Free Bryn Morrow by Mike Cooley

breasts, which were barely contained by a white silk bra.  
    “I said I would answer your questions.”
    “I don’t want your answers, Celeste. I want you.” Simon grabbed the center of her bra and pulled. It ripped, and he flung it across the room. “You are as lovely as virgin blood.”
    “Don’t fucking touch me!” She yanked hard but the beam held.
    “Just a little bite, dear.” He leaned down and sucked on her nipples, then bit down. She screamed.  
    “Oh, your blood is exquisite. It’s ambrosia.” He looked up at her and licked the blood off his lips. His teeth were stained red; blood ran down her breasts. “I need more.” He lowered his mouth and sucked on her wounds while pushing against her.
    “Get off me, you animal!” she screamed.
    He yanked her pants down. “Soon….”

Chapter 27

    Bryn was driving back from Corwin on County Road 12 when his phone rang. He was still weak and his skin was as dry as parchment. It was Celeste. He answered but there was no response. All he heard were muffled voices before she hung up.
    She wouldn’t call unless she was in trouble , he thought. He pushed down on the gas pedal and held the wheel with both hands. The yellow dashes on the road blurred and the speedometer read ninety. His heart lurched in his chest, although he knew such a feeling was impossible.
    Ten minutes later, he skidded to a stop in front of Celeste’s house on the corner of Argent and Lake. There were lights on in the dining room. A pitcher of iced tea was on the glass table on the porch, along with two glasses, half-full.  
    He knocked on the front door, but there was no answer. “Celeste! Are you in there? It’s Bryn!”  
    He waited, but there was no response. He tried the door and found it unlocked, so he let himself in. He walked through the kitchen warily and then into the living room. There was no sign of her. Everything looked normal.  
    “Celeste!”  
    “Oh, God, Bryn!” Her distant voice called out.
    “Where are you?” He crouched and scanned the hallway, his hands clenched into fists.  
    “Downstairs.”  
    He opened doors in the hallway until he reached the second one on the left and saw a wooden flight of stairs leading down. There was a light at the bottom. “Where’s Simon?”
    “I don’t know,” she sobbed. “Help me.”
    He ran down the stairs two at a time until he reached the bottom. Celeste hung from a wooden beam that ran the length of the basement, her arms tied over her head. Her pants had been pulled down and her black shirt was ripped open. She was braless, her breasts covered with bite marks and blood.
    He roared, “I’m going to fucking kill that son of a bitch!”  
    “Let me down.” She shuddered and tears ran down her face.
    He grabbed the extension cord and ripped it in half, then lowered her carefully to the carpet. “I’m so sorry, Celeste. I should have been here sooner. I was in Corwin, checking on Tommy. How long has Simon been gone?”
    “Not long. He might still be in the house.” She cried and wrapped her arms around Bryn’s neck when he leaned down.  
    “Did he rape you?”
    “He bit me and drank my blood.” She choked. “He didn’t have time to finish. I think he heard you drive up.”
    “Stay here. Lock yourself in. I’m going to find him and make sure he never hurts you again.” His eyes were fire.  
    “Search the house before you leave. Make sure he’s not still here.” She wiped her face with the backs of her hands, then sat down, hugged her knees to her chest and cried softly, rocking back and forth.  
    “I will.”
    He backed away from her, hands clenched, and searched every corner of the basement while she watched. “He’s not down here.”
    She nodded, stood, and pulled her pants back up. Her tears mixed with the blood on her breasts. “I’m okay.” She pulled her ripped shirt closed.
    Bryn nodded, gave her a tender hug—trying not to press against her injuries—and kissed her. He let her go