Chapter 25

Ashley knew Sebastian Hewel was dangerous. He might give off the vibe of a goth kid who’d gone a bit OTT with his mother’s kohl but he was a crazy fucker who had no worries about wielding holy water and an anti-vampire potion as if they couldn’t dissolve his own face.

“Alex, I understand you were going to question our friend here, but I think I’d prefer to do it myself. You don’t happen to have a set of syringes?”

Alex waved his fingers and a rolled-up canvas bag materialised. “Yes, sir. They are a key part of my truth-finding apparatus.”

Sebastian flashed him a smile. “You elves have the best kit. Tell me, were you a Delurian Guard?”

“Red Star, sir.”

“My, that is impressive.”

Ashley had only a general knowledge of elf military but he’d heard of the elite teams of assassins and they didn’t get more revered than the Red Stars of the Delurian Guard. Not for the first time did he wonder how Alex had ended up as Ben’s secretary, and appeared happy to be so.

Alex laid down his bag and rolled it out for Sebastian. There were a lot of sharp metal tools, most of which Ashley was relieved to have as far away from him as possible. “Let me know if there’s any assistance I can give,” Alex said.

“If you wouldn’t mind filling the syringes with the holy water while I kick things off.”

Sebastian came to stand in front of the aswang, half of her face had melted as if she was wearing a wax mask of Catlin Redbourn that had started to run. “I’m not a patient man,” Sebastian began, “you’ll be given an opportunity to tell me what I want to know. After that I will be creative in getting the answers I want.”

“I will tell you nothing. It’s not as if you will allow me to leave.” The tone was dismissive. She wasn’t wrong but Ashley didn’t think she’d be foolish enough to rile Sebastian.

Sebastian examined Alex’s kit and picked up a longer silver knife. “True, but I can make your final moments on this planet unbearable or I can dispatch you quickly. Either works for me.”

“Do as you wish.”

Sebastian pressed the point of the knife to the aswang’s cheek. “Where is Catlin Redbourn?”

“Neverland. With the Lost Boys and Wendy.”

Sebastian dug the knife’s blade into her skin, it must have had some silver in it as she hissed and her skin blackened. “I will ask something simpler. Is she still unalive?”

Her tongue slithered out of her mouth. “Could be either.”

“I happen to know that aswangs have an excellent resale value, your liver in particular can fetch thousands. Regenerative as well, I believe.” He turned to Alex. “Are those syringes ready?”

“My physiology is not interesting.”

“I tend to disagree. I have a new venture idea called Prometheus.” Sebastian smiled nastily. “Although there are other parts that are just as useful. I’ve quite a collection of creatures all ready to be harvested.”

Ashley knew of several rare potions and magical rites that used aswang liver and lungs, powerful dark brews he wouldn’t touch but they had their uses in specific cases. He glanced at Ben to garner his reaction. They’d hardly be topics to be included in the next Evelyn Howes book, but Ben would have known of their existence, and if he’d have been caught brewing them without permission, the penalties were high and often permanent. Ben’s expression was blank, but Jack looked revolted.

Sebastian took the syringe Alex offered. “Like I said, I could give you a relatively painless end. Or I could make you suffer week in, week out. Taking your innards and selling them. I do like the idea of a sideline, I’d need a competent potion master though.” Sebastian didn’t turn but said, “What do you think, Ben, could you and Baby Niven brew up a Starlight potion? Bet you’d look smashing dancing around a cauldron in the nuddy.”

Anthony choked and Sebastian cackled, a madness in his cadence. “Don’t worry, Anthony, I know you look marvellous naked.”

“You are delusional,” she spat, her tongue lapping at her own blood now trickling down her cheek.

“I’ve been called worse and more accurate things.” He pressed the tip of the needle to her neck. “This is going to hurt, but it shouldn’t damage the organs… just burn as if your nerves are being pulled out one by one.”

The scream cut through Ashley. He’d never played the role of torturer, and had done plenty of things that skirted propriety and would have made most people’s moral compass spin, but not this. She wailed in agony, even Ben flinched at the noise, no doubt thinking the pain he would suffer if the same were done to him.

“Tell me where Catlin Redbourn is.” Sebastian took a second syringe. “Honestly, if you thought the first was bad you’re going to really suffer with the second because from what I’ve seen the effects are cumulative, exponential even.”

“Go back to hell.”

“Oh, they wouldn’t want me.”

The aswang was shaking, the effects of the holy water coursing through her. She wasn’t a large woman, Catlin’s frame was on the petite side and Ashley thought she wouldn’t survive much more. Her jaw was clenched shut, as if keeping her words behind her teeth to stop them tumbling out.

Sebastian emptied the second syringe into her neck, she screamed, the cry echoing around the room and she sagged against the cage.

Alex cleared his throat. “Would sir like the knife we’ve prepared?”

“Only if I get to the point that I want to put her out of her misery.” Sebastian cocked his head to one side. “And we’re not there yet.”

Ashley didn’t get involved in this side of the paranormal community, but he knew that it happened. The vampires may have agreed to have the Invigilators to deal with keeping general order and prevent infighting but no one was going to stop them from dishing out punishment when one of their own was affected by an external force.

Her eyes were wide, and she was drooling from the pain.

“One more time. Where is Catlin Redbourn?”

She hissed but Ashley could see the fight was dying. “Gone. No more.”

Sebastian stiffened. “I see.”

Alex stepped a little closer with the knife. “Sir?”

“Oh no, this one doesn’t get away with her crimes so easily.” Sebastian removed a card from his back pocket. “You still have access to the elf portals, right?”

“Yes, sir. But they’re not designed for the undead’s constitution without some protection.”

Sebastian scoffed. “She’ll survive. Deliver her there.”

Alex took the card. “Prometheus Holdings?”

“Yes. Chop-chop. Don’t want her getting too comfortable. And get rid of this knife, it could cause a nasty cut.”

Ashley had thought Sebastian’s speech about harvesting body parts pure rhetoric but evidently not. Alex banished the knife and moments later disappeared through a portal with the aswang begging for death.

Sebastian turned around to face them and put his hands on his hips. “Now that’s dealt with I’m going to spend some time with Anthony, and then I’ll deal with Ben.”