by Alisha Basso
I felt the scream leave my throat a second before he leapt.
I was on the ground, my head in his hands as he smashed the length of his heavy body onto mine. A memory pooled to the surface of my consciousness. It had been a nightmare but now it was real. I struggled to free myself, frantic in the knowledge that this man was not who he claimed. That I was not who he said I was.
“I’ll crack your fucking head again if I have to, Grace, I fucking swear it!” he roared, and I screamed as his power scorched my skull. His hand moved to cover my mouth. I couldn’t breathe and I kicked my legs wildly. Then, just as my vision began to dim, he plugged my nose. When he moved his hand, I opened my mouth, desperately filling my lungs. He used that second to shove a handful of bitter red pills into my mouth. Holding my lips closed he replaced his hand with his mouth. Pinning my arms to my sides painfully, his lips sealed onto mine and he shoved and twisted his tongue, warring with mine to keep the hideous capsules in my mouth.
He grunted, grinding his groin into my stomach, he shifted again, ripping my clothing, I tried to scream again and bite but I was slowing, sucked into lethargy. Then, searing pain shot through my scalp as he fisted my hair in his hands. I wanted to hurt him. To somehow move his body off of mine, but the thought never fully formed. My head spun as the man who called himself my husband robbed me of my will to fight and filled me with a new sense of fear.
I lay dazed, his face pressed close to mine.
“Two pills are clearly not enough,” he whispered, “that fucking Madea mind wants out.” His breath was hot on my cheek as I tried to understand, tears flowed and ran into my ears. “I don’t want to hurt you, but you leave me no choice. But don’t fret my darling,” his hot tongue slid along my face as he licked away my tears. “I guarantee that you won’t remember a thing.”
My head rolled to the side and my eyes blurred but I was still able to watch him stand. He looked down at me and then, laughing, he walked from the room.
NINE
“So, you say you’re one of his employees?” I leaned back in the bath as the woman lathered my hair. After weeks and weeks in the same hotel room, it was finally time to go.
I had no idea why, but Lu insisted that I have an assistant. I hated her immediately.
“No, I said I am his servant. He has requested that I serve his bride, so I must obey.”
I closed my eyes, silently praying for patience. “That sounds so barbaric. Don’t you dislike that word? God, you act like he’s your master for cripes sake, and I can wash my own body, really.” I tried to bat her hands away as she began to soap my arms.
“I dislike nothing about him. He speaks, I obey.” She glared at me and jerked the sponge from my hands. “To serve him is my greatest privilege.”
“Okay. I hope he pays you well.” I watched the beautiful woman as she concentrated on wiping every inch of flesh I had. “I’d at least ask for a better list of chores. Bathing an adult woman who is completely capable of bathing herself seems pretty silly to me.”
“My compensation is my business and you shouldn’t question him. Ever.” She jerked my leg up and I almost went under the water.
I gripped the side of the tub and held on. “Okay, fine. But I have another question.”
She glared again and I smiled. “Yes, my lady, what is your question?” She began to meticulously clean between my toes and I giggled and kicked. She looked annoyed again and I cleared my throat.
“Do you live with him… er, us? What I mean is, are you a servant in our home? Is that where he sent for you from?
She looked superior, lifting her chin as she smiled. “Yes, his home is my home. I do as he commands and go where he sends me. I am very important to him.” She sneered and I wanted to smack her.
I let out another annoyed breath and pressed on. “So, no family of your own, I’m guessing?” I was trying like hell to make this stubborn, militant woman open up, but she was like a damn vault.
“He has ordered me to help you, he did not order me to speak to you.” She glared again.
Okay, I thought. You want to play that way, fine!
“Alright then,” I smiled. “But, just so you know, if you come near my lady bits with that fucking sponge, I’ll push your ass right out that window.” I yanked the sponge from her hands.
***
“Helen!” Lu’s booming voice echoed throughout the room.
I was wrapping my body in a long bath sheet when Helen practically drowned herself vaulting over the tub to answer my husband’s call.
