Chapter 110: Torture

I hopped behind Liam on the motorcycle. My fingers gripped his leather jacket, which had been cleaned up since the battle. The bikes revved to life behind us. Liam growled something, then grabbed my hand and pushed it tighter to his side. His muscles were solid beneath the leather.
We rode into the fading light of the sun. By the time we reached the safe house, my stomach was rumbling with hunger. There was no way I could eat anything right now, but it insisted that it was empty.
Liam turned the bike off and slid off. My whole body tingled with the rattle of the bike's engine that was no longer beneath me. I walked a small circle as I looked around. I realized I had been here before. This was the first bar I had met Matei at. Where he had trapped Kira and Lanie had found her. The parking lot was sparse.
"Remember this place?" Liam asked. "This is where we first met."
"This is where Lanie propositioned you," I said. "She was trying to get Angandriel's attention."
"Is that what that flying thing was?"
I nodded.
He held his hand forward. "This way, Beloved." He gestured to the front door of the bar.
We entered. Liam led me past the main bar and down the stairs in the back. Everything had been rebuilt but held signs of a troubled past.
I looked at the door to the storage room. "Is he in there?"
Liam nodded. The five guys came down the stairs around him. He turned and started directing them around. A burly looking bartender worked behind the bar. Several patrons who were just as muscled sat about the room sipping drinks and eating.
I walked up to the bar. "Do you think I could get something to eat?"
"Anything, Beloved. What would you like?"
"I don't care. Whatever's quick and easy. I haven't eaten anything all day."
He disappeared behind the door. In five minutes, he came out with a basket of cheese curds. My mouth watered.
"Thank you so much."
"Thank you for protecting our brothers and sisters."
I nodded and popped a cheese curd in my mouth. It was fantastic. My stomach settled down with the hunger, but the nausea rose almost immediately. Bleh. I had to eat something before I passed out. I couldn't live on just energy alone. I narrowed my eyes. Why was that...?
A thrashing sound came from behind me. Liam was dragging Mr. Kline out by the back of his shirt. He pushed him down in a chair while a brother tied him down to it.
"He's all yours," Liam said. "And then he's mine."
I nodded seriously. I held my hand out to the bartender. "Can I borrow a bit of your energy, please?"
The man slid his hand across the bar towards me. I pulled energy from him, letting the pleasure last then pulled the last of it quickly, so he finished. He gripped the bar with both hands as he enjoyed his moment.
I slipped off the barstool. I eyed Mr. Kline. I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to torture him. I knew I wanted answers, but it wasn't like I'd done this before. I decided I was going to play the nice girl. I grabbed a chair and sat down a foot in front of him.
"Mr. Kline," I said.
"Kira." He had a black eye and a split lip. Dried blood crusted one ear.
I wrinkled my nose. "I'm still not Kira."
"Mila says you are."
"Mila's dead. That thing isn't Mila."
"How would you know? You don't spend any time with her."
"I know."
"Well, she's more powerful than you, more powerful than your succubus tricks."
I nodded with a tight smile. "What's she planning?"
"Why would I tell you?"
"Because I've been your number one employee for the last two years."
He cackled. "The only reason I gave you that is so you'd trust me."
"I never trusted you."
"You came to my party."
"And that was a mistake."
"I'm surprised these guys even let you come."
I narrowed my eyes at him. There was no way I was giving him more information that he needed.
"What is Mila planning? Why does she need Kezia and me?"
"Do you think she shares her plans with me? With anyone? Would you?"
"Stop answering my questions with questions. Be straight with me."
"Tit for tat, Kira. I give you something if you give me something."
I crossed my arms.
"Really? You're willing to play?"
I just stared at him.
"Alright, Kira, why aren't you Kira anymore?"
"Punch him," I said.
"That's not... oof." Hector punched him. Mr. Kline doubled over as much as he could while being tied to the chair.
"My turn. What do you know about the darkness?" I asked.
"Nothing," he wheezed. "I know nothing."
"Then you're not useful to us. Hector?"
Hector punched him in the stomach again.
"I told you, I don't know anything about the darkness."
"Then tell me where The Grange's main base is."
"I can't do that."
Hector pulled his fist back. I held up my hand to stop him. My hand touched his knee, and I pulled a bit of his energy.
"Oh, Kira, you do like me." His pants tented as his erection stiffened.
"Tell me the location."
I pulled more energy just before he could finish, then stopped. Then I waited. He wiggled in his chair, trying to move.
"Kira, oh... you are very mean."
"Tell me."
Mr. Kline just shook his head.
I stood up and walked. I paced a path around the chairs as I thought.
"Oh, the torture you inflict is much worse than any of these bozos can lay on me."
Hector punched him again.
"That's right. Punch me again. Does it make you feel like a big man? Is it compensating for something?"
Hector punched him over and over.
"Enough." I held up my hand. "Last chance, Mr. Kline."
He coughed and sputtered, trying to gain his breath. "Ooh... what are you... going to do to me now?"
I stood in front of him, looking down at him. "I'm done. I'm done playing your games. I never wanted to play with them to begin with. You're too dangerous even if you didn't have powers."
I placed my hand on his shoulder. I pulled energy out of him in a quick burst.
He looked me straight in the eye. "Don't do this, Kira."
"My name's not Kira."
I pulled it all. I saw the light in his eyes dim and go out. I could feel his life force inside of me vibrating. His head fell and his body went limp.