{"id":6505,"date":"2024-02-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/?p=6505"},"modified":"2024-02-05T17:03:32","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T06:33:32","slug":"well-ill-be-damned-s2-ep2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/09\/well-ill-be-damned-s2-ep2\/","title":{"rendered":"Well I\u2019ll Be Damned, S2 Ep2"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Did you miss the last episode?\u00a0You can read it here.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Season 2, Episode 2<\/strong><\/h3>

Hayden<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

CONSCIOUSNESS FADED IN AND OUT <\/strong>countless times over what could have been hours, days, weeks. Time meant nothing to me in my waking moments. I was barely aware of the chains holding me down to a cold steel table, or the tubes in my veins\u2014some infusing me with unknown \ufb02uids while others drained my blood. I \ufb01gured they were drugging me somehow, for which I was thankful. The more lucid periods brought nothing but intense pain during which I begged for the sweet release of unconsciousness.<\/p>

\u2018Morning, sunshine.\u2019 The girl with blue hair stood over me. \u2018Thirsty?\u2019 She waved a goblet of blood in my face.<\/p>

My mouth watered at the scent that hinted at cherries. \u2018Yes,\u2019 I rasped. My captors had administered a strange form of torment. Amidst the physical abuse, they had fed me some of the most delicious blood I had ever tasted, but only when I was on the verge of starvation.<\/p>

She held the cup over my mouth, letting the sweet juices drip onto my tongue. \u2018You\u2019d better make the most of this meal. This is the last of her.\u2019<\/p>

Several minutes passed while I imbibed the nourishment before her words registered. \u2018Her? Who do you mean?\u2019<\/p>

The girl simpered. \u2018It was a bittersweet moment watching the life fade from her eyes. Then again, it wasn\u2019t really life anymore, was it Hayden? No thanks to you. My friend died the moment you turned her into that monster. I merely assisted in lifting her curse.\u2019<\/p>

I gaped at her. \u2018You killed Sheena?\u2019<\/p>

She shook her head. \u2018No, Hayden. That was all you. You drained her human life and <\/em>her undead existence.\u2019<\/p>

The fuck? These cruel bastards have been feeding me the blood of my beloved all this time. <\/em>My stomach churned and I turned my head to the side, refusing to drink anymore from the cup of betrayal. Her cold laugh echoed in the large open space as the last of Sheena\u2019s eternal life splashed across my cheek.<\/p>

\u2018That\u2019s precious\u2014acting like her blood suddenly o\ufb00ends you after you\u2019ve enjoyed it all this time. Want to know what she said in her dying breath?\u2019<\/p>

Figuring she\u2019d tell me whether I wanted her to or not, I braced myself for the weight of the words and steeled my stare as it locked with hers.<\/p>

\u2018Sheena was all like \u201cPlease don\u2019t hurt my beloved Hayden. Do what you want to me, just don\u2019t hurt him.\u201d Pathetic really, the way she begged, no, pleaded for us to show you <\/em>mercy when you\u2019re the monster <\/em>that did that to her!\u2019<\/p>

I almost winced but refused to show any more weakness. \u2018What do you want from me, Rochelle? Why not just put me down like the animal you think I am?\u2019<\/p>

She grinned with all the warmth of a northerly wind in November.1<\/sup><\/a> \u2018You\u2019re worse than an animal, Hayden. You don\u2019t just eat to survive; you take pleasure from hurting people. For that you must su\ufb00er.\u2019 Setting the cup aside, she grabbed a mallet and smashed it into my right arm where it lay cu\ufb00ed to the table.<\/p>

The cracking of my bones echoed in my torture chamber along with my agonising cry. A loud bang! <\/em>preceded the sound of gun\ufb01re. Rochelle dropped her implement of torture and drew a sword from the scabbard on her belt. \u2018Hold that thought. I\u2019m not done with you yet.\u2019 She left me alone to wallow in my grief while I listened to the battle beyond the threshold of my captivity.<\/p>