I stared openmouthed at her as she skidded to a halt. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she dropped to the ground at his feet as he entered the room. His eyes followed her movement as she corrected, and simply bowed her head.
“She is well?” he asked, side stepping the crazy woman. He held his arms out for me and I rushed into them. “Mmm, you smell divine,” he purred into my hair, making me want to rip his clothes off right where he stood. That would shut this stupid woman up, I was sure.
“She is very talkative, my Lord, filled with questions that are unimportant.” She lowered her eyes at his blank expression and I smiled.
Ha! Take that you stupid tattle tale!
“She also refused to allow me to wash what she called her ‘lady bits’,” she curled her lip and lifted her chin in that superior way.
He looked at me, his left eyebrow arched sharply, he smiled. “Helen takes her job very seriously.” He frowned at her and then turned his eyes to me. “She and I have business, however. Why don’t you get ready while I speak to her alone?”
I nodded and then raised up onto my tippy-toes. I placed my hands on his broad shoulders and leaned in. His bright blue eyes blazed as I pulled him in for a kiss. Knowing Helen was watching, I slowly sucked his bottom lip into my mouth with a moan. He pulled it out, smiling, and then sucked it into his own mouth. I watched his even white teeth make little pale marks in the pink fullness as he drew it out slowly.
I smiled and met his eyes. “Don’t be long,” I whispered and then stepped back.
He smiled, his eyes filled with such lust that I shivered.
“Till later, my darling.” He slid his thumb along my cheek and then turned on his heel. I smiled in satisfaction as Helen slammed the door closed behind them.
I glared at the door, my anger at Helen a warm breath across my skin. I didn’t care. Anger felt good, and I knew that Lu had no interest in her sexually. She was an open book and despite what she must have desired, I was sure she was nothing more than a servant, at least she had better be.
I laughed to myself as I rubbed a handful of lotion into the tattooed sleeve on my arm. It wound around my wrist and up to curl along my forearm. Vines and thorns swirled and twisted around my elbow and up, caressing my bicep. Tiny silver rose buds and fully bloomed blossoms formed a beautiful, gothic garden along my arm. I was proud of the work Lu had put into the design. I frowned, irritated that my memories prevented me from remembering any of its creation.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror as I finished getting dressed. Thinking of Lu, his soft tongue sliding a wet path along the vines and thorns always made my stomach feel heavy with desire. I sighed with pleasure as I ran my hands along my heated flesh. Soon we would be home. So what if I didn’t remember? I would be with my husband and as long as I had him, I needed nothing else at all.
I spun from the mirror, feeling anxious and empty. God, I wanted him now. Soon, I thought as I swallowed a handful of little red pills. Soon we would be alone again.
“You will be traveling with Helen for the next few days.” Lu breezed into the room, Helen attached to his heels like a baby duck. “I have some very urgent business to attend to that cannot wait. She will be your assistant.” He looked at her, pointing his finger in her face. “Glued to your side.” He turned and looked daggers at me.
I nodded compliantly, and folding my hands, I smiled at Helen. She lowered her lids. A smirk that made my belly swirl, danced across her
face. I may have to listen to my husband, but no way was I listening to her.
“Your jet is standing by. I have provided a wardrobe for you which has already been loaded onto the plane. These things,” he gestured vaguely around the room, “will follow a few days later. If you have anything you would like to take, please retrieve it now. You leave in ten minutes for the airport.” In two great strides, he closed the distance between us and, holding the back of my head, he kissed me hard, his tongue swirling inside my mouth. It felt more exploratory than lustful. He was tasting me, and I watched him as he pulled away, not wanting to lose his touch. Apparently satisfied, he lightly kissed my lips again and left the room without another word.
His touch always left me dazed. As if he could wipe my mind clean of every single thought. My heart raced inside my chest as a new and ever stronger bout of desire filled me.
“My Lord has given his instructions. If you swoon, My Lady, I will drag you from the room by your hair.” She turned and opened the door wide.
