The Ripper

William Jack Holloway

William's eyes remained entirely poised on Vhalla as he watched the assassin tense beneath her master's hands. It was the realization that his own words that had her looking so afraid that had him halting back that retort as Ivan's words pierced the tense air. He had to get her out of here. And he had to get her out of here alive. Will could see it on her features. That desperate need for him to leave and to save him, and yet William would not leave without her. He would not leave her alone with this sadistic man who wanted to harm the girl he loved. No, of that he entirely refused. He would apologize to Vhalla later for his efforts to intervene. But for now, his only priority was making sure she was safe. William hated himself the instant that those words so rolled off his tongue. He wanted to race to Vhalla and assure her that that couldn't be true. That he loved her and that she was the only thing that mattered. But Ivan couldn't know the way they felt about each other. No, of that, William was positive. His love for her would result in harm coming to Vhalla, and vice versa. William remained positive that Ivan wouldn't - or couldn't - hurt him. At least not physically. But the damage done to Vhalla would kill him.

Will hadn't been thinking as he mentioned the Faerie Queen that he knew Vhalla was so fond of, but the instant the words left his lips, he regretted them. He watched the way Vhalla visibly stiffened under the mention of her and he shifted nervously. Had he just put her friend in danger? He watched the way Ivan's hands tightened on Vhalla's shoulders and the way the woman winced under the man's touch. William wanted so desperately to rip the man's grip off of her, but instead he pursed his lips as Ivan continued to taunt him, his words making it evidently clear that he knew exactly the lies that William was trying to spin. That his feelings for Vhalla were as strong as the ones she felt for him. The fact that he had no one to put a hit on only made him shift awkwardly.

The man wasn't given enough time to come up with a retort for his words. No, instead he was forced to watch as Ivan's lips came ever closer to Vhalla's skin. Again, William could feel that power flickering underneath his skin and it took several deep breaths to force his rage back down. Reacting in any form would result in her pain. He repeated that over and over again to himself mentally. Especially as he listened to the submissive way that Vhalla spoke. But that rage had nothing compared to the way that he felt when Ivan's hand entangled with Vhalla's hair and tugged her nearly off her feet.

William couldn't help the way his body surged forward, though he only made it two steps forward before he caught himself. "Stop it," William's voice said almost meekly as he watched the scene unfold. He hated the way he watched his strong willed girl fold into herself to become the submissive girl who almost apologized for his actions. What kind of hold did he have on her to make her so submissive to him? This was not the girl he knew, and yet he knew better than to react. Or at least, his mind knew better.

There was a soft growl that escaped his lips as Ivan's lips found their placement upon her skin. He couldn't help it. That rage and that concern and that hatred threatened to boil over with every moment that Ivan stood near his girl. The instant that Ivan released his hold on her and stepped away, William's body surged forward against his will to stand in front of Vhalla. He wanted to engulf her within his arms and hold her and protect her, but somehow he managed to control his hands if only because of Ivan's final words to him. The man had no intentions of forcing his way in bed with her, nor buying it. Though the fact that he so easily had a way to get her out of this house with him tonight made him pause. He looked at Vhalla, his eyes pleading with her to understand his next words. Please understand. He was trying to keep her safe.

"I'll pay you," William said, his own voice almost defeated as his shoulders slumped. His gaze slid from Vhalla as he turned to face her master. Any amount of money in the world would be easy to let go of to keep her safe. "I'll pay. How much for a night with her?"

But darling -- it's only human nature.