Chapter 13

Okay. He could admit it, even if it was only to himself. He hurt. He really fucking hurt. All over. The man who liked to punch had worked him over good, and the addition of the fucking quill things were just the icing on the cake.

Preston honestly didn't know why they were asking all these questions about the residents of Morefield when he'd only been there a handful of days, but they sure liked to beat the shit out of him when he couldn't answer. He was certain they already knew everything but were testing him. Testing to see how much punishment he could take.

At least they were giving him a break, so he could count how many of those quill things had been fired into him. Eight going by the number he could see sticking out of his body. They fucking hurt too. If he had to guess, he thought they had barbs so they couldn't be removed. Wonderful.

We're getting ready to roll. Stay where you are.

Yeah, ‘cause I have freedom here to go wherever I want

Do you want us to save you?

I'm chained to a chair with quill things sticking out of me. I ain't going anywhere.Wriggling his hands, Preston grimaced at the pins and needles in them. Twisting them, he felt warmth and looked down, seeing blood. At least he still had circulation in them.

The door to his cell opened, and he sighed when the lab guy, puncher, and the creature came inside. "We have some more questions for you."

"I'm sure you do. Maybe ask me some I know the answers to."

Puncher came up and punched Preston in the nuts. Preston groaned and bent over, gasping for air. Fuck, that hurt. He couldn't wait to work this guy over when he was free. Preston lifted his face and grinned, and that earned him a punch to the face.

"I think we need to move on to more persuasive measures."

Preston knew what that meant. Now was the time for the fun to begin. He watched a table being set up and various instruments placed on top of it. Another man entered the room and grabbed Preston's hand, forcing it still. When the puncher picked up the pliers, Preston blanked his face.

And the fun times are here

What?

Torture. Looks like they'll start off slow and easy. Manicure.

We're about to leave now.

I might have some nails left by the time you get here

We could just let you die?

Then who would you fuck?

Any man I want and I wouldn't have to put up with your shit.

You'd miss my shit.He didn't get a response and grinned when they ripped one of his nails out. Fuck, that hurt, but Preston showed no reaction to it. "Aren't you supposed to ask me something first that I don't answer, then rip my nail out?"

"We don't play by the rules here."

"I guessed that what with the kidnapping and torture." Another nail ripped out, and Preston shrugged, ignoring the pain. "Fun times."

"Ex-military, so I guess you're used to the pain." Lab man smiled, but it looked anything but friendly. "Rip them all out."

"Great! Let's get this party going!"

Lab man frowned. "Get the scalpel, as he likes pain."

It's scalpel time. Preston sang through their connection to Manu.

What did you say to them?

What do you mean by that? I'm a model prisoner.

Why don't I believe that?

You insult me.

On route now. Keep your mouth shut.

You like it when I use my mouth.

Just…don't.

The scalpel caught the light, and Preston didn't react. He locked eyes with the man in charge, the lab man, and smiled. He wouldn't react, no matter what they did to him. He would smile and take it like he'd been trained to do.

The man sighed. "Don't. I think he gets off on this. Maybe some sensory deprivation."

"Ooohh. How exciting for me."

A phone beeped, and the lab man pulled one out of his pocket. Looking at the screen, he frowned. "Let's go."

They all left the room, and Preston reached out to Manu. I think they know you're here or will be soon. Lab guy got a message, and they all left.

We're outside now, trying to draw them out. Stay where you are.

Preston rolled his eyes. Staring at the chains, he shook his head. If Manu could see him, he wouldn't be telling him to stay where he was. He stretched his neck from side to side, ignoring the throbbing pain flooding his body. He hurt, but he wasn't reacting to it. He had to remain focused on the task at him. Getting out of there. Alive.

Once the door to his cell closed, Preston struggled to hear anything outside. He looked around again and still couldn't find a way out. He wriggled his hands, moved his arms, but the chains didn't move. They had him locked down tight. Leaning forward, he checked the chains on his legs and tried to move, but they stayed where they were.

"Overkill," he mumbled to himself. He was locked in a room, so he couldn't go anywhere. They must have a good ten pounds of chains on him too. Maybe more. Lifting his head, he searched the room yet again and still came up with nothing.

Guess he was going to have to wait for his knight in shining armor to come and rescue him, after all. He already knew Manu would not let him live that down. "Great." Licking his parched lips, Preston swallowed, but it did little to help the dry mouth he had. Thirst was a bitch, but he could ignore that too.

Stuck in the chair, in a cell, with the only way out closed to him. You here yet? Getting bored sitting here doing nothing.

I could turn around and fuck off?

Nah, you'd get bored without me in your life.

Bored or relieved?

Preston couldn't help but laugh, then he suddenly stopped when the ground shook. Yep, looked like the rescue was here.

Manu did contemplate leavingPreston behind to sort himself out, but he'd be a shitty mate if he did that. Not that Manu was concerned about being a good mate, but he was Preston's mate. Why him and how many times had he thought those words?

Someone was having a laugh at his expense, and he was not the fuck impressed.

They had ten men split into two teams. Manu, Cyan, Teal, Jim, and Rand would go inside while Eli, Balor, Hunter, Vir, and Ray would remain outside to ensure the others could get out.

"Drone footage in. We have surveillance as expected and one of those freaky motherfuckers patrolling. No humans." Teal watched the screen in his hands. "Looks lovely. Might invite it round for a meal."

"Yeah, I'm sure Tyler would love that." Cyan grinned.

"My mate is a kind, gentle, and loving man."

"He puts up with you, so you should add patient to that list."

Teal smiled and nodded. "Yes, he is patient."

"Everyone is in position. Wait for the signal." Cyan chuckled. "The fun is about to begin."

