Black 21: (Golden Hills Legacy of Black 21 Book 1)

by Nancy Glynn

  After he agreed to pick her up, she met him out in front. She jumped in his Camaro and shut the door. “Wow that was fast!”

  He just cleaned his glasses and put them back on. “Anything for you. Where do you need to go?”

  “Do you know where the young girls go to learn...”

  “…how to die?”

  “I’m not joking.”

  “Neither am I, Daisy." He drove through the gate and toward their destination.

  She touched his shoulder and gave a concerned smile. “You feeling a little better today?”

  “How does one get over something like that?”

  “Would she have been your chosen one?”

  He shrugged his shoulder. “At times I thought maybe she would have been, that it could have turned into something more one day, but everyone wanted to be Christian’s. I think she wanted to be his deep down as well.”

  She grabbed his hand. “She would have been lucky to be your chosen one, Eric.”

  “Thanks for that, Daisy. But let’s be real here. Christian has that mysterious, dark, sexy thing going on. Me? I wear glasses, more slender, just your average nerd.”

  “You’re wrong there, Eric. The first time I saw you I thought you were cute. And brains are very sexy, sometimes more than looks.”

  “But I’m no Christian." He grinned, the glint of his gold watch catching in the sun when he turned the steering wheel.

  She sighed. “I do love him.”

  “I know.”

  “Are you afraid of him?”

  He cleared his throat. “The Stone legend goes down in history around here. You don’t mess with them." His jaw clenched.

  “I was reading some of the rules in the books. Are they all current?”

  “Pretty much, unless they forgot to change something, but pretty much. Why?”

  “Just wondering." She chewed on her nails.

  “May I ask why you want to see the girls being taught?”

  “I teach and might become a teacher here,” she half lied. She still hoped they would get out of this town, but something in those paintings drew her here.

  “Well, it’s no Sunday school teachings, I’ll tell ya that.”

  “I understand. I would have to change my ways, my beliefs to teach them.”

  “I’m sure they would love to train you on their methods. But I’m not so sure your position would even be allowed to teach, being the high priestess and all.”

  “I never thought of that. I would be too busy throwing tea parties and luncheons, wouldn’t I?”

  “Yep." He grinned.

  “Well, I still want to go. I should see how they do things.”

  “Okay, we’re here. Do you want me to go in with you?”

  She looked at the massive building. How sad to think of girls of all ages in there, learning the ways to sacrifice their lives, both literally and figuratively. “No, I’ll go in myself. They might wonder about...things, and I don’t want that. I shouldn’t be too long.”

  “I’ll just park over there and close my eyes. Good luck, Daisy.”

  “Thanks." She got out of the car and walked toward the entrance. Chanting sounds emanated through the walls. She pushed the bell and waited, her heart beginning to pound. After announcing who she was, they buzzed her in and welcomed her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Christian glazed over the ramblings of the men discussing the town issues with his father. His attention was elsewhere, daydreaming of a magical night ahead filled with love. He envisioned her standing before him in the garden. Her nightgown sliding down her beautiful body. A body he dreamed of making love to since the moment he saw her.

  Feeling her soft, long, Auburn hair tussle his face, his chest, bringing her to a place of no return, helping her to escape the horrors of the previous night. His body tightened in response to his thoughts. He folded his hands over the table, pulling himself closer in.

  “Christian, you all right?” his father asked.

  He cleared his throat. “Yes, fine. Continue.”

  The conference room was designed just for these meetings, smelling of cigars and oak, the leather chairs made of the finest material, wooden bookshelves filled with historical fiction and nonfiction dating back to the 1800s.

  A mural hung on the wall behind his father, depicting the true power of this town, his father and Jack shaking hands, their blue eyes piercing the camera, and mouths set in determination.

  The one painting showcasing a pack of jackals hovering over a cradle rocking baby Christian, had always given him chills. He had asked his father to take it down multiple times.

