She sat back down on the couch when her legs felt weak. “No, although it feels that way. Why does it have to hurt so much? Why do I have to care so much?” she cried. “He’s a lying bastard. I asked him if there was anyone else and he lied to my face.”
“Sorry, but it’s what we men do.”
“No, Jared, I refuse to believe that of every man,” she snapped at him, wiping her damp cheeks. She was not angry at Jared, just the whole somber situation.
After she’d calmed a bit, Jared handed her some tea to settle her stomach. “I know that you’re upset, and I’m not trying to get your hopes up, but what if this bitch is lying? You never asked him directly, right? She told you that she’d been pining away like a fool, hoping that he’d one day notice her, so what if she did this to get rid of you?”
“No, she wasn’t lying. Come on, a guy like that always has a woman. I was just the plaything on the side. I made no demands of him.” Octavia sighed, resting her head back against the couch. She tugged on her hair, making it more disheveled as she reflected upon the argument. “She was weird, though. She said the strangest thing in Latin. She asked me, ‘Quid autem tu es?’ Just like that.”
“Okay, you’re going to have to explain that to us common folk. Most of us don’t speak Latin.”
“It means ‘What are you?’ Isn’t that bizarre?”
“That should tell you right there that she’s crazy. How does she know Latin? Who are you weirdo people who speak Latin anyway?” He chuckled.
Octavia ignored his comment. “She gave me the impression she’s scholarly. I don’t know. You know I still don’t know anything about my past,” Octavia said, exchanging her cup of tea for a huge glass of pinot noir. Jared one-upped her with an even bigger glass.
“Maybe you do need to ask him all of this for yourself.”
“Weren’t you just against me confronting him in the first place? What’s changed your mind?”
Before answering, Jared coaxed her to the back deck overlooking the beach, or what Pennsylvania considered a beach. There they sat, taking in the sea salt filled air, gulping down their choice of liquid therapy. “First, I don’t like bitches gettin’ in my business, and after telling me what she said, she actually may be lying, and second, you seem way too invested to let this go. I say you go see him personally and talk to him face to face, and find out the truth. Don’t you think you owe him that much? Don’t you think he owes you?”
“I don’t owe him anything. I’m never stepping foot into that hospital again, Jared. I’m so humiliated. How many other people know about us? I wanted to believe we were being discreet, but we weren’t. I’m so stupid.”
“I didn’t know, and no, you’re not. Just think about talking to him, okay?” He didn’t want to push the issue, but like always, Jared had to take it a step further. “So, how was he? I mean, the sex? Is he good? He looks it.” Octavia’s quickly looked at him, instantly watering up. He grabbed her, pulling her head to his chest. “Damn, that good, huh? Sorry I asked.” He grabbed her glass before it could fall and finished it off.
Octavia cried off and on for the rest of the night, in between countless glasses of wine. Eventually, Jared had to carry her to bed, holding her like they used to do when they were younger. She had helped him to come out of the closet. She’d been there when he’d run away for being picked on for looking too feminine. She’d been there through the experimental drugs to deal with his denial, and even when his father had kicked him out the house.
He’d been there for her through the numerous death threats from extremists. And when she’d lost friends, for no reason other than their parents’ ignorance. And he’d remained by her side during the loss of her mother. They had been the only constants for one another in their troubled lives.
Jared lay there as Octavia cried or moaned in her sleep, whenever she did sleep. When she woke, he was still there to hold her close and promise never to leave.
***
Over the next few days, Octavia took time off from work to focus on her needs. She tried not to think about Victor, but she couldn’t stop the flood of memories — his touch, his smell, but especially his soul piercing gaze and the way it consumed her. Every time she thought about the way he made her body feel, she shuddered. It was going to be extraordinarily difficult to let him go.
Upon reflection, she figured it had been only physical, since that’s what their so-called relationship had been built upon. It had never been deep as what she’d believed.
Then there was Stacey. The more she reflected on what had transpired, the more she realized something wasn’t rational about that woman. She couldn’t exactly place what, but the more she rehashed the conversation, the more it alarmed her. It wasn’t just bitter jealousy. To lose control over a man that was never yours was unreasonable. Stacey had to be insane.
Actually, this whole damned place was bizarre. The stares she received in the halls weren’t the typical “you’re a freak” expression. It was more like she was being examined. And the way certain people grouped together, and became irritated when you interrupted was peculiar. She’d witnessed cliques, but nothing like this. No one else seemed to have noticed, but now that Octavia’s head was clearer, it was obvious.
Her senses had always been keen. She would notice things that others would not. Jared would tease her about having a third eye. Octavia didn’t believe that, but she had to admit her sixth sense had saved her from danger on a few occasions. She just figured that was karma’s way of evening the score for such a cruel childhood.
Octavia refused to let life get her down. She decided to do chores, run errands, and exercise to keep her mind off of Victor. She only took phone calls from Jared. She even donned the old ring that she’d stopped wearing so many years ago, placing it on a chain around her neck. Even though it linked back to Victor’s ancestry, it provided her with a small measure of comfort. Maybe she hoped to find her old self, or if she were being honest with herself, maybe she wore it to stay linked to an idea that could never be. She thought of that book so many years ago where she had seen the crest. It was the real reason she’d moved here, the one she’d drifted away from acknowledging.
