by Vi Carter
Lucas takes a step towards Alex. “How will I punish you Alex, for your crime?”
I don’t know what passes between these two, but this is ridiculous. What he is accusing him of, and me for that matter, is outrageous. He might be Master Lucas Andrew O’ Flanoin the third, but I still had my integrity to protect. I take a step towards Lucas, Alex flickers me a worried glance.
“I was out looking for the maze and…”
“Stop speaking.” Lucas cuts me with a lethal stare and my heart beats against my chest.
“It’s okay, Ella,” Alex speaks gently to me before looking back at Lucas. “Do your best.” He grins and my heart hurts for him. I don’t know either of them, but what I can see is that Lucas will do his best, and he will hurt Alex. Alex is one of those people whom life didn’t give him a chance. I hated the injustice of standing here while Lucas spoke down to him.
“Since my father isn’t here, I’m allowed to pick the punishment. So what punishment fits this crime?” Lucas walks around Alex. Intimidating him.
Alex surprises me when he laughs.
“Do you find something amusing?” Lucas’s words are angry and I want to tell Alex to stop smiling. I glance around the garden to see if anyone else is near, but we are alone.
“Henry was right about you. You’re afraid of what you can’t control.”
Alex hits the ground hard as Lucas shoves him to his knees. The action is rough, but Lucas looks calmly down at Alex. My heart has picked a different beat. Black spots dance around the edge of my vision.
“I control everything.” Lucas kneels down beside Alex. “I control Henry. I control you. I control this situation.”
Alex’s face is red with embarrassment and anger. I feel terrible standing here doing nothing. My chest aches.
Alex is staring at his hand on the ground and I’m waiting for the world to shatter, it feels so tense when he looks back up at Lucas and smiles.
“I see you still have your strings. Daddy still controls you.”
A startled scream tears from my lips as Lucas hits Alex in the mouth. The red liquid dribbles from his lips and I’m moving. I know I shouldn’t.
I don’t care when the ground tears at my bare knees, I grab Lucas’s closed fist in hopes of stopping him from hitting Alex again. It works for a moment. I want to smile in triumph until my eyes travel from Lucas’s fist all the way up to his eyes.
I swallow. But I had come this far, I wasn’t backing down. “He has done nothing wrong,” I say. My voice betrays me by shaking.
“You will regret that.” He removes his large fist from my hand and rises easily. I’m stumbling off my knees to my feet.
“What?”
His hand tightens around my upper arm and I’m being pulled towards the house.
“Let me go.” Panic has me yanking away from his touch, but he only tightens his grip on me.
“You’re hurting me.” I glance back at Alex who’s standing now, his hat back in his hand. I’m wondering why he isn’t following us. Why he’s not coming to my aid, like I came to his. Instead, he gives me a wave.
What the hell?
“Lucas, let me go now.” He releases me and I feel a sense of triumph for the second time, only to have it demolished as he turns to me.
“It’s Master Lucas. We are here now.”
When he releases me from his stare, I look up at the house feeling confused.
I follow him in with a sense of trepidation in every step I take. I try to look back at the gardens but can’t see them from this angle. I’m not sure what just happened. Why Alex isn’t trying to fight in my corner. Maybe he is gone to get help.
Mark, who had brought me into the house, greets me with a nod as Lucas marches me into a library. I glance around me, but its short lived as Lucas clears his throat. The moment our eyes meet, he speaks.
“I want her tested again.”
Mark’s head snaps up to mine, confusion marring his face. I’m as confused as he is. I want to ask what he means, but his glare has me rooted to the spot.
“Tested? Master Lucas.”
Lucas releases a breath. “Yes Mark. Tested. I found her in the gardens with Alex. So I would like her tested again.”
Mortification burns me. “I did nothing.” My bravery is born from the shame of this moment.
Lucas takes a step towards me, towering above me. “If you did nothing, then you won’t mind being tested.”
