"And doomed he was. Within minutes we were surrounded by the Molotov Mafia and The Silver Dragon himself. What proceeded was a damned bloody mess! A slaughter house, I tell you!"
I stare at him wide eyed before my brows knit in puzzlement. "All that mess and loss of life for an easily replaceable cane and coat?"
"No, actually Mister Nielsen had been on the hunt for the gang leader since he had been targeting his important clientele in the area." Duffield corrects. "He spotted me before I did him, and the planned trap was laid out for me to inadvertently steal from him in order to have me followed. But long story short, he spared me and two other boys after since we ourselves were victims."
"How did you end up in his employment?" My curiosity pressing me on.
"Everyday, I began begging for money or food across the cabaret, in hopes to come across Mister Nielsen again. I was in complete awe of him when I had seen him in action. A few long months later, I finally saw him entering the cabaret and I called after him by the title of Silver Dragon since I knew not his real name. And he looked back at me in all his seriousness and gave a nod knowingly. Long story short, he adopted me and treated me as a son." Duffield was smiling brightly while lost in thought.
"Wow.." I trail off, not knowing exactly what to make of this heartfelt story.
Perhaps the demon had a human heart after all?
"Why is he called the Silver Dragon ?" Instead I ask.
Duffield answers eagerly. "Legend has it that his ancestors on his father's side, the Nielsens were Dragon guardian Knights during the Middle Ages before they left for the crusades. The last dragon they guarded was in the highlands of Scotland, it was a silver dragon. So they forged a second coat of arms alongside the Scandinavian Nielsen coat of arms. A Christian cross with an encircling Silver dragon inspired by the Celtic Cross since they intermarried with Scottish women.."
"That is sooo cool!" I breath in wonderment. "and here I thought dragons were mythical creatures!"
"Perhaps! But the title and legend have had to come from somewhere, right?" Duffield remarks deep in thought. "From a medieval portrait in his study, the last of his ancestor to guard a dragon, bores an uncanny resemblance to the younger Mister Nielsen himself."
My thoughts drift to the tea boxes in the kitchen pantry. So the contemporary hand paintings of a silver dragon with a blond haired and blue eyed knight was not of himself but of his ancestor who resembled him significantly.
Suddenly the doors to the limo are pulled open and in slides Mrs.Agnelli. In her hands are two shopping bags.
"I've found the yarn!" She proclaims excitedly. "Unfortunately they only had two spools left, that's how much people love it!"
◆◆◆
It had been an hour of drive when I notice the time on my frayed leather strapped wrist watch. The time for my afternoon prayer would be almost over and I didn't want to skip it intentionally.
"I have to pray, it's necessary!" I explain to Mrs.Agnelli. "Is there a Mosque nearby we could stop at briefly ?"
"Oh cara mia, I'm so sorry for taking so long during shopping!" She looks at me apologetically.
"That's alright." I assure. "I can pray at a mosque.Perhaps you can check on your iPhone with the net map of any nearby ?"
She skims through her phone for two minutes before stating. "None nearby, we've left the city. But there is an Orthodox Christian Church five minutes ahead along the way, can you pray there ?"
I consider this for a moment, Islamically I was allowed to pray in a church or synagogue I think. "Yes please, a house of God is a house of God."
We come to a stop near a beautifully built Orthodox Church. I spot a few Eastern European women dressed in traditional garb exiting through it. Out of respect, their heads are loosely covered with scarves. Mrs.Agnelli takes out a fabric piece from a shopping bag and wraps it around her own head. She also offers me a piece of fabric to substitute as my prayer rug.
As soon as we get inside, I'm in awe of the inspiring dimly lit architecture. Many pews ahead, a church choir of a dozen angelic looking boys sing in hushed tones a soft and somber Orthodox Christian hymn.
It was breathtaking and amazing how the divine inspired man to build beautiful architecture such as this and many other church's and mosques the world over.
There are a few people sitting in the congregational pews with heads bowed in prayer. I spot a corner to pray in after having discovered the qiblah direction by Mrs.Agnelli's phone compass.
It's while I'm in my last prostration, when in the background I hear the distinct and familiar clicking against the polished stone floors.
My body nearly freezes in prostration, suspecting too well who this certain someone could be. Why was this happening? Perhaps I'm mistaken?
The clicking sounds closer and closer. Then a black set of polished dress suit shoes appear right Infront of my prostration..and ofcourse along with a black cane. My heart sinks in doom.
How much more evil can he get than this!?
