by Lily Wallis
“I just want to smell the air,” Caroline whispers as her head lies in my lap. “One last time.”
“Don’t say that,” I demand. “We’re going to get out of here.”
“No one leaves,” she replies.
“You don’t know that,” I say. “We will find a way.”
“You still have hope,” she smiles. “Hold onto it for as long as you can, for it will disappear before your eyes.”
Stroking her hair, I look across the room to find another girl, Ashley, sleeping in a corner. She has been here for about two weeks and rarely says a word. The unlocking of the door fixates my eyes in that direction and within seconds, a naked woman is thrown into the room before the door locks again. Sobbing, she covers herself, and I get up to place a small blanket over her.
“Thank you,” she cries.
“Did you just get here?” I ask, and she looks up at me.
“I’ve been here for a year,” she replies, stunning me. “I made a mistake.”
“What do you mean you made a mistake,” I ask.
“You give him what he wants, no matter what,” she begins. “I agreed so I could get out of here, and now I’m back.”
“I’m not understanding,” I say. “What do you mean? Where have you been?”
“I,” she begins, before the door opens again.
“Rachel, Rachel, Rachel,” Madame Benoit says as she walks into the room with two men.
“I’m sorry, Madame Benoit. Please give me another chance, please just get me out of here, please!”
“Violet, get back to your place,” Madame Benoit demands, and I do as I am told.
“I’m disappointed in you, Rachel. All these months without incident, and now you screw it all up.”
“Please don’t make me stay down here,” Rachel pleads. “If you just let me go back up there, I will do whatever he says.”
“There’s only one problem, my dear,” Madame Benoit says, holding Rachel’s chin. “He doesn’t want you anymore.”
“Oh God, please!”
“Who will we send in your place?” Madame replies, releasing Rachel’s chin with force. “Hmm, Caroline is out. That leaves Ashely and Violet.”
“I beg you, give me one more chance.”
“I’ll tell you what. Since you’ve always behaved, I will put in a good word. In the meantime, you stay here.”
“Thank you, Madame,” Rachel says, falling to Madame Benoit’s feet. “Thank you.”
“Violet!”
“Yes, Ma’am,” I say, frightened.
“You’re coming with us.”
I know better than to protest, but am terrified of where she could be taking me. Walking up the steps and through the door leading into the entry hall, I see that it is filled with people, smiling, laughing, and having a great time. I am led straight to the other side of the room through a door that opens up to a big library.
“Lazare, tie her to the chair,” Madame Benoit demands as the other man, Thibodeux, forcefully pushes me down into it.
Within moments, my wrists are tied to the arms of the chair, and seconds later, another door opens.
“Stop!” Malvado says as he walks in. “That is not necessary.”
“But our highness, she does not-” Lazare begins before being cut off.
“Out! All of you.”
I have never seen anyone scurry as fast as the three of them, nor have I seen this kind of fear written in their faces. As the footsteps approach me, my heart begins to beat faster and faster.
“Violet. I’m sorry for this,” Malvado says, kneeling down in front of me.
This is the second time I’ve seen him, and he looks exactly the same as before. The painted face, the hat, those eyes. As his hands touch my skin, I jerk, fear consuming me.
“Shhh, ma chérie; don’t be afraid, I would never harm you.”
Involuntarily, I relax, and that’s when he frees my right hand from the rope before moving to the left. Holding his hand out to me, he smiles.
“Come with me.”
Chapter Seven
Leading me through a door between the massive built in bookcases, we come to a room that is not only grand, but regal as well. Still holding my hand, he leads me to an ornate sofa, and motions for me to have a seat. Looking around the room, I see it’s a bedroom that is the size of my entire apartment back home.
“Is this your-” I begin.
“Yes,” he replies. “These are my quarters. The only place to find solitude.”
I have so many questions, though not one is forming an intelligible sentence to leave my lips. Finally opening my mouth to speak, he places a finger on my lips.
“Shh,” he whispers, and I immediately obey. “I know you have many questions. You’re wondering why you are here, aren’t you my dear?”
With his finger still on my lips, my eyes fixate on his as I nod my head in agreement.
“Violet, have you ever had the feeling that you don’t have a place in this world?” he asks, his finger brushing down the side of my chin.
“What?” I ask.
“A feeling of not belonging,” he replies, and even though I want to lie, I can’t.
“Yes,” I say, my head hung low.
“A feeling of never being able to trust anyone?” he counters as his fingers lift my chin.
“Yes.”
“You are very special, Violet. In ways you’ll never know. In ways you will come to find out. You are meant to do great things. Change the world.”
“What? How?”
“The world as we know it is coming to an end. In due time, most of humanity will be gone forever…except for us, the chosen ones.”
“The chosen ones?”
“Yes, ma chérie. It all began when Baron Samedi came to me, informing me of what lies ahead. Humans are destructive, and they will be their own downfall.”
“Who is Baron Samedi?”
“You’ve never heard of the Baron?” he asks, and I shake my head no. “He is the spirit of death and resurrection. A LOA in the Voodoo world. He is responsible for taking lives, leading their souls to the underworld, or in some cases, healing them. Often, he is depicted as a skeleton with a top hat, just like this one.”
