I’m glad you’re awake. What do you think of our newest pet?”

Ethan didn’t reply.

She tilted her head. “Oh, come on now. I’m sure part of you is tickled to death that he’s here.”

“Duncan, where’s Nikki?” he asked hoarsely.

At the sound of his voice, Duncan turned toward him and their eyes locked. “Ethan?” he asked, incredulously.

“Where’s Nikki?” he repeated.

Duncan scowled. “Like I’d tell you or anyone else here. In fact, you can all go f**k yourselves.”

“Pretty bold words from someone who should be on his knees and begging for his life,” said Godrick, shoving Duncan’s arms into the restraints.

Duncan struggled, his one hand still free, but the goliath guard slammed him against the wall so hard that it echoed. “You think you’re a badass, donut boy?” he growled, his eyes bulging as he got into his face. “You’re nothing. I could squash you like a pastry.”

Duncan spat into Godrick’s face and then slammed his forehead against his skull. There was a loud c***k, and even Faye cringed.

The guard howled, stumbling backwards, but quickly regained his balance. He flew at Duncan and grabbed him by the neck. “I should kill you!” he roared, his face red.

“Enough,” said Faye. “Restrain him and then we’ll go search for Nikki. I think it’s time all three of them had a reunion. Then, afterwards, I’ll let you do whatever you want to Duncan and the girl.” She turned back toward Ethan. “Anything.”

Ethan glared at her.

“You touch her and I’ll kill you,” said Duncan.

Godrick smiled cruelly as he shoved Duncan’s wrist into the restraint and locked it. “Good luck with that.” Then he pulled his fist back and slammed his knuckles into Duncan’s nose.

Duncan grunted in pain as blood poured out of his nostrils. But, just as soon as it started, his immortal body clotted the flow. He licked some of it from his lips and smiled coldly. “That all you got?”

“Oh... there’s plenty more,” replied Godrick, before kneeing him in the groin.

Ethan watched as Duncan gasped and his legs buckled. The shackles on his wrists prevented him from dropping to the ground, and all he could do was hang in agony until his body recovered.

“Is that what you’ve resorted to, Faye?” said Ethan, staring at the guard with contempt. “Hiring a p***y buffoon who can only fight when his opponent is unable to defend himself?”

Faye smirked. “I’d keep my mouth shut if I were you.”

“Why? Because your chicken-s**t, homely guard might smack me around a few times again, being that I’m handcuffed?”

“You want some, too?” growled Godrick, stepping out of the other cell and kicking the door closed behind him. “I’ll give it to you, loudmouth.”

Ethan snorted. “If I was free, and it was a fair fight, the only thing you’d be giving is your life. To me.”

Godrick clenched his jaw. “I’d still kick your a*s with my hands tied behind my back and you fully healed.”

“Only in your dreams, needle-d**k,” replied Ethan.

“Drop it,” ordered Faye as Godrick advanced toward Ethan’s cell, his face the color of beets. “I said we have things to do.”

The guard, clenching his fists, froze. “This isn’t finished, though. Nobody talks to me that way.”

“Especially those who are tied up,” said Ethan. “And at your mercy.”

“Ignore him,” Faye warned, turning around.

“Mama’s boy,” taunted Ethan.

Godrick’s chest began to rise and fall rapidly he was so furious.

Faye rolled her eyes and began walking toward the exit. “Godrick. That was an order. Don’t ignore it or you’ll be sorry.”

The guard’s shoulders drooped. Mumbling under his breath, he ignored Ethan and followed Faye out of the dungeon.

Ethan turned back to Duncan, who was studying him. “Is Nikki okay?”

He laughed coldly. “Really?

“What do you mean, really?”

“Why do you even care?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” he countered.

Duncan’s face darkened. “You’re unbelievably f*****g crazy, you know that?”

He shook his head and sighed. “You have no idea of what’s really going on here, do you?”

“I guess not. Why don’t you explain? You know, make up some more lies. Try f*****g with my head.”

“Come on, Duncan, I haven’t lied to you. I’ve always been straightforward.”

“As straightforward as a circle.”

He clenched his jaw. “Look, I know you think you know what’s going on, but you’ve been misled. And it’s not by me. In fact –”

Duncan laughed coldly. “You just never stop, do you?”

Ethan’s lips thinned. “Shut up and listen to me!”

“I’ve listened to you enough. We all have. But not any longer. s**t, I trust Victor more than I trust you.”

“Victor?”

“Yes, you know – Nikki’s psychotic stepfather? The one who howls at the moon at night? The guy who used to write your checks... until you betrayed him. Hell, Ethan, you’ve betrayed everyone.”

Ethan’s eyebrows shot up. “What in the hell are you talking about? Used to write my checks? And how in the hell could I betray a guy I’ve never met?”

Duncan shook his head in disgust. “Incredible. Look, just drop the act. Obviously something odd is going on here, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re right where you belong.”