The Beautiful Ones

by Lori Brighton

“You seem tired. Did you not sleep well?” Sally asked, picking at her dinner of fruits and vegetables while reclining on the edge of her bed.

  Although the entire day had gone by and it was almost dusk, we still wore our only nightgowns and some sort of delicate slippers. Sally seemed content to lay about, lounging on her bed, bathing in the large tub and eating whenever they brought meals, but I was close to losing my mind.

  When I’d asked for a book to read at the midday meal, the maid had brought me the typical sort of material we’d had back at the compound…the history of agriculture or some such nonsense.

  Pacing back and forth all day, I thought I might go insane. It had taken only a few hours for Sally to settle into this life of spoils and wealth. In her eyes we were owed these riches, and this was what we must get used to. But how could I possibly get used to doing nothing?

  “No,” I said softly, glancing back out the windows. The maid said we needed our rest for tonight’s festivities. As I thought about what those festivities might include, the memory of that scream came to mind. “No, I didn’t sleep well.”

  How could I sleep? The screaming, the maids and their odd comments, but most of all Thanatos. I hadn’t dared to rest and my body had grown exhausted and numb, my mind spinning with confusion. When Sally had stretched awake this morn, saying she’d had the best sleep ever, I’d envied her. Why couldn’t I sleep? Why couldn’t I stop hearing the screams? Why couldn’t I stop wondering about what was out there and be content with what I had? Always searching, always needing more.

  “Well, I slept better than I have in weeks!” She snatched up a grape, popped it into her mouth and flung herself back onto the bed. “Although, I must admit that I’d prefer some bacon or ham.”

  She picked up another grape, only to look at it in disgust and toss it toward the hearth. “Ugh. I wonder why we’ve been fed no meat. Perhaps they don’t like to kill animals?”

  She laughed, as if the idea was ridiculous. For some reason I shivered at the thought. Sally had placed the beautiful ones upon a pedestal. To her they were the gods I’d read about in my books. But if they were so caring, why had I heard the screams? Why did Thanatos have a scar across his face? And why had we been living in squalor?

  “Perhaps.”

  She sighed and sat up, her long brown hair falling in waves around her narrow face. “Jane, I will not let you and your dark thoughts ruin this for me.” She stood, flinging her arms wide. “Look around you! Cheer up, we should be happy!”

  But it took more than plush beds and warm fireplaces to keep me happy. There was a soft knock upon the door right before it opened.

  The maid we’d been assigned yesterday stepped inside, two white gowns in hand. “It’s time to dress.”

  “Dress for what?” I asked warily.

  Sally shot me a look, as she rushed forward, eager to please. “What beautiful gowns!”

  “What for?” I repeated stubbornly. After overhearing her speaking to the other maid last night, I knew she was hiding something. And when she dropped her gaze to the floor, avoiding my eyes, my suspicions were confirmed.

  “The celebrations, of course,” she muttered. “Leave on your slippers.”

  I frowned. They’d been celebrating last night when I’d heard the screams, when Thanatos had warned me to return to my room and lock the door. “Celebrations?”

  “Jane,” Sally said, pulling her nightgown over her head and tossing it to the bed so that she stood in only her underclothing. “Do as you’re told.”

  “Come. We don’t have time.” The maid laid our dresses on my empty bed, annoyed by my refusal to immediately cooperate. “We must dress. We can’t be late.”

  But no, she wasn’t angry, I realized as I noticed her trembling hands. She was worried. I stepped closer to her, hesitant, unsure. “Are you well?”

  She flushed, looked up at me and just as quickly refocused on the dresses. “Of course I’m well. Now dress.”

  “Last night—”

  “We are not to speak with the chosen ones,” she stammered, her face pale. So white, she almost matched the dresses.

