Title: Golden Blood
Subtitle: The wolf plots
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Kai/Rei
Moscow, 2008
Tala sighed, as the guard closed his room door. He winced as the lock went 'snick' and walked over to his cold, empty bed and sat down. He reached behind him and pulled Bryan's pillow to him and buried his face in the plain white fabric and breathed deeply, filling his lungs with his lover's scent.
"Bryan." The wolf whispered into the material, his sapphire's filling with tears. Blinking furiously, he raised his head and glared at the wooden door so intently, it was a wonder the wood didn't burst into flames.
"I will find a way to hurt you, like you've hurt Bryan and I, Kai. That I promise you." He said softly into the gloom of his room. The redhead put the pillow back and rose from his bed and began to pace; his mind running over one option and another, and each was rejected for different reasons.
"Dammit," he growled as he thumped his innocent locker's door with a clenched fist, "if I could only figure out Kai's weak spot. He has to have one!" He wheeled from the locker and stalked to the door, reaching for the knob. Scant centimeters from it, his hand froze, as he realized what he'd been about to do. He had gotten so used to talking things out with Bryan that he had automatically turned to go to the falcon with this, and that would have been disastrous for both of them.
"Oh, hell!" He groaned and spun back toward his bed. "Ian, you better have good news for me." He sighed, as he flopped down on the bed and laid back. "Because, I'm going mad here."
After lying on the bed for sometime, he finally rose and stripped to his boxers; then he crawled into bed and curled around Bryan's pillow, allowing the deeply embedded scent to lull him to sleep.
'Finally!' After figuring out where he had gone wrong, the shadow that had been following Boris and Kai made it to the river. The black on hazy gray shadow leaned a cautious inch around the trunk of a tree, and spotted two cloaked figures standing close to the riverbank. The taller of the two was holding something out to the other, and using a small flashlight to illuminate whatever it was.
The watcher eased on around the tree and moved cautiously down a short slope, feeling with cold feet for every step. Reaching the bottom of the slope, the short shadow kept to the scant cover of some dead bushes and eased up to a boulder, where it leaned against the damp surface and listened.
Kai's hands trembled as he stared down at that beloved face. For a moment, he closed his eyes and remembered the last time, he'd seen those golden irises: and the way he'd killed the light in those glorious eyes. Dragging his mind from his painful past; he stroked a creamy cheek with a gentle thumb.
"Vlas." He whispered again. He had never believed in God, or any other higher power, despite the times; he'd cursed that very deity while confined in his coffin, but he'd be willing to believe now, with this proof of a miracle in his hands.
Jazzman watched the vampire with an ache in his heart. 'It's so unfair,' he thought. 'He wants this to be his lover so badly, and yet I'm going to have to tell him that boy isn't who he believes him to be; and that we only suspect that he is his lost lover's reincarnation.' Unwillingly, he cleared his throat and spoke quietly.
"This is Rei Kon, he's from a province in China. He has already agreed to join the Bladebreakers and we have two other boys in mind to round out the team."
As Jazzman's words sank in, Kai felt the fledgling joy in his soul wilt. 'Fool! You should have known that this couldn't be Vlas. Vlas is dead! Dead and long gone to dust!' He berated himself, as the ache in his heart that had never really left him; burst into fiery bloom. "What kind of trick is this?" he raised his head slowly and watched as D. J. jerked away in fear.
The BBA judge fought down his fear, as he stared at the boy. Kai's eyes were blood red with dead black irises and his face began to contort with his rage. "You deliberately showed him to me and . . ." Kai's voice trailed off as his eyes widen with realization. "You knew! He hissed furiously and dropped the photo to the ground. "You and this Mr. Dickenson knew about Vlas and you deliberately went out and found someone, you could use to lure me into agreeing to your plan."
Danek leapt from the tree and sprinted to a spot near enough to intervene if Kai attacked, but not close enough to be spotted. 'How interesting. Dickenson must be planning a major move against Voltaire; if he's willing to risk enraging Kai like this.' The Russian vampire smirked, 'I'll have to get a message to Robert, as soon as this little conversation is over.'
