seem strange. And it gives us time to formulate our strategy."
"Run and gun works for me." Connor said with a grin.
"Indeed it does. But in this instance I'm asking for restraint."
"Whatever you want."
"Thank you."
Augustus watched as everyone left then walked inside. Patient was a word that had been used to describe him but at the moment, he felt anything but patient. Were it not for his responsibilities and the potential damage of rash action he'd be storming the gates of Madeline Franklin's compound now.
No. He could not risk a peace that had been so long in the making. Madeline would not kill Layla. She'd wait for him to arrive. Then she'd try.
She'd fail. That he vowed.
Chapter Seven
There are dreams, places you walk in the night that you don't want to leave. These dreams, populated by your ideal version of a lover or a friend are what have you waking and feeling a little empty or letdown by reality.
Then there are nightmares, those scary dark places filled with horror and pain that have you waking with your heart pounding in your chest and fear filling your mind; making you want to flee just in case the Daemons have followed you into your world.
I want to hold onto the dreams. It started out a bit frightening, being abducted and waking in a strange place and I still want to go home, but there are parts that are the fodder of fantasy. Augustus Thurinus. Dear god, a single thought of that man sends me spinning into a well of longing I didn't know possible.
I need to hold onto that because the nightmare is eclipsing everything else. It's claimed my conscious and unconscious life and I'm afraid I'm not going to wake up from this one.
Reality had become more horrifying than any nightmare. Madeline was worse than any demon she could have created in her mind, the way she smiled just before she jabbed Layla with the Taser. Layla saw the pleasure it gave Madeline and realized that inflicting pain was, for Madeline, the ultimate pleasure.
Her body ached in every joint and the points where the Taser had met her skin felt like she'd been knifed. She'd never been so cold. There was no way to stop the quaking of her body.
Madeline had set the pitcher aside and towered over her, the cell phone in one hand and Taser in the other.
"Make the call."
"I don't know his number!"
Madeline's eyes narrowed and for a few moment Layla was sure she was going to be electrocuted again. Then Madeline dialed a number. Layla knew the phone was on speaker when she heard Augustus answer.
"What?"
"You have until nightfall and then she dies."
"How do I know she is alive?"
Madeline smiled and grabbed Layla by the hair of her head, jerking her so viciously that the shackle around her wrist bit into her skin and she felt the warmth of blood on her arm.
"Speak."
"Augustus, don't. She's going to kill—"
Another blast from the Taser had her careening into pain and blackness.
*****
Augustus almost regretting not taking Layla's blood. Had he done so he would have a connection with her, one that would allow him to ascertain her state of mind and body. As it stood, all he could do was hope that Madeline had not done serious harm to her.
He and his people had formulated a simple but effective plan. As he now drove his truck down the long drive of Madeline's estate, his people were moving into place from multiple points of attack, neutralizing any security or opposition. Hopefully, without loss of life.
Augustus was wired, a tiny device inserted into his left ear that enabled him to communicate with the other leaders of The Seven who were participating in the rescue.
"At the house."
He parked and got out of his truck, casting a look of disdain at the six armed men who guarded the front entrance.
"Tell your mistress I'm here."
One of them lifted a radio from his belt, spoke into it, and then replaced it in its belt holder. Augustus ignored the men, keeping his focus on the door. A minute passed before it
"Run and gun works for me." Connor said with a grin.
"Indeed it does. But in this instance I'm asking for restraint."
"Whatever you want."
"Thank you."
Augustus watched as everyone left then walked inside. Patient was a word that had been used to describe him but at the moment, he felt anything but patient. Were it not for his responsibilities and the potential damage of rash action he'd be storming the gates of Madeline Franklin's compound now.
No. He could not risk a peace that had been so long in the making. Madeline would not kill Layla. She'd wait for him to arrive. Then she'd try.
She'd fail. That he vowed.
Chapter Seven
There are dreams, places you walk in the night that you don't want to leave. These dreams, populated by your ideal version of a lover or a friend are what have you waking and feeling a little empty or letdown by reality.
Then there are nightmares, those scary dark places filled with horror and pain that have you waking with your heart pounding in your chest and fear filling your mind; making you want to flee just in case the Daemons have followed you into your world.
I want to hold onto the dreams. It started out a bit frightening, being abducted and waking in a strange place and I still want to go home, but there are parts that are the fodder of fantasy. Augustus Thurinus. Dear god, a single thought of that man sends me spinning into a well of longing I didn't know possible.
I need to hold onto that because the nightmare is eclipsing everything else. It's claimed my conscious and unconscious life and I'm afraid I'm not going to wake up from this one.
Reality had become more horrifying than any nightmare. Madeline was worse than any demon she could have created in her mind, the way she smiled just before she jabbed Layla with the Taser. Layla saw the pleasure it gave Madeline and realized that inflicting pain was, for Madeline, the ultimate pleasure.
Her body ached in every joint and the points where the Taser had met her skin felt like she'd been knifed. She'd never been so cold. There was no way to stop the quaking of her body.
Madeline had set the pitcher aside and towered over her, the cell phone in one hand and Taser in the other.
"Make the call."
"I don't know his number!"
Madeline's eyes narrowed and for a few moment Layla was sure she was going to be electrocuted again. Then Madeline dialed a number. Layla knew the phone was on speaker when she heard Augustus answer.
"What?"
"You have until nightfall and then she dies."
"How do I know she is alive?"
Madeline smiled and grabbed Layla by the hair of her head, jerking her so viciously that the shackle around her wrist bit into her skin and she felt the warmth of blood on her arm.
"Speak."
"Augustus, don't. She's going to kill—"
Another blast from the Taser had her careening into pain and blackness.
*****
Augustus almost regretting not taking Layla's blood. Had he done so he would have a connection with her, one that would allow him to ascertain her state of mind and body. As it stood, all he could do was hope that Madeline had not done serious harm to her.
He and his people had formulated a simple but effective plan. As he now drove his truck down the long drive of Madeline's estate, his people were moving into place from multiple points of attack, neutralizing any security or opposition. Hopefully, without loss of life.
Augustus was wired, a tiny device inserted into his left ear that enabled him to communicate with the other leaders of The Seven who were participating in the rescue.
"At the house."
He parked and got out of his truck, casting a look of disdain at the six armed men who guarded the front entrance.
"Tell your mistress I'm here."
One of them lifted a radio from his belt, spoke into it, and then replaced it in its belt holder. Augustus ignored the men, keeping his focus on the door. A minute passed before it
Similar Books
