Chapter 36

“I’ve got the bastard,” Mac said as soon as Bert picked up the phone.

“I’ll come to you and we can tell the team where to meet us. We’re bringing him straight to Netherworld?” Bert asked.

“Yup, to Lucifer’s stage,” Mac replied. Technically it was in Netherworld, but they were skipping processing.

“Making a statement?” Bert asked. When Mac grunted a confirmation, he said, “I’ll stand with you. Arlysium doesn’t want any of our families targeted any more than you. The higher-ups have already confirmed they’ll back any statement you or Lucifer make. I’m coming over now,” he said, disconnecting their call.

Seconds later, Mac watched as a portal opened in his work office.

“What’d you find?” Bert said.

“I started going over the clues again, looking over anything that they might have in common. I still have no idea how or why he’s picking the people he is, but they’re all killed somewhere other than their homes. We’re assuming somewhere far away from other people, since we haven’t found police calls for disturbances or noise complaints. The site he gave us was bought and paid for before the killing. However, it’s never changed names on the deed and someone is paying taxes on it. That was a bit of a dead end, as it’s a trust type of thing, but the trust is also paying on a few other properties. I sent a few Enforcers to check them out and found similar kill sites, but no bodies lying out. They think there are several buried nearby and are bringing in the techs to search.”

“How did you get access to the trust details?” Bert asked.

“We have a hacker on staff,” Mac said simply. It wasn’t quite legal by the human standards, but he had a lot more leeway as a nonhuman Enforcer. He would do whatever it took to keep his mate safe.

“We should really get one of those on ours,” Bert said. “Okay, so you found a few more properties, but how did you get to him?”

“He called Viv after he sent the pictures. Part of it was bragging, part threatening. He mentioned something though, that the demoness and her Shadow mate used to make videos. I found a subscription service they created. It has evidence of rapes, tortures, and murders. People would subscribe and then tune in to watch. If they couldn’t watch live, it was kept on the server. It was well protected, but our hacker finally managed to get in. She was able to track one of the payments back to the trust.

“Once we found the connection, we tried to find the server. Eventually our hacker found an office space. It was completely empty except for the servers. As she went through them, she found hidden files. The subscription service was supposed to be anonymous, but as we know, nothing is anonymous anymore. Oh, the general public and even an investigation probably wouldn’t be able to connect people to the service, but the demoness kept her own collection of data on her subscribers. Maybe as a form of insurance of her own, blackmail? I’m not sure, but every customer had a folder. The folders had bank accounts, where they had homes, what they did for a living, which videos they watched, which videos they had submitted ideas for.”

“Holy shit,” Bert said excitedly.

Mac understood. They could potentially close a bunch of missing persons cases based on the victims in the videos. The folders would allow them to get these people off the streets. The ones who had requested certain types of videos, the ones who had paid to have a certain video made were guaranteed a spot in the Netherworld’s punishment levels. The demoness had been smart, he’d give her that. She had made sure that the sign-up form clearly stated these were real events, someone would be kidnapped, raped, tortured, and/or killed. If someone submitted an idea or requested a certain type of video, then they were accomplices to murder, essentially hiring them to do it for them. Everyone had to sign off on it when they created their account, so no one could claim that they thought it was fake.

“Our hacker found the folder that linked to the trust. Our guy has two additional properties that aren’t linked to the trust. I have Enforcer teams on standby with a witch to perform a containment spell. I thought we could have both our teams meet here, combine them and send them out to each house. You and I each go to one,” Mac suggested.

Bert nodded. “Sounds good. I know it’s technically ‘our’ case, but it’s your mate he’s been harassing. Which house do you feel he’s at? You should be there to grab him.”

“I have a feeling he’s here,” Mac said, pointing at a nondescript house on the fringes of an almost abandoned town.

“You take that one then. Call and we can port to you if needed. If he’s at mine, I’ll give a holler.”

Mac gave a short nod. It was almost over, he could tell. His demon was raging, eager to destroy the person who had brought the nightmares back into his mate’s life.

It took them about an hour to gather the teams, brief them, and get suited up for a raid. He had no delusions that the guy would come quietly.

