Catalyst
Chapter 17
Kahli groaned and rolled onto her side. Peeling back her eyelids, she looked around. Metal bars surrounded her. She was in the cage. Again. Except this time she wasn't bouncing around in the back of a truck. She was in someone's home. Before she could think, Kahli noticed the pain from her shoulder was better, although it still hurt. They must have fixed it after I passed out, she thought.
"So nice to see you awake," Reginald said, turning toward the cage door. He was dressed like the Regent, wearing clothing too beautiful to be real. His silk shirt had a ruffle under the chin with ivory buttons that extended to his trim waist. Black slacks accentuated his slender frame. Coupled with a velvet jacket the same shade of blue as Will's eyes, Reggie looked like an aristocrat.
Will. Her insides twisted as she thought of him trapped under the pile of rubble. Kahli had to get out of here, and get back to the safe house before it was too late.
Kahli tried to sit up. The pain that shot through her skull made her groan. Pressing her hand to her head, she growled, "What do you want?"
Reggie laughed, "You, of course. What do you want?" he mocked, mimicking her tone. "The first time I lost you to my hideous sister - " he clenched his jaw, biting off whatever he was going to say. His long, elegant hands slashed through the air, and paused like he cut off the thought with his pointer finger, "But, no matter. That's done and you're here now."
Kahli looked around. There was another cage across from her with a brightly colored bird. It sat on a perch and looked at her through the bars. She was in a grand room with too many books to count, cages of various sizes, and ornate furniture.
Kahli pressed her eyes closed. He couldn't have been that senseless, but it appeared he was. Looking up at him, she asked, "Is this your house? Tell me that you weren't stupid enough to bring me back to your house?"
Reggie's nostrils flared when she insulted him. "Why would that be foolish, little pet? Because they think I took you? Because they'll come here looking for you?" he laughed. Splaying his hands on his hips, Reggie looked down and shook his head. Glancing at her, he stepped toward Kahli, saying, "The King took off after you, and he's going to find a caved in hole and a crushed William. They'll assume you were blasted to bits, and in the meantime, I plan on making you into my personal barista." He handed her one of the golden tools that Will used for feedings. The sharp end of the golden rod was used to pierce skin since the vamps no longer had fangs.
Kahli took it and arched an eyebrow at him, "Seriously? You expect me to drain myself? Would you like for me to put it in a fancy cup, too?" Reggie took a deep breath and stared at her with hatred. Before she could blink, he hurled the rest of instruments at her. Kahli ducked, covering her head as they struck her and clattered to the floor of the cage. "Nice temper tantrum," the words fell out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Reginald darted to the cage, swung open the door, and grabbed Kahli by the throat, yanking her out. Kahli kicked, but the flailing stopped when Kahli realized that Reggie was going to snap her neck or crush her throat. The elegant hands held her too tightly. She couldn't breathe. Kahli's fingers clawed into Reggie's wrists, trying to wrench free, but she couldn't. Kahli's legs dangled, pulling her toward the ground, as the vampire's fist kept her neck high above the floor. Gasping for air, she hung there, suffocating. Her throat ached as her lungs burned, demanding that she breathe, but Kahli couldn't.
Leaning close to her face, Reggie hissed, "Never forget your place. You are nothing, meaningless. And, unlike the Queen, I do not care how pretty you are. If you fail to give me what I want, I will make you regret it one eye at a time, one lip at a time, one scar at a time. Do you understand my meaning?"
Kahli's eyes went wide at his threat. She tried to nod, but couldn't. A strangled sound came rasping from her throat. Reggie tossed Kahli back into the cage and slammed the door shut, locking her in. As soon as his hand withdrew, Kahli sucked in air and fell onto her back. The cage door slammed shut. Kneeling, Kahli coughed until she could breathe again. When she looked up, Reginald was handing her a tool, the one that would pierce her skin. Kahli needed more time, and she couldn't have this guy rip her apart while she figured out what to do. He seemed as crazy as his sister. Why did Will think she'd be safe with him?
A thought crossed her mind. Kahli took the tool as asked, "If I don't do this, you're going to rip out my eyes?"
Reggie cringed, "You're so crass." He looked her over, before sneering in disgust, his mind drifting to the bet with his sister. "I would have won that bet with the Queen, by the way. William failed to teach you anything proper." Reggie rolled his eyes, sighing deeply, as if it was impossible to civilize Kahli before saying, "But yes, I'll wound you one eye at a time, blinding you, scarring you. Try running away when you can't see."
