by Nancy Glynn
***
Tuesday’s meeting with the twelve men and women, and Jennifer wincing in pain, started off a little slow. Everyone was groggy from the night before. Drake glared at her, and she needed to get him to forgive her. Be sweet.
“How is everyone today?” she asked. “Jennifer, you sure you’re okay to be here. You can go home.”
“No, I’m fine,” she stuttered, glancing at Drake’s cold stare. “I can handle it.” Her eyes squeezed shut for a moment and then forced a smile.
“I can get you home after the meeting’s over, Jen, if you’d like,” Drake said, his face softening.
“Sure, that’d be great. Thanks.” She forced a smile for everyone.
A couple of waitresses walked in with trays of orange juice and croissants. They placed them on the table, bowing to Lana and Drake. “Anything else, High Priestess?” one plain girl asked, wearing glasses and her hair in a down ponytail.
“That’ll be all, Rhonda. Thank you,” Lana said.
Drake placed his hand on her arm and leaned over to her. “Where’d you go last night, Lana? That wasn’t very polite to not like your gift.”
“Well, I didn’t…I mean, I didn’t know how to react. I’m sorry. Maybe next time.”
“You need to be branded like the rest of us. If you want, come to my house tonight and I’ll do it instead of Jack, so it’s not a spectacle, if that’s what you’re concerned about.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Jack’s coming here soon. There’s no thinking about it. He wants to do it himself right here. He never does the branding, but he wants to with you. I said I’d see if you’d let me do it. Believe me, you don’t want him to.”
Her heart raced, a sweat breaking out. “He’s coming today?” She shot a glance at the door.
He nodded. “Yes. He’s pissed.”
The rest of the group listened, nodding in unison. “Lana, it doesn’t hurt that bad, really,” Jennifer insisted. “It’s like a pinprick. We can all be here with you. Just get it over with. He’s going to find you no matter what.”
“No, I won’t allow it,” she said.
“Laaa-naaa,” Jack’s voice came from her right, near the back of the conference room.
She slowly turned her head to see Jack, his eyes glowing yellow, holding the hot poker.
“Come, my love. I want to lick your back.”
Standing, she tried to run to the door, but a couple of the men grabbed her, bringing her to Jack. “Please, Jack.”
“You don’t have to beg. Now take off your clothes.”
“I want Drake to do it!”
“Too late.”
“Let go of me!” she demanded the men. They released her but stood in front of the door.
“Take them off now or I’ll take them off with this hot poker.”
With trembling fingers, she worked her blouse buttons and then remembered the cross. “Can I just pull my blouse up in back?”
“Oh, fine. I guess that’ll work.” He took a few steps and stood face-to-face, smiling. “Turn around.”
She complied, catching Drake’s hooded stare, desire pooling in his eyes. This turned him on, and she wanted to vomit. Closing her eyes, she waited to feel the hot steel slice her skin open, her legs shaking and barely holding her up. It was so quiet. All eyes were on her, widening in horror. When was he going to start?
“You don’t feel that?” he asked.
“Feel what?”
“I’m holding it against your back right now.”
But she didn’t feel anything. Not a single thing. She shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
She did feel his long tongue lick it, though, a grunt coming from his throat. When he finished, he walked around to her.
“So, you are your mother’s daughter, except yours is far better. You don’t feel immediate pain like Daisy did, who had to hide where pain didn’t exist. But you do have the mark, and I’m not sure if it’ll stay or go. I guess only time will tell. You are delicious, though. I want more of that.”
Shocked, she wanted to jump for joy if it weren’t for the mark that was embedded on her back. She reached around to feel the bumpy scab of skin, the smell of burnt flesh lingering in the air.
Everyone ran over to inspect the wound and couldn’t believe it. They then all bowed to her. “Hail Lana.”
Jennifer touched her, wanting her power. They all touched a part of her.
Drake walked over. “That’s enough! Leave her alone. You sure you don’t feel anything?”
“No.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
She smiled, taking his hand.
