I crawled away from him and retched several times until my stomach was empty. I didn’t know what to do when a voice out of the darkness spoke, “Well, what do we have here? Ackto come here. I think this is the girl we were sent to find.”
I backed away from what I knew was one of the plutonian trackers. I could tell by the timber of his odd, robotic voice. I wasn’t able to move far before one of them pulled me upwards by my sore arm and into his smelly arms. I moaned in pain and immediately passed out, but not before I heard the sound of someone coming down the chute. Whoever it was landed near me with a heavy thud, which was the last thing I heard. I’d gotten a faint whiff of a wintry day and knew it was Vincent.
When I woke up, I was no longer in a cave. I wasn’t restrained either. Actually, there was no need to do so since there was a massive guard standing near the only door on the other side of the room. His back was to me, but he looked rather indestructible. Besides, my ankle was throbbing and my arm was wrapped in a sling. I was probably black and blue, and I hurt all over. The fall, seeing Victor mortally wounded, and being held by a smelly Plutonian had taken its toll on me.
I was so exhausted that my eyes drifted back to sleep as I settled back under the soft comforter.
When I woke up next, it was to the feel of someone’s hands on my ankle. I jerked away from the touch, not knowing whose hands were on me.
“Easy there, no one’s going to hurt you.” I didn’t recognize the voice, but it was pleasant enough. At least the man didn’t sound like a Plutonian. Fortunately, he didn’t smell like one either. The aroma of cinnamon and spice filled the air. I opened my eyes to find myself looking into the face of a man that was in his twenties with blonde hair and wide-set hazel eyes, strangely like mine.
“Who are you? Where am I and how did I get here?”
“I’m Dr. Andre Darness and you are my patient. You are in one of my suites. I’ve been caring for you since you were brought here. Right now, I’m trying to check out that ankle of yours. You took quite a nasty fall. May I finish looking at it?”
I guess if he’d have meant to harm me, he’d had every opportunity while I was unconscious. He had a nice smile and there was something vaguely familiar about his handsome face. I let him move my leg towards him. I noticed I no longer wore the sweats I’d had on in the cave and wondered if who’d changed my clothes and cleaned me up. I felt clean and smelled of roses, which was much better than smelling of the Plutonian that obviously brought me here.
“He did bring you here. They are rather unpleasant creatures aren’t they?” I looked at him in shock as he’d answered my unspoken thought.
Are you telepathic like me, Emma?
I answered him before I thought of the possible consequences of him knowing I was telepathic.
Yes, I guess I am.
You are if you’re speaking to me without talking. That’s good. I find it a much better form of communication to use in front of the guards. It’ll give us some privacy. Is that all right with you?
Yes, I think so. What happened to the Plutonian that brought me here?
I’m not sure, but they aren’t allowed inside. He dropped you off at the front door and left. I suppose he went back to the cave where they live.
Do they work for you?
No, they don’t. They work for… A tall, gaunt man interrupted his thought projection. He was a handsome man that looked to be in his early fifties with few wrinkles, but there was something sinister about him. His black hair, which he wore slicked back from his face, was slightly greying at the temples. He had a strong chin and wide set, large hazel eyes that dominated his face. I was glad that I still wore the blue contact lenses for I wanted my eyes to look far removed from their normal hazel color, which was similar to his and the doctor’s eyes.
His lips were full and turned up at the corners as he looked at me. He immediately greeted Dr. Darness in a friendly manner, then walked over to stand at the side of the bed where I lay. He looked very pleased about something as he greeted me. His smile sent an unpleasant sensation throughout my body followed by a sense of foreboding.
“So, this is our lovely guest. You are even more beautiful than I expected. You look so much like your mother. She was a stunning creature, just like you. Too bad, she got involved with that father of yours, but now is not the time for this discussion. My apologies, how are you feeling, my dear?”
I scooted away from the mysterious man, as far as the bed would allow, which made him raise his eyebrow and grin even more. Even as he took my hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss, he made me uncomfortable. There was something about him that I couldn’t explain, but I didn’t want him touching me. It was that kind of feeling you get when your intuition tells you that there’s an underlying evil just below someone’s false façade.
“Andre, make sure to take excellent care of our patient. I’ll want a full report this evening.” Then he looked at me and I heard the words I hoped never to hear, “Welcome to my home, Emma Stephens. My name is William Dark, perhaps you’ve heard of me.”
I fought the darkness that threatened as he continued to smile slyly at me, knowing exactly the effect he had on me. I almost cringed from him. “You are a guest in my home, Miss Stephens. As soon as you are well the good doctor will have the pleasure of showing you around, won’t you, Andre.”
My gods, I’d fallen into a viper pit. The kindly, handsome doctor was another sycophant of the most notorious criminal in the universe, the leader of Dark Hearts himself, William Dark.
I started to say something, but William Dark interrupted me, “I know you have questions, which I’ll answer in due time. As you feel stronger, you’re welcome to explore my home on your own, after Andre has given you a tour of the place. There are a few places that you’ll need to avoid, only for your own safety, of course. You’ll find I have an extensive library, a home theatre and every luxury imaginable to suit even the most discerning tastes. Now if you’ll excuse me, lovely Emma, I’ll take my leave. Andre, I’ll see you at dinner.”
