Chapter Eleven

While Xana was waiting in the room, her loved ones were working to find her.

            “Can’t an Amber Alert be done?” Charlie asked.

            Milo shook his head. “That’s for seventeen and under. Xana is eighteen now.”

            “It’ll be on this evening’s news though,” Xavier said. “Here and the surrounding states. There’s reward money for any useful information. From Human or Supernatural.”

            “We don’t want too much attention, Xavier,” Arthur said. “We don’t want to expose the existence of Vampires.”

            “I really don’t give a s**t,” Xavier told Roxy’s dad. “All I care about is finding my daughter.”

            Maggie paused her pacing. “If we prove James is involved, can we get a Kill Order, Milo?”

            “If the evidence is obvious. Like if someone witnesses something. Otherwise, there’d have to be a meeting,” Milo said. He got a text message. “Jeremy’s coming back from the police station. They told him they’ll send over anything they gather. And they’ll be over soon to interview everyone. Especially Roxy and Charlie. They already did Jeremy.”

            “So how does police involvement help?” Roxy wanted to know.

            “They have more resources,” Milo said. “And they can help rule out all non-Supernatural things.”

            “So you’ll be able to focus on all of that while they do the grunt work.”

            “Ours will be similar, just adding the Supernatural element.”

            While they were talking, Charlie let Jeremy and another man in. The man was tall, and had very blond hair. He looked close to his fifties. 

            “This is Detective Martin,” Jeremy announced.

            Detective Martin nodded. “I figured it’d be easier to interview you all here.” He looked to Roxy and Charlie. “Can I speak to you girls first?”

            “Can we do it together?” Charlie asked.

            “Sure.”

            “You can use the dinning room.” Maggie showed Detective Martin the way.

            “Detective Anderson, Martin’s partner, is checking out the address that matched the plate of what we think is the car from the video,” Jeremy told Milo. “Xana’s car has been taken in to try and get prints and stuff.”

            “Do you have a copy of the security footage?”

            “Yeah. Xana pulls into a parking lot that doesn’t have a car on either side. She goes into the Wawa, and a little more than a minute later, a black SUV pulls in next to the driver’s side of her car. No one gets out of the car. Xana leaves the Wawa, and stares at the car next to hers for a while. She tries to get in her car, but someone pulls her into the SUV. Way too fast for a Human. The windows on the car are tinted and we can’t see the inside.”

            Xavier was sitting on the couch, arms on his knees. “James would’ve planned this carefully. Will you kill him if you have the chance, Milo?”

            “If he’s there and clearly involved, yes.”

            “And if he gets away?” Maggie demanded to know.

            “Then we missed him. We’ll put out his description and everything, but we’ll have to worry about Human police getting hurt. Martin will put out word to any other Supernatural cops.”

            Jeremy looked at the message he got on his phone. “The car belongs to Annabelle and David King. No one was at the house, and no cars were there. Anderson spoke to a neighbor who said they’re in Europe for the year. They’re letting their twenty-seven year old son Adam stay there while they’re gone. Apparently he lost his job and apartment. Neighbor said he’s lazy and entitled.”

            “Human or Supernatural?” Milo asked.

            “Doesn’t say. Why would a Human take Xana anyway?”

            “A lazy bum? Maybe he did some research, and is looking to get a ransom.”

            “Or it’s a Human who’s in with James,” Xavier said. “Some Clans make Humans prove their worth before Turning them. Night Investigators or Rogue Hunters might not know of new Human cohorts. Focus is usually on Supernatural people--unless they’re lovers of someone Supernatural.”

            Jeremy sighed. “What’s our next move, Milo?”

            “We let the police handle the normal things, and we handle the weird,” Milo said. “Arthur? Where are you on this?”

            Roxy’s dad nodded. “I’ve got Packs in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland all on the lookout. I also got some Shifters I know on alert. I’ll send out the license plate and car make and model to them all. Do we have a description of this Adam King? When was he last seen?”

            Jeremy looked at his phone. “Um. As far as the neighbor knows, he was home last night. Her husband thought he had company, but only the Kings’ cars were in the driveway. One car was gone when she took her kids to the park. When they got back, both cars were gone, which she found weird. Apparently it’s a wooded area, but her kitchen has a good view of the driveway. She never liked the son, so she keeps an eye out while the parents are away.”

            Xavier’s phone was out, and her was typing. “I’ll have my Clan on watch. Arthur, could any of your Shifter friends try tracking Xana? I know it’s easier for them to roam around than Weres, and their senses are as stronger than the animal they Shift into.”

            “I know a family in PA that’ll do it for free. I’ll give them a call.” 

 

 

            The sun was setting. Xana hadn’t had anything to eat or drink since the morning. She really wanted water and some kind of food. She also needed blood. The burns from the silver weren’t healing as quickly, and were hurting more. She was sort of afraid of infection. And her ankle didn’t seem to be getting better anymore.

