by A. A. Dark
“I’m afraid not. I’m actually glad you’re here. We need to talk, Eleven.”
“Ever-leigh!”
Alvin wiggled, and I let him go to her as I tried to get a grip on the sudden emotions colliding with my anger. Everleigh was leaving soon. She was about to disappear for what could be months. Years. How could I let her go? How could I let myself lose her all over again?
Ms. Pat was still crying, adding even more to the chaos of building questions in my mind. “Ms. Pat, calm down and go make coffee. I’m mad, but you have no reason to be crying.”
“Actually,” Nineteen said, moving closer, “she has a very valid reason to be upset. It’s why Eleven and I are here. It’s about Alvin.”
“What about him?”
My words mirrored Everleigh’s. Nineteen paused, then came closer to me. “Eleven and I were in a situation that had us posing as guards. We were approached by two others, the child, his keeper, and…Master Hunt. The Master had convinced the guards he needed to go to his place before returning them to your quarters. After my conversation with the guards, we believe he had ill intentions toward the child. He insisted the guards obey. I intercepted, and without hesitation, took control to bring them home.”
“Ill intentions?” Red flashed in my vision and my fists clenched with such strength, they cracked at the force.
“Yes, Main Master. The guards said he and the high leader were whispering before the leader left them with Master Hunt.”
Ms. Pat sobbed from the kitchen as words locked in my throat. I turned, stroking down the back of Alvin’s head before meeting Everleigh’s hard stare.
“Thank you for keeping Alvin safe. I assure you I will deal with this accordingly.”
“Of course, Main Master.”
Everleigh pulled Alvin closer, swaying with him as his head lowered to rest on her good shoulder. Keeping the rhythm, she made her way closer to Nineteen with watchful eyes. She was reading him.
“You’ve done good looking after my slave. I’m aware you have a deal with the Main Master concerning this arrangement, but I’d like to show my appreciation as well.”
“Mistress, that’s not necess—”
“I insist. But with my generosity, there’s a price as well. Eleven and I will be leaving here directly. I ask that you please watch over our Main Master as you have looked after my slave. Bram may not like admitting certain things to people, but he is very much in danger. Your loyalty is what he needs more than anything. If you do this, if you stay at his side and protect him until my return, I will match his reward.”
“It would be an honor.”
“Thank you.”
“Wait…we’re leaving? You’re letting me go with you?” Eleven’s face lit up, but there was worry there as well. “Where are we going? Can I see my sister?”
“I told you, slave. Layla was payment to Master Draper.”
“Actually…” Everleigh’s lips pursed in sympathy. She adjusted Alvin on her hip and gave me a guilty look.
“What?” My growl wasn’t intentional, but it was threatening at being blindsided by something I didn’t know. Eleven rushed up, scanning over Everleigh’s face, seeing exactly what I had.
“My sister. Do you have her? Did you rescue her?”
“Not exactly. Let’s just say…” Again, she glanced over at me. “Let’s just say she’s still mine.”
“What. The. Hell.”
I threw my hands up and headed to the kitchen. I didn’t wait for the coffee to finish. I poured myself a cup, cursing Everleigh’s pull. She managed to do things I couldn’t understand. Why would Master Draper go behind my back and return the slave? Why would he cross me?
“It’s Luke,” Everleigh rushed out. “I believe he’s doing it to gain back his brother’s trust or respect. I don’t know. All I know is I was told to retrieve her when I was ready.” She turned to Eleven. “Do you understand what I’m saying? I need you to focus and let this sink in. You have four options. Only four. You can stay here and continue being a slave. You can delude yourself with fantasies of escape and be rebellious in your attempts, which will land you back in the White Room where death will follow at some point. You can stay. Be a good slave and await my return. Or you can leave with me, try to rebel once we have your sister, which will not only cost you your life, but hers as well. I don’t take well to liars. Stop now and let yourself think over those three options. There is no going back, Eleven. If you betray me at any point, just once, you and your twin die. If you don’t think you can be found, think again. You know that big medical exam you had when you got here? I’ll let you in on a little secret no one but medical personnel and the Main Master know about. Right now, inside you, there is a chip tracking your every move. You won’t be able to find it, nor will you have any idea where it is to have it removed. There will not be another me. Whitlock is your home, plain and simple, and you’ll never escape it. Ever. So even if I die, they will come for you. And they will find you.”
