by A. A. Dark
“My knife and a pen. I’m ready to end this.”
“Of course.” Luke hurried over to the dresser, pausing before he got to me. “I don’t usually ask, but allow someone else.”
“I did that once on this trip already. Not again. Wait outside.”
“Mistress…”
“Now. I won’t be long.”
Travis let out a desperate cry as my guard spun for the door. Luke was already removing his gun. I watched the way he carried it. I wasn’t the only one feeling the nervousness. The ringing had become a comfort. A sign to me that Bram and I were worlds apart. But we weren’t. Travis said Bram was here. What if he had found me? Whitlock phones were supposed to be untraceable, but were they really? If anyone could find a way, it was Bram.
“Take me with you. Leave me h-here. Just don’t...I’m begging you.”
Silence.
Him. Me. We stared at each other as I took in the worry in his eyes. Tracing the pen along his jaw, I saw it deepen, but I also saw a spark of hope. It didn’t last as his stare snapped to the box on the dresser. “Are there any last words you wish to tell your Main Master?”
I brought the pen to the gift tag I held, waiting, seething inside like a rabid, cornered animal. I remained calm, but I was anything but.
“P-Please. Please, Mistress. We can work this out. We can—”
Before he could finish, my hand reared back. I stabbed the end of the pen into his shoulder next to the previous wounds. Once, twice. Screams echoed from the wooden walls.
“We’ve gone over this so many times before. I ask the questions, and you give me a response the first time. I’m going to take that as a no.”
My teeth clenched as I pulled the pen free of his flesh and scribbled over the tag before it finally began to write. “There. It says, ‘With Love, Everleigh. Travis says hello.’ It’s short and to the point, just like I’m afraid your death will have to be.
“No.”
“I wish I could say it was a great knowing you, but it wasn’t.”
I lunged forward, driving the blade right into the middle of his throat. Blood gushed out while Travis’s mouth opened, and he heaved, going rigid. Crimson raced from the wound, quickly gurgling in his mouth as he began to choke and convulse. The vibrations from sound and movements traveled up my fingertips, embedding all the way into my soul. Staining it with more nightmares. More blood-soaked memories.
Alive or not, I didn’t care. I jerked the blade free and fisted the front of his hair. Wide eyes were full of horror, and I met them as I dragged the edge of the knife over his temple and down toward his cheek. Resistance—his survival left me in a battle as I drew him close and sliced toward his jaw. Blue eyes rolled and an airy groan blew lightly over my face. Weight rocked against my hold as his head tried to bob. Cutting just under his chin, I eased along the bone structure to make it to his other ear. As I did, I found myself slowing despite the chaotic thoughts.
“You were a very pretty man. I almost wish I could keep this. I’d love to keep this,” I whispered, nearly moaning. “Do you think Bram saves them for me?” My eyes narrowed the smallest bit as I tried to imagine the answer. “Maybe I’ll see you again someday. I’d like that.”
My hand arced, swooping along his forehead. The splitting skin oozed red, increasing as I met the initial incision along his temple. A whoosh of air left Travis’s lips and his eyes shot open. It was a final plea escaping his subconscious, but one he didn’t survive. I paused, watching blood and fluid drain over his bottom lip as he went completely limp. My frown increased even more and I led him forward through the pull of his hair, rubbing my nose against his. Hate for who and what he was didn’t exist in our moment. The intimacy as I stared into droopy dead eyes was like nothing I could have ever begun to describe. They were hollow, just as his aura was now. Gut-twisting warnings flared, and with the anomalous sensations, I did moan, gripping to the blond tighter.
“Mistress?”
I didn’t so much as flinch or feel guilt from the arousal I knew was wrong. “Not now, Luke.”
“Mistress, you have to leave him. It’s time to go.”
Wetness from the blood smeared over my forehead and cheek as I ran my face over his with my silent shake.
“Someone can finish for you. Our time is up. I just got a call. Mr. Whitlock’s plane was spotted. It never left, it was hidden. It’s about to depart, but he hasn’t arrived yet, which means he could very well be on his way here.”
