CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 40
Eyes scanning upwards to my gun, I know firing down here will draw too much attention. It's a dungeon. Cries and the screams of agony are the norms of an institution like this, but not shots. I use the knife in my hand instead. Drilling the point into the side of his neck, I drive it home.

"Repay is a bitch and you won't be avoiding karma this time, shithead."

His gurgling screams are music to my ears. He doesn't know where to halt the flow from either of the lethal wounds. Leaving him to bleed out, I rise and walk over to Teresa. She remains huddled in the corner, and there are dark bruises and sore welts raised on her immature skin.

"Teresa?" My voice a tentative whisper. I don't want to scare her.

No answer. Shudders ripple down my arms as I shiver, adrenaline draining away.

"Teresa, you're safe now, honey."

I watch Richard's discarded shirt and take it. As carefully as I can, I drape it over her shaking shoulders. Shock will be setting in. She needs to be warmed and brought in to a medic. Scanning every inch of her, I see the silver lines of healed wounds on her abdomen and forearms. Old injuries now healed. No longer hiding, she throws herself into my arms, crying hysterically.

"It's okay. I've got you." I whisper reassuringly, smoothing the bloody hair from her head. "I'm going to get you out of here."

"Don't let him hurt me. He's going to kill me. Darkness. There's only darkness." She speaks in a shattered and fragile voice. "His heart was never mine. Deadly rainbow. It only brings the end."

Gently cradling her, I stifle her words and agitation. Terror makes her visions and thoughts run wild.

"Marco and Vincent are also coming." She weeps quietly. "So near, so near now."

Let's hope that's a vision and not a result of her crazed mind. Though I kept her from being raped she will still be haunted by the psychological shock of the beating. She'll never be the same anymore now. Less trusting, more cautious and nervous, but I know that she's as tough as I am.

"Do you know where they've taken my baby?"

The words burn through each cell. My child. Kidnapped from me and I have to get her back.

"You have to go before it's too late." Teresa struggles weakly, pushing me out of the way. "Some pieces I cannot foresee. Sorry, Mary-Ann."

"But how do I find them?" I have to search systematically and not let them get away before I track them down.

"Utilize the shadows. The shadows will guide you."

"TERESA!" Her name is bellowed with a force that rattles earth and walls to their core with its boom. Marco bursts in the doorway like a lunatic, compelled. Nostrils flared, eyes wild. Blood crusts his attire. A display of the violence he's unleashed in his quest for locating her. Ruthless gaze falling to Richard’s corpse, his eyes leap to where we’re huddled.

Running the heel of his palm unsteadily along his chin, he takes in all the visible abuse and damage we’ve both sustained.

“Teresa?” The word is hesitant.

Weeping harder, she buries her face against my shoulder. Falling to his knees beside us, his large hand hovers above her hair, uncertain if his comfort will be received. Suffering is etched across his weathered face.

"It's okay, baby doll, Marco is here. I'll get you through this."

I raise my arm, positioning the muzzle of my gun in his heart. "How long have you known she is my half-sister."

He doesn't bat an eye to responding. "From the day we got her home when she was six."

Which can only be because I've been under the Devil's radar for much longer than I ever even knew.

"And the old welts on her forearms and belly, who gave them to her?" I growl.

Marco flinches. "They're self-inflicted. When visions get too overwhelming, she represses them through pain. I've been trying to cooperate with her to end the cycle, but it hasn't been helping much."

Clutching my sister closer, I scowl at him. "Give me one decent reason why I shouldn't blow your lying fuck arse to kingdom come.".

If you'll do it, then pull the trigger, but nothing is going to stop me from trying to clean up this mess. I should have paid closer attention to her. This is my fucking fault."

rubbing his hands helplessly through his hair, I can tell the guilt is eating him alive. Something with which I'm all too familiar. It's an old friend now. He does love her. I can at least see that much is real.

Lifting Teresa gently, I rest her against the strength of his chest muscles. She complies without complaint, sinking into him, seeking solace.

"Take her away and get her to a doctor. You can teleport, can't you?"

Lifting her battered body, he's careful not to touch the welts along her back.

No, they've got some kind of dampening field that's suppressing my talent, but I'll get you two out, whether I have to carry you or not.

Getting up, I search the cell for my shoulder holster and extra ammo."I'm not going with you. I have to follow through on this. I'm going after Salvatore.".