by Paula Nicole
Lindsey turned to Lynn with her eyebrows raised. She looked her up and down but there was no tell-tale signs of what had been planned for her after the wedding.
“And that is?” She finally questioned curiously.
Lynn frowned and for once she looked truly puzzled. “I don’t know, Lindsey,” she admitted. “He hasn’t told anyone anything. Only that it will be all taken care of.”
“That’s not very reassuring,” Lindsey sighed loudly.
Lynn smirked to herself and shook her head gently. For a moment a flash of compassion was in her harsh eyes. “You’ll be fine Lindsey; Kyle loves you.”
Lindsey looked down, finding herself slowly slipping into her thoughts. What did love mean to these people? What kind of lives had they known for them to be able to confuse obsession and a need to possess someone with love?
There was a loud knock at the door. Lindsey was pulled from her thoughts and back into the unravelling tale of her fate.
A man promptly entered. It was the man who had attended Kyle’s first party, the one with the long brown hair. Lindsey could not recall his name at first but she would later come to know that this man was Lord Jinx, the owner of the grand mansion.
“It isn’t wise to make demands from Kyle, especially when Lord Shade is around,” he said cautiously.
Lynn approached Lindsey quietly, her face dark. Lindsey was still, standing her ground as she came right up to her face.
“You thought Kyle was dangerous,” she hissed huskily. “Lord Shade puts him to shame.”
Lindsey glanced over to the man, catching a glimpse of him nodding in agreement. She then looked to Lynn again and took a deep breath.
“Thank you, for the advice,” she said with a sickly sweet smile.
Lynn slowly put some distance in-between them as she checked herself out in the mirror. She flickered her eyes over to Lindsey, still watching her in the reflection.
“At the end of the day we are all his puppets, even Kyle,” Lynn continued.
Lindsey paced over to the bed, taking a seat on the side. She listened carefully to what Lynn had to say about Lord Shade, and yet even as she told her just how dangerous and powerful he was, she couldn’t get his silky smooth voice out of her head.
“Lindsey,” the man said suddenly.
She spun around, her eyes wide.
“You’d be best to do as you’re told from now on.”
Lindsey looked away, trying her best not to glare hatefully, but the man kept talking.
“This marriage affects everyone,” he told her.
But Lindsey did not care about them; all she cared about was Nadine and her daughter Katie. They were the only reason she would go through with this wedding. She would sacrifice her freedom for them, not to please the cult.
“Are you even listening, girl?” The man snapped.
Suddenly he was in front of Lindsey, his face was red with rage.
“Well?” He sneered.
“I think we all know where my priorities lie here,” Lindsey murmured.
“Why you little bitch!” The man shrieked angrily. “I won’t have you ruin this!” His hand raised up, ready to strike, but Lynn’s yelp caught him before he could hit Lindsey.
“Don’t mark her!” She cried in distress, now pulling the man away from Lindsey. “She has to look perfect!”
Lindsey got up from the bed and wandered over to the window, staring out as Lynn escorted the angry man from the room, closing the doors behind them. Still a little shaken, Lindsey trembled as she pondered her fate. Now the drugs Kyle had given her to sedate her had completely worn off and the sharp sting of reality struck her hard.
There was no escape this time.
Chapter Twenty Six
Lindsey quickly lost count of how many times she thought of escaping, but as the hour passed by, she knew she had no other choice but to give in and marry Kyle.
Lynn had left the room with Lord Jinx for a meeting between the cult members in the other room, a meeting Lindsey was not invited to. Every now and then Lynn would check on her and find Lindsey in the exact same position as she had left her, alone on the grand bed. But Lindsey was too deep and thought to notice her maid of honour.
Feeling defeated, Lindsey pictured herself walking up the aisle to Kyle. She shuddered, suddenly feeling cold and light headed at the thought. Lindsey wanted a way out, but saw no other route for her.
