I was betting it led somewhere off the grounds. It made sense for Dark, with all his enemies, to have a secret escape route. I walked inside as far as I felt I could. I didn’t want Andre to catch me snooping around. I figured there was a dungeon or prison somewhere in this place, too, maybe this was the way, but I doubted it. This was too secret as it was located in a secluded place off the wine cellar. It was also too quiet to lead to a prison area that was likely teaming with lots of people and activity.
The most interesting part of the tunnel system was that as you stepped forward the light behind you went out and the one just in front of you, lit up, giving you ample light to make your way to wherever it led. It was set up similar to the way Victor’s had been. Thinking of that made me sad since I still had no idea what had happened to him.
I heard the sound of the door and I quickly hobbled back to where I’d been standing, just as Andre stepped into the door. That was too close for comfort, as I looked innocently at him. If he suspected anything, he made no comment.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. I hope your ankle isn’t giving you too much trouble from standing in one place too long.”
Just to make sure to cover my tracks in case he’d heard any noises from my quick dash to the door, I said, “I paced back and forth a bit, when it started getting sore from standing too long. Thanks for getting the wheelchair. It’ll feel good to get off of it for a while.”
“Let me help you.” He helped me into the chair while he locked it in place. He said nothing about my pacing. We left the room to continue our tour of the Dark Fortress, which is what I’d come to think of Dark’s house as.
“I got permission to show you a few of William Dark’s private rooms, if you’re interested.”
“Sure, I don’t think I could be any more amazed by them, than by what I’ve already seen. This place is an oversized fortress.”
“That it is, albeit a luxurious one.”
We walked back to the elevators. Andre carefully guided the wheelchair inside the private elevator, which was apparently for William Dark’s use only. It, too, was luxurious inside with flocked gold wallpaper covering the walls and gold buttons that operated it.
The doors opened up to what was a waiting chamber of sorts. It was lushly decorated with plenty of plants and comfortable looking leather furniture. There were small tables scattered amongst the larger sofas and overstuffed chairs. The colors were a feast for the eyes in deep shades of burgundy and green.
We strolled through the large room and made our way to the reception desk. Andre said something to the receptionist behind the large desk and we were led into the hallway.
The floors were so glossy, they appeared to be the finest black marble.
We walked into what could only be called the office of a king. Behind an enormous antique desk sat William Dark. He immediately stood and walked over to us. He took my hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss making me nearly shudder in revulsion at this touch. He spoke quietly with Andre after leaving me to look around.
To say his office was luxurious was an understatement. It was a mixture of old elegance and new technology. Screens came down from the ceiling in front of them as they spoke. I took my time to look around a bit, wondering what had them in such an intense conversation.
There was a long black leather couch along one wall with an end table of sorts at each end that held large brass lamps and a few reports of some kind. The woodwork and furniture as with most of the other rooms was in a deep mahogany adding to the feel of old elegance and luxurious comfort.
The floor was white marble and dark Persian rugs were placed in several spots giving the place a finished look. A black marble fireplace opposite the large desk held a glowing fire, which kept the room nice and warm. Dark had been right about one thing, no expense had been spared. Everywhere you looked was luxury and modern convenience. Unlike the rest of the house, there was no look of a hunting lodge, the room was like something from a royal palace.
We looked at a few more rooms with William Dark as our tour guide. I found that most of his rooms were the contrasting black and white that he seemed to favor. The only room that came as a complete surprise was the ballroom that was included in his part of the house. Besides being huge, it was decorated in deep reds and golds. The ballroom and most of his other private rooms looked like something out of a royal Victorian mansion.
I wondered how many people had died for him to amass such a fortune. William looked at me rather strangely and I wondered if he’d heard my thoughts, but he said nothing.
“What do you think of my humble abode, Emma?”
Humble indeed, I thought, but said, “It’s magnificent. You’re right it seems that nothing has been forgotten.”
Except a stream running through your office, I thought as I again looked around me. It would be far too easy to become comfortable in the fortress, which was probably why it had been built the way it had. It could easily lure creatures to join the Dark Hearts, if they thought they’d get to stay in such luxury.
“I’m glad to finally be able to see you, Miss Stephens. I fear my work has kept me busy. I hope we can get better acquainted now that you’re able to get out of your room. I look forward to seeing you at dinner tonight. I’m anxious to see how you look in my former mistress’s gowns. She won’t be wearing them where she’s living now.”
I had no intention of wearing any of her darn clothes. I wasn’t having dinner with him either, if I could get out of it without angering him.
“I really don’t feel up to dinner tonight, thanks anyway. Perhaps we can have dinner another time, Mr. Dark.”
“You may call me William. I believe you’ll want to have dinner with me every night and you’ll do whatever I ask you to do. You’ve been avoiding me for quite some time. It ends. We will get to know each other, Emma. Andre will you push the wheelchair. Come, I have something to show you.”
I didn’t think anything could change my mind until we visited the dungeons that were well below the fortress and bathed in damp darkness. What little light there was came from a few old wall lamps that lit the corridors. I tried not to look inside the dungeons, but Dark was having none of it. He made sure I looked around by grabbing my chin to make sure I was looking as he pointed out different parts of the prison area.
