Chapter 11

Audrey stiffened, tears pooled in her eyes as her life flashed through her mind.

“Strawberry?” Nicholas slid the bowl toward her as he read every image that passed through Audrey’s mind. “Come now Dorothy dear, there is no need for tears. The Great and Powerful OZ has every intention of granting your request.” Nicholas laughed, the sound chilled Audrey’s blood. 

.

“You …” Audrey’s voice threatened to fail but she managed a small croak. “You are …”

“Evil? A Monster?” Nicholas offered her a Cheshire cat grin. “That my dear is a matter of opinion. You know nothing about me, nor what I have endured in my life and you would be so quick to judge me so? Tisk Tisk. After all I have given you the benefit of the doubt and welcomed you into my home, would you not offer me the same courtesy?”

Nicholas stood up and filled both of their glasses. He offered one to Audrey with a slender hand. His other hand he held out to her. “Please, join me on the balcony wont you? It is a clear evening and the moonlight is simply enchanting. And there is a lovely view of the garden below.”

“Your garden lay in ruins, I saw so myself earlier.” Audrey managed in a voice that sounded much too small to her ears.

Nicholas laughed, once again playing the part of the charming host. “I assure you my garden is as it always has been. Come I will show you.”

Audrey rose from her chair with reluctance. She took the offered wine glass but declined his hand.

Nicholas only continued to smile, not in the least offended. Audrey knew he found the whole situation, her fear, to be most amusing. On one level this infuriated her. But on another level, though it made her feel uneasy it also left her intrigued.

Nicholas led them across the room, throwing open two large French doors. The sheer, airy draperies billowed in the evening breeze. He stepped out on to the balcony breathing in the night air with relish. Audrey joined him at the stone railing. The beautiful garden spanned as far as the eye could see, but it was the moonlight that held Nicholas captivated.

“Your garden?” Audrey sucked in her breath in surprise. “It … it is alive again.”

“It  has never been otherwise.” He returned flatly, not bothering to look at her.

Audrey did not understand, was she truly that turned around previously? Had she become that lost? But she decided not to pursue the subject, yet. Nicholas’s demeanor had changed once again. Audrey found his new mood to be dismal, melancholy. Audrey fidgeted with her wine glass feeling awkward in the silence.

“It it a weak, pathetic mind that cannot be idle in silence and maintain a state of grace.” Nicholas scolded her, his eyes still fixed upon the moon. “Do you always fidget so? It is quite unseemly.”

 Audrey opened her mouth to form some apology but Nicholas waved a hand at her in annoyance. Then he locked his green eyes upon her. “Tell me why someone so young would wish to throw away the gift of life?”

“I …” Audrey’s mind grasped for a lie but she replied with all honesty. “I want to be free.” There was no reason to try to lie anymore and telling the truth lifted a great weight from her soul.  Audrey felt like the little girl she once was, sitting in the confessional bearing her sins to Father Hartley.  “I want to be free” She said again, more confident.

“I see.” Nicholas was clearly unimpressed. “Apparently this freedom is not so important to you or you would carry out the deed yourself and not burden me with your demise.”

“I … I tried.” Audrey shook her head.

“You are the worst kind of coward!” Nicholas sneered. “What self-important, foolish problems do you face that would convince you that death is your only option?”

Audrey’s hand moved unconsciously to her stomach and traced the scar that hid beneath the silk gown. Her mind played a series of scenes, years of bruises and broken bones. She once again felt the cold steal of shackles around her wrists and ankles. Familiar feelings of hopelessness, fear, and her own worthlessness washed over her. Her throat became dry and began to constrict. Her breath came in shallow gasps. Nicholas was right, she was a coward.

