by Vi Carter
I stay silent until the stairs open up onto a large landing.
“Henry,” I call his name slowly. He hates when I do that. I wait and don’t hear anything back. I’m pretty sure I know where he is. I continue to walk, taking small controlled steps.
“Don’t make me come looking for you,” I call as I peek into his room. That’s perfectly made. The small single bed in the giant room looks ridiculous. He refused a large bed, told father it took too long to warm up.
Movement above my head has me grinning as I make my way to the end of the hallway. Tucked behind large plants is winding gold stairs that leads to the open third floor. It once was divided into servant quarters, but since they don’t live in the house, Henry claimed it and demolished every wall. It is now Henry’s domain.
“What are you doing hiding in the attic?” I ask the moment I see him sitting on a red and green rug. Whatever he is playing with he tucks behind his back before pushing his black glasses back up on his face. Everyone said we looked alike. I didn’t see it. All I saw was a weirdo that I didn’t want anyone associating with me.
“What do you want, Lucas?” He tries to sound bored, but I know better. He hates when I refer to his space as the attic, the fact he didn’t correct me, tells me he’s up to no good, again.
I deliberately walk around him while touching things. An ugly floor lamp. The cream tassels pass easily through my fingers. I glance down to see a small wooden box behind his back.
“What poor creature are you torturing?” I glance at Henry as I touch a blue hanging chair suspended from the ceiling. The white stripes along the arms are snow-white, like no one has ever used the chair. I run my hands along the white fabric.
His nostrils flare. “What do you want?” He’s still sitting, his hands gripping his crossed legs.
“I want my weird brother to stay out of my business.” I stop in front of him, folding my arms across my chest.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” His smirk has me clenching my fists.
He knew exactly what I was talking about. I pretend to think.
He shifts and pushes his glasses up on his nose again. His irritation grows.
“Where is your weird friend?”
His cheeks grow red with anger and I grin.
“It’s Alex, and you know his name.” Henry gets up off the floor. I’m still a foot taller than him, even though he’s the older of us. “He isn’t weird. He’s different. Not like all you carbon copies.”
I snort. “He’s weird. Just keep out of my business.”
“Or what?” he’s excited at the prospect of my next words. He has a devious smile worming its way across his face.
I smile at my brother and his excitement dwindles. “I won’t tell father, he won’t take my word over yours.” I know that. He knows that. That is what he expects me to fire at him.
“So what?” He curls his nose up as he speaks, eyes widening.
I shrug. “Let me think about it.”
“Lucas. You can’t make a threat without actually making one.”
He is so easy to annoy.
I turn around. “But I just did,” I say, glancing over my shoulder.
A muscle twitches in his jaw. “It doesn’t matter what you do. You can’t hurt me.”
I walk slowly and shrug. He is right. I can never hurt him. I pause at the stairs.
“No. But I can hurt Alex.”
He’s stomping like a wild boar across the floor, as I duck out of the attic and make my way down the stairs. He’s on my heels and I pretend like I don’t notice.
“If you so much as look at Alex!” I let a laugh linger as I turn to Henry and smile. Taking a step towards my brother, he reigns in some of that anger. His shoulders are slumped forward; his head slightly tilted as he watches me from the corner of his eye. He looks wrong. He looks fucking weird.
“What will you do?”
I take another step towards him and he hunches more forward.
“No one is watching, Henry. So you don’t have to act like a victim.”
He grins up at me before returning to his full height. “But sometimes people are watching. Do you know what they see when they watch us?”
This time he takes a step towards me. “They see you, Lucas. The bully and then they see me…” he grins. “What will I let them see this time?”
I clench my fists. “Are you threatening me?”
He grins and shrugs just as I had done to him. Only I’m not stupid enough to call after him as he turns and makes his way back up to the attic.
Making my way down the stairs, I stop abruptly on the last step. More girls, more giggles, more smiles. How many are due to arrive?