It was deplorable the way the poor souls were forced to live down there. I wasn’t even sure I called it living. Some were put in cells so crowded that they were walking in their own waste. Others were chained against the walls. Some were in special cells all alone. They did get fed, because there was a cart being wheeled through the corridors that provided each of the prisoners with some kind of porridge looking stuff and enough water to keep them alive and little else.
I thought I’d empty my stomach the stench was so bad, but then we turned a corner and the hall was brightly lit. The area must have been for special prisoners for it looked very different.
“I believe you may know these two.” He pointed to a cell that had glass walls. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Vincent and Julian. Vincent was huddled in a corner with Julian beside him. They appeared to be trying to get warm. They looked awful. Their skin was no longer the pale color I’d grown accustomed to seeing. They were both blue. My gods what had Dark done to them. Their faces were hollow looking and they looked as if they’d lost several pounds. The clothes they wore were in tatters.
“What have you done to them?”
“Nothing yet and what I do will depend on you”
Defeated, I asked, “What do you want from me?” Why are they pale blue, they look like they’re freezing?”
Andre was silent during our exchange and didn’t seem surprised to see Vincent or Julian in the glass cell. I was out of the wheelchair and had my hands pressed to the glass as tears fell down my cheeks at what they must have suffered at the hands of the monster that wanted to get to know me better. Neither of the men stopped me.
After I stood there for a while, Andre in
sisted that I get back off my ankle. I didn’t argue. What good would it do?
William Dark hadn’t moved, but instantly brushed the hair from my face in a gentle gesture that was far removed from the person he was. “Stop crying my dear. You have the power to make their lives very comfortable. I asked Andre to move you from the glass. It is quite cold as I’m sure you noticed and could damage your hands.”
I snapped at his comment and said in a nasty tone, “What do you suppose it’s doing to them?”
“While Andre and I like a spirited woman, I’d advise you to keep a civil tongue in your mouth when addressing either of us. I’ll ignore your tone this one time, but for the sake of your friends, I expect complete submission from you. You’ll do as I say, when I say it. Is that understood?” I nodded, but said nothing. He continued, “Their skin is blue, because they are very cold as I’m sure you’ve figured out. However, it is necessary to keep them under control. They are wendigoes. Their wendigo spirit is dormant until their bodies reach a certain temperature, at which time it takes over their bodies and their humanity disappears.”
“While their wendigo spirit is dormant, they are super strong and difficult to control with their strong supernatural powers. They can control those powers, making them formidable enemies, unless they are on ice, as they are now. When they get cold, they become weaker because they must fight their wendigo spirit from taking over their bodies. Once the spirit takes over they will never be able to control it and they will have to be destroyed.”
I wanted to scream. I had no idea how much colder they could get before they turned wendigo renegade. I had heard how evil Vincent’s father had become when his wendigo spirit had somehow manifested itself inside him during a blizzard.
“How much more cold can they take before their turn wendigo completely?”
“You need not worry. As long as their eyes don’t start turning completely white, they are fine. Their skin has taken on the blue hue to protect their insides from the wendigo spirit.”
I was looking through the glass as Vincent was holding Julian, always protecting his little brother. His eyes were still blue, but they seemed to be growing lighter. I had to do something. I knew Dark had no heart, so there would be no bargaining with him. I had little to offer him, except my body, but I’d do it for them.
“Do you want me to sleep with you in exchange for some heat and food for them? I will do it willingly.”
Dark laughed at that. The creep actually laughed at my offer, then he addressed me, “As tempting as that sounds, I have something else in mind for you, which will discuss at dinner. All you have to do is agree to have dinner with me, dressed in one of the gowns I had delivered to your room. I believe I’d like to see you in the peacock blue one. It’s one of my favorites. If you agree to do that, you have my word that the heat will come on immediately while we are standing here and they shall eat the same thing we eat. Is that agreeable to you, Emma? I hope you don’t mind my calling you that. I believe we are on a first name basis.”
“I agree, now please turn on the heat.”
“Consider it done.” It was, for almost instantly the skin on both Vincent and Julian began to return to its original pale hue. Vincent’s eyes darkened. They were no longer the milky blue they’d been earlier. I wondered why they didn’t look at me.
“It’s a one-way glass. They can neither see nor hear you, but you may watch them for a few minutes if you wish. Perhaps in the days to come, it will help you to remember your position with regard to the welfare of your friends. I have one other request, call it a little thank you for me turning the heat on for your friends. I want you to kiss Andre, right now.”
I didn’t want to, but I had no idea what Dark would do to my guys if I didn’t do it. I stood up and walked around the wheelchair to where Andre stood behind me. At first, I was embarrassed, because I knew Dark was watching us. I stood on my tiptoes, then leaned into Andre and gave him a peck on the lips.
“That was sweet, but I believe you can do better. Your friends will enjoy a steak dinner while you watch, if you give Andre a real kiss. I’d like to see your tongue slid between his lips, my dear. No, I’m not a pervert, merely curious about something. Do your friends enjoy a real meal or not. It’s up to you, Emma. In the end, it will always be your choice.”