Nicholas continued to glare at her in contempt. “I have seen innocent men and woman lose their heads merely to protect another’s politics. I have seen men dying on the battlefield crying out to their Gods to spare their lives. I have seen men lost at sea by Mother Nature’s fury.” His voice was rolling thunder, flecks of spittle flung from his lips unnoticed as he raged. “I have seen children murdered while their parents watched helplessly before meeting their own end. I have seen whole villages burned to the ground, innocents slaughtered down to every man, woman, and child. I saw the Red Death wipe out three fourth of the population across this continent. There are not many who know as well as I do how very precious life is! And you would come to me to end your miserable existence? Because you are too weak and pathetic to perform the deed yourself? You sicken me!”

Audrey opened her mouth to speak but then clenched her jaw shut. Her eyes narrowed in defiance. She lived most of her short life a prisoner to another man’s sadistic pleasure. Starved, drugged, and repeatedly raped, she had survived unbelievable torture and abuse. And though it was the greatest pain of all, she endured the loss of the only child she would ever have. She had lived through it all and escaped her fate. No, Nicholas was wrong. She was no coward.

“You … you...” Audrey struggled to find a word that would properly convey her anger and growing hatred for the man before her.  The best she could manage was, “You …you ass!”

Nicholas laughed clearly amused. “Oh my, you do realize that is the least insulting of that which I have ever been referred.”

“There are no words to describe what you are ….” Audrey replied through gritted teeth.

“I am growing quite bored with this” Nicholas rolled his eyes but he was watching her with interest now.

In response Audrey set her wine glass down and climbed up onto the stone railing. She struggled with her balance for a mere second then stood steady, her gaze turned up above to the moon.

Nicholas’s lips parted into a smile, his voice calm and soothing. “And there you are my dear, on the precipice of life and death. If it is freedom you seek, what form would you have it take?”

Audrey willed her mind to clear as tears streamed down her cheeks. Then one by one she allowed visions of her past to present themselves to her.

She sees herself as s small child, one of six in a close Catholic family. Then she sees herself a friendless and awkward girl in her old Catholic school uniform. Next she is a teenager, on her sweet sixteen. But instead of sneaking a first kiss at her birthday party she finds herself at her parent’s funeral. The years flash by, touching on the few boyfriends she had, all drunks, abusive. Then she sees herself walking down a lonely stretch of highway. A cars stops to offer her a ride. She knows better than to accept, but the rain is so cold. She forces her mind to skip ahead; she is pregnant and scared but so very happy. The last image she is shown is of herself very pregnant, shackled to the bed. There is blood, so much blood. She passes out from the pain as they slice into her abdomen, performing a crude c-section. She remembers when she woke three days later being told the child was dead. She is almost sure it was a lie.

Audrey watched all of these images with a strange calm, as if it were someone else’s life and not her own. She saw things so clearly now. It was not only the pain of the past that plagued her, she could perhaps learn to deal with that. But she had lived so long a captive she did not know how to live any other way. And he would be coming for her. He swore it; he would find her and kill her. Perhaps he had already found her, several times in the village she felt she was being watched, even followed. Audrey shuttered, death at his hands was one she did not relish. It was better to do it this way.

Audrey took a long deep breath and looked down at the garden below. The moment had arrived, all she had to do was take one step and she would be free. She had the courage to do it now. Just one step.

Nicholas had been watching Audrey’s inner debate in silent, rapt attention. He now made a small unnoticeable gesture with his hand. The wind rustled through the trees as it rose. The gust reached the balcony, toppling Audrey from her perch. She pitched forward over the railing, her screams following her towards the ground below.

Chapter 10

Max led Audrey to the study she had been brought to the night before. Nicholas was seated at one end of an elegantly laid table. He was attired in much the same was as he had been the night before. He wore a white silk shirt with ruffled cuffs and collar and black trousers. Once again his attire puzzled her. If he had only a feathered hat and eye patch he might have been a pirate she mused quietly to herself. The truth remained; he dressed as a man from a time long long ago.

The surface of the table was covered in a cloth of rose colored silk, overlaid by a delicate lace. A center piece of fresh cut rose’s entwined around several burning candles. The roses filled the room with a cloying scent. Crystal goblets twinkled beside gleaming white china.  Nicholas sat in one ornately carved chair and another stood empty across from him. A fire blazed in the hearth offering the room a warm glow.