“Well, isn’t that nice. You two falling in love?” Jack asked.
“Yes,” Drake responded.
She nodded with hesitancy.
“You look like you’re not so sure about that, Lana,” Jack said. “Maybe you need to prove it to him. You two may leave and enjoy each other. I want to hear good news.”
“There won’t be any,” Lana stated.
“What’d you say?” Jack asked, Drake looking confused.
“I mean I’d want to wait until our wedding night for anything like that. It’s too soon.”
“Oh, I’m sure there’s other ways you can show him. Isn’t that right, Drake?”
Drake kissed her hand, grinning. “Yes. I want to know you really do want me, that you’re not planning on going back to Hunter.” His tongue circled her knuckles.
“I had plans on helping Diana pick out my bridesmaid dress, but…”
“Yes, go with Diana so she doesn’t suspect anything, the poor wench. Drake, you can wait for some fun later.”
“Fine,” he said through clenched teeth. “I’m taking Jen home to help clean her back, so I’ll be busy,” he said, trying to make Lana jealous. He took Jennifer’s hand and left the room.
Jack walked to her and kissed her neck. He whispered in her ear, “It’s nice having my kiss on your back. That way, when I’m behind you, I can really enjoy the view, not that I didn’t before, my marked woman. Jennifer was hot for me last night, literally on fire,” he added, laughing at his own joke.
She smiled, fighting the impulse to puke all over his smug face, and watched him disappear from the room.
***
Lana tried on different dresses as Diana watched, giving the thumbs down for most. Her eyes popped open when she saw her come out of the dressing room with the last dress.
“That’s it. That’s your dress!” Diana screamed, jumping up and down.
“Yeah? I like it, too. I’ve always loved gray.” She glanced in the mirror, turning around.
“Sexy, too! You don’t even need to have it adjusted. It’s like it was waiting for you.” Diana walked to her and smiled in the mirror. “I just want to thank you for all you’ve done for me. You’re my best friend, Lana.” Tears welled up in Diana’s eyes.
“Now don’t get all mushy on me, Di. I don’t want to cry.” Her heart ached, forcing back tears that desired to come like a waterfall. “Hey, you never called me to talk about what happened with you and Eric. Things okay now?”
She nodded. “Yes, much better. He apologized to me that night and said he’d never treat me like that again. He said how excited he is for our big day!”
Fear engulfed her. “Oh, that’s great, Di. So happy for you.”
She kissed Lana’s cheek and clapped. “I think that’s it then. Everything is ready!”
Lana laughed and walked back in the dressing room to change. As she closed the door, she leaned her head against it, holding in a sob. When she took her dress off, she noticed the mark on her back, still a little raw from earlier but fading. Hopefully, it would be gone by tonight, before Hunter could see it. She knew it would anger him.
“You okay in there, Lana?”
“Sorry, be a minute.” She hung the sparkling gray gown back on the hanger and opened the door. “How about some lunch? My treat.”
“I would, but Eric wants to take me o
ut. He’s been so doting this week, more so than usual, probably making it up to me. I’m loving the attention and hope it goes past the wedding,” she said, winking.
“That’s wonderful. He really loves you. Okay, let’s go pay for this and get out of here.”
***
As Lana sat in her jeep in front of her house, she decided to try calling her grandfather. The guilt ate at her for not talking to him lately, but she didn’t want him to worry about her.
“Lana girl, I’ve missed your voice. Are you well?”
“Yes, Papa. I want to ask you the same question. How are you?”
“I’m better since leaving that…house. Listen to me good. Do not go to that wedding. Eric’s changed or maybe I’ve missed it a long time ago, but you’re not safe around him.” He coughed and caught his breath.
“I don’t want to keep you long, Papa. I’ll be fine. Did Marissa tell you I saw her?”
“I’ve been trying to call you, Lana. She’s finally at peace, right after your visit with her.”
“I’m so sorry, Papa. You must be so sad.” Her eyes watered, but she knew her great-grandmother’s time was near.
