Beneath The Shadows of Evil... Torn

by Jolynn Raymond

  He licked her neck, his tongue stopping over her throbbing pulse point, making Hannah’s heart race even more. Groping, Andor brought his hand down and force her forward, up against his hard loins, thrusting, rubbing, making her squeal in terror.

  “Still pure except for My Lady’s fingers aren’t you, my little bitch? Well I could tear you open in seconds. How would that be? Rip you up and drain you dry. You have become a thorn in my side wench and I would like nothing more than to make you suffer as I have suffered.”

  Hannah was panicking. The thought of being raped by Andor had her numb with fear. His touch repulsed her; the feel of his tongue on her neck terrified her. She knew she had to do something to make him stop or he would violate her and then her Mistress wouldn’t want her anymore. No, she would be dirty and used and Marishka wouldn’t want her.

  She shook her head and opened her mouth in a silent plea, willing her brain to form words. Finally her instinct for survival kicked in and she was able to beg for her life. “I... I have news. You must let me tell the Mistress.”

  Andor growled and shook her violently. He didn’t have to allow her to do anything, stupid insolent bitch. He brought forth his demon and grazed her neck with his fangs, making blood rise to the surface. Lapping at the precious crimson liquid, he held her tighter, snarling. Yes, a brutal rape and then death would do for this one. He would do as he pleased and slip out to toss away her body before his Mistress rose, and Marishka would never know what had happened to her little whore.

  “Andor! What are you doing to my toy?” Marishka’s words cut though his haze of pleasure like a whip through delicate skin. He dropped the quivering girl in his arms and whirled around to face his Mistress, blood smeared on his chin.

  “Mistress. I... forgive me. I got carried away. She came here and surprised me. I was but trying to...”

  “I shall deal with you later naughty boy, shame, shame, shame. Come here sweet, mummy will hold you. Oh you are all shook up. Bad Andor, bad, bad boy.”

  Hannah pulled herself up from the floor and ran to Marishka’s open arms, flashing a cold look of triumph at Andor as she went. Marishka rocked her as she cried; making a show of the terror she’d gone through as her Mistress lovingly licked the wound on her neck closed.

  “It’s all right my Pet. Mummy has you; you’re safe now. The naughty boy won’t touch my sweet one.” Hannah nuzzled up into Marishka’s arms, clutching her, allowing her Mistress to chase away her fears, blissfully happy once again. After a few moments, Marishka held Hannah from her and looked down into the young girl’s eyes with a pout.

  “Now tell me Sweet, why have you disturbed mummy’s sleep? I get so cross when I get woken up.”

  “He’s home, Mistress. The Master has returned, and he didn’t come alone.”

  Marishka’s eye grew big as saucers and she began to pace the room, the skirt of her nightgown flaring about her. Finally she whirled back around, eyes now flaring with a cold evil light. “When? Who is with him?”

  “He arrived just today, not long ago, and he brought another Gypsy with him. She... I think she has the talents of magicks, My Lady.”

  “What?!” Marishka’s shriek echoed throughout the small cottage and caused the birds outside to take flight, making Andor cringe, hoping no one had heard her outburst.

  “I have been chosen as the new woman’s maid, My Lady. I hope that pleases you. While I was getting her settled she asked me to fetch her certain herbs and tonics. I believe she knows how to make potions. She even has flaming red hair.”

  “And she has been set up like a Lady? With a servant to tend her? Is she yet another for my brother to bed?”

  “I don’t think so, Mistress. I believe she is a friend of the other Gypsy. Thalia, Alliana’s servant told me she had overheard them arguing about His Lordship taking this new woman, Natalya is her name, from the Gypsy camp. Lord Arcos said he did so because he wanted his wife to be happy.”

  Marishka’s insides churned with envy at Hannah’s words. Her brother, her own flesh and blood had fetched yet another Gypsy bitch so his precious little whore would be happy. Happy! What right did she or any other human have to be happy in the castle? They were there to toy with and to feed upon and now there were two women in her castle, posing as Ladies and being given all the wonderful things she herself was now being denied. It wasn’t fair; it simply wasn’t fair.

