by Dee, Bonnie
Fortunately, Nolen took the slight movement for a sexual reaction. He preened. “Do forgive Lorraine. I’m afraid she’s unable to appreciate your more … hidden talents, shall we say? Ms. Foley is, unfortunately, tone-deaf.”
Aviva found her voice. “How very terrible for her! As a musician I cannot imagine how awful that would be. Please, you owe me no apology. I can understand why she might feel … threatened.” Aviva pushed just slightly, adding a touch of attraction to her words.
Nolen licked his lips. “Well, shall we go into the dining room? James will join us in just a little while. He has a few tasks that need to be done.” He offered her his dinner jacket-encased arm, so she placed her hand on top of the fine material, and walked with him into the dining room.
* * * *
“Don’t you like the dessert, Viv?” James’s worried words brought her back to her surroundings.
“It’s delicious, James. It’s just that I don’t like to eat a big meal immediately before I perform.”
“Of course not.” Nolen turned to the man sitting by his right hand and lashed out at him. “Use some sense, you fool.”
Aviva watched as James cringed, still with that look of adoration on his face. Though he was clearly under the control of Nolen’s Speaker powers, she could sense that amplifying it was his utter love and devotion for the much older man. That was Nolen’s secret. He could hone in on the strongest personality traits of his victims and use them in conjunction with his own powerful Speaker talents. And he had had thousands of years to perfect it.
“So, I take it we’ll be enjoying a performance tonight?” Aviva nodded. “Excellent! Lorraine, leave the dishes for the help tomorrow. Come with us now. You’ve a treat in store.” He paused. “Oh, that’s right. It will be no treat for you. Too bad.” Nolen offered his arm to Aviva and turned his back on Lorraine.
* * * *
Aviva entered the music room, leaving Nolen’s arm as quickly as she could, and headed to the piano. Her appreciative cry was unfeigned as she ran her fingers over the keyboard, sighing with pleasure at the brilliant tones of the classic Steinway Grand. Unwilling to delay, she sat down and adjusted the height of the bench, flexed her fingers and struck the ivory and ebony keys.
One of Chopin’s Impromptu piano pieces danced in the air and she lost herself in the vibrant notes. She jumped back and forth from the Romantic composers to the classical, from Baroque to twentieth century jazz, playing bits and pieces of the various musical compositions, extemporizing on themes and putting her own twist on familiar melodies.
Finally, her hands stilled.
“Brava! Brava!” Nolen’s voice rang with sincerity, his applause joined by James’. Lorraine sat unmoved, a wry look to her mouth. “What a tour de force! But now you must play some of your own works and sing for us.” He paused, and Aviva knew he must have used his Speaker ability to command her performance.
Egotistical idiot. As if he had to exert his power when a simple request would have garnered the same response. Still… She dulled her voice a shade and replied, “Of course. Whatever you wish. What would you like to hear?”
Nolen glanced at Lorraine and a mocking grin crossed his face. “Night Watch.”
Aviva took a deep breath and played the opening notes.
*
Nolen had listened to the seductive female play her little tribute to the great composers with appreciation of her improvising. Somewhere in her lineage there had to be some Singer blood. She showed no awareness of her background. It was possible she didn’t know. He’d learned over the passage of many years that humans with Terran blood frequently had no idea who they were.
And of course, she had responded to his Speaker demand for her to perform.
He held his breath as she struck the opening chords of Night Watch. It created the same sense of sexual arousal as the CD track, but here the feeling was more specific. He took in the profile of the exquisite female, and his cock hardened.
She wanted him. The message in the song was for him alone. Scarcely realizing what he was doing, he rose from his seat and walked to the piano. He stood behind her and took in her long, sloping back and the dress that gaped where it ended at her buttocks. Each time she leaned forward, he could see a bit of the shadowy crack between her cheeks.
A pearly sheen of perspiration glistened on her skin and he could smell her exotic scent. His breathing quickened. If she continued to play, he would haul her off the bench, throw her face-down against the body of the piano and fuck her ass until she screamed.