The other listener sucked in a surprised breath. 'I've got to get my hands on whatever that is! If it can get that damn vampire all worked up like this, Tala is gonna want to see it! Now how do I pull that off?'
'God, this is gonna be tricky.' Jazzman felt the sweat trickle down his temple; the next few moments might very well be his last, and he knew it. "Please, Kai, no one is trying to trick you." With an effort, he kept his voice calm and confident. "Please hear me out."
"Why should I?" Kai's voice was a husky venomous whisper and D. J. shivered.
"Because," the human answered softly, "We believe Rei is Vlas's reincarnation."
Hong Kong, 2008
'He felt the woman's blood splash on him; rolling to his knees and pushing himself up on his hands, he began to heave – emptying his stomach of everything he'd eaten or drunk in the past couple of days.'
The sun was barely showing, when Rei woke with a gasp from the deadly nightmare's grip. Shivering, he sat up in bed and felt his face for the blood, he was sure was there. Drawing the covers tighter around his body, he darted anxious looks left and right, taking in the familiar sights of his room. Seeing nothing strange or unusual except the bag of pears, he'd bought at the market; he fell groaning back against his pillow.
'Note to self, no more steamed bean paste buns late at night!' He wrote into the air with a finger. 'I've heard that eating late at night could trigger nightmares.' He thought about that and added, 'I thought for sure, I'd find her blood on my face!' Opening an eye, he turned his head and looked at his clock, noting that the cafeteria would be open in twenty minutes and he decided that maybe some strong tea would clear his head.
He'd think about food later.
By the time, he'd showered, dressed and reached the cafeteria; Rei's stomach had decided that even if HE wasn't ready for food, it was. So, Rei grabbed a tray from the pile that rested at the beginning of the line and chose a light breakfast of toast and a fruit platter, along with a mug of strong tea.
Turning from the counter, he stood undecided as to where to sit, when a voice called, "Hey, Rei! Come over here and park it!"
Grinning, Rei spotted the friendly face of one of his floor mates. Jin Huang was a black-eyed, black haired ball of energy that was always up to some kind of mischief. And Rei was very fond of him.
"Hey, Jin." Rei slid into the seat across from the other boy, who stopped chewing on a piece of bacon to observe.
"Rei, you look like shit. Rough night?"
Rei blinked, then sighed. "Yeah, I had a really, really bad nightmare." Rei reached for his tea mug and took a drink; the strong flavor streaked across his taste buds and helped to clear the last of the fog in his brain. Setting the mug down, he picked up his chopsticks and chose a piece of honeydew. Just as he brought it to his lips, Jin interrupted.
"What was it about, because man, it must have been something from the looks of you."
Rei eyed his friend over the piece of green fruit and sighed. "You aren't going to leave me alone, until I tell you, are you?"
Jin grinned mischievously, "That's right. So, let's have it!"
"Humph!" Rei snorted, but put his melon down, lying aside his chopsticks; he put his hands in his lap to hide their trembling.
"Last night," he began and told Jin all about sneaking out to the market, the sights he'd seen and about the pears, he'd bought and the bun, he'd eaten. Then he'd come back and gone to bed and had a horrible dream about two male vampires killing a female vampire.
"Man, no wonder you look wiped out!" Jin exclaimed. "A dream like that would freak me out, too!"
"That's not all." Rei grabbed his tea mug and took a healthy gulp, the warm fluid helping to steady him. "I was in the dream, at least, I saw myself." He looked at Jin with wide eyes, "And I could swear I can still feel Yovela's blood on my face."
"Whoa! Who's Yovela?" Jin demanded, shoving his plate aside and leaning closer to Rei, who shook his head.
"The female vampire. And I spent ten minutes in the shower this morning trying to wash the feel of her blood from my face and body."
"Rei," Jin said quietly as he stared at the neko-jin, "remind me to never let you watch another vampire movie. They make way too much of an impression on you!"
"Sounds good to me." Rei looked down at his plate and began to eat without any enthusiasm.
Moscow, 2008
"His reincarnation! What kind of fool, do you take me for?" Kai snapped, his fangs beginning to appear at the corners of his lips. "I don't believe in that foolishness!"