  Chosen ones? We were the chosen ones. But chosen for what, exactly? I pressed my lips tightly together, resisting the urge to question her further. Something or someone had terrified her. I knew in that moment that Sally was wrong. So very wrong. No matter how soft the beds, how beautiful the clothing, we were not here to be rewarded.

  “Your gown.” She held out a dress for Sally.

  Sally’s lips formed a perfect circle of awe, her gasp an audible sound of surprise and delight. If only I could accept things as she did, my life would have been so much easier. She stepped into the gown impatiently, eager to be crowned the princess she was so sure she would become. The white dress molded to her lithe body, but it was the intricate pattern atop the smooth material, a design that reminded me of spider webs, that caught my attention.

  “What is it?” Sally ask, gently touching the design.

  “Lace,” the maid replied. “Sewn by hand by the women below stairs.”

  Lace. I’d read about lace in my books. Books I’d always assumed were fantastical stories made up by a crazed mind.

  “My goodness,” Sally whispered. “I’ve never owned anything so beautiful.”

  I reluctantly admitted to myself that she did look pretty. Unwillingly, I inched closer, drawn to the delicate design. But before I could reach out and touch it on my own, the maid spun around to face me. “You’re next.”

  Startled, I drew back. “No, I—”

  “You have no choice,” she snapped, lifting the other gown.

  No choice. I’d never had any choice, and here, apparently, it was no different. I stared blankly at the dress, trying to make sense of the style. It had no sleeves, but merely some sort of tight top and long skirt that flared out at the bottom. “I don’t understand, where are the sleeves?”

  She looked tired, exhausted by my many questions. “Just undress.”

  I ignored Sally’s glare and reluctantly, I took off my nightgown. We’d worn the same sort of plain clothing my entire life, nothing had changed. But here I’d seen a variety of outfits. Perhaps this style was normal here. So for now I’d wear the dress. For now I’d play along. But I didn’t trust her, I didn’t trust the beautiful ones and I didn’t trust this new, perfect world.

  “What is that?” She started to reach for my neck.

  I pressed my hand to my chest, covering Tom’s wooden rose. “It’s mine.”

  She sighed. “Well, you can’t wear it.”

  I tilted my chin high in a stubborn look. “I won’t take it off.”

  “Fine. What do I care? Step into the dress.”

  She held the skirts wide and I stepped into the pool of white. As she pulled the gown upward, the smooth material skimmed my body, hugging my curves. For a brief moment my nervousness gave way.

  “What is it?” I whispered in awe, running my hands down the skirt.

  “Satin.”

  Satin? Another material I’d read about. If lace and satin were real, what else might be truth? She pulled the dress tight around my chest, fastening it in the back. I’d never worn something so fitted and was torn between admiring the gown and grabbing the blanket from my bed to cover myself. My breasts were pushed embarrassingly high and with my arms exposed I felt almost naked. I was showing much more of my body than should have been appropriate here; it certainly would not have been appropriate back home.

  The maid stepped back and looked me over, then glanced at Sally. “You two will do. They will enjoy the look. You’re both pretty enough, not that your looks will matter much here. No one compares to the beautiful ones.”

  I frowned, confused. Sally, too, looked uncertain for the first time since our arrival. Was she finally starting to question the many odd things that had happened? Or was it merely that her feelings had been hurt?

  “Come along.” The maid started toward the door.

/>   “Perhaps they are bonding us with the males,” Sally whispered as we followed the maid.

  Bonding? As in the marriages I’d read about in my books? “Perhaps,” I murmured, hoping it was anything but that.

  As we stepped into the hall, I wasn’t exactly surprised to see the other women who had entered the city on those wagons with us. They were all dressed just as elegantly, some with their hair up, others with their hair down, as Sally and I wore ours. Was it possible we were all to be married?

  We formed a single line and quietly headed down the stairs, following the maids. The excitement of yesterday had finally given way to nerves. The dark corridors and dreary castle did not improve my mood. When I peeked out the windows it was to see the sun hovering behind the stone homes that lined the streets below. Scores of beautiful ones were strolling through the gates, chatting merrily together.