Nolen shivered with delight, thinking of that scream and took a step closer … and then the music stopped. Silence. James stood up and walked toward the female’s bowed form.
Nolen shifted between them. “Sit down, James.”
“Arven?”
“You heard him. Sit down.” Lorraine’s strident voice shattered the spell of the music completely.
Nolen shook his head as if waking from a deep sleep. The only remnant left from the music was his desire to take the female to his bed. “Amazing, Viv. You must stay the entire weekend and perform some more for us.” He paused. “I insist.”
Aviva bowed her head.
Nolen looked at James and Lorraine, still waiting for his commands for them. He smiled. “Lorraine, James, why don’t you make it an early night? Viv and I will stay up a little longer and … talk.” They rose in tandem and made their good nights.
Aviva also rose and smiled. “May I also be excused tonight, Arven? It was such a long ride and my playing … well, it does take so much out of me. Can’t we talk … tomorrow?”
He frowned, but condescendingly inclined his head. “Of course, my dear. You must forgive my thoughtlessness. We’ll talk more in the morning. Good night.”
“Thank you, Arven. Tomorrow.”
* * * *
Aviva put on her comfy terry robe and slid her feet into ballet slippers. Into her pocket she slipped a handy little gadget from one of her old friends still in Mossad. Perhaps it wasn’t fair, but she had long ago established a subliminal directive for him to ship the latest security gizmos to her via standard covert methods.
How she missed the old days when she used to creep into the homes of stray Nazis, overriding any security, to capture and bring them back to Israel for justice. Or slip from the bed of a terrorist, after convincing him that they’d spent a sweaty, passionate tumble, and having found out the secret plans to any number of bombings.
All those lovely darling tchachkes as her old friend Rafael called them. Who could blame her for gathering a collection?
Now, her little weakness would help her find out what kind of security Nolen had in place. She flicked the switch of her security detector and made a sweep by her door.
Nothing.
The door opposite hers was Nolen’s. She held her breath as she checked his door. A standard alarm system, easily disabled and not of interest tonight. Moving stealthily, she crept down the staircase to the study. Always go for the obvious first.
A security system was in place, but one easily accessed. No backup. Once you were in the study, you were safe in the room and she was safe. He even had left his PC unattended. Thank the Shekhinah that he was as egotistical as Brigid and Ethan said.
Aviva sat down, quickly booted up, and cursed. Password protected! No time to fiddle with it tonight. Nolen was snoring peacefully upstairs, but could awaken at any moment. It would be just her luck that he’d want a midnight snack. Who knew if it would be food or a fuck with his houseguest?
Perhaps she should take a look to see if she could locate where he might be keeping the water demons? She cast her gaze from one corner of the room to the other. Bookshelves lined two of the four walls, filled from floor to ceiling with first editions. One wall consisted of display cabinets and a bar with a mirrored back.
Next she did another security sweep, relieved to note that the hidden camera behind the mirror hadn’t been set. Sloppy work on someone’s part, and she was betting
it was Nolen’s. Thankfully, his arrogance overrode his caution and her carelessness. Rafe would have had her head for forgetting to do a second more careful sweep.
There was nothing more she could do tonight. Tomorrow, she would put the entire household to sleep and take her time investigating. She could manage another day and night fending off his favors because she had no other choice.
Chapter Twenty
Boynton, New York
“Did you sleep well, my dear?”
Aviva kept her eyes downcast, staring at the perfectly prepared omelet, fearing her revulsion for Nolen would reveal itself in her eyes. She wished James was here to deflect some of the Destroyer’s scrutiny, but he had grabbed one of Lorraine’s homemade cinnamon rolls and made his excuses earlier.
Even Lorraine had pled needing to run some errands at the Farmers’ Market in town, and had beaten a hasty retreat before Nolen could stop her. Not that it appeared that he wanted to.
