Thanks for all the reviews. Hope you all enjoy this chapter. Some parts towards the end of the chapter may not be pleasant reading.
"I'm surprised you two are out of your apartment already," Cooper said to Nathan and Brooke as they made their way down the grand staircase. "A vampire honeymoon period usually lasts at least two months."
"What can I say Uncle Coop?" Nathan replied. "We kind of worked up an appetite."
"Nathan!" Brooke said as she shook her head. She was glad that she could no longer blush otherwise her face would have been the same color as the carpet.
"What? I'm just telling the truth my love," he told her as he smiled. "We're going out for some air and then we'll be back before the sun comes up."
"I should hope so too," Cooper told him. "Well enjoy your night."
"We will," Nathan said as he wrapped his arm around Brooke's waist. "Come on wife, let's get some air."
"Like we need air." Brooke commented as they left the building. Brooke moved away from Nathan slightly and linked her arm though his. The two of them walked in silence for a while until they reached the park that led to the river court.
"You have a thing about bringing me to secluded areas Mrs. Scott," Nathan said as he smirked. "I'm getting the impression that you want to pounce on me."
"I used to like coming here at night when I was human," Brooke told him. "When I'd had a hectic day with the company, I used to come and sit here and it would calm me."
"So that's why you would sit here by yourself." Nathan said as it dawned on him.
"You saw me here?" Brooke asked curious.
"Yeah I did," Nathan replied. "When I watched over my family I watched over you too Brooke. You always seemed so sad when you came to sit here. I presumed that it was because of Lucas."
"Well it was partly Lucas after my mother took my company," Brooke told him as they sat on the bleachers. Brooke automatically snuggled closer to her husband as they did and Nathan wrapped his arms around her. "Now I can make happy memories at this place again."
"By doing what?" Nathan asked in a hopeful tone.
"By snuggling with you while I enjoy the view." Brooke told him with a laugh.
"Is that all?" Nathan asked in response as he grinned. He then added. "And who says that vampires snuggle?"
"My experience with you Mr. Snuggles." Brooke replied. Nathan laughed heartily at the name she had used.
"I just hope that none of our enemies hear you calling me that," Nathan said as he kissed her forehead. "I'll never live it down."
~X~
"Mr. Snuggles?" Clay Evans said to Xavier as he tried not to laugh too loudly. "Just wait until Peyton hears about that particular nickname."
"I'd like to do other things besides snuggle with that hot piece of ass." Xavier replied as he eyed the petite brunette in Nathan's arms. They were sat in Clay's car that was hidden by greenery.
"Me too," Clay agreed. "I can't wait to hear her scream when Ian uses those toys of his."
"Have you seen the toys yet?" Xavier asked eagerly.
"I have," Clay replied with a grin. "They're nasty looking things."
"What does he have?" Xavier asked sounding like a child on Christmas morning. "I've read about the medieval torture equipment and some of the stuff sound like my dream toys."
"He's got a Judas cradle, the chair of torture, a pear of anguish, a rack and a head crusher," Clay told him. "He also has some things that he's created himself."
"I hope he lets me play with those things." Xavier said with a happy sigh as he envisioned using them on Brooke.
"Oh he's also got one of those iron strip coffin things for Nathan that's just a tad too small for him," Clay said as he chuckled. "He's made a little device for it too that will hold Nathan's eyes open so he can see what is happening to his bride."
"Even better." Xavier said as he laughed evilly.
"I wonder if she's a screamer." Clay said as he got a thoughtful look on his face.
"Well she's not quiet in the bedroom," Xavier replied with a grin. "And she seems to have a high sensitivity to touch."
"It sounds like it's going to be fun when everybody gets started on her," Clay said. "Did you hear what Peyton's new plan is?"
"No, what is it?" Xavier asked.
"After she and Ian have tortured the brunette for a while and made Nathan watch, Peyton is going to let each of us guys fuck her while Nathan has no choice but to watch," Clay told him with an evil grin. "And then Peyton is going to kill the whore in front of him before she does the same to him."