  Marishka stomped her feet in outrage, her demon coming forth as she screamed out her fury. Andor went to her and tried to hold her, tried to quiet her down so they wouldn’t be detected but it was no use. Marishka beat upon him, howling, and raging, sputtering over the injustice, tears running down her cheeks for the wrong inflicted upon her. It was her castle, he was her brother, her lover, they were her humans, her toys, and yet here she was. Living in this pit with Andor who had become such a boring bothersome fixture. If it weren’t for the fact that her brought her tasty morsels to dine upon she would toss him out into the sun. At least he would be good for venting her rage.

  That thought in mind, knowing she would soon have the joy of dancing with the lash until her little whipping boy was all painful and bloody, Marishka got hold of herself. She had to give Hannah instructions now that Mikhal was home. If he detected any sign of treason from the girl, they would all be caught.

  She sat down and patted the spot on the settee beside her, suddenly smiling at Hannah, the storm of rage that had been there a moment ago now past. “Come sweet. We must talk. There are things you need to do now, the most crucial one of all being to never, ever, be in the same room as Lord Arcos. You can claim fear to this new woman Natalya, and if you ever run across him, make yourself truly feel it. That shouldn’t be hard. Simply remember the torture he will inflict upon you if he discovers your ruse. Beg your Mistress to be excused if he is to be about. My Mikhal will know my scent my little love, and if he catches it, you will be trapped. Do you understand?”

  Hannah nodded. She would do as her Mistress, her true Mistress, told her.

  “Good girl, now then, I need to tell you something, something very important. A curse has been cast over the Lord of the castle...” Marishka began to fill Hannah in on the details of the Empathy curse and what it could mean to the girl, as Hannah listened, eyes wide with astonishment, knowing she would have to be extremely careful in the future if she wished to continue her service to her Lady.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  While Alliana was busy eating every morsel on her tray, and Hannah was listening wide eyed to Marishka, Mikhal was descending the steps to the bowels of the castle to tend to Lucian. Part of him wanted to temper the punishment that he’d deemed just, part of him, the demon part, wanted to flay his first in command until the was but a bit of skin left on his body.

  His mate had suffered under Lucian’s watch, and the sin of his carelessness was unforgivable. Lucian had to pay penance in order for things to be right again. Once he had suffered the pain that Alliana had, more than she had, then he would be forgiven and return to his post.

  The fact that Mikhal could go from caring husband to chilling monster capable of inflicting the most horrific brutality upon another being would have made his wife point her finger at him, saying ‘See, he is a beast. Nothing but an evil soulless thing who spouts sweet words.’ but Mikhal cared not for what his wife would think of how he handled those who had failed him. This was his decision. The demon in him needed to extract a pound of flesh for the agony his mate had endured. Nothing could take away that need and there was no way for him to force back his beast even if he wanted to. No man allowed harm to come to his woman, and no vampire ever allowed brutality to be inflicted upon his mate. Never.

  His steps quickened as he made his way down the last steps and towards the torchlight that marked the place where Lucian waited. He stopped in front of the stone alcove and stood silently, taking in the scene before him, looking to see if his orders had been followed.

  Lucian stood, waiting for his Master, he had stripped bare, knowi
ng every inch of his skin needed to feel the burning pain of the lash. He pulled himself up when Mikhal arrived, not out of pride, but out of respect, the muscles in his chest and arms flexing as he pulled his shoulders back and gazed into the eyes of Mikhal the Merciless.

  “I am ready, Sire.”

  Mikhal looked at him, a sneer on his face, eyes turning amber, his demon emerging in preparation for the job ahead, nodding in approval at Lucian’s nakedness and the bucket that stood ready, overflowing with holy water, the leather flogger already soaking in it, making the lashes heavy with the burning liquid.

  He went forward, lifting the dripping punishment device from the bucket, and closed the distance between himself and his first in command. “Fasten the manacles above your head.”

