CH324

CH323
Ryuu
I could almost feel it in my hand. Feel the darkness of the night twitching and eager to form, but I flexed my hand and took in Ren's state.
She was curled up on the ground, trembling, bleeding, naked except for where she was desperately trying to cover herself with the frayed scraps of what looked like a tablecloth. The blood drenched her, making her seem even paler, which highlighted the bruises forming along her arms and legs and the slow bleeding wound in her shoulder. The blood I'd spilled and probably some of her own was turning the tablecloth red. She looked worse than hell. Her eyes closed as she shivered and pulled the sheet around her.
My fingers twitched at my sides. The rage came fast and suffocating. I slipped out of my jacket as Yusuke came down the slope. I could see Sano with a fist full of fire and a band of armed men not-so gently shoving the guests back inside and into compliance.
Yusuke looked at Ren. His entire expression was torn. He reached for his jacket, but I held mine out to him. I could trust Yusuke to be gentle enough with her.
There was nothing gentle about the way I was feeling and she had been exposed to enough violent men for the rest of her life.
"Cover her."
Yusuke took it and moved quickly, kneeling beside her. Ren flinched violently at his touch, her breath coming in ragged gasps, but she didn’t resist when he draped the jacket over her.
"Take her to the car," I ordered. "I’ll be there soon."
Yusuke hesitated only for a second before reaching for her. Her palm shot out, aiming for his face, quick and hard. He dodged it and caught her wrist. I could hear him mumbling something to her, stopping every following strike until she stopped. He tucked my jacket around her and scooped her up carefully. She struggled weakly, pushing at his chest, but started to relax as he hushed her some more.
It was all a fear response. Adrenaline. Overwhelm. Post-traumatic stress…
"It's okay. Let's get you warm. You're safe. You're safe."
She trembled but let him hold her close and carry her. She curled inward, gripping the edges of his jacket, burying her face in it as if she could disappear. I wanted to be the one to carry her, but I couldn't do that. Not right now. I forced myself to breathe before lifting my gaze back to Hotaru.
Behind him, Sano and the others were standing. One of my men carried the present, Maka and the other lieutenant, and dumped the bodies onto the ground. I floated up, earning more gasps and more of Hotaru's anger as he was forced to back up from the railing. I landed on the edge of the railing and looked over the crowd.
Blood and food, alcohol and who knew what else was everywhere. There were several more bodies lying dead on the ground. Blood pooled beneath them, their faces frozen in terror. I could smell the faint scent of her fear being carried away on the wind and more than that. Arousal. Desperation. Adrenaline in great heaving waves.
Most importantly, blood. Through the shadows in Hotaru's estate, I could hear her and feel her desperate attempts. I could almost feel her footsteps across the roof. Her bare feet pounded through the hallways, skidding, slipping, and flying in her desperate attempt to escape.
Time.
She had just been struggling for time. I almost smiled. The young woman who had handled Maka with such ferocity had a warrior's heart.
She would have been hell with a sword.
A sword flashed through my mind. It was nearly ancient and housed in the vault of the Dragon Clan's estate. The Sword of the Beginning as it was called, still gleaming with purpose and mounted above a pair of dark daggers I had always been told were made of a black dragon somewhere back in the bloodline, the Daggers of the End.
My mother had been gifted a different sword and dagger to match my father's sword. The Sword of the Beginning and the Daggers of the End were meant to be given to my wife one day. Suddenly, the thought of parting with them seemed almost joyous, yet they were not in Morgan's hands in my mind.
I turned away from that thought, not wanting to think much more about it.
I gestured to the wrapped pair of bodies. "A birthday present," I said. "Though it seems I didn't bring enough."
He worked his jaw, and I dropped down without a sound, leaning into his space and lowering my voice as I caught his eye and held his gaze.
"…And a shame that we’ll have to discuss reparations on your birthday, too."
The fear in the air thickened. The guests looked at me like death itself had descended on their evening.
Good. They were right to be afraid.
Because death had indeed come.
Hotaru was breathing hard, clearly struggling to keep his rigid posture, but he didn’t dare move. He didn't look away. The weight of my gaze pinned him in place. I didn't draw a weapon. I didn't need it. He knew it, as did the rest of the party. Under different circumstances, had his little… plan gone much farther than terrorizing Ren and exposing her in such a disrespectful way, he would be dead without question, as would everyone in the house who had seen fit to do absolutely nothing to help her.
I stepped closer to Hotaru and reached into his breast pocket, lifting the case of cigarettes. They were specially made, his favorites, and of incredibly good quality. The company that made them was based in Ryuyama. He clenched his jaw, but he didn't dare speak, lest he make me rethink allowing him to keep breathing. I opened the case, took one out, and pocketed it. Then, I walked past him, surveying everyone in the area.
"We've corralled everyone, boss," one of my men said.
Sano flicked a spark in my direction, lighting my cigarette with perfect accuracy. I took a deep drag, trying to calm myself.
"You've certainly gotten comfortable, Hotaru… Or perhaps the grief of your wife's death has finally driven you over the deep end…" I blew the smoke in his face. "Or perhaps you just have a death wish."
He narrowed his eyes, and I took another drag, staring him down, daring him to speak.
"You don't need to worry… I would never be so merciful as to make your death swift or painless. Not for this." I turned to look inside, where more of my men were ushering the guests into the hall.
"Where's Jaki?"
"Here, sir." He came looking as cheerful as possible for him. Still stoic, but I could tell he was pleased. His eyes glittered. "Welcome to the party."
"The party hasn't even started," I said, lightly. "How could it? I only just arrived." I glared at Hotaru. "Take as many men as you need to find every man and woman who put their hands on Ms. Black. I want their arms and legs broken, but bring Nara, his girlfriend, and daughter here."