“Are you the Baron?” I ask, finding myself lost in confusion.
“Not exactly. As I’ve told you, the Baron is a spirit. He passes between our world and the spirit world, and my body has been chosen to encompass him while here on earth.”
“That is why your face is painted?”
“Oui.”
“What does all this have to do with me?”
“I am the King, and this is my kingdom, but I answer to the Baron. He guides my decisions and leads us all. In the spirit world, the Baron has a companion, Maman Brigitte. Collectively, we have been on the search for her replica in the human world, and that is where you come in. You have many similarities to Brigitte, your hair, your eyes…we believe you may be the one.”
“I don’t understand,” I reply.
“It is a lot to take in, and a big responsibility to carry. With time, we will know. The Baron and I will guide you every step of the way.”
“But why kidnap me?”
“Do you really think if Theroux told you all of this in New Orleans you would have come along?”
“No.”
“Exactly. My kingdom started out with very few, maybe ten. Over time we have had to recruit to reach the numbers we are at today.”
“Recruit as in taken against their will?”
“In many cases, yes.”
“How many are here?”
“Currently we have eighty-eight. They range from servants to advisors. Everyone is taken care of ma chérie, even the servants are part of what I consider a family,” he pauses. “A real family, one that doesn’t betray you.”
Those words hit me hard, and I know the feeling of being alone all too well, though the tactic they used still doesn’t sit well with me.
“You are thinking, my
dear. What is on your mind?”
“I,” I begin. “I don’t believe in spirits, so all of this is difficult for me to understand.”
“In time, you will.”
For a moment I sit there, trying to understand everything he’s told me, but nothing makes sense, absolutely nothing. My thoughts take me back to New Orleans and the night I met Theroux. I had just had my fortune read before, and even though I didn’t believe it, I can’t deny that I am now sitting in some mansion, just as she said I would. Suddenly, his hand touches mine, and I’m ripped out of my thoughts.
“It is all very overwhelming, I know. It takes time, time to process, time to understand, time to submit.”
“Submit? What if I don’t want to?”
Letting out a deep breath, his hand leaves mine and he gets up from the sofa, turning his back to me.
“Submit was the wrong choice in words,” he begins, turning around. “Accept, is more appropriate.”
“But what if-”
“What if you don’t accept it?” he asks, kneeling in front of me, grabbing my hands. “What do you have to lose? What are you going back to?”
“My job,” I begin, knowing how ridiculous that sounds.
“Here you will never have to work again. You’ll be taken care of in any way you can imagine. Do you remember when I said we were the chosen ones?”
“Yes,” I say, a bit hesitant.
“You were chosen as well. You weren’t just a random pick; the Baron chose you. Every one of us has a similar story that in some way compares to your own. No one in this world that cares, no one who will miss us…it has always been us against the world. The Baron created a world for us, a family. Violet, we are the fortunate ones. Once this world we know as home disappears, we continue to live.”
“Why am I being kept in a cellar? Why the abuse? Why are there girls near death just feet away from me?”
“Who has harmed you?” he asks, his eyes starting to fill with rage.
“Madame Benoit,” I say.
“I will take care of this,” he says, sounding sincere. “You won’t have to spend another day down there; I give you my word. In exchange, you must do something for me.”
“What?” I ask, as he rolls up his sleeve, revealing a jewel just like the one I saw on Madame Benoit’s wrist.
“You must wear this,” he replies. “It will ensure your safety.”
My eyes take in the diamond shaped sapphire jewel, giving off a shine I can’t put into words.
“How?” I ask, my fingers touching it.
“Magic,” he replies with a big grin.
Chapter Eight
I’m brought into my new room, the Rose room. As I look around, I’m in awe. This room is breathtakingly beautiful. Decorated in soft light colors, the wallpaper reveals delicate pink roses, along with pastel colored petals. A large canopy bed is housed in the corner of the room, with a settee at the end. Two large wardrobes with ornate embellishments stand on either side of a door that leads God knows where, and several other pieces of furniture tie this room together. As my eyes continue to scan the room, I see a window, but immediately frown when I see steel bars across it. Even though I know that I am on the second floor, I had hoped a window could be my escape. Now I find myself in yet another prison, just this time, I agreed to sell my soul to the devil. What exactly did I agree to? I don’t believe in spirits, no matter how much Malvado tried to convince me. This must be some kind of cult. Actually, I haven’t agreed to anything yet.
“Bonjour, ma belle,” a sweet voice says, entering the room. “My name is Elodie, and I will be your servant.”
“My servant? Why do I have a servant?”
“The King’s wish,” she smiles.
“Oh,” I exhale.
“Well then,” Elodie continues as she walks toward one of the wardrobes. “Let’s get you ready for tonight.”
“What do you mean?”
“First, dinner with the King and members of the court, followed by the induction ceremony.”
“I can’t do this,” I say as fear grips me. “Please, let me leave. There has to be a way out of here. Please, Elodie, I beg you.”
