by Paula Nicole
Lindsey blushed, looking down. She remembered that day faintly; it did not bear much significance in her life, that was until now. All she could recall was exploring the flourishing woodland around an old walking path before joining the group to examine a meandering river with her geography class. She had no idea someone was watching her.
Lord Shade’s gentle hand reached out but shrunk back. It was clear he longed to touch her hair, to run his fingers through its silken strands. But he settled for her shoulder.
Lindsey’s eyes sparkled.
“You were wandering through the woods, far from the path you were meant to follow. And I watched as you ran, darting in and out the trees. You were like a glimmer of light in the darkness; so beautiful and pure.” Lord Shade’s eyes darkened. “Could you feel my glare upon you, Lindsey?” He questioned softly. “My eyes as they scorched your skin for the first time? I feared that they may steal your light.”
He moved in closer, his eyes striking hers.
Lindsey’s breath was drawn from her body and sensing this Lord Shade took his opportunity. He reached out once more for her, gathering Lindsey into his strong arms.
“I can give you anything you have ever wanted,” Lord Shade whispered. “Here, with me, you could have your own Heaven.”
“Heaven?” Lindsey smiled.
“Yes,” Lord Shade replied softly. “You will see Lindsey. This will be your paradise. You will forget the life you had before; there will be no more pain.”
Feeling too enthralled by the demon’s promise to argue back, Lindsey simply smiled and gave a small nod. Yet at the same time Lindsey knew deep down that Lord Shade was not an Angel at all; he was a demon.
“Lindsey, is this not perfect?” Lord Shade pressed with a slight frown. He pulled away, taking Lindsey’s hands in his, squeezing lightly. “Is there something more you want? Say it and it will be yours!”
His eyes blazed with determination; he was desperate to please her, to amaze her.
“Well,” Lindsey said quietly. “I am a little hungry now,” she admitted.
“Of course, my dearest one,” Lord Shade grinned widely. “Let’s get back to the palace and you can eat whatever you may wish.”
Lord Shade led Lindsey out of the house and into the green fields again. Eventually everything began to fade away and the door appeared before them.
Lindsey frowned, finding that the warm feeling within her had melted away with her childhood home. In her mind she knew that it was all an illusion, that it was not her real home, and yet it felt so realistic at the time, all it was missing were her family.
“Lindsey?” Lord Shade asked softly.
She looked up, her eyes flashing when she realised they were back in the dining room. It was going to take her a while to get used to transporting.
“After eating you should sleep,” Lord Shade suggested to her. He took Lindsey gently by her upper arm, lightly holding her as he helped her into the chair.
Lindsey smiled up at him and noticed a delicious smell had engulfed the room; the food had appeared again on the table, more appetizing than ever before. Yet when Lindsey looked up she felt her hunger subside slightly when she saw how Lord Shade’s eyes glistened as he watched her.
“Can humans eat this food?” Lindsey asked him carefully.
Smiling, Lord Shade nodded.
“Oh,” Lindsey mused. She lifted up a ripe pomegranate, toying with it as she passed it from hand to hand. “I’ve never had one of these.”
Lord Shade laughed musically and took the pomegranate from her. With one twist in his hands it was split into two and he placed it onto Lindsey’s plate. “Enjoy,” he smirked and strode to his own seat.
Lindsey watched him with fascination, finding her appetite slowly returning as she became more at ease. Lord Shade was happily eating the food from the table and this seemed to reassure Lindsey. Quietly, she began to eat, starting with the sweet pomegranate.
After a while Lord Shade’s eyes landed upon her. Lindsey could tell he had been trying not to watch her whilst she ate, which made her more comfortable as the dinner went on.
“I am glad you decided to dine with me,” he admitted with a smile. “If there is ever anything you want, just tell me Lindsey. I want you to be happy here.”
“Thank you,” Lindsey replied politely. “But…” She stopped herself, not knowing how Lord Shade would react to her question.
“But?” He encouraged softly. “Is there something more you need?”
“Just one thing,” Lindsey said. She took a deep breath and laid down her knife and fork, indicating she was finished with the meal.
“Lindsey, name your desire.”
His eyes burned into her, desperate to know her wish.
Lindsey swallowed hard and pushed herself on, knowing this was a risk. “Well,” she said, awkward at first. “If I am to stay here with you then I would like to know your name.”
“My name?” Lord Shade laughed in amusement. “I haven’t gone by anything other than my title for a while now.”
“Then you do have a name!” Lindsey grinned. “Please, tell me.”
Lord Shade rolled his eyes. It must have seemed so trivial to him, for Lindsey to know his name. But if Lindsey were to have any sort of relationship with him she had to know. She wanted to make a connection; it was her best defence.
“For some years Lindsey you have known me as Ile, Uncle Ile,” Lord Shade told her coolly. He watched her reaction with soft eyes and then gave a nod. “But I’d prefer you called me Shade.”
“You have been the mysterious Uncle all along,” Lindsey mused quietly. She paused, considering this for a moment. She wanted to know what his motive was. “Why?” Lindsey asked.
“It is time for you to retire,” Lord Shade decided swiftly. “Today must have been a lot for you.”