She felt too young to marry; there was still so much she wanted to do with her life. Now she was being shackled to Kyle, her husband, and to make matters worse she would forever be surrounded by the crazed cult who had arranged this terrible affair. Her whole life was now to be curled around their cold, clammy fingers. It was not her life anymore; it was theirs.
Quietly, the door swung open and Kyle appeared. Lindsey watched him carefully from the bed, but Kyle did not come any further forward.
“I just want to tell you that I love you Lindsey,” he said very softly. “And that I know this isn’t how you pictured your wedding. It’s not how I pictured mine either.”
Lindsey continued to glare.
“But,” Kyle smiled. “This is the way it must be and once we are married you will grow to love me. We’ll be happy.”
“There it is again,” Lindsey sneered. “That phrase.” Her eyes flashed, still full of tears which refused to fall from her blue eyes. “I will grow to love you.” She looked her head, laughing quietly. “You are deranged.”
Kyle lowered his head, sighing lightly. “Perhaps I am,” he agreed, surprising Lindsey. “But,” he added. “If I am deranged, it is only because I have fallen for you completely. I love you Lindsey.” He turned to leave but paused one last time, giving Lindsey one more glance.
She stared up at him, wearing a pained look that Kyle seemed to mirror.
“I’ll see you soon, my love,” he promised her softly. “My beautiful flower.”
Lindsey was speechless as he left. All she could do was stare after Kyle dumbly as the door closed behind him.
It was almost time.
Moments later, the man from before entered the room again. He brushed his fingers through his ponytail and a creepy grin crawled across his face.
“I will give you away,” he told Lindsey firmly. “Being the second Lord it is my honour.”
“Lord Jinx,” Lindsey smirked.
She had always pictured her father giving her away, now this man who stood before her was going to be the one to hand her over to Kyle, like a lamb for the slaughter.
“No one will be giving me away. I will give myself away,” Lindsey decided swiftly. “At least let me have that.”
Lord Jinx fast approached the bed, storming over angrily as his face blazed red. “You listen here, girl! You have no choice!” He shouted loudly. “Now come on! Everyone is waiting for you!”
He reached out to snatch Lindsey’s arm but she jumped backward, quickly crawling over the bed and throwing herself off the other side.
“Get away from me!” She screamed hatefully.
But Lord Jinx came at her again, this time his hand was poised to strike. “Someone needs to teach you a lesson!” He hissed. “Kyle has been far too soft on you.”
Lindsey bolted for the door, yet Lord Jinx was fast. He flew after her, grabbing her wrist. Lindsey screamed in frustration as he yanked her back from the door and up against his chest. His hand was raised into the air and was coming down fast.
Lindsey closed her eyes, praying that it wouldn’t hurt. But no blow came. Gradually, she felt Lord Jinx’s grip on her loosen, until she was completely free. She opened her eyes, just in time to see him fall to the floor behind her. Lindsey stared, covering her mouth as she suppressed a scream. Blood began to freely spill from his throat and he made a horrible gagging sound as his eyes bulged from their sockets.
“Did he hurt you?” A silken voice asked from behind.
Still in shock, Lindsey slowly turned to face her saviour. He was staring back at her, his cloudy eyes fo
gged over by concern.
“Lord Shade,” Lindsey whispered. “You killed him.”
“Yes,” he said bluntly.
His eyes flickered down to the body, but he was not afraid or remorseful. He took a step forward and gathered Lindsey into his arms, holding her close as he cradled her. Lindsey melted into him, finding a comfort in his arms like never before. Suddenly she felt safe and warm, something she hadn’t felt since her abduction.
“Shh,” he soothed gently. “Everything is going to be alright.”
“No,” Lindsey murmured into his chest. “It’s not.”
She knew he was just going to carry her down to Kyle.
Lord Shade held her tightly and Lindsey was calmed by his hot breath upon her neck. He hushed her again, now stroking her hair.
