by Davis, SJ
“Some of the ones he painted of me were quite beautiful, actually,” Aurora said. “But frankly, the most beautiful painting of all was the portrait he did of Annie just before she came here.”
“Artemis,” Lena said.
“You’ve seen it?” Aurora asked, surprised. “He showed it to you?”
Lena nodded. “He let me see it one night when I came over here for dinner. We went to his studio and it was there, on the easel. I didn’t realize that the goddess in the painting was actually Annie until I thought back on it later on. If I had, things might be different now.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. You had no reason to doubt his sincerity or suspect his involvement.”
“He cut up it up, you know.”
“What? The picture?” Aurora raised her brows and threw the dice. She moved onto Baltic Avenue, collected $140 from passing GO, and plucked the deed from the pile. “I’m surprised. He was very fond of that particular painting.”
“Why do you suppose he did it, then? Do you think he’s afraid that someone might see it and recognize her?”
“I don’t know. Does he still have paintings of me up there?”
“A whole closet full.”
Aurora shrugged. “Then it makes no sense at all. Annie’s dead and gone. Her picture should have been the one he kept.”
Lena thought about it for a moment. “Unless we cease to exist for him when we’re dead,” she said. “I didn’t see any other women in those pictures, Aura. Just you and me.”
“I’d like to be the one to burn his image when they catch him and string him up,” Aurora said.
“Hopefully, he won’t be in one of his charming moods when that happens,” Lena said, laughing. “Instead of burning him, you’ll put him on a pedestal and lick his feet.” She rolled double fives, moved the car ten places and handed Aurora $17 for rent. Rolling again, she threw an eight and ended up back in jail.
Aurora frowned. “I said I used to have feelings for him, Lena. Those have been dead for a long time now.” She moved twelve places and handed Lena the dice. “Come on, pay up and get out of jail…you’ve been hiding away in there long enough.”
Lena sorted through her cash and placed a fifty in the center. “Are we playing the jackpot rules?” she asked, shaking the dice in one hand.
“Sure. It’s more fun that way. I could use a few bucks to buy some houses.”
The dice tumbled onto the board. Two fives. Lena moved her piece to the end square and collected the jackpot. “Looks like my luck’s changing,” she said, picking them up and rolling again. Ten. “Rats.”
“Back to jail! How can I beat you when you’re always hiding out?”
“Hiding where?” The voice at the door took them by surprise. Lena jumped to her feet and backed away. Aurora stayed her ground, guarding her property and cash. The lock clicked open; The God stood on the threshold looking in.
“Hmmm. Doesn’t that look like fun?” he said, stepping inside. In his hands, the keys to their ankle cuffs jangled softly. “Eeney meeney, miney, moe…Lena, get ready. I’ll be back for you in five minutes.” He turned and left the building. The lock clicked closed.
“Aurora…”
“It’s okay. Trust me. Just do as he says and it’ll be fine.” Aurora pushed the Monopoly board beneath the bed and drew a tremulous breath. “I’ll be right here when he’s done with you. I’ll be right here to take care of you. Just do as he says, Lena. I don’t want to lose you.”
Lena sank onto her bed. “What do I do?” she asked.
Aurora rummaged through the drawers. She pulled out a white toga. “Put this on. He’ll expect it.”
Lena pulled her sweatshirt over her head, shivering in the cold. She draped the thin white gauze over her body and shed the pants, inching them over her feet and onto the chain around her ankle. A minute later, the door opened. She looked up as he entered, brandishing the key.
“Ready?”
She nodded and stood silently while he unlocked her chains.
“Don’t try to run.”
“No,” she said.
He took her hand and led her to the water. It was dark. There was no moon. Handing her a bar of soap he pushed her into the shallows. “Get in and wash.”
“It’s cold,” she protested.
“It’s warm inside. Get in.”
Slowly, Lena removed her toga and walked into the water. It was cold but bearable. Soaping up quickly, she ducked under and washed it off.
“Your hair,” he said, tossing her a bottle of shampoo.
She repeated the process, rinsing twice.
