23. Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Daisy

“ S nap out of it,” a voice demands. Cold hands cup my cheeks, and I blink.

“Sally?” I whisper. She is standing close, naked.

“Girl, you have balls. Big fucking balls. I thought for sure you noticed me on the stairs. Micah owes me big. I don’t like being locked in a dungeon,” she says, stepping back when I focus on her face.

“How? How are you here?”

“Micah asked for a favor. I don’t like to disappoint that delicious vampire. Do you know how often people look at the ground? Almost never. I can tuck myself into a small ball. The car ride was fun, and I loved the attitude. My scent is minimal among all the others in the world, plus I can mask it. The stench of this castle masked what little I have. The nasty man didn’t even sense me. Asshole,” she growls, rubbing her hands down her crossed arms.

“Micah sent you? Is he here?”

“Not yet, but probably momentarily. When you hear the screams, he’s here.” She steps to my side and we both look around the room.

Tears blur my vision. Everyone in the room has given up. All of them are skinny, dirty, and hopeless. The room is long; the shifters and vampires are lined along the walls. The smell is overwhelming, but I smell lions, bears, coyotes, leopards, and vampire. Several of them look at us with dead eyes; the others don’t lift their heads.

“Do you see him?” Sally whispers as I walk forward.

“Not yet,” I mumble and look back and forth. Sally stays glued to my back, and I can’t imagine she is comfortable being naked in the filth. I lock eyes with a vampire with bright red eyes, and I shiver. He is the only one standing. Carter’s plan didn’t work with him. He’s skinny, and his skin is almost pure white, but there is life still in his body and eyes.

“He gives me just enough blood to survive,” he rasps. “Are you here for your brother?”

“Yes. How did you know?” I tremble as his low timbre floats over me.

“Carter loves to chat about it. Most days, he won’t shut the fuck up.” He looks to his right. “He is the last one.”

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“I don’t remember the last time someone asked me that,” he mutters. “Rowen.”

“Nice to meet you. We will get you free,” I say.

“Free? The door is locked. He won’t let you out.” He frowns.

“She has a vampire mate. You’ll be free soon,” Sally says.

“Plus, I stole the keys,” I inform them.

“Daisy, why not lead with that?” Sally says, stomping her foot. She cringes and looks down at whatever substance is under her toes. I don’t respond as I walk to the dark part of the basement.

A man is huddled in the corner. His knees are pulled to his chest, and his face is tucked to them. It’s him.

I slowly crouch, making sure to stay out of reach. I don’t know how he is going to respond. I’m afraid he won’t know who I am and attack. I would if I had been subjected to the kind of treatment he has. He isn’t wearing a shirt, and I see the bruises and scrapes across his shoulders. His jeans are thin and worn; his feet are bare. Without the ability to shift, he can’t heal like he needs.

“Liam?” I whisper. “Liam, it’s Daisy.” He shows no reaction, and my stomach cramps. “I’m here to rescue you.” Nothing. “Pay no attention to the naked rabbit. She is my backup, and you will love her once you get to know her. My mate is coming. He’s a vampire, and he won’t let anyone hurt you again. I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” I ramble, hoping something gets through. “I’ve missed you. I looked everywhere for you. I never gave up, Liam. Liam, I swear. I thought of you every day and wished to be with you again. I love you.” I gulp. “I love you. We will fix whatever Carter did. I’ll kill him for doing this to you.” I brush away my tears. “Liam,” I sob.

Sally silently lends her support, putting her hand on my head.

“Daisy,” Liam says quietly and lifts his head.

“Liam,” I cry. “You know who I am?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” He licks his lips. “You always rambled when you were younger. I liked it because it felt like home, but now my ears hurt.”

“Holy fuck, Liam.” I crawl forward. “It’s okay. I’ll whisper,” I say, lowering my voice. My knees land in front of his feet, and I lift my hands but stop, not wanting to hurt him. “I’m so fucking sorry,” I whimper.

“Why are you sorry? Did you chain me to the wall? You were the one who protected me.” His hand lands weakly on my knee.

“Not well enough,” I say bitterly.

“I missed you, sister,” he says, and I can barely breathe past the lump in my throat.

“Micah is here,” Sally says softly, and I tilt my head. Screams echo through the walls.

“I have keys,” I say, digging in my pocket. “Let me see if one of them works on the cuffs.” I drop them twice, my hands shaking so badly.

“Try hers first,” Liam says, nodding across from him.

