Masque

by Lexi Post

  “I guess.”

  He let her go and squeezed her to him, chuckling. “Faint praise, indeed, from my woman. I may shrivel up and never push between her thighs again.”

  Her whole body warmed from both his phrase and the image he painted.

  When he released her, he still smiled.

  She loved his smile, as rare as it was. “I keep hearing Bryce in my head. I guess he brainwashed me.”

  Synn looked quizzically at her. “I don’t know about washing your brain, but I can tell you he is enjoying his time in the Threesome Room.”

  That’s right, he was! “Was that Beth, Mary and Annette?”

  Synn shook his head. “No, Annette was above, but from the angle of the ass, I’d say that was Victoria.”

  At his knowledge of the woman’s anatomy, a sting of jealousy hit, but she refused to acknowledge it hurt. “So, exactly how many of these women have you come to know intimately?”

  Synn’s smile faded, but his hand stroked her back. “I have not been with any of the women in the Abbey. The first night I arrived, I killed everyone and I have had no desire for sex until I saw you. I love having sex with you.”

  “Really?” She couldn’t help the thrill it gave her to know she was his first in over a century. That he had many others before her was obvious, but they were long dead and she benefitted from his experience in so many ways. At least he loved having sex with her. That must have been what he meant earlier when he said he loved her. He was simply excited that she was interested in being tied and restrained. But maybe his sexual feelings could lead to something else, something closer to what she felt.

  He leaned in and brushed a light kiss on her lips. She wanted to grab him and make it more, but he pulled away too fast.

  “You need to get settled into bed. I expect you’re tired after our busy evening.” He rose with her in his arms and set her feet to the floor. She’d forgotten he was naked and couldn’t help staring at his wide chest and defined biceps.

  “Are you ready to shed my coat now?” His wry smirk had her blushing. Suddenly shy, she glanced around for a t-shirt to put on before taking off his coat.

  “Rena.” His tone was quiet. “Let me see you flush with the afterglow of our passion.”

  Oh Lord, could this man talk her into anything or what? Oh, what the hell. She opened the coat and dropped it to the floor. Synn’s entire body stiffened in response and his cock came to attention. Did the sight of her body do that?

  She watched, fascinated as his gaze roamed over her, causing her nipples to harden. His cock remained stiff. Maybe he would stay with her now. Make love to her in her bed.

  His Adam’s apple bobbed as he cleared his throat. “Thank you for that.” His husky voice caused her pussy to swell, her body readying itself for him all over again.

  He stepped toward her, but bent over the bed and moved the sheet and blanket aside. Then with no warning, he scooped her up and deposited her in it. She blinked and found herself covered and her light switched off. Panic took hold at the thought of him leaving. “Synn!”

  His voice came from the area of the door. “Yes?”

  She fiddled at the sheets. “Can you stay with me?”

  Silence met her request.

  “Synn?”

  “I shouldn’t.” His voice so close to her bed startled her, and she had to catch her breath to slow her racing heart.

  “But, but what if Eric comes to my room? I don’t know why I think he will, but there was something different about him tonight.”

  Synn’s weight as he sat on the bed at her hip reassured her. His hand caught hers and stopped her from playing with the sheet. “What do you mean?”

  Without the light, she couldn’t read his face, but his tension was palatable and his voice sounded strained.

  “I don’t know. It was more of a feeling. When he looked at me, I could feel pressure on each body part his gaze touched. And he seemed confident, and…”

  Synn squeezed her hand. “And?”

  “Something has changed in him. Even his penis wasn’t skinny, but it’s more than that.”

  He sighed.

  The moon had already set, which left her room in complete darkness, but she could picture Synn rubbing the back of his neck like he did when he thought through a problem.

  His voice was low. “He did break another rule tonight. It appears he is getting bolder or desperate. I’m not sure which.”

  “Why? Why does he keep trying to keep us apart?”