"What if he is?" D. J. said quickly, " think about it, Kai! What if we're right and he is Vlas reborn. Are you willing to risk losing this chance at reclaiming him on wounded pride? And if he isn't . . ."
"And if he isn't." Kai snarled.
"Maybe, you'll come to love him for who he is."
Boris glanced at his watch; it was time to return to the Abbey, or risk being detected. He headed down to where the two figures stood staring at each other.
"Love him?" Kai laughed bitterly, "I've only loved once and I . . ." Hearing a sound behind him, he stopped speaking and looked over his shoulder to glare at the man, who was approaching.
"D. J, we need to get back to the Abbey." Boris said when he reached them. "I've given you as much time as I dared, we'll be cutting it close as it is."
"Right." Jazzman answered, his eyes never leaving Kai's. "Think about what I've said, Kai. The only way you are really gonna know if Rei is Vlas or not, is by spending time with him." The BBA announcer shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows Rei may say or do something that only Vlas would have done, or known."
Boris looked from the sweating mortal to the frozen immortal and said, "You mean, he hasn't agreed? Dammit, D. J., I only agreed to this, because you said . . ."
"I agree." Kai's icy voice made both men flinched. The vampire looked at them, angrily. "I accept the captaincy of the Bladebreakers." He said the team's name with contempt. "But, I will do it only so long as I feel it will help me get my revenge on my grandfather. As for Rei, " He sneered, "I'll reserve judgement." He bent down and retrieved the picture of the Chinese. Straightening, he glared at D. J. "Boris will let you know when I'm ready." Flicking his hood up, Kai turned and wordlessly headed for the Abbey.
Boris and D. J looked at each other. Then D. J. shuddered, "He's ruthless."
"He's his grandfather's creation." Boris said, slowly, "And I think in time, we are going to be grateful that in that respect, he is as ruthless as that old demon. But, he's something that Voltaire is not."
"And that is?"
"Honorable in a peculiar sort of way. You'll know, when he feels he's fulfilled his part of a deal." He started to follow Kai, and then he stopped and turned. "I'll let you know, how soon he can come to Hong Kong." And then he pulled up his hood and hurried after the fast disappearing vampire.
D. J. stared after them for a long moment and then he started back to where he'd hidden his car.
Danek waited 'til the human had passed him, before racing off to his lair. The sun would soon rise and he didn't want to be caught out in it; having learned his lesson about that seventy-five years ago. Then, as a newly made vampire, he'd risked exposing his arm to the sun to see if the legends were true and had been horribly burned; it had taken a lot of blood to regenerate the tissue; now he avoided any contact with sunlight. After all, he still had a hundred and twenty-five years to go, before it would be safe for him to walk in sunlight again.
It wasn't until Boris and Kai had disappeared into the distance, that their tail detached himself from the boulder and hustled in their wake. He had to make it back, before roll call.
BBA Office, Hong Kong, 2008
Robert and Johnny walked up to the front doors of the BBA building. Robert pushed on the intercom button located on the wall and waited for the guard to answer. The man, who was sitting at a desk, was plainly visible. A brief look of annoyance crossed his face, then he closed the magazine he'd been reading and put it away in a desk drawer under a pile of files.
'Now, why would he take so much trouble to hide a magazine?' Robert wondered, as the guard got up and walked to the door. He activated the intercom from his side, and snapped. "We don't open to tourists for another five hours." The sound of his mouth snapping shut, as Robert displayed the special pass that only the most trusted members of the BBA received, was audible even to the few early pigeons looking for a handout.
Johnny smirked, as the man blanched and he stuttered an apology for his rudeness.
"I'll have the door open in a moment, sirs." the flustered man fumbled with the ring of keys that hung from his belt, as he hurried to unlock the door and admit the pair of aristocrats.
Pocketing his card, Robert brushed passed the man, making brief contact, in that moment, the man's mind opened to him like an overripe peach. There were images of very young girls and a brothel; the stink of fear and lust permeated all. He could see the flash of money and false payment vouchers being handed in. He withdrew revolted by the man's depravities.