Nicholas looked up to regard her. “I trust the gown is satisfactory?”

“Oh yes! It is beautiful, thank you” Audrey flushed under his scrutiny.

“Yes well” Nicholas frowned as his gaze reached her bare feet. Chipped red nail polish seemed to glow next the pale skin of her feet. “I regret I could not acquire adequate footwear on such short notice.”

Audrey resisted the urge to look down at her feet in shame. “Yes … I seem to have misplaced mine somewhere in your beautiful garden.”

Nicholas allowed a glint of disdain to cross his visage then his manner softened. “Please” Nicholas rose and moved fluidly to the other end of the table, pulling out the empty chair there for Audrey to sit down.

“Thank you.” She replied, as Nicholas pushed her chair forward.

“I hope you do not mind dining here, I find the formal dining hall too impersonal. It is a very large room and quite unpractical. I prefer to take my meals here.” Nicholas returned to his seat and sat down.

“This room is fine thank you.” Audrey replied, gazing around the room. Not plagued by shock or fear as the night pervious she was really able to survey the room. There were paintings on the walls she had failed to notice before.

Max popped the cork on a bottle of wine, handing the cork to Nicholas. He held it beneath his nose a moment then nodded his approval. Max poured a small amount of deep red liquid into the glass and waited for Nicholas to sample it. He first raised the glass to let the candlelight illuminate the liquid, then he swirled it lightly in the glass. Nodding again, Nicholas replaced the glass on the table. Max filled it and then moved around the table to fill Audrey’s. Max set the bottle at his master’s elbow and retreated from the room.

Nicholas pushed a basket of breads forward to place it in reach of Audrey. “You must be starved. Dinner will be served presently.”

“Thank you.” She took a steaming slice of some artesian type bread and placed it gingerly on her plate then took a linen napkin and placed it daintily in her lap.

“I trust you have recovered from your misfortune earlier?” Nicholas raised a brow in a disapproving manner.

“Yes um,” she stammered uncomfortable under his gaze. “I am sorry I disobeyed …”

Nicholas waved his hand in a flourish, “What is done is done. Curiosity is a trait I can admire.” He took a sip of wine. “Although, I would in the future try to keep said curiosity in check? Particularly while you are a guest on my estate.”

“Of course.” She nodded, wondering if she were truly a guest or a prisoner.

“In another regard I have saved you twice from becoming hopelessly lost on my estate, you have come here a trespasser and I have graciously adopted you as my guest. And it has occurred to me that all I know of you is your name. I was so hoping that perhaps we could use the fine meal Max is preparing for us as a means to rectify that situation.”

“I do agree it is only fair” Audrey picked nervously at her slice of bread with tiny fingers.

“For instance I am very curious why you have been here a full night and day and you have not requested to contact anyone to make them aware of your safety or current location.”

“I am on vacation.” She refused to meet his eyes. “No one will be worried,” she was careful to add, “yet.”

“Ah a vacation. To a remote English village, not London or some place more suitable for tourism. Curious, curious indeed. Then might I ask where you reside” he smiled, “when not on …vacation?”

“I live in America” she supplied quickly.

“I see, do you live in the whole of America or in some certain part then?” Nicholas returned with sarcasm.

“California” she lied.

Max entered the chamber pushing a metal dining cart. He began transferring dishes from the cart to the table.  In silver serving bowls he sat before them, roasted vegetables, pheasant, and for dessert fresh strawberries and crème. His task complete he stood by his master’s chair for further instructions.

“That is all Max. Please have a wonderful evening, give my regards to your wife and children” Nicholas smiled.

“Thank you Sir, I shall” he then bowed to Audrey, “Good evening to you as well.”

“He doesn’t live here?” Audrey asked curiously once Max had left the room.

