Black's Magic Part 23

Laughing out loud, Skyler raised her voice even higher as she said, "AND A d.a.m.n FINE JOB YOU DID OF IT! TELL ME, AGENT BLACK, ARE YOU USUALLY IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE n.o.bODY STEALS PAPERCLIPS BACK AT H.Q.?"

It was at this point that Shamus decided to see what all the commotion was about. Unlocking and opening the steel door, his bulky ma.s.s filled the frame. Eyebrows drawn together in consternation he looked between the two feuding women. Addison carried on regardless of her audience.

"IT WAS I WHO SAVED YOUR a.r.s.e THE LAST TIME.".

"I WAS PROBABLY SAFER THERE THAN WHERE WE ARE NOW.".

"YEAH, WELL I SHOULD HAVE LEFT YOU THERE. HIGH I.Q. MY a.r.s.e; A TYPICAL BLONDE AIR HEAD MORE LIKE.".

"Hey," Shamus shouted in his thick, gruff voice.

Addison knew it was coming but the impact still slightly stung as Skyler slapped her across the face.

"HOW DARE YOU," the American yelled.

Bewildered and unsure of how to handle the escalating situation, Shamus re-closed and locked the door in a hurry.

"DO THAT AGAIN AND..." Addison listened and heard Shamus trundle off down the corridor. "I'll d.a.m.n well..." The solder sn.i.g.g.e.red. "Wow!"

Skyler winced. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you. It seemed appropriate at the time but..."

"No, it's okay," Addison interrupted. "You did good." She jogged over to the door and listened. So far there was no sound of the oncoming presence of Agnes Brodie. "Phase one complete," she said optimistically. "Only phase two and three to go."

"What's two and three?"

"p.i.s.s off Brodie and get the h.e.l.l out of here. Knowing Alon he will have a few tricks up his sleeve for when the party starts."

"Hmm..." Skyler bit her bottom lip. "And how are you planning on goading Brodie?"

Placing one hand upon the door, Addison closed her eyes and placed her ear upon the steel barrier. She was listening for oncoming footsteps. "Well..." Still not hearing anything Addison approached Skyler and backed her up against the wall. "I do have one idea."

Noting Addison's close proximity Skyler asked, "What's that?"

"Well... do you trust me?"

"I thought we already established that."

"I know but this is important." Pus.h.i.+ng one hand up Skyler's arm, Addison cupped her cheek. She stepped closer still until their bodies were touching.

Is this a good idea? Addison didn't pause to consider. In her job it was vital she work on an instinct born from many years of training and work in the field. It just so happened that Addison's idea of the best way to goad Brodie was for them to be caught in a heated clinch. She didn't, at least to herself, deny the fact that kissing Skyler was a highly desirable thought. Addison knew her actions would be considered a breach of S.O. guidelines but something deeper told her this was right; in more ways than one.

The soldier swallowed. "Tell me to stop and I will."

"I..." Skyler's heartbeat increased as Addison's lips came within mere millimetres of her own. She could feel the agent's warm breath upon her skin and the sensation caused her body to respond with a pleasant quiver. She closed her eyes and closed the distance between them.

Though her senses were still in tune to the arrival of Brodie, Addison felt a stirring within the deep recesses of her emotions. Closing her eyes she ran her fingers through Skyler's hair and held her in place. If she didn't need to be able to keep such a tight rein on her reactions due to Brodie's impending presence, Addison would have relinquished her control completely. The lush sensation of soft lips against her own aroused her senses as she parted her lips and met Skyler's tongue with her own. Addison felt Skyler's groan rumble through her chest. Her breathing increased and Skyler's b.r.e.a.s.t.s rose and fell against her own.

As Skyler's hands began a trail up Addison's back the agent heard the definite sound of Agnes Brodie. Hearing Brodie's voice outside the door, Addison knew she had to make this look good. Fortunately that wasn't going to be difficult. In any other situation the agent would have been alarmed by the intense feelings running through her. For the moment, however, she had a dangerous terrorist to deal with.

Hearing the steel door unlock, Addison made a swift decision. Still within the depth of a breathtaking kiss, the agent ran one hand across Skyler's ribs to her left breast. She took Skyler's nipple between her thumb and index finger and stimulated her with a firm but pleasurable pressure.

"Oh!" Skyler released Addison's lips long enough to groan out her pleasure. She thrust herself into Addison as the soldier reclaimed her lips in a deeper kiss and pulled one of Skyler's legs around her hips. Addison heard the door open and felt Brodie's presence enter the room.