"Awesome," Xavier said as his grin matched Clay's. He then looked at his watch. "Not long to go now then we'll have them both right where we want them."
"I can't wait for the others to arrive," Clay said as he and Xavier continued to watch the loved up vampire couple on the bleachers. They were now kissing. "Enjoy your last precious moments together because it's about to get incredibly nasty for the two of you."
~X~
"Do you want to see it?" Ian asked Peyton as he came out of the door that led to the room he had his toys in. They weren't in the building that housed AfterLife; they were in the abandoned factory where they had kept Nathan.
"Of course I do," Peyton said as she grinned. Ian reached out and took her hand as she stood from the elegant chair she had been sat in. "I know you're not going to disappoint me with what you've done in there."
"I aim to please you Peyton," Ian told her as he gave her a besotted look. He couldn't wait for her to get Nathan out of the way as Peyton would have more time for him. "And I know you're going to love what is behind those doors."
"Show me then," Peyton told him as she let him guide her to the doors. He opened them and led her through. Peyton looked at how the room had been set out and grinned at what she saw. "It's perfect. Now all we need are the prisoners."
"The majority of them are ready to go." Ian told her. Peyton's eyes narrowed.
"The majority?" she asked. "Who isn't ready?"
"Julian and Rachel and Chris and Lucas." Ian told her.
"Chris and Lucas aren't back from getting the fresh blood yet?" Peyton asked with a frown.
"No they're not," Ian told her. He grinned as he added. "Maybe they're having a hard time finding suitable donors to top up the blood supply."
"They probably are. Lucas is new to this whole thing after all," Peyton replied. "But what about Julian and Rachel?"
"I got a little carried away when I was playing with Rachel," Ian told her with a nasty chuckle. "I sent her out to get some blood seeing as though the food supply in the basement is practically dry. I sent Julian with her to watch her to make sure that she couldn't go to the Scott coven and warn them in case she had heard anything."
"Good thinking," Peyton told him. "And you always get carried away when you play with Rachel. I'm surprised you haven't gone too far and killed her."
"I almost have, but somehow I manage to stop myself," Ian explained. "She's my favorite toy and it would be a shame to not be able to play with her anymore."
"You know it will be a shame that I have to kill my favorite toy tonight. Maybe it's a good thing four of our team are getting blood. It gives me longer to envision what I want to do to tonight," Peyton said as she sighed. "I can't wait to see his face when he sees his replacement."
"Lucas?" Ian asked.
"Jake," Peyton replied with a smirk. "I think I'll turn him after I kill the whore, just to increase Nathan's suffering before I end his life."
"You are one sadistic woman," Ian told her with a grin. "And I like it."
"Well I need to be for the other plan we're working on," Peyton said as her smirk grew. "When I'm done nobody will dare to cross me."
~X~
"I can't believe that Peyton is going to do that." Karen said in a disbelieving tone as she looked at the two figures that stood across from her and Dan.
"I can," Dan replied. "It's her style. And it's definitely happening tonight?"
"Yes," one of their guests replied. "Peyton thinks we're out getting blood. Once we get back that's when the attack will begin."
"I can't believe that this has been her agenda," the other replied in a shocked tone. "She needs to be stopped before she can actually carry that out."
"She certainly does," Karen agreed. "Because there is no way that I'm going to answer to that monster."
"Me neither," Dan told her. "Where is this attack on Brooke and Nathan happening?"
"Somewhere outside that's all I know," The first guest answered. "I know that's not very helpful but it's all the information I have."
"When we find out I can send a text." The second visitor replied.
"A what?" Dan and Karen asked in unison.
"A text message on my cell phone."
"We don't have that kind of technology," Dan replied with a frown. "We have a more traditional way of doing things here."
"I see." their second visitor replied.
"Why don't you rally the troops and get one to stake out the club?" the first visitor suggested. "Then they can get word back to you and we can stop her."
"I don't know," Karen replied. She had an uneasy feeling in her gut. "I have a bad feeling."
"Have I ever let you down before?"
