Purely a fanfic. Nothing more. I do not own any books yet :/

~Chapter Two: Methods~

~Mason~

The boy proved to be quite a handle getting him back to Eden. Few people knew there was the Guardian and Keeper prison beneath the club, including the Searchers. The look the boy gave me was unbearable as I went to tie his wrists at his back. Those blue eyes pierced my own hazel eyes as if they already knew my secrets and fears. He let me put on the metal without much of a struggle however he did smack Calla over the head with it a few moments later. If I hadn't been there the boy would've been dead before Emile even got the chance.

And now, as I raised his arms up to hook the chain on a hook hanging from the ceiling, he shot me another accusing look. I could smell his fear throughout the entire room—and blood. Once he was secured I knelt down to inspect his thigh. As I reached for it the boy cursed and kicked at me. I took his leg in a death grip causing him to cry out in pain and arch his back trying to sooth it. I looked him in the eyes with a stern expression, "Stay still. Kick me and you lose a leg."

When I held his gaze he gave one small nod before looking away and closing his eyes. I loosened my grip, but as my fingers brushed over the wound he gasped sharply and tried to pull away from me. I shot him an icy glare and he forced himself to calm down, biting his lip. I began to peel away the fabric of his pants from it and his face contorted in pain.

"Sorry," I murmured. Once I could get a good look at the wound itself I reported, "It isn't too deep and missed your artery. You're lucky."

He said nothing to me in reply but his eyes told another story. You call this lucky? I'm going to die any minute now and you call this lucky? He turned his face away from me.

"Do you have a name?" I asked as I began unraveling the bandages and taking out a bottle of medicine I knew he was sure to hate. He didn't answer. "You might as well tell me, it isn't like you're going to live much longer."

"Neville," he muttered reluctantly.

I gave him a smile and he scowled at me briefly before looking away again having nothing to say. I pulled out a small knife and his breath caught in his throat, his heart rate picking up fast. "Relax," I instructed, using it to cut away some of the fabric around his thigh. Once I could get to the entire wound fairly well I let him keep the rest of his pants and moved to the bottle, dumping some of its contents onto a rag. "This will hurt," I said as I touched the rag to the wound. He sucked in air and whimpered slightly. "Sorry."

I began to wrap his leg then and he seemed to relax a little bit with the pain slowly subsiding. I watched him unable to get the images of wraiths out of my mind. Trying to get my mind off of it I allowed myself one glance up at the boy. He had toned muscles but no amazing abs or anything. His stomach was smooth and flat and my mouth watered at the thought of my hands running down his bare skin.

Stop it, Mason.

I looked up at his face then. It hung slightly to the side, his black hair limply dangling before his closed eyes. He had beautiful lips, curved and a soft pink. I licked mine as I longed to stand up right then and taste him. I fought the urge and finished wrapping his leg in silence. As I stood gathering up the small mess I'd made I froze at his small voice whispering, "Thank you."

I nodded once, "You're welcome."

I stood there simply staring at him until the door flung open and I snapped my attention to the Keepers. Emile, Efron, and Lumine all entered. Emile was grinning like a madman and Efron seemed displeased that the Banes hadn't found the Searcher while Lumine simply came over to stand before the frail boy. The boy looked at her with little emotion besides hatred and wariness.

"See? I told you he was young," Emile's eyes taunted Efron's. It was always a competition to them, much like the packs.

Lumine hooked a long nail under Neville's chin and he pulled away from her. She only smiled, "Indeed he is. Now, child, what is your name?"

He said nothing. Lumine sighed, "Shame. I was hoping I wouldn't have to with one so young." She waived her bony hand and the wraith appeared at her side making me bare my fangs at the dark figure. Emile's firm hand on my shoulder was the only thing that held me in my human form. Neville, however, didn't falter. He noticed the figure looming towards him but he held his head high. "Your name, dear child?"

Nothing.

