by Jane West
The Other Woman
Daylight had broken, but the storm hovered over us in darkness. The sun had vanished behind the bruised clouds, hopeless and gloomy. It was as if the heavens had reigned havoc upon us, unfortunate souls.
The whole idea racing off in a dead man's car through this godless cyclone had to be bat-shit crazy.
Yet here I was with insanity strap to me like a chastity belt barreling down the flooded streets, praying I made it to the castle safely.
I kept my eyes on the road and my foot on the gas, plowing through the rainstorm. Despite that Francis' car, a heavy lug weighed a ton, I could feel the tires hydroplaning.
Rain streaked the windshield even with the wipers on full speed. I jumped with a start when a huge blast of thunder roared, and lightning ripped across the sky. I was terrified, but I didn't let my fear stop me. I kept plugging on. I had to get to Bane before it was too late.
Coiling around a bend on a back road, using poor judgment, I turned the wheel too sharply. Before I corrected the error, the car went into a tailspin. I slammed on the brakes which I soon realized was a huge mistake too. Out of panic and fear, I screamed, shutting my eyes tight, knowing that I was about to wrap this lug around a tree.
It all happened so fast. I slammed my head into the steering wheel, knocking me silly. Pain pierced through my muddled brain as I touched my forehead and drew back something sticky and wet. My eyes dropped to my fingers blood! Soon everything became a blur.
When my eyes opened, I was laying across the seat of Sam’s old Ford truck, my head in his lap as he sat in the driver’s seat.
The first thing that prompted my attention was the throbbing pain from my forehead. I touched it and quickly withdrew. “Ouch!” I squinted against the pain. “What happened?” I groggily asked.
“Chickadee, you smashed into a tree. You’ll be okay. A little blood never hurt anyone.” Through the light of the cab, I glimpsed up at Sam’s bright smile. I was glad he found me.
Then I drew in a sharp breath, jolting to a sitting position. “How long have I’ve been out?”
“I don’t know. I found you conked out.”
“What time is it?”
“10 o’clock.”
“In the morning?” my voice hovered on the edge of hysteria.
“Huh! Chickadee, you must’ve hit your head harder than I thought. No, evening.”
“Holy shit! Sam, I need you to take me to Bane’s castle. I have to find him before it’s too late.” My eyes pleaded with him.
“Too late for what, Chickadee?” Sam's face expressed confusion.
“I don't have time to explain. Can you help me or not?” I snapped.
Sam paused, eyeing me suspiciously. “Do you think that’s wise considering everything you know about him?”
“Yes!” I wrung his coat into my fingers, making him look me straight in the eyes. “I know I sound like a raving lunatic, but you have to listen to me.”
Sam blew out a harsh breath, eyes wide as he replied. “Okay, Chickadee, batten down the hatch! It’s gonna be a bumpy ride!” He turned the key, the engine roared. He grabbed the gear with vigor and shoved it forward, accelerating. We were on the road headed to the castle. “How did you manage to wrap your car around a tree?”
“I lost control of the car going around the bend. Everything else after that is a blur.”
“Why are you out in this shit-storm?”
I gaped. “Have you lost your mind? You do remember our lengthy discussion at Ms. Noel’s, right?”
Sam glimpsed at me, taking his eyes off the road for a second. “I hadn’t forgotten. I was just messin’ with you.”
“I know you don’t trust Aidan Bane." I swallowed, “But I do. Call me stupid but my gut tells me to believe him.” My eyes steadied on Sam's face.
His eyes churned, holding my gaze. “Right or wrong, you have to follow your gut.” He smiled and gunned the gas.
I smiled back, feeling relief. “Thank you, Sam! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
I sat back in my seat, inhaling deeply. The sense of urgency hovered over me, but for a minute, I could breathe. I didn’t know what I would’ve done if Sam had refused. Even though Sam and Bane didn't like each other, still, I was relieved to have him respect my position. Who would've thought that Sam was my protector? Perhaps, I judged him too hastily. After all, he was my guardian. All the bad behavior had been a masquerade to fool everyone. In a crazy way, it made sense and eased my mind knowing he could be trusted.