  For some reason their presence surprised me. There really was a celebration of some sort and we were apparently the main attraction. Panic flared. I pressed my hand to the cold stone wall as we made our way down the narrow steps; I needed the support.

  “You will wait at the bottom of the stairs,” our maid said. “Then you will head into the main room for the celebration.”

  But the closer we got to that main floor, the more frantic my heart beat. My lungs seemed to shrink and I was finding it hard to breathe. I couldn’t go in there. Halfway down the steps, I saw that alcove where Thanatos had pushed me last night. It was my chance, my only chance.

  “Sally,” I whispered. “I don’t think we should go down there.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped. With an angry swirl of her skirts, she pushed her way between the women in front of us and hurried down the steps away from me.

  But I couldn’t go on. The world around me spun; I felt dizzy. So dizzy.

  “Go ahead,” I whispered to the girl behind me.

  She glanced at me curiously, but she and her friends moved forward, following the maids, not wanting to miss their chance. I took a step back, stumbling over a stone step and falling to my bottom. I couldn’t go in there…not without knowing why we were here. I certainly would be no one’s servant, and I wouldn’t be bound to a man I’d never met. Desperate to escape my impending future, I darted into that familiar alcove, hiding behind the curtain.

  It was only as the material fell into place, hiding me from view, that I could finally breathe with some normalcy. Yes, it was a false sense of security, but I felt protected, hidden in that space. The sound of footsteps faded as the last of them made it down the stairs. I didn’t bother to think about the rationality of my plan. I couldn’t explain my actions, not even to myself.

  A bell rang out, clear and beautiful, mocking the state of my frayed nerves. Startled, I peeked through the narrow window that overlooked the common room below. It was a large area with ceilings so high they faded into darkness. Iron sconces with candles hung from beams and some sort of platform rested at the far end. There were multiple tables filled with candlelight and fruits and steaming vegetables. It was a celebration fit for royalty. So why, I wondered, had we been invited?

  The doors at the far left opened, splashing the area with the remaining light from the setting sun. Beautiful ones swept inside. My fingers curled around the window ledge. If I left now I might still be able to enter that room with the others and receive the reward Sally seemed to think we would get. Or…or I could leave. Escape this perfect town, with its perfect people, and head out into the world. Uncover what was truly out there.

  At least a hundred beautiful ones settled below at their elegantly decorated tables. Their colorful clothing flashed and sparkled under the low lamplight, making them shine with perfection. Even their pale skin matched the color of their porcelain plates. Their smiles were ready and their conversation no doubtless witty, their laughter contagious. And that was the problem…they were too perfect. When I looked around, no one here resembled us, with our tanned skin and plain hair. No, the only people I saw who looked like us were the servants. Servants who averted their gazes, who moved woodenly across the room, bringing trays of fruits and vegetables.

  “Friends come, be settled,” Ares called out and the conversation died down. “He has arrived.”

  They all turned toward the doors.

  The man who entered was unlike anyone I’d ever seen before. He wore a rich blue shirt of some sort of soft-looking material, and black trousers that fitted his muscular body. But it was his long, white hair that caught me off guard. He was as stunning as the others, but there was more to him; something I couldn’t quite explain, yet something that drew me to him, made me want to be near. A born leader, Tom would have claimed. The woman who entered at his side was his opposite with dark hair, but she was just as beautiful in a flowing blue dress that accentuated her lush curves.

  “Spring is upon us, my friends. As the days grow warmer, so do our hearts and affection toward each other.” He took the woman’s arm and led her down the middle aisle toward two chairs that had been placed on the platform. “I am so very proud of what we have accomplished. Every day gets better, every month a joy. I wake with a song in my heart and excitement for what will be. A future of bliss with you.”