“We’ll get everyone out, but I’ll do yours first,” I protest.

“Daisy,” he says, cupping my hand. “It’s our mom.”

“What?” I ask weakly, dropping to my ass.

“You took the brunt of the abuse at the pack house. She took it here.”

“What?” I repeat, twisting. I meet the eyes of the woman I saw Turner beating when I was seven. “I don’t—” Dots appear in the air. I crawl across the floor, unable to stand. “Mom?” I raise a shaky hand, barely grazing her hand, unbelieving she’s real.

“Daisy,” she whispers brokenly, tears falling down her sunken cheeks.

“It’s you,” I sob as I watch her hand connect with mine.

“Yes,” she breathes. “You’re okay.” Her familiar scent found a lost place within me.

“You—” My head fills with fog. “I should be asking you that,” I rasp.

“I am now,” she answers. “You rescued us.” I scoot closer, and our knees bump.

“It was you. I saw you, but I didn’t know.” I shake my head frantically. “I should have known.”

“Don’t,” she whispers fiercely. “You were a child.” She pulls me into her body with such strength, despite her slim body. “You turned into a beautiful woman.”

“How? I’m so confused.” My voice echoes oddly through my head.

“We have time, Daisy,” she says, and I slide from her arms to the floor. “Daisy?” She leans over me, and her chain rattles, adding to my past rushing into my present.

“Fuck, Daisy,” Sally says.

It’s weird. They say your life flashes through your eyes as you die. I don’t think I am dying, but memories slam into my brain with so much force and frequency.

“Daisy,” Sally cries. I see myself lying on the cold, dirty floor.

Then, my past explodes.

“Momma, look at my flower.”

She sinks down on the grass beside me. “Did you know that daisies can be several different colors?”

“No.”

“Open your eyes.” I try to obey the command, but I’m lost in the past.

“They can. So many beautiful colors. I named you Daisy because you are made up of so many different colors, so bright.”

“Like the sunshine?”

“Yes, love. You are sunshine. Full of brightness. Don’t ever forget your beauty.”

“Okay, Momma.”

“Open your fucking eyes, love.”

“Daisies are resilient, and represent the purity of love. Remember, you can get through anything as long as you love.”

“I love you, Momma.”

“I love you, too, Daisy love.” I wrap my arms tightly around her neck.

I love Momma’s hugs.

“You are fucking scaring me, love.” The memories blur and then halt on one.

I flinch as I see Momma on the ground. She came back for me. She didn’t mean to leave me with the bad men. Turner is hurting her.

“Run, love. Daisy, run,” she yells, but I’m frozen in fear.

I watch Turner’s fist come down. Over and over again. I stare at the blood. My young brain races, wondering where my brother is and hoping he is safe.

“Please,” my mother begs. “Let them be together. Carter doesn’t need Liam.” Turner’s fist pauses. “I’ll willingly go back. He can have me; just let Liam go.”

“What makes you think you have a choice?” he sneers.

My stomach is sick. I open my mouth but no sound comes out except a harsh breath. My hands grip the doorframe, and my nails bend. It hurts, but I can’t seem to control my body.

“They are innocent. He doesn’t need them. He wants me,” she sobs.

“Of course, he wants his precious Iris,” he spits. “What do I get? Maybe I need to add to the pack. They will get trained to work for me, my way.”

“No,” she whispers.

Turner kneels on her chest and pulls out a phone. “I have her. Let me have both kids. Come get the bitch.” He grins evilly. “I’ll take good care of them. Your new man is coming for you.”

“I love you, Daisy,” she sobs, blood trickling down her cheeks.

“You're lucky the crazy son-of-a-bitch didn’t kill all of you.”

My legs start shaking. Daddy? Daddy is dead. He’s going to take Momma away.

I try to take a step, and my legs give out. My knees hit the floor and everything goes black.

“Daisy.” My body is lifted. “Sally, I need a fucking car. I don’t know if she’ll get worse if I blur.”

“They came in one. I’ll hot-wire it,” Sally says.

I don’t know why that penetrates. “Don’t,” I whisper, trying to open my eyes. “I stole the keys.”

“Fuck, Daisy,” Micah rasps before kissing me. His claim reassures me that I am back in the present. He tears his mouth away. “Love, are you alright?”

“My head hurts,” I whisper. I want to lift my hand to it, but my body doesn’t respond.

“I’ll make it better,” Micah says.