The pain in my wrist and forearm paled in comparison to the ache in my heart. I could already feel the bones knitting themselves back together. A discomfort to be sure, but nothing I couldn\u2019t handle. As I studied my smashed wrist in its cu\ufb00, a thought occurred to me. If I break the right bones, I could manoeuvre myself free of the restraints. <\/em>Taking a deep breath out of habit rather than necessity, I gritted my teeth and contorted my right wrist and hand through the cu\ufb00. It hurt like hell and my stomach churned at the snapping sounds, but when I held my limp hand in front of my face, I smiled at my success. Now for the other one<\/em>. By the time I wrestled my left hand free, my body had already mended the right side. Part of me knew this was in part due to Sheena\u2019s blood. My regeneration powers didn\u2019t work so fast when I was starving or doped up to the eyeballs on whatever junk they were pumping through my veins.<\/p>

There must have been a supernatural element to that juice for it to work as such an e\ufb00ective sedative on the damned. They must have been relying on it heavily too, given how easily I wriggled free of the remaining chains.<\/p>

Time dragged during those agonising moments as I sat and waited for my body to restore itself. A loud scream rang out just beyond the walls of my chamber, followed by a thump, then my door \ufb02ew across the room, spraying bolts and hinges about the place like shrapnel. The most stunning woman I had ever laid my eyes on stood in the aftermath of the blast. She beamed at me with a 9mm Glock in one hand and a falchion in the other. \u2018Hello, my darling.\u2019<\/p>

I couldn\u2019t help but chuckle at her entrance. \u2018Hey, Sera. So good of you to pop in. I was just about to put the kettle on.\u2019 Staggering to my feet, I limped across the room and wrapped my arms around her. \u2018It\u2019s so fucking good to see you. Now please get me the hell out of here.\u2019<\/p>

She peered into my eyes and the humour vanished from her expression. \u2018Are you okay? Did any serious harm come to you?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Physically? I\u2019ll live. Just a few broken bones that are just about healed, most of which I in\ufb02icted on myself to get out of their chains.<\/p>

We can talk about the rest once I\u2019ve had a scalding hot shower and have my feet up on the pou\ufb00e in our living room.\u2019<\/p>

Seraphina nodded. \u2018Let\u2019s \ufb01nd Sheena and get out of here.\u2019<\/p>

I shook my head. \u2018She\u2014\u2019 my voice cracked under the pressure of sorrow.<\/p>

\u2018Oh. I am so sorry, my darling. Come one, let\u2019s get you home.\u2019 #<\/p>

Hot water and a triple shot of Scotch did wonders for the aches and pains throughout my body. I swirled the whiskey in my glass as I watched Rebecca spark the hearth to life with a matchstick. \u2018Why don\u2019t you use magic to start the \ufb01re?\u2019<\/p>

When she turned to look at me, the blaze illuminated her vibrant head of red locks, adding to her \ufb01erce, yet beautiful charm. \u2018It\u2019s foolish to waste our energy on mundane tasks that we can accomplish without magic. If there were no other means to ignite the \ufb01re, then I might have resorted to the mystic arts. Thankfully, humans have invited these nifty things.\u2019 She \ufb02icked the dead matchstick at me, and I caught it thanks to my enhanced re\ufb02exes.<\/p>

I launched the projectile back at her. \u2018Yeah, I get it okay. No need to be such a huge pain my arse.\u2019<\/p>

She sighed. \u2018I was just trying to lighten the mood. I know you\u2019ve su\ufb00ered more than your fair share, again, and normally this dark brooding looks good on you, but I\u2019m worried about you. There\u2019s only so much trauma a mind can take before it breaks. So please, talk to me.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018What do you want me to say, Bex? I can\u2019t recall my time in hell, but I\u2019m sure it was a cakewalk compared to what those sadistic tossers did to me. Or how about the fact that they fed me my own \ufb02edgling\u2019s blood until they killed her?\u2019<\/p>

Rebecca\u2019s jaw gaped. \u2018They did what? Fuck! I\u2019m sorry, sweetheart.\u2019 Sitting next to me on the couch, she slid an arm around\u00a0my waist and nuzzled her chin against my chest. Time elapsed in a comfortable silence, and I wondered if she had drifted o\ufb00 to sleep until she murmured against my shirt. \u2018Your lack of heartbeat still weirds me out.\u2019<\/span><\/p>

