The Black Rose Chronicles Torment and Treachery Book 2 Read online

  © 2015 by A K Michaels All Rights Reserved

  This book, or any portion thereof, including cover art, may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission by the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Author’s Note

  Contact Ava

  Other Works

  As they moved through time and space, Rose felt as if her head would shatter from the pressure, her brains, blood, and gore about to be splattered all over the Demon, Basilius. She kind of hoped for it to happen, just to annoy the fastidious fucker that held her tightly in his grasp. She knew she was being transported somewhere she’d be in dire danger and she guessed their destination wasn’t going to be somewhere pleasant. The length of time they “moved” alerting her to the fact this place was somewhere far away from Cassius, Seth, and safety.

  Her heart ached when a vision of Cassius’ face sprang to mind. The look of anger, fear, and devastation as Basilius grabbed her, told her far more than words ever could: he cared for her deeply.

  Rose held onto that thought as her feet touched solid ground, Basilius released her, and she fell to the floor gagging. She couldn’t stop, the feeling of nausea rolling through her entire system as she tried to figure out where she was. She heard Basilius talking at the same moment she felt the heat, her face already covered in perspiration as she tried to rise to her feet and failed.

  “Here she is.” Basilius’ voice sounded very loud to her. “I’ll be back when I’ve got the time to deal with her. For now, you know what to do.”

  The next voice she heard turned her blood to ice as Razor replied to Basilius, his tone sounding far too lustful for her liking. “Oh, I’ll keep her busy until you return.”

  “Alive!” Basilius roared and Rose was sure the room shook at the power he wielded. “I’m warning you, Razor, if I return and she’s in no fit state for me to deal with her, then you know what will happen.”

  “Certainly, my king,” Razor’s tone lowered to one of a servant. “I’ll make sure she’s in a good enough state for your return.”

  Rose’s mind was fuddled, she knew that, but did she just hear Razor call Basilius King? What the hell was that about? She didn’t know and, truth be told, at that moment she didn’t give a fuck. All she cared about was escaping from Razor, Basilius and this godforsaken fire-pit he’d taken her to.

  She focused her mind, checking her body for any injuries and finding none, thank the Goddess. Then she tried to remember what she had on her when Basilius snatched her. Her heart sinking when she realized she had nothing, no phone, no weapons, nada, zilch, to help her.

  A stray strand of hair fell onto her forehead and she smiled, her hair, yes, she had her silver pins that were sharpened to razor tips. They might come in handy if she could find no other weapons. Then again, it wasn’t the first time she’d used everyday items as a means to kill someone. This would be no different. First, she’d find a way to destroy her jailer, and then she’d return to Cassius. As quickly as possible.

  She took only a second to notice that she’d thought of Cassius first. Not Seth, not her father, no, her first thought had been the dangerous and powerful Vampire that had broken through her armor, her mate. Fuck it! Looks like she’d finally found the right man for her and now she’d gone and lost him. Typical.

  Basilius tore her from her musings, dragging her to her feet, his hand around her throat. “Rose, Rose, such a pretty name for such a dangerous and deceitful little bitch! I’ll be back for you, Rose, just think on that. Whatever he does to you,” Basilius said and nodded to a grinning Razor, “I’ll do ten times worse and I look forward to hearing you scream for death to take you.”

  “Never!” Rose said defiantly, spitting in his face.

  Using his free hand to wipe her spittle from his cheek, he tightened his grip, her airway cut off completely as she flailed around with her feet off the floor. Her sight was dimming, blackness ringing her eyes, when she flew across the room to land half on a large bed, her legs dangling off the edge.

  “You try my patience, Rose.” Basilius stalked toward her. “But I don’t have time to deal with your insolence now. Razor! Make sure I’ll be able to have my fun with her when I get back.”

  “Certainly, Sire.” Razor actually bowed and again Rose wondered at the title.