“No, he has a family of his own.” Nicholas replied. “I provide them with their own lands on the estate. But we were, I believe, talking about you.” Nicholas smiled as he carved the pheasant and placed two slices on each of their plates. “California, you were telling me. I have been to America but never to California, dreadfully warm and sunny there I hear.”  He served the vegetables, placing two spoonfuls on each of their plates. “What brings you to England then, a vacation yes, but why England? And why here, as I said London has much more to offer the American tourist”

“I did visit London; I have a great love of art and so explored the museums there.” Audrey explained, truthfully for the most part. “But I also wanted to see the country. I detest large cities, with its greed and impatience; I wanted to see how the real people lived. I wanted to experience the simple life.”

“The simple life, indeed.” Nicholas smiled. “And what brought you to my humble estate? Surely not the ‘simple life’”

Every lie that had thus far rolled from Audrey’s tongue had done so easily. It was a skill she had to force herself to learn since deciding to take her “vacation”. But as Nicholas’s emerald eyes were fixed upon her she knew her lies were useless. He already knew the answers to the questions he posed. He was toying with her. Nicholas was the cunning cat playing with the meek mouse. She was sure of this. But what was uncertain to her was how long he would play this game before he devoured her.

She told herself death did not scare her; she had come here seeking that very thing after all. But sitting across from her host now, she began to realize there were things much worse than death.

“Are you well?” Nicholas smiled, taking a sip of wine.

“Yes … of course” Audrey stammered, realizing she had been ignoring his question and staring into space much too long.

“You have barely touched your meal, is it not to your liking?” Nicholas inquired with a concern that was just short of sincere.

Audrey had not given the meal one thought since Nicholas began his barrage of questions. Her nerves were quickly shattering; her stomach was a mass of churning knots.

With her host still watching her closely, Audrey delicately sliced into the pheasant willing her hands not to shake. She took a bite of the succulent meat and though it was perfectly prepared it felt like leather in her mouth. She managed to swallow it then forced herself to take another bite. “It is very delicious. But you should not have gone to this trouble for me.”

“I seldom get visitors here as you can imagine” Nicholas laid his napkin in his plate pushing it away. “Which brings us once again to the question you hesitate to answer. But I shall let you off the hook shall I?”  Nicholas looked across the table at her, his greens eyes so piercing they surely looked right through her. “I know why you came here.”

Audrey’s heart plummeted, “You …you do?”

“Of course, you were drawn here because of the rumors. This place is quite famous in the village.” Nicholas’s features shined with pride. “The people fear this place; they speak of a great evil that dwells here. It is quite delightful and serves me well. I cherish my privacy and solitude. It would not do at all if one of them actually found me here. It would be … most unpleasant for all involved.”

“I understand.” Audrey tried to remain casual in light of his ominous words. She gathered a bite of vegetables on her fork but her shaking hands gave her away. The fork fell back to her plate with a ringing thud. This seemed to please her host.

“Yes Audrey I know why you have come.” Nicholas’s lips parted in a smile exposing teeth that were much too white. “You came here seeking death, and I am afraid you have found it.”

Chapter 9

Audrey pursed her lips into a frown, lowering her head. She turned and entered her own chamber looking every bit the proverbial dog with its tail between its legs. Nicholas had scolded her as if she was a child and she felt every bit the part.

She waited for that familiar voice deep inside her head to tell her she should be offended, and should have said so. The voice always spoke up at times like this, when she was feeling belittled. In past relationships she always found herself the submissive, not quite worthy to have an opinion or any rights of her own. It was something she had accepted long ago. On some level she knew it was foolish and untrue. And there was always the voice to remind her.

This time the reminding voice remained silent. With Nicholas it was different. He really was much more than her.

She closed the chamber door behind her then retreated into the bathing chamber.

The porcelain bath tub stood regally upon its lion paws but it no longer appealed to her. It seemed too massive now for her childish form. Its golden fixtures almost seemed to be offering her a condescending smile.

Audrey moved to the wash basin instead. She looked at her pale, dirt streaked face in the mirror. Her eyes were blood shot orbs squeezed between puffy lids. Her dark hair tangled and dotted with debris. Just when she felt tears were sure to come she began to laugh.

“He is right you know? You do need a bath.”  She chuckled to her reflection.