“What is with you?” I demanded, folding my arms.
She looked at me for a long time.
“You are unworthy of his attentions,” she said finally, and stalked out the door.
I shook my head. Helen was in love with my husband.
Well, I thought, I will rip her fucking head off before I let her have him. I sucked in my breath, shocked that that thought had entered my mind. Where the hell did that come from?
Dismissing the thought as quickly as it had come, I shook out my hair and strode out the door. Lu was gone, and I didn’t want a thing from the room. We might as well be on our way.
TEN
“We will be taking off in a few moments,” the radio clicked overhead as the flight attendant moved about the luxurious space.
A private jet.
I’m not sure why I was surprised. According to Helen, this is how we always traveled. I had so many lost memories and I said as much to Helen. Her response was an unladylike snort.
“It’s a good thing my husband didn’t command you to be pleasant. Bet that’d kill you, huh?” I mumbled while flipping through an Oxygen magazine.
“That is a trivial command and serves no one. I see no reason why he would bother himself.” She shook her head at me. “He understands how to command.” She lifted her chin. “Only a soft hearted fool such as yourself would care about being pleasant.” She sneered the word and picked up a GQ.
I tossed the Oxygen magazine onto the table and picked up another one. “I bet I could get you to be pleasant.” I smiled.
She spun in her seat and laughed.
“You?” she said as her eyebrows rose. “You are nothing! You may be his lover, but never forget that we all serve him and no one gets him to do anything.” Flipping a page in her magazine she sneered. “You are nothing more than a pretty mattress, My Lady. He does nothing for you that does not serve his purpose first. You’re clueless and as far as I’m concerned, you’re useless too. But hey, you’ll find out how quickly he throws things aside.” She spun her chair back around, dismissing me.
I watched her as she tried to ignore me.
“Well,” I flipped a page loudly. “That’s really funny, because last I checked, I was able to get him to do lots of things.” I looked over the top of the magazine as she turned to look at me. “In fact,” I continued, “he’s the one who begs me.” I tilted my head to the side. “I am the one he desires,” I said, throwing the magazine onto the floor. “I am the one he worships and I’m the one he’s married to. If I tell him you’re not being nice, he may not take too kindly to it. In fact, I think if I told him just how rotten you’ve been, you’ll be the one to see how quickly he throws things aside.” I watched her face redden. “You will no longer be panting at his side like a little bitch in heat. And me? Well, I’ll happily be playing the part of his pretty mattress.”
She stared at me openmouthed
“Didn’t think of that, did ya?” I sneered, crossing my legs. I folded my hands on my knee and watched her process what I’d said.
Her face changed before my eyes. She stood before me, smiling.
“Well,” she said after she cleared her throat several times, “I guess he didn’t order me to be unkind.”
“No, he did not,” I folded my arms. “Now, I’m thinking you need some rest. Why don’t you go lie down for a while?” I smiled, hoping she would listen. I didn’t want to be near her any longer. She was like a noose around my neck. She gave off a very bad vibe that only got worse the longer she was near.
She looked at the main door. During our conversation we had taken off and were now several thousand feet above the ground. Apparently realizing that I couldn’t possibly get myself into trouble she smiled. “Very good, My Lady, I will rest now. Wake me if you need anything at all.” She bowed and left to go rest in the bedroom.
I watched the door close and I sank into my chair. “Finally!” I let out my breath and then kicked off my shoes.
A flight attendant entered. “Warm nuts?”
Her features were oddly familiar. From her long blonde hair to her green eyes, but I just couldn’t pull it from my brain.
“No, thank you.” I followed her eyes as they strayed to the rear of the plane. “Is there a problem?” I asked, swiveling my chair to look at the door that Helen had disappeared behind.
“Oh? Oh! No, not at all, I was only wondering if I should go and ask your friend if she would care for any refreshments.”