Fury left me spinning and panting as I clutched the knife. My kill was my own. I needed to finish peeling back his face like I needed a steady squeeze on my throat. Bram’s squeeze. Bram’s assurance that he’d stop me from going too far like I wanted. And that’s what I needed from him, wasn’t it? I was getting out of control. These urges, they weren’t right. Ever since I’d killed West, my eyes had been opened to new things. Forbidden things only the sickest of men cared for. Murder. Sex. Blood. Murder-sex. Blood. Blood baths. Drugged baths. I was one of them now. There was no denying my darkest fantasies. My addictions were grave, and I was the only one holding the shovel to bury myself.
Chapter 18
Layla
“You cunt. You’re going to pay. I swear, when I get out of here, I’m going to beat your face in until there’s nothing left. Come closer to these bars. Get the fuck over here!”
“Don’t listen to him, Layla. Ram knows he’s in trouble.”
“Shut up, tough boy. I’ll snap your neck just like I’m going to snap hers.”
I closed my eyes, blinding myself from the large cell I was in with Aamir. There was only one bed, but there were facilities. Not that I was comfortable using them. It did beat the ship’s condition. The giant rested in the one next to ours, but I still wasn’t sure what was going to come of that. The Dragon said he’d find out the truth, and until he did, we were all being punished. Punished, as if that’s what was happening.
Aamir and I had already been bathed. We were even massaged with some oil with a scent that reminded me of lavender. It relaxed me, but not overly so. My awareness was still intact, and I used it to follow the giant’s pacing footsteps. A pair of women had also fed us more bread. They wore what looked like togas. Their hair had been piled high, and for slaves, they looked like royalty from another time. I didn’t understand it any more than I understood the way Master Draper stared at me, but I hadn’t cared as I devoured the soft slices of homemade bread we were handed. They were still warm and fresh. Nothing like the stale chunks we’d survived off of.
“I wonder where they took Jessa? I’m worried about her.”
“Me too.” I opened my lids, keeping my focus on the two guards standing like statues a few feet away. “I’m sure she’s okay. I mean...we’re okay so far, aren’t we?”
“Stupid kids,” the giant growled out. “She’s getting prepared for what she’s meant for. She’ll be fucking before sun goes down.”
Aamir let out a haunting sound, but stayed quiet afterward as he rocked on the edge of the bed. Time dragged on, slow...torturous. Every time someone entered, I jumped, expecting it to be him. He would surely be back. Of that, I had no doubt. But when? Master Draper didn’t mention when we’d be heading to Whitlock. I still wasn’t sure we were. I didn’t get that feeling from him. Not concerning me, anyway, and that scared me the most.
“I’m so tired. It’s late, I think.” My brother shifted on the far side of the bed, yawning. I knew he wanted to lay down, but so did I, and close was something we hadn’t been since the horrifying discovery that he’d been forced to rape my unconscious, injured body.
I couldn’t think of that. Too many questions kept coming. The emotions choked me until I felt like I would either break or scream myself into insanity. How could he? The question ate into me like nothing else. It seared my gut and made me sick.
“I can get up if you’re ready to go to sleep.”
“You’re obviously tired, Layla. You can sleep here. I’ll just lay on the floor.”
>
Sweeping my gaze down, my head shook. “That’s ridiculous. I’m fine, really. I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I wanted to. Take the bed.”
Aamir paused, lifting his hand, only to lower it. “Layla...I…I mean, I didn’t want to. I—”
“Don’t,” I said, flying from the bed.
“I swear, I didn’t have a choice.”
My body jolted to a stop as if he’d speared me through the heart. “You didn’t have a choice?” I spun, pointing my finger at him. “You didn’t have a choice!”
“No. Please, listen to me. I…”
“He liked it.” The giant laughed, gripping the bars just above his head. “He may have shed a tear or two, but once his dick got wet—”
“Shut up! You made me do it! You said you’d finish her off if I didn’t. You were going to kill her.”
“You should have let him! To think you would...Aamir. God, I can’t even look at you.”