With a final look towards the glass cell, I knew I had to see them fed well. I leaned towards Andre’s mouth and he lowered his lips to meet mine. I kissed him as Victor had kissed me. I put all my feelings for Victor into the kiss. I started the kiss as a soft meeting of our lips, then my tongue slid between his lips to explore his mouth. Andre returned my exploration of his mouth with a quest of his own. His tongue slid past mine and filled my mouth stroking every inch of my mouth. It would have been an epic kiss, if I hadn’t disliked the doctor so much for working for Dark.
Dark had a big grin on his face. He was also clapping like a giddy child when I was finished. I looked inside the glass cell and both of my guys were already eating. They both had gotten heavy blankets given to them, too.
“The blankets were my gift to you, my dear, for performing so well. You will find I can be quite generous when someone pleases me as you did. I believe you have excited our poor doctor to distraction. I knew you would kiss like a wanton, even though you’re still a virgin. Don’t look so surprised. You were thoroughly examined by the good doctor when you were brought here. As becoming as you look with your pink cheeks, it is time to prepare for our evening. The first of many, I hope. I will send Anna to assist you with your toilette for tonight, so you do not tax yourself. It has been a delight, dear girl. Your innocence is enchanting, is it not Andre?”
He smiled cordially and didn’t try to kiss my hand or touch my hair. Dark left us as I sat back in the wheelchair with Andre’s help. I couldn’t look at him after what I’d done, but it was worth it, as I watched both Vincent and Julian scarfing down their food with ravenous appetites. I wondered how long it had been since they’d had a decent meal and couldn’t regret my actions. I knew I’d do it again and more if it meant making their time here more bearable.
It broke my heart to see them so helpless. My poor sweet Julian and my protector and best friend Vincent looked so rough. I’d have to make a deal for a bath for them and clean, warm clothes. If they’d been brought in when I had then they’d been in the same dirty clothes for nearly a month.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The walk back to the room was uneventful as we both seemed too occupied by our thoughts. I was still trying to memorize the layout of the place as we made our way back to the room.
Andre brought me back and helped me out of the wheelchair. He pushed it into the corner, out of the way. I walked as well as I could to the nearest chair. A walking cast had given me more mobility, but it was still tricky business getting from place to place while keeping your balance.
“I’ll see you later, then. Don’t worry, Anna will help you with whatever you need. She’s been a personal maid to some of fa… Dark’s favorite mistresses. Oh, and by the way, the kiss was fantastic, much better than I hoped. Thanks,” having said that he immediately left. He’d looked as if he wanted to say more, but didn’t. I really didn’t want to hear anything he had to say anyway.
I didn’t have much time to think before Anna arrived.
He left, but came back a few minutes later, “I forgot to give you these earlier. No point in irritating your eyes.” He tossed me a small box that had contacts in it. I didn’t ask how he knew which ones to get. Upon examining the box, they were the ones I wore.
“Thanks, my eyes were starting to get a little sore.”
“You must learn to tell me when you need something. I will take care of all your needs, if you’ll just let me.”
I made no comment to his statement that could have many meanings.
He lingered at the door a minute longer and asked, “What color are your real eyes, anyway?”
“They are hazel, but I thought you would’ve kno
wn. It seems I was examined pretty thoroughly when I arrived.”
He gave me a strange look and told Anna to come back in a few minutes.
He came over to where I was sitting and pulled me to my feet. His hand tilted my chin so I had to look into his eyes as he studied my pink face, “The examination I gave you was thorough at Dark’s request. You showed signs of being abused by the Plutonian trackers. I gave you a clinical examination and nothing more. I think you should know that your health was upper most in Dark’s mind. The Plutonian in charge of the mission was executed for his rough treatment of you. You were covered in bruises when you came here.”
“Several of the warriors had mentioned that you’d received rough treatment. The Plutonian mission leader was not only executed, but also given a slow painful death so the others would remember that you were to be treated gently. Are you satisfied now?”
“I don’t know why I matter so much to him. There’s no guarantee that my father will turn himself in for my life. After all, he left when I was young. If he cared he would have stuck around.” I knew that was a lie, but I didn’t trust Andre any more than I trusted Dark.
He’d dropped his hand before he pulled me closer to him, “We both know why he left.” His lips descended on mine for a kiss, the likes of which I’d never experienced. It was almost bruising and lasted far too long as his tongue plundered my mouth and his strong arms held me to him.
I stumbled backwards when he finally released me after looking at me with hunger in his eyes, “That was for lying to me again, Emma. We can be friends and more or I can become your worst nightmare. It is your choice and regarding your examination, it was professional as I said. When I do touch you as a man, you will be an eager participant in my arms.”
With his last comment that left me shaken to my core, he walked out the door and sent Anna back inside. I had no time to think about the possible significance of his words. My mouth stung from his brutal kiss, but with Anna fusing around me, I had no time to do anything, but shower.
Dark Secrets (Dark Hearts Book 2) Page 24