She did, however, notice a strange man lurking about, often obscured by the trees. It wasn’t the local police; they would have advised her if she had another threat. This was different. He wore a suit and never left his position on the beach. There was no cruiser or changing of the guard; just a single man throughout the day and night. At one point, she considered calling the cops, but decided against it. Deep down, she knew it had something do with Victor—that, and the numerous calls from a blocked number. He was clearly watching her. She was sure of it.
She thought it strange that he was surveilling her. Why waste his time? By now, Victor should know that Stacey had told her about his impending marriage. If he wanted to talk, she didn’t care what he had to say. At least, she shouldn’t care.
He no longer had a hold over her. At least, that’s what Octavia liked to believe, and she thought that if he acted this way only after a few times together, it was probably a good thing she had walked away now. Even as she thought that, she knew she wasn’t any better. Her heart hurt to let him go, but she had no other choice. No rational excuse she used worked on her foolish heart. She needed to move on. But she didn’t want to. She still longed for him.
If she were being honest with herself, the real reason she hadn’t gone back to work was because she knew that as soon as she saw him, she could deny him nothing. She was a woman determined to be independent, yet this man could bring her vulnerability to the surface like an unrelenting drug.
How did I get caught up so quickly?
So, she ignored the stranger when she swam or sat on her back deck. She refused to wallow in self-pity or let others see her do so. She was sure the man was giving Victor regular updates. She should call the police, but she could not bring herself to break this last tie between her and Victor. Victor was telling her that she still
belonged to him. She should be concerned that he was keeping an eye on her, but somehow, it comforted her that he was.
How sad am I?
On day four, she returned to work under much protest. Jared practically forced her out of the door. He demanded she return to work, threatening to march up to Victor himself to get answers if she did not. He would do it, too. There was not an ounce of shame in Jared’s body.
There was no sense of impending doom as she arrived at the hospital. Nevertheless, her nerves were at attention. This time, she entered through the east entrance to avoid the man whose name she refused to utter, though mixed emotions rode her like a wave. Her palms sweated, and her mind reeled. Her heart could not find its normal beat, but she risked losing her job if she missed any more work. The possibility of losing another link to Victor was unbearable. As pitiful as that thought was, she knew she needed at least to be close to him, if not able to touch or smell him.
Refusing to make eye contact with anyone, she said her hellos to people she passed in the hall, wondering if anyone knew about her and Victor. No one seemed to pay her extra attention, but that did not stop her fears. Jared claimed he hadn’t heard any rumors, but she knew he wouldn’t tell her if he had. He would want her to come back to work in spite of those envious people who would have loved to be in her shoes.
She’d made it to her unit and safely into the dressing room where she fell against her locker. She planted her face against the cool metal to calm herself. In some way, the sensation soothed her nerves. “Hey, girlie, are you feeling better?” asked Sandy, another nurse. Octavia nearly jumped out of her skin. Sandy sounded as if nothing had just recently shattered Octavia’s world. “I called to check up on you.”
“Oh, yes, much better,” she answered, reaching into her locker, avoiding eye contact. “I got your messages, but I was really out of it. I just decided today to return, at the last minute.”
“Well, you look great,” Sandy said, sounding happy to see her. “Hurry and come out to the floor. We have got to catch up. It’s been boring without you.” She swung the door open to leave. “See you at the frontline.” Then she was gone.
Octavia hadn’t noted any difference in her behavior. She felt better. She took another long breath, put on her scrubs, and headed to the nurses’ station for report.
While receiving information on her patients, no one said a word, not even the head nurse, who gossiped about anything. If there was any scandal, she knew all about it. Maybe Jared was right and no one really knew about their affair.
It was only two hours into the night shift, but she needed to take a break. The night was not busy and she’d planned on checking out a book for more research. Even though it had been years, and nothing had turned up regarding her biological parents, she’d never given up hope.
On her way to the library, she kept her head low, hoping that she didn’t bump into anyone she didn’t want to see. Oddly, a warm sensation crept up her back and her senses became wildly aware, but she told herself that it was just tension. She stopped for water at the fountain and noticed her trembling hands. She allowed herself a long breath and a second to close her eyes before venturing onward.
She made it to the library unscathed, grateful she was the only one there besides the librarian. After climbing the stairs, she reached the room with old stacks of books that included the history of Château du Roux, the place she would never see again. She pushed aside the imposing memories and began her investigation.
The room was quiet and quaint. It sheltered the older leather-bound collections, the ones hardly anyone used anymore. There were three small windows with one parking lot lamp shining through, backed by the crescent moon. She flipped on one lamp near a table, barely illuminating the room, but she preferred it dim.
She desperately wanted to find a connection between her family and Victor’s to explain this ring. It had never dawned on her to ask Victor about the crest; then again, she’d just found out who he was.