  Synn hesitated. “He is jealous. He has alienated all the female ghosts because he doesn’t accept the word ‘no’. The fact that you and I are enjoying the Pleasure Rooms of the Masque is giving him a show as well as a purpose. He and I never did rub along together well. However, you are right. There was something sinister about him tonight.”

  Something in Synn’s voice wasn’t right. That he thought Eric was jealous and a possible threat was clear, but he still hid something from her. At least he agreed with her nervousness. “So you’ll stay?”

  He left the bed and her hope for an intimate night vanished.

  “Yes.” He sat in the chair by the fireplace. “I’ll stay and protect you.”

  It wasn’t what she had hoped for, but the fact he would be in the room had her relaxing as the night’s activities caught up with her. As she closed her eyes, she imagined Synn crawling into bed to hold her and drifted off to sleep.

  * * * * *

  As soon as dawn broke, though Rena still slept, Synn left her room to search for Trent and Darby. They had a rat to catch.

  After leaving the men to make preparations, Synn felt lighter than he had in ages. Now he needed to convince Rena to brave the Black Room. If they caught Eric, it shouldn’t be that difficult a task. The full moon of two nights ago was waning and his friends would soon lose their voices and their solidness for another two weeks. He hated for them to have to wait another cycle. If all went well, in a matter of hours, he and Rena could complete the Masque and the spirits could cross to the other side.

  His step faltered. They would all leave.

  He stopped at the top of the stairs. All those he had existed with for the last one hundred and fifty years would be gone. They had given him purpose, friendship, and had taught him much. His throat closed. Now that he knew them and cared for them, he would mourn them. Seventy-three at once were too many to lose. And he, he would continue to live a semi-existence forever…alone. His heart pounded as desolation filled him.

  His attention was caught by Rena crossing the entryway below on her way to the dining room. Rena. He would still have Rena, but would he? He was about to destroy her dream.

  He could make it up to her. He could provide her guests with a haunting experience, and he could continue to pleasure her…except, she was a smart woman. She would quickly realize he had manipulated her into freeing the souls of his friends. Based on her reaction to his ability to vanish, it was doubtful she would have anything to do with him after the Masque. But his friends would be free. That had been his goal for over a century. And he would continue on, paying his debt to Rena. He owed her that.

  But what if she found someone else? He stiffened. He couldn’t imagine another man having her, but even if she could forgive him, he was trapped within the Abbey walls and she deserved better. She needed to live her life.

  His whole body grew uncomfortable. Every hair felt wrong, every movement awkward. His existence stretched before him as a living hell far worse than he’d endured so far. He turned to ascend to the battlements where he could think, but Rena’s angry voice cut through the stairway.

  “No! I don’t think so. That lousy, arrogant ass. He’s not getting away that easy!”

  Synn looked back to see her stalk to the front door. She yanked the door open and panic set in.

  He started down the steps. “Rena!”

  She stopped, one foot on the outside step as she glanced up at him. “I’ll be right back.” Then she was gone.

 
Synn raced down the steps, half floating, and reached the entryway in time to hear her voice again.

  “Bryce! Don’t you dare leave yet!”

  She stopped him from leaving? Why? Synn strode to the door. Rena stood in the stone courtyard, hands on hips, confronting Bryce. The man appeared unsure for a change. What if he asked Rena to come with him, now that he understood? Had Synn taught the student too well?

  He studied the step just outside the door. He’d never forget his experience the one time he had left the Abbey after being shot. As his body began to disappear against his will, he had become numb. Parts of him had ceased to exist. Luckily, Trent had pulled what was left of him back inside and he’d re-formed, but if the man hadn’t been there…

  Synn looked at Bryce and Rena again. Rena talked with her hands, but her stance had relaxed. Bryce put his hand on her arm.

  Synn’s heart stopped. He couldn’t let him take her.

  Rena leaned forward and kissed Bryce on the cheek. Synn swore as Bryce’s hand tightened on Rena’s arm.