  Basilius’ face started to shimmer, his eyes small orbs of flame, and his teeth now razor sharp fangs. “This is just a glimpse of my true self, Rose. One you’re going to get to know intimately!”

  Rose’s skin crawled as his arm snaked forward, his fingers now long, claw-like appendages, and she backed up onto the bed in an effort to escape his touch. Her head thudded off the wall as one of the claws raked down her arm, her skin opening in a long ragged wound, her blood seeping to slowly drip onto the covers beneath her.

  “You don’t like my touch.” Basilius chuckled. “You’ll like it even less when I return.”

  “Fuck you!” Rose ground out, her teeth clenched as she refused to show any fear.

  “Yes, you will.” Basilius’ laughter echoed around the large room long after he disappeared.

  Rose looked around, her years of training kicking in as she assessed her situation. She knew she was in trouble, that was blatantly obvious, but she’d always managed to get herself out of bad situations before. She’d do her damnedest to do so now.

  The room was lavish, the walls blood red, and the bed dressed in velvet. Large glass paned, double-doors on the far wall seemed to lead out to some sort of balcony; if she could get out there she could escape.

  “Don’t even think about it.” Razor’s words were full of mirth rather than threat. “You’re in our realm now, the Demon Realm, and you’d be eaten up within minutes of leaving the safety of this dwelling.” He walked towards her, smiling. “And I mean that literally. This realm is full of the worst kind of demons imaginable and you wouldn’t stand a chance. So, Little Rose, you’re stuck here until our Master says otherwise.”

  “We’ll see about that,” she muttered sullenly.

  “I’ll give you some information.” Razor sat at the end of the bed, glaring at her. “Time is different here, for every hour that passes in the human realm it’s the equivalent of a week here.”

  He paused as her eyes widened in shock. “What?” She gasped, knowing if that was the case she was in deeper shit than she’d thought.

  “Yes,” Razor said with a salacious grin. “I see you’re putting the dots together in that gorgeous little head of yours. It means we’ll have plenty of time to become acquainted before my king returns.”

  Rose’s face closed down, refusing to allow this fucker to see her anxiety and alarm. Razor’s hand moved with lightning speed, grabbing her ankle and tugging her roughly towards him. She kicked out, using all her strength, as his body covered hers. “We’ll become real close, Rose. I’m only sorry I have to keep you in some semblance of good health for his return.”

  “Get the fuck off me.” She moved her head forwards, snapping it fast and furious, and heard the satisfying crunch of his nose as she head-butted him.

  Razor’s
hand snatched up, gripping her throat fiercely. “You better learn to behave or I’ll take great pleasure in punishing you, bitch!”

  Rose couldn’t answer, her airway once more cut off, her lungs burning as they tried to suck in some life-supporting oxygen. A moment before she passed out he released her, standing to glower down at her. “There’ll be one other contact for you, one of our slaves will bring you food and water, and I’ll be back to see you soon. I’ve got some things that need tended to but, Rose, don’t forget about me. As Arnie would say, ‘I’ll be back!’”

  He burst out laughing as he left, Rose spluttering. “Who the fuck’s Arnie?”

  She listened as his footfalls receded then got off the bed, shaking her limbs to loosen them as she made her way to the balcony doors. Rose pushed the curtain aside, the sight before her causing her heart to almost stop beating. A flaming city spread out before her as far as her eyes could see. Some buildings appearing intact, lit up, and obviously inhabited, but others were aflame, falling down as fire ripped through them.

  She tried the handle and found the door unlocked. Pushing it open slightly, she stuck her head outside. Her breathing stopped, air rushing from her lungs, as the fire and brimstone stench invaded every cell of her being. She covered her nose and mouth with a hand, trying to fend off the obnoxious odor, and failed. She took a small, shallow breath which caused her to cough so hard she pulled her head back inside quickly.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a small, timid, voice told her.