Mac wrapped the special cuffs around the man’s wrists, relieved that they had finally caught him. Mac’s instincts had been right and the man had been sleeping in the house he had chosen when his team stormed the house. After binding his legs as well, Mac had called Bert to let him know he had him and was taking him to Netherworld. Bert said he would meet him there. They were now standing on Lucifer’s stage, their teams surrounding them. It was time to make it clear that their families were off limits.

“You’re a coward picking on those weaker than you. I happened to find some of the videos you liked to watch, as well as some of the pictures you left behind of your own kills. I thought you might like to experience some of those for yourself,” Mac whispered as he leaned down next to the trussed-up man. “And you’re right. I do have darkness inside me, and I’ll use that to protect the people I care about. The biggest one being my mate. You really should have left her alone. We still would have caught you, but you probably would have skipped this part of your punishment.”

Mac made a gesture and another Enforcer brought out a few tools, while another pulled the tarp off the machinery. “This was made just for you,” Mac told him. “You really made a dumb mistake,” he said, tilting his wrist so that the man could see the mark. “Did you really not realize my mate was his too by definition?” As the man’s eyes widened and he struggled in fear, Mac tutted at him. “It’s too late now. You really pissed off Lucifer going after one of his. He’ll get to you in a minute, but you’re mine for now.”

Lucifer took a step forward.

“Anyone who bears my mark is mine. That means their mates and their families are mine. To come after them is to come after me. And that will not be tolerated.”

God ported in, standing next to Lucifer. “The Enforcers protect. Their jobs are to stop those who do not follow our laws, who would expose us to humans, who upset the balance. We will not tolerate their families or mates being targeted. If you have a fight with them, it’s with them. They understand the risks. But mates and families are off limits. Otherwise, you will face us directly. This message will be sent to anyone registered under nonhuman status. There will be no leniency given to anyone violating this.” God gave Lucifer a pat on the back before porting out. He really didn’t like seeing blood, if Mac remembered correctly. And this was going to get messy.

Mac took a step back, taking off his watch, and placing it with his wallet and keys in a waiting basket. He typed out a quick group message to Viv, D, and Thomas. Got him. I’m safe. Bringing him to Netherworld. Will be home late. Love you, V. He quickly sent another one to Liam, although he was careful with his wording since it was to Liam’s work phone. Found and arrested. He won’t be killing anyone else. Bringing him in under my jurisdiction. Will send paperwork over later. They had a system where their hacker would input documents into the FBI database, making it seem like it was a federal arrest. A commendation letter praising Liam and Gina would be sent as well. They deserved it with all the extra work they did trying to keep Viv safe. At least this way, Liam’s supervisors would give him a little bit of breathing room for a couple of days.

Mac placed his phone in the basket as well. He let his demon form come forth, walking over to the killer. He hoisted him over his shoulder, walking over to the machine. Bert stepped up, helping strap him in. A metal band went around his forehead, connected to a long thin wire. A few words were spoken, causing the wire to fuse to his spine, keeping his body straight. His hands were cuffed at the wrists and attached to the head gear, leaving his torso completely open and exposed. The head gear connected to a ball socket on one end of the machine. They snapped thick metal cuffs around his ankles. These were connected to a block that kept his legs apart by several inches. The block had a hole through the middle, although the end by his feet had a long hollow metal pole welded around the hole. This piece would connect to the machine.

The man was hoisted up by several Enforcers, his body held aloft as the head gear was hooked to the machine, followed by sliding the metal tube into position. “This next part, I thought you would appreciate,” Mac said. “I heard you really admired the demoness’ barbed tail attachment.” He moved to the end of the machine, turning it on. The hydraulics pushed a hidden smaller pole out through the pipe. The man couldn’t escape, his legs held in place by the cuff, the wire fused to his spine stopping him from sagging or squirming away. The screams of the man could be heard around the gag as the barbed-covered pole pushed its way inside his body. “Oh. Did you not like it when it’s done to you?” Mac asked, feigning surprise. “You really won’t like this next part.”