"No and it's not you I have the bad feeling about," Karen told their guest. "It's the whole situation. I have a feeling that something horrible is going to happen."
"Let's just hope it doesn't," Dan said. "I'm going to call an emergency meeting. Hopefully we can put a stop to this before it goes any further."
~X~
"It's about time you four returned," Daunte said to Rachel, Julian, Lucas and Chris. "Did you all get the blood sorted?"
"Nobody seems to be out tonight," Julian told him. "We managed to find a homeless guy so Rachel could feed."
"Yeah it was pretty much dead out," Chris added. "It's like the residents of Tree Hill knew something is going down tonight."
"We'll just have to wait on the current food to restock itself." Lucas said.
"You'd think humans would be able to produce blood faster than they do," Felix said from his spot. "I could always try working on that spell again."
"No!" Daunte replied. "You know what happened the last time."
"What happened?" Lucas asked curiously.
"The magic was a little off and we all got the vamp equivalent of food poisoning," Felix told him. "I think I had the wrong measurement of three different spell ingredients. Peyton's only just lifted my ban on casting spells."
"So be careful around him," Anna told Lucas. "Don't let him talk you into being a test subject. I had no choice in learning the hard way with him being my big brother and all."
"Have you all finished with the chitchat?" Daunte asked in an annoyed tone. "In case it failed to get your attention, Peyton's plan of action starts tonight. She needs each and every one of you to step up and actually show her that you're worthy of being part of her coven. Each of you that ends up on the wrong side of her will be terminated instantly. She's done with keeping the runts around and when she becomes the ruler of our kind she'll have plenty of choice of who she keeps around her. And the less wasters there are, the stronger we will be and then the humans will not stand a chance against us when we farm them."
"Farm them?" Rachel and Lucas asked as they shared a confused look. There were also confused and excited murmurs from the gathered vampires.
"Yes. Instead of us having to scavenge for fresh blood like rats on a rubbish dump, we'll move the humans to farms where they will become the livestock," Daunte explained. "The hospitals will be turned into breeding grounds so our supply doesn't run out. Then we take over their homes and businesses."
"Is that just in Tree Hill?" Nick asked.
"To begin with," Daunte replied. "Depending on the success of this depends if we expand to other states."
"God it's like Pinky and the Brain," Chris whispered to Lucas. Lucas bit back his snigger. "Today Tree Hill, tomorrow the world!"
"Do you have anything to add Chris?" Daunte asked the psychic. He didn't particularly like him and only tolerated him as Peyton trusted him.
"Nope you're good," Chris replied. "Chris Keller just wants to know where we're gonna grab rogue vamp and his hot momma."
"Clay and Xavier had gotten word back to us," Daunte replied with a sinister grin. "We're heading to the basketball court by the river. And we're heading there now while they're otherwise distracted."
~X~
"Is this what we're going to do all night?" Nathan asked as they continued to watch the river.
"I just want to stay a little while longer," Brooke told him in a happy tone. "We can go back to the apartment soon and you can do whatever you want to me."
"I can't wait," Nathan said before he kissed her briefly. "I think I might get a little kinky tonight."
"Oh you do huh?" Brooke asked in an amused tone.
I'm thinking I might live out a little fantasy I have of you where you're tied to the bed and you're at my complete mercy, Nathan thought.
I can't wait to try that, she thought in response. As long as it's all good stuff you're going to do to me.
"Of course it will be all good stuff," Nathan told her. "You're gonna be on pleasure overload. You'll be trying so hard not to scream the place down."
Damn, Brooke thought causing Nathan to chuckle softly.
"I beg to differ," Clay said as he and Xavier approached the happy couple. Nathan's chuckled faded abruptly. "Although she will be screaming, it won't be in pleasure."
"What are you doing here Clay?" Nathan asked in an angry tone. He the silently said, Stay close to me Brooke.
Okay, she replied as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"We've come to take you back to where you belong." Clay told him. Nathan's hold tightened on Brooke as he saw Xavier eyeing her evilly.
