by Gray, A L
She tries to save her brother from his own salvation, but she gets caught in the crossfire of a supernatural would.
Erica is lured into this dark possessing world by a man that is too sinister and dangerous for her, but little does she know, he has an alternative agenda.
Love is an enigma not to be reckoned with and while Erica believes in only one form of love, for her, it comes in many ways to test her soul.
Confused by her feelings for two men, she continually fights with her emotions to do what is right, not only for herself, but for her loved ones.
Will her love ultimately define her fate?
Romantic, funny and shocking tales of events that will keep you hooked and wanting more.
Dark Layers(Volume 2)
Sneak Peek
Chapter One
I SIT FOR HOURS, contemplating my decisions for the future; I have no idea how my life has spiralled out of control so rapidly. Desire, obsessions, lust, they are all dangerous in the right situation and I have succumb to them all.
Elijah has locked me in this room - The Verboten Room. He demanded I stay and await his driver to take me home - I have no choice but to wait, alone. I gather my clothes and dress myself on wobbly legs, hoping I will not have to wait much longer.
All senses of erotica left with Elijah. All that's left is the sheer coldness of the grey stone walls. They are lifeless, dead even, and it feels as though nothing has ever lived in here – the sinister aura I sense is almost too much to bare. Elijah told me that he sometimes sleeps in here. I find it hard to believe that someone would sleep in such an aloof place, but, Elijah is cold - his emotions match the grey stone walls.
I pace around the room unsettled, touching the instruments and sort of admire people who truly have the guts to take a leap and unleash their darkest desires. Everything reminds me of what BDSM would be like; the gags, that Basque, and even the white whips that I'm sure Elijah has beaten women with. The knives sort of freak me out, I cannot digest them.
I wonder what makes people want to practice control within this environment? I have issues regarding my mother's illness and my father's evilness but I would never release my demons in this kind of manner - would it even be safe for someone like me to test myself like this?
Eventually I sit defeated in my pool of thoughts and wonder, maybe I truly am the problem here; it's not normal for women of my age to be virgins, is it?
The door knocks, instantly grabbing my attention.
"Miss Gooden, is it okay to enter?" Elijah's driver asks in a low distant voice through the thick solid door. Thank God!
I walk and stand beyond the threshold annoyed.
"There is no need to enter. Please could you take me home?"
He unlocks the door and the loud click of the key echoes throughout the room, causing a sensation of uneasiness to pool around inside my body.
"Of course, Miss." He gestures with pity. He knows what has happened, I know he does. His eyes are full of rue, his face tells me that he's truly sorry for what has happened to me. I shake myself clean of this tarnished memory and walk out of this erotic yet sinister room.
I walk through the small purple lobby with the knives above the doors and into the vast hall with my head held high. It's so dark in here. I gaze up, desperate for some light; all I can see are the low red lights that are perfectly hung high on the walls. The sweeping staircase, the stunning wooden panelling, the artwork, it's all purblind to me. The red lights show me to the exit so I walk a little faster. Elijah's driver follows from behind me. He's quiet, and rightfully so.
While walking through the dark Masonic lobby, I see the Aphrodite mannequin dressed women on their rounded white pedestals. Their pedestals are low lit with white neon lights below their feet - their light does not fill the hall though, it only illuminates their appearances. All twelve of them stare dumbfounded at my escorted exit, and I am now the one who stares with pity - not them. These poor, poor programmed courtesan women will be ruined without even realizing. A wrenching ache fills my chest when I see their expressions of sadness - I need to get out of here, now!
Once we reach the huge double front doors, I almost take one last glance at the house of hell but I immediately stop myself. This is ludicrous and I'm better than this - so are all the women stuck or forced inside and I only wish I could help them, but I know better.
I push the doors open and stumble outside onto the stoned driveway. I inhale deeply while clutching at my knees. The country air is fresh, revitalizing. I need this, I need to feel the open space. It's cold and damp out here, the evening air is bone deep, it sends a deep chill down my spine. I stand up straight and wrap my arms around myself. The dawn is upon us, I can almost feel the warmth from the sun. I raise my face to meet the sun, I inhale again.
The driver opens the back passenger door for me. I breathe a chest heavy *sigh* and take my last few steps from this dark memory. I slide in and relish in the safety of the car. The smell of lemon polish lingering on the leather seats hits me like a ton of bricks.
"Elijah." I whisper to myself. I feel my eyes well up. I cannot believe this is really happening.
The driver gets in and steals a quick glance in my direction. I smile weakly at him. I'm grateful, utterly, utterly grateful that he came for me. Now I never have to look back, I never have to see this horrid house ever again. I can move forward and make some serious decisions regarding my life - firstly, I need to stop being so damn naive.
Once we enter London, to me, everything seems different. It's not busy because it's the early hours in the morning and everything appears clear and focused, but the life that should ooze from the great city seems non-existent; or maybe it just seems this way because of how I feel. I watch the few people that are still wondering the streets – seeing myself in them all - and wonder if they have ever been in this situation, if they have ever been so taken with a man that they would ultimately try and do anything, no matter how frightened they were? Some probably have, some probably haven't, but, I know I will never find someone who would speak of such things because, I wouldn't, I'm too ashamed, and I imagine others in my predicament would feel ashamed to. It's strange how we see ourselves in others so easily - even strangers - especially when we are feeling low.