"Very well." She waived her hand again and the wraith consumed him. I flinched and Emile tugged me closer to him as if I would try to lunge at the shadow. The boy's screams filled the room and chilled my skin. When she finally called back the wraith Neville hung limply from the chains and was gasping for air, every few breaths a whimper would escape him. Lumine trailed her nails along his neck, feeling the pulse beat beneath his skin. Her voice was soft, "I have no will to put you through any more pain than you have already endured, child. I simply wish to know your name. If you cannot answer that question I can assure you there will be a lot more than a simple wraith."

The boy's eyes briefly met hers before dropping to the floor again. Seeing how Neville wasn't going to respond I spoke, "His name is Neville."

The Keepers eyes all landed on me. Efron glared, "How do you know this?"

"He told me. When I was tending to his leg," I explained trying to ignore the lump in my throat. They all slowly nodded, Efron's gaze narrowing on mine.

Lumine breathed, "Perhaps you should ask the questions, Dear Mason. Since he was so keen to answer to you."

My stomach dropped as Neville's pale eyes met mine in a silent plea. My voice was hallow, "I've never interrogated someone before, Mistress. I do not think it wise."

"The boy is right," Emile cackled, "There are much more…pleasing ways to get words to leave his lips. Your wraith was lovely, Mistress, but I'm sure I could make him not only scream but beg." He let his hand move down to Neville's inner thigh and the boy bucked trying desperately to kick the Keeper away. "You know how I love a challenge…"

Part of me wanted to rip his hand off for touching Neville. I knew the feeling, the twist in my gut when something of mine was being threatened. Was I really having that with this Searcher?

"Emile," Lumine rolled her eyes, "Do not scare the child. I'm sure he will come to his senses. We may be able to save him yet with one so young."

Emile growled in the back of his throat as his hand dropped away from the boy. Efron laughed lowly at the Keeper's loss, "One toy not enough for you, Emile?" My cheeks flushed and I turned away from the Bane Keeper's cold eyes, "I thought just last night you were marveling at your alpha's stamina and strength."

Emile only smiled, "No child wants simply one toy in his chest, Efron. And with such a fragile human it would be a…different change of pace."

"Boys," Lumine smiled, but the snap in her voice was firm. "Now, Emile, if the boy does not speak within three days of my methods I will let you have your way. Fair enough?" Emile nodded, clearly happy with the deal. "Now, Mason, dear, would you excuse us. Let no one inside."

I nodded and left the room without another look back at the boy or my Keeper. As I did, Lumine breathed, "After all, he is a child. Do not fear, we will go easy on you, my dear."

The screams started soon after that. They went on for hours and I cringed with every single one. Finally, the door opened and Lumine left with Efron at her side speaking softly. Emile paused and whispered in my ear, "Take the boy down to his cell. Once you're finished come back up to my quarters for the night. Understand?"

I nodded once noticing how his hand lingered on my cheek and his lips moved on mine. He gently pushed me back against the wall so he could rock his hips into mine. His hands ran over my hips and sides as his lips touched mine. I let him, knowing better than to fight it. It had been happening for so long I was starting to not even mind it anymore. When he pulled away he winked at me and began following the other Keepers. I watched them go for a moment before I made myself go inside to retrieve Neville.

I froze at the sight of him.

He was bloody and beaten, hanging limply from his chains. He was out cold and a quiet whimper passed his lips every few breaths. I gently took him down from the hook and the second I touched his skin his eyes opened wide and he begged, "Please, please, no! No more, please…Please…"

"Shh," I murmured drawing him into my arms so I could carry him out of the room. "It's over, it's over."

He seemed to fall back into unconsciousness then and I cradled his head against my chest so it wouldn't hang limply. I'd never heard a Searcher beg, but dismissed it with one so young. It was only day one of torture and he had three days at most and if he didn't give in Emile would…

If only it was over…

Author's Note: I hope you guys like it. I had a snow day today so I wrote—ended well for you guys! Please review because your reviews are the love of my life right now ;)

Thanks for reading and all your encouragements!