  It was certainly a positive speech full of goodwill. The entire room broke into applause, the walls shaking with the force of their happiness and excitement. I wanted to relax, even told myself that I had nothing to worry about. They were merely enjoying the changing season. But I held back. Something deep down told me to stay put.

  Reaching the platform, the beautiful couple paused and looked out over their adoring crowd. Obviously they were leaders of some sort, as not one person moved until they were seated. “Now, shall we enjoy this fine meal in celebration of spring feast?”

  As the beautiful ones cheered, the men and women I’d arrived with suddenly appeared. Standing in two rows, male and female, those chosen from the compounds entered. Women dressed in white gowns and men in black suits. They looked lovely, although our maid had been right: they still paled in comparison to the beautiful ones around them. I waited, breath held, as they walked slowly down the aisle, two by two.

  The guards with scarred faces led a chosen one to each table. It was as the last of the chosen ones stepped inside that I spotted Sally. She stopped below where I stood. Sally, who looked beautiful yet nervous in her lace gown. She knew something wasn’t right and glanced nervously around the room. Was she looking for me?

  “Sally,” I whispered.

  My heart hammered so loudly I could barely hear the conversation below. Something was wrong. So very wrong.

  Run! I wanted to scream, but I remained silent, unable to get the word past my lips as I stood frozen in place as if watching some sort of horrible play below.

  The guards stepped forward, one wrapping his large hands around Sally’s waist and suddenly she, along with the other chosen ones, was lifted onto a table, her slippered feet silent upon the wooden planks.

  “Lie down,” I heard a guard demand.

  Sally shook her head, terrified. But the guard didn’t care. He shoved his hand into her chest, sending her stumbling back until her bottom hit the table. Two beautiful ones grabbed her arms, while two more held her legs. Around the room, men and women were being pinned to the tabletops.

  “Let go!” Sally cried out, struggling to break free, but she was no match. The screams of the chosen ones pierced the festivities, echoing against the stone walls and combining in a cacophony that drummed against my ears.

  “No,” I whispered. “No!”

  But my cry merely blended into the other screams. Screams so very similar to the screams I’d heard at the compound, the screams I’d heard last night, that suddenly I understood. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. We were not here to be married, to be servants, nor to become part of their beautiful city.

  I stood mesmerized as one of the beautiful ones, the man holding Sally’s left
arm to the table, leaned over her, pressing his lips to her neck. I thought for a moment he was kissing her…until I saw the blood. Men and women lay pinned to tabletops as the beautiful ones took turns, sinking their teeth into their necks.

  Frantic, I jerked my gaze to Sally’s face. She’d gone pale, her eyes wide, her mouth opened into a permanent scream. And blood…so much blood seeped from her neck, matting her hair and soaking her beautiful white dress, as it spread across the table in a dark red pool. A beautiful woman laughed in delight, holding her goblet to the edge of the table and catching the blood dripping…dripping into her cup.

  “No,” I whispered, stumbling back from the window. “No.”

  The room around me spun, the light fading as my mind denied the horror I’d witnessed below. It was a dream, all a horrible, terrible nightmare. My legs went weak and I knew I was going to faint. Before my knees buckled and I sank to the ground, a solid arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me into a hard body.

  The world came sharply back into focus. Terrified, I opened my mouth to scream when a hand clamped over my lips, trapping the cry.

  “Shut up,” a familiar voice hissed in my ear.

  Thanatos.

  “Shut up.”

  I trembled in his arms, but didn’t dare move.

  “Will you be quiet?” he asked.

  I gave a quick nod of my head.

  “Good.” He released his hold, only to grab my hand and tug me from the alcove. “Let’s go.”

  As I twisted to follow him, I felt the twine around my neck snap. “No!”

  My rose necklace fell, spinning and twirling through the air. Tom’s rose. I reached for it, but it was too late. I could only watch it tumble and bounce across the stone as Thanatos pulled me away to no doubt take me to the horrors waiting below.

  Chapter 5