The Beckoning of Beautiful Things (The Beckoning Series)

by Calinda B

  “How should I know? We’re done with this topic.” He spoke fiercely to the driver, gesturing with his hands.

  The same heat wave that had assaulted her at the dinner table filled the car, suffocating and strong. She put her hand out and found it difficult to move it, like she was pushing through hot, wet clay. She rolled the window down and puffs of red dust seeped into the car. “Man, you’re big on climate change,” she muttered.

  “I have command over the water element. Cold and hot are simple. Roll the windows up. The red soil is hard to get out of the upholstery.”

  She did as she was told. “Turn off the heat, then. I can’t breathe.”

  Once more El Demonio slowed his breathing and calm restored.

  “Thank you,” Marissa said.

  “You’re quite remarkable.”

  She said nothing, biting her cheek.

  “I’ve never met anyone like you. I can see why you were hidden away.”

  Her eyes flicked over to him and then she resumed staring at the scenery.

  “My abilities don’t seem to affect you the way they affect others.”

  “Yay, me.”

  “I’m serious. I’m one of the most powerful individuals in the world.”

  “Am I supposed to be impressed?”

  “That’s the thing. You’re not.”

  “Your power has a price tag – a hefty one.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Because you’re a miserable old man, that’s why! You think you can capture, coerce, intimidate. It’s folly.” She turned to face him, angry and frustrated. “The man I met in Seattle was a charming old man. You’re nothing but a bully - a controlling, manipulative bully. I’ll never love you – ever. I’ll find a way to leave this place, mark my words.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Ms. Engles.”

  “Think so?” Her eyes blazed. “Think again.”

  “That’s enough.”

  “I’m not your child.”

  “No, but I can hurt you.”

  “What makes you think I can’t hurt you?”

  A cold laugh erupted from his throat. “I don’t remember the last time anyone spoke to me this way. I find it delightful. It’s like a lover’s quarrel.”

  A surge of heat roared inside of her, equaling the intensity of the heat he’d just blasted out. “You and I are not, will not ever be lovers. This is a quarrel between enemies, Mr. Díaz. This is an argument between the abducted and her abductor.”

  “Most delightful.” He smiled.

  It was the first genuine smile she’d seen since she got here. Her anger was not having the effect she’d hoped for. Instead, he found it charming. Well, how fucked is this? She hunched down in her seat, trying to make herself as small as possible.

  They drove the rest of the way in silence.

  When they reached the top of a steep, rocky hill, they entered a huge gate and pulled up to one of the most exquisite homes Marissa had ever laid eyes on. A large circular driveway curved in front of a mind-blowing home. The home so mesmerized her that Marissa barely noticed the gate clanging shut behind the last Jeep once they’d entered.

  An array of plants marked the center of the driveway. Pink and red hibiscus and pale yellow trumpet flowers provided a smorgasbord to the hummingbirds whizzing from flower to flower. Bromeliads and other green vegetation surrounded the flowers. A beautifully landscaped yard flanked the driveway.

  El Demonio studied Marissa’s face as she took in the scene.

  “Are you trying to determine if I like it?”

  “Do you?”

  “It’s beautiful. It doesn’t mean I’m staying, though.”

  “The fact that you like it is important. Anything not to your liking will be gone, instantly.”

  Poof, like the worker, no doubt.

  “I take pride in my gardens. I have cultivated them for years, for the time when you were by my side.”

  Marissa’s eyes darted to the sorcerer and then to the exquisite yard. Obsess much?

  He pointed out the window. “Over there are my Heliconia. They are the orange spiky flowers. Aren’t they beautiful?”

  “Uh huh.” He gardens?

  “I have rare orchids in the back, beyond the pool. The ghost orchid is my prize possession. Have you seen one?”

  “Nope.”

  “You will love it. They are beautiful, fragile white flowers, like art. You will love to paint them.”

  “How do you know I paint?”

  “I know everything about you, my dear. I have studied you for years.”

  Marissa’s skin rippled with goose flesh. “That’s creepy. I’m not a moth, you know.”