“No.” I snorted my reply, glaring at the door. “Leave her alone until she slithers back out. And that woman is not my friend,” I curled my lip. “She’s more like a huge stone around my neck.” I turned back, looking at her as she struggled to hide her smile. I laughed. “I know, I’m not even trying to be nice, am I?” I smiled to myself and wondered how hard it would be to push a person from a plane?
“Well,” the flight attend continued, pulling me from my thoughts, “she was kind of snarling when you boarded. I was really scared that she would be the one in charge.” She eyed the door again. “Will there be anything else, Mrs. White?” I watched her walk backward, not really paying attention to me any longer.
“No. Thank you,” I smiled and shook my head as the attendant stumbled and rushed into the small kitchen area.
***
I woke, startled. Rubbing my eyes, I saw that a drink sat on the table beside me. I looked up and smiled.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I brought you a small cocktail,” the man sitting across from me smiled.
“Well, hello,” I picked up the glass. It was cold and slightly damp from sitting. I eyed him over the glass as I brought it to my lips.
“Should I be worried that we’re going to crash?” I looked at the cockpit doors.
He leaned back in his chair, his beautiful, blue eyes twinkled. “No chance of that. I’m merely a co-pilot.” He stretched his legs, crossing them at the ankles. “You going to drink that?” He smiled again and I felt my skin flush.
Lord help me, he was stunning.
“So, what’s the deal? You get bored sitting up there, just the two of you?” I lowered the glass, not thirsty at all. “Is that why you’re sitting here watching me sleep?”
He folded his arms across his chest and smirked. “It has its moments. I only wanted to meet our passengers. He looked across the plush seats toward the bedroom door.
I studied the man before me. “What do you mean, meet? This is my husband’s jet, surely you already know us?” I frowned.
“Oh? Do you recognize me then?” he smiled. “You really look parched.” He eyed my glass.
“I don’t recognize you because I have some medical problems that prevent me from remembering most things. Well, what I mean is, if I had ever met you in the past, I probably wouldn’t remember you.”
“That’s flattering.” He arched his brow, flashing his teeth. They were straight and white. His inky-black hair was cropped close to his scalp. “But, to let you off the hook, no, thi
s is not your husband’s jet. We are a charter.”
“Oh, well, that makes me feel better. At least I didn’t offend you.” I smiled and lifted the glass to my lips. “Where are we headed, by the way?” I sipped the cocktail. Immediately I choked, coughing, and my mouth sizzled. “What the hell is in this?” I gasped, scratching at my throat. I felt like my body had suddenly caught fire.
“Holy Water, on the rocks.” He saluted me with his glass.
I gasped, clawing the skin at my throat, I struggled to suck in a breath.
“Poison,” I gurgled out, shuddering uncontrollably.
“Get Gavyn!” the man shouted and I collapsed to the floor.
Chaos erupted all around me as I struggled to breathe. I rolled, trying to crawl as I watched the flight attendant rush to the back doors. She skidded to a halt and threw them open. Instead of Helen rushing out, a small group of people charged from the room.
They scattered and then my vision was filled with the form of a man. Chills raced across my flesh as his long yellow hair flowed out behind him. I was lifted as things smashed and broke around me. I heard Helen screaming. Her cries began as loud sharp screams only to dissolve into choking, gurgling sounds. Something began to sizzle and I gagged as smoke filled the cabin.
“Get the damn air cleared, would you?” another man yelled.
I was laid upon the long sofa and I looked up at several strange faces. I blinked back tears and tried to catch my breath but succeeded in only coughing more.
“You were right,” the co-pilot said, frowning. “He used demon blood. Damn-it, that son of a bitch!”
“Yes, it’s demon blood. Middle circle, I’d say. Honestly, I’m surprised he went with such a potent blood.”
“Why are you surprised? She’s a Madea. I am surprised he did not give her his own.”
The man with the yellow hair looked horrified. “Are you kidding? That would kill her! He wants her compliant and memory free not a raging lunatic. This level of demon blood would be plenty. She was already confused from the injury.”