“Lindsey, I could make everything alright,” he told her gently.
Lindsey glanced up and her gaze was caught by his eyes. She felt her defences weaken, as if she were slowly slipping under a spell.
“You have fallen into a dark world, somewhere you don’t belong,” he said in a light tone, which almost sounded musical. “But if you agree to come with me, I can fix everything. I can give you the world you are destined for.”
Lindsey nodded slowly, her mind trapped in a daze.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Lord Shade smiled and wrapped an arm around Lindsey’s shoulders, leading her to the door like a lost child. But Lindsey was breaking out of the trance; her panic was caused by the wedding march she could hear down the stairs.
“No!” She cried. “You’re trying to trick me!”
She tried to pull away, but he began to speak again.
“No tricks Lindsey,” he swore to her, his voice still low and hypnotic. “Lindsey, come with me of your own free will and I will be your saviour.”
Lindsey swallowed heavily, trying to consider her options, but at the time Lord Shade’s offer seemed to be the most tempting.
“But what about Nadine and Katie?” Lindsey whispered.
Lord Shade smiled gently and put his free hand onto his chest, quickly crossing an X over his heart. “I swear no harm will come to them,” he vowed.
Lindsey looked away from Lord Shade, feeling dizzy under his unfaltering gaze. His smile was soft and trustworthy; yet those eyes were full of mystery. Could she trust him?
“Trust me,” he whispered, as if reading Lindsey’s mind. “Come.”
He pulled Lindsey forward and she gave no fight. Willingly, she followed him to the door and watched entranced as he opened it to reveal something far different from the hall she had stormed down earlier. Now a dark void lay before them and a bitter coldness slowly swirled out of it.
Fear gripped Lindsey and she took a step back, whimpering as she stared into the abyss before her.
“What is this?” Lindsey questioned fearfully.
“Trust me…” Lord Shade hissed into her ear.
“Yes,” Lindsey breathed. She had fallen back under his spell.
Lindsey barely realised he was slowly guiding her towards the abyss; she was too overcome with a mixture of fear and dependency. She wanted to follow him, she longed to trust him.
“Lindsey, come willingly,” Lord Shade murmured.
“Yes…” she whispered.
Lord Shade smiled, and with one final step, they disappeared into the darkness.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Lindsey clutched Lord Shade’s hand and squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t realise at the time, but she had held her breath when they had entered the swirling, dark abyss.
“Lindsey,” Lord Shade called gently.
She didn’t dare to peak, for fear that if she did she would see some sort of demon that would turn her to stone.
“Lindsey, you are safe, I promise.”
Gradually, Lindsey found the courage to open her eyes little by little. She examined her surroundings, which caused her mouth to drop open and her eyes to widen. She moved forwards. Her pale, dainty fingers reached out, grasping for something, unsure if it was all real or not. But Lindsey successfully gripped onto a great white pillar in the grand ballroom style room they had appeared in, confirming her eyes did not deceive her.
“What is this place?” She whispered.
Lindsey dropped Lord Shade’s hand and began to wander around the room, her wedding dress trailing on the ground as she moved gracefully across the marble floor. The fabric made a gentle sweeping sound.
She had never seen anywhere so beautiful in her entire life. Her enchantment grew with every glance. She relished the intricate paintings of roses on long entwining vines and great, green gardens, drawing her fingers across the rose vines. But then Lindsey looked up and lost her breath completely. For above her was a starry night sky.
“Lindsey, this is my home,” Lord Shade told her warmly. “And you are my honourable guest.”
“A guest?” Lindsey mused.
“Why, yes,” Lord Shade grinned widely. He moved towards Lindsey, taking her hands in his. “Not a prisoner. You can leave any time you wish, you only need ask.”
“Honestly?” Lindsey asked.
Now this she couldn’t believe.
“And you would just return me, like that?”
“Yes,” Lord Shade said hesitantly. “I can’t keep you here against your will. I don’t own you.”
