by Dakota Lake
She put the basket down and looked over the washing line at me as she pegged a towel up. “Go on spit it out.” I said.
“Where did you get those clothes from?”
“They're borrowed. Next question.”
“Does Master Cameron know you...”
“No I haven't seen him today. Anything else?”
“Have you spoken to.....” she looked around making sure no one was listening. “Spoken to Alexander? Is he still going to meet with me?”
“Crap! I knew there was something I was meant to do. Don't worry I will add it to my to-do list. That is if Cam doesn't lock me up and throw away the key before I get a chance.” She looked concerned. “It's fine, I'll take care of it. Don't worry he'll meet you.”
I carried on over the grass towards the manor and walked up the stairs, a few servants turned their heads in my direction. On my way up I ran into Alex.
“Something's different,” he said looking me up and down noticing my clothes. “Did you put weight on?” he asked grinning to himself as he passed me.
“Alex,”
“Yes.” He stopped a few steps down from me.
“What are you doing in three days time at noon?”
“Why?”
“Narmi wants to meet you.”
“Three days?” he said to himself.
“Yes is that a problem?”
“No. No problem. I'm not working that day.”
“She'll be waiting by the cherub fountain for you. Noon remember.”
He smiled to himself and carried on down the steps.
“Oh and Alex,” I called after him. He looked back over his shoulder. “Thanks for the breadcrumbs.” I said before bouncing up the stairs to my bedroom to collect my study books.
I walked into the study room and Grayson nearly dropped his cup of tea. These clothes were causing quite a stir.
“Problem Grayson?” I asked sliding into my seat. “Don't look so shocked that I made it on time.” “Um...” he stuttered. I don't think he knew what to say.
I laid out my text books and got stuck in. After an hour he finally asked me about the clothes. “Where did you find those clothes?”
“Shasta. I borrowed them. Which page do I go on to now? I've finished this one already.” “Um...oh it's page 27.”
I left my class and wondered around looking for Senka but couldn't find him anywhere, I was about to head back over to Kenzie's when one of the servant girls stopped me.
“Miss Ruby, Master Cameron wants to speak with you. He's in his den.”
I walked back downstairs but with every step my feet began to feel heavier. What if this was it? He had found out I'd been up to HP and was about to have me handcuffed and dragged out in chains and thrown into a bricked cell. Okay maybe a little over the top, I'd never seen any chains anywhere inside the manor and I didn't think we had any type of jail in the manor.
I stopped outside his den. I was too frightened to move, my whole body had started to tremble. With every movement the servant reached for the door handle then pulled back when I shook my head. I wasn't ready, I was still rehearsing what I was going to say to him in my head. I finally nodded for the servant to open the door and I strolled in as confidently as I could.
“Hi Cam,” I said.
Shelley was stood next to him leaning over looking at something on the table.
“Ruby,” Cam greeted me, casually giving me the once over.
He whispered in Shelley's ear but I heard it clearly from where I was standing.
“Leave us.” he said to her. She smiled at me as though nothing was wrong and left us alone. He stood up and walked around the table to me, he leaned back and sat on the edge. His black eyes bore holes into me, his brows scrunched up and he wrinkled his forehead looking me up and down. He didn't look mad though which I was surprised about.
“Where did you get those clothes?” he asked tilting his head to look at me.
“They were Shasta's. I didn't think it would be a problem.”
“Really? I don't remember her wearing those.”
“I didn't know you kept track of what she wore?”
“I don't. What's wrong with your dresses?”
“Don't take this the wrong way but I don't feel comfortable in them and I keep tripping over them all the time. They're a health hazard especially on the stairs. Have you tried walking up and down the stairs in a dress?”
“No.” he replied as though it was a stupid question.
“What's wrong with these, you don't like the way I'm dressed?” I asked.
I thought turning on my charm might help ease the situation and it worked because he smiled. “Okay. We don't want you taking a tumble on the stairs.”
