by H. Q. Frost
I'm left alone only briefly before my grandmother's men file into the room. All of them. I furrow my brows and look around.
"Have you made your peace?" My great grandmother's voice comes from my back and she steps around me from behind.
"Made my peace," I snicker, keeping my eyes from the decrepit woman.
One blow and I could end her, but she has enough money that she's purchased an army for protection. When she roams these halls she's surrounded by men who would stop at nothing to protect her. And kill me.
"You've had four years, Callum."
"That I have, Great Grandmother. I have brought a male heir into the family as the contract stated I had to do, yet I'm still being forced to make my peace."
"But you failed the tradition by failing your marriage before a year’s time. She wanted a divorce."
"Who cares?" My voice travels and the noise of sixteen men turning their heads to look at me makes a very distinct sound. It's a warning I should heed, but what difference does it make?
"I care. You've forsaken our name. The Reifs will be hesitant to step forward in matrimony with a Carbon again."
"As they should be."
"Be quiet now, Callum." She waves her hand and I'm forced to my knees.
This wasn't supposed to happen today. So unexpectedly. I was to get warning so I could prepare for the end. I didn't say goodbye to my son. In less than a week Magdelena expects me to show up in Mongolia. The amount of time Lol penned into the contract has expired, but I didn't think she'd do it without warning. Wretched hag.
My last words will be to tell her her husband didn't die of natural causes like she thinks he did. I killed him and she was next but my son unknowingly interfered. After the old man's death her security was expanded. Either she caught on to someone killing him, or she honestly thought the old bastard was a form of protection for her. The day I did it I knew I should have started with her, but I hadn't expected Cole to wander into the room for her comfort when he couldn't find me. Ever since she arrived with my son, she's been playing a hand in raising my boy. I attempt to keep him from her but I cannot be with him night and day. The ideas she feeds him are similar to what I grew up on and I know I do not want my boy turning into me. Today I'm being sentenced to death because my wife left me. A few months shy of twelve months of marriage. In my great grandmother's warped head, this is the highest form of disrespect I could pay her. The demented witch is stuck in medieval times and feels as if I should actually pay with my life. As the contract stated. Thankfully this day and age, that would never happen. Unless you're dealing with the most twisted Carbon to date. Germaine Carbon.
My father had many similarities to this woman, none to his own mother. This blood hungry woman is the first to abuse her powers. The first to abuse Carbon money. The Carbons are far from humble men and gracious women. But the evil in this woman goes above and beyond anything I was ever taught. And because of that, here I am, on my knees in front of my father's grandmother about to die for Magdelena Reif's inability to stay with me. About to die for my inability to admit to My Pleasure that she was not only a pleasure. Three simple words uttered years ago would have led to a very different outcome. My son would have a mother. I, a wife. My great grandmother would go to her grave feeling as if the Carbon name would remain a legacy, and she wouldn't be hell-bent on killing me to teach me a lesson. To teach my son a lesson. She claims he has to learn weak men will not be tolerated. And I am a weak man. I am graphite. I am the dragon in the story I tell my son once a week. But he is the coal that burns the village of the dragon's enemies. I pray he will be the first Carbon to set fire to the contract when it comes time for him to fulfill the commitment. My son should not walk in my footsteps by any means. My son should find his own diamond that will fight for him and show him the meaning of unity, of commitment, of love. I didn't believe in love, and when it proved itself to me, I was still a skeptic. Afraid of falling for something that could make a mockery of me. Hurt me. Destroy me. Instead, I let it turn its powers against me and the end result was the same. Here I am, on my knees, about to be laid to rest by a monster.
I will not rest peacefully. I will not beg for my life. I will haunt her until her last breath.
The last thing I want to see is her face so I drop my eyes to the hardwood floor that's biting into my knees. A gun is pressed to the back of my head and I close my eyes, refusing to cry. The only thing I would cry for is telling my son I would be right back and never returning.
