ROCKED BY THE WAVES

by Alisa Grey

  I looked inside the room. Many men wearing hoods were standing there. They even wore masks. I was scared and a sudden thought hit me: they had some other purpose than talking old tales. An altar was in the middle of the room. They spoke an unknown language.

  Someone was lying on the altar and a man approached. He undressed part of his body and they had sex. It made me feel uncomfortable.

  I started looking for Alex when I noticed a scar on the man’s leg. It was Alex. The man having sex with the woman on the altar was my husband.

  What was he doing? Why? Who had I married?

  I went back and sat in my room. Now I could see why he couldn’t take me to his meeting. I was angry. Should I talk to him?

  When he got home, I didn’t even notice. I was too busy thinking. He hugged me and kissed my hair.

  «You’ve been waiting for me. How sweet of you. How was your book?», he said smoothly. «Did you have in mind anything particular for when I got home?»

  He looked me in the eyes.

  «I was waiting for you, yes», I replied sharply.

  «Are you alright? Were the Simons unkind to you?»

  «It’s you, Alex!»

  I had screamed. I was angry, I really was. He was stuck. Then he became suspicious.

  «What’s wrong, mon coeur? I didn’t do anything... is this about the meeting? I got home as soon as I could. I wanted to be with you».

  Then he looked at me.

  «So tell me about the meeting. Did you talk? What about?»

  He had understood by then.

  He went pale and sat.

  He seemed unable to speak.

  «I saw you».

  «What did you see?»

  I was screaming.

  «I saw you! Did you have fun?»

  He tried to deny.

  «How do you know it was me?»

  «It was awful. You shouldn’t have been there, not even as a spectator. Your scar, Alex. It was you».

  He was unable to decide what to say, so he remained silent.

  «It was not what you think. It’s a sacred moment».

  It was enough.

  «Very well, then. I’ll be doing the same, is this fine with you?»

  He turned red.

  «Don’t even think about it. Come to sleep».

  «I won’t be sleeping with you».

  But he had different plans. He held my arm and pushed me to the bed, where he undressed me. He kissed me and I stayed still, ice cold. When he stopped, he said: «I’m sorry. I was scared. I didn’t want you to go. I’m sorry. Don’t go. I won’t let you. I won’t be doing... it... again».

  «You won’t do it again».

  I surrendered.

  «I won’t».

  We couldn’t sleep. None of us could. But our argument was over.

  CHAPTER 5

  THE SCOTTISH NAMED ANGUS

  After a stormy night, reconciliation is the sweetest thing. We left Carcassonne and Alex told me a story. It seemed that in France the words Notre Dame were an homage to Magdalene.

  «Why would she be called like that?», I asked.

  «In the Christian version, Madgalene is a prostitute. You told me so, right? But in France she’s supposed to have been entrusted with the Holy Graal».

  It sounded awkward to me and I was also feeling strange, as if someone was spying on us that very moment. Alex had used the word security the day before. I pretended to check on my boots and took the chance to have a look around. Nothing and no one.

  «You said you can’t tell me much stuff because of my security, that is to say...»

  «Suspicious deaths have taken place lately».

  So, secret society, mysteries and suspicious deaths. Good for you, Claire!

  «So, what are we supposed to do?»

  He smiled.

  «We’re on our honeymoon. We’ll enjoy. And if a little adventure joins us, it’ll be very welcome, right?»

  Right. Sure. We were just in danger, after all. Nothing to worry about.

  We stopped in Saint Hilaire, where we saw a lovely abbey sourrounded by vineyards. A priest from the North, Dom Pérignon, was supposed to have hidden his secret for the perfect spumante there.

  Then we went to Limoux, where some mysterious Black Lady was worshipped.

  «That’s Notre Dame de Marceille. It’s connected to Saint Sulpice, in Paris. People say there’s a sacred crypt hidden somewhere around here».

  Everything seemed to be hiding a secret. I was still feeling that we were being spied on. We went up North and got to Alet-les-Bains. It was a medieval town, full of symbols. They had been drawn everywhere and they were both Jewish and esoteric.

  It was charming but not really appropriate for a young couple. Alex was radiant, though.

  We stopped in a small hotel, where we would be able to eat something as well. I wanted to wash my face and take a nap. I was tired. Our room was small, but nice.

  On the wall, I noticed a painting. It caught my attention, since I was sure I had seen it before. But where?

  «It’s a very well known painting. Its original is in the Louvre. The three shepherds are examining a thumb with a little girl. I think the site must be nearby. If you like to, we might look for it».

  No, I didn’t like to. I was keen on London and cities in general, not tombs. Someone knocked on our door. Alex opened it and a maid handed him a note.

  «Monsieur Wilson, il y a un message pour vous».

  She smiled a bit too much and went away.

  «How come you got a note?»

  I was still shocked about Carcassonne.

  «I need to send a note back, honey. Please wait for me».

  «Didn’t I just ask you a question? No more secret meetings, remember? No more strange stuff».

  I really meant that. No more sacred rituals, so to say.

  «Don’t worry, honey. A friend of mine wants us to dine with him tomorrow. You’re so beautiful, dear...»