He shrugged it off and called me around to his end of the table. I didn't think he'd take it so lightly I was so surprised by it I wasn't paying attention to anything he was showing me. I blinked and tried to focus.
“Seating plan,” he waved a sheet in front of my face as he sat down.
He was going over arrangements for the party that was fast approaching, where I would be swamped with hundreds of his relatives. The very thought of it made me want to run away. Out of all the stuff that was going on this seemed like the worst possible thing I was going to have to do. No wonder he wasn't bothered with my clothes he was too distracted with seating plans, guest invites and accommodation. Many of the guests would be staying on my level. I'd already seen name tags going up on the doors.
“You will have to stand at the ballroom doors to greet everyone.” he said.
“What all night?”
“No. Only for an hour or so.”
“Can't wait.” I said in the most unenthusiastic voice possible.
“Ruby,” he said tapping a pen on the table.
“Sorry. No it all looks great, I look forward to it. Was there anything you specifically wanted me for.”
“No not really. Just look at the seating plan so you know where you will be sitting.” “I thought it was a party? Why are we all sitting down formally?”
“That's how things are done down here.”
He had said the word 'down here' he'd slipped up without even realising.
“Here is the guest list. Look over it, it has the names of the different families and other guests they are bringing. That way you wont feel so left out. You'll feel more involved if you know who's coming.”
He handed me a rolled up piece of paper. I unrolled it and the bottom dropped down unrolling across the table.
“You have got to be kidding.” I said looking at the ridiculously long list of names. “I know it seems like a lot. But I narrowed it down to only my fathers side of the family to keep it small.”
“Yeah I can see that. You've definitely kept it down to a minimum.” I said sarcastically. He looked up at me frowning at my comment. “Thanks this is great. I'll familiarize myself with it.” Yeah right when Hell freezes over!
There was no way I was going to remember even ten names on the list let alone one hundred plus. Over the next few days Kenzie and I went over possible options. But most of them led back to me marrying Cam, it was inescapable. It was as if it was my fate. Senka hadn't spoken much about anything and I'd only seen him twice. All he kept saying was we'd figure it out. I didn't think we would figure it out and he knew there was only one ending to this story. I had pestered Kenzie non stop about Jessie, I didn't think it was a good idea to bring it up with Senka. But I needed to know where he was, was he okay? I'd finally won Kenzie over and there had been talks of a rescue mission but the main problem being he didn't know where Jessie was being kept. Then there was the other problem that was keeping me up late at night and it wasn't Emmett and his candle, he hadn't been back once since I had told Vivienne. The new problem that was worrying me was Maite, what if she showed up today or tomorrow or even the day after that. What would we do? We were running out of time. We all knew what Cam was planning but it involved Maite whom he didn't have at present. It was a waiting game.
&
nbsp; Chapter Fifteen
I'd stayed in bed drifting in and out of sleep. I wasn't awake and I wasn't asleep, I was in that in between phase. I realised there was someone standing next to my bed, at first all I saw was black. Black clothing, so I immediately thought it was Senka. A smile crept onto my face and I rolled onto my back stretching as I opened my eyes. But instead of Senka some girl stood at the side of my bed. I sat up and moved across the bed away from her. She looked young maybe even around sixteen. She wasn't very tall and her bony frame made her look ill. Her eyes stood out and were the brightest violet colour surrounded by heavy dark black make up. Purple showed under her eyes as though she hadn't slept in days. Her face looked small and her features were defined, she had a small nose and lips the colour of blood and a beauty spot sat just above her top lip. Her hair was an ivory colour and hung down to her waist, it was completely wild and untamed. It looked as though it hadn't been brushed in years. Some of her hair was bundled up on top of her head and reminded me of a beehive, a black veil trailed down her back. She was dressed in a long black dress, it had a corset top half which pushed her bust up and out. The lower half of her dress looked like one of those old fashioned puffy dresses with black netting, it looked like a scary Gothic version of the dresses I had in my own closet. She played with a strand of her hair and I noticed her scary looking nails that were painted black and nearly two inches long. She was smiling an all teeth smile which revealed a mouth full of black teeth. I scooted off the bed and moved to the other side of the room backing myself into the bookcase.
