Kahn appeared speechless. His look suddenly turned harsh. “If you want to play that way, we’re both in violation of the contract. That voids it. Your brother stays right where he is, and you’re not going anywhere until I figure out what I’m going to do with you.”
Before she could protest, she suddenly vanished.
†
The elegant yet medieval looking bedroom was decorated with antique, Victorian furnishings. Reggie paced the bedroom and felt the concern for her situation rising. Kahn was never going to admit defeat, and if he didn’t uphold his end of the bargain, there was little she could do in retaliation. She and Dylan were at his mercy, of which he had none. There was a faint knock on the door. Reggie turned toward the door and attempted a calm, collected attitude. No matter what the outcome, she wasn’t about to let Kahn know how frightened she was.
“Come in.”
The door opened to reveal a docile looking butler in his early fifties. “Good evening, madam,” Begley said. “Your presence is requested in the dining room for dinner.”
“Thanks, but no.”
“Begging your pardon, madam, but I added the part about that being a request,” he informed her. “You may not refuse. He’ll just bring you on his own, and you really don’t want that.”
Reggie frowned. “I knew it couldn’t be that easy.”
“Your evening attire is hanging in the closet,” Begley said. “I’ll return in twenty minutes to escort you to dinner. The others should be arriving shortly.”
“Others?”
“Yes, madam. It’s Lord Kahn’s weekly dinner party.” Begley turned to leave, hesitated, and then looked back at her with an oddly sincere look. “The wine is a very bad year. Very bitter.”
Reggie stared at Begley with a look of bewilderment. His words were puzzling. He fidgeted then sheepishly left the room. Reggie sank into thought.
†
The elegant dining room was adorned with fine china, silverware, crystal glasses, candles, and large floral arrangements. Several well-dressed men and women entered the dining room. All appeared distracted and not a word was spoken. Reggie was shown to the dining room by Begley. He pulled out her chair for her and indicated for her to sit.
“Please, be seated,” Begley announced to everyone. “Lord Kahn will be along momentarily.”
The others took their seats. Reggie appeared to be the only one curious enough to look at the other dinner guests. None spoke, and they kept to themselves. She was curious but remained silent. Including Reggie, there were seven guests.
Begley stood by the doorway and spoke, “Lord and Lady Kahn.”
Reggie looked at the doorway and was the only one interested. Kahn entered with a beautiful, young woman attached to his arm. Lady Chrissy was dressed in an evening gown with perfectly placed hair and make-up. She appeared to snub everyone while taking her seat at the end of the table. Kahn took his place at the head of the table, smiled proudly, and lifted his wineglass.
“Good evening, everyone. It’s an honor to have you here at this special dinner party. I hope you will enjoy the feast,” Kahn announced. “I’d like to propose a toast--”
Everyone took their wineglasses and stood as Begley shut the dining room doors. Reggie stared at her wineglass, uncertainly took it, and stood as well. The dining room doors suddenly opened to reveal a handsome, well-built man in his mid-thirties. He was dressed less formal then the others. Kahn eyed the man and lowered his glass with a frown.
“Do you ever call first?” Kahn demanded. “I’m in the middle of a dinner party, Helsing.”
“Far be it for me to interrupt one of your distasteful parties, but I want to talk to you--now,” Helsing growled.
“It can wait. Either join us or come back another time.”
Helsing sneered and collapsed into the vacant chair between Reggie and Chrissy. Chrissy snubbed him as well. Kahn eyed Helsing and made a face. Helsing remained seated while the others stood. Kahn was obviously unhappy but put on a false smile.
“To old friends, new friends, and those we haven’t met yet,” Kahn announced.
Helsing snorted a soft laugh. Kahn glared at him. Everyone drank their wine. Reggie raised it to her lips but didn’t drink. Everyone took their seats. Helsing looked past Reggie to Kahn.
“Just because you’re my brother, that doesn’t mean you have free roam over my estate,” Helsing remarked.
“I could say the same to you.”
Reggie looked at Helsing with some surprise. She was still the only one paying any attention and was starting to question why. Helsing noted Reggie’s curious stare then looked back at Kahn.