  His text message sounded on his phone. He glanced down and jumped up. “Dad, I need to go,” he said, grabbing the paperwork on the table.

  “What’s up, son?”

  “Nothing really. Daisy asked if I could get her something to eat. Lucinda’s out,” he responded.

  “Then she needs to learn to cook,” his father retorted, turning back to the men who chuckled.

  “Right. See you later." He ducked out of the office and ran to his truck. The dark skies loomed overhead, threatening a storm.

  He texted Eric back and told him he was on his way. The town muddled by in a blur, running every red light and stop sign to get there. “Damn it, Daisy!" He slammed the steering wheel.

  His tires screeched into the school parking lot. He parked next to Eric who paced near his car, running his hands through his hair.

  “How long has she been in there?” Christian asked.

  “I don’t know, maybe eight hours or so. We got here around ten or eleven,” he stammered out, his hands trembling. “I can’t get a hold of her, been texting her and nothing. I tried banging down the door. I’m such an idiot." He punched his fist against the car roof.

  “I agree, but there’s no time for that now. You screwed up, Eric. She shouldn’t be here in the first place. You stay here and I’m getting her.”

  “No, I’m coming. This is my fault.”

  “Fine, but I talk. They won’t listen to you.”

  They strode to the front entrance and rang the bell a few times. After what felt like forever, the door slowly opened and Christian pushed past the plump woman in her starchy dress.

  “Where is she?” he asked, looking down the corridors.

  “Daisy? She’s right down the hall with the other girls. She’s learned so much. I think she’ll fit right in with us, Christian." She bowed to him and he dismissed her.

  Eric ran alongside him, searching in each room until they finally found her.

  “Daisy, honey. You okay?" Christian ran to her, and she smiled in response.

  “Of course I am, silly. I’ve learned so much. I really love it here, Christian. I can’t wait to start our life together.”

  A tall, slender woman bowed to Christian. “It was such a surprise to see Miss Daisy at the door. She’s one of us now, Mr. Stone. We’re all so lucky to have her." Her lips smiled, not touching her eyes.

  “What did you do to her, Ellie?”

  “Nothing at all. She wanted to learn more and–”

  “What happened here?” he hissed.

  Eric stood next to Christian, clenching his fists to his side.

  Ellie shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know what you mean. Please leave now before I send for–”

  “For who, Jack? Please. Let’s go, Daisy. She won’t be back,” he informed the women. He took Daisy’s hand and walked to the door along with Eric behind them.

  Daisy turned to wave to her new friends. “Thank you again, ladies. Tell the girls I said good-bye. It doesn’t look like Christian’s letting me come tomorrow,” she pouted.

  Darkness met them as they stepped out into the night. Street lights had turned on to illuminate the parking lot.

  “Wow, I did stay in there long. Sorry, Eric. You’re such a good friend to wait for me." She stood on her toes to kiss him, and Christian snapped her back to his side.

  Eric caugh
t Christian’s glare. “I’m so sorry, Daisy. I shouldn’t have let you go in there. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “Yeah, what were you thinking?” Christian asked, narrowing his eyes.

  Daisy slapped his arm. “Don’t be mean, Christian. Eric is my friend as well as yours.”

  Eric stopped and stuck his hand out to Christian. “Look, I’m sorry, man. I’ll talk to you first next time she wants to do something like this, okay? Don’t be pissed.”

  Christian’s anger seeped away and he shook Eric’s hand. “Fine. I need to get her home." He got her in the truck and walked to his side where Eric still stood.

  “You think she’s okay, Christian?” he whispered.

  “I don’t know. She doesn’t seem like the Daisy I know, but hopefully she’s just tired. Sorry for taking it out on you, Eric. You’re a good guy." He shook his hand again and got in his truck.

  “It’s all good. Take care of her, man." Eric waved and drove off.

  Christian glanced at Daisy every so often, concerned for her. She appeared to be under some sort of spell, as if she were brainwashed.