The long stretch of road was treacherous, sharp winding curves that threatened death. The relentless rain still hammered us hard.
My nerves were unhinged as I wrung my hands, tapping my foot. I got the impression that tension had stolen Sam's tongue. He didn't utter a word the whole way.
I didn’t mind the silence. I wasn’t in the mood for aimless chatter, and I certainly did want to discuss why I was on this highway headed to Bane’s castle. Be that as it may, I was grateful for Sam’s silence and his skillful driving. Since he was a local, he knew these hazardous roads inside and out. I suppose luck was on my side today. Having Sam find me was a godsend.
I didn’t have to give him directions to the castle. Of course, with a midcentury castle in the state of Louisiana, I imagined everyone knew its location.
After a fight through this crazy storm, we reached the gates of Castle Manière. Strangely, the gates were wide open. The gates were always closed.
“Sam, have you ever been here before?”
“Once. A party. Don’t remember much afterward. Too much booze!” he winked, grinning. “There’s a Halloween party tonight by the way.”
“Here at the castle?” Why didn’t I know?
“Yep! I think Jen planned on coming to it too.” Sam glimpsed out his window at the rain. It was suddenly slacking to a near stop. “I doubt she'll come even if the rain’s stopped. Besides, my guess Aidan canceled the party.”
“Maybe but then why are the gates opened?”
He shrugged. “Can’t say for sure. Why?”
“Hello! Have you seen this place? Why would Bane leave the castle wide open for someone to rob?” I shrugged both shoulders. “This isn’t like him. He’s too private.”
All at once, Sam’s eyes hitched to something down the drive. “Maybe that’s the reason why?” Sam nodded up ahead.
I followed his lead and nearly dropped my teeth. Several cars lined the drive. Not just your everyday run of the mill, Buick. These cars were the cream of the crop, royalty quality with deep pockets reaching China. “Whoa!” I barely breathed. This must be the Family that Aidan mentioned. The Family that only came on important occasions. A dread paled my face.
“Yep! I’d like to drive that cherry-red Bugatti.” Sam’s eyes took on a look of longing. “That there car happens to be a Rembrandt, limited edition. Sweet, ride too!” He drooled, eyeballing the vehicle.
“You sound like you’ve gotten behind the wheel of one.” I thought that was sorta weird considering his truck was a dinosaur.
He exhaled. “Nope. Just read about it in a magazine.”
Soon, we were approaching the front entrance. “Sam, stop here. I don’t want to draw attention.” I didn’t say why or whom I intended to avoid. I figured for Sam’s safety; he might be better off not knowing.
Sam pulled off back into the shadows where no one could see us. “Do you want me to tag along?” he shrugged. “In case you need backup.”
“No. Go home.” I smiled. “This is something I have to do alone. I appreciate your help.” I leaned over and wrapped my arms around his neck, planting one big kiss on his check. I drew back, smiling. “Thank you so much for rescuing me!”
“No matter what, Chickadee, you’re my gul! You always have been.” Sam smiled, though a flicker behind his glint appeared unusual. I shrugged it. This storm had everyone jumpy.
“Okay, wish me luck!” I tossed one last smile at Sam before bolting from the truck. I made a dive for the bushes
planted against the castle. I'd blend in with the shadows of the brush, going unnoticed.
Luckily, the rain had ceased, but the ground remained saturated and muddy. I stayed low to the mud, on my hands and knees. No doubt by the time I found Bane, I suspect mud would be pouring from pores, saturating my body. “Gross!” I scoffed, not liking the cold-gushy slush between my fingers. Shaking my hands, I flung the mud off, disgusted. “Yuck!” I leaned back on my heels, taking in a few breaths. Getting grossed out over a little dirt was comical. For Christ's sake, I had bigger things to fret over than mud. I scolded at myself. Back in position, on all fours, I ventured off to find Aidan Bane.
After crawling over the roots and creepy crawlers, I finally came to a window filled with light. It was high, almost too high for me to reach. I looked around to see if I might spot something to stand on, broken tree limb, anything. "Ah!" I spotted a couple of bricks, only a few feet from me, hiding under a bush. I grabbed them and placed them under the window. It gave me just enough height that on my tippy toes, I could see just above the sill.