  Rose spun around to see a young woman at the bedroom door with a tray in her hands. Her hair hung in knots around her head, a torn dress barely covering her body, and her feet were bare and showed several painful looking burns. “Who are you?” Rose stepped toward her, keeping her senses alert, even if the girl didn’t appear to be a threat.

  “I’m nobody, just a slave.” The girl shrugged. “I’ve brought you some food and drink. It’s not a lot and not very appetizing, but it’s all we had in the kitchen. They’ll get more now there’s a guest.”

  “Guest?” Rose asked, frowning.

  “Yes,” the girl said and gave a small smile, “you, of course.”

  “I’m not a fucking guest!” Rose shouted. “I’m a prisoner. But I don’t intend to be one for long.”

  “Shhh.” The girl looked behind her. “There are guards everywhere and they’ll hear you. Please, you don’t want him to find out what you’ve been saying. He’ll punish you, and me, just for listening. Please.” The girl’s voice hitched, barely able to stop a sob breaking free. “I can’t take any more punishment.”

  Rose closed the distance between them, her eyes peering into the frightened ones of the waif. “I’m not staying here and I’ll take you with me, if you want.”

  The girl’s eyes filled with tears, a few errant ones slipping free to run down her cheeks. “You can’t escape. We can’t breathe out there, well, not for long.” She nodded to the balcony. “Unless we’re with one of them and then they do something so we don’t suffocate. Other than that, we’re kept inside.”

  “We?” Rose whispered. “How many are there?”

  “You’ve no idea, do you?” The girl shook her head sadly. “Lots, I only know there’s about ten of us in this house, but I’ve seen many more in my time here.”

  “How long has that been?” Rose asked as she took the jug from the tray and filled a glass, sipping the tepid water sparingly.

  “I’m not sure.” She shrugged. “A long time. An eternity.”

  “I’ve got friends who’ll come for me. We’ll rescue you, and whoever else is here.”

  “Don’t be silly.” The girl looked upset as she glared at Rose. “How can you fight him?”

  “Who? Basilius or Razor?” Rose asked, a smirk tugging at her lips. “I’ve already fought Razor, and won, he left with his tail between his legs. Though I did have my sword at the time. All I need is to get my hands on some weapons to even up the score a bit and I’ll be good. You’ll see.”

  “You’re a fool.” The girl’s eyes blazed. “They’re even stronger here than in the human realm. You don’t stand a chance and as for the one you call Basilius, don’t you know who he is? What he is?”

  Rose stepped back as the girl’s voice rose, anger and terror in every word. Rose shrugged as she answered. “He’s a Demon, I know that. I’ve fought quite a few in my time and..”

  The girl placed the tray down onto a large, ornate, dresser. “He’s not just any Demon and this place isn’t just their realm. He’s King here and we’re in Hell. Didn’t you know that?”

  “What?” Rose’s head spun with the implications. “Hell?”

  “Yes.” The girl’s shoulders slumped. “Hell, though they don’t like to call it that. They call it home and yes, Basilius is their king. He rules here and if you think you have a chance against him then you’re just plain crazy.”

  “Fuck!” Rose turned, looking outside with a fresh set of eyes.

  “Exactly.” The girl nodded.

  “Okay, first things first.” Rose gave her a smile. “I need your name. I’m Rose and I can’t exactly say I’m pleased to meet you, but you know what I mean.”

  “We don’t usually use our names, but mine’s Brioni.”

  “Hi, Brioni, that’s a lovely name.” Rose pointed to a small table with two chairs set in the corner. “Can we sit for a little while and talk?”

  “I’m not supposed to dawdle.” Brioni looked back at the bedroom door. “I guess we can talk for a minute or two.”

  “Good.” Rose led her over, sitting down and trying to appear calm. “First, I wasn’t lying when I said I had friends that will be looking for me. They’ll come, Brioni, though if Razor was right ‘bout the time difference thing, I’m not sure when. But they will come.”

  “Even if they do they’ll be beaten. There’s half a dozen guards in here and they’re all strong Demons.”

