Page 49 of Grayson’s Challenge

Despite not having heard the voice for over three decades, he recognized it instantly. “Abel.”

He stepped into the room, and the light from outside fell on him from a different angle, illuminating his face.

“Yes, brother, it’s me. Did you really think you’d never see me again?”

Cain swallowed hard. He’d hoped his evil brother had found a fitting end in the over thirty years since he’d been chased out of Louisiana after a botched coup attempt. Alas, Abel proved to be more resilient.

“What do you want?” he pressed out, the effort of speaking depleting his strength.

“Not feeling so great now, are you?” Abel said in a smug tone. “What you feel running through your veins is dead man’s blood. We’re giving you just enough so you don’t pass out. What would be the point in you being oblivious to what’s happening, right?”

A chuckle echoed against the walls.

“They’ll find us and kill you,” Cain promised.

“Oh really? And who would that be? Your sons maybe?” Abel put a finger to his lips in mock-thought. “Oh, sorry to disappoint you, but your two boys are already dead. Guess going skiing in Switzerland wasn’t a good idea after all.”

Shock coursed through Cain’s body. “You, you…” But his body betrayed him and didn’t let him form the words he wanted to hurl at Abel.

“And I see that Monique has turned into a beautiful young woman. I’m a little disappointed that she wasn’t with you when my men took you. But don’t worry, we’ll get her later. And then I’m gonna enjoy fucking her.”

Cain screamed, the sound coming out of his throat like that of an animal, a hurt animal. He pulled on the silver chains, but pain seared through his wrists, the stench of burnt skin and hair assaulting him even worse than before.

“Faye should’ve been mine. She made the wrong choice. And now she’s gonna pay for it. I’m gonna hurt both of you. You’ll both be watching when I fuck Monique.”

Cain tried to block out his brother’s hateful words. The King’s guard and Scanguards had already been mobilized, he was sure. Together they would find him and Samson and defeat Abel.

“And then I’ll ascend to your throne. My men are already preparing the palace for my coronation, getting rid of the people still loyal to you.”

Cain’s eyes went wide.

“Oh yes.” Abel chuckled. “Did you really think the handful of men I brought to San Francisco are the only ones I command? I’ve got an army to take what should have been mine all along.”

Fuck! It was worse than he’d thought. This meant that only Scanguards could help them now. “Let Samson go. He’s got nothing to do with this.”

Abel marched deeper into the room and approached Samson. “You really think that?” He kicked Samson, wringing grunts of pain from him, then looked over his shoulder back at Cain. “He’s got everything to do with this. His men helped defeat me. Now he and his people will pay for it.”

He turned his back to Samson. “And he’s so easy to subdue. Because he’s stupid. He bonds with a human, making himself vulnerable. He’s dependent on her for his survival. All I need to do with him is continue feeding him human blood, and he’ll die an agonizing death.” Abel grinned. “Don’t worry, brother, I’ll think of something fitting for you too.”

“Go to hell,” Cain pressed out with his last bit of energy.

“No, that’s where you’re going.”

Abel’s cell phone suddenly rang, and he pulled it from his pocket. He answered it, pressing it to his ear. “What is it?”

Cain strained to hear the other side of the conversation, but he was too weak, his senses too dulled.

“How?”

There was a pause, then Abel ordered, “Then burn his fucking place down. Now!”

22

The door to Wesley and Virginia’s house was opened seconds after Grayson rang the doorbell. Monique flew into her brothers’ arms, hugging them tightly. Grayson entered the house behind her, followed by John.

“Hey, sis,” Zach and David said.

“I’m so happy to see you guys,” Monique replied.