Kahli rolled the tool between her thumb and forefinger, looking at him. "Will thought I'd be safe with you." It was a statement. Kahli said it to see what he'd say, but she didn't get much of an answer.
He laughed, "Will thought wrong."
Kahli stared at Reggie when she lifted the golden tool to her neck. Pressing the sharp point gently, she felt the familiar prick of metal cutting through skin. Kahli pulled it away slowly, careful not to spill the drop, when she felt the side of her neck grow hot and wet. Lifting her hand, Kahli started to offer the drop to Reggie, but her hand lingered half outstretched. She asked, "What do you have on him?"
"What you care?" Reggie snapped. The vamp was always irritated. It was like a chronic case of PMS that never ended. "Will's probably dead, and if by some freak chance he's still alive, the King will fix that when they find him."
"Won't they just follow us back here?" Kahli asked, looking at the bright red drop on top of the needle.
Reggie stared at the drop as he answered, salivating, "We saw to it that they had nothing to track. Now, give that to me." Kahli held the golden tool for a moment, wanting to ask more questions about Will, wanting answers that she couldn't get. Instead of pressing, she handed the vampire the needle with the tiny drop of blood. Reggie took it gingerly, gazing greedily with his narrow black eyes.
An idea formed in Kahli's mind. It was insane, but it might be worth it. Maybe. There wasn't much time to consider the idea and all its drawbacks. Not seeing another option, she quickly offered, "I won't fight back. I'll give you as much blood as you want, when you want, if you'll answer my questions about Will."
Reggie pressed the drop of blood to his tongue and closed his eyes. When he swallowed, a serene expression passed over his face. The only trace that the blood was hard to consume was the repeated bobbing of his adam's apple as he swallowed again and again. Potent blood was like trying to swallow kerosene. Even so, Reggie's expression lingered until he opened his eyes. Looking at Kahli, he said, "I think not. You'll do what I want, when I want, or I start removing body parts, starting with those pretty eyes." Twirling the golden rod between his fingers, Reggie smirked at Kahli, curious, "What could you possibly want to know about Will that's worth such an offer?"
Kahli felt like he wouldn't tell her anything, but she had to try. She'd swallowed enough of Will's blood to know he was alive. His pain was shooting through her body like she was the one trapped beneath the rubble. "What is he to you?"
A slow smile snaked across Reggie's angular face, "Infatuated with the boy, are we?"
"No," Kahli retorted, brows pinching together like she was disgusted. "I just want to know why everyone seems to own a piece of him."
"Everyone?"
"Yeah. You, the Queen, the King. None of you appear to get along, and yet, he seems loyal to all three of you. How could that be?"
Reginald sat back on a dated couch. It was the color of rust with tufted velvet and cream colored fringe around the skirt. It looked too dense, like it would be really hard and uncomfortable to sit on. He spread his arms over the back of the sofa and looked at her for a moment, before saying, "It must seem strange to you, but it's not. Will's previous owner owed too many people, too many things. Will was sold to me and I gifted him to my sister. He feeds me information.
"As for the King, I have no idea what relationship they had, if any. The King keeps to himself. He's as good as dead now, anyway. My sister was on the warpath last night. A very pleasant maid had the misfortune of losing her head right in front of me. Her blood nearly splattered on my shoes." He sounded more upset about his attire than about the heads rolling at the palace. Continuing, he glanced up at Kahli, "No doubt, Sophie painted the entire palace black with vampire blood last night. She'll destroy the King." Reggie's eyes drifted down and lingered on her neck, before returning to her face, "Nice patch job, by the way. I assume Will fed you vamp blood to heal that wound so fast? I can taste it, a little bit. You're not pure anymore. More like 97 proof." He laughed at his joke, comparing her to wine, and chuckled quietly like he was exceptionally funny.
As he spoke, Kahli's heart constricted. Will was completely alone. All this time, he had no one. Kahli ignored Reggie's last remark, "Will's a slave?"
"That's what the runes say," he smiled, knowing it hurt her to hear those words.
Kahli shook her head and looked down. Will, she thought hoping he could hear her, but there was nothing. No reply. The bond was too weak and she wasn't his. "He's a slave, as long as he has the runes? He has to have a master?"