"You think that the two of you can make me go back?" Nathan asked as he looked from Xavier to Clay.
"No," Xavier told him. His voice sent a shiver of fear up Brooke's spine. "That's why we're all here."
"What?" Nathan asked with dread in his voice. Brooke instantly picked up on the fear that coursed through him as he looked behind them. Oh God, he thought as he saw Peyton's gang of minions behind them.
"You've got no hope of getting away Nathan." Clay told him in a sinister tone.
"Neither does that hot piece of ass in your arms," Xavier added as he continued to stare at Brooke. He licked his lips as he did. "I can't wait to have a go at that!"
Follow my lead Brooke, Nathan told her through their connection as he stood from the bleachers. They were on the lowest one and ended up stood on the grass that surrounded the river court. He then moved in front of Brooke so that he was between her and Xavier and Clay. He glanced around at the others and saw that they hadn't moved. Run.
In the blink of an eye Brooke reluctantly released he hold on Nathan's waist and set off running. She knew that now wasn't the time to question Nathan or to be defiant and stay by his side. She trusted his judgment and knew that it was for the best to get out of there. She was glad of her vampire speed; however she could hear another vampire approaching her fast. She hoped it wasn't the one who had been giving her the creeps when he stared at her. She hoped that she would make it back to the apartments so that she could alert the others about what was happening. However, as she rounded the corner, she felt a pair of powerful arms grab her.
"Let me go!" she screamed as rough hands held her against a distinctly male body.
"You're not going anywhere sweet cheeks," the voice of the creepy guy said. "Except back to where I can have some fun with your sexy ass."
"Don't touch me." Brooke told him as she felt his hands runs over her petite frame. She hated that he was so much stronger than her even with her extra vampire strength. His hand slipped under her shirt and rested against the bare skin of her belly. Something sharp poked into her skin and she felt everything begin to go dark.
"Have a nice night." Xavier chuckled as he let his hold on Brooke go. She heard his words and his eerie chuckle as she fell to the floor in a heap and closed her eyes.
~X~
Nathan opened his eyes and tried to move to take in his surroundings. He realized that he couldn't and frowned. He then looked downwards and groaned inwardly as he saw what contraption he had been imprisoned in and that he was naked. The coffin as it was known was made out of strips of iron that were forged to create the shape of a person. The one Nathan was currently in was slightly on the small side and Nathan wondered how they had manage to cram him into the space. He had heard of this particular toy of Ian's through listening to Peyton's minions gossiping. He knew that it really wasn't good when somebody was put into it. He noticed that there were some strange looking prong type things that were on level with his eyes. He hoped that they weren't to gouge them out.
He heard a noise from within the room he was in and looked around the best he could. His unbeating heart leapt into his throat as he saw that the noise had come from Brooke who was just coming to. He saw that she was sat in the chair of torture. His anger rose as he saw that she was as naked as he was and she was strapped tightly to the contraption. Her wrists were strapped to each sturdy arm and her upper body was held against the back of the chair by a metal bar that sat just below her bust. He wished that he could free himself so that he could rescue her from that chair. It made him sick to think of the numerous sharp spikes that covered the seat, back and arms sticking into her porcelain flesh.
This hurts so much Nathan, Brooke told him through their connection. She had tried to speak but her mouth didn't seem to want to work.
I know my love, he told her, wishing with every ounce of his body that he could bend the bars and get out of his prison. This is all my fault.
How is it your fault? She managed to ask. He could feel the pain she was experiencing in every word of her thoughts.
For bringing you into this world, he told her sadly. If I had just walked away before I took too much you would be safe.
I wouldn't change that for the world, Brooke told him. I don't care what this bitch does to me it won't change my opinion on that.
You haven't seen what she's capable of yet, Nathan told her. I'm so sorry for what she's going to do to you. I don't know how I'm going to get you out of this.
"Well look who is awake," Peyton said as she strolled up to her captives. "It is so nice of you both to awaken in time for the party."
"Go to hell Peyton!" Nathan told her in a gruff, angry tone.