Taking Skyler's thigh, Addison held her tight against the wall and thrust back into Skyler. She deeply regretted the fact they were not alone. It felt good, Addison acknowledged, and if she would get a chance to make love... Addison paused, surprised by her thoughts. Make love?, she asked herself, momentarily losing control of the situation. It was, unfortunately, enough time for Brodie to make her move.

Addison was jolted back to reality by the intense agony of the b.u.t.t of a gun ramming into her injured side. Reeling in pain, Addison was knocked to the ground.

"f.u.c.k," she seethed, rolling onto her back. Looking up she found a feral grinning Shamus staring down at her from the barrel of his gun. To her left stood Brodie. The redhead held Skyler against the wall with one hand, the other holding a revolver pressed against her temple.

"Sorry to break up your good time." Brodie's face was anything but apologetic. "Seems things have got a bit lax around here these past few days."

Addison's eyes switched from Brodie to Shamus and back to Brodie.

"If I remember... you are still my prisoners... and this one..." Brodie pressed her revolver harder against Skyler's head making her wince in pain. "Is no longer of any use to me."

Addison took a deep breath. She placed a hand over her side feeling the warm stickiness she expected to find. Her wound had re-opened and was bleeding once again. Shamus' attack had torn the st.i.tches from her skin. "Screw you, Agnes."

Brodie cackled. "Oh no, that's what I intend on doing." She looked at Skyler and practically snarled. "What about you? Up for some fun? You might as well take advantage; it will be your last time."

Panting, Skyler ground her teeth together. She placed her faith upon Addison as she said, "You heard her, Brodie, screw you," and spat in the terrorist's face.

Brodie trembled as an uncontrollable rage ignited and raged through her veins. Backhanding Skyler she grabbed her by her collar and flung her across the room. Skyler hit the wall and fell to the ground.

"No!" Addison yelled. Her attempt to move was hindered as Shamus pushed her back to the ground with his weapon.

"No more games," Brodie said, wiping her cheek. She left the room for several seconds and returned with a length of rope. Handing the thick twine to Shamus she strode over to Skyler and pointed her revolver down at the blonde's dazed form. "Tie Black up, Shamus. If she makes one move the b.i.t.c.h gets it here and now."

Addison remained calm, keeping her mind in control of the situation. As Shamus stepped towards her she placed her arms behind her back and waited. When her hands were securely bound, Shamus pulled her to her feet.

"You too," Brodie said, nudging Skyler with her foot. "Get up."

Skyler did as ordered, still reeling from her a.s.sault. When both women were standing, Brodie led them out of their room of confinement and along the narrow corridor. Addison walked slowly beside Skyler, Shamus and Brodie behind them. They were led down the pa.s.sageway Addison recalled being brought through when she left Brodie's office. Before they reached that room, however, they were veered off to the right to a single door that stood at the end of another long, tiled corridor. Two armed guards stood on either side of the entrance. They opened the door for the group to enter and as Addison and Skyler stepped into the room the sight before them sent a bolt of shock through Addison's system.

"What the h.e.l.l is this?" Addison turned to Brodie who stood behind her hostages with an expression of uncontained excitement.

"You don't like it?"

Addison turned to Skyler, seeing the undisguised fear in her eyes. She tried to a.s.sure her with a look that she still had control of the situation. Stepping further into the room, Brodie turned to face her hostages. She kept her weapon trained upon the women.

"The Dark Ages, Middle Ages, Medieval times... n.o.body did it better than they did. Torture nowadays is so... it's so clinical... so unfeeling. It lacks the personal touch. Know what I mean?" Brodie carried on regardless of her question. "I like to get in there and get my hands dirty, so to speak." She smiled. "What is the point in doing something if you aren't going to have fun?"

The agent's wrists burned as she tested the strength of the rope binding her hands together. Shamus had done a st.u.r.dy job but Addison had yet to reveal her trump card. "You are one sick b.i.t.c.h, Agnes."

"Why thank you." Brodie smiled sweetly. It was a smile that never reached her eyes. "Shut the door, Shamus."

Shamus kicked it shut with the heel of his foot.

"Now these are the rules. My boy Shamus has Addison. I have Skyler. If either of you two makes one stupid move the other will... reap... the consequences. A bullet here or there... a cut or two." Brodie glared at Addison. "It all depends on how much you want your little girlfriend to suffer."

