“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know anything! Please just let me go. You got the wrong girl. I’m just a waitress. If you let me go now I’ll never tell anyone you kidnapped me.” She should use his name. “Adam, please.”
“You have to do exactly as I say, Annalise. We’re running out of time and I need your help. Do you understand?”
No! She didn’t understand shit about this crazy fuck! She nodded.
“I brought you here last night.” He picked the phone up from the floor and raveled the cord around it before placing it in the drawer.
His motions were unhurried. She kept to the wall, mirroring his location in the room and sliding farther into the corner as he rounded the foot of the bed. Her heart jackhammered as he leaned into the closet, reaching for something.
“Put this on.” He held out a terrycloth robe.
“Where are my clothes?”
“In the closet.” The closet he was currently blocking.
“I want my clothes.”
How did he find her apartment? What happened to Kyle? Was it him all along?
Her mind was a jigsaw of confusion. “How did I get here?”
Was this a dream? Another nightmare?
She studied the room, noting too many details for it to be a dream—the NO SMOKING sign, the sprinkler system, and the emergency exit map. She pinched her arm anyway.
“Do not hurt yourself, Annalise.”
Why, because he wanted the pleasure? “Why am I here?” Where was her phone? Her purse?
“I think you’ll be more comfortable if you put on the robe.” He draped it over the corner of the bed closest to her then took a step back. Why wasn’t he wearing a shirt?
“T—t—turn around.”
His gaze lifted and the corner of his mouth twitched. Her eyes narrowed. Though he said nothing, that look said it all. She was naked and he got her that way.
Her jaw hardened and he closed his eyes, turning away from her. She snatched the robe and shoved her arms through tangled fabric. “I want to use the phone.”
Adam turned to face her. “No.”
Her jaw locked. “Can you at least put on a shirt? There are freezing people in Russia.”
“My apologies.” He reached into the closet and the hangers jangled as he pulled on a plain blue shirt. An Amish serial killer had abducted her.
He’s not Amish! “Shouldn’t you have a beard?”
“Our sect does not display facial hair.”
Excuses. He’d probably have an explanation for everything. “What were you doing at my apartment?”
“Watching you.”
She expected getting answers would make her feel better, but no. He admitted to watching her without batting an eye. Did they teach that sort of unflinching creepiness in Stalker 101?
“What happened last night? I don’t remember getting here. And don’t lie to me.”
“I do not lie, Anna. I brought you here last night after your friend paid you a visit.”
“My friend?” Oh, God. Kyle! “What did you do to him?”
“Your worry’s misplaced. I assure you he’s home sleeping soundly in his bed.”
“If you hurt him—”
“Do not shout. Your friend’s unharmed. But I was protecting you, Anna. I will not tolerate a threat to your safety.”
“Really? What about kidnappers and stalkers?”
“That’s not what this is.”
“Oh, I’m so convinced.”
“Have a seat.”
“I don’t want to sit. I want to go home.”
“I could make you sit.”
She stilled, her blood churning like ice in her veins. The air around her chilled. “You promised not to hurt me.”
“I’d keep my word. A compulsion doesn’t hurt.”
Her vision blurred with fearful tears as her chin violently trembled. “Please let me go.”
“You’ll be out of this room soon. But first we must discuss some things.”
At her wits’ end and scared for her life, she screamed and charged forward, shoving into him with all her might. The impact nearly knocked her on her ass, but he caught her before she had the chance to fall.
She slapped his hands away from her and he jerked her in front of him with startling force. “We do not hit.” Jaw firm and eyes wild, he gripped her wrists as she struggled. “Ruich! Be still!”
Her body froze the moment the command left his mouth, not by choice but by impulse. A soothing calm washed over her, and her vision blurred at the peripheral. Knees weak, her body sank into him and his grip on her wrists loosened.
“Good girl.”
He gentled her like an expert hunter might pacify a wild animal. Tension seeped from her clenched muscles and she sighed, surprised to hear her voice.
“Violence between us is unacceptable.”
“Let … go.” Her slurred request lacked conviction, but inside she burned with determination to escape.
His gaze softened as he cocked his head to the side. He drew in a long breath. “You’re aroused.”
She tried to scowl but her face wouldn’t cooperate. “You’re disgusting.”
His chest expanded as he drew in a slow, audible breath. “I can scent it on you.”
Her eyes closed since her head couldn’t turn away. “You disgust me.”
“I’ll always be able to tell when you’re lying, Annalise.”
Her blood felt like hardening cement, sluggish and heavier with every passing second. “When whatever you gave me wears off…” Her tongue swept slowly over her dry mouth and she tried for a smile. “I’m going to murder you.”
Her heartbeat slowed, as a low growl—a sound only a wild animal should be able to make—cut through the air.
“Liar,” he hissed, and the world spun as he tossed her to the bed.
She couldn’t control where she landed or stop herself from bouncing off, but he caught her ankle and yanked her under him, the tails of the robe bunching at the base of her back and leaving her lower half exposed.
She gasped as his fingers swept over her bare folds. Screwing her eyes shut tight, she braced for whatever was to come, but he didn’t do more than touch her for a split second.