Fiddling with the ring on the chain around her neck, she began searching the rows. She’d figured this library would have far more information than any other she’d ever explored. After fingering through stacks of books, she finally found the one she sought and hurriedly flipped through the pages.
As she rifled for information on the castle’s history, there was a peculiar sound in the back of the room. The place was away from others, so a noise this late into the evening was out of the ordinary.
Octavia stopped to listen, but not another peep was heard. Ignoring the interruption, she returned to her research. She came across a page with a beautiful drawing of the castle. She had never seen that one before and she thought she’d seen them all. Sitting down to examine the page, she became startled by a loud crash.
What the hell? She leapt up.
She thought someone was hurt; perhaps they’d tripped into a stack and knocked over books. She eased her way towards the back to see if anyone needed her help, hoping she was not making a mistake. No matter the logic, or lack thereof, she had to confront the noise.
“Hello,” she called out.
Silence.
She kept going past the shelves to see if someone had passed out. Now she wished she had turned on the lights instead of using only the small table lamp. There was almost an entire shelf of books on the floor, but no one lay next to it. She bent down to pick them up.
Clink, clink, clink.
She dropped the books and stood up. “Who’s there?” she called out, gripping the shelf. Her nerves ignited. Suddenly, she realized she had to leave. But out of nowhere, a man appeared in the aisle, blocking one exit. She couldn’t see his face; it was covered by the shadows.
“What do you want?” she asked, her hands raised in defense. She tried to remain calm, but his sudden appearance was unsettling.
He said nothing but walked towards her. She slowly backed up, fully aware that coming here late had been a bad idea. Nervously, she turned, stumbling as she hurried in the other direction.
“Boo!” Another man leapt from behind the stacks. He laughed when she tripped backward. He walked into the light, exposing his face. It was disfigured, his face somehow warped. “Awe, Ms. Vail, I presume,” the pale man spoke as if they were chums.
Octavia fell against the bookshelf. Her eyes widened and her heart raced from being half startled and half shocked. “Your face,” she stuttered. She knocked over books as she bolted in the other direction where the first man no longer stood.
As impossible as it seemed, the same disfigured man stood in front of her, blocking her escape. She had barely taken two steps, and he would have needed to go completely around the bookshelf to get there. Before she could spin back around, he grabbed her under her arms and pinned her to the shelf.
“Your face,” was all she could muster as she kicked at him in protest.
“Your face. Your face. What’s wrong with your face?” mocked the first man, reappearing from behind her. Her disfigured captor turned her around to face the first man and that’s when she saw something sharp in his hand.
“No!” she fought, but one of them covered her mouth. She wiggled her body, attempting to scream louder, but it was of no use.
“Send Victor our regards,” said the man holding the sharp object. She noticed that he had an accent so thick she almost could not understand him. As she watched him approach, the other licked her neck, then sniffed her hair. This was an occurrence that was happening all too often.
Pain shot up her left side before she’d had time to protest. She looked down and saw the sharp object sticking out of her abdomen. Stunned, she looked at the object; it appeared to be a glass vial. Barely aware of the men any longer, she stood there in what felt like a haze as she painfully removed the object, the top now laced with her blood. She gripped the bookshelf to steady herself from the excruciating act.
She stared at the vial and there were remnants of purple residue inside the tube. Looking up, she was horrified by both men’s faces. T
hey stared at her as she slowly fell to the floor and watched them walk away. As her mind faded, she heard a scuffle right before her world dimmed to black.
She didn’t know how much time had passed, but she managed to pull herself up by use of a nearby bookshelf. Inexplicably, someone came to her aid and carried her away. As they passed the middle aisle Octavia saw the two disfigured men lay still on the floor.
In a back room, her rescuer proper her up in a chair. It was the man from the apartment; the one who had been watching her. She wondered where he had been. She vaguely made out what he was saying, but her focus was foggy as her vision and hearing slowly faded.
The man stood off to the side and called someone. Octavia was confused, wondering why they weren’t taking her to the emergency room. She hoped the wave of lightheadedness would soon pass. Octavia leaned her head against the wall and slipped in and out of consciousness. There were now three people in the room with her, one of whom she’d seen before with Victor.
“May I?” he asked. Not sure of what he was referring to, she attempted a nod. He lifted up her shirt and she intended to stop him, but her reaction time was slow. She noticed where he was looking at and managed to look down. Her left side had purple spider-web veins from where she had been stabbed.
He pulled down her shirt and told her, “It will be alright.” She leaned back again, feeling a bit unsteady, almost drunk. He walked away, time lapsed again, and Victor rushed into the room. In a second, her heart raced, wanting to tell him that she needed to go to the emergency room. Instead, he too examined her wound. He closed his eyes and his face showed despair. That’s when it dawned on her.
“P… poison…” and that’s all she remembered before darkness consumed her, right before Victor took her in his arms.
Chapter 14: Victor
Victor sat forward in a chair, intensely watching while Octavia slept peacefully in his home, Château du Roux. He stared at her as the poison in her veins spread up her left side and down her left leg. He knew this because Ms. Havershem had explained it to him after examining and allowing the nursemaids to dress Octavia.
Born Of Sin (Book 1) Page 12