Eleven swallowed hard, his shoulders sagging as he wiped away the steady stream of tears.
“Your fourth option, and the one I hope you choose. We leave. You and I will return to Red Island, where we will retrieve your sister, who I hear is being treated like a queen, and the two of you can remain together for the rest of your days. With me. You’ll be mine. You’ll follow my rules, whatever they may be. You’ll be loyal, honest, and you’ll offer your services. You’re a fighter. Will you fight to keep me and Layla safe? Will you verbally accept this contract, and leave with me? If so, you must say it out loud in front of everyone. Tell me you understand what it means to accept it.”
A sob tore from his throat as he reached up and buried his fingers in his hair. Slowly, he ran his digits down the tears on his face. Heartbreak, defeat, acceptance—a million things I couldn’t begin to read left me staring at a man who was coming to terms with the death of any hope he’d held onto. The only light in all his darkness was his sister, which I knew had him nodding.
“I accept, Mistress. I will do whatever you ask me to. I will protect you, obey you. I will never attempt to escape.
“Then we leave. We must go fast.” Everleigh was staring down at her phone. She handed Alvin over to me, worry deep in her eyes as she leaned in. “I’m trusting you, taking Eleven with me. If you need to know my whereabouts…track him.”
Relief set in at her words. I leaned down, crushing my lips to hers for only a moment. “What’s happening?”
“The high leader just left the barracks. He’s on his way. Be careful.” Everleigh rushed to the room, threw a robe over her shoulders, and stopped as I lifted the hood to fit over the top of her head. My kiss was more desperate. A joining of passion, yet sadness as we broke away from each other. Neither of us said a word as she grabbed Eleven’s arm and pulled him to the door. Thin fingers waved to Alvin, and the love of my life disappeared just as fast as she came.
Locking the door at the gesture of my finger, Nineteen headed over, frowning as let out a deep exhale. “I’m afraid there’s more, Main Master.”
“More?”
“Yes. A Master. The super archbishop. He’s dead.”
A groan left me. “You or Eleven?”
“The slave. He witnessed a girl getting thrown out of the apartment. It set him off. I tried to stop him, but…guards came. They didn’t know what had happened, but at some point, the Master will be found.”
A good minute or two went by as a coverup weaved through my mind. “I’ll take care of it. Is that all?”
“Barclane knows I’m still here. He cornered me and the slave. I told him a big story about how I was working with an unnamed source on the Mistress’s location. He believes I’m using the slave as bait to lure her out. I forcefully left the situation. I suspect he doesn’t believe me.”
“Of course he doesn’t.” I put my hand on Nineteen’s shoulder and led him toward the hallway. “I’m aware you made a deal with Everleigh on my safety, but for now, I need you to hide. Go u
p these stairs,” I said, stopping him in front of them, “and do not come down until the high leader leaves. If—”
Banging erupted on the door, causing both our heads to whip over. I pushed Nineteen up the beginning of the stairs and threw him a look as I turned and headed for the door. Loud knocking slammed into the metal and I gave Ms. Pat a look at she took Alvin and rushed to his bedroom. The moment he was safe, I swung open the barrier. Deep pants were coming from Derek, and he didn’t pause as he pushed past me.
“Where is she? I know she was here. And I know her slave came into your quarters as well.”
“You’re mistaken.”
“Bullshit! Did you really think you could reroute my guards off the field and I wouldn’t know? She was spotted leaving and no one was there to intercept her. She escaped again, and this time it’s on you. Guards!”
Four men eased into the room, trepidation following their every step. Their eyes wouldn’t meet mine, but they didn’t have to for me to know their intentions. I glared at Derek, seething as he met my stare head-on.
“Bram Whitlock, you are under arrest for harboring and aiding in the escape of fugitives. You will go to the White Room, where you will await sentencing from the board. However long that should take. As of now, Martial Law will go into effect. Whitlock belongs to the guard. To me.”
About the Author
A. A. Dark is an International Bestselling Author. She doesn’t reside in one place for long, and is known to move at the drop of a dime. From mountains and snow, to tropical beaches, she could be at one in the morning and the other by night. A. A. is a Goodread’s 2016 Choice Award Finalist in Horror. She is also the CEO of Mad Girl Publishing, NCZ, and the founder for the Pitch Black brand.
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