“Open your eyes.”
Trembling, she peeked through her lashes. His fingers, glistening and wet, held in front of her face.
“What do you call this, if not arousal?”
Not understanding how she could respond this way to a man who abducted her, drugged her, stripped her, and now violated her, she whimpered.
“What is it you want, Annalise? Be honest with yourself.”
Shaken, her mind whirled as a tear slipped from her eye. She’d had a dream. That’s all that was. It was hot until it wasn’t anymore. Sort of like Adam. “Who are you?”
“You know who I am.”
“I don’t. I don’t know anything. What’s happening? Why are you following me? I just want to go home.”
“My only intention is to get you home, but you have to trust me, Annalise.”
An unspoken sob quivered in her chest.
“Trust that I will not hurt you.” His fingers traced along her jaw, following the line of her fallen tear and gently tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “There are a lot of things you need to understand, ainsicht. But you have to keep an open mind and listen.”
“I’m not ainsicht.”
“Yes, you are. It is a sacred term in my culture, which stems from the word aasicht, meaning feminine, eenich, meaning agreed, and eensich, which means only. You are my destined female, ‘my only one’.”
Nope. Her mind shot into instant rejection mode and she shook violently, her head telling him no.
“Yes. Convincing you is only a courtesy. It’s true whether you believe me or not.”
“Adam, I think you need help. There are people you can talk to. We can go together. I’ll take you.”
“I only wish to talk to you, ainsicht.”
&
nbsp; Fury boiled inside of her like a teapot without a valve and she screamed, “I’m not your ainsicht! I’m not Amish! I don’t even believe in God!”
His eyes widened. It was all good and exciting that she’d found a way to scream through the haze, but she still couldn’t move.
“Ganoonk.” He stood. “No more objections.” He left her on the bed as hangers jangled in the closet. “We are running out of time. What do you need from your home?”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Fighting this is futile.”
“You said you wouldn’t hurt me. If that’s true, let me leave.”
“You’ll leave with me.”
She had no one to call for help. “Did you hurt Kyle?”
“I told you he’s unharmed and resting.”
How long until he realized she was missing? How many shifts and finals would she have to miss for someone to come searching for her?
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“I haven’t done anything to you.”
“You stole me out of my home and you’re keeping me here against my will.”
He sighed and approached the bed. Over the past few minutes he seemed to be avoiding eye contact with her, but now he looked directly at her.
“Your life’s going to change, ainsicht. The faster you accept that, the easier this will be. Your job, your schooling… None of that is relevant anymore.”
Her heart plummeted to her stomach. “It’s all relevant! You can’t hold me here forever. Whatever you gave me will eventually wear off and when it does, I’ll fight you with everything I’ve got every step of the way.”
“Genunk!” The command shattered the last of her calm. “Sleep!”
But before her eyes closed, she saw him. This was no dream. This was real. And those eyes were not the eyes of a person.
Chapter Sixteen
The wind carried her in a warm embrace, tight and safe, as she sped through night under a blanket of stars interrupted only by a passing canopy of trees. It had to be another dream, so she let it carry her wherever she needed to be.
Peaceful serenity cocooned her. No worry. No angst. No recollection of falling asleep or where she slept. Only peace.
The darkness consumed her as she sank deeper and deeper and deeper until…
Annalise’s nose twitched at the pungent stench of… Was that manure? Her mind awakened, but her body had yet to fully rouse.
Blurred glimpses of light seeped through her eyelashes, convincing her it would be best to rest a little longer. Too bright. And what was that god-awful smell?
She drew in a full breath, filling her lungs and immediately regretting it. A cough choked her, the stench filling her nose. She rolled to her side and winced when a sharp stick poked her. Not a stick. Straw.
Her eyes only caught a hint of the hay before she sneezed. Then she sneezed again, and again, her allergies in a full-blown flair up as she found herself covered in bits of straw and hay dust.
“Oh, God.” Her eyes watered, her sinuses flooding as the scent of hay tickled her nose. At least the sneezing and instant stuffiness seemed to neutralize the stink of manure. Another sneeze. “Jesus!”
“You’re awake.”
Jolted by the melodic voice, Annalise rolled to her back, digging her elbows into the bed of straw, and blinked through watery eyes at the small, childlike woman kneeling in a streak of sunshine. Were they in a barn?
The small woman giggled. “You’re clumsy.”
“Where am I?” As Annalise’s eyes adjusted, she searched for familiar markings. They were definitely in a barn. The little woman didn’t appear threatening, but there was something strange about her. Her face looked too young for her eyes. Staring at her… She had the youth and beauty of a young girl, but the wisdom of a grown woman trapped in her eyes.
“No need to be frightened. Here, drink this.” The girl held out a copper cup.
She didn’t move.
“I’m Grace.” Her small, elfin features made her age indiscernible. She was wearing a sheer white bonnet and—
Oh, God. A chill raced up Annalise’s spine. “Are you Amish?”
The girl smiled and nodded. “I was sent to watch over you.”
“Son of a bitch,” Annalise rasped, cradling a palm to her head.
