Torture (Siren Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

he had before, they're bubbling to the surface, and fast . It's exciting to watch. Except that I don't like being the focus of at least some of his fixation. But Calder's treatment of him seems to have hit a nerve; he's tired of a lifetime of watching guys like Calder lead, and he seems to want to exercise some power of his own.
    While Calder and Denise debate, Allen reaches in with determination. The electric hum increases, as does the smell, and he yells, bracing his weight against the electrified wire cage. He's not quite in deep enough, and as he leans into it further, the wire presses into his face. Calder, idiot that he is, reacts by reaching to haul Allen back. But Denise kicks him in the knee with her injured foot. He looks at her curiously, but returns to his previous plan, and she kicks him again, tears in her eyes from the pain of it.
    “Don't be stupid—it's not fire. You can't pull him away without hurting yourself.”
    “But—”
    She looks at me for help, and I take my eyes off Allen's struggles to reach the key, despite his spasming fingers and burning flesh. For the moment, I've got to preserve my place in the group. I turn my back on Allen, standing in Calder's line of sight on tiptoe, and forcing him to look only at me. I have no idea what's in my eyes; I have no idea what he's seeing, and that's dangerous. He stares at me like I'm an apparition, and Denise takes my lead, stepping closer to him, until the two of us can back him away.
    “There's only so much you really can protect someone else,” Denise says, sadly. It makes bile rise in my throat, knowing how rarely she has tried. And at least in this, even if you cut out the obvious, I'm no better than her. It's an amusingly bitter thought.
    Allen yells behind us, louder, and then his cries cease. Denise and I turn, and Calder shoves between us to approach him. I seize Calder's arm and pull him close. “He doesn't like authority—he doesn't like not having a say, or having others challenge him. What've you done so far but challenge him? Don't undermine his choice.”
    He glares at me, startled, but nods.
    Allen's got the key. He grins despite cracked and singed skin, and hair that's coiled into much tighter curls from the heat. He glares at Calder as Calder puts out his hand.
    “Thanks. Want me to open it, or do you want the honors?” Calder can't quite manage a smile, but hopefully the olive branch will be enough.
    Allen's grin turns from triumphant, to shy. “All you, man. I'm not a sucker for punishment.”
    Calder accepts the key from him, and turns back to the cage. His hands sizzle briefly as he slides the key home and braces the door to twist the lock open, but he manages it without mishap. As he pulls the door open, the wire closing the circuit snaps, disabling the cage.
    Denise and I both stumble; possibly the appropriate thing to say should be 'thank you', but it feels wrong for the context.
    “Do you still have that neosporin?” I ask her, and she beams, happy for the excuse to do something.
    “Give me a sec—I'll get you fixed up.” She leads Allen away, limping, and I turn back to Calder. I'm somewhat disappointed at the payoff of that, but it was still fun ruffling Allen's feathers.
    The door swings open, but he glances at Allen and doesn't attempt to pull it open. Instead, he steps toward me, leaning into me close enough to whisper something. “You were right. Thanks.”
    Once the whisper is done, he doesn't retreat, just stands close enough to press his nose into my hair.
    “You okay?” I'm frozen, unable to retreat, but uncertain why he's still there, and it lingers in my tone.
    “Just fine. It was just a little hot to touch.” He nuzzles my hair before adding, “I'm just trying to get the smell of burnt skin out of my nose before I throw up.”
    I snort. “Well don't throw up on me, then.”
    “Whatever you say.” He pulls away, hearing Allen and Denise on their way back. He calls toward Allen, “Thought you