Gretel

by Kim Faulks

  “Get her on the bed. I said get the bitch back on the bed.” Adams snarled. He grappled with his open trousers, his cock deflating in front of my eyes. “Get her on the bed, Conray. I haven’t finished.”

  A howl penetrated the room from somewhere in the night, the haunting sound eerie and unmistakable. I jerked my head toward the window.

  “Ghost.” The name slipped from her lips. Her feet thudded as she stumbled toward the glass. “Ghost.” As if she’d summoned the damn beast, a howl raised the hair on my arms. I ran to the window.

  A white shape bounded from between the trees. The animal’s howl hurt my ear, but the rise and fall of the piercing noise became hypnotizing. The wolf’s blue eyes glinted when he dropped his head and stared right at me. Gretel staggered into me, knocking me aside. She pressed her hand to the the glass. “Ghost, help me, Ghost.”

  That damned beast.... I jerked Gretel around to face me. That spark in her eyes. Something about her pupils didn’t look like her anymore. With the light of the full moon bathing her face, she looked more animal than human.

  “Ghost.” She jerked free and pressed herself to the glass.

  No. No. No.

  There was money to be made.

  So help me God, she’d make it.

  Even if I had to knock the bitch out to do it.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gretel

  Hansel’s gaze was an icy breath on the back of my neck. I turned from the window. His head was lowered, eyes trained on me. His smile made my skin crawl.

  “No one’s going to hurt you, Gretel. We only want to use you. You want to eat, don’t you? You want to be part of this family? Then get on that bed and spread those fucking legs. This man’s paid a lot of money to stare at that gash between your thighs. If you don’t get on the bed right now, I’ll hold you down my fucking self.”

  Adams rounded the mattress to stand at the bottom of the bed, closing me in. The open door waited. I shook away the blur of tears and tried to focus.

  “The devil’s here, Gretel. He’s been with us all along. Mother told me it would come to this. She told me there was no use in fighting.”

  My chest ached. My breaths came too fast but I couldn’t seem to slow them. I tried to block his voice from my mind, timing each of their steps before I lunged. I clawed the metal frame, vaulting the bed. My stride was too short. My foot caught the tangle of sheets.

  Hansel grabbed my braid, wrenching my head up. His eyes... I didn’t see a trace of sanity. His eyes rolled like a madman’s. “No you don’t. You’re not going anywhere.”

  The open door, mere steps away, taunted me with freedom. Pain shrieked through my skull when he lifted me, letting the thick braid bear my body’s weight. I hit the bed and bounced to the floor. My hands shook and when I tried to claw his wild eyes, my hands trembled so hard, they glanced off his sweaty cheeks. Polished boots closed in, herding me. I shoved myself from the bare planks. My bare feet skidded as I stumbled. Pain screamed up my arm when my shoulder struck a bright square of wallpaper, the spot where a watercolor Father had bought me had once hung. The painting was gone. Father was gone. And I feared, Hansel, too, was gone, though he stood right in front of me.

  Hansel slapped his hand against the wall, cutting me off. His chest moved against mine. His breath was hot against my cheek. “The devil is here, Gretel. He’s here and he’s going to stay.”

  “Please, Hansel. Please let me go. I’m your sister. Don’t do this.”

  He shook his head. “No. You were a mouth to feed. You were fucking burden. Now, you’re going to be my way out of this pit. Believe me when I say I didn’t ask for this. You can blame this on our precious father. He’s to blame, Gretel. He is to blame.”

  I shook my head as a howl echoed outside. If you ever need a protector, find him. Find your wolf. I snarled and latched onto Hansel’s arm. His flesh gave way under the force. His screams filled my head. But I lunged for the open door.

  “You fucking bitch. You bit me!”

  Something punched me in the shoulder, shoving me forward. I stumbled, wind-milling my arms.

  “Hansel. No!” Adams screamed.

  The blow came again, knocking the wind from my lungs. I hurtled toward the bannister. My fingers gripped, then slipped. The polished wood was like glass under my hold. The drop was all I saw. The punch came again, knocking me over the railing.