"That isn't a very nice way to talk to the person who has helped to arrange your welcome home party," she told him as she gave him a sinister smile. "And the person who is going to kill you once I have made you truly suffer for one last time."
"Nothing that you do to me can make me suffer you evil, cold hearted bitch!" Nathan spat back.
"Did I say that I was going to do anything to you dear boy?" Peyton asked as her smirk grew. "I can make you suffer without even laying a finger on you. All I have to do is hurt the whore that you dared to make your wife. And trust me when I tell you that what I have in store is the worst thing that I have ever done to anybody. You of all people know what I am capable of. Think of everything that I have done and multiply it by any number you care. It still won't come in the region of bad. She's going to beg to die before me and the boys are through with her."
"Don't you dare lay a finger on her," Nathan warned in a growl. "She has done nothing to you."
"Oh but she has," Peyton told him as her smile dropped. "She took you away from me."
"No she didn't because you never had me Peyton," Nathan told her as he glared into her eyes. "I left of my own free will and you know it."
"Do you really want to make me anymore annoyed at you than I already am?" Peyton questioned as she gazed steadily at him. "Especially when you're locked up in there and can't defend your poor defenseless wife. I'm going to enjoy watching you suffer as you see the men of this coven defile your precious wife! You won't have any option but to watch every tiny thing that they do to her until she's a bloody pulp on the floor. And then when she thinks that it can't get any worse, I'm going to use magic fire to slowly burn her until she's nothing but a pile of ash."
"You sadistic bitch." Brooke spat from her spot in the chair. Peyton spun round and looked at her.
"Oh good you can talk," she said as she slowly stalked over to her. "At least I know you will be able to scream."
"I would never give you the pleasure," Brooke told her as she glared at the blonde vampire. "I don't care what you do to me but you won't hear me scream."
"That is what they all say," Peyton said with an icy chuckle. "But in the end they all do and you will be no exception. Even your beloved husband will be screaming when he sees what I have in store for you."
"Just get on with it you psychotic bitch!" Brooke yelled at her. She had had enough of listening to the annoying blonde and just wanted the whole thing over, even if it did result in her death. She just hoped that Peyton would drag the torture out for too long.
Don't provoke her like that my love, Nathan told her. She will make it so much worse than she already has planned.
I can take it, Brooke told him. Although she didn't think that she could. She knew that she would be screaming in her head with whatever was about to happen to her and Nathan would hear every single one.
"Well if you insist," Peyton said with an eerie chuckle. "Before I have one of my loyal followers read you, I want to have a little fun with you."
Peyton then went to a table that held a small ancient looking chest. She opened the lid with ease before she put on a thick leather glove. Nathan groaned inwardly as he realized what she was going to do. She had done this to him on several occasions and knew that t would hurt like a bitch. Brooke felt what Nathan was feeling and tried to prepare herself for whatever Peyton was going to do to her. She saw her pick up an intricate black colored glass bottle and she wondered what was inside. Peyton then pulled the jeweled stopped out of the top and slowly walked back over to where Brooke was restrained.
"I am going to enjoy this immensely." Peyton said with an evil grin.
She then jerked her arm forward and the liquid contents of the bottle poured out and landed on Brooke's pale skin. As the liquid touched Brooke's flesh it took all her willpower not to scream or squirm with the pain it caused. Squirming would only make the spikes dig further into her flesh. It felt like she was having boiling hot oil poured onto her. She remembered when she had helped Deb out at her diner when she and Lucas had still been dating and had accidentally splashed herself while making some French fries. It had hurt like hell, but had been nothing in comparison to this.
Nathan it hurts so much, she told him through their connection.
Just focus on me, he replied. Try and forget what she's doing.
Easier said than done, she told him as Peyton splashed more of the liquid onto her. What the hell is this stuff?
Holy water, Nathan told her. Her next toy will be a silver crucifix.
Great, Brooke replied as the burning eased slightly.