  “They are not necessary, My Lord. I shall hold them and keep myself erect. I deserve every lash and will not move from my position until you are finished.”

  “Oh but I think they are necessary. I said fasten the shackles so we may begin.”

  “As you wish, Sire.” Lucian did as Mikhal asked and threw back his head, the muscles in his back rippling as his Master walked around him and prepared to lay the first lash upon him.

  “This, dear Lucian, is for my wife. I hope you suffer tenfold what was done to her because of your negligence.” With those words the dripping flogger came down for the first time, leaving a blazing trail of torn skin and burning flesh in the wake of the holy water.

  “As do I, My Lord.”

  Mikhal began his gruesome work, his demon howling out its pleasure and outrage. It had been far too long since he’d had the pleasure if torturing another being, and part of him relished in the act, even as his heart bled because the reason why it was necessary to whip Lucian in the first place. Alliana had been hurt and her pain had to be avenged. The lash cracked across Lucian’s skin once again, his demon roared, and his man retreated, knowing what must be done... for Alliana.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Hours later, freshly bathed, well rested, all thoughts of Lucian gone from his mind, Mikhal walked down the corridor to keep his dinner date with is lovely wife. He’d been up since five, not feeling well rested, but eager to spend more time with Alliana. He knew she was going to be quarrelsome but he was looking forward to time spent alone when he could follow Natalya’s advice and carry on with the wooing that would win Alliana’s heart.

  Oh he fully expected a sharp tongue to be part of the courses served to him at dinner. Mikhal had no doubt that Alliana would chide him once again for bringing Natalya to the castle, and the matter of Enid and Marishka was sure to come up as was what he had deemed proper punishment for Lucian. All of those things of course he would refuse to discuss. A man simply didn’t justify his actions to his wife or any female regardless of his feelings for her.

  The matter of Marishka was troubling though. What he truly wished to do was wrap his hands around her lovely throat and squeeze until she was but a heap at his feet then apply the lash with as much gusto as she had seen fit to wield it against Alliana. He felt no loyalty to Marishka any longer. True she was of his flesh, a sister whom had been so very dear to him, but she had overstepped the bounds of that bind. She had disregarded the affection he felt for her, the trust he’d placed in her, and hurt his mate and that could not be allowed. No, everyone who had taken part in Alliana’s beating was being punished, and Marishka wouldn’t escape his wrath. The problem was, where was she?

  Mikhal knew he would have to go and make attempts to find her himself, but for now, tonight, he fully intended to spend time with his wife and their child. To see her again, so beautiful and full of fire, and to have felt his child move within her had made his dead heart beat once more. He had surely felt the swelling in his chest as a tide of love washed over him for the both of them. What he felt for his family filled him completely, and Mikhal knew he would spend every possible minute by Alliana’s side until she saw him for who he truly was. He had wronged her, done terrible things to hurt, hurt her body and soul, and Mikhal knew that it was going to take every bit of gentleness, patience, and love his inner man had ever possessed.

  As he neared Alliana’s door, he heard the sound of giggling and couldn’t suppress the smile that came over him. Natalya. Natalya was with Alliana once again, and though he knew Alliana would rail at him and fight him about her friend’s presence at the castle, the sound of their laughter made him more certain than ever that he’d done the right thing.

  He entered quietly and saw them in the chairs near the hearth, hands clasped, smiling, talking animatedly about some misdeed they’d done during their childhood. Mikhal sensed the happiness that radiated from both of them and nodded in approval. Yes, taking Natalya had been the right thing no matter what Alliana said, and he knew that inside she was pleased Natalya was beside her again.

  He cleared his throat and they stopped talking at once, the mood changing audibly as both women turned their heads to see him staring at them. Natalya’s feelings towards him were simply those of disappointment at being interrupted, but Alliana, as usual, sent anger and loathing towards him. It didn’t surprise him in the least, but still it hurt, and he had to take a breath to calm his demon that raged at its mate’s rejection.