"Do you require an escort to Mr. Dickenson's office?" the man was eager to be of service, as he tried to redeem his mistake.
"No." Robert's refusal was unequivocal, as he ushered Johnny toward the elevator; "We've been here before."
"Yes, sir."
Johnny could sense Robert's repugnance, but not having listened in on the man's thoughts, was impatient to know what was causing the German to radiate revulsion like that. As soon as they got on the elevator and its' doors had closed, he turned to his lover and demanded.
"All right, what's the matter?"
Robert studied the control panel for a moment, pushed a button and finally answered Johnny's query.
"That guard is a pedophile."
Johnny snorted in disgust. "Why didn't you say something downstairs, I'd have been glad to kick his arse for him!"
"Because," Robert glanced at Johnny and smiled icily, "I have a better idea."
"And that is?"
"I'll tell you in Mr. D's office."
As soon as the elevator's door opened, the pair of blue blood's exited and hurried down to the single door on the floor and entered.
Stanley Dickenson was standing in the doorway of his office and beckoned to them.
"Robert! Johnny! So good of you to come!" The jovial vampire greeted them and indicated some chairs in front of his desk. "Please be seated, and we'll get our business under way." He sat down in his own seat and waited for the other two to take theirs.
Robert settled down and looked at the old vampire beaming at them from the other side of the desk. Before we get started on what you had us come here for, may I borrow your phone?"
"Of course." Mr. Dickenson picked up the phone and settled it in front of the purple haired vampire. Robert quickly punched in some numbers and waited.
"Hello, Mrs. Chin, this is Pu Yin of the House of Eternal Delights, is your husband home?" A squawking sound came from the phone. "He isn't? That is most unfortunate. Please, tell him that if he doesn't settle his bill with us, then I'm afraid we will be forced to take measures. And then he won't need any more unplucked flowers." A strangled gasping sound issued out of the phone and as a shrill voice began to screech; Robert hung up.
"What was that all about?" Stanley looked at the stern faced Destroyer.
"The guard on duty, a Taywan Chin, is a child raping bastard, with a wife, who is a jealous, vindictive shrew."
"My security Chief!" Dickenson exclaimed.
Robert continued calmly, ignoring the interruption, while Johnny snickered at his side. "And I have a feeling that when he gets home, he's going to find out just how vindictive she really is."
"And you know this how?"
"When he unlocked the door and allowed us to enter, I made brief contact with him. He was upset that we had interrupted his reading of his latest magazine for men with a taste for ten-to-fourteen year old virgins. And he's paying for his illicit sexual activity by stealing from petty cash and writing fake purchase vouchers to cover the theft."
Dickenson's eyes blazed, "I'll have him arrested!"
Robert shook his head; "You'll need proof. After all, we can't exactly stand up in court and tell the judge that I read his mind and this was what was in it."
"I'll find the proof." Dickenson vowed.
Johnny snickered again, "Maybe you won't have to worry about it, Mr. Dickenson. His wife may just take care of the problem, all by herself!"
"You're right, Johnny, and I for one, wish her well!" The three shared an evil smile, and then the older man leaned forward.
"Putting that aside. I want to discuss the reason, why I asked you here."
Robert and Johnny leaned forward, their expressions serious and intent.
Balkov Abbey, Moscow, 2008
Kai went straight to his room and put the picture that D. J had given him face down in his coffin. It was almost time for roll call, and then breakfast. He'd have to use what little time he had to shower and change his clothes, before he'd have to hurry to assembly, just like most of the other boys. He'd ponder the picture and what it could mean for him, later.
Among the ones, who wouldn't be present would be Bryan, who was currently locked in his room, and would remain there, until after breakfast. And then . . .
Refusing to dwell on that subject, he snatched up a towel and stormed out to the showers.
Soon as he was out of sight, Ian slipped into his room and quickly searched the sparse furnishings for something out of place and found the photo. 'Gotta be quick!' The snake rushed out of the room and darted down to the lab, where he found the color copier empty and waiting. Swiftly, he slapped the picture down and closed the lid. Seconds later, he had a copy in his hands and was tearing back to Kai's room.