The reflection in the mirror afforded her a view of the gold stand on the opposite wall. On the top shelf luxurious towels had been placed there for her, along with a few other items.

She went to the tub turning the fixtures to begin filling the tub. Then she sat on the edge of the tub and inspected the stand while she waited. In addition to the towels several vials and dishes had been placed there as well. There was a vial of shampoo, and a handmade bar of soap, both offered the sweet scent of lavender and a touch of rosemary. A small dish contained rose petals and delicate purple flowers of lavender. A glass bottle sitting next to the dish contained fragrant oils of rose and geranium. Audrey smiled in delight and emptied the contents of the dish and the bottle into her bath water.

Even though the tub was massive it did not seem to Audrey it took long to fill it. Turning off the tap, she slipped out of her filthy clothes and slid into the steaming, fragrant water. She leaned back in the tub until she was total submerged, her dark hair fanning out through the water. She opened her eyes, watching the flower petals float across the surface. It was as if she were in a different world. The whole castle seemed like a different world.

She stayed under water for as long as could hold her breath then resurfaced, leaning her slender back against the far end of the tub. She slide down into the water until all but her neck and above were not submerged. Her milky white breasts seemed to float on the water’s surface, the pink nipples small delicate flowers.

How long she laid there she was unsure. It was not until she heard the bedroom chamber door open that she was roused. She sat up and instinctively grabbed a towel and clutched it to her bosom. But the footsteps in the next room retreated and the door was closed once more.

Fearing she was late for dinner and would further displease her host, she quickly washed and left the tub.

Audrey hastily ran the towel over her wet body then towel dried her hair. She combed her raven colored tresses before adorning them with a few elegant hair pins she found on a littered shelf. She also made use of perfume but did not use any of the cosmetics. She hated makeup, it was too fake, not her.

Audrey hurried across the bath chamber to retrieve her clothes. Her lips creased into a deep frown. Her clothes were filthy; she could not possibly wear them to dinner tonight and may possibly never be able to wear them again. Even if she were to try to wash them by hand they would never dry in time.

Crestfallen she carried the ruined clothing into the bed chamber, prepared to slump across the bed in misery. But instead she found herself squealing in delight.

Laid out across the bed was a beautiful gown of the softest silk. Crème in color, the style resembled that of a sun dress. The garment was sleeveless, the bodice snug and drawn at the waist. The skirts flowed from the waistline in uneven layers.

Audrey dropped her dirty garments where they would fall and slipped into the gown. It fit perfectly, the longest layer of the skirts ending just below her knees. In her mind she no longer felt the spoiled child. She had been transformed into a beautiful princess. She twirled around the room, her skirts floating about her graceful form.

She halted her playful dance only when Max arrived to escort her to dinner. 

Chapter 8

Two men stood guard on either side of the doorway. Their faces were expressionless masks as they opened the heavy double doors for Malachi, allowing him entrance into the library.

The room was wreathed in shadow as he always found it on these visits. It was not kept dark from threat of sunlight. The room’s towering walls had not one window, only bookshelves rising up to disappear into darkness before reaching the vaulted ceiling high above. No fire burned in the massive stone hearth. It held only the dusty skeletal remains of kindling from long ago. His master liked the darkness and that suited Malachi just fine. The shadows gave Malachi a false sense of ease, as if they could protect him from his master’s disapproving glares and maybe hide his fear from the man he served.

The room offered almost no furnishings. There was a grandiose writing desk, probably a rare antique of some kind. It seemed grossly out of place is the tomb like setting. There was one chair in the room, positioned behind the desk, and it was currently occupied by his master. Anyone entering this room was offered no comfort, they stood before their master. This also suited Malachi, for he never stayed in his master’s presence any longer than was required.

Malachi forced himself to stand tall, trying to keep his choking fear in check. After all he had good news to impart. But every moment his master ignored his presence, Malachi’s resolve threatened to crack. Every fiber of his being screamed for him to turn around and go, but he knew he would never make it to the door. No, it was way too late for running.