  “The devil take him!” Rena could be pulled into the vehicle and gone forever. Fury erupted and flowed through his limbs, demanding action. Without another thought, he stepped outside, but by the second step, the cold penetrated his one-track mind. His feet went numb.

  Swearing, he threw himself across the door’s threshold and dragged what was left of his legs inside. As feeling flowed back into his calves, he looked outside again. Bryce closed the vehicle door and Rena strolled back toward the Abbey. With great effort, he brought himself to a standing position and leaned against the wall to steady himself until every molecule re-formed.

  Rena stepped in. “I can’t believe he would have snuck off without allowing me to gloat.” She closed the door and stared at him. “Synn, what’s the matter? You’re so pale. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. I mean, holy sugar!” She ran to the dining room and brought him a chair. “Sit.”

  He did, unable to do much else. His heart finally returned to a normal rhythm now that he had her back.

  She stood next to him and brushed his hair back from his forehead. “Do you have a fever? Do you need something to drink?”

  Yes, he needed a long drink…of her. He grasped her about the waist and pulled her onto his lap.

  She squeaked.

  He cupped her face with one hand. “I need you.” He growled then forced his way between her lips, desperate for the honey taste of her, the soft feel of her, the tart scent of her. Stroking her tongue with his own, he pressed her body hard against his, his blood flowing again.

  Her arms snaked around his neck and little noises emitted from the back of her throat. With a willpower he didn’t think he possessed, he broke away.

  Rena remained where she was, her eyes fluttering open. “Wow, I should say goodbye to Bryce more often.”

  His brain registered “goodbye” and his body relaxed. “Why did you go after him?”

  “The jerk tried to sneak away without admitting he was wrong.”

  Synn smirked. “You mean he should have kept you and tied you up like I’m going to do?”

  The hitch in her breathing reaffirmed she was excited by the idea. He loved that he would be her first for that too. Her hand buried in his hair at the back of his neck, causing an erotic sensation that had his cock hardening beneath her butt.

  “No, but he did admit that maybe he had made judgments without all the facts. That was the best I could get out of him and that’s fine.”

  “And you needed that.”

  She gazed at him, her green eyes bright. “I did. Why didn’t you come and say goodbye? You were the mastermind of his downfall. I thought you’d like to gloat too.”

  He looked away. “I couldn’t.”

  “Why, it wasn’t anything private. You could have joined me.”

  What his life would be like in the near future rushed back at the reminder of his limitations. The loneliness clawed at his insides like a cat at a scratching post. Uncomfortable, he lifted her from his lap and stood. “No, I couldn’t. If I leave the Abbey, I will cease to exist.”

  “What?”

  Her surprise cut into him like a knife. He had to go upstairs, outside, now. The need to escape was too strong. He dematerialized and floated upward, straight through to the battlements above. Once there, he re-formed.

  The cool ocean breeze and warmth of the sun did much to calm his soul, but nothing could tame the riot of his thoughts. He tried to focus. The release of his friends’ spirits was paramount. His suffering afterward, his relationship with Rena, his forever existence was of no consequence.

  He stalked to the wall that overlooked the graveyard. As he tried to focus on the neat rows, his night with Rena intruded. Her moans of pleasure floated through his head. The warmth of her body against his while her face buried against his chest. The intelligence of her observations about Eric. Her burgeoning confidence in her sexual inclinations. He wanted all of it. He wanted her, forever.

  Synn leaned over the battlement, his head falling between his shoulders as he let his breath leave his lungs. His eyes misted. He wanted what he could never have.

  * * * * *

  Rena stared at the spot where Synn had been. His admission to being stuck in the Abbey reaffirmed her suspicions that he was cursed in connection with the building. Her heart ached at the thought. Shit! And she was in love with him. She hadn’t wanted to fall in love, but he’d seeped beneath her defenses. She pressed her hand to her chest, tears forming in her eyes. She was in love with a man cursed to exist for all time, if he remained within the Abbey walls.