The room doors open and everyone looks as Kipper stands there, panting as if he ran here. His was the car approaching the guest house. His eyes land on me and go wide. There's no covering up what's going on here, but I don't think Kipper was privy to the knowledge that I will die for his love interest. My wife.
"Jesus Christ," he whispers.
Me on my knees, unrestrained, no fight or life in my eyes, I'm sure it's not a sight he ever expected to see. I am not choosing to die nobly, but there is no hope for me. I cannot fight these men, and if I tried, my death would be much more painful than a bullet to the back of the head.
"Don't do that, Germaine," he says entering the room.
"How dare you." She's flabbergasted he just burst in on her murder plot.
I wonder what she would have told the authorities. My son. Lol. The back of my skull was about to be shot off; how do you say that was an accident?
"May I have a word with you?" He gestures out of the room then turns, not really giving her a chance for argument.
I'd almost be thankful but something tells me when she returns we'll carry on with this. When she exits the room I get to my feet. The man with the gun presses it against my neck but I ignore him and move to the chair; he's my shadow. When I pull my phone from my pocket, he snatches it away. That's probably for the better because my first thought was to text Magdelena everything I wanted to say to her when I saw her in a week. She'll learn of my death and will only stay angry with me for all the problems I caused her in the past. It's just something I have to die with.
Getting anxious, I almost storm from here to find my grandmother but the doors open.
"Clear out," she says and hand picks three men to stay in the room. "Callum, you may return."
I snicker and stand. "May I?"
She steps to the side to let me through.
"So I won't be sentenced to death?"
"Not at this time."
"If you don't tell me when, I will make your life a living hell, Grandmother."
"The terms of your death will be reconsidered. I will have information for you at a later time."
"Bullshit," I snap and the three men step forward. "You blindsided me with this!"
"You knew the day was coming, Callum."
"But I thought you had enough decency to tell me when so I could actually make my peace. You pulled me from my son and I didn't even say goodbye!" I scream at her to keep from allowing emotions to leak from my eyes.
"That won't happen again. I will tell you when to say goodbye."
"What changed? Huh? What did Kipper have to say?" I growl, wanting to kill him.
"Kipper has nothing to do with your dethroning."
"Dethroning," I snicker. "You will be sad to find that even the afterlife has moved on from the seventeenth century, you psychotic bitch."
"Remove him. Now."
I rarely lose my cool but there is something she's calculating and it didn't happen until Kipper showed up. Kipper has a tie to Magdelena. What's happened to her?
"Bite your tongue, Callum, or I won't allow you the courtesy of knowing your last days."
I run back from the guest house, shutting myself in my office. Dialing Magdelena's number, I hope she didn't change it, but when I get the wrong number message I realize she did. Of course she did. She was afraid I wanted to kill her. I rush to the playroom and find Cole building a tower.
"Daddy, this is for the diamond girl," he announces, displaying his castle.
"It looks sturd
y. It will keep her safe."
"Callum." Lol stands and approaches me, looking down at my sweat stained shirt.
"I ran from the guest house. Temperatures are high today." Most of that sweat is from nerves when I thought I was going to die. "Do you have Magdelena's number?" I whisper.
"No, I'm sorry, Your Grace."
I move around him, annoyed he still calls me that and I join my son on the floor. If I could keep him at my side at all times I would. I don't want to miss a thing, but it's safer if he's not around when I deal with my great grandmother.
This wasn't an ideal destination to meet with Magdelena, but me traveling here won't cause alarm if my grandmother finds out. Temperatures are below freezing and are supposed to decrease significantly.
I hear the vehicle as it approaches the yurt and brace myself for it to be empty. When I step out into the frigid cold my heart feels lighter as she emerges from the jeep and looks around. Walking down the steps, I pay the driver and take her bag.
"Mongolia?" She doesn't sound happy about it. At least we're not staying in a traditional yurt.