  The rush of air filled my head. I’m dreaming. This is all a dream. I toppled over in the air, watching the marble foyer race toward me.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Gretel

  I woke to the sound of thunder. Piercing blue eyes captured me. They were the sky and the sea. I floated in those currents as he slid an arm under my knees, then another around my back.

  Ghost.

  He dropped his head. Pale hair tickled my cheek as his lips moved. Speaking. He’s speaking to me. A whimper was all I offered. He wrenched his head up, stealing the sky from my gaze. A storm brewed, tinged with lightning, as the deafening roar filled the air. The echo cracked inside my head. His lips slid over white teeth. The warning unmistakable. Stay back.

  The scent of pine filled me. I closed my eyes and breathed in deep. I dropped my head against his neck. So familiar. Home called me as he carried me along the hall and out of the door. Leaves crunched as he hurried. I opened my eyes, finding the familiar window to my bedroom. A man stood in the middle. A man I had once known—and whom I once called my brother.

  “I can walk.” I croaked, wincing at the echo in my head. “You don’t have to carry me. I can walk.”

  Even in the dark I felt his gaze. “Never again.” Those words were a growl against my ear. An unseen fist wrapped around my heart and clenched tight. “I will never allow him to touch you. Never again.”

  My warm tears cooled quickly as the lights of my home flickered through the trees and disappeared. “I miss my dad.”

  “I do too, sweetheart.” Wolfrick pulled me closer. “I do, too.”

  Sleep dragged me under. My brother waited for me there. Hansel smiled and held out his arms. I love you Gretel. We’re the same, you and me. I’ll take care of you. A line of men stretched out behind him. They were waiting for me. All of them. I shivered and wrapped my arms around my chest. My fingers slid on bare skin as I gripped my arms.

  A splash of crimson against my pale skin drew my gaze. Blood covered me. The slick coated my fingers and my hands. I shifted my eyes to a blur of white. Ghost stood beside me. The gore stained his silvery coat. I dropped my hand to his fur, taking comfort in the connection. I can survive anything, as long as I have you.

  Those arctic blue eyes found me. When I looked up my brother was gone. My home was gone—everything I’d ever known was gone. Everything but Ghost.

  I opened my eyes to the heavy throb in my head. The orange hue danced on the roof above me. Tiny sparks shot high, lighting the darkness. I sucked in the sooty air and moaned.

  Something cool brushed my lips. The stroke left a chill in its wake. I shuddered at the memory of my brother’s fingers, but opened my mouth. Cold, sweet water dripped from the fabric on my lips to trickle into my mouth. My savior moved closer. His touch was so gentle, smoothing my hair. I licked my lips. Sleep called again, taking me under. Dark dreams haunted me. My brother waited with open arms and a sadistic smile. I have someone downstairs who wants to meet you, Gretel. Someone who’s paid a great deal of money to spend time with you. Make him happy, Gretel. Make him happy or I’ll give you to Mother.

  Please, don’t, Hansel. Don’t make me do that.

  A chuckle echoed around me. I knew that sound. Mother’s cruel words cut me to the bone. I never really loved you, Gretel. How could I? You’re too much like your father. Where’s my food? I’m hungry. Can’t you see I’m hungry? I’m starving!

  Her once-perfect face sagged, turning what was once smooth and sleek, into thick globs of fat. The rolls than ran from her jaw, and pooled around the base of her throat trembled as she took a step toward
me. I turned, glancing around the kitchen of our home. There was nothing to cook, no eggs, no salted pork. Beady black eyes stared at me from the corners of the room. Rats. They were everywhere.

  I’m hungry, Gretel. This thing that was once my mother licked its lips. Her protruding eyes blinked, seizing me as she heaved her body closer. Her blue velvet dress split at the seams. pockets of fat oozed from the openings. I’m practically starving, Gretel. I need something to eat.

  I raised my hands, trying to keep the panic from my voice. I’m sorry, Mother. I have nothing to cook with. I’m so sorry.

  “Shh, you’re safe here, Gretel. You’re safe with me.” A voice drew me from the horror. I opened my eyes at the sound and blue eyes found me in the dark. My head thundered. I winced at the pain and croaked. “How long have I been asleep?”