"Once a slave, always a slave, but you really needn't pity him, Kahli. Will's had a good life." He watched her, knowing that saying his name like that, showing that he thought the guy was as good as dead would rattle her. "I would have thought he was dead by now, but you know he's alive, don't you?" Kahli's eyes remained on the floor of the cage. She didn't want him to see, but if she didn't look up, Reggie would know for certain. As she lifted her face, he said, "Did he claim you? Foolish boy. If he did, he'll die soon enough anyway, and then it will be as it was before."
"The King will find me," Kahli blurted out. "He drank from me. I can feel him. He's looking for me."
"Let him come. If my sister doesn't kill him, I will." Reggie said it with utter confidence, like he knew what he signed up for. He couldn't have been more wrong.
Kahli shook her head, "No, you won't. Don't you get it? You and your sister were played. The King isn't weak. He ripped open my neck with his fangs. FANGS, Reggie. He's got them. He drank from me. You and your sister can tolerate a drop of my blood, but he swallowed an entire mouthful. He's coming for me. I can feel it. And, given a choice between the two of you, I'd rather be with you."
Reggie's arms fell to his sides as he leaned forward. His black eyes locked onto hers, drinking in her words. Finally, he said, "That can't be." Shock lined his face. He didn't blink as he looked at her, and considered whether or not she was telling the truth. Kahli could see it in his eyes.
"You better believe it. He drank from two of my roommates that night as well. The King isn't what you think. He won't go quietly into the night. He started this and he'll end it by taking me away from you." Kahli rose as she spoke and moved to the bars. Clutching them in her hands, she watched Reggie, speaking with urgency, "You can't let him. You can't just sit here and act like the King's not a threat, because he is. Do something."
Reggie leaned forward with a frown on his face, his eyes drifting from hers. His mind was wandering. "What else can the King do?" he asked, lifting his gaze to hers. "Did he compel you?"
Kahli's stomach twisted remembering it. "Yes," she said softly, averting her gaze. She could feel it, the King's thrall, the way his voice snaked inside her mind and claimed her, making her body move and her mind weaken to his will.
"And he knew your true name?"
Shaking her head, Kahli replied, "No, he didn't need it."
"This is bad," Reggie said, fretting. Getting to his feet, he started pacing and stopped talking. It was then that Kahli leaned back, knowing that she just set something in motion. She just didn't know what.
"So nice to see you awake," Reginald said, turning toward the cage door. He was dressed like the Regent, wearing clothing too beautiful to be real. His silk shirt had a ruffle under the chin with ivory buttons that extended to his trim waist. Black slacks accentuated his slender frame. Coupled with a velvet jacket the same shade of blue as Will's eyes, Reggie looked like an aristocrat.
Will. Her insides twisted as she thought of him trapped under the pile of rubble. Kahli had to get out of here, and get back to the safe house before it was too late.
Kahli tried to sit up. The pain that shot through her skull made her groan. Pressing her hand to her head, she growled, "What do you want?"
Reggie laughed, "You, of course. What do you want?" he mocked, mimicking her tone. "The first time I lost you to my hideous sister - " he clenched his jaw, biting off whatever he was going to say. His long, elegant hands slashed through the air, and paused like he cut off the thought with his pointer finger, "But, no matter. That's done and you're here now."
Kahli looked around. There was another cage across from her with a brightly colored bird. It sat on a perch and looked at her through the bars. She was in a grand room with too many books to count, cages of various sizes, and ornate furniture.
Kahli pressed her eyes closed. He couldn't have been that senseless, but it appeared he was. Looking up at him, she asked, "Is this your house? Tell me that you weren't stupid enough to bring me back to your house?"
Reggie's nostrils flared when she insulted him. "Why would that be foolish, little pet? Because they think I took you? Because they'll come here looking for you?" he laughed. Splaying his hands on his hips, Reggie looked down and shook his head. Glancing at her, he stepped toward Kahli, saying, "The King took off after you, and he's going to find a caved in hole and a crushed William. They'll assume you were blasted to bits, and in the meantime, I plan on making you into my personal barista." He handed her one of the golden tools that Will used for feedings. The sharp end of the golden rod was used to pierce skin since the vamps no longer had fangs.