The test was horrible and uncomfortable. My stomach twists painfully. If it will stop this charade.
“Fine,” I bark too loudly.
“You keep speaking out of turn. So I will be present, to make sure it’s done.”
My knees wobble. I keep my mouth closed. He is punishing me for speaking. If I answered again, how much further would he go? Anger burns my skin and I can feel the heat travel across my chest and along my neck. When I don’t say anything, Lucas smiles.
“You are learning.” He steps out of the room and my eyes meet Mark’s, but he isn’t going to help me. No one is.
CHAPTER SIX
LUCAS
I glance at Ella in the rear-view mirror. She’s staring out the window, her cheeks still red. She has quite the temper. I refocus on the road as I drive us to the clinic.
I glance at Ella again, this time our eyes clash. Emerald green eyes reflect her anger, they’re wide and focused. She doesn’t look away from me, her chin held high in defiance. I clench the steering wheel in my hands and look back to the road. No one has ever defied me so much. I want to put out that fire that burns too brightly inside her. She is young and naïve and doesn’t seem to know her place.
“If you keep looking at me like that, Ella, I’ll take it as an invitation.” I glance at her in the mirror. Her eyes widen even further, her mouth forms an O and her chest rises and falls quicker.
“It’s not an invitation.”
I look away before I grin at her blatant disregard for my authority. She grows angrier.
“That temper of yours is going to get you into trouble.”
This time when I look at her, she’s back to staring out the window.
We arrived at the clinic. They have a room set up and are waiting for us.
Doctor Paige greets us at the door. “Mr. O’ Faolain, Right in here.”
I glance at Ella who’s standing rod straight.
“Ladies first.” I offer with an outstretched hand. For a moment she looks like she might attack me as she inhales a sharp breath. She snaps her head forward and marches into the room. Her shoulders slump forward as I close the door behind us. She glances over her shoulder and when her eyes meet mine, some of that fire is gone. Her eyes darken as she looks away.
Doctor Paige glances at me over the rim of his thick glasses. “Are you staying for the examination, Mr. O’ Faolain?” The question is delivered with a sense of disbelief.
“Yes. Proceed.” I flick a hand at Ella and Doctor Paige looks at her, his eyes softening around the edges.
“Okay Ella, you want to pop up on the bed.”
Her whole body is screaming no. I lean against the wall. She glances at me, and I hope she is starting to understand her place in this situation. I wasn’t leaving.
Her chest is flushed as she stares at me, fighting with some internal battle. One I would squash for her.
“I don’t have all day.”
That seems to settle her internal debate. Whatever she wanted to say is gone, as she climbs up on the bed. I do notice her tightened fists.
“You need to relax.” Doctor Paige’s voice is gentle and he smiles at her. I can see Ella’s body visibly relaxing.
“You need to do your job, Doctor Paige. I have other things to do today.” I bite the words out and both of them stiffen.
No one speaks and as Doctor Paige gets ready to do his examination, I focus on the photos on his desk. His wife and three kids are smiling up at the camera that no doubt he is behind. Ella exhales loudly.
“It will be uncomfortabl
e for a few more minutes.” Doctor Paige reassures her.
“That’s okay. I remember.” She sounds so vulnerable. Like she didn’t back herself into this corner. Like she didn’t put herself in front of me and ask for my attention.
I grit my teeth. Well, she had my attention now whether she wanted it or not. I keep focusing on everything but Ella. A part of me can’t take that bit of privacy away from her. Me being in the room is a large enough statement.
A calendar on the wall has the seventh of April circled in pink marker. I wonder if it is a birthday. Maybe one of his smiling daughters did it.
Ella hisses again.
“We are nearly finished.” Doctor Paige is using that soft voice again. Trying to reassure Ella.
“Okay. All done. Just lie there for a few minutes.”