  “Ladies.” Mikhal bowed slightly, playing the part of the gentleman to the hilt. “I hope you had a pleasant day. Natalya is your quarters satisfactory? Is your servant suitable? Were you able to rest?”

  “Yes, My Lord. Thank you. Everything is fine. I’ve managed to settle in quite nicely. Hannah is a bit skittish but I think the poor girl is simply frightened here.”

  Natalya’s bold assessment and caring of her servant’s feelings once again raised the ire in Mikhal’s demon. His eyes blazed for just an instant before regaining control. The Mikhal of the past would surly have slapped her for such a comment. How dare she tell him the girl was frightened? As if he should care. But the new Mikhal, the Mikhal who needed to respect other’s feelings to prove to his bride that he was capable of emotions as well, forced back the beast and simply let it go.

  “I’m sure the girl will adjust.”

  Alliana watched the scenario in shocked wonder. She was surprised by both Natalya’s audacity and by Mikhal’s lack of retribution towards her friend. It seemed as if Natalya truly wasn’t afraid of Mikhal the Merciless, and for good reason. Here he had been told that his mere presence, in his home, frightened a servant and that that was a bad thing and he’d done nothing. Not a sharp word, not a slap, no threat to send Hannah to the kitchen to await being summoned as dinner for some minion, not even a tiny reprimand about who was Lord and Master of the castle and respect to be shown him.

  Mikhal sensed Alliana’s confusion as she looked from Natalya to him and back again and was pleased. Good, let the chit wonder what’s come over him. It was just what he wanted. She needed to see he had changed and small instance just such as this would help him in his mission to win her over.

  “Alliana, I should be going. I believe you have dinner plans tonight.” Natalya glanced at Mikhal, smiling gently, noting his sleek black breeches, high polished black knee boots, and well-tailored coat. She leaned in to give Alliana a kiss on the cheek and whispered. “Try to have fun. He won’t hurt you. It’s simply dinner, sweetie.”

  Alliana’s eyes turned stormy and she pulled back, angry, but Natalya put a finger to her lips hushing her. “Just eat and relax Alliana. You look beautiful, you might as well have a nice time.”

  Turning back to Mikhal, Natalya moved towards the door, intending to leave, but he stopped her, laying a hand on her arm. “There is something you will do tonight Natalya.” Alliana made a sound of outrage at his words. Was he going to order her friend about like a servant? Before she could speak her mind, Mikhal rushed on.

  “You claim to be a midwife and capable of seeing after Alliana’s needs. I must know of your skills first hand or it will not be permitted. In an hours time Lucian will arrive at your quarters to take you to the village. You will go from house
to house with him and search for any women with child. From now on you will tend to all of the serf’s during their pregnancies and Lucian will accompany you to observe your skills. If he feels you are capable of caring for Alliana, then you will be allowed to replace Enid.”

  “You cannot be serious Mikhal! Those women will be frightened.” Part of her was outraged at his plan and part of her was relieved to learn that Lucian had survived her husband’s wrath.

  “Alliana I do not intend for them to be brought here and Natalya is a human just like they are. If you wish for Natalya to become your midwife then she shall have to prove herself. I shall not risk the health of you and our child. This matter has been decided. I wish to hear no more about it.”

  “You are arrogant and...”

  “Enough!” Though his tone was loud it lacked the sinister snarl that often accompanied his harsh words when he was angry with her. “This is for the best and Natalya will be perfectly safe with Lucian by her side.”

  “Alliana, it’s fine, truly it is. It will give me a chance to keep my talents sharp and I can look for the other things I need when I am in the village.” Mikhal looked at Natalya sharply, sensing a hint of deceit in her words but he couldn’t begin to imagine just what it could be about. It didn’t matter anyway; Lucian would be with her at all times and would be watching. He supposed she simply wanted to purchase the herbs needed for her potions like Enid did. Alliana on the other hand knew just what Natalya was speaking of. The medallion, Natalya was hoping to find the medallion.