Page 45 of Consumed By Fire

Trinity’s eyes are wide and pleading. She moans into the gag in her mouth.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I shout at Shadow. “Unlock the door,” I tell Devil. “Do it right now or so fucking help me…”

Trinity fights against her restraints. She is naked and tied to a chair. The chair has been fixed to the floor with bolts.

Goliath runs forward. He swipes a keycard, and the metal door clicks open.

“She is the enemy, Octane!” Shadow yells, getting in my way. “You said it yourself. You could have died. Her kind tried to kill you. She knows more than she is letting on. The female is a Red. Why are you acting this way?”

“She is a pregnant female first and a Red second.” I brush past Shadow and rush to Trinity, pulling the gag from her mouth. I wince because every movement fucking hurts, but I don’t care. I am the cause of all of this. I’m the reason it’s happening. I did this. I insisted on keeping her, but I was wrong.

“Octane,” she gasps as soon as the gag is gone. “You’re alive.” She bursts into tears. “They wouldn’t tell me anything. I was so afraid.” I see a whole array of emotions written in her eyes. Everything from fear to frustration to relief.

I note that her lips are dry as I start to work on her restraints.

“Have you been feeding Trinity?” I glance up. “Why is she naked?” I add.

“We needed her to talk,” Shadow says. “Why aren’t you listening? This isn’t a goddamned hotel. And then back to you nearly dying because of her. No! Fuck that! She got a few sips of water and nothing else.”

“Are you insane?” I shout at Shadow. “A fucking animal. How can you do that to another person? To one of ours? Trinity is a shifter, too.”

“Look at the red in her markings. She has you fooled, Octane,” Shadow says, folding her arms over her chest. “You said you wouldn’t let yourself be manipulated, yet here you are being manipulated. She isn’t your friend. They tried to kill you. You almost became your father. Another statistic. Another Draiger cut down by a Red.”

As soon as her ties are gone, Trinity throws herself into my arms, pressing herself against me. “You’re okay. It’s you. You’re here. I almost can’t believe it.”

I hold her close, squeezing my eyes shut. “I’ve got you, Little Red. I’ve got you,” I tell her, rubbing my hand up and down her back as she shudders in my arms.

I try to stand and carry her, but every muscle and every still-knitting bone protests in earnest.

“It’s fine. I can walk,” she says, tears still running down her cheeks. “I thought you were done for. I thought…” She wipes her eyes, standing and helping me to my feet.

“I’m not that easy to kill.” I put my arm around her, leaning on her more than I’d like to, but I don’t have much choice; my energy is waning. “Bring food or so fucking help me, Shadow.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Shadow glares at me, her gaze moving to my arm. The one around Trinity.

“Bring me food. Enough for two,” I grind out.

Trinity

I stare at him. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. He’s alive. Octane is alive. For a while there, I didn’t think that he had made it. I thought that he had died, that they were blaming me for his death. They treated me like a murderer. Like scum. I guess I can’t really blame them. I can understand why. Based on his condition, I would say that it was touch and go for a while.

I was distraught just thinking about him dead or dying.

I felt responsible. I still do.

Octane passed out cold as soon as his back hit the bed. He’s been sleeping for hours. I’ve been napping on and off as well. Trying to rebuild my strength.

For the last while, I’ve been watching him sleep. This male is something. He has such thick lashes. I didn’t realize how long and dark they were. They fan his cheeks as he sleeps. His face is lightly stubbled. His hair is a dark tangle about his shoulders. It’s long and wavy. He’s beautiful. Not just sexy or attractive…but downright beautiful. From his full lips to the slight cleft in his chin.

“You shouldn’t look at me like that, Red.” His eyes open. They’re beautiful, too…golden orbs that stare into my very soul.

“I was worried,” I tell him, chewing on my lower lip. “I’m glad you’re awake,” I say in a small voice.

“I’m not that easy to kill.” He sits up slowly, like he’s testing his body.

“Careful. You very nearly died. You were bleeding badly by the time we got back to the bungalow.” I point at the sheets, which are bloodied up. “We’ll have to change those,” I mutter, more to myself.

He looks down at his side. “That looks much better. I feel much better. A little weak, maybe.”