“My brother,” I cry.

“He’s already out.”

“Micah, my mom,” I whisper.

“I know, love. She is upstairs,” he says. “She was afraid staying with you would bring you more pain.”

“I remember. I remember everything,” I say, finally able to look at him.

“You're not hurt anywhere?” he asks, his face anxious.

“No.” The shock is starting to wear off, and I slide my hands around his neck. “Why is Rowen still chained?” I ask as we pass him.

“Ryker is getting him blood,” Micah says, stopping. “We won’t take any chances with safety.”

“Don’t worry, Daisy. I’ve waited this long; I can wait a few more minutes,” Rowen says.

“I hope to see you again,” I say.

“We’ll see,” he responds, and Micah nods at him and continues.

“Did you kill Carter?” I ask.

“No. I kept him alive. Bash will take him and Turner to the club. When you are feeling better, you can decide how to deal with them,” he says.

“No,” I say, my strength coming back quickly.

He stops and frowns. “What’s wrong?”

“Bring them down here,” I demand.

“Love, are you sure?” he asks.

“Yes. I want to see them.” The missing memories are still fresh and I want to hear the truth from them.

“Bash. Saphira. Bring them down,” Micah calls out and then looks down at me. “This is what you want?”

“Yes. I need to do this,” I say firmly.

“I was terrified I lost you,” he says. “I should have come sooner.”

“I was fine until I saw my mom,” I assure him. “Are they alright?”

“They are alive,” he says grimly.

“How are we going to help them?” I can’t imagine the things they went through. How will they get past it?

“Whatever we can,” he answers.

“You have to put me down,” I say, and his arm tightens.

“I don’t want to, love,” he says.

“You’ll be beside me. They won’t hurt me,” I assure him. He sighs and lowers his arm, holding on to my waist until I’m steady.

“I would have rather killed them right away,” he grumbles.

“You knew I would want to question them.” I lean into his side. “Thank you, mate.”

“I hope I don’t regret it,” he pouts, and I smile. Rowen snorts, and I glance over my shoulder, lifting a brow.

“It’s nice to feel humor again,” he says softly.

“Get used to it in this group,” Ryker says as he comes down the stairs with four bags of blood in his hands. “It appears, Rowen, you are going to get dinner and a show.” Ryker looks behind him.

Bash and Saphira are pushing Turner and Carter in front of them. The coyotes are struggling, and once they see me standing with Micah, they fight harder. The vampire and dragon easily move them to the wall across from Rowen. The cuffs are put on their wrists and then their feet.

Saphira laughs as she dances away when Turner lunges for her. Bash rolls his eyes when Carter grabs his shirt, flicking away the offending hand.

“I demand you let me go,” Carter yells.

“You can’t demand anything,” Micah says.

“Who the fuck are you?” he asks.

“Daisy’s mate,” Micah informs them, and their eyes bulge.

“What?” Turner asks faintly.

“Surprise,” I smirk. “I have a vampire mate. No one was more surprised than I was.” I kiss his jaw. “I’m pretty fucking happy about it, though.”

“How? When?” Turner asks.

“When you sent your pack after Daisy in the woods.” Micah steps closer, his hands clasped together behind his back. “It was my pleasure to melt the brains of your men.”

“Prick,” Turner snarls, lunging forward, his face an inch away from Micah’s, the chains reaching their limit.

Micah doesn’t move and chuckles. “Daisy was handling it, but it was nice of her to allow me to have my fun. Have you ever had a vampire delve into your mind?” Turner’s eyes change, brightening in fear. Carter hasn’t taken his eyes off of Micah, cautiously watching.

I step beside Micah, touching his chest with my palm. “As much as I love seeing your power,” I say. “I want to finish what I started.”

“Sure, love,” he says, grinning charmingly. He strokes my hair before joining Bash and Saphira in the middle of the room.

I look from Carter to Turner and then move to the man in charge. “You loved her first,” I state, and he jerks. “You knew I lost my memories,” I guess.

“I suspected,” he admits. “That’s why I didn’t come to the pack house, there was still a chance you could recognize me.”

“It’s not surprising,” I snort. “When you see your mom getting beat, and your life is turned upside down.”

“It was a fortunate accident,” he says, and I pull the knife from my waist, rushing him.

I tip his chin up with the end and snarl, my coyote teeth almost touching his bared neck.

“You should be worried about me killing you, not my vampire mate,” I threaten.