“There’s an entire colony of your little pets living in my territory,” Helsing announced. “They didn’t get there on their own.”
“Just a minor mistake. I’ll correct it in the morning,” Kahn said. “You’re spoiling our evening, Helsing.”
Helsing glared at Kahn then eyed Reggie, who still stared at him. “I doubt there’s anything I could do to lower the integrity of your little dinner party,” he replied dryly.
Reggie wondered what he knew.
“I really wish you’d mind your own business, stop insulting my guests, and go home,” Kahn remarked.
Helsing again met Reggie’s gaze and finally addressed her. “Something you’d like to add?”
Reggie’s mind reeled. Did he hate his brother enough to sympathize with her?
Helsing snorted, “I didn’t think so.”
She knew she had to say something fast. “Your brother is a liar and a cheat,” Reggie scoffed.
Kahn tensed then smirked. All eyes, including Chrissy’s were now on Reggie. The other guests appeared almost frightened by her tone.
Helsing chuckled and smirked. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“She’s just upset over losing our little wager this evening,” Kahn remarked.
Reggie glared at Kahn with hostility. “I didn’t lose anything. You changed the rules, because you’re a sore loser. I beat you.”
Helsing appeared interested and eyed Kahn. “Is that true? You were beaten at your own game--by a woman?”
“She didn’t beat me. She didn’t abide by the rules.”
“No one can play and win by your rules,” Helsing responded.
Kahn appeared insulted and possibly embarrassed in front of his guests. Chrissy glared at Kahn from across the table. There was something strange in her expression. The guests at the table suddenly gasped and choked. Reggie looked at the other guests. Only Chrissy, Kahn, and Helsing weren’t affected. Kahn eyed his guests then glared at Helsing with annoyance.
“You’re ruining my favorite part of the evening,” Kahn remarked.
“You are pathetic.”
Reggie watched the other guests with concern. Chrissy sipped her wine and appeared disinterested. Kahn signaled Begley. He approached and removed the lids from the serving trays. Mounds of live maggots, leaches, assorted worms, and other crawling creatures covered the trays. Reggie stared with horror. The other guests no longer choked and appeared equally horrified. Chrissy minded her own business and casually sipped her wine.
“I don’t mean to be rude, brother dear, but I have guests for dinner,” Kahn remarked.
“She’s right, you know. You’ve always been a sore loser,” Helsing announced. “Must really chafe you to be outwitted by a woman.”
“She didn’t outwit me,” he said with annoyance.
Reggie was too busy staring at the serving trays to participate in the conversation. The other guests breathed heavily and stared with horror at the banquet before them.
Helsing chuckled lowly while glaring at his brother. “Sure sounds that way to me. By right, you have to throw her back.”
Kahn glared at Helsing with annoyance then looked at Reggie. “Reggie, do we call it even? Or would you like a rematch?”
Reggie couldn’t tear her eyes away from the slithering, crawling creatures on the serving platters.
&nbs
p; “Reggie?”
She snapped out of her daze and looked at Kahn. “Huh?”
“Do we call it even, or do you want a rematch?” he demanded.
Reality struck her. “I’m not going anywhere without my brother.”
Kahn looked at Helsing and smiled. “There you have it. We’ll have a rematch.”
Helsing shook his head and glared at Reggie. “Stupid girl.”
Reggie looked back at the live entrees. The other guests suddenly reached for the creatures and rapidly consumed them. She gasped and watched with horror. All six guests appeared unable to control their hunger for the crawling creatures. Chrissy looked away and grimaced with distaste.
Helsing eyed Reggie’s expression and raised a brow. “Their fate will soon be your own.”
Kahn sat back and watched the mass consumption with a pleased grin. Reggie watched the guests devour the slithering, slimy critters like starving animals. She suddenly clutched her stomach, jumped up from the table, and ran from the room.
†
Reggie left the hall powder room and held her turning stomach. She saw Helsing and Kahn in the hallway outside the dining room.
“I said I’d take care of it,” Kahn growled. “Now please leave.”