"Ah Vladimir!" I overhear Mrs.Agnelli laugh nervously. "You're here! Um I hope that your mission went well!"
"Went well, it did." Comes the lethal and curt reply.
Mrs.Agnelli rambles on. "Didn't expect to see you here in Church! Not that I'm not glad to see you that is!
"A devout Christian in a Church.." He remarks, voice frigidly incredulous. "..proves an unexpected sight for you?..and yet here..a blasphemy against God.."
He taps his cane near my face sharply and I flinch as he continues. "..blasphemy of the most highest degree should be expected?"
Mrs.Agnelli begins. "Vladimir I-"
He ceases her words. "Gravely..disappointed..to say the least..Mrs.Agnelli."
I knew all too well that he was referring to me as a blasphemy and shaming her for allowing me to pray in a church.
How was I blaspheming against God? Didn't he know we share the same God of Abraham?
I arise from my Prostration to a seated position and continue completing my prayer. Yet my body trembles in trepidation. I dreaded what he would do next as I sense Mrs.Agnelli has gone silent in fear.
"Get out, vermin." He suddenly orders me with ever apparent contempt. "In an exulted premise of a Church, your kind has no place..My ancestors fought your kind to protect such holy sites."
In the next three seconds I fully complete my prayer and crane my neck to pin him with a glare. But that proves useless as my breath catches in my throat.
It's been a week since I last saw him and yet here he is and it felt like ages. The appeal of his intimidating aesthetics should have worn off by now. Yet here I was, mind suddenly enmeshed by his appearance again. With those piercing blue orbs glaring at me bone chillingly.
My courage nearly crumbling, I avert my gaze down as I start to arise to my feet. Folding the fabric, I gently place it in Mrs.Agnelli's tremulous hands. I try my best to keep my own from shaking.
"You dare step foot in a Church." He abruptly seethes, his ire rising. "Despicable presence on such sacred grounds. You wretched creature of the most lowest type..dare venture in Godly enclaves."
I snap my head in his direction, a sudden rage sets my nerves ablaze.
That's it! I'm not allowing this monster to shove me around anymore!
Not like I'll be remaining around him after I'm 19!
What was there for me to fear now ?
"Out with you devil!" His brittle demand pricks my ears.
"No!" I nearly yell surprisingly, as I stare him back in the eyes with equal contempt.
I'm literally shaking by now, I could no longer contain the tremors anymore. The palms of my balled up fists start to perspire.
His gaze narrows in on me. "You better watch that mouth, little girl or I'd shut it for you in the most horrid of ways."
"No!" I square my shoulders and glower at him. "You don't own this Church! I don't have to listen to you! And you're the devil!"
By now nearly half of the people in the church are peering over curiously in our d
irection.
His expression hardens as ice and he speaks in a deadly lowered tone. "Very concise it would be..with my bare hands when I snap that little raghead of yours apart..and here no one would put a stop to it for they know..who I am."
Tears prickle my gaze as I hiccup back a sudden sob. This gesture of mine only serves to bring him open satisfaction. I began to weep abruptly from the overwhelming fear he instills within me. Turning around, I rush out from there as Mrs.Agnelli tries to reach out to me.
I hate him so much.
◆◆◆
A soft knock ensues against my bedroom door, obstructing me from a reminiscent chain of thought regarding my mother. I missed her terribly.
I let out a weary sigh as I arise to my feet from the bed and trudge across the room to open the door. I find an alert looking Anya peering at me with some form of compassion and sadness in her face.
"Are you alright Miss Kashani?" She asks while biting her bottom lip nervously.
It was apparent that Mrs.Agnelli had disclosed to her, events of my humiliating encounter with the demon at Church some hours ago. If this is the reason Anya took the time off from her maid duties just to console me, then I suppose it's a nice gesture of her.
Albeit, I wasn't in any particular mood to receive consolation from anyone but my mother.
"Yeah..I'm alright.." I trail off without meeting her gaze.
She lets out an exhale of relief. "Good, I'm glad to hear that..well Miss Katherine and Miss Beverly want you to get ready for a shopping spree this evening."
"Oh.." I say flatly. "Well..tell them thanks but they can go on without me."
Anya furrows her brows in annoyance and shakes her head while muttering something under her breath in Russian. She pivots on her heels and leaves without further addressing me.
Some five minutes later a louder knock ensues on the door. I groan as I shuffle across the room to open the door. Knowing too well who would be behind it this time.
Can't these people take no for answer at least sometimes ?
There stands Rachael, with Katie and Bev peering excitedly at me from behind her.