            Xana hadn’t gone so long without blood. It wasn’t until the first grade when the figured out the right amount to give her. And that had been the result of trial and error, and the bit of info they got from research. She got sick a lot as a baby.

            During her hours in the room, Xana noticed that the two Weres took turns standing outside her door. She could hear the woman watching TV downstairs for a while before the man came back. Then those two left for about an hour. There wasn’t any other movement in the house, but Xana figured at least James had to be around. Otherwise, why would they bring her here?

            Xana wondered if he would kill her right away. Or would he let Roger have his way with her first? That would be killer revenge. Her dad would hate knowing she was raped before being murdered. So would her mom. So would Xana herself. The threat of death was terrifying enough, but sexual assault only made it scarier. Violated then killed. Treated like a thing then thrown away. Yeah. That would be the best revenge.

            How could Xana get out of this? She tried pulling the chain free for several hours, but she was too weak. It just resulted in cutting up her wrists, which made the silver burns worse. Even if she did manage to break free, the Weres would catch her easily.

            If she was going to die, she wanted to at least make it difficult for them. She’d scratch and bite and pull hair. Her body would sure as f**k have evidence on it.

            Xana sat up straighter, ready to fight if she had to, when she heard new movement.

            The purple and pink haired Vampire, Magenta, stepped into the room holding a dress. The Human woman came in after her, and Xana was pleased that her lip was swollen. Next, an orange haired Vampire walked in. Xana had seen pictures of him. Roger.

            The panic really struck then. Was it happening now? What was the purpose of the other two? Were they going to film it?

            “Take this, Arianna.” Magenta handed the woman the dress, and lifted a necklace from under her shirt. There was a key on it. “Don’t struggle when I unhook you from the wall. You’ll just get hurt more.” She shot a sharp look at Arianna, “Even though you were supposed to be unharmed.”

            “She fought back,” Arianna stated.

            Roger smirked. “I like it when they fight back. The only thing better is terror.”

            Xana took note of that. Since she had an idea how Roger got off, she would make sure not to fight or show fear. It would be hard to push back the will to fight. Though it wasn’t like she’d be strong enough to fight Roger off anyway at her current state.

            Magenta unlocked the chain. “Come with me.” She pulled Xana along like a dog.

            Xana hissed as she limped after Magenta. She hadn’t put any stress on her ankle in hours, so the pain was slightly surprising.

            Magenta led her to the bathroom. Xana was very aware of Roger following them.

            “Take off your shoes,” Magenta instructed.

            “Why?”

            Roger leaned against the sink. “James wants you nice and clean for dinner.”

            “What?” They were going to feed her?

            “Just do what I say.” Magenta sounded impatient.

            Xana took off her shoes. Magenta then got scissors out of her pocket, and cut Xana’s shirt.

            “What the hell?” Xana gave her a shove.

            Magenta pushed Xana against the wall, and held her there by the nape of her neck. “I’m not removing the cuffs. It’s easier to cut off your shirt.” She ripped away Xana’s shirt, and tossed the remains on the floor. “Mmm. Bra too.” She snipped Xana’s bra straps and unhooked it in quick succession.

            Xana covered her breasts. She didn’t like that Roger was watching, or the look on his face.

            “Pants next,” Magenta said.

            “Doesn’t look like she wants to,” Roger said. “I could do it for you, girlie.”

            “No!” Xana hated how pleased Roger seemed by her yell. She also noticed the bulge forming in his pants.

            Magenta looked from Xana to Roger. She sighed. “He doesn’t have permission to touch you.”

            “Yet,” Roger added.

            Xana couldn’t hold back the whimper as she undid her jeans. The hiding her fear thing was going to be harder than she thought.

            She turned so her back was facing Roger and removed her underwear. She stood naked as Magenta locked her chain to a loop that they obviously inserted in the shower wall.

            When the shower was turned on, Xana focused on that rather than Roger’s heavy breathing.

            “James wants you to wash your hair and body, and shave in the usual places,” Magenta told Xana. “Once you’re done, Arianna will do your hair and makeup. You’ll wear the underwear and dress provided for you.”

            “What’s the point of all this?” Xana asked, using her curiosity to distract her from what was currently going on.

            Magenta groaned. “God. Human teenagers are annoying. James wants to be civil while he presents you an offer. So he wants you to look nice during the little dinner he had planned.” She tested the water. “It’s warm enough. Get in.”

            “Can he leave?” Xana pointed over her shoulder with her thumb at Roger.

            “If Roger can’t touch, he’s allowed to look.” Magenta pushed her toward the shower.

            Xana stepped in. Magenta stopped her when she tried to close the shower curtain. “Can’t have you killing yourself or something,” Magenta said.

            Xana got under the water, knowing she couldn’t properly clean herself and stay out of Roger’s view. She refused to look at him instead.