Kahli took it and arched an eyebrow at him, "Seriously? You expect me to drain myself? Would you like for me to put it in a fancy cup, too?" Reggie took a deep breath and stared at her with hatred. Before she could blink, he hurled the rest of instruments at her. Kahli ducked, covering her head as they struck her and clattered to the floor of the cage. "Nice temper tantrum," the words fell out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Reginald darted to the cage, swung open the door, and grabbed Kahli by the throat, yanking her out. Kahli kicked, but the flailing stopped when Kahli realized that Reggie was going to snap her neck or crush her throat. The elegant hands held her too tightly. She couldn't breathe. Kahli's fingers clawed into Reggie's wrists, trying to wrench free, but she couldn't. Kahli's legs dangled, pulling her toward the ground, as the vampire's fist kept her neck high above the floor. Gasping for air, she hung there, suffocating. Her throat ached as her lungs burned, demanding that she breathe, but Kahli couldn't.
Leaning close to her face, Reggie hissed, "Never forget your place. You are nothing, meaningless. And, unlike the Queen, I do not care how pretty you are. If you fail to give me what I want, I will make you regret it one eye at a time, one lip at a time, one scar at a time. Do you understand my meaning?"
Kahli's eyes went wide at his threat. She tried to nod, but couldn't. A strangled sound came rasping from her throat. Reggie tossed Kahli back into the cage and slammed the door shut, locking her in. As soon as his hand withdrew, Kahli sucked in air and fell onto her back. The cage door slammed shut. Kneeling, Kahli coughed until she could breathe again. When she looked up, Reginald was handing her a tool, the one that would pierce her skin. Kahli needed more time, and she couldn't have this guy rip her apart while she figured out what to do. He seemed as crazy as his sister. Why did Will think she'd be safe with him?
A thought crossed her mind. Kahli took the tool as asked, "If I don't do this, you're going to rip out my eyes?"
Reggie cringed, "You're so crass." He looked her over, before sneering in disgust, his mind drifting to the bet with his sister. "I would have won that bet with the Queen, by the way. William failed to teach you anything proper." Reggie rolled his eyes, sighing deeply, as if it was impossible to civilize Kahli before saying, "But yes, I'll wound you one eye at a time, blinding you, scarring you. Try running away when you can't see."
Kahli rolled the tool between her thumb and forefinger, looking at him. "Will thought I'd be safe with you." It was a statement. Kahli said it to see what he'd say, but she didn't get much of an answer.
He laughed, "Will thought wrong."
Kahli stared at Reggie when she lifted the golden tool to her neck. Pressing the sharp point gently, she felt the familiar prick of metal cutting through skin. Kahli pulled it away slowly, careful not to spill the drop, when she felt the side of her neck grow hot and wet. Lifting her hand, Kahli started to offer the drop to Reggie, but her hand lingered half outstretched. She asked, "What do you have on him?"
"What you care?" Reggie snapped. The vamp was always irritated. It was like a chronic case of PMS that never ended. "Will's probably dead, and if by some freak chance he's still alive, the King will fix that when they find him."
"Won't they just follow us back here?" Kahli asked, looking at the bright red drop on top of the needle.
Reggie stared at the drop as he answered, salivating, "We saw to it that they had nothing to track. Now, give that to me." Kahli held the golden tool for a moment, wanting to ask more questions about Will, wanting answers that she couldn't get. Instead of pressing, she handed the vampire the needle with the tiny drop of blood. Reggie took it gingerly, gazing greedily with his narrow black eyes.
An idea formed in Kahli's mind. It was insane, but it might be worth it. Maybe. There wasn't much time to consider the idea and all its drawbacks. Not seeing another option, she quickly offered, "I won't fight back. I'll give you as much blood as you want, when you want, if you'll answer my questions about Will."
Reggie pressed the drop of blood to his tongue and closed his eyes. When he swallowed, a serene expression passed over his face. The only trace that the blood was hard to consume was the repeated bobbing of his adam's apple as he swallowed again and again. Potent blood was like trying to swallow kerosene. Even so, Reggie's expression lingered until he opened his eyes. Looking at Kahli, he said, "I think not. You'll do what I want, when I want, or I start removing body parts, starting with those pretty eyes." Twirling the golden rod between his fingers, Reggie smirked at Kahli, curious, "What could you possibly want to know about Will that's worth such an offer?"
Kahli felt like he wouldn't tell her anything, but she had to try. She'd swallowed enough of Will's blood to know he was alive. His pain was shooting through her body like she was the one trapped beneath the rubble. "What is he to you?"
