Ayden held her. “Are you all right?”
“It just felt weird not being with you or the Master,” she trembled. “I’m okay now.”
Sandwiches were already on the dining room table. Ayden and Alyssa found Chayton in the kitchen. He was dipping his finger in a little brown bottle and running his finger around the inside rim of four glasses. He took a marker and made small dots at the base of the four he had prepared. “How did the climbing go?”
“They should be returning soon. That reminds me. Ayden, you invited them out here for college break. The guys already know, Master.” Alyssa was proud of her contribution.
“That’s better than the story we’d planned on. We had the guys meeting up on a rafting trip.” Chayton turned towards Ayden, “Make sure you fill Brazil and Terrant in when they get back.”
“Yes, Master.” Ayden gave a devious smile to Alyssa.
They heard the group returning and sat on the couch, pretending to be absorbed in a movie. Chayton looked up as they entered and switched off the television. “Did you enjoy your climb?”
“Yes. Thank you so much. It’s beautiful up here,” Barbara replied enthusiastically. She glanced at Arturo once in a while, smitten.
“We thought we’d try the climb by the cave after lunch,” Diablo informed them.
“Make sure you’re back by dark. I don’t want to have to put a search party together,” Chayton studied the women. “Alyssa, take the ladies to wash up. Lunch is ready.”
When everyone was seated at the table, Louise handed out the iced tea, careful to make sure the doctored glasses ended up in front of the women.
The women answered questions while they ate. Barbara was saying, “Last year we went to Costa Rica. It was expensive, but the rainforest is beautiful. If I ever retire, I’m definitely going to the tropics.” Alyssa gave Ayden a sideways glance and they hid their smiles with their sandwiches. “We’re from Michigan. I freeze in the winter, no matter how many clothes I layer.”
Alyssa held back a laugh thinking, That won’t be a problem much longer.
The men began the predictable toasts to new friends with the iced tea.
Penny said the women met at work. They were all in administration at a car factory that recently closed. “We’re all kind of strapped for money, but decided we needed a vacation anyway.”
Hailey added,” Originally we were planning a cruise. Martha found this trip online and it cost about half as much.”
The conversation continued. Hailey felt the drug first. “I guess that climb wore me out a little more than I thought,” she yawned. One by one their eyes got heavier.
Predictably, it was Barbara who figured out the trap. Anger and fear filled her eyes as her head rolled onto Arturo’s shoulder. Penny was the last to succumb. She looked up at Alyssa. “Why?” she cried.
“Because the Master wants you,” Alyssa whispered and looked at Terrant.
THE END
Six Masters Island - Chaytons Twins Page 24