"You do realise I am going to make you suffer for all of this, Agnes. h.e.l.l is going to be a cosy eternity in comparison to..."

"Shut it, Black," Brodie spat. With her gun aimed directly upon Skyler, Brodie stepped backwards. She stood by the apparatus that had shocked Addison when they entered the room.

Brodie's contraption resembled something she might have stolen from a medieval museum. A wooden platform standing waist high, its shape was that of the human form but with both arms and legs stretched out wide. Lengths of rope were attached to the ends of each platform limb and a table of a.s.sorted instruments stood by the wall. Addison could make out several of the objects from her position. One that alarmed her the most was a particularly shoddy looking, rusty knife.

"Well... I don't know about you but I'm anxious to get started." Brodie swept her free arm towards the table of torture. "Miss Tidwell, if you please."

"Addison?" Skyler whispered in sheer desperation.

The soldier ignored her. "I'm going to kill you, Agnes."

Brodie simply scowled and redirected her revolver. "Come here now, Miss Tidwell... or I shoot her," she pointed to Addison, "Where she stands."

Skyler's instincts told her to run, scream and cry; yet fear iced her limbs. She trembled in apprehension.

Lowering her head, Addison whispered, "Just do as she says. Trust me."

Skyler's breath laboured but with a trembling lip she stepped towards Brodie. She felt a chill slither across her flesh as her heart rate increased further.

The Irish woman nodded in satisfaction. "Good. No need to get undressed. I can take care of that" Brodie addressed Addison. "Black, get into the corner of the room and kneel. I want you as far away as possible but with a clear view of my entertainment. Shamus..." she turned to the bulky man. "Keep your weapon upon her. If she makes one swift movement... you know what to do."

Internally pleased with Brodie's plan, Addison strode over to the corner and stood with her back to the joins. She dropped to her knees and searched for her loosened boot blindly.

"I'm telling you, Shamus. I haven't had this much fun since that Special Operations Agent I played with in Marrakech."

Addison paused and delivered a steely look towards Brodie. Though the Irish woman might not have realized she was being manipulated, Addison did and as such she kept her reactions in check.

Narrowing her eyes, Brodie used her revolver to prod Skyler. She dug the barrel into her chest. "Climb aboard."

Skyler gingerly placed her hand upon the table and looked over at Addison. The soldier sat, hands bound behind her back, in a semi uncomfortable looking position. She appeared to be on her knees yet one foot was twisted to the side. Brodie broke a silence that had enveloped the room as she pulled back the hammer on her revolver. Addison nodded to Skyler, indicating she do as Brodie demanded. So with hesitation and much awkwardness Skyler climbed upon the high cross-shaped platform. Heart pounding, she spread her limbs out across the surfaces. Skyler wanted to close her eyes and shut out everything around her, but fear of what would come next kept her senses alert and attuned to her surroundings. She watched as Brodie pushed the revolver into the waist of her trousers and began securing the ropes around her feet.

"It's a pity you won't be here to see my newest toy... a rack. It hasn't arrived yet... unfortunately." Brodie secured Skyler's first hand. "Imagine being strapped to a table like this but with a difference... it moves and stretches at the turn of a handle." She secured Skyler's second hand. "Could you imagine? Your bones being pulled out of their joints and your flesh hanging on and on until it reaches the limit of its elasticity. Then it begins to rip and tear. I wonder how that would feel. I imagine like a blunt knife pus.h.i.+ng and cutting into your skin." Brodie picked up the knife upon her table of implements and turned it to Skyler's line of sight. "Maybe we'll find out."

Skyler whimpered and turned away, a tear running down the side of her face.

"That's enough, Agnes."

Brodie looked over to Addison. "Excuse me? You are addressing me? I hardly think you are in any position to be dis.h.i.+ng out orders. Besides, from now on, for every word that pa.s.ses from your lips, Madam Tidwell here gets twice as much pain." Brodie addressed Shamus. "One move and you can shoot her. Make it a good one, Shamus, in the leg or shoulder. I want her to fully experience the pain."

"Pain," Shamus mumbled and unconsciously looked down to his missing thumb.

"Okay." Brodie peered down at her table of implements. "What first I wonder?"

To keep calm was Addison's primary concern. Limiting her movements as much as possible the soldier attempted to remove the knife from her boot. Due to her uncomfortable position, movement was difficult and Addison knew there was only one way she would be able to achieve her goal. It was going to hurt but it was her only way.