"Interesting," Peyton said as she walked back to where the chest was. She placed the stopper into the bottle and then placed the bottle back into the chest. "Not many people just sit there while I douse them in holy water."
"Well I'm not most people." Brooke told her in an angry tone. She was surprised that her voice was normal.
"No you are not and that is good for what I have planned as most people would not last as long as a vampire," Peyton replied as she picked a shiny silver item out. Brooke realized that it was the crucifix. "This will hurt you more than the holy water. I believe you will scream with this."
"In your dreams maybe." Brooke retorted.
Peyton just chuckled in response as she walked back over to the brunette. She didn't hesitate in her actions and began to press the crucifix onto every exposed part of Brooke's flesh. The skin sizzled and a burning smell began to fill the room as Peyton went about her actions. Brooke gritted her teeth as Peyton alternated between leaving black, charred crosses on her skin and weeping, red ones. Even Brooke's face received the cruel treatment. The entire front of her body was red, black, charred and weeping. She only stopped her actions when Chris and Lucas walked into the room. She looked over at the two of them and burst out laughing.
"Why are you dressed like that?" she asked as she eyed their clothing. They both wore gray hooded robes over their clothing.
"I thought that we would make a statement." Chris replied.
"Why do you have Lucas with you?" Peyton asked as her eyes narrowed slightly.
"I want to see if my instincts are correct regarding your new boy toy," Chris told her. She looked at him quizzically and he continued talking. "I think that Lucas maybe psychic too. Plus it will make a certain female in this room really uncomfortable if he's here and eyeing her nakedness the way he is."
"I like the way that you think," Peyton told him as she crossed back to the chest and placed the crucifix back inside. She then took the glove off and closed the chest. "Am I still required to wait outside?"
"Of course," Chris told her. "You know how I work. If Lucas isn't any good I'll throw him out so I can work."
"Okay then," Peyton replied as she headed towards the exit. "I hope there are some deep, dark fears in that head of hers."
"Well we'll see won't we?" Chris called as she headed out of the door.
Chris waited for the door to close before he headed over to Nathan. He produced a key and put it into the lock of the coffin he was in surprising him. Lucas went over to Brooke as Chris helped Nathan out of the coffin. He unfastened the bonds on her arms before quickly unfastening the bar. He place a hand under each arm and carefully began to lift her as he tried not to look at her wounds. She looked at him in confusion as he did.
"Lucas?" she whispered as she frowned in pain.
"It's okay, we're getting you out of here Brooke," Lucas told her as the spikes came free of her flesh. The scent of fresh blood hit all of their noses as it began to flow from the numerous holes in her skin. "We're getting you to safety."
"Why?" she asked as he leant her against a bare stone wall. He then took his robe off and handed it to Brooke.
"Because it's the right thing to do," Lucas told her as he helped her put the robe on. Nathan appeared beside them dressed in the robe Chris had worn and fastened the robe for her. Lucas looked at Chris and asked. "Can we tell them yet?"
"I don't see why we can't," Chris replied. Nathan and Brooke shared confused looks as Nathan supported a weak Brooke. Chris looked around before he began to whisper. "Nathan, your father planted me here when he and your mom began to look for a way to get you away from Peyton for good. My ability allows me to see her every weakness and I've reported them all to your father. He and your mom are arranging the battle plan to bring down the blonde bitch once and for all. And it's happening tonight."
"As soon as we get you guys and Jake out of here." Lucas added.
"Jake's here?" Brooke managed as she sagged against Nathan. She was getting weaker by the moment as the blood continued to flow out of the wounds. Nathan was worried about her because she hadn't even started to heal.
"Yeah Peyton wanted him as her toy. She was going to replace Nathan with him after she had killed him," Chris told her. "Rachel and Julian are with him outside. They're waiting on us."
"How are we going to get out?" Nathan asked.
"We have a diversion that should be happening around now," Chris replied. Sure enough chaos seemed to erupt from the other side of the door. Brooke and Nathan looked puzzled. "I used a little magic to make them all think that there are several werewolves in the building. So we better get out of here before the spell wears off."