She took another bite of her eggs and mumbled a brief response. “We seem to have been deserted. Perhaps it’s just as well. I did want to discuss some business with you.”
“James tells me you haven’t found a producer for your music. I’d be more than happy to offer you financial backing.”
Aviva took a moment to school her face to a look of fawning gratitude before she raised her eyes. “Oh, Arven, that would be marvelous! I know an entertainment lawyer who can work out an equitable percentage for your investment. I’ll call him on Monday.”
“You needn’t bother.” He rose from his seat at the head of the table and strolled down the immense length of the formal dining table to where Aviva sat. For a moment he stood by her seat, looking down at her. His hand stroked the soft cloud of her curls and he smiled complacently.
Aviva willed her body not to tremble. “Of course, I’ll call. I want to give you whatever is customary for your confidence in me.”
“Customary? I have no interest in what in customary.” He looked her straight in the eye. “My interest is solely in you.” His hand slithered toward her chin, raising it so he could slide his palm down her neck, caressing her.
Aviva knew he was using his Speaker ability to woo her and knew she’d have to act appropriately. “I’m so glad you’re interested, Arven.” She took his hand and placed it above her breast, her heartbeat speeding as he shifted his hand and cupped her through the silk blouse. “There must be a way I can show my appreciation.”
“There is. Later tonight. After dinner. After you perform for me.”
Aviva shifted from his touch. “May I be excused? I need to go to my room for a minute. Will you wait for me?”
“Unfortunately, I have some pressing business that I must conclude. I’ll see you at dinner this evening.” He leered. “Wear something more casual than last night, but leave off your undergarments. I want to think of you sitting demurely while under your clothes you’re wet and ready for me.”
Aviva pressed his arm against her blouse and murmured throatily, “But, Arven, I haven’t worn anything under my clothes since last evening.”
She scooted from the room, leaving him aroused. And needy.
* * * *
Aviva stared at her casual attire reflected in the bathroom mirror. Wispy strands crowned her head, though she had tamed her curls as best she could into a ponytail. Her cowl top covered her neck and her jeans were straight bootleg length.
As Nolen demanded, she had worn no bra or panties. Bastard. She knew what he expected later after dinner, too bad it wouldn’t be quite as he ordered. She slipped on a pair of flat sandals and hurried to join the rest of his sad little band in the dining room.
“Viv, shall we go in together?”
Aviva had never been more grateful to hear James’ voice. “Of course! I’m so glad you were able to escape from work for tonight. I missed you at lunch and it was quite lonely swimming on my own in the pool. Arven wasn’t able to come either.” Her lips pursed in a petulant moue.
James patted her arm. “I am sorry. Arven and I had more work than we realized. It’s why it was so terrific that you could stay the entire weekend. Arven so seldom tears himself away from work. You’re a wonderful excuse to do so.”
They entered the dining room to find both Nolen and Lorraine already seated.
After breakfast, Nolen had had the table leaves removed to create a cozier atmosphere. All he need do to touch her was to reach out and she would feel his grasping fingers.
Aviva had noted that one of them was a prosthetic, the most intricate and lifelike she’d ever seen. Had he bespelled his flunkies to see and feel a perfect extremity? Nolen was powerful enough to do so. He hadn’t mentioned it and neither would she. It might be something he did automatically to ensure no one questioned the loss of one finger. The immense power he wielded must come straight from Ba’al.
She steeled her response. Her people had sent Ba’al packing before, and with the power of the Irish Terrans, Ba’al would be forever exiled.
“Will you play again for us, Viv? Something new, perhaps?” Aviva rose from her chair and headed for the music room. By the time the others had caught up with her, she was already seated. “I see you’re anxious to perform. Please go right ahead.”
“Who can resist a fine instrument? I know I can’t.” She shrugged. “I was so tired last night, I composed this piece while I tossed and turned. I call it, Tired Footsteps.”
Aviva concentrated all her skill in the melody springing from her fingers. Specific spells imbedded within the context of the song would direct James to go to his bedroom immediately after her second song, fall fast asleep and not wake until the next morning.