“Master Lucas.” George greets me as he helps carry in their bags. His back is bent. He needs to retire, but my father refused to let him go. I want to bark at the three women and tell them to get their own bags.
I continue to the back of the house, passing the drawing-room where I hear more voices. I don’t pause as I keep going to a place I will find silence.
Turning up the knob of my stereo, I blare my music in my soundproofed room. Pulling off the navy jumper, I place it on the wooden bench. Switching my trousers and shoes for black jogging pants and sneakers, I wrap my hands.
I don’t hold back as my punch bag becomes Henry. I punch it, picturing his glasses crumbling under my fist. The impact of my next punch sends the bag sailing back, and I’m ready for the impact when it returns. My fist jabs the side of the bag, Henry’s ribs crack, but not before I get a sickening hit into his other side. The bag swings back and when it returns again, I focus on Henry’s face, hit after hit, bones smashing and crushing under my fists.
I’m panting hard, sweat coating my naked torso, but I still have more. All the faces I let melt together; each punch is Henry, my father, even Mark. I keep hitting until the image changes to nameless faces. My fists are raw and no longer enough. My knee impacts, swinging the bag back. I keep going until exhaustion has me puffing and holding onto the bag for support. The music pounds into my head, not allowing anything else in there. Just the way I like it. My fists cry out, my knee stings, I focus on the pain.
My ears ring for a moment even as the music ends. I straighten and look over at Mark who stands up straight.
“All seven ladies have arrived, Master Lucas.”
“Turn back on my music.” I don’t have much energy left, but I return to punching the bag. It’s not as vicious as it was before, but with Mark’s presence here it fuels me.
“Your father left me instructions….” I turn and stretch out my hands. Fresh blood seeps into the bandages. Mark’s eyes flicker to my damaged hands and his lips curl up in disgust. He doesn’t budge.
The fabric comes away easily as I unravel it from my hands. “My father isn’t here and won’t be for four weeks.” I take a step towards Mark. “So why don’t you and George occupy the ladies. In any way at all,” I wink.
His eyes widened. “That isn’t my role, Master Lucas.”
“What? Sleeping with them?”
His eyes grow hard.
“I promise I would never tell. Take your pick.”
“This is not a joke, Master Lucas.”
“Master Lucas,” I repeat while throwing the bloodied bandages in the bin. “If I was your Master, you wouldn’t be here.”
I grin up at Mark and he holds firm in his stance.
“Your father will be expecting a report, Master Lucas.”
I sense a tone in how he says my name now. I want to point it out, pull him up on it, but I’m getting tired.
“What did you come here for?”
“You need to greet all the ladies.”
“Let me shower first.”
His eyes roam my bare torso. “Yes, that would be best.”
Mark turns to leave but stops. “I would suggest a pair of gloves, Master Lucas.”
I would suggest he leaves quickly before I lose my temper.
The door clos
es and I glance down at my damaged hands. I grin.
I have no intention of making this easy for them.
CHAPTER THREE
ELLA
Five suitcases. I keep counting them as if the numbers might dwindle. “Who are they?” his words are on repeat in my head. The way he looked at us. My cheeks darken now and my eyes sting. It was him from the picture, but he didn’t seem happy to see us. He wasn’t what I had thought he would be. I sit on the edge of the four-poster bed and look around my room. It’s how I pictured it. At least something has turned out right. The lush cream carpet gathers around my bare feet. I wiggle my pink painted toenails.
I had thought one look at me and it would be love at first sight. It’s how it always went in the fairy tales. I had felt … scared. His raised voice was harsh, his eyes held something that was so dark. I shiver now and get off the bed. I know the cold isn’t coming from the soft breeze that comes from the opened double windows, but I’m going to pretend it is.
The window bay is large and one single reading chair sits in a stream of light. Like someone took the time to watch what way the sun fell and positioned it there. Red velvet curtains hang either side, reminding me of the curtains on a stage. I close the windows and stare out onto the gardens. They are endless, a maze of plants and flowers. I see an actual maze made from a hedge far beyond the lawns. It’s just like the one I’ve seen in the storybook Alice in wonderland.