Kahn slammed the dining room doors on Helsing. Reggie hurried toward him just as he was about to disappear.
“Please, wait,” she called out.
Helsing gave her a curious look as she stopped before him. “Something I can do for you?”
She was slightly uncomfortable about the prospect of begging but stood proudly. “You’re not like your brother. You’re far more compassionate and intelligent, I can tell.”
Helsing appeared humored and snorted a laugh. “You’ve got it half right. Compassion would be a stretch.”
“I’ll give you whatever you want if you get me and my brother out of here,” she blurted out. Sadly, she had been aiming for sexually enticing and completely missed the mark.
“Isn’t that what got you into trouble in the first place?” he asked.
“Please, I’m begging you,” she said while choking on her emotions. “You’re probably the only one who can help me.”
“There’s nothing you have that I want.”
Reggie tensed but attempted to retain her pride. “I saw the way you were looking at me tonight.”
He stared at her a moment in silence. “You got the wrong idea,” he replied. “I’m not mortal, and I don’t subscribe to mortal pleasures. You mistook pity for lust. I gave you an opportunity to get out, but you didn’t take it. You made your decision.”
Helsing was about to vanish. Reggie placed her hand on his lower arm, stopping him. He looked at her hand as if she dared to touch him, causing her to pull back quickly.
“My brother is all I have. Yours took him from me. Maybe you don’t care about your brother, but I love mine,” she informed him. “I’d never be able to live with myself if I allowed him to suffer a fate worse than death. He’d give his life for me, and I’d gladly do the same for him.”
Helsing stared at her a long moment in silence. “It’s exactly that sense of compassion that will be your downfall.”
“Please, help me.”
“Sorry, I don’t interfere with my brother’s lifestyle even if I don’t agree with it.”
Helsing was again about to vanish.
Reggie’s sorrow turned to anger. “I guess I can’t blame you for being afraid of him. He’s quite powerful,” she retorted.
He glared at her with surprise. “I’m not afraid of Kahn. He’s just a warped and twisted little rodent with a god complex.”
“Just seems to me, if you were half as powerful as he was, you wouldn’t be afraid to help me.”
He glared at her and took a step closer. She stood her ground and appeared bold, but she was sure he saw the fear in her eyes. He stared at her a moment then a smile crossed his face.
“You’re resourceful, I’ll give you that.”
“I have little choice. I’m not leaving without my brother.”
Helsing appeared curious. “You’d really sacrifice yourself to save your brother?”
Reggie nodded.
He appeared to be toying with an idea then glared at her. “Your problems with my brother are your problems, just so we’re straight,” he said firmly. “But if you would go through all this for your brother, then you should go through it with your brother.”
Helsing gave a simple wave of his hand. Dylan in full creature mode suddenly appeared in the hallway. Dylan-creature appeared bewildered, saw Reggie, and immediately gurgled a cheerful response. He leaped onto her and wrapped his tail around her legs. Reggie was nearly knocked to the floor. She hugged him in joyful response. The dining room doors were suddenly thrown open to reveal Kahn. He looked at the creature clinging to Reggie. Dylan-creature released Reggie and scurried behind her in an attempt to hide.
“What’s the meaning of this? How did that get in here?” Kahn demanded.
Helsing casually leaned against the hall wall. “She’s willing to sacrifice her life for that of her brother. Her request to have her brother by her side sounded reasonable to me.”
Kahn appeared furious. “You have no right interfering in my business, Helsing.”
“Guess I slipped, huh?” Helsing straightened and sighed. “Oh, well. It’s too late. What’s done is done. They’re a team now.”
“You did this on purpose!”
“Her devotion to her brother is noble and commendable,” he announced. “You’re damned right I did it on purpose. And now we’re even.”
“Is that what this is all about?”
“A lesson to be learned; don’t piss me off,” Helsing snapped.
Kahn sneered, returned to the dining room, and slammed the door.
Helsing appeared pleased with himself. “That worked out rather nicely.” He looked back at Reggie. “You’re on your own now.”
Reggie smiled warmly and again placed her hand on his lower arm. “Thank you. This means a lot to me.”