I wait until Doctor Paige leaves Ella before glancing at her. She’s staring at the ceiling. Her clothes back in place. Her legs firmly closed. She’s beautiful. Her face is youthful and innocent, that is until she looks at me.
I grin. Her eyes show everything. Right now they shine with hate and I’m happy to see it. I push off the wall and walk to her, each step that I get closer I can see her body tense, but she doesn’t look away from me.
“I hope your results are the same as before.” I warn, knowing they are.
Her jaw clenches and I wonder again where this fire comes from in her. How do I put it out? What fuels it?
Fascinating.
I lean in closer and watch her pulse flicker in her neck. “Your eyes give away what you feel, Ella.”
Her pulse jumps and her eyes flutter closed, cutting me off from those stunning green eyes.
I don’t move away. She smells of soap.
“She is still a virgin Mr. O’ Faolain.”
Doctor Paige stands behind me and I lean out from Ella. Her eyes snap up to me and she looks smug with her results.
“I know,” I answer, watching her eyes widen. The anger returns and I know I’ve driven my point home.
Once again Ella doesn’t speak as I drive us back to the house. Even when I glance at her in the rear-view mirror she doesn’t look up.
When we arrive into the house, three of the other girls are lounging in the hall. No doubt they saw us arrive, now they are pretending like they were having a chat in the hall. All eyes are on me, a mix of lust and fear. It’s what I’m used to.
When I look at Ella, she stares at me with her head held high.
So defiant.
The girls are waiting and watching to see what will happen. I could embarrass her.
I lean in and lower my voice but make sure it’s loud enough so the other girls can hear.
“I enjoyed myself. I hope you did too.” I brush my lips against her cheek and when I lean out, I’m expecting anger to burn in her eyes. Instead, they swim in a mist that she is fighting not to let out.
“Can I go to my room?” She’s holding back the emotions that I have no doubt will spill within the next second.
I could let her cry here in front of everyone. The girls are still watching, their tongues will soon be wagging.
I nod my head and she’s past me in a blur of green. I take a quick look as she flees up the stairs. I stare at the other three who still stand in the hall.
One of them starts to smile at me. I walk past the blond and make my way outside. I still needed to check the maze.
This time when I enter the garden I don’t encounter anyone. I still stall at the mouth of the maze. My fingers sizzle and I tighten my fists. Once I take my first step, that fear that wants to grow, disappears. I know this maze. I focus on the ground as I walk, looking for traces of turned soil. I find nothing. Time passes quickly in the maze and when I emerge, the skies have darkened.
Checking my watch, it’s close to eight. I need to get for the meeting.
There are only four of us today. All are seated and talking. When I enter, the chatter ceases.
I take the seat, leaving one empty either side of me.
Aine is the first to greet me as usual. “Master Lucas.” Her high cheekbones and small chin have had too much work. At first it’s hard to think why she looks so formidable. The more you take her in, the more work you see. Her nose looks thinner today. It could be more work or a trick of the light.
“Aine.” Her white shirt has more ruffles on it then I can count.
“Brendan, Cathal, Sean.” I welcome each member. They are all a lot older than me. Cathal and Brendan didn’t like that I was in charge, but Sean didn’t seem to mind.
“What happened to Declan?” Brendan speaks with pursed lips.
I don’t answer.
“Master Lucas.” He adds begrudgingly.
“We are still looking into the cause of his death, but I’m sure you have all heard that he lost a finger during the electrocution.” I know father won’t approve of me lying to the members, but to me, any of them could be guilty. I need to be careful yet convincing with my words.
“The moment I find out more, I will promptly let you know.”
“Debbie was devastated.” Aine holds a manicured hand to her chest.
“Of course she was. Her husband was electrocuted to death. She was hardly happy.” Brendan's sarcastic remark is delivered with a smirk. The light bounces off his bald head distracting me.
“How do we know it wasn’t on purpose, Master Lucas?” Sean speaks, while Aine and Brendan glare at each other.