  “No. You are an exquisite being whom I hope to share a lifetime with.”

  A shiver rolled up Marissa’s spine. Not happening. She turned her attention to her new, gorgeous prison.

  Two sweeping wings extended from either side of what looked like the main house. The home didn’t just rest on top of the hill – it seemed to hover in mid-air, like Beelzebub eying his prey below. The entire glass, chrome, and slabs of rock structure loomed. The house had been built to be open to the elements. Rings of plants popped up through elegant stone floors. A curving tree made its way up through a cutaway in the second floor landing.

  A dense forest lay beyond the back of the home. Colorful blue and yellow parrots flew from tree to tree, shrieking and cawing. In the distance, Marissa spied monkeys swinging from tree to tree. “What kind of monkey are those?” she asked, fascinated.

  “Oh, capuchin…squirrel monkeys. I don’t know, I pay them no mind.”

  The chauffeur parked the car in front, leapt out, and raced around to get her door. She stepped out into the stifling heat.

  El Demonio called to the Jeep driver. “Show Mr. Brown to his quarters, please.”

  “Cool,” Jason said. “New digs.”

  The uniformed man grabbed Jason’s arm and guided him down the hill, away from the house.

  El Demonio led her into the main house. Everything about the place dominated her senses, from the polished wood floors, to the tile, to the tall ceilings and open, airy spacious rooms. The house overlooked the valleys below. She walked through elegance and opulence as they made their way up to the top floor. The entire floor served as a bedroom which had its own balcony and private stairs leading to a huge Olympic swimming pool, complete with a rock waterfall. It beckoned to her hot and sweaty body.

  El Demonio eyed her wistful gaze. “Please refresh yourself after you’ve settled.” He stood awkwardly. “This is where you will stay. I hope you will be comfortable.”

  “And…”

  “Yes?”

  “And where will you be?”

  He cast a somber gaze at her. “Since your level of acceptance of me isn’t where I’d like it to be, I’ll be staying in another wing of the house. We’ll dine together – when I’m here, that is. The rest of time you’ll remain here, protected from outside influences.”

  She gazed out at the pool and let her eyes wander further beyond. Armed guards patrolled the property. More like protected from getting out.

  A soft knock rapped at the door. Marissa looked up to see Renata holding her folded jacket. She spoke to her boss. He indicated that she place the jacket on top of the dresser. “She says she’ll wash everything except for your jacket later today. She just wanted you to know everything is safe.” He shooed Renata away with his hand.

  Marissa breathed a sigh of relief at seeing her jacket. “Oh, thank you! Thank you, Renata,” she called to the woman’s retreating back.

  El Demonio pointed to the dresser. “Everything here is yours. Wear whatever you like. Take a swim. We’ll share a meal in a bit.” He swiftly turned and stalked away.

  Marissa melted into a big, comfy chair. She was held by silence, confusion. and sorrow in this enormous, splendid home. Separated from all the workers and staff, aloneness pressed all around her like a smothering pillow. Her head filled with questio
ns. Strong, then fly away. Fly away how?

  She tapped her hand on the armrest and counted along with the minute hand on the wall clock. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.” When she reached ten, she started over. After she’d repeated this mindless behavior for the umpteenth time, she yanked off her clothes, rooted in her drawer for swimwear, and pulled the slinky strands along her body. She retrieved a large, fluffy towel from the bathroom and wandered outside.

  Primeval in its beauty, the pool seemed like it existed in a dreamland. A huge, natural waterfall cascaded over rocks and splashed into the water below. In the center of the pool, a bubbling spa, surrounded by rockwork, drew her eye. The place looked like a mysterious oasis.

  She wandered around the perimeter of the pool and stepped into the lush greenery surrounding it. Pushing past leaves, exotic looking flowers and branches, she came to a tall fence consisting of rocks encased in a wire frame. The fence stood about ten feet tall. She slowly traced the wall. I’m a prisoner here. She sighed and made her way back to the pool.