Why was he acting as if I was an invited guest? It was all so creepy, the way he kept looking at me as if he’d just won the lottery and I was his prize. I had to be careful to keep my thoughts to myself, because I knew there was little chance for escape until my ankle healed.
I knew William Dark anticipated seeing me again, because as he walked out of the door he looked back and smiled at me. The smile didn’t come close to reaching his eyes. He looked so evil that I almost cowered. “I’ll have some clothes sent up directly. I believe they should fit you. As soon as you’re feeling better, I’ll expect you to join us for dinner. We dress for dinner. I think you’ll look beautiful in the gowns that I’ll have brought up to you.” I wondered what he wore to dinner, no doubt a black tuxedo with a black shirt and tie. It seemed that since he was in black from head to toe, it was probably his color of choice. How fitting just like the bad guys in the movies that wore all black.
As soon as he left, I looked to find Andre watching me, “he’s not as bad as he seems. He won’t hurt you. He merely wants to learn all about you. He'll wait until you are up to talking to him, of course. I understand your mother and he were once friends, which is probably why he is so interested in you. First, we must get you well. How did you happen to fall into that death pit?”
My mother was friends with William Dark. I found it hard to believe.
“I tripped. I’ve never heard of a death pit. What is it?”
“I know you’re lying, but I’ll ignore it this time. Perhaps in due time, you’ll trust me enough to share the truth with me. However, I’ll answer your question honestly, Emma. I know we’ll be close friends after you get to know me better.” I didn’t want to learn anything about him or his evil employer, I thought, but wisely made no comment. I needed him to help me get better, so I could get out of this hellhole.
“A death pit is where our nearly dead prisoners are dumped. They die there, so there’s no need to bury them. Honey, you fe
ll on a dying body. That’s what broke your fall. I took the liberty of bathing you and changing your clothes, because you were covered in blood from that body and the vampire.”
“His name is Victor.
“I know. We’ve met.”
“Don’t look at me like that, after all I am a doctor. You don’t have anything I haven’t seen before. Although, I must admit you are put together rather nicely, Emma.”
WTF, this strange man had seen me naked and wanted to talk about it. My guys hadn’t even seen me without my clothes, well most of me had been covered with Julian. It was not ok. However, what could I say without making him angry? I was blushing as I looked at him. He was smiling that same kind of predatory smile that his employer had given me. “Thanks for taking care of me.” I mumbled not looking at him.
“It was my pleasure.” I just bet it was, I thought. Andre continued and I realized that I must have been blocking good, because he hadn’t heard my thoughts. “You look sweet when you blush. Look, I figured you’d heal faster if you didn’t smell like dried blood and rancid Plutonian. I needed to check you over for injuries, too. It wasn’t possible with all that blood covering you. Honey, it had soaked through to your bra and skin underneath your sweats. I must say that I was rather surprised by your lack of panties the way you blush.”
I wasn’t discussing my underwear with him for any reason. Therefore, I made no comment, but I had to agree smelling like roses was a much better option. I still wasn’t happy that he’d seen me without my clothes. I didn’t even want to think about him washing me. I was mortified about the whole damn business. Why couldn’t he have gotten his nurse or some woman to do it. I was waiting for his employer and him to take the “gloves-off” as they say. He was being too kind. I wondered how he’d met Victor, too.
Andre for all his innocent talk was likely just like the man he was foolish enough to work for, William Dark.
My thoughts were interrupted as he said, “I’ll have something brought up for you to eat. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
“That would be great. Thanks.”
“You know you don’t have to be afraid of me. I’d never hurt you,” he said as I backed away from him when he tried to pull the comforter back over my legs. He gazed at my exposed thigh in a most unprofessional manner, which set off the alarms in my mind. “I promise we are going to be close friends, Miss Stephens.”
Not if I can help it, I thought, keeping my barriers in force, in case he tried to read my thoughts. I’d gone back to verbal communication with him, because I shared my telepathy with my guys, not with anyone else. It had been a mistake to let a stranger know that I had telepathic skills, no matter how nice he’d seemed.
“I’m going to the kitchen to see that they prepare something light for you. I’ll be back shortly.” He then placed a small bell in the palm of my hand keeping his hand over mine longer than necessary, sending a rather unpleasant feeling throughout my system. I didn’t trust him, now that I realized he was an employee of the vilest criminal ever, a killer that was going to try to lure my father out of hiding to discover a way to enslave the entire human population of earth or destroy them.
Before he left, I had to ask, “I have to know. How can you work for him?”
“I see, this is why you’ve grown fearful of me. You don’t like the man that employs me. You believe the stories you’ve been told.”
“I don’t know how you can. He is a…”
“He pays very well, but we’ll discuss this later. You need to eat to regain your strength. I’ll be back in a couple hours. Try to eat as much as you can and then get some rest. If you need anything just ring and someone will be here immediately. I’ll order your meal. Then I must get ready for dinner. The boss is expecting me as you know. Don’t try to get out of bed. Your ankle is broken, which you’ve probably guessed by now.”
