Chapter 221
~ NYSSA
The pack didn’t settle until closer to midnight, by which time I was already buzzing with nervous energy and anticipation.
The drive back to the palace was quiet and slow, and I couldn’t help but notice that there were less guards around the courtyard, and even the ones who stayed watched me carefully, not bothering to hide their curiosity and confusion.
“Ignore it,” Rowan said softly to me. “They will stare p>
I shifted uneasily on my feet. “I know that, but it doesn’t make it any easier to handle. They probably think I’m a freak p>
He frowned, his brows tightly knit together. “Nyssa p>
“I know, I know, I’m not a freak,” I muttered under my breath, repeating the words I knew he was about to utter. “Can we go to the vampire now p>
Jeremiah was waiting in the lower levels, right in front of a large metal door. The door was wide open and a cold, damp smell filled my nose. It smelled like a fucking sewer, and it reeked of piss and terror. Shivers ran down my spine at the thought of being locked in it.
“We have him bound with chains,” Jeremiah explained as soon as we approached. “We don’t know much about their strength level so the guards have been keeping him… entertained, to ensure he doesn’t break out p>
We all knew he wasn’t talking about the fun kind of entertainment.
A part of me felt queasy as I thought of what I would see upon walking in, but the other part—something deeper and darker—felt justified in the torture I knew he was facing.
Rowan sighed. “Let’s go see—” A loud groan echoed, cutting of his words. “The prisoner p>
The vampire from earlier was held in a cell at the far end of the room. The cell faced the doors and I couldn’t help but wonder if that was a deliberate choice.
He was strung up at his wrists by thick large chains, and those same chains wrapped around his ankles, spreading him in a wide x stance. Blood dripped down his face and arms and cuts littered his skin. His left eye was swollen shut and there were burn marks all over his torso.
My stomach churned and my steps faltered. “Did you do all that to him p>
Joshua shook his head. “He came in with bruises of his own. Some were old and faded but some were fresher. They were inflicted within the last month or two, we did however open them up because the skin was… well p>
I swallowed thickly, forcing my legs to keep moving.
“You don’t have to do this,” Rowan said softly. “You can leave right now p>
I shook my head. “it’s like you said, he has answers and I need them p>
The guards stepped away from him as soon as we approached and his head sagged forward with relief. His breaths came out in deep, heavy pants, and his entire body shook from the strain of keeping himself standing.
Somehow, he still found the strength to lift his head and lock eyes with me.
His lips curled slowly despite the many bruises around his face. “I didn’t think I’d see you here so soon. I thought for sure your mate would keep you away. Have you come to give yourself up p>
“Not yet, no,” I answered smoothly. “Was that what you hoped would happen after you delivered your little news bomb p>
His smile only grew wider, revealing rows of blood stained teeth.
Rowan stepped forward at that moment, shielding me from the vampire’s gaze. “I take no pride in torturing you. I have questions and you have answers. Give them to me and your death will be swift p>
“And if I don’t?” he asked, head cocked to the side.
“Well, I know ways to make even the most skilled warrior cry out for his mother p>
The vampire hummed. “So I’m dead either way p>
Rowan didn’t bother denying it. “Yes p>
There was a long minute of silence. The vampires heavy breathing filled the air, each sound reminding me of a hollow rattle.
“I have no answers for you, other than the one I have already given,” he said finally. “My King wants what is rightfully his. She is his child and she was stolen from him. She does not belong to you p>
“She is my mate,” Rowan said firmly.
“That holds no value in our world. For a mate bond to be recognized, it has to be approved by the King.” He paused for a moment then leaned forward, teeth stained red. “He does not approve. He has better use for her in his palace p>
There was no denying the implied innuendo in his words.
His head snapped back violently as Rowan punched him square in the face. Blood spurted from his nose, splashing all over my mate. It was only then I realized that I was surrounded by blood, but it did not interest me.
The vampire laughed coldly, the sound broken and humorless. “He is coming for her tomorrow, and you best be ready when he does, because he does not miss. He will take everything you hold dear and when he is done, he will p>
I didn’t see Rowan move until it was too late.
One moment, he was standing next to me, and the next, he had his hand tightly wrapped around the vampire’s head and he twisted.
The head came off with a pop and I watched as Rowan threw it into a corner with ease.
Bile rushed up my throat and I was running to the bucket in the corner to empty the contents of my stomach. It was bad enough that he had taken someone’s head off, but he did not flinch, he did not even spare a glance.
Glancing over my shoulder at him, I found him standing there, eyes watching me with worry. Because of how good he was to me, it was easy to forget that he was the lycan king, and he did not get that position because of his niceties.
“Take Nyssa home,” he said without breaking his stare from me.
Jeremiah was by my side in an instant, trying to help me stabilize on my feet. “Are you okay p>
I nodded, but did not break my stare from Rowan. “Where are you going p>
“I’m staying here tonight p>
My brows furrowed in confusion. “But why? You already handled the pack security and p>
“This is more than pack severity, Nyssa, this is a threat on werewolves as a whole. It’s bigger than the two of us, and I need to know why the fuck the council hasn’t said shit p>