“I am, but she lived a great life. We just had a small service and had her cremated like she wanted. I’ll send you her ashes if you’d like.”
“I would love that. I’d feel safe with her here with me.”
“Lana, please hear me when I say don’t go to that wedding. I’ve had awful dreams, just awful. I can’t lose you, honey.”
“Take care of yourself, Papa. I’m sorry about Granny, but I’ll be fine. I’ll even call you after it’s over. Love you so much.”
“I love you more than you’ll ever know. Please be safe.”
She clicked end and smiled to the sky. “Fly with the angels, Granny.” She stepped out and ran inside, feeling the cool air of the house hit her. Kicking her shoes off, she dashed upstairs to get settled and call Hunter, needing to tell someone about Marissa. He was the only one she wanted to share that with.
After calling him a few times on his cell, she tried his office. His secretary said he left hours ago. Feeling more anxious, she called his home and asked the staff who said he never made it home.
Panicking, she paced her room, biting her nails. He had to be with Jack, maybe a meeting of some sort. She called Drake’s cell.
“Oh, he went on a business trip to New York. He was drawing up some plans with Jack. He never told you?”
“No,” she said, her fingers shaking.
“Wow. That’s not very nice. I’d like to see you tonight if that’s all right.”
“I really don’t want to have a date tonight, Drake. My great-grandmother just died and wanted to talk to…”
“Who? A friend? I thought I was your friend. I’m hurt.”
“You are, I just…I don’t know.”
“I’m sorry about your great-grandmother, Lana. Don’t let it bother you. I’m sure it just slipped his mind. Let me come and cheer you up. I’ll be there around seven.” He never gave her time to answer and hung up.
If Hunter were really in New York, then why not answer his phone? A chill ran through her body. Something just didn’t feel right, even more than the other night of not knowing where he was.
Deciding to take a fast shower after undressing and pinning her hair up, she caught her reflection in the mirror and noticed the cross was stuck to her chest, not sliding like it should be. She pulled it off, leaving a shape of the cross still etched in her skin. Why would it do that? The cross must be having some bad reaction to her, which scared her. It shouldn’t do that.
After unclasping the lock, she placed it in her dresser drawer to protect it. The portrait of her mother over her bed fell to the floor with a bang, startling her. Her eyes darted everywhere in the room, trying to find the source. “Mom?” she whispered, wondering if her mother was trying to tell her something.
A hoarse whisper scratched the air, vibrating louder and louder, making her cover her ears. “He’s gone…he’s gone…he’s gone.”
Chapter 17
The damp darkness choked him, giving a cold chill against his naked body. Something dripped down his face, the stench of blood filling him. Hunter tried to see through the black mass, his head falling, wobbling against his chest. A torch lit up in a far corner, hurting his eyes as they focused.
He glanced at his shackled wrists and shook them. Not understanding how he could be chained and not able to free himself, his whole body shook, rattling the walls. “Jack,” he whispered under his cold breath. “You sonofabitch.”
At that, Jack walked out from a curved cave-like wall, moss growing on it, and gave a wide grin. “You always were clever, Hunter. But not clever enough. I’m sure Lana is missing you, but Drake will help her get over you. He already is, climbing all over her beautiful body.”
Hunter shook harder, feeling rage eat at him like venom seeping through his arteries. “She won’t let him touch her. I know her,” he seethed.
“Don’t flatter yourself. Listen, I can go back and forth with you all night, but I have other matters to tend to, other souls to corrupt and bring home.”
“Where am I?”
“Home.”
“What exactly is home?”
“Some people refer to it as Hell or Purgatory. It’s a nice place deep within the bowels of my home for all my special children, a place in between. I don’t like you walking free anymore, and decided to bring you home.”
Hunter stared at him, not knowing whether to spit in his face or cry. He’d never see Lana again. That’s all he cared about. He hung his head and fought the tears. His chest ached at the thought. Maybe Jack was right. Maybe Drake would take his place and make her forget him. He lifted his head to find Jack’s smiling face and spit in it.