For Nolen she had created a signal, which when heard, would cause him to sink into a profound slumber. Although it would have to be timed just right, she knew she could do it.
Her biggest concern was Lorraine’s seeming immunity to her talents. She could only pray that she was a sound sleeper.
Once more, she had no other choice.
* * * *
Aviva viewed Nolen’s bedroom’s décor.
It was as blatantly opulent as she expected. A four-poster bed with a headboard perfect for attaching handcuffs was placed opposite the door. On either side was a nightstand with several drawers, filled she’d bet, with a variety of nasty toys. A table, just large enough for one prone body to lie upon, was pushed against one wall. An ornate ebony armoire that matched the rest of the bedroom suite was placed between two floor-to-ceiling windows that opened onto a balcony.
Aviva followed Nolen into the room and stood complacently as he locked the door.
“Sit down, my dear on that chair by the vanity, and please, face the room.” Aviva complied. “Excellent. I have a special treat for you. But first, you must take off your clothes. I wouldn’t want them to become soiled.”
Aviva had been prepared for this. She knew that she’d be naked with him sometime tonight. But she didn’t have to be happy. She kicked off her sandals and gripped the hem of her blouse, drawing it over her head and baring her breasts. Taking a deep breath, she pulled down the zipper to her jeans and shimmied out of them. Moving with innate grace, she sat on the vanity stool waiting for Nolen’s next commands.
His breath hissed and he licked his lips. “Incomparable! Open the center drawer in the vanity and take out the vial that you see there. Then go to the bed and wait for me.”
Aviva examined the glass vial filled with an amber-colored substance. She could only guess what it was, but she didn’t think it was anything good, so she stood by the bed, turned away from Nolen, praying she wouldn’t have to watch him disrobe and pretend to desire him.
“Look at me, my dear. Feast your eyes on your new lover.”
Aviva allowed herself one brief downward sweep of her eyelids before she slowly pivoted. He was in good physical condition. Only his eyepatch and the missing digit jarred the picture.
When he stepped fully into the light from the bedside lamp, Aviva bit her lip to keep from
screaming. The front of his torso, his arms, legs, even the tops of his feet, were covered in scars. Thin lines, some old, some new, crisscrossed his body.
They had to be self-inflicted and they must be where he would slash his flesh to offer Ba’al blood sacrifice. Did he offer his blood to the fluichlari, also? Probably. It would help keep them under his control to some extent.
Did Lorraine and James see him for what he was? Probably not. And she knew she shouldn’t either.
“Well? What do you think? Have you ever known a man to compare with me?”
She shook her head. There was no need to lie. She had never known an evil to compare with him.
“Give me the ampoule so I can anoint your body to receive me.”
Aviva’s stomach clenched. Obviously, some sort of aphrodisiac was contained within the vial. She couldn’t let it touch her body first or he would have complete control of her. “Please, Arven. Let me show my adoration for you by massaging this on every inch. Of. Your. Body.” With each word she undulated one step closer to him until her breasts just grazed his chest, then dropped to her knees. “Please?”
He contemplated her subservient position. The female hadn’t denied him, merely offered a better form of worship. “Rise. Since you asked so prettily, I’ll grant your request.” He moved before her and stretched out on the bed on his back. His penis, fully erect, waved like some evil snake waiting to strike.
“Please turn over onto your stomach. I want to ease the knots in your shoulders first.”
He rolled over and Aviva saw that his back and buttocks were smooth. Obviously, Lorraine only flogged James and other unknown victims. The videos of her at the club showed too much enthusiasm to be restricted to just those visits.
Aviva gripped the vial and knelt on the mattress. Quickly, before she let her courage leave her, she straddled Nolen’s recumbent body. Her pussy brushed his behind and her knees gripped his thighs. Softly, she began to rub the lotion into his back with just her fingertips. Even that precautionary move merely dulled the effect of the arousing lotion.