The girl—Grace—giggled. “You should not say such words.” She pressed the cup into Annalise’s hand, wrapping her fingers around it. “Drink.”
Like a puppet on a string, she took the cup and sniffed. “What is it?”
“It’s buttermilk. I imagine you’re quite hungry. You’ve been in and out for nearly eighteen hours.”
Eighteen hours? No. That couldn’t be right. “Where am I?” How far was she from home—and a police station? She needed to find civilization and a phone.
“Lancaster, Pennsylvania.”
“How… How did I get here?”
She smiled. “Adam brought you.”
Adam. Memories flickered, blurry and clouded. Waking up in a hotel without her clothes, trying to escape, being abducted by an Amish crazy person. Her heartbeat spiked. He’d drugged her. She had to get out of here.
Setting the cup aside, she sat up. “Can you help me? I need to get to a phone—”
“There isn’t a phone for miles.”
“Then a road.”
“Adam said you should rest.”
She didn’t give a tiny rat’s ass what Adam wanted. This girl was her only hope to get out of here. Or she could be her biggest obstacle. Either way, she was leaving. “What did you say your name was?”
“Grace. You can call me Gracie.”
“Grace, I need you to help me. Please. Before Adam comes back.”
“He won’t be long.”
“Where did he go?” For all she knew he was off digging a grave.
“He needed to … eat.”
That didn’t leave much time. “Can you tell me how to get to a main road? I have to get home.”
“Your home is here now.”
Her blood chilled as she saw the conviction in the other woman’s wise eyes. “No,” she said slowly. “My home’s in Bensalem.” They were all fucking crazy. “Please help me. I need to find a phone.”
“Adam will provide everything you need. He’s your mate. You saved him.”
Her head cocked, the woman’s words passing through but not finding a foothold or making any logical sense to her brain. “Look, I need to get out of here—”
“You can’t leave before the bonding ceremony. Adam needs you to stay here. That’s why he sent me to watch you.” Her smile bloomed. “You and I will be sisters.”
These people were insane! Didn’t anyone care what she wanted? “You’re not listening. I didn’t want to come here.” As a matter of fact, she had no recollection of getting here. “Adam kidnapped me. He broke the law, and I could have him arrested. I want to leave and I plan to, with or without your help.”
How much danger was she actually in? Did Amish people own weapons? Where were her shoes?
“You’re in no danger here. Adam will protect you. And weapons are forbidden.”
Annalise stilled. Had she spoken aloud?
Can you hear my thoughts?
Grace smiled and glided to her feet with little effort and surprising agility. “I brought you a dress. It belonged to my sister.”
Belonged to as in past tense? What happened to the sister? Was that why she was here?
“My sister lives on the opposite end of the farm with her husband now.”
Once again, the girl seemed to read her thoughts.
“You look about Larissa’s size. Mother will have more dresses for you by week’s end.” She shook out the black material and held up a maroon chemise. “Your English clothes will not be appropriate here.”
Annalise glanced down her front. At least the bastard dressed her. “These are pajamas. I was taken from my home in the middle of the night. Had I known I’d be kidnapped, I might have chan
ged. I’m not wearing that dress.”
Maybe she shouldn’t be difficult. Acting agreeable and keeping her mouth shut would probably help her more. But she couldn’t see past her anger. He took her—against her will!
And maybe she’d have more sense when he showed back up. He’d already proven he could drug her and abduct her. But this little thing… Annalise was pretty sure she could take her.
Grace’s brow lifted. “Well. Adam said you had spunk. I’m sorry, but you can’t leave the barn in that. Adam would forbid it. Males can be very protective of their mates. Your hair and legs should be covered when walking about the farm.” She held up a sheer bonnet.
“I’m not his mate. I’m leaving.”
She cocked her head. “I think you’ll stay. You care for him.” Annalise stood, and lost her balance, falling back to the haystacks and pricking her thigh with a blade of straw. “Ouch.”
“Careful. You’re weak.” Her head cocked and she placed the clothing beside Anna. “Adam’s back, now. He’ll explain everything to you.”
No! Her wide eyes searched for an exit. A ladder poked through a hole in the floorboards. Heavy footsteps climbed closer. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
Grace gasped, covering a giggle. “That’s a nasty word.”
What the fuck? Get out of my head! Annalise stood, gripping a wooden crossbeam as she struggled to find balance. Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
Leaning close, Grace whispered, “This isn’t a dream.”
The sharp inhalation that precedes a scream filled her lungs only to freeze there as Adam appeared from the hole in the floor. His gaze met hers and held.
“You’re awake.”
As he climbed out of the hole Grace smiled and stepped toward the ladder. Her petite size made him appear all the more daunting. “She just woke.”
He didn’t look to the other girl. His gaze remained fastened on her as he slowly approached. “How do you feel, ainsicht?”
Her breath hitched as he softly pinched the tip of her chin, angling her face to his. She didn’t answer. He took her against her will, drugged her, held her hostage in the middle of nowhere, and she wanted to go home. The less she cooperated the better. Or was it the opposite?
Why hadn’t she watched more crime shows? She had no strategy for escaping Amish psychopaths.
Original Sin (The Order of Vampires Book 1) Page 13