"What sig?—"

The blast rocked the ground, and Manu arched an eyebrow at Cyan. "I think I recognized the signal."

"Let's go get your man, and I want to see one of those ugly fuckers up close."

"Not too close. They shoot those things at you."

Coming inside. Just taking one of those things out.

Avoid the quills.

Will do.

Manu ran with Cyan and Teal, then skidded to a halt. Eli and Vir in wolf form and Balor, Indy's demon mate, were attacking the thing. When there was an opening, Hunter, a vampire, ran in and attacked it with the two machetes he carried. Hunter had to be the fastest male Manu had ever seen. He was in and out in seconds, slashing and stabbing, then out before the thing could swipe at him. The thing, monster, creature, whatever it was, took the hits and kept on going like it didn't feel the injuries being inflicted on it at all.

Ray wasn't in the fight with the creature. He watched the surrounding area, making sure no one snuck up on them while they were busy fighting. Guns ready, he continuously moved, watching the fight, then watching the surrounding area.

Manu stopped staring and ran toward the opening, heading down the stairs and along the corridor. Within seconds, he was being shot at and dropped, hearing a hiss behind.

"Fucker got me. Tyler's gonna be so pissed when he finds out about this. Damn, I like this T-shirt."

Inside.

Still waiting.

I can always turn around and leave.

Told you before you'd miss me.

Manu shot and hit a security guard in the back of the head. The man dropped, and he checked to make sure he was dead. A chuckle echoed down the corridor, halting Manu. He'd heard that sound before.

"There's another one of those things ahead."

Cyan jumped over the body of the guard and ran to the end of the corridor, looked both ways, then ran to the right. Manu and Teal followed, with Jim running past them in wolf form and Rand taking up the rear. Manu turned the corner and ducked as quills flew past him.

"What the fuck?" Teal shot past Manu and shot at the creature thing, but the bullets did nothing. Whatever security had been there was dead or dying. The creature wanted to get to them, and if one of its own was in the way, it didn't care. As Manu watched, the thing's claws ripped the back out of one of the security men trying to crawl away and jumped over the body. Jim narrowly avoided being hit, growled, and bit its leg.

Manu raised his gun and shot it in the face, but all it did was shake its head and chuckle. "Fuck."

I can hear you outside my cell. Get me out, then blow this place up.

Manu glanced around and found a door. "He's in here!" he shouted.

"Get him and get out," Teal shouted as he shot at the creature, constantly moving to avoid quills and claws.

Manu shot the lock on the door and kicked it open. He saw the condition his mate was in but carried on moving. They would deal with his injuries once they were safely outside. "I need to shoot the locks off."

Preston nodded and twisted away. Manu carefully aimed and fired once. The lock blew apart, and it took him far longer than he wanted to unwind the chains covering Preston. No wonder Preston hadn't been able to move. The weight of the chains would have kept him in place.

"Bit overkill for me. If it was one of you guys, then yeah." Manu went to help Preston stand, but he shook his head. "Quills are still embedded in my skin. I don't want to risk further injury."

Manu took stock of his mate. The bruises on his face, one eye swollen shut, split lips, nails torn out from one hand, and quills. Those were what he could see. There would be others beneath his clothes.

"Can you walk? I don't want to grab anywhere if it'll cause problems." He scanned Preston's body again, seeing the quills everywhere.

As Preston started to answer, an explosion rocked the place, and Manu grabbed Preston. Preston grunted, and Manu quickly released him, seeing blood seeping through his clothes in several places. More gun shots followed, and Manu jogged to the door and quickly checked the corridor.

It was a mess.

The creature was still fighting, somehow appearing uninjured. Jim was down on the floor, not moving. Teal showed signs of injury, and Cyan was backing away, grabbing Jim by the scruff of the neck. Rand provided cover, shooting at the creature as it advanced.

"Move!"

Manu had the chance to see Ray shouldering a rocket launcher and grabbed Preston, ignoring his grunt of pain. Dragging him out of the room, he pulled him along the corridor past Ray and left, heading toward the exit. "Keep moving."

"I'm trying, but you know being tortured kinda takes it out of you."

An explosion had them falling to the floor, Manu's ears ringing, and he couldn't hear anything. Debris fell all around them, dust swirling in the air. Someone pulled him up, and he grabbed Preston, hauling him outside. In front, Cyan was with Jim carrying him over his shoulder and behind was Teal.

"Ray?"

"Dealing with that fucker." Teal's grimness had Manu concerned. Who had they lost?

Outside, Manu stared in shock and horror as Balor fought the creature, another two demons by his side. Hunter lay against a tree, holding his side, blood seeping through his fingers. Viridian stood next to him, panting harshly, a row of quills sticking out of his chest and down his stomach. Teal ran over to Hunter and dragged him up, pulling Hunter's arm over his shoulder. Vir followed behind, slow but moving. Manu didn't see Eli, but he knew the shifter would be fine. Or he hoped.

"They just won't die," Manu gasped, watching the thing take hit after hit.

"It's like their skin is made of titanium or some shit." Teal saw Vir and nodded. "Time to retreat. We got what we came for."

Manu ran and dragged Preston to their truck and shoved him inside, turning to help Teal with Hunter, then Vir. Cyan threw Jim in, then hopped in the front and started the engine. When Ray appeared, covered in dust and blood, and hobbled over to them, Teal dragged him inside, and Cyan got them out of there.

"Rand?" Cyan asked.

"Behind making sure the demons finish the job and to make sure we all get out." Vir grunted and stayed as still as possible, his skin pale and covered in sweat.

As they drove away, Manu stared back. "Fuck."