  “You let me worry about them.” Rose reached over the table and squeezed the girl’s hand. “We’re used to fighting the worst of the worst, so a few Demons won’t stop us.”

  “They’ll kill me just for talking to you like this.” Brioni stood, her face a mask of terror.

  “Can they hear us?” Rose asked, needing all the intel she could get. “Do they have listening devices or the ability to hear what we say?”

  “I don’t think so.” Brioni frowned. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything, please, just let me go before they miss me.”

  “Okay, Brioni.” Rose held her hands out placatingly. “You don’t need to stay if you’re scared.”

  “I’m not scared.” Brioni shook her head. “I’m terrified. You have no idea what they’re capable of and I can’t take any more. I really can’t.”

  Rose watched as the girl backed away, her eyes wide in panic. “I’ll see you later?”

  “Yes,” Brioni said. “I’ve been tasked with bringing your food.”

  “Okay, I’ll talk to you then.”

  Rose held her tongue, desperate for more information, but knowing if she pressed the girl she’d get nothing. Brioni’s fear leaked from her skin and it was a scent Rose knew well, she’d smelled it many times in the past. Granted, it was usually one of her targets but she was well aware of the power of fear. It could completely paralyze someone, cause their brain to freeze, and if she didn’t let up on Brioni then she knew the girl wouldn’t be able to help her.

  As Brioni closed the door behind her Rose let out a long sigh. “Fuck it. If I need her help then I’m really in deep shit,” she admitted to herself. “Find some weapons,” she urged aloud, turning around to take in every detail of the room. She’d find something, she’d improvise, and she’d fight off that fucker Razor or die trying.

  Brendan jumped as Kuan sat up, his eyes wide as he stared at him. “What’s up?”

  Kuan shook his head. “Trouble. Rose is in trouble, Brendan.”

  “What? Tell me, now!” Brendan snapped out, his heart lurching in fear fo
r his daughter.

  “We need to go.” Kuan rose from the sofa, his feet seeming to hover an inch or two from the floor. “Get your things together.”

  Brendan raced around, grabbing his weapons, and his backpack quickly. “I’ll be ready to go in a minute, Kuan, but tell me, where are we going?”

  “We must go to Cassius and Seth first. We will need help, Brendan, we cannot deal with this ourselves. She is going to need all of us working together or we will fail.”

  Brendan stopped, glaring at the small man. “By fail you mean what, exactly?”

  Kuan looked up at him, his eyes full of concern. “By fail, I mean she will die.”

  “No!” Brendan shook his head furiously. “I won’t have that happen. I will not allow that to happen. You understand me, Kuan?”

  “I do, Brendan.” Kuan shrugged. “However, if we do not work together then that is what will happen. We have to hurry.”

  “I’m fucking hurrying.” Brendan tore around the room collecting the last of his weapons.

  “This is going to be the most difficult fight of your life, Brendan,” Kuan continued as Brendan stopped in front of him. “We will all be tested to our limits, my friend, even me.”

  “Shit, Kuan, you’re scaring me.” Brendan’s heart stuttered at the thought of Rose in danger.

  “I think we will all be experiencing that emotion before this is over,” Kuan said so quietly that if it wasn’t for his Wolf hearing Brendan wouldn’t have heard.

  “Fuck,” Brendan whispered as Kuan nodded.

  “Fuck indeed.” Kuan motioned towards the bag and extra blades Brendan carried in his hands. “Are you ready?”

  Brendan stepped toward the door. “Hell yeah. Let’s get going.”

  Kuan stopped him. “No need for that. I’ll take us, it’ll be quicker.”

  Brendan shook his head. “Do we need to?”

  “Yes,” Kuan confirmed, “we do.”

  The small Chinese man held his hand out, barely touching Brendan’s arm before the large Wolf felt as if every atom of his body was being ripped apart. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes, before the sensation as if he were flying through the ether of time itself overcame him, the feeling lasting but a fleeting moment, before his feet touched solidness once again.