When she was clean, he wrapped her in a towel and collected her clothing. “Come. You can dress inside where the fire’s hot.”
Lena followed him inside. He’d placed a clean nightgown of thin cotton on the couch. It was her own, one of her favorites. She pulled it over her head, comforted by the familiar smell of her detergent.
“Sit there, by the woodstove. I’ll pour you a glass of wine.”
Lena sat. Her hair dripped down her back. She sniffed the glass of Cabernet and placed it on the table untouched. The smell of meat and roasting vegetables filled the air. Her stomach growled. She hadn’t had a proper meal in weeks.
“Are you hungry, Selene?”
His accent was back. He was Norwegian again. Odin. She nodded, feeling dizzy.
“It’ll be ready in ten minutes. I hope you like lamb.”
Soft music came from the CD player. The flame of the gaslights threw shadows across the room. Lena closed her eyes overcome by déjà vu. “May I use the bathroom?” she said.
“Be my guest.”
She closed the door behind her and approached the cabinet. Glancing over her shoulder, she opened the door. Nothing. She checked the cabinet below as well. Nothing. Disappointed, she opened the hatch on the toilet, sat down, forced some urine, and wiped. Closing the trap, she returned to the living room. Two plates rested on the table, laden with meat, potatoes, peas, and carrots. A basket of warm bread lay between them with a plate of cold butter beside it. Lena’s mouth watered. She swallowed and waited for an invitation.
“Sit,” he said, pulling out her chair. He lifted his glass and held it before her. “To us. Go ahead. Eat. I know you’re hungry.”
Lena picked up her fork. She stabbed at a carrot tentatively.
“Eat.”
She placed the vegetable in her mouth and chewed slowly, savoring the flavor. It was sweet, salty, and rich with butter. Trembling, she swallowed and cut a piece of meat. The knife in her right hand gleamed in the candlelight. She pictured it lodged in his windpipe as she placed it to the side of her plate and put her fork to her lips.
Odin smiled. “Good girl.”
She was full long before her plate was finished.
“Don’t force it, Selene,” he said. “You may take it with you if you wish.”
“Aurora?” she said.
He nodded. “I’ll prepare a plate for her as well. You’re very loyal to think of your friend. It’s an admirable quality.” He pushed his chair away from the table and reached to help her up.
Now it will start, she thought as her hands began to tremble.
“Come,” he said, leading her across the room. “Sit with me beside the fire. I haven’t spoken with you in some time. We have much to talk about.”
Talk. He just wanted to talk. She could do that. She moved to the rocking chair and perched upon the edge of the cushion waiting for him to speak.
“You must be curious why you’re here tonight, yes?” Odin said. “It’s not what you expected, I think.”
“No,” she said. “I mean, yes, I’m curious.”
Odin settled back on the couch. He lifted his wine glass, swirled its contents, and sipped. “I have a favor to ask of you, Selene,” he said. “I’m to have a visitor tomorrow. A guest.”
She stared at him, expressionless.
“This…guest…is someone very important to me. I hope to make a g
ood impression. I hope to make her happy.” His lips curled in a slight smile but his eyes remained cold. “She has some rather interesting appetites which I would like to accommodate.”
Odin stood, took a step forward, and crouched before her. “I hope I haven’t overstepped my bounds, Selene. She has given me a very precious gift, so I’ve planned a gift in return.” His hand touched her breast. She remained utterly still. “You see, I’ve decided to offer her you.”
Lena stared at him in shock. The lethargy left her limbs. “What?”
“You heard me.”
She stood, clutching the nightgown to her body. “Take me back to the bunkhouse.”
His smile faded as his grey eyes narrowed. “Sit down,” he said.
Slowly, she sat.
“Now, listen to me, Lena, and listen hard.” The accent was gone. Odin’s words were clipped and forceful. “I’m bringing Maeve here tomorrow. You’ll be ready and waiting. When I offer you to her, you’ll do as she wishes.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll do what you did with Annie.”
“No,” Lena said.
He shook his head. “I hardly think you’re in any position to refuse.”