Aamir flew from the bed, despite his face drawn in with sadness and anxiety. “I can’t lose you, Layla. Don’t you see? This is all my fault. From Travis to Ram, to whatever else happens, I promised I would protect you. Protect you, not kill you!”
Fingers grasped around my wrist, pulling me closer—pulling me into the body I could so clearly see hovering above me. I knew it was my imagination, but I’d seen my brother shirtless enough times to have a clear picture, and the giant’s actions were all too well burned into my brain. Putting them together, hearing the moans in my head, it left my fists swinging toward Aamir as words in my native tongue flooded free. A language I hadn’t spoken since my youth. How could you. I didn’t even know how I remembered the words, but they came, repeatedly. “How could you!”
“What’s this? A falling out? Surely not.”
Cries caught in my throat from the Dragon’s voice and Aamir’s arms crushed me to him even harder. In staggering steps, I managed not to trip as my brother took us closer to the bed.
“Are we leaving? Is it time to go?”
The protectiveness in my brother’s voice was evident as he addressed the one man I knew would return.
“No, slave.”
My head turned against my brother’s chest just in time to see a woman walk forward. She was like no one I had ever seen before. Beautiful in a way that nearly took my breath away. Dark hair came just passed her shoulders and she wore a black fitted dress that went just below the knees. The heels were high, but still, she wasn’t very tall.
“Layla. Aamir.” She stopped just outside our cell, studying me and my brother as her big blue eyes squinted with her thoughts.
“You know our names?” I broke free, and her eyes rose to my forehead before returning to meet my gaze.
“I do. I know almost everything about you. My name is Everleigh Harper, but you’ll be calling me Mistress from here on out.”
Confusion hit. Then, shock...anger. “Mistress? But you said you knew about us. You’re a woman. I want to go home. I want—”
“Your home is with me now. I’m the best you’ve got, and the best you will ever have. Where you’re headed is nothing short of hell. I know. I was a slave there for more years than you can imagine. I’m here to tell you right now, there is no escape. Not from this island. Not from Whitlock.”
“But you...you must have escaped. I mean, you say you’re our Mistress.”
My brother’s voice had me glancing over to him. “He’s right. You’re here. You’re not there, and you’re not a slave anymore. How?”
“It’s a long story. One I can guarantee will never happen to you. To make it short, I’m not free. I’m being hunted. The scout who was searching for me is the only reason I found out about you. Travis Sloan. You know him, yes?”
“Yeah,” I spat. “We know him.”
“Knew him.” She paused. “He’s dead now, so at least know he’s paid the price for what’s happened to you.”
My brother moved in closer to me. “You killed him?”
“I did.”
“What happens now?”
Her stare left my brother to come back to me. “I’ve made a deal with a friend of mine at Whitlock. He’s to purchase the two of you at the auction and put you in an apartment in case I am caught. If I am not, the two of you will remain slaves, but ones without a Mistress or Master. Do you see what I’m saying?”
“We’re free?” I breathed out.
“In a sense,” she continued. “Master Barclane will watch over you when need be, but the quarters are yours despite my absence. You must listen though, and listen good. You are to stay inside as much as possible. If you attempt to escape, they will kill you on the spot. Trust me when I say it is impossible, and not to even try. You will die. I am giving you a chance to live. A chance I can guarantee wouldn’t come from anyone else within the walls of Whitlock.”
Master Draper came toward the bars, whispering something in the woman’s ear. The look she gave was one of confusion, but she shook her head, looking back at me.
“I must go. Get some sleep. You leave in the morning. When you arrive at Whitlock, do everything the guards tell you to. Stay strong until your auction night. Only then will you have a speck of safety. Remember that.”
“Wait!” I rushed forward, grabbing the bars while she paused. “What will happen when we get there? Until the auction? After? What will we do? What is it like? Will you ever return?”