  Easing into the cool refreshing water, she guided a floating lounge chair over to her. She climbed on top and floated like a leaf. The sun beat down on her belly, making her feel languid and warm. The waterfall soothed her into a false sense of safety and calm. In truth, she was anything but. Still, until she figured a way out of here, she figured she needed to rest and scheme. As she floated, a delicate whisper called to her.

  “Light Rebel.”

  “Who’s there?” She turned her head left and right. Her gaze landed on a thick glass window stuck in the rock fence. It framed a view of the lush green valley below.

  “Light Rebel. Come.”

  She tipped her head to the side and listened.

  “Come.”

  She dipped her hand in the water and paddled to the center pool.

  “Come.”

  She rolled into the water and found tiny steps leading up to the bubbling pool. She peered down into the aquamarine water and was greeted with the face of the goddess she had seen. “Are you Josephina?” she asked.

  The image smiled.

  “Is that a yes?”

  The image smiled again.

  “Aren’t you trapped in Daniel’s garden?”

  The response seemed to come from inside her head. “Yes.”

  “How is it that I can see you here, then?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes, what? Are you here as well?”

  The goddess image smiled.

  “Okay, 20 questions. I’ll have a go.”

  “Are you in the trees?”

  The image vanished and reappeared.

  “I take it that’s a no.”

  The image smiled.

  “Okay, so in the water here and in Daniel’s garden. Anywhere else?”

  “Yes.”

  “In a lot of places?”

  “Yes.”

  Um, did Daniel trap you in these places?”

  The image faded.

  “Did he trap you in some of the places but not all?”

  “Yes.”

  “And El Demonio trapped you in the others?”

  The image blurred but did not fade.

  She probably didn’t know him as El Demonio. “Um, I mean did Alexander trap you in the others?”

  “Yes.”

  Marissa grew tired of the tedious manner of extracting truth. She brought her lapis lazuli necklace to mind and allowed her third eye to open wide.

  In her vision, Daniel and Alexander were playing chess in some cosmic dimension. Each one pushed the glimmering pieces around the silvery, transparent board. Marissa froze the scene and reached in to examine each of their queens. One of the queens was an exact replica of the woman whose face rippled in the spring. The other was a miniature replica of her. Understanding dawned. “I see. So we’re like chess pieces. They each sought to hide you from the other. I don’t quite know what they plan to do with me. I’ll bet you feel quite trapped. I just feel confused.”

  The image frowned.

  “Did you love them both?”

  “Yes.”

  “And yet now you wish to be freed.”

  “Yes.”

  A hand snaked out of the water and grabbed Marissa’s hand. She jumped in surprise as the cloud-like hand touched her like a soft feather. She snatched her hand back and shook it. “Sorry, but that’s a little creepy. You want my help?”

  “Yes.”

  “What can I do?”

  The image stared up at her, smiling.

  “Gah!” Marissa said in frustration. She closed her eyes and imagined the deep blue lapis. The image of her holding both men’s heads in her hands arose in her mind. Her eyes popped open. “I have to cut off their heads?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s the only way you’ll be freed?”

  “Yes.”

  “Gah!” she exclaimed again. She stood up and paced back and forth in front of the bubbling pool of water. “Why is it my job to free you? Who said I have to do this? Why me?”

  They’re dangerous. Both of them. They’ll kill you given half a chance.

  Marissa seized her head with her hands. “I don’t have to do this, you know. There’s no reason why I have to do this. And what will come of me if I do this? I’ll still be here, right? I’ll still need to get home. Gah!” She paused, as a crashing noise boomeranged through the forest. El Demonio?

  Jason’s face peeked through the opening in the fence. “You’ve got to help me,” he shouted. “They’ve got me in some strange little brick bunker. No girls! I’ve got to get out of here!”

  “Why on earth would I help you, Jason? You’re the one who got me into this whole mess to begin with.”

  “Just do it for old time sakes. Do it for all the training I gave you, for free, I might add. Just do it.”

