Suddenly, he was pulled backward, his arms spread out against the fence. Kyrian fought wildly. His heart pounding, he jerked at the ropes holding him pinned. All his calm, cool Dark-Hunter rationale evaporated, leaving him in the throes of panic. He fought his restraints like a wild animal caught in a trap. He had to get out of this. He would not be tied helpless. Not like this. Not ever again. He fought against the ropes, tearing the flesh around his wrists. He didn't care. All he wanted was his freedom.
"I told you I knew your weaknesses," Desiderius said. "Right down to the fact you would never let me hurt a pregnant human." He leaned down and kissed the girl on her cheek. "Melissa, be a good girl and thank the Dark-Hunter for his sacrifice."
Kyrian froze as she left Desiderius's embrace and moved to stand by the oldest human male. She'd been in on it all along. Son of a bitch, when would he learn?
"Are you ready to die?" Desiderius asked.
Kyrian bared his fangs at him. "I wouldn't be so cocky. You haven't killed me yet."
"True, but the night is still young, isn't it? I have plenty of time to play with Artemis's errand boy."
Kyrian gripped the ropes and pulled with all his strength as another wave of panic threatened to consume him. He had to calm down. He knew it, and yet those old, haunting memories of his torture in Rome tormented him.
"What's the matter?" Desiderius asked, stepping forward. "You look a bit pale, Commander. Are you remembering the humiliation of your defeat? The touch of the Roman executioners as they prepared you?"
"Go to hell!" Kyrian toed the release for his boot and kicked out at Desiderius.
Desiderius jumped back out of range. "Oh yes, I forgot about those boots. After you, I shall have to go find good old Kell as my next Dark-Hunter target. With him out of the way, what would all of you do without your weapons expert?" He inclined his head to the girl. "Melissa, be a dear and rid the commander of his boots."
Kyrian ground his teeth as the girl came forward. Dark-Hunter law allowed him to protect himself against humans who sought to do him harm, but he couldn't bring himself to hurt her, especially while she was pregnant. Though she didn't know it, she was still a little girl. "Why would you mess up your life with him?" he asked her as she pulled his boots off.
"Once my baby comes, he's going to make me immortal."
"He doesn't have that power."
"You're lying. Everyone knows vampires can take or give life. I want to be one of you."
So that was how Desiderius was enlisting his human helpers. "You could never be one of us. He'll kill you once he's finished."
She laughed at him. Desiderius clucked his tongue. "Still trying to protect her even while she prepares you for your slaughter. How sweet. Tell me, were you so considerate of your Roman brothers?"
Kyrian threw his body toward Desiderius. A Daimon came out of the shadows with a large hammer. Kyrian froze the instant he recognized it. He hadn't seen one in over two thousand years.
"Yes," Desiderius said as he moved closer to Kyrian. "You know what this is, don't you? Tell me, do you remember the way it felt when Valerius used it to break your legs?" Desiderius cocked his head. "No? Then let me refresh your memory."
Kyrian clenched his teeth as Desiderius brought the hammer down across his left knee, instantly splintering the bones. Once he had delivered a like blow to his right leg, the Daimon dared to stand before him. Kyrian held himself up with his hands. He tried to put weight on his legs, but the pain made it impossible. Desiderius smiled at him as he handed the hammer back to the Daimon. Then he pulled something out of his pocket.
Rage filled Kyrian as he recognized the ancient Roman spikes they had used for crucifixion. "Tell me, Dark-Hunter," Desiderius said with a smile, "would you like me to put you up for the night?"
CHAPTER 12
Amanda came awake with a start. It took a full minute to realize she had fallen asleep in Tabitha's hospital room, lying against Nick. Her mother was asleep on the cot they had rolled in a short time ago, and she and Nick had taken the two uncomfortable chairs by the door.
Tabitha was still asleep on the bed where the doctors wanted to monitor her until morning. A Daimon had viciously cut a line down her sister's cheek that would leave an ugly scar. Bruises and cuts lined her body, but the doctor had assured them that Tabitha would heal.
Their sisters had gone home at their mother's urging, but Amanda had stayed just in case either of them needed anything. Her heart pounding, she looked up as her father returned to the room with two cups of coffee in his hands. He handed one to Nick. "You want mine, kitten?" he asked Amanda, holding his cup out to her.
Amanda smiled at her father's kindness until she remembered her vision.
"You okay?" her father asked.
She looked at Nick, her heart pounding. "Kyrian's in trouble." Nick laughed before taking a drink of coffee. "You were dreaming."
"No, Nick. He's in trouble. I saw him."
"Just relax, Amanda, you've had a really bad day and you're worried about Tabitha. It's understandable, but Kyrian never gets in over his head. He's fine. Trust me."
"No," she insisted, "listen to me. I'm the first to admit I hate my powers, but I know they're not lying to me. I can feel his panic and pain. We have to find him."