Full lips parted, glistening a shimmering nude color. “I’m not sure. Anything can happen. Maybe I’ll return. Maybe I’ll be found. As for inside...it’s Whitlock. The Masters there are the worst men you can imagine: murders, rapists, pedophiles, cannibals, sadists. If they can get ahold of you, they will torture you with things your innocent mind couldn’t even imagine. Stay far away from all Masters, slave. Stay away from everyone you don’t know, even other slaves. No one is to be trusted.”
“We can trust you, though, right?”
Blue eyes dropped to the floor, only to lift and size up the giant. When they returned to me, they were so distance and empty, I felt myself take a step back.
“You can trust me not to hurt you. Don’t expect that from me for anyone else. A Mistress or Master isn’t given the title lightly. All our names are forged in blood. I am no better than them, just more honest.”
With her confession, she stepped farther away, closer to the giant’s cell. He was standing in the middle, watching her like she was food. And she let him, meeting his stare with the same void I’d seen before. It didn’t take long for Ram to see it too and fidget under her gaze.
“Is this him?”
Master Draper moved in next to her. “It is. Are you ready for dinner? I have quite the entertainment prepared for you.”
His arm came out, and the disgust she cast toward the giant melted as a smile appeared. She took the Dragon’s arm. “I can’t wait. Lead the way.”
“Wait. What about me? You can’t just leave me in here.”
The two stopped, looking toward him. “Of course. Guards.”
Ram threw me a look. The edge of his lips pulled back and anger had me lunging back for the bars. “I hope you rot out there on that sea. I hope it swallows you whole and you die the most horrible death imaginable!”
The cell opened while the giant laughed at me under his breath. When the metal cuffs locked around one of Ram’s wrists, confusion had his head spinning toward them. The second moved in so fast, he didn’t have a chance to react to the needle that stabbed into his leg.
“What the fuck?”
Throwing his arm up, the giant stumbled back, crashing into the side of the bed and falling into the wall. A slur of sounds left him as the guards somehow managed to lift him under his arms.
“Rape is something I don’t take kindly to, slave. No one hurts what’s mine. And both of you are mine now. The sea may not swallow him whole, but the Dragon assures me his fire will. Both of you go to sleep. It may be the last good night you’ll have for a while.”
Chapter 19
E
verleigh
The cool breeze, the light flickering flames from the torches aligning the circular tower we sat on top of …if not for the pyre on the far side, I could almost imagine the dinner was somewhat normal.
The giant’s nude body rested in the center of a bonfire, tied to a post with hemp circling his mouth, chest, waist, and legs. He was more aware now, struggling against the rope holding him secure to his inevitable fate.
“Will you just light the wood and be done with it?”
A laugh. “And miss all the fun? Of course not. Stand up and follow me.”
I obeyed. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Master Draper had been normal up until this point. Kind, even, regardless of Luke cursing nonstop our entire way here. He said I couldn’t trust Gavin. His biggest fear was that we wouldn’t leave this island. From the excitement and welcome I received, I wasn’t so sure he was right. After all, the Master had held true to his word on everything he’d said so far. I got to see my twins. My men had free roam of the island. They weren’t prisoners or held up in a room unable to leave. The only rocky part had been Luke and Gavin’s meeting. It wasn’t unpleasant, but more awkward since Gavin wouldn’t really look at him. Even now, as Luke stood at the entrance of the circular terrace, it was like he wasn’t present to his brother. Gavin spoke of settling things between them, but he’d yet to even really acknowledge him.
“Here we go. All you have to do,” Gavin said, moving an odd-looking gun around in his hand and twisting the knob on the back, “is aim and pull the trigger. The longer you hold, the farther the fire will spray. This long part here on the bottom is what feeds the fire. Give it try.”
“It’s a blowtorch then? Just a different style?”
“Correct.”
I took the gun, surprised at how heavy it was. When my fingers pulled back the trigger, a bright blue fame shot out a few inches.
“You can control it from the back too, as you saw me do before I handed it to you.” He paused. “You look unsure. I’ll start it for you.” Golden eyes seemed to dance like a flame in the reflection of the firelight surrounding us. Slowly, he eased the gun free, leading me to the wood pile.