Mac locked away his conscience for now, letting all his rage, fear, anger, and darkness come out. There was a fine line between punishment and revenge and he knew he was stepping over it, obliterating it. But he would do anything to keep his family safe and if making a statement like this would show not to mess with his, then so be it.

Mac stood under the showers in the locker room for the Enforcers. He had been coated in blood. He let the hot water loosen the sore and stiff muscles. The man had finally died under Lucifer’s hand. Mac wasn’t sure if his soul would be destroyed or sent to eternal torment. The last bit had been the messiest and the stuff that could haunt nightmares. First, the killer had been flayed, as the machine had been basically a giant spit roast. They had added a rotating blade that popped up from the side, much like an apple peeler. When that was done, there was a separate pedal to open the pit underneath, allowing the flames out. Bert had pressed that one. The entire area could hear the screams, despite the gag, as newly uncovered nerve endings had been exposed to heat and eventually burned off. There had been a few other techniques they had employed based on the man’s own preferences to torture others, but eventually Mac’s heart felt heavy and he stepped back to allow Lucifer to take over. If the man thought Mac was bad, he wasn’t in any way prepared for Lucifer. He hadn’t been appointed to his position because he was weak.

Mac knew it had to be done or others would think they could come after their mates to coerce Enforcers to leave them alone, but even with all his rage and need for revenge, it still hadn’t brought him any joy. A sense of closure maybe. A small sense of peace that he had helped protect his mate. Dressing in new clothes after burning his blood-soaked ones, he grabbed the basket with his personal items and headed to his office. He shut the door, turning on his heaviest bass-filled metal and rock music playlist. He sat in his chair, leaning his head back and closing his eyes, letting the beat flow through him. Focusing on his breathing, he worked on getting to a state where he could portal home. He didn’t want to come home to Viv with blood on his body and his mind still a mess.

A knock on the door brought his head up, a freshly showered Bert standing on the other side. Mac waved him in.

“You doing okay?” Bert asked. They had become closer over the last couple of cases and Mac was happy to call him a friend now, not just a coworker.

Mac shrugged. “I know we needed to send a message and I think it did that. And he was right; I do have a bit of darkness in me. Otherwise there’s no way I would have done that, much less helped come up with some of it.”

Bert nodded. “I think everyone has the potential to fall into darkness. Most would want revenge for what happened to Viv if it was their mate. There are very few, like extremely few, who don’t have any darkness in them. She’s not even my mate, but I wanted to hurt him for what he had done to a mate of a friend. I think this will send a message that no matter which office we work for, what type of nonhuman we are, we’ll band together to protect our own. You should go home. See Viv, lie next to her in bed, know she’s safe. I’ll see you later. I want an invite to dinner for this goulash I hear you make,” Bert said with a smile, opening a portal to his own home and stepping through.

Mac let the music wash over him for a few more minutes, easing his body back into a state of calm. He had no idea why heavy bass helped, but it did. He clicked the music off, standing up and stretching. He was about to open a portal when Lucifer walked in.

“It’s done. God and I also sent out the message to all nonhumans. I don’t anticipate something like this again. At least I hope not. Bring her to see me soon,” he added.

“We’re coming down in a few days for Christmas,” Mac replied, reminding him.

“I forgot that it was so soon,” Lucifer admitted. “I’ll see you then.” He gave Mac a squeeze on his shoulder and walked back out.

Mac took a deep breath, making sure his energy was close to normal and opened a portal home.

Mac found his family huddled in the living room, the fireplace on, empty coffee cups on the table. Viv and Thomas huddled next to each other under a blanket, asleep. D came out of the kitchen.

“They couldn’t stay awake any longer, but insisted on staying up until you got home,” he said softly. “How did it go?”

Mac pointed to the kitchen and they walked back, keeping their steps light. He kept an ear open for Viv, making sure he could hear if she woke up. He didn’t want her to hear anything too graphic.

“We found him in one of those two properties. He had trophies and memorabilia about his kills all over his house. There were scrapbooks dedicated to each one; where he found them, their schedules, all typical stalker-type stuff. Then he drew out how he wanted the kills to go. Some of the books had pages of rants and crossed-out drawings when it didn’t go his way. There were a few where it seems the person got away. There was plenty of evidence to convict him,” Mac said, keeping his voice low. “He tried to run for it, clearly not expecting us to find him, but the witch did great with the containment spell. We got him bound and brought him to Netherworld.”