He appeared uncomfortable. “I didn’t do anything,” Helsing firmly insisted then disappeared.
Chapter Three
Reggie paced the large bedroom chamber while Dylan-creature appeared to sleep peacefully on the excessively large bed.
“We need to come up with a plan. He cheats,” she insisted. “There’s no way we can win this thing playing by his rules.”
Dylan-creature opened one eye and watched her pace.
“Who knows what he has planned for tomorrow,” she said. “I don’t know what to do, Dylan. I even offered myself to his brother.”
Dylan-creature suddenly perked up and appeared displeased.
“What kind of sick world is this? The one time I try to use sex as a bargaining chip, and I’m shot down. It’s just wrong I tell you.” There was a faint knock on the door. “Now what?” she groaned. “Come in.”
The door opened to reveal Begley. He entered with a small basket of fruit, shut the door behind him, and timidly smiled. “I thought you might be hungry.”
Reggie eyed the fruit, snorted, and shook her head. “Thanks, Begley, but I think I’ll pass on anything to eat and drink while in this place. After this evening, starvation never sounded so appealing.”
“I understand, madam, but I assure you, it’s safe.”
Begley removed an apple and took a bite out of it. He extended it to her. Reggie uncertainly accepted the apple. She studied it with distrust then took a small bite from it.
“Thanks, Begley. I appreciate your tips on surviving a formal dinner party.”
“I don’t have that much to lose these days,” he replied. “Looking out for pretty, young women is becoming a hobby of mine.”
Reggie eyed him and became curious. “You don’t work here willingly, do you?”
He set down the bowl of fruit and sighed softly. “We’re all prisoners, madam. At some point in time, we all made a similar mistake and gave our lives and souls to
Lord Kahn. Some of us have it better than others, but we’re all at his mercy.” Begley straightened his jacket, stood proudly, and appeared proper. “If I don’t want to end up the main course at next week’s dinner party, I’d better mind myself and return to my duties.”
Reggie appeared slightly sickened. “Don’t even joke.”
His look was serious. “I wish I were joking.”
Begley turned and left the room. He was about to close the door when Chrissy appeared in the doorway and stopped him. Begley and Chrissy exchanged looks. He quickly left. Chrissy entered Reggie’s room and casually shut the door behind her.
“He just stopped in to check on me,” Reggie said.
Chrissy approached the bowl of fruit, took some grapes, and quickly ate them as if starving. “You don’t have to worry about me. Begley and I are in this together. We look out for each other.” She casually sat on Reggie’s bed and eyed her. “You can’t win, Reggie. No matter what you do, you’ll never beat him.”
Reggie leaned against the bedpost. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“I’m not trying to crush your hopes,” she remarked then groaned. “Look at me; I’m you.”
Reggie studied Chrissy with a curious look.
“I’m little more than his play toy,” she remarked while raising her brows, “and I can be replaced very easily.”
“According to Helsing, they don’t--”
“Helsing and Kahn are very different, but neither can be trusted,” Chrissy informed her. “I saw you in the hallway with Helsing tonight. I don’t know what he said, but you can’t appeal to his compassionate side. He doesn’t have one.”
“Yeah, so he said.”
“I didn’t come here tonight to discourage you,” she insisted. “I’m here to give you a fighting chance. You seem to have a little more spirit than Kahn’s usual breed of client. You’re frustrating him, I can tell.” She held herself proudly. “Two things. First, when faced with one of his little tasks, be ready for anything, anticipate the worst, and rationalize the situation from the perspective of an egotistical sorcerer with a superiority complex. You’ve outsmarted him before; you can do it again. Second, whatever happens, don’t let him con you into replacing me as his love slave. It’s not a position you really want; trust me. Being with Kahn is truly disgusting. I’m not telling you this because I don’t want to lose my prestigious position. There’s nothing prestigious about it. I just wouldn’t wish my hell upon any other poor woman.” She seemed concerned for Reggie. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He wants to break you in the worst possible way. Your strength turns him on. I used to be strong. I used to be a fighter. Now I just exist.”
Reaper of Souls: A fantasy short story Page 3