Peering up and down the hall, he darted into the vampire's room and replaced the photo. Glancing around to make sure, he had left no clue that he'd been there, Ian exited and hurried off to the special dorm.
He ran quickly, wanting to reach Tala's room, before his captain had to make his appearance at breakfast. He was panting by the time he reached the door embossed with a wolf and bearing the nameplate - Tala.
Knock. Knock.
Tala opened the door and quickly ushered Ian inside. The snake paused, when he saw Spencer sitting on the one chair the room boasted.
"What did you find out." Tala walked to his bed and sat down. The wolf looked at his long nosed teammate with shadowed eyes.
The snake smirked and held out the photo. "I may have found something we can use against Kai!"
"What!" Spencer exclaimed, as Tala reached for the photo in Ian's hand. As Ian handed the photo over, he looked over at his best friend and started yammering excitedly.
"Boris took Kai out by a secret route this morning and they went down to the river! Boris stayed up on the hill, while Kai went down to the bank. I went after that damn vampire and he met up with Jazzman."
"So, he is here." Tala mused, before gesturing for Ian to continue.
"Yeah, it was the BBA judge all right. I'd know that guy anywhere, but that's not the best part!" Ian bounced up and down, waving his arms. "I hid behind this boulder and heard every word. The reason Kai was brought here was so he could take on the captaincy of a new team outta Hong Kong, 'the Bladebreakers!' And it was Jazzy, who gave Kai that photo and you'll never guess why!" The imp's eyes glowed with excitement.
"Ian," Tala growled, "I don't have time for any of your games, just tell us!"
Ian slumped, remembering what was planned for that morning. "Yeah, you're right, sorry Tal"
Tala waved his apology away. "Never mind that, just tell me."
"After Jazz told Kai about the new team. That stupid vamp told him that he didn't want a team, so Jazzy gave him something, and the next thing I knew things got real quiet, but not for long. I couldn't hear what was said for a couple of minutes, but then Kai got mad and started bitching Jazzman out about being tricked, and I peeked around the boulder." Ian paused for a second to catch his breath, but then he plunged back into his story.
"Kai had that photo in his hand and he dropped it on the ground. He was so mad; I thought he'd attack Jazzman there for a minute. Anyway, Jazzman told him that it was believed that this kid named Rei Kon was the reincarnation of Kai's dead lover, and from the way Kai was acting, I'd say, he's never forgotten whoever that was."
"Interesting," Tala murmured, looking down at the face staring back at him. Raising his head, Tala's empty eyes began to fill with a cunning light, as a plan began to form in his mind. "Did Kai ever accept this captaincy?"
"Yeah," Ian nodded, "He told Jazzy that he'd take it, because it'd help him get back at the old demon, but if he decided that it wouldn't then he was out of there, as for this guy . . ." Ian pointed at the paper in Tala's hand. "He was gonna reserve judgement."
"Hmm." Tala looked closer at the photo. The boy was really quite attractive and he was sure that he'd be able to talk his falcon into helping him play with the beauty. There had to be a way to ensure that Kai had to watch, but wouldn't be able to interfere, while he and Bryan took their pleasure with the vampire's lover's doppelganger, whether he ever became Kai's lover or not.
"Ian," Tala's eyes and voice burned with a new determination. "I want you to take this to Bryan. Tell him, that I want him to start thinking about a way for us to get our hands on this little bauble of Kai's."
"Tala?" Spencer queried.
The redhead looked over at the whale and smiled so coldly that it sent a shiver down Spencer's spine. "Kai isn't the only one bent on revenge and I'll take any route I have to, to bring Kai to his knees." Tala rose and handed the paper back to Ian. "And I don't care who gets hurt in the process."
Hong Kong, BBA Complex, 2008
"Go, Driger!" Rei watched his white blade flash across the surface of the dish, as it pursued its prey - Jin's blade Pan. The two boys had finished their breakfast and then had repaired to the training room.