  Damn it. Striding through the dining room and kitchen, she nodded at whatever Valerie said, and waved at Jamie and Matt, who were running conduit piping. Once she reached the chapel, she didn’t hesitate and pushed open the wooden door.

  Inside she slowed, the peaceful setting taking the edge off her anxiety as she’d hoped. She made her way to the altar and touched it. The vibration she’d felt last time once again slid through her arm and into her heart, easing it more. Relieved, she walked to the front pew and slumped down.

  The scent of incense wafted through the area. The sun’s light glowed a pale yellow with streaks of red upon the stone floor as it shined through the stained glass window. She sighed and sat back. What was she going to do? She loved Synn. She could have him as long as she wanted, if he felt the same way, but what kind of life would that be? A pleasurable one, a little voice inside her whispered. She agreed, but to never share a walk on the beach, go grocery shopping together, or attend a play at the community theater. None of those were deal-breakers, but all of them normal.

  Her love for Synn was an accident, an aberration. Who the hell fell in love with a one-hundred-eighty-three-year-old man?

  She did.

  He was supposed to be a rebound lover. That was it. That hadn’t worked. She played with the edge of her green t-shirt. What about Synn? He enjoyed sex with her, rather he loved sex with her, he supported her, and he protected her, but he pulled away anytime they started to become intimate. “Oh God, what am I supposed to do?”

  “What feels right to your heart.”

  At the soothing voice behind her, she spun in her seat. A priest dressed in robes strolled up the center aisle. “Father Richard?”

  He smiled wide. “Oh, so the guttersnipe thought to mention me.”

  “Guttersnipe?”

  The priest sat next to her and took her hand. A lovely peace descended. “That’s my nickname for all my imperfect charges.”

  He seemed nice. He had short cropped hair, a wide mouth, small nose, and eyes that reminded her of a happy squirrel. Large dark pupils made it impossible to see the color, but the grooves around his mouth proved he smiled a lot.

  He let go of her hand and settled his robes. “So, my child. Why have you sought the solace of the chapel?”

  “I’m torn, confused. I don’t know.” She hesitated. Oh, why not, he was a priest. “I’m in love with Synn.” Saying i
t out loud brought conviction and relief.

  Father Richard crossed his legs. “That is the plan.”

  She squinted her eyes at him. There was a plan? “What plan? How can there be a plan? It’s not like Synn is normal. Heaven forbid I should fall for an average Joe.”

  Father Richard’s eyes grew intense, as if he wished to see into her soul. She shifted her gaze to the altar, uncomfortable beneath his searching stare.

  “What is the problem?” His voice was soothing.

  “It’s complicated. I want him in my life, but that’s crazy, isn’t it?” She looked back at the priest who had a cocky grin on his face. “I mean, I can’t have a life with a cursed one-hundred-eighty-three-year-old man who can’t leave the building.”

  Father Richard leaned his arms on the back of the pew. “Synn is no more cursed than I am. Just as neither of us are ghosts.”

  “But…” She stared at him, trying to determine what he was. If he wasn’t a ghost, what was he? Father Richard let his head fall back against the back of the pew and stared at the ceiling. “Did you know Synn designed this chapel and built it in spite of the prince’s wishes?”

  She looked up too. “He did?”

  “Yes, because he has a good sense of what is right and what is wrong.”

  She stared at the smiling archangel painted on the ceiling. Was the father trying to tell her something? She returned her gaze to him. “So, is there a way to lift the… To enable him to live normally? Maybe relieve him of his guilt?”

  He shrugged as he contemplated the angel above. “That depends.”

  Pulling information from this man was harder than boring a hole in the stone walls of the Abbey. “On what?”

  “On you.”

  He finally looked at her and stared again with that intense gaze that made her shirk away. “Me? How?”

  He returned his attention to the ceiling. “You say you love him. Would you do whatever was needed to release him?”