Scarlet Masquerade

by Jett Abbott

  “You’re playing with fire, my love. You’re delicate lips beg me to do other things and I’ve already gone further than I wanted. Please spare me further transgressions. I’m not sure I’ll be able to control myself if we continue.” Alexandra lowered her forehead to Clarissa’s and took a long, slow, deep breath.

  “Alexandra…” just hearing Clarissa say her name made her knees weak. “Surely, we both knew this day would come. I’ve thought about it for weeks.”

  Alexandra felt a feather light kiss on her palm and then Clarissa pressed her hand to her breast. “I ache for your touch. I’ve thought of nothing else when I’m alone. Please release me from my internal torture. Please.”

  Alexandra saw the pleading in Clarissa’s eyes and trembled at the request. Would she be able to just stop when Clarissa was satisfied or would she take it too far and let her demon loose to do its own bidding?

  “Please.”

  A.J. felt a tap on her arm as she wandered back from her memory. A short glass was held in front of her and she looked up into Clarissa’s puzzled eyes.

  “Are you all right, A.J.? You looked as though you were a million miles away just now.”

  How could she put into words where she had actually gone without driving Clarissa away? How would she explain her own presence here, at the masquerade ball? Taking the glass, she smiled and took a long sip. The liquid burned as it went down, but she needed to set her mind back on course.

  “Thank you.” A.J. noticed a wrapped item sitting next to Clarissa on the couch. Looking at it and then back to Clarissa she took another sip of the single malt scotch. “Well, I should leave you to your other guests. I’ve taken far too much of your time.” Standing, she felt Clarissa’s hand gently tug on her sleeve.

  “Before you go, I’ve wanted to say thank you appropriately. I hope you don’t mind.” Clarissa motioning to the couch. “Please won’t you sit for a moment longer?”

  The gentle request sent a chill through A.J. and she licked her lips and took a deep breath. She was afraid she didn’t have much time before either she or Clarissa was fighting the change. Reaching into her pocket she extracted her tin of safety pills and popped two and slid them under her tongue. A questioning glance made A.J. respond.

  “Ah, I have a condition that I need to take medication for. Nothing serious,” A.J. said sitting back on the couch. “So, I assume what you have there is for me?” A.J. questioned.

  “Well, the last time I was at Knight-Pharmaceutical I asked your assistant about getting something for you as a thank you for the generous donation you made to the university.” Clarissa fidgeted with an errant string on her dress before she looked back up at A.J. “She said that you enjoyed black and white photography so…”

  A.J. grasped Clarissa’s hands to steady them and stop the fidgeting, but it only caused her body to tighten when she slowly started to caress Clarissa’s palms. “And so you have?”

  “Well, I stumbled into a gallery. Well, not really stumbled, but I happened to see this photograph and it touched something in me. I know that sounds strange, but it spoke to me. Reminding me of another time in my life and well…”

  “Clarissa,” A.J. lifted Clarissa’s chin and continued, “is that the photograph?” A.J. asked, looking at the wrapped item sitting next to her.

  “Yes. Please accept this with my humblest thanks. I hope it speaks to you, the way it speaks to me.” Clarissa said. A sudden reticence descended over her when she passed A.J. the wrapped photograph.

  Tearing through the wrapping a slight gasp escaped her lips.

  “It’s beautiful,” A.J. said, stiffening when she recognized the landscape. She looked back at Clarissa wondering if she realized where the photograph was taken. It was close to where they had both lived in Paris. Perhaps Clarissa was testing A.J.? Waiting for something further from Clarissa and seeing nothing, she whispered, “It’s stunning, just stunning, Clarissa.”

  Clarissa smiled while A.J. pulled the photograph closer to inspect it. The photographer had to be a vampire, the dusky tone of the photograph and then lack of civilization gave away its origins.

  “Do you know who the photographer was?”

  “No, the gallery owner didn’t know, but assured me it was worth more than the purchase price.”

  Quickly turning towards Clarissa, A.J. questioned her again, “I hope you didn’t pay too much for this? I would never forgive myself if you’re left penniless because you purchased a gift for me.”