We arrive at my apartment and I'm thankful, appreciative. My dark and clouded memories can stay at bay for a while because I'm now disconnected from Elijah and hopeful that I can temporarily erase him from my mind. I doubt I will be successful though - I know within no time at all I will be forcing myself back to fight for my job. But hope is a gift to us all, and it keeps us going I suppose.
This is not like me but rude or not, I get out of the car without so much as a thank you. I now feel safe, I'm home. London is cold, colder than the countryside - strangely so. While I watch Elijah’s driver pull away from the curb, I now feel bad for not expressing any gratitude to him for collecting me from that horrible house. Because he has a connection to Elijah, I'm childishly taking my anger out on him in perfect woman form - indefinite silence.
I turn shaking my head, appalled at Elijah but mostly at myself. I should never have given him such power over me for the sake of some information that I probably would have gotten out of him over time. Patience is a virtue - I only wish I knew this before. Although I was not fully acquainted with my patience, I am acquainted with this - I believe that we people are all solely responsible for our own choices. People can influence us but in the end, we walk along the path we choose alone. We have to accept the consequences to our decisions and actions, deeds, words and thoughts throughout our lifetime - I intend on doing this to become a stronger woman.
I wrap my arms around myself for some comfort while I take the lift up to my apartment. The travel from that house of hell thankfully starts to become a blur. I slowly open my apartment door and stand staring in a daze. It feels like forever since I was here. One day can seem like a lifetime and I never understood that quote before. The scent of flowers still li
nger in the air - I smile appreciatively, knowing that the flowers make this feel like home to me.
Falling into the comfort of my sofa, I ponder over my own thoughts and decisions and wonder what I should do; what would a strong independent woman do? Firstly, I need to find a new job - God that will take forever! How the hell will I land a well paid job without a referee? I should march back to Dark fucking Lawyers and demand a new position - away from Elijah! No, I cannot do that - can I? I glance at my watch and notice it's five-thirty a.m. - hmmm? He did say that I have to leave my job but I wonder what he would do if I just show up unannounced? He cannot actually sack me on the grounds of being a virgin!
I quickly find my briefcase and search for my contracts. Maybe I should glance over them and see how I feel. While reading over the NDA, I confuse myself further. All these cryptic references play dirty tricks with my innocent mind. Personal relationship; who the hell does he think he is?
"Ugh, this is so frustrating!" I admonish myself.
Should I sign the contracts and just go to work or should I admit defeat? Sign the damn papers and shove them in his Bastard mouth!
My ThanksI want to thank all my readers. Every time you purchase one of my books you are supporting me - thank you. If it was not for you, there would be no me, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I want to thank my cousin. You know who you are. You helped me day after day with my edits. I adore and cherish your opinion - I am forever grateful for your help and patience.
About the author
Anita Gray aka A L Gray lives in Kent, in England, with her partner, stepson and two dogs.
Her passions are reading, playing the piano and listening to music, but most of all, writing stories and getting every detail out on paper for others to hopefully enjoy.
She quotes - God bless all my readers
Other Quotes from A L Gray
Live, love, learn - always do, don't ask, what if
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Statement issued by the United Kingdom Authorities - May 2004
Unknown Female - Jane Doe.
I am Jane Doe - connection to Mr. Elijah Darks in the public GBH/JD/ED case UK, 2004. I would like to remain anonymous due to being married.
Elijah and I were acting out an old folk tale. I wanted him to do unknown and sinister things to me, I desired him to do these things as my husband would not. Elijah was hesitant, extremely hesitant, but I have a way with words and eventually persuaded him.
I wanted to be locked in a room for six days without food to become weak. I wanted Elijah to return daily to have sex with me. I wanted to be drowned so I could have sex while breathless and scared - the thrill I got was indescribable, it was what I wanted.
I cut my own feet. I have a fetish, I enjoy and need a painful scraping sensation against the sole of my foot - Elijah refused to do this so I did this myself.
Elijah did not at any point live out any of his sexual fantasies, he claimed he was saving them for someone special.
I was hospitalized due to being unknowingly pregnant. I passed out on day six of our sexual game due to lack of nutrition. Elijah found me unconscious and immediately took me to hospital. He stayed by my side daily until I was released from hospital.
Elijah is a good man. He is kind, trustworthy, but most of all, loyal. He did not want any of this, it was my doing, not his. I understand that I did not have to make a formal public statement but I felt it necessary because I do not want to ruin a good man's reputation - and Elijah is a good man.
The local authorities pressed charges against Elijah without my consent. I have not and will not press charges against Elijah because I consented one-hundred percent to our sexual game.
Statement issued by the United Kingdom Authorities - May 2004
Elijah Darks.
I will not release a full public statement. My sexual lifestyle is my own business.
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