Lindsey turned around, holding the fabric of the wedding dress up from the floor. “This place is beautiful,” she sighed dreamily. “Is this Heaven?”
Lord shade smiled strangely and began to circle Lindsey with long, graceful steps. His eyes were burning brightly, drawing Lindsey in closer as her fascination grew. She hadn’t noticed before just how flawless Lord Shade was. He was almost inhuman.
“You could call it that,” he said smoothly.
Lindsey smiled happily and at once she was overcome with delight. At last something good had happened, something magical. Although Lindsey could not explain it, she wanted to believe in it fully, and as Lord Shade guided her up the grand marble staircase, Lindsey forgot about the mess she had left behind. She was spellbound.
Lord Shade led his guest deep into the core of the palace. He showed her the spectacular rooms it had to offer her, rooms that were more than fit for a princess. But Lord Shade made sure to show her all the extras. She had already graced her eyes upon the ballroom but the luxurious spa and great, glass windows which over looked the immaculate gardens were sure to take her breath away too.
Lindsey really felt she had gone to Heaven; everything was perfect. It was her every dream come true.
“You can have any room here and you can do anything you like,” Lord Shade explained to Lindsey as she gazed out onto the gardens. Her eyes were captivated by the pouring fountain and the labyrinth that lay at the bottom of the concrete stairs. A wooden stage with white chairs and tables sat nearby and down the stage’s columns, which led to a hexagon roof, vines with white roses bloomed.
And then there were the flowers. Oh how Lindsey loved the bright flowers; it was as if a rainbow was sprawled out across the land. It was as if spring was the keeper of the gardens itself. Was there no winter?
“I can take you there, if that is what you wish?” Lord Shade said in a soft voice.
Lindsey slowly turned to him, feeling a little awkward under is gaze. It felt as if she were a mortal looking at a God.
“Please,” Lindsey beamed. “I would love to.”
“Then we shall.”
He extended his hand to her, coaxing her forward.
Lindsey smiled and stepped towards him, taking his hand confidently.
Lord Shade looked down to her and she gazed back up, her eyes glistening. Smirking, Lord Shade raised his hand and a dark mist formed around them, hissing and moving like a band of snakes.
Lindsey gasped but before she could excel she found herself surrounded by warm light and greenery. They were in the garden.
She turned to Lord Shade, gently letting go of his hand. �
�This,” she murmured. “This has to be a dream.”
“Lindsey, this is not a dream,” Lord Shade insisted calmly. He slipped around behind her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. “Dreams end.”
“Dreams,” Lindsey whispered.
She pulled away and stepped back from Lord Shade. Looking him up and down, she realised then exactly where she had seen him before.
“You have been in my dreams,” she accused him, no longer caring if she sounded insane. Any idea of sanity Lindsey held before was warped completely.
“Yes,” he admitted. “I have.”
Lindsey looked away, considering this carefully before she asked her next question.
“What are you?”
Lord Shade smirked and extended his hands, at first out to Lindsey and then to his sides in a grand gesture. His eyes glistened at the prospect of a game. “Guess,” he urged her without a hint. “What do you think I am Lindsey?”
What was Lindsey meant to say? Confused she turned away, still trying to comprehend that this was really happening.
Lord Shade glided towards her, gently cupping her chin with a warm hand. He looked deep into her sparkling green eyes and stuck her with another charming smile. All of a sudden Lindsey felt her thoughts calm and her defences dissolve. She felt light, happy and careless, as if she may float away into the blue sky.
“An Angel,” she cooed.
Lord Shade laughed lightly, wrapping an arm around her. Gently, he guided Lindsey to the labyrinth and through its large metal gates.
“I have something to show you,” he told her in a low voice.
Lindsey went along willingly, feeling no fear or doubt in his presence. However as he led her deeper into the labyrinth Lindsey began to feel the fog thin around her head, slowly returning her to a normal state of mind.