“It’s only a matter of time now, Odin,” she said. “Alex and Jake will figure this whole thing out and come for me.”
He rose to stand behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. His touch, once something she’d craved, filled her with revulsion.
“Have you forgotten, Lena?” he said. “Jake Morris is in jail. And as for Alex? That piece of shit you married has already buried your memory and put your property up for sale. He went home to Connecticut to write a book about you.”
She swayed, feeling faint. “You’re lying.”
He shrugged. “Believe it or not, the choice is yours. But it’s the truth. Now…about tomorrow…”
“I refuse. I won’t do it.”
He raised his eyebrows. “That’s unfortunate.” Twisting her arm behind her back, he pulled her to her feet.
“What now, Odin?” she gasped. “Will you beat me like you beat Annie?”
“I see Aurora’s been filling your head with stories.” He shook his head. “I will do nothing of the sort. I’m still hopeful that we’ll come to an agreement and you’ll honor my wishes.”
“No.”
Odin dropped her arm. “I’m sorry you feel so strongly about it. Too bad. You’ll be lonely from now on without Aurora’s company.”
“What?” Lena’s eyes shifted to his face. He was smiling. Her stomach clenched ominously.
He shrugged, his eyes glittering in the soft lamplight. “If you refuse to do as I ask, I will kill your friend. It’s that simple. I will pick the time and the place and believe me, Lena, I will make it slow and painful.” He heaped two plates with food from the counter and placed them into her hands. “You will come as a willing partner tomorrow, you will not tell Maeve what’s going on, and you will tell Aurora to enjoy the meal. If you refuse to do these things for me, it will be her last. On the other hand, if you perform to my guest’s satisfaction, I’ll not only let her live, I’ll reward you with time inside the cabin. It’s that simple. Refuse and Aurora dies. Participate and you’ll be fed and warm. Now, get up. It’s time you went back.”
Lena took the plates from his hand and walked before him to the bunkhouse. She waited while he unlocked the door and followed him inside.
“Do we have an agreement?” he asked as he clipped the cuffs around her ankles.
“Yes,” she said as Aurora gazed at her questioningly. “We have an agreement.”
Chapter 47.
“I still can’t believe he cooked you dinner last night!” Aurora exclaimed. “I can’t believe he sent you back here with food for me! Real food. Not doughnuts or apples or pizza…dinner on a plate. Maybe he’ll send over breakfast, too.”
The smell of frying bacon wafted through the cracks in the walls of the bunkhouse. Aurora closed her eyes and breathed in. “I’d give just about anything for a slab of that. And some orange juice. And waffles.”
You will do as I ask or I will kill your friend.
Lena’s stomach lurched. She darted for the toilet and made it just in time.
Aurora pulled the curtain aside and held her hair back. “You’re still sick? It’s been over three weeks now.”
“I thought I was over it,” Lena said. “I’ve been feeling better for the past couple of days.” She retched again and stood shakily. The smell of bacon persisted, along with her nausea.
Aurora blew into the air. Her breath hung above her, a white fog that dissipated slowly. “It’s too cold for us out here. We should be inside by now.”
Lena shrugged. “It warms up during the day.”
“Not for long.” Frowning, she watched Lena strip away her heavy clothing. “What are you doing?”
“He told me to be ready for him this morning.”
Aurora shook her head. “So dinner came with conditions, after all.”
“You could say that.”
Lena donned the white toga and put the sweats back on. She ran the brush through her hair and settled back on the bed.
“Remember…just do as he says,” Aurora said, joining her on the bed. She took Lena’s hand and rubbed it between her own. “Don’t make him mad. Maybe you’ll be lucky and he just wants to paint.”
“Maybe,” Lena said.
The morning hours passed slowly. They heard the truck start up and leave at nine-thirty. At eleven, it returned. Lena’s sense of dread grew as the soft sound of music reached her ears. Cio-Cio San began her plaintive aria.
“He’s coming,” Aurora said, retreating to her side of the bunkhouse.