In an effort to cheer his friend up, Jin had challenged the neko-jin to a battle and the pair had quickly claimed one of the beydishes for the fight. 'Jin was right, I needed a good hard battle to shake the cobwebs from my brain.' Rei thought happily, as Driger delivered a hard blow to Pan. The black and white blade flew from the dish and landed at its' owner's feet.
"Ah, man!" Jin groaned as he hurried over and retrieved the blade and began to inspect it for damage. As he squinted at the blade, he chided Rei good-naturedly. "Can't you let me win, once in awhile? You know, boost my morale or something?"
Rei laughed, his eyes twinkling merrily. "How about the next time, I'll let you run around the dish, and I'll keep Driger in my pocket?" Jin gave him a sour look, and Rei chuckled, "What? At least, then you'd win. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"You know, I think I like you better when you're depressed." Jin said with a snort, "that way you can't pretend to be a comedian."
Rei affected a haughty look, "I happen to think I have a marvelous sense of humor."
"And I'm the Queen of England." Jin said sarcastically, as he loaded Pan back in his launcher.
"Really, well, I'm pleased to meet you, Your Majesty." Rei swept Jin an overly dramatic bow and the black haired boy sighed, "Oh, shut up! Are you ready to go again?"
"Do pandas eat bamboo?"
"Then," Jin cried, "Three, two, one! Let it rip!" A streak of black and white shot out and landed in the bottom of the dish.
Rei yanked his winder and sent Driger flying. Time for some fun.
While the two boys were fighting their practice battles, across town a serious conversation was taking place.
"I plan to field a new team, one I think has an excellent chance of taking down the Demolition Boys, but I'm going to need help from the four of you." Dickenson gazed earnestly at the two Destroyers.
"Our help?" Robert asked arching an elegant eyebrow. "And by the four of you, I'm assuming you also mean Oliver and Enrique?"
"Of course," Mr. Dickenson said, "My plan is this: The four of you are the best Europe has to offer and this team I'm sponsoring is green. I want you to throw everything you've got at them and give them a taste of what they'll be facing in Russia."
"Hmm," Robert rubbed his chin, thoughtfully, "So, you basically want us to put them through their paces."
"I want you to help them grow as a team. They must learn to have faith in each other! If we can't get them to work together as a single cohesive unit; they won't have a prayer."
"You want to field a green team against the Demolition Boys?" Johnny growled, "Why don't you just hand them the championship!"
"Oh, I think they'll surprise you." Dickenson smiled at the Scot, who didn't look impressed.
"I doubt it." Johnny snorted.
"Now, Johnny," Stanley chided, "at least give them a chance. They may seem a little rough around the edges, but I'm confident that with your help, they'll shape up in no time."
"Humph!" Johnny crossed his arms and frowned; not at all convinced.
Robert glanced at his mate, and sighed. Knowing from experience that if they paid attention to Johnny's sulks, he'd only get worse, the purple-haired vampire ignored the redhead and inquired. "Just who is on the team?"
As if sensing Robert's plan, Stanley pulled a folder toward him and opened it. Inside was a small stack of papers. He handed Robert the folder and leaned back, allowing the German to read the information within.
After a couple of seconds, Johnny uncrossed his arms and leaned over Robert's shoulder and also began to read. For a few minutes the only sounds in the room was the distant sounds of cars on the street below, and the steady ticking of the clock on the wall.
Then the silence was shattered.
"We met him last night!"
"Oh, hell, no!"
Balkov Abbey, 2008
Sitting on the edge of his bed, Bryan looked up, as his room door opened. Four guards entered, eyeing him warily. "Stand up, turn around and put your hands behind your back." their leader ordered.
The falcon did as he was told and felt cold steel encircle his wrists, then he was roughly turned until he faced the door. "We're going to the gallery windows on the west-side of the third floor," the leader said, giving Bryan a push. "Now, move!"
He went out the door, and the guards fell, two to a side, around him. The cold stones echoed to the tramp, tramp of their boots, as they walked in silence down the hallways of the building. A couple of men, wearing lab coats stepped out of a room, but quickly went back inside, when they saw the party bearing down on them.