A slow smile snaked across Reggie's angular face, "Infatuated with the boy, are we?"
"No," Kahli retorted, brows pinching together like she was disgusted. "I just want to know why everyone seems to own a piece of him."
"Everyone?"
"Yeah. You, the Queen, the King. None of you appear to get along, and yet, he seems loyal to all three of you. How could that be?"
Reginald sat back on a dated couch. It was the color of rust with tufted velvet and cream colored fringe around the skirt. It looked too dense, like it would be really hard and uncomfortable to sit on. He spread his arms over the back of the sofa and looked at her for a moment, before saying, "It must seem strange to you, but it's not. Will's previous owner owed too many people, too many things. Will was sold to me and I gifted him to my sister. He feeds me information.
"As for the King, I have no idea what relationship they had, if any. The King keeps to himself. He's as good as dead now, anyway. My sister was on the warpath last night. A very pleasant maid had the misfortune of losing her head right in front of me. Her blood nearly splattered on my shoes." He sounded more upset about his attire than about the heads rolling at the palace. Continuing, he glanced up at Kahli, "No doubt, Sophie painted the entire palace black with vampire blood last night. She'll destroy the King." Reggie's eyes drifted down and lingered on her neck, before returning to her face, "Nice patch job, by the way. I assume Will fed you vamp blood to heal that wound so fast? I can taste it, a little bit. You're not pure anymore. More like 97 proof." He laughed at his joke, comparing her to wine, and chuckled quietly like he was exceptionally funny.
As he spoke, Kahli's heart constricted. Will was completely alone. All this time, he had no one. Kahli ignored Reggie's last remark, "Will's a slave?"
"That's what the runes say," he smiled, knowing it hurt her to hear those words.
Kahli shook her head and looked down. Will, she thought hoping he could hear her, but there was nothing. No reply. The bond was too weak and she wasn't his. "He's a slave, as long as he has the runes? He has to have a master?"
"Once a slave, always a slave, but you really needn't pity him, Kahli. Will's had a good life." He watched her, knowing that saying his name like that, showing that he thought the guy was as good as dead would rattle her. "I would have thought he was dead by now, but you know he's alive, don't you?" Kahli's eyes remained on the floor of the cage. She didn't want him to see, but if she didn't look up, Reggie would know for certain. As she lifted her face, he said, "Did he claim you? Foolish boy. If he did, he'll die soon enough anyway, and then it will be as it was before."
"The King will find me," Kahli blurted out. "He drank from me. I can feel him. He's looking for me."
"Let him come. If my sister doesn't kill him, I will." Reggie said it with utter confidence, like he knew what he signed up for. He couldn't have been more wrong.
Kahli shook her head, "No, you won't. Don't you get it? You and your sister were played. The King isn't weak. He ripped open my neck with his fangs. FANGS, Reggie. He's got them. He drank from me. You and your sister can tolerate a drop of my blood, but he swallowed an entire mouthful. He's coming for me. I can feel it. And, given a choice between the two of you, I'd rather be with you."
Reggie's arms fell to his sides as he leaned forward. His black eyes locked onto hers, drinking in her words. Finally, he said, "That can't be." Shock lined his face. He didn't blink as he looked at her, and considered whether or not she was telling the truth. Kahli could see it in his eyes.
"You better believe it. He drank from two of my roommates that night as well. The King isn't what you think. He won't go quietly into the night. He started this and he'll end it by taking me away from you." Kahli rose as she spoke and moved to the bars. Clutching them in her hands, she watched Reggie, speaking with urgency, "You can't let him. You can't just sit here and act like the King's not a threat, because he is. Do something."
Reggie leaned forward with a frown on his face, his eyes drifting from hers. His mind was wandering. "What else can the King do?" he asked, lifting his gaze to hers. "Did he compel you?"
Kahli's stomach twisted remembering it. "Yes," she said softly, averting her gaze. She could feel it, the King's thrall, the way his voice snaked inside her mind and claimed her, making her body move and her mind weaken to his will.
"And he knew your true name?"
Shaking her head, Kahli replied, "No, he didn't need it."
"This is bad," Reggie said, fretting. Getting to his feet, he started pacing and stopped talking. It was then that Kahli leaned back, knowing that she just set something in motion. She just didn't know what.