  “I assure you, A.J., the college pays its faculty well enough that I could afford the photograph. Besides, I wanted to show my appreciation. I hope I have.” Clarissa smiled demurely at A.J. The desired affect wasn’t lost on A.J.

  “You have. Now, may I make a small request?”

  Chapter Thirty

  Selene peeked in through the screen and watched as A.J. and Clarissa talked. She had finally talked to someone associated with the Coven, and now Selene needed to let A.J. know what she found out. It was clear, looking at the two women on the couch, that something deeper was transpiring, and Selene hated to break up the reunion. Sticking her finger through the screen, she wiggled it at A.J. hoping it would catch her attention before she had to do something a little drastic.

  “Come on, look over here ya big lust bag.” Selene watched A.J. stare into Clarissa’s eyes, her gaze never wavering. A few more fingers through the screen and she practically had her hand through it. Waving it back and forth, Selene still couldn’t capture A.J.’s attention. Extracting her hand, she saw Clarissa cover her heart and swoon slightly. A.J. quickly knelt next to Clarissa and wrapped her arms around her.

  “Smooth, Romeo.” Selene felt her pulse quicken when A.J. threaded her hands into Clarissa’s hair and kissed her. “Some women have all the luck, and I’m the one who’s supposed to stay focused. Right.”

  Clearing her throat, Selene retreated back into the shadow of the porch and waited until A.J. was finished, which turned out to be quickly since both women had heard Selene. She rested her back against the wall as the voyeur in her tingled.

  “Selene.”

  A.J. was at the window, the tone of her voice definitely bemoaning her displeasure at being interrupted.

  “Sorry, Romeo, but we need to talk, now.” Selene looked into the room and noticed that Clarissa looked more like a scared mouse than a dismayed lover. “I just got off the phone with someone at the Coven, and you’re not going to like what I found out. She okay?” Nodding her head at Clarissa, Selene noticed A.J. didn’t look over shoulder.

  “I was just getting ready to find out, ’til you interrupted.”

  “Well, when you leave she has to come, too. She isn’t safe anywhere, anymore.” Selene looked into A.J.’s eyes and wished the screen and the darkness didn’t hide her expression. She would have to rely on her ability to be persuasive in convincing A.J. that whatever her plans for a slow reconcile would have to be sped up or dashed permanently. “De Marcus is alive.”

  “What? Fuck!” Selene watched as A.J.’s knees weakened and she grabbed the sill for support.

  “Look, we can protect her, but she needs to either leave the party with me or you tonight. Your choice.” Selene saw Clarissa get up and start to walk towards A.J. “She’s coming. I’ll be in the car, waiting. She has you to protect her in here so you don’t need me. But she needs to leave with one of us tonight.” Looking at A.J. it was clear she was unsettled by the news. “Do you understand what I’m telling you, A.J.?”

  “Yeah.” Shaking her head she whispered, “give me about thirty minutes.”

  “A.J.”

  “Selene.” The menacing tone slid over Selene and she let it slide.

  “Okay.” With that, Selene was gone.

  ###

  A.J. grasped the sides of the window and took a deep breath. Once again, De Marcus had ruined her plans with Clarissa. A.J. had to think fast or her world would be upside down again because of him. A soft touch in the middle of her back caught her attention. />
  “A.J., I’m sorry. I know that wasn’t the reaction you wanted. I mean, I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t attracted to you, but I barely know you. I feel like I’ve met you before but—”

  “Clarissa, please don’t apologize. It’s my fault. I’m pushing things too fast. I’m used to getting what I want and, well…” A.J. let the words die on her lips turning and reaching for both of Clarissa’s hands. “Time is not our friend at the moment.”

  A.J. smiled and pulled Clarissa away from the window. She didn’t want anyone hearing their conversation, but more importantly she didn’t want to risk Clarissa’s safety if someone was waiting for an opportunity. A.J. watched as a puzzled expression crossed Clarissa’s face.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Please sit down and let me explain.” Confused, Clarissa sat on the couch. A.J. knelt in front of her. “Clarissa, I’ve looked for someone like you my whole life. In fact, many years ago I thought I had found someone like you, but she was taken from me.” A.J.’s thumbs caressed the backs of soft hands as she looked down at them.