“How do you feel now?” D asked. Mac had kept him up to date on the case and he had been aware of what the punishment was going to entail.

Mac was silent for a moment. “I’m okay. I think it did what we wanted, getting the message out that you don’t mess with the mates or families. I do worry that he may have been right when he said I had darkness in me and the potential to be a monster,” he admitted.

“He was wrong,” Viv said firmly, somehow sneaking up on him. “I don’t think monsters can love. Whatever you did, you did it because you love. To keep others safe. He did what he did for his own pleasure and wants.”

“What if I did it for revenge?” Mac asked softly.

“For the ones you love,” she pointed out. “I don’t need or want to know the details, but I know whatever you did it was to try to protect others.”

“I don’t know that I’m as good as you’re making me out to be,” Mac warned.

“No one is all good. I think you’re perfect for me, so stop being mean to yourself,” Viv ordered, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“Wha’ happened? Mac’s home?” A bleary-eyed Thomas stumbled over to join them. “Is it done? Viv’s safe?”

“She’s safe,” Mac promised. “We found the person who was behind it. He was brought in front of Lucifer and we made an example of him. Lucifer said the nonhumans clearly didn’t get the message earlier, but there was no mistaking the message this time. Viv and our family are off limits. I don’t think something like this will happen again.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re home and safe,” Thomas said. “Let’s go to bed,” he said, grabbing D’s hand and pulling him down their hallway.

“Come on,” Viv said, pulling Mac to their room. “I need to hold you.”

“I got a shower before I came home,” Mac told her, wanting her to know that he wasn’t coming to their bed with any trace of the killer on him.

“Good, then you can get right in bed,” Viv replied.

Mac stripped as soon as he crossed the threshold, wanting to hold his mate in his arms. He didn’t tell her that he would do it all over again, capturing and torturing a man to make a point to leave her alone. He would do it a thousand times over if it meant keeping her safe. If that made him a monster, so be it. He’d have no regrets.

Viv snuggled back into Mac’s arms, happy to have him home. She had told him the truth last night. She didn’t believe he was a monster. He worked hard to protect people, especially those who couldn’t defend themselves. She also knew that whatever had gone down last night had to be especially gruesome and harsh to make an impression on nonhumans. They lived for so long and had seen so much, that it was probably easy for them to get jaded. To get past that would require something extreme. She really didn’t want to know, not because she thought it would change her opinion of her mate, but because she already had enough horrible images in her head. Her nightmares didn’t need more fuel.

“What should we do today?” Mac asked, holding her tighter.

“We really need to get the Christmas presents wrapped. We’re supposed to go to Netherworld in three days for our visit. I need to look through everything and make sure we have presents for everyone too. I didn’t get much done over the past week. I think I got the gifts finished with online shopping, but I was very distracted and need to make sure I didn’t forget anyone. Can you help me pick something out for Bert, Liam, and Gina? I know I have them left. I thought it could be delivered to their homes since I don’t think we’ll see them before we leave. Maybe we can have them all over around New Year’s? As like a thank you dinner, or something, or is that silly?” Viv asked.

“I think that sounds perfect. Bert was angling for an invite to dinner for the demon goulash. I know of a few things they might like for Christmas, and I have their addresses. We can online shop today and get those out, and then wrap the presents we have for everyone else. Do you think we can wrap out in the living room, or do you want to do it in your reading room?” Mac asked.

“Let me grab out D’s and Thomas’ gifts and I’ll wrap those later. We’ll do the rest in the living room; Thomas will probably want to hang out anyway. He’s been worried.”

“I’ll throw some sweatpants on and go make blueberry pancakes and bacon,” Mac suggested. “Why don’t you grab a shower and the gifts? Breakfast should be ready by then.”

“You’re going to spoil us,” she said, pressing a kiss to his lips. She held his face between her hands. “I love you. Thank you for watching over us.”

“I love you too. Always. Forever,” Mac promised.