  A stab of pity poked through her heart. “What will you do for me? Will you leave me alone and never bother me again?”

  “Yes, yes, anything. I’ll do whatever you want. Just get me out of here!”

  More footsteps crashed through the bushes followed by rapid little clicks like a caffeinated rattlesnake. Jason let out a scream, and his body arched like a bow. He grabbed at the collar. He fought and struggled against some unseen enemy and then slumped to the ground.

  “Jason? Are you alright?” Marissa scrambled out of the water and peered through the glass at his writhing form.

  A soldier stood nearby holding a Taser gun. He leered at her through the glass.

  Jason ceased whimpering.

  The soldier grabbed his collar and hauled him to his feet. He shoved Jason ahead of him and they marched out of sight.

  “What is going on around here?” She couldn’t see Jason any more. She wobbled on shaky legs back up the stairs to her room, still trembling inside over her newly assigned task and the encounter with Jason.

  Chapter 39

  For the remainder of the day, Marissa paced and fretted. She wandered around the house, getting familiar with her surroundings. She’d picture the heads of men in her hands, shake out her fingers and begin pacing again. How can I chop off the head of my dangerous lover? How can I cut off anyone’s head? She heard Josephina’s warning all too well. They’ll kill you given half a chance. This was about survival. This was about hunt or be hunted.

  She recalled slicing off the head of the rabbit. There went the personality. She weakened, realizing she liked Daniel’s personality. She liked him just the way he was. Okay, so he had a few flaws. They’re not worth losing one’s head over, are they?

  She created endless scenarios in her head. I’ll slice off their heads and call Chiara. What about Tom? Okay, I’ll slice off El Demonio’s head and Josephina will be partially released. Okay, I don’t have a clue what to do. That’s the truth.

  At seven , she joined El Demonio for dinner. He regarded her with suspicion as if he were on to something.

  “What?” she said, rolling her silver spoon around and around in her fingers.

>   “Please put the spoon down.”

  She dropped the spoon on the table with a clatter.

  “Quietly. Pick it up and do it again.”

  “No.”

  “Please pick it up and put it down quietly so I am assured that it is within your power to do so.”

  She glared at him.

  “What are you so nervous about, my dear?” He gave the two hand clap to call his staff. “You’re giving me a headache.”

  Amalia hustled out of the kitchen. She gave the barest of smiles to Marissa, filled their water glasses, snapped their napkins open, and placed them in their laps and quickly departed. She swiftly returned bearing a bottle of wine. She asked her boss a question, extending the bottle to him.

  “Sí. Está bien.” Amalia poured, and he swirled, sniffed, swished, and smacked his lips as before. “Excellent wine. Marissa?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “I insist.”

  “No, thank you.”

  “My dear, if you don’t drink this wine, I shall chain you to a wall and pour it down your throat,” he said smoothly.

  Her head popped up and she stopped fidgeting. He wasn’t kidding. “Okay. But just a little.”

  “You’ll like this.”

  The wine did, in fact, taste good. It had a charming finish and left lingering notes of berries, chocolate, and tobacco on her palate. “Mmm,” she said. “This is good.”

  “I’m so glad you approve,” El Demonio said icily. He held his glass aloft. “To new beginnings.”

  “To new beginnings,” she said, thinking of Daniel. Once more she pictured slicing his head off and her hand started to tremble. She sat it down on the table, spilling wine over the edge. They’ll kill you given half a chance.

  The sorcerer clapped his hands. He pointed to the spill when Amalia had returned.

  “What is bothering you, dear?” he asked kindly after Amalia had retreated.

  “I don’t like it here,” she said. At least it wasn’t a lie.

  “You’ll learn. Or I will find you a place that you do like. I am a man of considerable means.”

  “No, thanks.” Marissa grabbed her glass and tossed back her remaining wine like it was a shot of whiskey.

  “That’s rather vulgar, don’t you think?” El Demonio asked. An amused expression covered his face. He picked up the bottle of wine and gave her a generous pour. “See if this one can go down with more elegance and restraint.”