He flashed me one of his lady-killer smiles, which did nothing for me. I wondered how many women fell all over him with his good looks and brilliant smile. I imagine his being a doctor impressed them, too. I watched the tight muscles in his buttocks and long legs as he left the room. He was definitely a gym rat as was evidenced by his perfect body. The tight khakis and turquoise polo shirt showed off his physique.
I was relieved when he was gone, there was something familiar about him, too. Perhaps it was because the color of his eyes was the same as mine. Who knew, maybe it was a requirement to have hazel eyes to work for Dark.
The next person who came into the room blew that theory away with her small green eyes and mousy brown hair. There was a knock at the door followed by her entrance. She held an armload of clothes. She was followed by two huge males. They also carried gowns and lots of women’s clothing.
“The master sends this to you and trusts you’ll find them to your liking. They belonged to one of his former mistresses, who left unexpectedly.”
There was no way I was wearing clothes that his mistress had worn. I wasn’t giving him any ideas, I thought as I looked at the variety of fine clothes being tucked into the large closet. Some of them were flashy and nothing I’d ever consider wearing. Yuck. He was more the age of my father than that of a lover. I wasn’t wearing anything that might make him look at me as more than just a prisoner.
I had to calm down, before I said something that could cause me problems. Besides, he hadn’t made a pass at me. Maybe he was just being nice. If I believed that nonsense, I’d be gullible enough to buy the Brooklyn Bridge from someone. Besides, I knew a few self-defense moves that I wouldn’t hesitate to use if either the doctor or Dark tried to touch me. I’d just as soon wait in the dungeon with the rest of the prisoners, anyway, it’s probably where I’d be as soon as my father arrived.
Another group of servants brought in shoes, undergarments, and more clothes and toiletries. Apparently, I’d be staying in this room for a while unless I did something that got me thrown into the dungeon or escaped, which wasn’t likely to happen for a while.
No sooner did they leave, then a young woman brought in a silver tray laden with a couple of silver dome-covered dishes. Another servant brought in a lap tray. He helped me sit up and placed the footed tray on my lap. I guess I was eating in bed.
I was worried about the guys and wasn’t really hungry, but if I wanted to get out of Dark’s house I’d need all the strength I could get. I didn’t even know if Alexander’s wings had grown back yet or if the others were ok. What had happened to Julian and the Vincent?
The woman placed the dishes onto the bed tray, removed the lids and left the room. There were a couple pieces of whole grain toast with a dish of butter, warm honey and some scrambled eggs. I knew they wouldn’t be as good as Victor’s had been. The minute I thought of him my heart broke remembering his broken body with the large piece of bone through his chest. I didn’t even know how an immortal could’ve survived. There had been blood everywhere.
William Dark and his minions had caused his possibly fatal injuries. He’d in one way or another hurt everyone I loved. Alexander’s screams of agony still sounded in my head when I thought of him, and what of the others. Vincent had fallen into that awful, bloody body depository, too. Had they taken him or left him to die? What would Dark do to my father when he came? I knew he’d come for me as would the others.
I hated William Dark as I’d never hated anyone before. I wondered if he was even a human being. He looked like one, but if he was human why did he hate us so much? If he was human, how could he do what he planned to do to his own people?
Chapter Twenty-Two
I finished as much as I could of the food. I even managed a few bites of the fresh fruit that was later brought for me. I couldn’t rest any longer. I had to know where I was. From the fact that the clothes were brought up to me, I must have been on the second floor.
I decided it was time to have a look out of one of the windows. Maybe it would help me get my bearings at least. I put the tray aside on the nightstand and began the slow, painful process of getting out
of bed. It wasn’t easy to get out of bed with a sprained arm and a broken ankle, but I was going to do it.
After making my way to the edge of the bed, I stood slowly and tried to get my balance. I pulled down the short nightshirt I was wearing and started moving toward my goal. The window wasn’t that far away from the bed. I could make it. Each movement hurt as I continued the tedious process of making it to the window. I hopped and wobbled my way over to the window. Then I managed to get the curtain opened without falling down, which was a feat in and of itself as it was heavy brocade material.
The view before me was spectacular as I stood inside the long drapes gawking at the site before me. I must have been on the fourth floor of what seemed more like a fortress than a house. I could see another portion of the house, which was a huge section with at least fifty windows. If that side was huge, I must be in an equally large part of the house, which meant that the house could have over one-hundred rooms.
The window, where I was standing, faced the front of the place where there was an enormous snow-covered yard bordered by a tall brick wall that surrounded it. The top of the walls was finished with what appeared to be sharp finales making it look formidable. It was beautiful, too, with all the tall pine trees lining the walls. There was a long drive down the middle of the yard that led to the front of the house.
Beyond the yard, there wasn’t much to see. The place seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. There was a forest dusted with snow to one side and large snow-covered mountains surrounded the other sides. No other buildings were in my line of vision. Escape from this place would be difficult I thought, especially with snow covering the ground that would display every footprint. It would probably be a few months before the snow melted since it was probably still December.
Dark Secrets (Dark Hearts Book 2) Page 22
