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In a city of corruption, Bruce DeForbes IV wasn’t just at the top of the pyramid, he was one of those who formed the base, driving, creating, and exploring exciting new ways to plumb the depths of abuse of power and wealth.
“We found that sweet, little thing down there”—he gestured vaguely toward the cage that held Minh—“though I’m not sure what she actually is save for magical. We captured that fearsome beast and some sort of elf the other day. And now you…”
Dax stared at the finger leveled at him.
“What are you? Besides an ambulatory skeleton dressed like a dirtbag.” Bruce tilted his head and took a step closer, examining the mouse caught in his trap. “Gabriel. Pay the men the going rate and see them out.”
“Yes, sir.” Gabriel turned and stalked off toward Tomi and Boudreaux.
Dax turned his head to follow the movement of the factor.
“Plotting your revenge against your captors?” Bruce looked at the fingernails on his right hand before returning it to behind his back with the other one. “I suggest you put those sorts of thoughts out of your mind. You’re now a resident of this…terrarium. Amuse me, and maybe I’ll give you a bigger cage and a few luxuries like a bed. Cross me… Well, no one crosses me twice.”
As Tomi and Boudreaux passed behind Bruce, he turned and pointed at them. “You there. What does it eat?”
Tomi shrugged. “Cheap beer and hamburgers. Whatever I guess? It’s not like he’s my pet.”
Dax hoped Bruce took Tomi’s poorly delivered line for timidity and fear of the famous wealthy man and not bad acting.
Bruce shook his head and chuckled. “Hamburgers and cheap beer. At least it’s not an exotic diet. We still haven’t figured out what that beast eats. It snubs its nose at any food we’ve offered it.”
Dax hoped Bruce and his lackeys never figured out what the fae creature ate. He had no doubt the corrupt rich man would simply round up unhoused people to feed to it or use it like its previous masters had—as an implement of torture.
“Is that what you actually eat?” Bruce took a step closer. “Now’s the time to speak up.” He tilted an ear toward Dax. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue.” He laughed. “That’s right. Skeleton. No tongue.”
Dax’s anger built as the rich bastard amused himself. To Bruce, Dax and his fellow prisoners were nothing but things he’d acquired because, like the rest of his ilk who had too much money hoarded, he needed to spend it on exotic hobbies and acquiring rare collectibles. This menagerie represented both.
Clenching his bony fists, Dax wished he could reach through the bars and strangle the man. Dax wasn’t a possession. He was a being with rights. Minh wasn’t a collectible. She was human with rights. And whatever the crimes of the fae ranger were, they didn’t deserve to be caged behind bars that likely were deadly to the touch.
The beast, though…
It needed to be eliminated.
Dax swung his gaze back to Bruce, who seemed to be waiting for an answer, growing more annoyed without receiving one. Not having his questions and demands answered immediately was probably a new experience for the man who’d been raised with obscene wealth, privilege, and power.
Perhaps the beast deserved a last meal.
“You will release me and all those you have captured against their will immediately.” Dax pushed the spooky harmonics in his voice to the extreme.
Bruce gave a full body shiver, then smirked. “That’s a neat trick. But I don’t think you fully understand the situation.”
“Release us, now.”
“Or what?”
“Or suffer my wrath.”
Bruce laughed hard, bending over and wheezing until he finally stopped. “Oh my. That was good. I haven’t laughed that hard in a while. I’m going to enjoy owning you.”
Dax leapt forward, grabbing the bars.
Pain surged through his body, and his hands grasped tighter, not letting him release. Attached to the bars, he shook violently. Instead of a scream, a gurgle fell from his lips.
In the background, the factor had returned from escorting Tomi and Boudreaux out of the solarium. He stood passively, his hands clasped in front of him despite a slightly wild look about the eyes as they flicked from his boss to Dax and back. Bruce just stared at his handiwork, a bloodthirsty grin of amusement splitting his lips.
Finally, he exhaled noisily, as if the whole thing was an imposition, and pulled something out of the inside of his jacket. Whatever it was dangled from a silver chain, the pouch at the end resembling a gris-gris or some other magical pouch. Striding over slowly, he chuckled as the pouch swung back and forth.
“Perhaps you’ll learn to be more respectful of your betters.” Bruce let the pouch come close to the bars, tugging it away at the last second. “Oh, well. I guess I did pay good money for it.” He swung the pouch at the bars, and it impacted on a bar.