“Thanks for that.” Jack wiped it off and shook his head. “I get you’re pissed. I get it. You can still draw your plans down here. I need a good architect and will provide all your supplies.”
“Lana will wonder where I am. She’s not stupid.”
“Everyone thinks you’re in New York on a trip. We’ll make up more as we go. She’ll eventually get over you. I’ll also provide you with…pleasure down here. You won’t even miss her, I promise.”
“I don’t want other women!”
“Oh, but these women are succubus and will exhaust you. Plenty of food and sex to keep any man happy.” He snapped his fingers and a dark-haired woman curled around Jack, first her fingers and then her face, followed by her voluptuous body, completely naked. She licked her red lips at Hunter with a wicked smile.
“No! I’ll never draw anything for you if you do this. You hear me? I’ll rip up every piece you give me.” He turned his face away as she slid up to him, her tongue on his throat.
Jack clapped three times. “That’s enough, Velenta. You may go.”
She cupped Hunter’s face. “I’ll be back for you, handsome. Don’t go to sleep,” she hissed, snapping her fingers and vanished.
“I mean it, Jack. If that…thing…comes back for me, I swear—”
“Fine, have it your way. No sex. Starve down here with dreams of Lana forever.”
“That’s just fine with me.”
“Oh, for hell’s sake. You must be in love,” he said, snarling. “Didn’t you learn from what Christian did, following that whore to Chicago and ending up dead anyway?”
“He was smart. He never allowed Black Twenty-One to happen for him. I do wish I had followed what he had done. He got twenty-six beautiful years with his love. I’d give anything for that.”
“Yes, well you can forget all that. You have way too much hate in your heart, just the way I like it. You’ll be perfect down here. I’ll make sure dinner will be delivered and that you get a bed. William’s around here somewhere. Daisy was once here, you know.”
“She was here?”
“Yes. I enjoyed her immensely until Christian stole her from me. Now I get to have their daughter, and she’s the best of
the lot. Ta-Ta for now.” He was gone with a snap.
He hung for a few more minutes before he felt the chains unravel and release him. Rubbing his sore, bloody wrists, he walked through the dim-lit dungeon and found the bed Jack spoke about. Collapsing on the semi-firm bed, he closed his eyes and dreamed of a pale-haired girl with green-blue eyes.
***
Lana sat up, wondering how she made it to her bed. The last thing she remembered was falling to the ground. She held her head, rubbing the aching temples. The room appeared blurry before she blinked a couple of times, making it come into focus.
“Feeling better?” Drake asked, carrying in a tray. He placed it on the bedside table and sat next to her. “How’s the headache?”
“I’m confused. Why are you here?” She took the cup of tea from him, sipping slowly.
“Where else would I be? You needed me and I came. Easy as that.” He bent to kiss her forehead and sat back. “I’ll always be here for you, Lana.” His hazel eyes grew heavy with desire.
“Where’s Hunter?”
He sighed. “I told you before. He’s in New York. I’ve talked to him a few times, and he’s busy with clients. He’s even thinking about moving there to partner with a great firm.”
“I don’t believe you.” She fought the tears. There was no way he’d leave like that.
“Don’t cry, my love. It hurts me so.”
She studied his face and tilted her head. “You were once a good person, back when I first met you on your birthday…until the change.”
“I’m still good, just not in the traditional sense.” His eyes darkened.
“You must have some good left. Bring me to him, Drake. Please!”
“Tomorrow’s the wedding. Aren’t you excited?” he asked.
“What? I’ve been in bed for over a week?” Her eyes darted around the room as if that would help her remember where the time went.
“Yes. You haven’t been feeling well. I gave you some medicine to help.”
Her head was spinning. She closed her eyes, letting him take the cup, lying back on the pillows. “You put something in that tea. I feel so sleepy.” She opened her eyes to see his fuzzy, grinning face. “I want Hunter,” she whispered before going back to sleep.