Relaxing her body, Addison focussed on her left shoulder. An injury received many years ago while serving in the Marines had made this possible. Concentrating on her shoulder, Addison held her breath as she jolted the bone out of joint. The agent took a sharp, shallow breath but otherwise remained outwardly calm. With her left arm now released Addison was able to reach further around her body to her boot. She felt the dense rubber grip of the knife's handle and started to slide it from her boot.

Looking back at Brodie, the agent watched her pick up a gleaming silver instrument. It was a surgical scalpel. Addison sped up the retrieval of her knife.

"Don't," Skyler begged. "Please don't."

"I haven't even started yet!"

"Skyler," Addison called in a calm voice.

Brodie swung around to the agent. "That's one, Black. Want to inflict any more pain on her?"

Addison remained quiet. Anger seethed through her veins.

With a nod of satisfaction, Brodie looked back at Skyler. "Relax. Simple precision garment removal, that's all." She placed the sharp blade at the neckline of Skyler's top and began an agonisingly slow slice through the material. "I don't know about you, Skyler, but something about this is getting me hot already."

Opening her eyes, Skyler found the courage to snarl, "Go to h.e.l.l, Brodie."

"Oops," the redhead exclaimed as the scalpel sliced momentarily into Skyler's flesh causing the young doctor to jump. "Better be careful what you say in future, hmm?" Brodie's eyes glared into Skyler's for brief seconds. She then turned back to slicing through her top.

Her breathing increased. Addison felt a spark of accomplishment as she pulled the knife from her boot. Twisting it around she placed the handle between her boots and started slicing through the rope's fibres. She acted swiftly but with caution, careful not to cut into her wrists. One accidental slip in that area would have dire consequences. The agent didn't particularly want to have to deal with a ruptured artery at that moment in time.

Whatever room Brodie had taken them to, it was hot. The sun shone down through a small skylight similar to the one in their room of imprisonment and a direct beam seeped through Addison's skin. She could feel droplets of sweat trickle down her back and forehead. The soldier worked rigidly, trying to move only her wrists and forearm in an effort to slice through the ropes. If she moved her shoulder, the more noticeable her actions would be. This was Addison's only opportunity to set about her plan and she didn't intend on wasting it. She looked back to Brodie and Skyler. The terrorist had just finished slicing through Skyler's top and was beginning to slide open the material.

s.h.i.+t, Addison cursed internally. If Brodie harmed so much as one more millimetre of Skyler's being, Addison would make her suffer an eternity of pain. The soldier turned back to Shamus. The beefy henchman switched his focus from Addison to Skyler. Every time he looked back to watch Brodie, Addison pressed a little harder, cutting through her bindings faster. She could rapidly feel the blade reaching the end of the fibres and braced herself. Addison's body jerked as the ropes were finally severed. She felt her wrists sag apart and relief flooded her system. Taking the knife in her right hand, Addison positioned the blade in her grasp.

Brodie dropped her scalpel onto the table beside her. "Decisions, decisions," she said, scanning her instruments. Apart from the scalpel, a pair of pliers, an a.s.sortment of semi-blunt knives, an ice pick, knuckle-dusters, manual hand drill, surgical saw and hot iron were at her disposal. To Brodie, it was a veritable a.s.sortment of highly entertaining toys.

Seeing the blonde's eyes turn to her, Addison gauged Skyler's state of mind. Although she did appear visibly frightened, the soldier could see the underlying confidence s.h.i.+ning in her eyes. Skyler still had faith in Addison. It was that which enabled her to withstand Brodie's terrorising, as she knew Addison wouldn't give her that chance.

Her left shoulder incapacitated and throbbing in pain, Addison turned to Shamus. He grinned at her, quirking half his upper lip in a beastly sneer. Addison gripped her knife a little tighter. The beat of her heart echoed in her ears, her focus solely upon Shamus.

"You may not like this," Addison heard Brodie say.

Shamus peeped very quickly to see Brodie pick up a hot iron.

"But I definitely will."

Addison blinked slowly. In her peripheral vision she could see Brodie handle a large instrument but she didn't turn away from Shamus to see what it was.

"No!" Skyler pleaded emotionally as Brodie moved in on her.

Addison didn't move her eyesight from Shamus.

"Please don't," Skyler said in a higher voice, full of desperation.

Addison waited. Every second felt like an hour as she stared into Shamus' eyes. She adjusted her grip on the knife.

Brodie leaned over Skyler.

"Please no," the blonde pleaded.

Unable to refrain any longer, Shamus turned to watch Brodie.