  “A while. You needed to rest. How’s the head?”

  Head? I searched my mind, finding a dull roar in the base of my skull. “Better. What happened?”

  “Don’t you remember? You fell over the balcony. You hit your head. Damn lucky you didn’t kill yourself.”

  I searched for the truth. Hansel waited for me, holding out his arms. I pulled away from the memory. “You came back.”

  Something painful sparked in his blue eyes. His voice turned husky. “Of course. I would’ve never left if I thought you were in danger. Your brother’s a spineless piece of shit. But, I never thought he’d ever hurt you.” His voice trembled. I stared at his trembling fingers as he brushed my cheek, then lifted my gaze to catch the pain in his eyes. “I suppose it doesn’t matter now, but I wanted your first time here to be... special.”

  Here? The flickering fire revealed little of the hut I was in. Fresh saw marks splintered the walls beside the bed. I reached out to probe the tiny spikes. The timber was cut fresh, filling the room with the sweet earthy scent. Everything about this room seemed... new. “You built all this?”

  He nodded. “The damn place had no roof. How could I bring you here if it had no roof?”

  I pressed my hand against my chest. The ache cut deep. That’s why he left me? To build me a place to live? I stared at this man, taking in his weathered skin and hard calloused hands. All I saw was love. But love for the woman I had been—not the woman I was now. He wouldn’t bring me here. Not if he knew what I was, not if he knew what I’d done. “I’m not....”

  His hands were quick, dwarfing mine as he gripped me tight. “Not what? I can see the doubt in your eyes. I can see your fear. Nothing you say is going to change the way I feel about you. I love you, Gretel. I’ve always loved you.”

  “I’m no longer pure.”

  The snap and hiss of the fire filled the room. Seconds turned into minutes as he held my gaze. Those blue eyes seemed to smolder, then spark. His words were slow, the tone edged with something dangerous. “What do you mean?”

  My vision blurred. I dropped my gaze. The words stuck, a forced whisper is all I could manage. “My brother made me... he bought men to the house to... he said it was the only way we’d survive.”

  “He made you what?”

  My ears rang with the pressure inside my head. I couldn’t answer him. I couldn’t say the words he needed to hear. “I didn’t want to. He forced me too, made me drink that medicine so I wouldn’t fight back. I still fought, Ghost. I fought so hard....”

  “Shhh.” That sound slipped from his lips like a growl. His hands were steady as he reached for my fingers and pulled me against his chest. How could his hands be so steady while I shook so hard I felt like I was coming apart? “It’s okay. Don’t tremble. You’re so damned weak, how could you get away? But your brother, Gretel. Your brother is going to pay.”

  I shuddered with his words. So cold. So dangerous. I’d never seen this side of my wolf. I hoped I never would again. The warmth of his body melted the ache of my chest. I focused on his face, on the tender touch of his fingers. Rows of braids lined the sides of his head ending in a tangle at his back. I lifted my hand, sliding my fingers along the coarse strands. “I love you.”

  Those blue eyes were vibrant against the orange hue of the fire. “I love you too. None of what you said matters to me. The only thing I care about is that you’re safe. But you’re staying here with me, because I’m never letting you go. But right now you need to rest. We have our whole lives together. We don’t have to rush this.”

  I closed my eyes. His words were soothing. “I’m going to take care of you. I’ll keep you warm and safe. I won’t let anything happen to you ever again.”

  I nodded feeling thick fur of a blanket slide over me.

  “Can I hold you? I promise nothing more.”

  “Mhmm.” I mumbled as his thick arms wrapped over my waist. He nestled against my back on the small bed. The bed creaked as he moved, then I heard nothing as I fell into a dreamless sleep.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Gretel

  The smell of food wrenched me from my slumber. I forced open my eyes and winced. The blow of a hammer resounded in my head, stealing all thoughts, save one. Where am I?

  “Good morning. I figured you’d be hungry.”

  I turned my head slowly at the sound of his voice. Wolfrick crowded the doorway. I blinked and shadows of his face disappeared, revealing the sharp curve of a smile. My memory of the night return. The fall. My brother. Wolfrick.

  “I was afraid to wake you. You seemed so peaceful.”