The journey seemed to last forever, but even then it wasn't long enough, and all too soon for Bryan, they were at the windows and the head guard shoved him forward, when he proved reluctant to approach on his own.
"Get over there!" The man went to one of the windows and smirked, "I must admit you have good taste. Tala certainly looks good, naked and in chains." The man leaned close to Bryan and leering said, "Maybe, Boris will hand him over to us, afterwards, so tell me, is he any good?" And then he laughed.
Bryan forced himself to hold still and not react to the man's taunts, but he promised himself that one night soon, there'd be one less guard in the Abbey.
The courtyard was still in shadow, when Tala walked out the Abbey door, Spencer behind him. Ian and the other boys were on the second and fourth floors, watching out the windows. Boris was waiting by the whipping post with several guards. Kai stood, iron chains on his wrists, tethered to two guards.
"Tala," Boris said, walking up to his favorite with two guards at his back, "Why are you here?"
"I failed in my duties as a trainer, sir." the redhead answered, looking straight ahead.
"And how did you fail?"
"I did not teach my pupil how to show proper respect to instructors, nor have I adequately trained him to be an acceptable member of Biovolt."
"I am glad to see that you have realized your shortcomings." Boris smiled approvingly, but the smile didn't reach his bleak eyes; then he snapped, "strip!"
Numbly, Tala kicked his boots off, then removed his clothes and dropped the items to the ground. As soon as, he was naked, two guards grabbed him by the arms and dragged him over to the post.
The post was a seven-foot tall pole of dark wood. Two large staples with manacles dangling from them had been driven: one to a side into it. Anyone chained to the post faced the building.
As the manacles were locked around his wrists, Tala looked up and saw Bryan. Wolf and falcon communicated with their eyes. Tala, his grief that Bryan had to witness this, and Bryan's that he could do nothing to save him.
Boris beckoned Spencer to him, and the burly blonde approached on reluctant feet. Handing the boy a whip, Boris said quietly, "Do it right, Spencer, or one of the guards will take over and Tala will suffer all the more for it."
"Yes, sir."
The whale shook out the lash, measured the distance and pleading for forgiveness in his heart, struck.
Tala knew when the lash fell, but he turned his mind to memories of Bryan. Closing his eyes, he relived the first time the falcon had kissed him.
'There he is again, staring at me.' Tala growled under his breath, as he strained to lift the weight demanded of him by the gym instructor. When he finally succeeded in doing it, the instructor merely told him to hit the showers.
He was standing under the lukewarm spray, when a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist and a pair of warm lips nuzzled his neck.
"Do you have any idea, how tempting you look when you're all sweaty?" A husky voice purred in his ear.
"No, I didn't know sweat could be a turn-on." He mumbled, as those teasing lips moved up his neck to nip playfully at his ear. His heart was racing and he was sure that Bryan could feel the blood thundering in his veins through his skin.
"Oh, it is." Bryan assured him, "but, its' not nearly the turn-on of you naked and wet in the shower." And the icy warrior turned him to face him and claimed his lips in a fiery kiss.
A burst of pain made the image waver and Tala clung determinedly to it and fought back the searing sharpness by diving into another memory.
"We don't have to do this, Tala." Bryan's lilac eyes burned lavender with concern, as his love tensed at the first touch of his member at his entrance.
"No, Bry." The redhead shook his head in denial; "I want this. I want to be one with you. Now, do it!"
"All right," the falcon leaned down and kissed his brave love, and shoved passed the tight ring of muscle.
A wave of pain that had nothing to do with his memory rose up and tore Tala from the safety of his mind.
His back was a fiery hell, and Tala threw his head back and screamed, then shuddered and went limp.
Up on the fourth floor, Ian struggled to keep an indifferent look on his face, as he gazed down at the pitiful sight below. 'T-t-t-a-a-l-l-a!' He wailed in the vaults of his mind.
On the third floor, ignored by the guards, who stood laughing at Tala's pain; Bryan stood alone and screamed his anguish in the depths of his soul, unable to shut out his lover's shriek of agony.
I promised I wouldn't be so long with the next chapter and here it is.