“Who are you?” I asked trying not to show how frightened I was. She looked like something that had stepped out of a horror movie.
She tilted her head as if inspecting me, still smiling at me. I bolted for the door and ran along the corridor to the nearest servant.
“There's this thing, this girl in my bedroom.” I said a million miles an hour.
He looked at me blankly like he hadn't heard me, probably because I was taking to quick. I looked back at my bedroom and the girl stood in the open doorway watching me.
“There she is. She's right there,” I said pointing a shaky finger at her. He looked her way but didn't say anything.
“Hellooo,” I said waving my hand in front of his face. I looked back to see she was moving this way, I soon took off running down the corridor. My speed picked up and I made it quickly to the stairs. I panicked not knowing which way to go. Before I knew what I was doing I'd run down one flight of stairs and kept going until I was on Cam's level. I don't know why in a state of panic I chose to seek out Cam over Senka, but I didn't question my decision as I ran along the corridor to his den. I skidded to a stop in front of the servant that was stood outside his den door. “Cam. I need to speak to him. Is he in there?” I practically shouted at him.
“Yes. But you can't go in.” he said holding his arm up in front of me.
“Like hell I can't. Move!”
He shook his head as I grabbed his arm and pushed it down. His arm seemed to move at the slightest touch then I pushed his shoulder to move him aside and he flew into the wall. I gasped watching him as he slid to the floor holding his arm. A sudden wave of guilt swept over me for not knowing my own strength, I hadn't expected that to happen. From the corner of my eye I saw a silhouette of something black coming towards me. I screamed. I don't think I'd ever heard myself scream before but it was so shrill it even hurt my ears. It was I'm terrified for my life type of scream. The door flew open and Emmett looked me up and down, noticing my tiny pyjamas but I didn't care. I could have been naked and I wouldn't have cared at that point. He looked at me puzzled but I didn't have time to explain and shoved passed him knocking him over in the process. Cam sat at the end of the table and others I recognised were seated at the table. The table had paperwork strewn all over it. I ignored the questioning stares which also included Senka's concerned face. “Ruby, you shouldn't be in here.” Cam said standing up. I rushed over to him.
“There was this girl in my room, she was really pale and wearing a black dress with messy hair and she's following me.” I said rushing my words.
“What?” Cam said pointing at Roman then at the door.
I found myself edging closer to Cam and he put a protective arm around me.
Roman and Tallen hurried to the door and I peeked over Cam's arm to see Senka had left his seat and was walking over to me. I looked back at the door, Tallen had come to a stop and so had Roman. The girl suddenly appeared in the doorway and walked into the room, I looked away and buried my head into Cam's chest. I felt something touching my arm, it was Senka letting me know he was close by. No one was saying anything so I turned in Cam's arms to see what was going on. Roman and Tallen were stood by the door looking at the girl. She walked passed them and smiled, it was a creepy smile but I was surprised to see Roman smiling back. She moved closer to us, even the way she moved was strange. I couldn't see her feet but it didn't look as though she was walking, it looked as though she was gliding across the floor. I clung onto Cam as though he was my only lifeline, I knew whatever she was, he wasn't going to let her near me.
“Maite,” Cam's voice vibrated next to me. I flinched at the name.
Maite. The witch Cam had been searching for. The witch who was going to take my memories. I pulled Cam's arms away and moved around him to Senka, who quickly pulled me away and pushed me behind him. Cam noticed and looked at me strangely then he spun back round and looked at Maite.
“Maite. Always one to make an entrance.” Cam said.
“I don't know what all the excitement is about?” she said in a whispery voice grinning over at me. Kenzie sat across the table watching her like hawk, his eyes landed on me and he scooted his chair back and came over to where Senka and I were standing.
