Tortured Mate (Sassy Ever After Universe #62)(4)
Jericho smiled, “Valac, let me introduce you to our half-sister, Cadence De La Croix.”
“Sister?” He sputtered in shock. “She’s our sister?”
“You don’t have to sound so offended,” Cadence rolled her eyes. “We have the same father, obviously I’m the older sibling.” She said with a wink. “I was lucky enough to inherit my mom’s powers and therefore he left me to be raised by her. Magic is in my blood, as it is in you brother. You are half of each of your parents, aren’t you?”
Valac wasn’t sure how he was supposed to answer that. Wasn’t every one-half of each of their parents?
“You have magic from your mother and your demon powers from your father. Your powers are half and half, are they not?” Cadence prompted.
“Yes, or well I mean I have equal power and ability. Neither side is stronger than the other. That’s what you mean, right?”
“That’s good. You’ll need that for the fight ahead.”
Jericho sat up straighter at her words, “What did you see?”
Cadence shrugged, “For now, all that matters is Valac is safe here. No one can step on my land with ill intent in their hearts.”
“Why are you doing this for me? We may be of the same blood, but you don’t know me.” Valac glanced between Jericho and Cadence, “I mean I trust my brother, he placed me in your hands than that’s good enough for me. But I don’t understand why you would take the chance our brother won’t come for me or hurt those close to you to get to me.”
“Let him come, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a good fight. As for those close to me, I wouldn’t worry, they can defend themselves, he’d be stupid to attempt them harm. For now, rest and recuperate. You depleted your magic.”
Valac watched the strange woman walk away muttering under her breath what sounded a lot like incantations. “Jericho?”
“I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t think she could handle Aeron and whatever he sends. Trust her, she really is our sister and the strongest witch I’ve ever encountered. Do what she says and rest. I’ve got to get back to town. I’ll be back, but if you need me in the meantime don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll always be available for you. The Wolfe pack has also extended that to you as well. You helped save me and reunited me with my mate. They won’t forget that to them you are part of the pack now.”
Valac wasn’t sure how long he laid there contemplating all that had transpired to bring him to this point in his life. The sound of a forlorn howl pierced the night and made him want to cry too. He could feel the wolf’s pain as if it was his own, his heart hurt at the mournful sound. Something was pulling him towards the small window a few feet from the bed he laid in. He climbed to his feet, panting and exhausted from the effort, with slow measured steps he reached the window.
“Hush now. He’s alive and healing. There’s no need for that nonsense.” Cadence called from her place a few feet from the front porch. He wasn’t sure how he could hear her so clearly, but he could. It was almost as if she was standing beside him.
“Yes, I know. I’m aware of that fact, but it’s not that simple. Have I ever lied to you? That’s right. Don’t be doubting me now either.”
Valac strained to see who or what she was communicating with, but the overcast night made it impossible. He could make out the tree line, but nothing else. Without warning, Cadence turned and looked directly at where he stood. Part of him wanted to cower away like a little child caught peeking on Christmas Eve. Before he could act on the irrational impulse, Cadence had turned back around.
He waited a few more minutes until his eyelids began to close, he turned and shuffled back to bed and was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow. The screams, heckling, begging and manic laughter began almost immediately. His brother was nothing if not a master at manipulation. Within seconds a film reel with scenes to go with each of the noises played. The woman chained to the wall, while a Demonoid being used her as his sketchpad. Each mark gurgling forth with fountains of rich, red blood that he licked up with his acidic tongue. The old man stuffed into a box barely big enough to hold a small child. His fingers stuck through the holes as if pleading, as the oxygen was slowly sucked out of the room until he almost passed out and then it rushed in, just to begin all over again. The witch who laughed with insanity bleeding from each syllable as she was skinned alive with slow, meticulous slices. A bubbling cauldron filled with salt water patiently waiting for her to take her nightly bath. The young woman who sat locked in a chair facing a TV that played the videos of the purple dinosaur over and over again. Little kids dancing around her singing the ‘I love you’ song.
Valac tossed and turned in his fitful sleep as he saw everything, heard them pleading for their escape, begging for a break, promising to bring Valac back for a chance at freedom.
“Some people are waiting for you to come take their place. But don’t worry I have so many more places for you to visit, things these people can’t even begin to imagine. I’ll make sure you never become complacent about the torture. Each day will be something new and exciting. The pain will only get worse until you’re begging my forgiveness and pleading for a chance to get back in my favor. And maybe, just maybe in a few centuries I’ll relent and let you try.”