Lindsey frowned slightly; disappointed he did not answer her question. But for the time being, Lindsey set her curiosity aside and feigned a smile. She knew she would unravel it all soon.
“It has been,” she agreed.
Lord Shade came to her chair and helped her up, taking her hand in his. “Tomorrow you will have completely free reign here,” he explained to her as they left the dining room.
Lindsey glanced up at the sky ceiling, still enchanted by its beauty. “Wait!” She said suddenly, her mind catching up on what Lord Shade had said. “Where will you be?” She questioned.
“Sadly I have something which I need to attend to, something which has unfortunately been the reason why you were in Kyle’s charge so long,” Lord Shade told her. “However I will be back for our evening meal.”
They approached the stairs but Lindsey was unsure of how to react to this news. At first she thought of how wonderful it would be to have free reign in his enchanted world, but then she was fearful.
“You are safe here,” Lord Shade reassured her keenly. “No one can harm you, especially not Kyle. You should put him far from your mind.”
Lindsey stared ahead of her, trying to avoid his captivating eyes. For she knew if she looked into them she would happily agree. But as she stared forward something strange seemed to happen. It was as if a light blur was travelling down the grand hallway, slowly edging away from them.
Lord Shade fell silent.
He tightened his grip on Lindsey’s hand, pulling her along to the bedroom she had napped in before. Now Lindsey could tell he had seen the blur too but before she could bring it up Lord Shade gathered her into his strong arms. Lindsey’s curiosity was replaced by the sudden urge to sleep. She began to struggle to stay upright. Her legs weakened below her, threatening to give in.
Lord Shade scooped her into his arms and gently nudged the door open with his foot. He entered the room, carrying Lindsey to the bed where he laid her down and brought the covers over her long slender frame.
“You’ll be happy here,” he said to her gently. “I want to give you everything Lindsey.”
“You’re not the first to say
that,” Lindsey replied with a quiet yawn. She could feel sleep tugging her away.
“But I am the first to mean it,” Lord Shade swore to her in a calming tone.
Lindsey surrendered to sleep, finally closing her eyes over. A small smile touched her lips and she let out a satisfied smile.
Lord Shade tenderly placed a kiss upon the soft skin of her forehead and he combed her dark hair from her face.
The little fight Lindsey had held against sleep was quickly diminishing further and her body became limp under the covers. Only her lips moved now, whispering one word Lord Shade could just hear.
“Home…” Lindsey murmured dreamily.
Lord Shade smiled softly, cupping Lindsey’s pale face with his long fingers as she slipped away. He sighed lightly, his eyes never leaving her. “You’ll forget soon enough you ever had a home.”
He walked away, leaving his guest to sleep.
Chapter Thirty One
Lindsey rolled over and curled up into a ball. She smiled to herself; appreciating how warm and comfortable she was. She let out a content sigh and speculated how long she had slept for. She felt more refreshed than she had ever felt before and yet she was still reluctant to leave the safe confines of the bed.
Slowly, Lindsey slipped out from under the covers and headed for the door. It was only then she remembered what Lord Shade had said to her the day before. She would be alone all day, free to explore.
Grinning, Lindsey hurried from the room and rushed out into the hallway, only to find that the surroundings had changed. She paused; her mind took a moment to soak the new palace in. She stepped forward and placed her hands upon a marble, white rail. Now the hallway was open and looked out on the ballroom below and the starry sky was gone, in its place was a dazzling blue sky and every now and then the clouds would gently move.
Lindsey was breathless.
She moved slowly down the hallway, finding it hard to believe that this was her home now. Her fingers graced against the wall as she walked and she immediately pulled away, finding that the wall was moving. At closer inspection Lindsey saw that the wall was not a normal solid wall. It was far from it. Her eyes sparkled as she marvelled at the small white butterflies, which made up the colour of the wall like a blanket. Lord Shade had surpassed himself. Lindsey couldn’t take her eyes of their fluttering wings.
“Beautiful,” she whispered in delight. “Just beautiful.”
Half expecting Lord Shade to appear behind her, Lindsey turned and surveyed her surroundings. However, she found that she was truly alone.
Cradling her arms, Lindsey pondered what to do to. There was so much to explore and it was all there just for her and yet it seemed too much for Lindsey to wrap her head around.
Eventually Lindsey headed towards the room that contained the mirrors. But when she arrived she discovered that the door was no longer transparent. She shrugged it off, deciding Lord Shade hadn’t liked the design, and entered the room anyway.
Her curiosity was free to run wild and it led her to the mirrors. Feeling slightly anxious, she sat on the chair before them and gazed deeply into the two active mirrors, but she was more attracted towards Kyle’s mirror, as Alec was sound asleep.
Kyle’s mirror was dark, yet Lindsey could make out his shape. She watched him closely, her lip trembling as he moved in the shadows. Lindsey had almost forgotten just how muscular and tall he was and how those icy eyes flashed when he spun to space her. Gasping, Lindsey looked away, struggling to keep her eyes open.
“It’s okay,” she whispered to herself. “He’s not really here.”
