Friends With The Monsters - Albany Walker Page 0,102
tucks his head down until his face is nestled in my hair. I step back without meeting his eyes, and mutter, “Be right back.”
I jog over to the warehouse door with the feeling of Gunnar’s eyes on my back. We must be at a rear entrance, because there’s no handle: just a smooth, metal door. I pound my fist on it twice. I didn’t even see how Calix got into the building.
I step back and look up, wondering if I could jump up to one of the windows, but the door opens seconds later, with one cloaked arm holding it ajar. “Thanks, Loverboy.” I slide through the entrance, and I’m met with inky darkness. I blink several times, allowing my night vision to adjust.
I feel Grim as he comes up behind me and molds his front to my back. I don’t miss the erection he’s sporting, either. I snicker—he’s like a randy teenager.
All humor evaporates when I hear Aeson’s voice. “Come closer, and I’ll wear your teeth for a necklace.”
“Aeson!” I shout, and take a blind step forward.
“Shit! Get out of here, Dami. Hey you, kitty-bright! Yeah, you.” Aeson is trying to draw Calix’s attention.
“Why didn’t you tell her we’re here to help? Calix can’t talk,” I ask Grim, forging forward.
“I would have frightened her,” Grim answers.
“Not if you lost the robe. I’m coming, Aeson. Where the hell are the lights?”
“She would know it was me even without the cloak, Damiana,” he reasons.
I spin to face Grim. “Can you just get us there?” I’m even more eager now that I know she’s here and okay.
Grim cups my cheek. “She’s hurt, Damiana, and her pride won’t allow her to ask for help.” His lips whisper near my ear.
“Take me to her, she’ll let me help.” I swallow the lump in my throat.
The air shifts and I’m standing in an open room. A yellowish glow emitting from Calix’s mane casts a slight radiance, but it’s hard to make out anything that he’s not near.
Aeson’s tiny body is anchored to an altar-like table made of solid stone. Her tiny wrist and ankles are shackled with heavy iron chains. They must have been designed especially for her, unless it’s some twisted magic that shapes them perfectly to the victim.
I choke on a sob but cover it up. “I know you’re a kinky bitch, but come on, Aeson! Next time call a safe word, okay?” I find my way over to her side, and even my dark humor can’t hide the fact that I’m near tears.
With my vision blurry, I grab hold of one of the shackles, and Aeson bows off the stone and lets out a hiss. “You shouldn’t be here, Dami.” She licks her dry, cracked lips.
I can’t focus on anything other than her ripped shirt and the way she’s half exposed. Please tell me that happened when she was fighting, not after they already had her tied up.
“How do I get these off,” I inquire, sniffling and ignoring her.
Calix steps a little closer, and I see runes etched all over the table and the metal holding her down. “Is there anyone else here?” I pull the chain links with my hands, but they don’t budge.
“It’s empty.” Grim takes his place at my side and gazes down at Aeson. Her eyes grow large for a brief second before she successfully hides her reaction.
“Do you know how to get these off, Loverboy?” My voice is soft, pleading.
“They won’t come off, Dami, that’s why no one is here guarding me,” Aeson informs us.
“Calix, will you run out and get Kitten and the witch?” I wrench the chain in my hands as much as I can without hurting Aeson. “It’s okay, honey, we’ll get them off.”
Aeson gives me a crooked smile. “I can’t believe they got me, Dami. Three hundred years old, and I was lured by a witch.” Her eyes close and I see her jaw tighten. “I’m going to lose my band. Who would want a leader that almost got sacrificed?” Her head lifts off the stone, and she pleads with her eyes for me to answer her question.
“Aeson,” I put some heat in my tone, “suck it up! You fucked up—not even your gorgeous ass is perfect. Now shut up so we can get you off this table.” I lean in closer with a steel set to my spine, and I whisper, “And I might even let you kill one of the bitches who trapped you here.”