  I waited for him to write the note. Then we came down to dinner.

  It was a small room and some of the tables were already occupied by guests. A woman caught my attention. She was incredibly beautiful. She must have been forty or so and she was very well dressed. She was with a short man. He didn’t seem to be especially well educated. I couldn’t tell if he was her husband or a friend of hers. But she looked at Alex, as if she had wanted to greet him. And he looked back at her.

  We had cassoulet for dinner and I tried to ask Alex who the woman was.

  «Did you see the woman? She’s so beautiful. She must be French».

  «I’m already married to the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met».

  Right. He had something in mind. Once again. When we got to our room, we found that the door was open and our stuff had been searched. For jewellery and money? Maybe. But we had just a few clothes with us. Alex was particularly calm, which didn’t seem quite right.

  «Who might have been here? Thieves? They didn’t take anything anyway».

  As saying so, I noticed that the note Alex had gotten before dinner had disappeared.

  «They didn’t take anything, right. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go downstairs and ask for another room».

  I could tell he was up to something. I was angry but as he came back, I noticed he was really pale.

  «Claire, we must go. Now».

  «But why? And where? It’s late... can’t we wait? Like... tomorrow morning?»

  «Now!»

  «Where to?»

  «Carcassonne and then we must go to Paris».

  I was scared. «You must tell me what’s going on!»

  He was clearly worried. He wanted to tell me, I know he did, but he couldn’t. He packed our stuff.

  «I will. The meeting in Carcassonne... you remember that?»

  I did.

  «I didn’t want to go, nor to... do that. But I had to». He was sweating. «We came here because I had to meet someone. And yes, I knew the lady you noticed at dinner. She’s a frien
d. The note I got said we were in danger. And that woman confirmed it. I love you, but you will have to trust me».

  I was shaking. Those suspicious deaths. It was then that I heard shots and people screaming.

  «We must go!»

  As Alex said so, a man got to our door. He had red hair and a square face. He also had a golden beard. The man addressed Alex in a harsh voice. I didn’t understand what he said, but Alex did and he shook his head.

  «Claire, this is Angus. He’s here to protect us».

  He was Scottish. Of course he was. Angus! They had spoken Gaelic.

  «Madame, I hope you can ride a horse».

  Ride a horse? Oh my.

  «Nice to meet you, Angus... yes, I can. What about our luggage?»

  «We must go now!», he said heading downstairs.

  Three horses were waiting for us. A young man was with them. He was really tall and he had black hair. His blue eyes were so shiny. He had a sweet face, and was pleasant to look at. His body was just perfect.

  «My son. Sam. He’ll be coming with us».

  «Hello, Sam. I’m Claire».

  The boy shook his head.

  We hurried to Carcassonne. It was a narrow secondary street and it was dark. I was very worried. My heart was beating fast and I must have been very pale. Alex came next to me.

  «We must hurry».

  His voice was smooth but he really wanted me to hurry. I was too slow. Angus came to us.

  «We should split. We’ll go this way. Sam and Claire will go that way. No one will notice them. They’ll take a hidden road».

  Alex was still thinking about that, but it sounded like a good idea to me. They would get to Carcassonne way faster and Alex would be able to pack. Sam didn’t really seem to care whether he would proceed with me or with the three of us. Alex shook his head and he finally agreed. Yes, we would split.

  «Please, Claire, be careful», he said while kissing me.

  He didn’t seem to be happy about splitting, but he went away anyway. Angus and Alex rode quite fast, I noticed. Sam and I went into the woods.

  I was alone with this boy. This beautiful and silent boy. The moonlight and the sounds of the night created an awkward atmosphere around us. We found a cave and Sam said: «Madame, you might like to rest for a while».

  «I would, thank you. Thank you very much. My name is Claire, anyway».

  «Right».

  As he said so, I had a feeling that the night would be long.

  I walked for a while inside the cave, but then I heard something. It looked like two men were entering the cave. They didn’t seem to have friendly intentions. Where were they from? It happened fast: one moment I was standing peacefully, the other I was in the middle of a fight. Sam was way stronger than them both.

  I was scared and didn’t know what to do. I wanted Sam to make them go, but I suddenly felt that someone was pushing my arm. I was being pushed into a small galley on the left. It was cold and humid, the place was dark. We walked through that narrow passage and then we got into another gallery. At the end of the second gallery, there seemed to be a room. A feeble light came from there and it seemed to me like we could seek for a refuge there. On the morning after we would be able to head to Carcassonne.

  I was finally able to breath again.

  Sam said: «They fainted, Madame. We should be safe in here».

  «Thank you, Sam. Please, call me Claire. Who were they?»

  I was also wondering how we were supposed to sleep in there. Spending the night with Sam was an awkward perspective. I sat next to him.

  «I don’t know. We’ll find that out».

  «Are you okay? Are you cold?»

  «It’s pretty chill in here. Yes».

  «I’ll keep you warm», he said approaching me.

  «So, tell me something more about you».

  «There’s not much to tell. My name is Sam MacGregor and my family has been close to the Wilsons for many years now».