  He held her hand and she smiled.

  She turned to him. “Maybe we should wait until our wedding night.”

  “What?”

  “You know...to be together. I know we had planned on tonight, but it would be so much more special to wait, or even for your birthday.

  “Daisy, I thought you wanted to try to get out of this town, away from it all. Start a new life." His heart pounded at first to the fear icing his veins.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. Maybe it would be nice to stay here. I really like those women. They were so kind to me.”

  “No. This isn’t you talking. What did they do to you in there?”

  “I just learned what would be expected of me as your high priestess. God, that sounds sexy, doesn’t it? Baby, come to your high priestess. I’ll make it all better,” she teased, laughing at her own joke.

  “Stop!”

  She jumped at his words.

  “I’m sorry, honey. I just can’t take in what you’re saying to me now. This is not you.”

  “Pull over, Christian. Let’s talk.”

  He pulled over to a private dirt road and turned the engine off. “Fine, let’s talk. Tell me you still want to get out. Tell me you still love God and want nothing to do with the evil of this place. Tell me something!”

  She unclicked her seat belt and moved over to his side, straddling him. She slipped her hands in his hair and pressed her lips against his.

  “Daisy, what’re you–” he panted, sliding his hands around her back.

  “Don’t you want me to be happy, Christian?” she said against his mouth.

  “Yes, but...”

  “Then let’s stay here. I want to be by your side here...for eternity. We can be together for centuries like your father and mother.”

  His eyes snapped open. “No!”

  “Just because your mother wasn’t happy doesn’t mean I won’t be, darling. I want this life and all it offers...all of it!”

  She unzipped his jeans and caressed him. He groaned in response, his head flung back. “No, Daisy. I know you really don’t want it like this. Stop!" He felt dizzy at her touch, immobilized by his desire. Wanting her. Not wanting her this way. Wanting her.

  God help him.

  A small moan escaped her as she rubbed against him, her summer dress floating around them. “It’s okay, Christian. You can be your true self. Just love me.”

  He growled and ripped her underwear off, and then saw his own reflection in the mirror. It looked distorted, not his face but that of some beast.

  “No!" He pushed her off and jumped out of the truck.

  “Christian, it’s okay. Come back!”

  He got to his knees and prayed. “Please help me, God. I don’t want to be this. Mother, please help me,” he cried, tears wetting his face. He touched his face and it felt normal. “Thank you.”

  When he got back in the truck, she was asleep on her side, her underwear still on the floor. He picked them up and put them in his pocket. He clicked her seat belt in. He then grabbed a blanket from the back to place over her before starting the engine.

  After returning home, he carried her up the stairs and laid her on her bed under the covers. He kissed her on the forehead and left for his room.

  The next morning he showered and went down for breakfast. He could hear giggling in the kitchen.

  “Good morning, my darling!” Daisy ran to him and hugged him. “I’m helping Lucinda, or should I say she’s helping me to learn how to cook.”

  “Why the sudden interest?” he asked with deep concern.

  “So I know how to cook for my man after we get married, silly.”

  “Miss Daisy is doing very well,” Lucinda said, rolling her eyes and smiling, not wanting Daisy to see.

  “Oh, ok. I’ll be in the dining room with my coffee–”

  “Let me get that for you,” Daisy grabbed his cup and carried it to the Mahogany table. She kissed him and ruffled his hair. “Anything else, and you just let me know, handsome,” she teased, winking.

  He thought he felt his heart stop. She remained the same as yesterday. This wasn’t his Daisy, the independent woman he knew and loved.

  She joined him after finishing up in the kitchen. “What’s wrong, Christian? You don’t look happy,” she asked.

  “I just want to understand what’s going on here. You’re saying you want to go through with the whole ritual of the ball...everything...and live here forever? Because yesterday you weren’t sure what you wanted, and now…”

  She frowned. “Of course I do. Wasn’t that the plan from the beginning? I want to be the best wife and mommy to our babies." She drank her coffee.