\u2018Gee, thanks. Such comforting words, you daft cow.\u2019 I nudged her with my shoulder, and she chuckled. \u2018It still aches from the anguish of lost love, though.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018How did they kill her?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018They literally drained the life from her and fed it to me. I had no idea it was Sheena\u2019s blood until Rochelle told me I was drinking the last cup.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018That\u2019s so messed up.\u2019 Rebecca rubbed a soothing hand over my chest. \u2018So, you don\u2019t know what they did to \ufb01nally end her?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018No, I never saw her. All I know is that they drained her.\u2019<\/p>

She sat bolt upright. \u2018Now who\u2019s being daft, ya pillock. Draining a vampire of blood doesn\u2019t kill you, it just puts you in a deep sleep. Unless they chopped o\ufb00 her head, removed her heart, or tossed her out into the sunlight, she could still be alive.\u2019<\/p>

My eyes widened as the penny dropped. \u2018You mean there\u2019s still hope? My little punk could still be out there?\u2019<\/p>

Rebecca nodded.<\/p>

\u2018Then what are we waiting for?\u201d I began to rise, but she shoved me back against the couch.<\/p>

\u2018You\u2019re in no \ufb01t state to be galivanting around. The hunter\u2019s drugs are still in your system, which in turn has compromised your healing factor. And have you forgotten that the duke is after you?<\/p>

You\u2019re lucky his men didn\u2019t \ufb01nd you before Seraphina did, otherwise you would have traded one cell for another.\u2019 She retrieved a phone from her purse and tapped out a message. \u2018There. I\u2019ve informed your benefactor. Let\u2019s leave it up to her to sort out.\u2019<\/p>

Easing back into the sofa, I summoned the willpower to sit tight. \u2018Fine.\u2019 A yawn slipped out, followed by another and I glared at the half-\ufb01nished Scotch. \u2018Did you spike my drink?\u2019<\/p>

She shrugged. \u2018It\u2019s just a little valerian to help you relax. I\u2019d never give you anything dangerous.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Maybe ask me next time. I\u2019m somewhat sick of people drugging me without my consent.\u2019 The last few words came out with another yawn. Rising, I swayed on my feet.<\/p>

\u2018Here, let me help.\u2019 With an arm around me, Rebecca supported my weight as I stumbled into bed. As soon as my heavy body hit the mattress, she untied my shoelaces and pulled my boots o\ufb00 my feet.<\/p>

\u2018Shit! That hurts!\u2019 The soft tissues around my ankles were still tender from the self-in\ufb02icted damage I put them through earlier that day.<\/p>

\u2018Sorry, but you\u2019ll thank me for it later.\u2019 With both my boots set aside, she sat on the edge of the bed and kicked o\ufb00 her own shoes. \u2018Mind if I join you?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018When have I ever said no to having you in my bed, Bex?\u2019<\/p>

Feigning deep thought, she fell silent for a moment. \u2018Nope, can\u2019t think of a single time.\u2019 She slid under the covers and curled up next to me. \u2018I ran some tests while you were\u2026 you know.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Chained to a surgical table?\u2019 I o\ufb00ered.<\/p>

\u2018Yeh, that. Anyway, I worked out what sort of mage you are, and um\u2026 how distantly related we are.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Ah good. Tell me about it in the evening\u2014after I\u2019ve had my beauty sleep.\u2019 No longer \ufb01ghting the weight of my eyelids, I let darkness and the scent of Rebecca\u2019s rose petal perfume sweep me away.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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What \u2019s\u00a0 Next?<\/strong><\/h3>

Stay tuned for Season 2, Episode 3, coming 15th<\/sup> March 2024.<\/p>

Season 1 is now available on Kindle:\u00a0Well I\u2019ll Be Damned Season 1<\/a><\/p>

Subscribe to L. Starla\u2019s Newsletter for monthly instalments<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Did you miss the last episode? You can read it here. Season 2, Episode 2 Hayden CONSCIOUSNESS FADED IN AND OUT countless times over what could have been hours, days, weeks. …<\/p>\n

Well I\u2019ll Be Damned, S2 Ep2<\/span> Read More »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13,14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6505"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6505"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6530,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6505\/revisions\/6530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}