Softly she smiled to herself and turned towards the mirror again. Yet her heart beat still continued to soar as she watched. Lindsey knew then that the horror show was only beginning.
Chapter Thirty Two
Kyle’s face darkened as he took to centre stage and his eyes glistened with authority as he looked upon the grim faces of the men he had called to the occasion. He knew then that this had been the right decision. He was going to find his Lindsey, and these men would help him.
“Now you have all been given a photo of the young woman I am searching for,” Kyle began sternly. He had decided before the gathering that he would spare the details of the situation; the less they knew the better. Besides, Kyle knew that deep down these new employees only cared about one thing, money. And for the right price he could have Lindsey killed, if he wanted to.
“Her name is Lindsey and further details about her appearance are printed on the back of the photo you have been given.” He paused, forcing a smile. “Whoever successfully brings Lindsey alive and unharmed to me at this address will be rewarded with the agreed price.”
The majority of the audience appeared to be appeased by Kyle’s instructions. However one onlooker sheepishly raised her hand, daring to question Kyle as he set the bounty for his beloved.
Kyle’s eyes settled upon her and he nodded towards her, permitting her to speak. “Yes, Lynn?” He encouraged. “You have a question.”
Lynn gulped; she felt the room’s sharp eyes upon her as she raised from the chair and faced the group alone. “H-how much is the reward exactly?” She asked, timid at first.
Kyle’s eyes never left her.
“Thirty thousand pounds,” he replied coolly. He turned to the men again but this time his smile had faded away and was replaced with a grimace. Slowly, Kyle’s face began to redden and his muscles clearly tensed. “And a bonus for anyone who can capture or kill the man that accompanies her.”
“Murder was not mentioned when you called us here,” a dark blonde haired man said in a low voice.
Kyle looked to him, taking a deep breath before he steeled himself. “No, it was not,” he confirmed, mimicking the man’s husky tone. “But now it has been mentioned and if he is brought to me or disposed of then you will receive the bonus.”
“Very appealing,” another man said with a chuckle. “I may just take you up on that offer, Kyle.”
Kyle smiled, pleased by the reaction of the group. “I will let you go now,” he spoke urgently. “The faster you find her, the better.”
“How about another bonus if we find her within the week?” A large brute of a man smirked.
Kyle turned to the man, eyeing him up before he considered the idea. He would certainly scare Lindsey; never before had Kyle seen such a frightening man. He was large, tall and bursting with rolls and rolls of muscles. But it was that cold, blank face which made even Kyle’s blood run cold. If Kyle was to place a bet on who found Lindsey and killed Lord Shade, this was the man he would put his money on.
“An extra five thousand if you find her within the week,” Kyle offered after some consideration. “And the payment will be in cash.”
“The only thing I deal in,” the crude man sniggered.
“Good,” Kyle said quickly. “You are all dismissed.”
The men left in a great flurry of noise, racing towards the door to start their mission. This left Kyle and Lynn alone in the farm house where it had all began. But the chemistry which had made their partnership once great had been since then tested and tried. Now the pair sat in silence. Kyle’s mind was on his precious Lindsey and Lynn was on the money.
Finally she spoke up.
“That is a lot of money, Kyle,” she said quietly.
“It is so,” Kyle agreed.
There was a strained silence.
Lynn looked down at her feet, slowly gathering the nerve to speak up against Kyle. But after his rally with the bounty hunters, even Lynn was struggling to find the courage to let her views be known.
Kyle turned to leave the room and with those chilling eyes finally off of her, Lynn blurted out her challenge to Kyle.
“You’ve been spending a lot of money lately. Our money.”
Kyle froze on the spot.
Lynn did not need to see his face; she could already feel a darkness spreading in the room like a choking mist. She could hardly breathe.
“She will be wort
h every penny,” Kyle snarled through gritted teeth.
Still he did not turn.
Lynn gulped loudly. She knew deep down that she should stop talking and leave Kyle to his madness. If it were anyone else, they would have left as soon as Kyle had made his first extreme purchase; a gun.
What was left here for Lynn now? There was nothing to be gained, only lost.
“It’s too much,” Lynn spat out quickly. “You’re throwing away all the money! Half of it is mine!”
Kyle’s fists clenched tightly. His shoulders tensed.
With wide eyes Lynn continued to force her words out, her voice becoming louder and more argumentative as she went on with her rant. And with each word, Kyle grew more furious and tired with his once compliant companion.
“That new house you bought for her! All those weapons! Those horrible men you have employed! And that wheelchair in the basement!”
Kyle raised his hand, silencing Lynn.
She stared at his back, seeing his muscles slacken slightly.
“You’ve seen the wheelchair?” He questioned quietly.
Lynn hesitated, slowly going over Kyle’s tone before she answered him. “Yes,” she admitted. “I saw it hiding in the corner. Was it your intention to hide it from me?”
“Not from you,” Kyle replied honestly.
Lynn stared at his back, secretly relieved he still had not turned to her. Silently she moved across the room, determined to leave the room and head upstairs to her own bedroom where she could find refuge. However one thing continued to plague her mind.
“What is the wheelchair for anyway?” She asked him curiously. “Planning on having an accident any time soon?”