The door opened moments later. Lena stood and took a step forward. She kept her eyes on the floor as he unclasped the neck ring and took her arm.
“Ready?” he said.
“Yes.”
He turned to Aurora. “You’ll be good, won’t you? You know what will happen to her if you aren’t.”
Aurora nodded.
He smiled and threw her a rind of bacon. She snatched it from the floor and stuffed it between her lips without a word.
“Come, Selene. It’s time.”
Lena followed him across the grass. Leaves crunched beneath her bare feet. The cold air smelled like snow. It only took a few moments to reach the porch.
“Remember our agreement,” he said, turning to face her. “For today, your name will be Rhiannon and you will be subservient. Do you understand?”
She nodded and opened the door.
Inside, the cabin was warm and cozy. A woman’s coat hung on the hook and a fire burned in the wood stove. Lena walked past the fireplace into the large bedroom without being asked. His easel was set up in the corner.
“Lie down and wait,” he said, locking her to the bed. “I’ll be right back.”
She heard his footsteps on the stairs and the quiet murmur of voices. He returned to the bedroom a minute later.
“Open your eyes,” he said.
Lena looked up. The girl from Dexter, Maeve, stood before her, dressed in white, her green eyes sparkling as they traveled over her body.
“Dylan told me about you,” she said. “I know you’re not his sister, but I’m okay with it. He says this painting will be one of his best.”
Lena nodded as the bed sank under Maeve’s weight. She closed her eyes and felt her toga fall away followed by the tremulous touch of the girl’s hand against her bare skin.
“Rhiannon, place your hand on Maeve’s cheek,” Odin directed.
Lena did as he said. Maeve’s skin was smooth and cool beneath her fingers.
“Good...Lean over her, Maeve, as though you would kiss her.”
Maeve bent closer, pink lips parted. Lena could smell her breath, a peculiar combination of cigarettes, beer, and bubble gum. Her stomach lurched.
“Very good,” he said. “Rhiannon? Place your hands around Maeve’s neck. Good…good…h
old it for another minute. Hold it…hold it…done!”
Lena looked into Maeve’s eyes. They were glazed with lust. The girl moved closer, inches away. Lena froze as she felt Maeve’s hands on her breasts and belly, wandering beneath the sheer cloth of the toga as her tongue touched her lips.
“Kiss her, Maeve,” Odin directed. “She’s your slave. Do what you wish to her.”
Maeve’s tongue entered Lena’s mouth. Her hands cupped Lena’s breasts.
“Good,” Odin said. “Keep going.”
Maeve’s mouth followed her hands. Lena felt her tongue on her neck and breasts.
“Lower,” Odin said. “Spread your legs for her, Rhiannon.”
Lena closed her eyes. She opened her legs as Maeve continued to caress her.
Odin nodded his approval. He dropped his brush and stripped off his pants. The bed groaned as he positioned himself behind her, cradling her body between his legs. Pulling her close, he kissed her neck and whispered her name. Lena felt his cock, rock hard against her ass. To her shame, her body responded, swelling hot and wet around Maeve’s tongue and fingers. Desperately, she fought for control. It was a losing battle; her mind was unable to counter her body’s arousal.
Minutes later, it was over. Lena gasped as she came, the pleasure of release twinned with self-loathing.
***
At the afternoon’s end, Odin led her to the pond. The cold water relieved her of the taste of Maeve’s lips and his seed but did nothing to diminish the filth they’d left upon her soul. While the goddess in training poured herself a drink and lit a cigarette, Lena dressed and took her payment – a packet of meat and cheese and a loaf of bread - and followed him back to the bunkhouse.
“Sit on the bed. Remain absolutely still,” he said, reaching for the chains.
She complied while he fastened her neck.
“You were excellent today. Rest now. I’ll be back for you tomorrow.” He bent to kiss her, waved at Aurora, and disappeared outside. The lock clicked shut behind him.
Aurora hovered in the corner. She darted forward anxiously.
“Are you okay?”
Lena nodded. Tears rolled down her face in a steady, unending stream.
“He didn’t hurt you?”