  I pressed my palm against the mattress and pushed myself up. Thunder roared in my head, stilling the motion. Wolfrick’s hands gripped my arms before I heard him move. “Are you okay? Is it your head?”

  A slow nod was all I could manage.

  “I have something that might help. Wait just a second.”

  His grip released my arm. I opened my eyes at the thudding of his boots as he raced from the room. The clang of something metal echoed from outside. Seconds later, he strode re-entered the room, carrying a steaming mug.

  I stared at the cup. All I could think about was the drug my brother gave me.

  “It’s only herbs, for your head. There’s nothing bad in here, Gretel. I promise.”

  He raised the rim of the cup to his lips, holding my gaze steady as he drank. I waited for the effects. He never swayed. His eyes sparkled with a sharpness no evil medicine could give. “It will take away your pain, that and food. Please, trust me.”

  I steadied myself and reached for the cup he held out. The woody stench of the brew filled my nose. I cringed as he lifted the cup to my lips. “I know it smells bad, but I promise it will help.”

  The liquid scalded my lips as I swallowed. I drained the cup and handed it back. The warm tea moved like the ocean in my belly as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

  “Easy, grab my hand. Hold on to me.” Wolfrick gently gripped my waist as he helped me to stand. The room seemed to move on its own. I stilled, waiting for the world to settle.

  The drum in my head quieted. The ache moved to the back of my skull as I followed him out of the room. I squinted at the light, letting him guide me to a fallen log. The smell of meat and eggs filled every breath. My mouth watered at the sight.

  “Here, sit. Let me get you a plate.”

  His hands barely left my arm before he pushed a tin plate into my hand. A tin plate, piled high with eggs and grilled meat.

  “Eat. Take your time. I can’t wait to show you our home.”

  I picked up the fork and stabbed the meat, shoving a lean strip into my mouth as his words sank in... our home. I chewed and then swallowed the wad of food. The thick ball wedged tight in my throat. I swallowed and swallowed again. Our home.

  I scanned the small cabin. The place wasn’t huge, but simple and small. Plenty big enough for the two of us. Each plank of wood shone new. I’d been with father at the timber yard long enough to know wood like that didn’t come from the trees we harvested. The wood we cut was whiter, thinner, heavy with knots, and easily bowed. “Where did you get that wood?”

  “From the
forest. Right here. It’s perfect isn’t it? I selected the trees carefully, making sure I disrupted no animal. I think your father would be happy knowing the trees he protected all these years would now protect his daughter.”

  I chewed and swallowed. The meat settled heavy in my belly. “I don’t understand. What trees did he protect?”

  “We only harvested the trees we grew. The trees we cut were too young. They grew too fast. The wood wasn’t strong, not like the wood here. But your father made sure we touched nothing else. That’s why the contracts have such poor return. He wouldn’t touch the old growth. He couldn’t bring himself to destroy the animals, or their homes, even at the expense of his own.”

  I shook my head. All the hurt, all the pain and the humiliation I suffered because we were penniless. Half of me wanted to be selfish, to yell and scream, was it worth it? Father and his ideals. I’d thought them noble, now they seemed childish and selfish. Didn’t he care we’d be hungry? Did he care I’d be at the mercy of my brother?

  My belly turned to stone at the thought. My hunger died away at the thought.

  “He was a good man, Gretel.”

  I lifted my gaze, searching those innocent eyes. My innocence was gone, stolen by a man... whose hands they were didn’t seem to matter. I felt the horror all the same. “Was he? Was he truly good? I once thought he was, but maybe I was naïve.”

  My anger rushed over me, sweeping me up, then sucking me under. I place the half-filled plate on the log beside me and stared at the home Wolfrick had built. I wanted to love this place. I wanted to see only beauty in the simple verandah and the thick thatched roof.

  “I’m going to build you a chimney, so you can have a stove, just like the one you had. There’s plenty of game in these woods. You’ll never go hungry, Gretel. You’ll never have to worry about your brother, ever again. It’s the life we dreamed of, right here, just the two of us. I can get a job closer to home. I’d be with you every night, but you wouldn’t be lonely. “