“Hi, Ella, who isn’t Bella.” Hannah knocks softly on my door as she speaks. Her smile is still wide. “May I come in?” She bites down on a red plump lip after she speaks. I know I shouldn’t but I also have to watch my P’s and Q’s. Mother’s orders.
“Of course.” I turn away from the window fully and slip on my beige heels. I didn’t want to appear sloppy. I need all the girls to know that I am a real threat in this competition.
“All the girls are talking about Lucas.” She wiggles her eyebrows, as she kicks off her shoes and sits on my bed. She is messing up my room. I can’t help but bend down and pick up her shoes, placing them alongside the high skirting board. That is much better.
“What are they saying?” I can’t stop the curiosity I feel.
“How gorgeous he is? Vicky said she’s going to sleep with him first.”
My stomach sours at her words. “Who is Vicky?”
“Oh, yeah. You haven’t met the other girls. All seven of us are here now. So Vicky is the tall one, you can’t miss her.” She bites her lip again as she smiles, it’s like she’s trying to contain herself.
“I thought Lucas was rude.” I quickly cover my mouth once the words leave them. Oh my God. “Please don’t…”
She’s laughing. “Don’t worry. I think he was rude too. But he’s still hot.”
A smile pulls at my lips. “He is very handsome.”
Silence in the room feels uncomfortable. I don’t want to break it. I shouldn’t be speaking to her in the first place. I can’t encourage this. Whatever this actually is.
A small blond head pops around my open door. “Ladies. We finally get to meet him.” She steps fully into the room. She’s pretty too, with a wave in her blond hair that reaches her shoulders. She isn’t in a dress like Hannah and I. Instead, she wears a pair of high-waist white trousers, and tucked into the waistband is a simple black shirt. She looks sophisticated and older. All of a sudden I feel childish in my green dress.
Hannah slides off the bed. Her cheeks flushed. “Well, Ella and I have already met him.”
I glance at Hannah, wondering why I've been brought into this conversation.
“Is that so?” The blond-haired girl stares at me and her once soft blue eyes now seem a bit sharper.
“Well, he walked into the drawing-room when we were there.”
I glance behind the blond girl as four more girls wait to hear what I have to say.
My stomach twists and I curse Hannah. “What did he say?” A brunette steps into my room, she is so tall.
“That’s Vicky,” Hannah says with a wink.
So she is the one who is going to sleep with him first. I stand straighter now and focus on Vicky. But I’m no match for her height. She has to be over six feet.
“He was busy, so he didn’t say much,” I answer honestly.
“He was angry and it was so hot.” Hannah takes over and all the girls smile and giggle at her expression. Before they just stared at me like I was boring them to death.
“He was up in Mark's face, I thought it was going to turn into a fist fight. Ella and I witnessed the whole thing.”
I glare at Hannah and her nonsense.
She winks. “Anyway. He was only looking for Henry.”
“Who’s Henry?” Two girls ask at once.
Hannah shrugs. “A mystery we will have to solve, girls.” She claps and they all giggle.
“Well, we better get down to the drawing-room. Now we all get to meet Lucas.” The blond bats her lashes dramatically and more giggles burst forth.
I wait until everyone has left my room before running to the mirror. I look terrified. Oh, God. I take a few deep breaths before leaving my room.
We enter the drawing-room again. Vicky and another brunette sit on the Chaise Lounge. I opt for a high back leather seat. Hannah quickly sits across from me, while the blond and another two brunettes sit on a large couch at the back. We are spaced out but still close to each other. My heart drums as I sit straight and cross my legs, only to uncross them again.
Don’t fidget.
A man dressed in the same black suit that Mark wore enters the room. He must have been in his eighties. He smiles kindly at us all and I relax instantly.