An exaggerated sigh followed by the shuffle of papers told Malachi his master was ready to acknowledge his presence at last. But his master’s deep commanding voice still surprised him, making him jump slightly. “Well? What it is?”

Malachi dipped his head in a humble bow, “My Lord, thank you for seeing me it is always a pleasure to be …”

“Enough of your sniveling! You have news for me?” his voice boomed from the shadows.

“We think we have tracked him to a small little known village in England my lord.” Malachi spoke with an air of confidence and pride, both of which were quickly banished by his master’s displeasure.

“You think? You disturb me with assumptions?” the voice was now rolling thunder.

“My Lord there is a very old legend that circulates among the villagers, a great evil that haunts a forest …”

“You idiot, there is a similar legend in every back wood village in England and anywhere else in the world you care to look. Humans are pathetic creatures! They have always created demons to blame for their own ignorance. The Christian church has thrived employing the very premise!”  The master waved his hand in disgust.

In a moment of sudden bravery Malachi persisted “My Lord, I have traveled there myself, I believe there is truth in this legend.”

“Enough to risk your life?” his master issued a deep chuckle that had not a hint of mirth. “Fine, tell me why this time is different. Please enlighten me.”

  Malachi suddenly felt like a mouse caught in a playful cat’s paw. “A girl has gone missing…” Malachi struggled with his thoughts. If he was not convincing there was little chance he would leave this room.

“There better be more.”  His master began to rise from his chair.

“Yes my Lord, of course. I already had someone, Arimis, checking out the village, like we usually do when we hear strange stories. This girl, a young woman actually, an American appeared in town. We think she was a tourist. She was asking the villagers a lot of questions about the legend of the forest. He saw her several times, night after night, leave the village on foot and travel the road to the forest.” His master reseated himself and leaned forward in his chair, giving Malachi a boost of confidence to continue on more comfortably. “At first I discounted it too when Arimis sent me the report, I thought it was some young girl just curious, you know how humans tend to be drawn to dark places, and this place was as dreary as they come. There is a massive stone wall encircling a dense forest and judging by the smell a nasty bog as well. There is only one gate that even we did not find at first, it is almost covered over completely by vines. Even the parts of the gate you can look through you cannot see anything but trees and brambles. But she would stand at this gate all night. Then every morning after sunrise she would return to her room at the Inn. Then one night she never came back.”

“And? Was she seen entering the gate, going into the forest? What proof do you have that she disappeared as you say?” his master’s annoyance was quickly returning but Malachi could tell he was also intrigued.

“Unfortunately, no my Lord.” Malachi replied timidly, bracing himself for the lashing that was sure to come. “Arimis was watching the girl stand outside the gate again when he abandoned watching her to report back to me. I had just arrived in the village to see things for myself. We had no way of knowing she would not return that night …”

“Anything could have happened to her you fool. I would not be surprised if she simply left town, her holiday over. I do not find it hard to believe you imbeciles simple did not  notice!”

“My Lord we did verify that the woman never returned to the Inn for her belongings.” Malachi offered, trying his best to keep the conversation rolling in his favor. “And she didn’t pay the bill.”

His master rubbed his chin. “That proves nothing; she probably skipped out on the tab. But still … I suppose it is worth looking into further. Go back to this village; I want you to oversee this investigation personally. You may keep Arimis and take any other resources you feel you need.”

“Yes my Lord” Malachi stifled a relieved sigh. He would survive another day.

“Discretion is a priority, on the rare chance there is something to this I would rather not have him know he is being sought. The fool is in hiding, living in an ignorant bliss, I would like to keep it that way for now.  This is strictly an investigation at this point, whatever you find you report to me. No action is to be taken without my authorization. Do you understand?”

“Yes my Lord” Malachi was already backing himself towards the exit.

“And Malachi … if something goes wrong I am holding you responsible.” His master smiled, fangs gleaming even through the shadows. “I pulled your dying human corpse from the gutters; I shall have no problem returning you there.”

“Ye...yes my Lord.” Malachi burst through the double doors without looking back.