  «MacGregor? Sounds like a tribe...»

  «It was. It’s a family name, now».

  He was hugging me.

  «How close have you been to the Wilsons?»

  «One of them saved my grandfather’s life years ago. So now our families are close to each other».

  I had never heard anything of the sort.

  «Where do you live?»

  «At Mr Wilson’s, of course. In the dependance».

  Dependance? What dependance?

  The night flew away and I even slept. But on the morning after, all my thoughts were back.

  Where were the two men now? Was Alex okay? Will we find our horses where we had left them? My corset was quite uncomfortable, and so were both my boots and my skirt. I had dressed up for dinner, not for an adventure into the woods.

  I had pains everywhere. I was sleepy and tired.

  On the other hand, Sam was beautiful.

  «How are you feeling today?»

  I was unable to answer. I shook my head and thought of the moment we would be back on the road. We seemed to be in sort of a sanctuary now. There was even an altar.

  «So, Claire. Are you ready?»

  He held my hand and walked back to entrance of the cave.

  «What was the room we were in?»

  «I think it was a sacred place. We’re in the Cathars’ land».

  Alex had already told me the story. Sam must have been right. He was walking in a very sef-confident way. When we got to the entrance, we noticed the men had disappeared. So were the horses. I was stuck. How could I walk in those clothes? Furthermore, it was windy and terribly hot.

  «I’m afraid, you’ll have to walk».

  «I already guessed that», I said sharply.

  He looked at me as if noticing me for the first time. Then he said: «Let’s go. I’ll help you», and gave me his arm.

  We started walking in silence. The birds’ twitterings kept us company, but they were always making pauses when our footsteps got too noisy. I was really tired and Sam had to help me walk. I was feeling thirsty.

  Sam stopped at once. A very small snake crossed our path and I started screaming.

  «You’re scaring the snake, Claire. It’s not poisoning, don’t panic».

  I relaxed, or, at least, stopped screaming.

  «We will stop for a little while», he said smoothly.

  We walked for a while, then he said: «Let’s sit here».

  It was hot and sunny, so resting for a little while was quite an appealing option. We sat on a fallen tree. It was peaceful. A river must have been somewhere near the tree, because I could hear the water flawing.

  «I want to take my clothes off», I said. I don’t why I said that, but Sam stared at me.

  «Please, do».

  Oh my. What shall I do? He was a very beautiful young man and Alex would never find out, so... no! Oh my, was I going crazy? It was my honeymoon and I already had a marvellous husband!

  «Thank you, but maybe later», I tried to sound nonchalant.

  He laughed. «That’s fine. Maybe later».

  I was feeling much better by then. I was hungry, so we stopped and asked for hospitality. We found a very nice and welcoming family that offered us something to eat.

  During the afternoon, we found another cave. It was hidden in the woods.

  «Maybe we should rest for a while. It’s really hot».

  He was right. It was August and it was two thirty in the afternoon.

  «Yes, we should», I agreed.

  We entered the cave. It was chill. I wanted to take my corset off, so I entered a gallery and undressed. As I was undressing, I felt that someone was hugging me. He was strong. He kissed my back and it was pleasant. He whispered me something and I knew he wanted me.

  I turned to him and looked into his eyes. They were incredibly blue. I kissed him. I wanted him too, maybe because of the night we had spent together. I wanted him so much more than I had ever wanted Alex. We undressed and made love on the ground.

  W
hen the night came, we were still hugging and lying there.

  «What about Alex?», I asked.

  «I’m not worried about him. He’ll never find us here. I’m worried about you. What will you do when you see him again?»

  Right. What would I do? My marriage was clearly over. I had married too quickly, and now I had decisions to make.

  «I shall think about that. Alex is a jealous man, though, so... let’s just hope he won’t find out».

  When Sam spoke, it shocked me.

  «I know how jealous he is. He was obsessed with you. He had me spying on you. He wanted to marry you, so I had to keep an eye on you. I used to follow you whenever you had something to do for your charity activities. I was always watching you when you sat reading on the veranda».

  I must have gone pale.

  «At least now you know the truth».

  I was angry and flattered at the same time. I was still hugging him. We were still lying on the ground and all I cared for were his lips. They were perfect. His body still wanted mine. He smelled good. He kissed my neck and then we made love once again.

  «Maybe we should talk about this», I said.

  «We will. But let’s make love now».

  I wanted him so bad. I was lying on the ground and he had me. He caressed me and kissed me. We fell asleep then. We were happy and really tired. When we woke up, we both knew we’d have to face the consequences of our actions.

  «I love you, Claire».

  I was feeling good. I liked him very much and we had a lot in common. It was as if we had known each other forever. We were two sides of the same seashell.

  «Are you in the secret society?», I asked.

  «Of course I’m not. You can ask me all you like. I want things to be clear between us».

  Clear. That sounded good. Much better than Alex’s secret stuff, anyway.

  «So, what shall we do now? How do you suggest we... keep going?»

  I was feeling upside down. I was feeling guilty and happy at the same time.

  «If you love me, we can be together. Alex won’t find us. If you want to go back to him, I’ll take you».