  He swallowed hard. “What about God, Daisy?” he whispered.

  She blinked. “That’s my old life now, Christian. This is my new life. My life with you. The good life.”

  “So, you want the whole lifestyle no matter what that entails? I love you no matter what, but if that’s what you really want then I do, too." He grabbed her hand. “I’d do anything for you.”

  “Yes, the whole thing. Your birthday is in what...a month? I still need to get my dress.”

  “That’s already designed and ordered, tailored just for you. But you could wear a potato chip bag and look gorgeous.”

  “You make me feel beautiful, Christian. The way I see myself in your eyes, I feel glorious." She flipped her hair and grinned.

  He felt himself wanting her again, right in that moment. He pictured throwing her on top of the table and making love to her forever. The need to be inside her froze him. That familiar dizziness came on, and he closed his eyes to numb it. He physically shook.

  She rested her hand on his to relax him. “I want you, too. I dreamed of you last night. God, the things we did. You took my breath away, Christian. I just know it’ll be like that.”

  “You dreamed of me last night?" He clenched his jaw.

  “Yes. It was so dark, but I know it was you.”

  Dreams don’t happen in this house, he thought. They’re more real than what happens in real life. Jack must’ve come to her knowing how close Christian was to making love to her.

  Jack got what he wanted, but she’ll never know it.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Daisy showered after breakfast and changed into boating clothes for the day. Christian wanted to take her out on Lake Michigan. She’d been on a speed boat quite a few times in her teens with her family. Her dad would let her drive The Rose, while Gloria sulked in the back by the stern. The wheel would sometimes turn the opposite direction of where Daisy wanted to go, not knowing her stepmother was behind it then, but realizing it more now.

  She grabbed her hairbrush and knocked something on the floor. Bending to pick it up, she realized it was the pouch that protected her cross. Sweat pooled in her palms as she held it, her heart beating a little too fast. Feelin
g a little woozy, she placed it back on the vanity table and walked away.

  She grabbed the doorframe to steady herself, nausea overcoming her, until the lightheadedness disappeared. Her brain felt foggy, as if looking through a cloud.

  Christian knocked at the door.

  “I’m coming." She took a deep breath to help clear her mind. She opened it and turned to mush at seeing him. “Hi, handsome. I missed you." She flung her arms around his neck in an enthusiastic hug.

  “You okay? You feel clammy,” he said, feeling her forehead.

  She nodded. “I just felt a little dizzy, but I’m fine now.”

  Concern stamped his face. “Okay then, let’s go for a boat ride." He grabbed her hand and they jogged down the hall, laughing.

  Daisy stopped suddenly, bent over, and grabbed her stomach.

  “Daisy, are you okay?" Christian ran back up the few steps he already took and sat her on the landing.

  “It’s my stomach. I felt like that in the bathroom earlier.”

  “You’re going back to bed." He picked her up and carried her in her room. “I knew something was wrong." He sat her on the bed.

  “I’m fine, just let me get my bearings. I don’t want to ruin this nice day,” she pleaded, sitting on the edge of the bed, holding the corner poster.

  “No, I want you to lie down. You want me to get your nightgown?”

  She grabbed her head to still the dizziness. “Over there on the door hook,” she said, pointing.

  He ran and grabbed it, bringing it to her. “Can you do this yourself, honey?”

  Trying to stand, she fell back down. “No. Can you help me?" She spoke just above a hoarse whisper.

  “Okay, hold your arms up. That’s it. Now, I’m going to pull your top off. Don’t worry, I’ll turn away." He tried pulling it and trying to be respectful.

  “Christian, it’s okay. I need help with my bra. I don’t care if you see anything, just get it off.”

  He stood her and draped his arms around her waist, unclipping her bra. She moaned, but not for the reason he had dreamed.

  “Sorry, Daisy. I’m trying to go fast.”