Destiny's Revenge (Destiny Series - Book 2) by Straight, Nancy (novels in english .TXT) 📗

her gaze and had to assume that she wasn’t. I hoped it wouldn’t take her long to figure out she didn’t have to look over her shoulder anymore. She could have a normal life again.

“Go ahead and make yourself at home. I’ll see what I can scrounge up for food. I’ve got to go run some errands; I hope you don’t mind keeping yourself company.” Samael shut the door and all light disappeared. I could hear a ventilation system kick on yet could see nothing. It was pitch black; no furniture, no shelves, nothing. I eased myself on to the floor alone with my thoughts and, as always, they turned to Lauren.

Hours passed. Samael didn’t return. I lay on the floor in the darkness second guessing my decision. I knew Samael was some kind of creature. What was his word worth? Would he really keep it? What could I do if he didn’t? How would I ever know if Lauren were okay? More hours passed: I was really locked up in a vault. I began tapping the sides of the wall: all four were solid. I couldn’t reach the ceiling, and there was nothing I could prop myself up with. The silence was deafening. Just when I thought I could take no more, I heard his footsteps.

Samael opened the door, and the light burned my eyes. I threw my arms up over my eyes to keep from being blinded. “Oh, Max, sorry. I know exactly how that feels. Well, maybe not exactly. I was once forced into a cave without light for years. You’ve only been here a few hours. Has the madness set in yet? If not, I promise you it is something to look forward to. Even today I cannot stand to be in dark places for long.” Samael’s smile was evil, and I knew he thought of me more as a toy than any kind of adversary. He handed me two boxes. One was full of food and water. The second was a camping commode. “Don’t let it be said that I don’t take care of my own.” Samael stepped back through the door and locked me in my own dark cave. I could hear his muffled voice through the door, “Max, enjoy your evening. I’ll check in on you in a day or so.”

I methodically removed the packaging and placed the commode in the farthest corner, then felt through the box of food and water. I had hoped to find a flashlight, candle, something, but there was nothing. I tried to be grateful for the food. I could feel a warmth take over me and could feel Lauren watching. My heart began to race and my hands were sweating.

I wanted to call out to her to tell her she was safe, that I had made a deal and no harm would come to her. I knew if I spoke she could hear me, but what could I say? She would be furious with me if she knew I had gone to Samael and asked for him to leave her alone and traded myself in the process. Her warmth enveloped me, and I savored those precious minutes. I ran through different things to tell her, but in the end I decided to remain quiet. If she didn’t know I could feel her presence, maybe she would check on me more often. If she knew where I was, she might try to get me out. I didn’t want her to put herself in danger trying to break me free from a prison I willingly stepped into. After several minutes a chill came back over the air, and I knew she was gone.

I wept. In my heart I believed my arms would never hold her again, I’d never feel the smoothness of her skin, see the light in her eyes, or feel the love of her touch. I didn’t begrudge that knowledge because I had also seen fear in her eyes and seen danger through her senses. This deal I had made with Samael ensured she would never have to feel those things again. I had made the right choice, I just had to live with it now.

There was no concept of time. The water was gone. The food was gone. I was alone in the dark. My mind began playing tricks on me. I’m sure I must have slept, but my conscious and subconscious were moving in unison. My thoughts of Lauren were jumbled up. I could no longer tell when she was watching me and when I was truly alone. I began to believe that Samael had left me to die. It felt like days since he had brought me the supplies. I felt a warm glow but couldn’t be sure Lauren was near. I had felt so many emotions since the last time I saw the light. Love didn’t seem to be in my vocabulary; I felt rage. I was sure I heard footsteps but Samael never opened the door. Someone was outside the door, but wouldn’t open it.

I summoned all my strength and yelled , “You son-of-a-bitch, where are you? I know you’re out there. You think sliding me food and water and staying hidden in the darkness will save you? Scared of a fair fight are you? Show yourself. I’ll rip your throat out myself.”

I was right, Samael was right outside when he replied, “Those are pretty tough words for someone who begged to be locked up, begged me to leave Lauren alone. You know I saw her last night.” My heart skipped a beat then pumped hard in my chest. Adrenaline coursed through me, and I tasted the hate I felt.

“You’re a liar. You said you would stay away from her. You gave me your word that if I came quietly you’d never hurt her again.”

“Well, that is a bit of a tricky situation. You see, I never meant to do her any harm, but it turns out I can shift into a