“Thank you, ladies, for gathering. Master Lucas will be with you shortly.” Two more ladies arrive, dressed in black skirts and tops. They hold trays high above their heads.
I accept the drink that is offered to me, but I can’t take my eyes off the door, waiting and hoping that we get to see Master Lucas, the gentleman. Everyone has a bad moment. Maybe Henry, whoever he was, really upset Master Lucas. Maybe that’s why he was so angry.
Once everyone has a drink, the ladies leave the room, the door closes behind them and the old man still stands at the head of the room. I place my drink on a small table to my right. My stomach is too queasy to accept the liquid.
“A few rules before we get started.” Everyone quiets down.
“We don’t allow phones or any other technological devices during the selection period.”
I never had a phone to begin with, so that rule didn’t bother me. As I glance at the other girls, I see their eyes widen.
“Will we hand them over now?” Vicky asks.
“All will be collected after your first meeting with Master Lucas. The second rule is you can’t leave the property without permission.”
No one says anything.
“Thirdly, you are only allowed into your assigned rooms, which are your own quarters, the drawing-room, the library, and the main kitchen. Any questions?”
“Can we watch TV?” This is from the brunette who sits beside the blonde girl. Once again I notice how pretty she is. Chocolate brown hair with matching eyes, even her skin looks like light chocolate. Her voice is soft.
“Yes, TV is permitted.” I face forward, looking away from the girl just as the door opens. My heart beats too fast and my hand flutters to my throat to try to calm it down as Lucas steps into the room.
“Master Lucas. I was just informing the ladies of the rules.” The old man smiles at Lucas, but Lucas doesn’t smile back. He looks as angry as he did earlier. When he stares up at us, his dark eyes are tight at the corners with irritation, like he really doesn’t want us here.
“You told them not to wander around my home.” His voice is deep and hostile.
I want to look at the other girls to see if their hearts are beating as hard as mine is.
“Yes, Master Lucas.” The old man sounds disappointed as he speaks.
Lucas glares at us all like we are the enemy
in a war I’m not aware of. I try to smile when his dark eyes land on me and his eyes narrow. He rubs his jaw and my breath catches at his damaged hands. I can hear someone inhale quickly, so I am not the only one who noticed the cuts.
He grins, but it’s sinister and filled with loathing. For us? I’m not sure what is going on. But right now I am caught in a trap as he continues to stare at me.
“Anyone have any questions?” His deep voice rumbles through me and his words sound more like a dare.
Two beats pass and no one speaks.
“Let me introduce the ladies, Master Lucas.” The old man sweeps his arm towards us.
“If you insist, George.” Lucas’s drawl sounds bored. Each time he opens his mouth my dreams disappear at an alarming rate.
“This is Vicky O’ Sullivan.” Vicky stands at the mention of her name. But Lucas doesn’t take her hand that she raises slightly. He gives her a sharp nod and my stomach twists as she sits back down.
“This is Mary Walsh.” Mary stands and straightens her red knee-length dress. She looks pale like she might pass out. Lucas gives another nod while placing his damaged hands in front of him. I think we are all distracted by them.
“This is Ella O’ Leary.” My heart thumps as I rise and face Lucas. This moment was meant to be perfect, it was meant to be everything I had spent all my nights dreaming about, instead, he gives me a nod just like he had to the other girls. Even as my heart beats wildly, and I see George open his mouth to introduce the next girl, I take a step toward Lucas and reach out my hand. “Pleased to meet you.” I try to smile, I try to pretend that this moment is the perfect moment. He stares at my hand and my smile wobbles. I pray that he takes it.
A large warm hand encases mine, my eyes snap up to Lucas’s. He tightens his fingers around my hand igniting pain, I pull back but he won’t release my hand. I try again and this time he lets me go. I stumble back but catch my balance. Giggles erupt from the room and my eyes burn. Why would he do that? I’m staring at him as I sit down in a daze.