  “Oh, A.J. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  A.J. reached up and started to untie Clarissa’s mask. Clarissa tried to stop her, but A.J. smiled and whispered, “Please.”

  She hadn’t forgotten how beautiful Clarissa was, but it had been so long since she had seen her this close, she wanted to cry. Holding back tears, A.J. reached up and framed Clarissa’s face with her hands. You’re so beautiful, thought A.J., gently stroking the beautiful face with her thumbs.

  “Who are you?” Clarissa’s pleaded.

  “I’ll explain everything, if you promise me you won’t run.” A.J. watched Clarissa’s heart beat speed up. She could feel Clarissa tense under her touch and ran her hands down the frightened woman’s arms. Grasping her hands, she continued, “Have you ever loved someone so much you would give your life for that person?”

  Clarissa nodded her head and looked down at their joined hands. Whispering, she said, “I have. Once, a long time ago, but things changed and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.” A small tear trickled down Clarissa’s face, unsettling A.J.

  “Clarissa, I need you to do me another favor. Take my mask off for me.” Clarissa sat and looked at her. Another pleading whisper escaped A.J.’s lips, “Please, don’t be afraid.”

  Time seemed to stand still while A.J. waited for Clarissa’s hands to do her bidding. She watched Clarissa bite her lower lip and then, finally, reach up to the ties that kept A.J.’s mask in place. A.J.’s heart was pounding so loudly she was sure Clarissa could hear her own fear. She could take anything right now, but rejection. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would be sitting in the same room as Clarissa. So a few minutes of apprehension was a small price to pay to reconnect with her one true love. As the mask started to fall, A.J. lowered her head and raised Clarissa’s hands to bury her face in the soft caress of her palms. Gentle kisses covered the delicate fingers and she started to cry. She felt Clarissa’s fingers cup her chin and raise it.

  “Please don’t cry, A.J. I’m sure you’re….” The words trailed off when Clarissa got her first glimpse of A.J.’s face. “Alexandra.”

  Chapter Thirty One

  Gulping for breath, Clarissa felt as though she had been punched in the stomach. How could it be? She had cradled the crying face of Alexandra Locke and now staring at her were the most beautiful, sad blue eyes. The silence was stifling and all Clarissa could think about was running away from this murderer. Afraid to move she sat still as a statue, scared that if she didn’t Alexandra might hurt her. And yet, the pain in Alexandra’s eyes told a different truth. As tears streamed down Alexandra’s face, Clarissa resisted the urge to wipe them way. She was afraid that if she touched her lover from the past, she might melt into her arms, and yet this was the woman that had killed her family. Clarissa’s emotion battled within her, the longing for Alexandra to touch her, kiss her, as she had done in the past, was at war with the pain of losing her family at Alexandra’s hands.

  “You murdered my family. Why?” Clarissa’s soft tone hid the undercurrent of emotion that was starting to well up inside her.

  “What?”

  Clarissa was taken aback by the shocked look on Alexandra’s face. She hadn’t prepared herself for a meeting with Alexandra, ever. Now she was face to face with the killer she had always known Alexandra to be.

  “You heard me. Why Alexandra? Why my family? Was your grief at losing me so strong that you had to take it out on them?” Clarissa stiffened with each word trying to control the turmoil she could feel working inside her body. If she changed now, she didn’t care. She was face to face with a monster and perhaps it would take another monster to exorcise Alexandra from her mind completely. “I loved you like I’ve never loved before or since. I gave everything to be with you and that is how you repaid me, by murdering my family?”

  Alexandra bowed her head, resting her hands on each side of Clarissa’s legs. Clarissa felt the rage flow off Alexandra as she watched her hands begin to tremble. Confused, she once again reached down and lifted Alexandra’s chin to face her. She wasn’t going to let Alexandra get away with trying to intimated her or leave without an explanation. She, too, had strength, and she wasn’t afraid of Alexandra Locke. While she hadn’t sought her out for revenge, she also knew that this meeting would never have taken place if she had her way. Clarissa had learned to deal with her hatred for Alexandra. It was tucked into nice little box she kept packed away in the back of her mind. It was the only way she survived it. But now it seems the box wanted to be open and she could feel the hatred spilling out of what was now an open wound.