My heart skipped a beat as my eyes soaked in the festivity. I felt like a child peeking around the corner at the grownups.
The grand room boasted with a decent crowd of people, chattering about merrily. "As far as I can tell, there's no Halloween party here," I mumbled snidely to myself.
What laid before my eyes reminded me of something out of the movies. Gatsby came to mind.
The women dressed in glittering gowns that flowed like liquid glass around their legs as they sashayed across the floor.
Each lady came with her own arsenal of jewelry, diamonds that glittered from their earlobes to their ankles. Judging by the size of the jewels, these housewives invented the Ritz.
The men uniformed in their tuxes blended like penguins huddled for a leisure sunbath. It was easy to separate the tall from the short and the thick wasted from the lean but other than that, they looked alike.
Waiters carried trays of assorted finger foods and long stem glasses filled with a light gold bubbly beverage offering up to the guest.
Lively music vibrated the glass pane. I noted a stage of dancers. They seemed out of sorts, like strippers busting in on the president's daughter's ball. They stuck out like a dirty, sore thumb.
One male dancer featured in the center of the other dancers wore only a strange headdress that resembled a ram with two horns. The male dancer was breathtaking as he was eerie. His body gleamed of bronze, skin smooth as porcelain.
The other dancers, men, and women, scantily dressed, five, I counted, encircled the one with the hat, kneeling before him, stretching their hands over his body, touching him intimately. I wanted to look away, but I simply couldn’t.
Frozen, I watched as the indelicate dancers engaged in a lustful frolic.
I thought cable was racy.
Moving right along, I eased down to the next window, spotting more couples dancing as laughter wafted in the air and generous amounts of champagne gilded every diamond-marked hand.
I took a slight interest watching one older lady, dressed in a bold print gown. Too bright and loud, she reminded me of Sally. I laughed to myself. The portly lady, white-gloved, carrying a tall stem glass in one hand, attempting to edge her way through the cluster of guest, lacking grace, she stumbled about bumping into others spilling her drink onto a couple of ladies that looked like they wanted to strangle her.
I covered my mouth to keep from laughing. I had a hunch she wouldn’t remember a thing the next morning, but I was sure she'd be the gossip of the party for many months to come.
I watched for a moment longer and nearly forgot why I was here. I slid my gaze to the other side of the room and my breath stalled. Bugged eyed, I gawked in disbelief. Tears stung as the suit of foolery slipped over me.
Bigger than life, I spotted Bane dressed in a tux dancing with a beautiful blonde. I couldn't help admiring her elegance and poise, as they glided across the floor in one easy, fluid motion. I watched as Bane, and the woman gazed into each other's eyes like star-crossed lovers. He smiled at something she whispered in his ear.
A sudden bout of jealousy bit me like a two-headed snake.
I suddenly felt conscious of my clothing. Covered in mud and dressed in rags. Whata fool I’d been? I didn’t belong here. And, I sure as hell didn’t belong in a world filled with overstuffed pockets. It was too fancy for my blood, angel or not.
Feeling the sting of betrayal, I felt pissed, humiliated, and hurt. I risked my life for a man that had made a mockery of me. I pulled from the window. I couldn't watch anymore. I'd seen enough.
His family forced him into an unwanted marriage arrangement. Sara was right. I was frumpy and undesirable. Despite everything, I believed he cared, obviously not. I reckoned I deserved whatever I got for being the biggest idiotic in the freaking world! I hated him, but I hated myself more. I wiped a tear away with the back of my muddy hand and smudged my face. My eyes combed over my body. I was a sight for sore eyes.
I took in a long sigh. The venture was over, and the kindle romance had extinguished. The sooner I leave this town and put it behind me the better off I'd be. Maybe Ms. Noel would join me.
Shoulders slumped, spirits shattered, I started to turn away and look for Sam. I caught a flash in the corner of my eye that stopped me in my tracks. I cut a hard look back through the window. I noticed that all the men were heading out, leaving the party.
At first, I freaked out, fearing that they were on to me. After a few heartbeats had passed, I relaxed. The tuxes were venturing off in another direction, a remote area of the castle, it seemed.
