Blonde & Blue (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #4)(59)

He was on me in a heartbeat. I found myself flat on my back, staring up at the ceiling as I gasped for breath. Maxwell straddled me, his perfect composure gone as he wrapped his fingers around my throat. Smacking my head against the floor a few times seemed to please him. Adrenaline prevented me from feeling any pain. I tried to strip his power, but he had a tight shield in place. I couldn’t breach it.

I felt him digging deep inside me, tearing at the energy I’d just consumed. He wanted me helpless. I couldn’t blame him for that, but I had to stop him from succeeding. I resisted, throwing up every metaphysical wall and barrier I could muster. He punched holes through them all.

In my peripheral vision I saw Shaz snap at Claire. She shoved him back in the chair and climbed on his lap while I watched helplessly from the floor. Old and strong, she didn’t have much trouble pinning Shaz in place. The empty goblet in her hand became a weapon, and she smashed it against the side of his face. The sound of glass shattering was met with a yelp.

Maxwell dragged me to my knees, forcing me to watch as Claire fought for Shaz’ throat. Bloody cuts marred the side of his face. I was desperate to get to him. Fire scorched my insides as Maxwell’s power burned through me. I might have been powerful, but he had centuries of experience on me. Once again, I was at his mercy.

Only when I sat motionless and fighting for every breath did he release me. “That’s enough, Claire. Take it slow, sweetie. We don’t want to kill them yet.”

“Fuck you.” I coughed out. Oh God, where was Arys?

“I won’t kill him,” Claire purred as she licked the blood from Shaz’ face. “I just want to play with him. He’s so strong and silent. I want to see what it takes to make him scream.”

All the ways I wanted to kick her ass flashed through my mind. I willed myself to get up. I thought of Shya and his claim that I held power over both wolves and vampires. How could he believe that? And, if a demon saw that in me, why didn’t I see it in myself?

“I’ll never scream for you, bitch.” Shaz snarled. “I’d rather die first.”

Dragging a long fingernail over the vein in his untouched wrist, Claire watched the blood rise to the surface. “Honey, you will be begging for death before I’m through with you.”

The scent of Shaz’ blood taunted my bloodlust. Weakened as I was, it came on strong and demanding. My hunger for the destruction of both vampires was greater.

“Such pretty eyes,” Claire cooed, gazing into Shaz. “I’d love to add them to my collection.”

My stomach twisted, and a heavy sensation settled in my guts. She stroked a gentle hand along his arm. In a swift motion, she grabbed one of his fingers and snapped it back with a crunch. Shaz grunted but didn’t cry out the way I would have. He was holding his own against her, an impressive feat. It killed me to watch her hurt him.

“Stop, please!” I looked to Maxwell for help, but he was enjoying it.

“I need you alive, Alexa. Dead werewolves are useless to me. Help me get what I want, and if you can survive it, you can walk away free and clear.” Maxwell shrugged as if he found it to be a great offer and I was the one being unreasonable.

I knew what they were doing. They couldn’t simply drag us all the way to Vegas against our will. We would have too much time and space to put up a fight. They thought they could break me by forcing me to watch them torture Shaz. They were right. I couldn’t take much more.

‘I can feel you,’ came Arys’ voice in my head. ‘So very close.’

Relief flooded me. I got to my feet though my head protested the move. Maxwell’s fingertips crackled with energy, alive and ready. The room spun for a moment, and I struggled to see clearly. Being stripped of personal energy had left me feeling like I was barely contained within my body, a horrible sensation.

The door exploded, pieces of wood and metal flying. Arys burst through in a storm of power and wrath. His presence strengthened me in ways our mental connection hadn’t. My power reached for him, finding that familiar bond. Arys wanted Maxwell, but anticipating the attack, Maxwell was already dragging me against him. With one hand on my throat in a crushing grip, he sneered at Arys.

“I’ll kill her,” he warned. “You might take me out, but she’ll die first, Arys.”

From her place atop Shaz’ lap, Claire leaned her head back and laughed. “Now, it really gets fun. I was waiting for you, Arys.”

Arys was livid. The energy rolling off him was hot enough to burn. “I can’t believe you were stupid enough to bleed my wolf.”

Claire began to pet Shaz as if he were no more than a common stray. “I can’t believe you thought I wouldn’t.”

Arys moved suddenly as if to physically pull her off Shaz. She simply nodded, and her three minions jumped to restrain Arys in a brutal assault. Amusement danced in her eyes. This really was a game to her, but I sure as hell wasn’t having any fun.

Arys turned his venomous gaze on Maxwell. “Is this really necessary?”

The two vampires glared daggers at one another. The power in the room was thick, almost dizzying. Arys had come here ready to face off with Maxwell. After the way the bastard had hit us both during our last encounter, I was wary.

“It is. We want something. You have it.” Maxwell’s power burned inside me. Something about Arys made him ruthless, ready to destroy me without a second thought despite the fact that he needed me.