"What is this we are hearing ?" Rachael looks me in the eyes disappointedly. "Your refusal to go shopping with Katie and Bev?"
"Are we that bad of a company ?" Bev pipes in.
"Yes, are we ?" Katie feigns a disappointed expression but only ends up smiling. I find both of them adorable.
I begin to explain. "No that's not what I-"
Rachael cuts me off. "You've remained cooped up in this bedroom for most of your stay here! You should go out to the city today!"
I shake my head in decline. "I've already been in the city with Mrs.Agnelli this morning."
"Oh yeah for a piece of yarn." Bev snorts with an eye roll.
"That trip doesn't count!" Katie agrees.
Rachael palms my face gently. "You should buy new clothes and here.." She drops her hand from my face and slips a debit card into my hand. "This contains 5000 dollars, so go splurge on whatever you want and if you need more, just let me know."
"What!?" I sputter in alarm. "I can't take this! Besides I already have clothes and I don't need more!"
Rachael shakes her head in solemn decline at me while folding her arms across her chest.
But then Bev adds. "Grig and I are getting married soon and it will be a huge wedding and I want you there so you can't wear your regular clothes at my wedding!"
I gape at her before regaining my composure. "Wow that's great news! Congratulations!"
"I know right!" She flashes me a pearly smile as her eccentric earrings dangle about. "Thanks, so get a move on woman! Or I'll drag you to the shops if I have to!"
I stare the three of them in their pleading light eyes momentarily before giving in. "Fine..ill go.."
They grin widely while pulling me out of the room. Rachael halts me for a few seconds. "Wait, here you left this in my last residence."
She hands me the iPhone she had entrusted to me on that tragic day before we moved to the Nielsen manor estate.
◆◆◆
Had I known that the demon and his equally demonic girlfriend would be accompanying us on this shopping spree, I would have never left the safety of my room. Katie and Bev revealed the only reason he was embarking on this shopping trip was to make up to his bratty girlfriend for the slap he accosted her.
Albeit, they didn't share the heavily guarded limo with us. But rather the demon drove alongside in an expensive Lamborghini Veneno. A sports car of which I heard on the media, only 9 limited editions were manufactured and costing up to 4.5million dollars each.
It was ridiculous the amount of wealth he has, even the three limousines he owns are Mercedes Benz Pullman, Rolls Royce and a Lamborghini Aventedor. Prices ranging in the millions.
Did all of this wealth accumulate from criminal dealings of the Mafia?
What comes as an even more of a shocker for me is when we get to the mall. Its been closed down early to the public inorder for Katie and Bev to shop securely. I wondered exactly how much it costed him to have an entire mall close down for his little sister and her friend.
The first half hour we aimlessly stroll around the shops on the main level. The demon and his girlfriend stride a few paces ahead of us. He's wearing a black business suit without his cane and top hat, his dark blond hair styled in that of the 1940's.
Behind us trail a dozen heavily armed Mafia members unknown to me except for Huxley. I wondered where Serge and Grigori were. I hadn't seen them both since last Sunday. The two girls next to me excitedly conversed over name brand merchandise.
Some ten minutes later in an expensive bridal boutique I find a dress modest enough for me to wear at Bev's wedding. But the girls make a face.
"That's a grandma dress!" Bev snorts and Katie agrees.
I sigh in apparent vexation and place it back. Then I stroll further away from them to search deeper inside the shop.
Honestly if I don't find another wearable dress, I'll just buy that so called grandma one!
I end up in the children's section of the store. But I do feel I have searched enough and can't find any other dress modest and pretty enough to wear. There are some really cute little girls dresses, even better tailored than the adults.
But I'm not a little girl and yet sometimes I feel like one and sometimes I just wished I was a little girl again. Even as a child, my life was one of turbulence. Growing up without a father figure present in a single mother household. Facing bullies throughout school and being the lonely kid of the class.
I let out a dejected sigh and right then my eyes are drawn to a very cute and cuddly large teddy bear set on a shelf. Without knowing, I walk up to it and reach out for it. There was no price tag present so I'm guessing it was just placed there as an embellishment.
The only reason I was drawn to it, was considering how closely it resembled the teddy bear my mother gifted me as a kid. She worked hard as a sole provider at the time, paying bills, paying for food and rent. Yet she pulled out 40 dollars for a teddy such as this to make me happy on my 7th birthday.
I clasp the store teddy against my chest and bury my face into its downy soft head while remembering my mother's smile.
Deviant Fixation Page 28