The sensed of urgency resting hard on my shoulders I had to know where the men were heading? I watched as a sea of black and white gathered in an assembly exiting the grand ballroom and abandoning the women.
I spotted Bane as he leaned over, still holding the blonde’s hands and kissed her on the cheek. His face glowed with genuine affection for her, an endearment he’d never shown me.
The writing was on the wall. The young woman held his heart. A feeling of incompetence stabbed my gut. It hurt me to watch, yet how could I not. They looked good together, both of blue blood, beauty equally matching beauty. And for me? I literally was the girl looking in from the outside. The outside, where I belonged.
The men were quickly diminishing, and my insatiable curiosity was beseeching me to follow. Swiftly I moved farther down to the next window, no men, I moved down to a couple of other windows and stopped.
I heard a loud voice shouting angry words. I recognized the voice. I eased up to the sill of the window and peeked barely above the rim. My mouth dropped opened as my eyes widened with fear. Dr. Van Dunn was speaking to one of his MIB. This one I didn’t recognize. Not making a peep, I listened as they spoke.
“I have a sneaky suspicion that my nephew is planning to abort our plans. That goddamn Judas-kissing bastard!” Van railed.
“Yes, master, and you wish me to find the girl and bring her to you?” The creature’s words were robotic, cold with no inflection to his speech.
Chills pirouette down my spine.
Van growled. “Yes, bring her to me! In the meantime, I’ll be down in the dungeon in a coterie with these fucking idiots. Bring the girl to the warehouse and contain her there until I arrive.”
“Yes, master.”
“Whether or not my nephew wishes to deny our alliance, I’m taking the girl’s powers. I'm tired of taking orders from the Family! After I obtain the girl's magick, I'm coming for my nephew next. I think it's time I end that immortal's life.”
I stepped off the sill and dropped to my knees, raking in as much oxygen as my lungs demanded. Van’s hard-knocks determination sparked a deep seeded fear in me that left me reeling. If I didn’t know panic before, I certainly did now.
Damn! I reckoned my leaving town would have to wait. Whether I wanted to or not, I had to find Bane!
Where the hell would I find the dungeon? I assumed there was an underg
round chamber. I bit my bottom lip, thinking. Come to think about it, Jeffery mentioned the castle had hidden passages all through its inter-dwellings. “That’s it!” I murmured. “There has to be a hidden door leading to the dungeon.” I nearly jumped with joy!
I quickly took off toward the back of the castle. What I knew about history and midcentury castles was that attacks started from the front. Why else would they have a drawbridge and water to divert takeovers? A back door or trap for escape would be in the least conspicuous place. I figured the door leading below would be ancient as hell and at the base of the castle wall. I hoped my hunch was right.
I wasn’t looking forward scaling a sixteenth-century castle.
With only the moonlight for my guide, I plunged onward. I followed the line of the castle, hoping to find the secret door. My hand stretched across the jagged stone, hoping to find anything that might resemble a trapdoor. Corner after corner, ripping vine after vine, I found nothing that indicated a secret entrance. I retraced my tracks and again came up empty handed. I rested my hands on my hips, sighing with a feeling of defeat.
I leaned against the stone and gazed over the pea-green meadow that stretched as far as the eye. The moon was full and cast its silvery light over the tips of the hills. The land bare of trees and grass planted in its wake. It was beautiful. I trekked through the thick lawn, heading for a large oak, the only tree on the premises. Not looking to where I was stepping, my shoe caught and down I went, face first.
Frustrated, I flipped over on my back, kicking with anger. Wet to the bone, chilled and enshrouded with mud from the tip of my head to my big toe, I just wanted to go home and sleep until never comes. One swift kick to the ground and my foot hit something hard. I yapped from the sudden pain but then my eyes widened with surprise.
I snapped my head up, shooting my gaze to my foot and there it was. My mouth morphed into a huge oh. Not taking my fixed off the shiny object, I bolted up, diving for it. My hands banded around something cool to the touch, hard as metal. Vehemently, I began ripping away, vine after vine, down to the soil. I started shoveling mud with my bare hands. I didn’t care if I had to dig to China.