“We don’t.” Now all eyes are on me.
“So it’s best for everyone to be careful.” I make sure I direct this to Cathal and Brendan.
There is a smile in Brendan’s eyes, like he knows something I don’t. His smile makes me nervous. He is a clever man and as much as I loathed him, I still need to be careful around him.
“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Master Lucas.” Aine speaks up, a clear way of trying to release some of the tension from the room. Only my upcoming wedding isn’t a topic I want to discuss.
“Thank you Aine.”
“My son is also in his selection process, Master Lucas.”
“I hope he finds what he’s looking for.”
There is a moment of confusion from the other members and it reminds me how new I am to this.
“The selection for him is perfect. I have no doubt any of them will make a stunning bride, Master Lucas.” Sean offers with a smile. I wonder what my father would have said if he was speaking about me.
“The reason we called the meeting, Master Lucas, is because a local has been repeatedly striking his wife.” Brendan folds his arms across his chest.
“Bring him in.” That is what was meant to be done. His punishment would be in the glass box.
“Are you sure that’s wise, Master Lucas?” Brendan is questioning my authority and I grit my teeth.
I’m ready to dismiss his question, but once again I am all too aware of how clever he is, and also how the other members seem to lean towards him, like he should lead.
“It’s just with what happened with Declan, I’m sure we don’t want a repeat, Master Lucas.”
“I completely agree Brendan.”
He raises both eyebrows in surprise.
“I think we will have to add a new chapter in our book.”
Confusion mars their faces. It is time that we change our ways. Shocking people is such a barbaric way to discipline people.
I look to Aine. “What do you think is a fitting punishment for a man who strikes his wife?”
Aine’s painted lips stretch out and it makes me think of the joker. “Cut his dick off.”
I think we all tighten our legs, but I grin. I have to hand it to Aine for her boldness.
“Master Lucas.” She dips her head, still smiling.
“Outrageous.” Cathal speaks up for the first time, he’s staring at Aine. “The chair has always worked, so I don’t see why we would stop using it.” Once again Cathal speaks to Aine and not me. It is another blatant disregard for my authority. I know Brendan
is watching me, enjoying my discomfort far too much.
I stand up. “Leave it with me and I’ll let you all know what I decide.” I meet each of their eyes and none of them answer me back, but all rise as I leave the room.
I had no idea of what my father would say to me changing the rules that they have followed for generations, but if I am to lead one day, things have to change.
CHAPTER SEVEN
ELLA
I lean against my closed bedroom door. My heart threatens to rip through my chest. My fingers touch my cheek where he had kissed me. His lips had been surprisingly soft.
I tighten my eyes as a knock vibrates through my back.
“Ella, it’s Hannah.”
Another knock has me pushing away from the door. I didn’t have a lock on it and she knew I was here. Taking a deep breath, I open the door, but don’t let her in.
“Yes, Hannah.”
She tilts her head with furrowed brows. “Are you okay?”
I’m staring at her wide eyed, terrified if I blink, or speak, that I’ll cry. I can’t show weakness.
“I’m rather tired. I’m going to bed.” I hold the door, not ready to close it.
“Okay.” She nods her head with pursed lips, her eyes look troubled. “I’m here if you need to talk.” She smiles softly. “We are sisters now.” She sounds so sincere.
Sisters. God, it sounds so nice.
“Goodnight.” I close the door and don’t let go of the handle until I can hear her receding footsteps.
I take a step away from the door but stare at it. I don’t know what I want. To scream or cry. How did this go so wrong? Should I ring my mother? Did I want to leave?
I am not one to admit defeat. But this isn’t what I signed up for. A knock to my door has me closing my eyes again.
She isn’t going to give up. I open the door but I am surprised to see Mark standing in my doorway.
“May I come in?”
“No,” I say immediately. I can only imagine the rumors that would spread, if anyone saw him come into my room. I don’t want to think about what Lucas would do.