  “Answer me,” Clarissa said with so much venom it slapped Alexandra across the face. And then she couldn’t hold back. Fists pummeled Alexandra with such fury that A.J. only sat there stunned by the punishment. Blow after blow assailed her and yet she took them. Clarissa’s onslaught slowed when she realized that Alexandra wasn’t defending herself. A stinging slap across Alexandra’s face brought clarity to Clarissa and she immediately recoiled. Shamed by the attack, she lowered her head and whispered, “Answer me.”

  ###

  A.J. sat stunned at the accusation. The beating she could handle, but the accusations floored her. Her tongue had lost all ability to function and she just stared into angry green eyes that looked like they would stake her where she knelt. Trying to put two and two together as quickly as she could, a slow rage began to build in A.J. De Marcus. He had once again taken everything she loved and tainted it. Even now, he had wormed his way back into what should have been at least a reunion between friends. But no, he had taken even that away from her. Well, this time he wasn’t going to win. A.J. would do whatever she needed to convince Clarissa that not only did she not kill her family, but that she still loved her with every fiber of her being. She rose and sat on the couch next to Clarissa and watched Clarissa recoil from her touch. Pulling her hands back, she clasped them in her lap trying to control the tremors that worked through her body. Clarissa being so close was starting to stir her lust and she didn’t need that competition with her head right now.

  “I don’t know what lies you’ve been told, but I never touched your family. I knew how much they meant to you. I even respected their wishes when they banished me from seeing you as you lay dying. I wanted to be there with you, to comfort you when you took your last breath. I wanted my face to be the last thing you saw when you passed from this world and into the next. But it wasn’t meant to be, thanks to De Marcus.” A.J. took a long deep breath steadying herself for what might come next.

  “Why would he lie to me? Assuming he’s the one that told me?”

  “Why would I? I thought you were lost to me, passed on to the next world, never to be seen again. I left the night before you died. I went to my country house and grieved for years. I closed myself off to everyone and everything. I was practically ruined by my grief and I didn’t care. I had lost the one true th
ing that mattered to me, you.” A.J. straightened, looking around the room. She didn’t have much time and now she needed to convince a woman who thought she had killed her family that the safest place was with her. This wouldn’t be easy, but she didn’t have a choice.

  “When did you know I was alive? How long has it taken you to put your plan into action?” Clarissa was throwing accusations around like spitballs and A.J. was trying to figure out what she was accusing her of now.

  “What are you talking about?” A.J. was confused, and she needed Clarissa to clear up that confusion and quick. Time wasn’t their friend.

  “The assassin that was sent to kill me the other night. That was you, right?”

  The accusation was like a punch to the gut and A.J. leaned her elbows on her knees trying to steady her breathing.

  “I just told you how much you mean to me and you think I’m trying to kill you?” Running her fingers through her hair, she worked to control her rage. “Sorry to break the news to you, but I’m the one protecting you.” Standing she began to shake with rage. “I fucking can’t believe you would think I would have anything to do with hurting you.” Reaching into her pocket she pulled out her tin and popped two more pills. She was spiraling out of control and it was getting harder and harder to keep her wits about her listening to the lies being thrown at her. “I saw you at that bar, with that…that butch or whatever she was. I couldn’t believe it.” A.J. paced the floor, running her hands through her hair recounting the night to Clarissa. “I followed you on my motorcycle. When you got home I called a friend and gave him the information to track you down.”

  With her back to Clarissa she continued speaking to the wall. It was easier on her head and her eyes. She wanted to run. For the first time in her life she wanted to be anywhere but right here next to Clarissa. A.J. could feel the daggers piercing her back, her shoulders dropping in defeat. Had Clarissa bested her? Would she really give up so easily and let Clarissa walk out of her life again, for good? Time was a cruel mistress, and A.J. would have plenty of it to think of all the things she should have said to the beautiful woman she dreamed of when she needed hope.