“You were expecting me were you not?” she asked searching for something in the front of her dress. “Yes. I have had my men out searching for you for months.”
She ignored him and made a cooing sound as she pulled something out of a hidden pocket at the front of her dress. It was brown and furry and looked like a dirty street rat. She lifted the rat up to her face and kissed it, stroked its head and set it down on the table between Ryu and Shasta. It hopped over the table and a couple of the guys leaned back, obviously not rat lovers. It ran along the edge of the table and stopped next to Alex who was looking at it in disgust. He tried to shoo it away and it bit him.
He flinched and sat back in his chair away from the table.
“Play nice, Sesel.” Maite said, laughing softly.
“Filthy rat.” Alex muttered picking up the paperwork and moving it away from the table. The rat hopped back across the table and Ryu picked it up and held onto it.
Cam waved his arms motioning everyone to get up and leave. Everyone left the room silently and Ryu carried the rat out with him, Kenzie stayed by my side and Emmett shuffled over to us stepping around Maite.
But Cam nodded his head at him to leave. Emmett didn't look pleased about been asked to leave but he did as he was told and quickly left. Senka was still standing in front of me. His whole body looked tense and he was clenching his hands into fists.
“You and I have something we need to talk about.” Cam said to Maite. He looked over his shoulder at Senka. “Take her out. I need to talk to Maite. Don't let her out of your sight.” he said. Senka's hand found mine and he gripped it so tightly it started to hurt. His eyes were locked onto Maite and he seemed to be vibrating. I'd never seen him like this before, this angry. Maite walked passed Cam and angled herself so she could get a better look at me.
“Isn't she a pretty one.” she said reaching for me but Senka smacked her hand away before it came anywhere near me.
“Senka,” Cam growled.
Maite laughed loudly and walked over to the bar in the corner. Cam scowled at Senka but Senka remained unfazed by Cam's scowl as he continued to stare at Maite.
Senka looked down at me and squeezed my hand then pulled me in front of him and le
d me to the door, Kenzie followed closely behind.
“Senkerian,” Maite called.
Senka stopped but didn't turn around. I'd never heard him called Senkerian before. Maite had said it with an accent and made it sound exotic.
“Stay.” she said louder.
She poured herself a drink and took a sip. She smiled at me, but it was a crooked smile. I didn't trust her and I wanted to get as far away as possible. I looked up at Senka and his eyes bored into mine, I imagined he was going through all the possible escape routes in his head and which was the quickest way out of here. He shook his head ever so slightly and his eyes flickered to the door. He wanted me to make a run for it, but before I could even think about what I was doing Cam walked passed us ushering us towards the door.
“Maite I think it would be best if we spoke privately.” Cam said opening the door for us to leave. “No there's no need and I told Senkerian to stay where he was.”
Senka's nostrils flared and he looked mad, so mad I thought he was about to explode, the way a volcano suddenly erupts.
“Maite we have pressing matters to discuss.”
“So talk,” she said pulling out Cam's chair at the end of the table. She sat down and smiled at me again.
“Alone.” Cam demanded.
“No. I won't do it. I think that sums up the answer to your question, Cameron.”
“You don't know what it is I want to ask you.” he said walking towards her and leaning on the table. “I know exactly what you want to ask me Cameron. The reason you've had half your fallen brood searching the forest from top to bottom. And my answer is no.”
Cam tensed and turned his head slightly in my direction but didn't look at me. She had used the word fallen.
“Senkerian bring me one would you my darling.” she said.
I wondered what she meant by 'bring me one'.
Senka reluctantly let go of my hand and walked over to her digging in his pocket and pulled out his packet of cigarettes. Maite sat watching him as he placed one in her mouth and lit it for her. She smiled at him then looked back over at me.
“You need not worry Senkerian, I mean her no harm. I am only curious of her. She holds the hearts of so many.” she said taking a drag on the cigarette.