            She grabbed the soap and thought about what Magenta said. Should she kill herself if there was no hope of escape? To her, suicide was better than being raped and killed. She was also pretty sure it would piss off her captors. But how would her parents feel? Would they be comforted knowing she hadn’t suffered much? Or would they think she gave up on the idea of them saving her? She guessed she could see how the night turned out before deciding.

            It had been kind of nice to clean her earlier wounds, but she knew her wrists would keep getting worse. Xana moved on to shaving, very aware of the eyes on her. She assumed Roger was catching on to her discomfort because his breathing was quickening. She heard him unzip his pants, so she had an idea as to what he was doing. She really didn’t like that she had to bend over to shave her legs.

            Xana felt tears in her eyes as she moved on to washing her hair, and heard Roger finish with a loud moan. “I’m going to change,” he announced and left.

            Xana relaxed immediately. She still didn’t like that Magenta was watching her, but she knew Magenta’s motivations weren’t the same as Roger’s.

            Remembering her thirst, Xana let some water fall into her mouth.

            Magenta shut the water off. “No drinking allowed.” She tossed Xana a towel. “You’re allowed a pee break while you dry off.” She unhooked Xana, exited the bathroom, and left the door open a crack.

            Xana was grateful for the tiny bit of privacy. She washed her hands after using the toilet, and snuck a bit of water down her throat.

            She examined herself in the mirror. The color was starting to fade from her cheeks. Without her rosiness, the Vampire part of her really showed. There was a cut and bruise on her forehead where she was smacked against the car window. Her cheek was black and blue from the dark haired Were’s slap. They would’ve been gone if she had any blood.

            She looked down at her left leg. Her ankle was bruised and swollen. She had scabs on her thigh in the spot the one Were dug his claws into her.

            Magenta yelled for her to hurry up.

            Xana walked out of the bathroom, gripping the towel around her while the chain dragged on the floor. Magenta picked up the chain and led her to the seat in front of the vanity in the room.

            “Fix this mess, Arianna,” Magenta commanded.

            Arianna picked up a hair dryer. “You’ll want to smack her too after spending ten minutes with her.”

            “Unlike you, I have control. If you don’t follow James’ rules, he won’t Turn you.”

            As the hair dryer turned on, Xana realized the motivations of the Humans. They wanted to be Vampires. The whole kidnap thing must’ve been a test of their loyalty or something. She was vaguely aware that Humans would do things for Vampires in exchange for being Turned, and would join the Vampire’s Clan, adding to the Vampire’s power.

            Xana’s dad had always told her to not trust Vampires who chose to Turn. More often than not, they were selfish, self-centered people. Or sociopaths. They were people who didn’t want to age or die. They desired eternal beauty, and the wealth Vampires acquired from decades of living. They cared mostly about themselves, and couldn’t really give a damn about others. They usually joined Clans as a favor to the Vampire who Turned them, and so they could try to establish themselves in the Vampire community. They didn’t really desire emotional attachments.

            Vampires like her dad and Max were Turned against their will. They only joined the Clans of the Vampires who Turned them because they had nowhere else to go. They stuck with them until they could get out on their own. They missed their old lives. They spent decades depressed over losing family members and loved ones while they lived on. They lost trust in others. And hated that they became monsters. They were taught to kill for blood, and shunned when they expressed care for Human life"a Vampire didn’t need to completely drain someone to get the amount of blood they needed.

            Her dad killed the Vampire who Turned him because she killed mostly for fun. She would torture Humans before feeding, and forced her Clan to do the same. Her dad knew she was a danger to society and had to be stopped.

            All that pissed James off, who had become her second in command. He loved her in some twisted way, which was why he was using Xana for revenge.

            But how would the revenge play out? Xana guessed she’d find out at this dinner.

            Arianna finished doing Xana’s hair, which she curled. She moved on to makeup next. She did a decent job covering up Xana’s bruises. She added blush, making Xana look less pale. Xana had never needed blush before. And she gave Xana a smoky eye look. She also added red lipstick.

            Magenta made Xana stand up. She handed Xana a pair of white lace panties. “Put those on.”

            Xana did so. “Is someone going to see my underwear?”

            “It depends,” Magenta said as she took the towel off Xana, making her yelp.

            Arianna stepped up beside Xana with a black dress. “I’d wear a dress like this. If it wasn’t made for such a large person.”

            Xana rolled her eyes. “Wow. A fat joke. That’s what’s going to break me.”

            “Just step into the dress,” Magenta said.

            The dress they put Xana in was sort of tight. Xana could definitely see her pudge protruding. It was silk, strapless, and zipped up the back. It really matched the dramatic tone James seemed to be setting. Which was super unnecessary. But he had to entertain himself, Xana figured.

            “Time for dinner,” Magenta announced. She pulled at the chain to lead Xana out of the room.

            A thought hit Xana. Maybe she was the dinner.