Stepping close to me, Elodie grabs my hands and gives me a warm yet heeding look.
“Violet, all I can say is it is best to comply. Right now, you have a privilege most of us have never had, so you are at an advantage. Don’t lose that privilege.”
“What do you mean I’m at an advantage,” I ask, and she bows her head as if she’s said too much.
Walking back over to the wardrobe, she opens it, revealing many dresses that seem to date back hundreds of years. Digging through a bunch, she pulls out an emerald green dress decorated with black lace trim. As she lays it on the bed it looks like it could swallow a person whole.
“I think this will look beautiful with your red hair,” she smiles.
“Is that a corset? I ask, seeing a hint of black ribbon peek out from the back.
“It is. Have you ever worn one?”
“For Halloween,” I say. “Why do I need to wear this?”
“Ma belle, you ask so many questions,” she giggles. “You must learn to contain yourself.”
“Ok, I’m brought here against my will, drugged, if I may add. Then I wake up in a cellar with a woman that is being dragged out of the room by her hair. I’m sure anyone can understand why I am questioning things.”
Before she can answer there is a knock at the door and a voice on the other side says fifteen minutes.
“All right. Let’s get you dressed and ready, shall we?”
Standing in front of a full-length mirror, I take in my reflection, barely recognizing myself. The dress is beautiful, though I look as if I’ve stepped into a different world…their world. Exactly fifteen minutes later, the door opens and two men I know as Lazare and Thibodeux enter the room, dressed in suits.
“Is she ready?” Lazare asks.
“She is,” Elodie replies, moving my hair to the side.
“We should be on our way then,” Thibodeux replies, grabbing my arm.
“Please let go of me,” I say, and he gives me a stern look. “I promise I won’t run off.”
“Let her go,” Lazare instructs.
“Lazare, she’s not wearing the jewel,” he replies, his voice full of concern.
“It’s fine,” he says, and Thibodeux releases my arm. “She’s not going anywhere.”
With one man on each side, I walk down a long hall until we reach the grand staircase. Lifting my dress, I walk down each step, trying to keep my balance while wearing this heavy garment. As we reach the bottom, Madame Benoit comes toward us, and the sight of that woman intimidates me.
“Violet,” she smiles, leaning in to embrace me. “Welcome to the family.”
“Not yet,” Lazare begins. “The ceremony will be after dinner.”
“I’m aware of that, but it’s as good as done,” she smiles before leaning close to my ear. “Now, you will follow the rules, do you understand? My son’s life could be at stake if you step out of line. If you cause any problems, then you best believe I will kill you with my bare hands.”
“We must go,” Lazare says, pointing me in the direction of the dining room.
Guiding me to the left, two men open a set of French doors that are lined with drapes, and when my eyes take in the room, I’m speechless. It reveals a very long table, set with dinner plates, golden bowls, and grails. In the back-right corner, a band of musicians play a soft, yet very melancholic tune. My eyes make their way to the head of the table which showcases a very large purple velvet chair with black armrests. No one is sitting in the chair, but most of the others are taken. As Lazare and Thibodeux guide me past some of the seated guests, I see Theroux and immediately, anger rages in me.
“Have a seat,” Lazare says as we reach the empty chair next to the head of the table.
Sitting down, I look at the person next to me, a woman with a big smile. I’ve never seen her before, and
even if I knew what to say, I wouldn’t be able to get the words out. I think I may be in a state of shock, still not sure if this is a nightmare or reality. Scanning the room, I see a young woman in a corner. She is completely nude, and her hands are held above her head by rope that is attached to the ceiling. She is sobbing and shaking. Looking at the guests around me, I can’t believe everyone is carrying on having conversations, even laughing while this woman is clearly afraid and in a very vulnerable position. It’s as if she’s just a piece of furniture in the room, and no one takes notice. I turn to the woman next to me, wanting to find out what is going on, but then Elodie’s words come back to me. Suddenly, there is a knock on the floor, and everyone stops talking.
“His highness, King Malvado,” Lazare announces, and everyone stands immediately, and I follow.
“Good evening all,” Malvado says. “Please, sit.”
As he walks in, the respect he is shown is astonishing, like a true king. For a moment, I feel frozen. That’s when I feel his hand on mine.
“Violet,” he smiles. “Please have a seat.”
Sitting down in the chair, he keeps his hand on mine as his eyes burn into my soul.
“Welcome to my kingdom. I hope you find your room suitable?”
“Umm,” I begin before being interrupted.
“Anything to drink, your highness?” a woman asks, holding a golden pitcher.
“Not now,” he says, waving her away.
“Yes, Sir,” she replies, her eyes down before swiftly turning around.
“Do you find your room comfortable?” Malvado asks again, his fingers brushing over my knuckles.
“Yes,” I reply. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“No, my dear. You are what is beautiful,” he smiles, picking up my hand to kiss the top of it. “Now, everyone. Let’s toast to Violet, the future of our kingdom.”
Chapter Nine
As our first course is served, my glance continues to go in the direction of the woman bound in the corner. It’s as if she’s just an object decorating the room, and everyone could care less.