"I have connections here."
"I remember," she mutters and I smirk she's still jealous over Qara.
"It's cold." She blows on her hands and I wrap my arm over her shoulders, walking her inside. "This is...wow." She looks around, truly taken aback.
"Technically this isn't nomad living. This yurt has been advanced, but I didn't want to shock you into the culture your first visit."
"I live in New York, but if these temperatures stay like this." Shaking her head, she shivers.
"It's warm in here," I insist.
"Warmer," she corrects me.
"Sit by the fire." I move toward the heat. This isn't a traditional yurt by any means. It's heated and protected, but we have our solitude.
"Callum, why are we here?"
"Can I offer you something to drink?"
"No, please, Callum, please just offer me an explanation. This is crazy! I'm in Mongolia. I've been flying for, like, thirteen hours. What do you want?"
"You," I offer the truth because that's the only reason we're here. I can't offer her anything else, as much as I want to.
"Um, what?" Her brows are high on her forehead, but she didn't misunderstand me.
"A sense of closure, if you will."
"I fucking won't," she scoffs. "You have to be kidding me. You flew me here to fuck me?"
"I..." Fucking hell. My chest tightens and I remind myself I'm a changed man. "I would prefer to make love to you." Even being uncomfortable using those words, I manage to hold eye contact.
The look on her face expresses she's equally as surprised.
"I can't offer you anything, Magdelena, but to feel you again is all I ask."
"Why can't you offer me anything?" Emotions are high but she's holding herself together. "I want to see my son."
"I'm sorry," I say while shaking my head. "It's not possible."
"Why not!"
"It's just not. I did this for us. Forget our past and what we have done and created. Live in this moment with me."
"Go to hell." She grabs her backpack.
"Magdelena," I say as she heads for the door. "There are no taxis or driving companies here. You probably don't even have cell service. Where are you going?" I almost laugh at her.
She didn't show up completely clueless. I flew her to Mongolia. She trusted me enough to get on that flight. And she was well aware Cole was not up for negotiation.
"I have to get the hell away from you. You're insane!"
"And you're playing coy." I chuckle and it only pisses her off more that I'm amused by her little game.
"Rot in hell." She walks out but I don't bother going after her.
If she wants to freeze to death, she's more than welcome. Any other civilization is too far to walk to, and I doubt she'll realize there are horses. I walk to the door, making sure it's closed and locked. If she wants back in, she'll have to prove it. I sit in front of the fire and stare at the flames, curious how long this will take. I'm surprised she lasts as long as she does, but twenty minutes later she tries to enter.
"Callum!" she shrieks. "Open the door! I'm freezing!"
Taking my time, I stroll to the door and open it, blocking the entrance.
"Let me in," she shoves against my frame but I don't move.
"There's no more room in hell. My apologies." I close the door in her face and smirk when she howls in anger.
"Callum, you motherfucker!"
"Come, Magdelena," I say as I open the door. "No need for names."
"You dickhead!" She shoves me hard enough to get inside and I close the door.
"Tell me, how will you get away from me if you're in here?"
"There's nothing out there! Absolutely nothing!"
That was my intent.
I cross my arms and stare at her as she holds her hands by the flames.
"I would die if I tried to walk and I have no idea where I'm going! Why the hell did you bring me here!"
"I told you why."
"Yeah, and you're out of your mind. You had to have known I wouldn't sleep with you again if my life depended on it."
"Let's not get dramatic, Magdelena. You and I both know you didn't fly to Mongolia to chat. And you were fully aware Cole would not be with me. So please." I circle her, not getting too close because when she wants it, she has to come get it. "Let's do this the way you envisioned it would go."
"I didn't envision anything!"
"You came to go with the flow?"
"What? Yes! I guess."
"Then remove your clothes. Go with the flow, Magdelena." I circle her again and she's only growing more aggravated.
"I'd rather die."
"Please." I gesture to the door. "Be my guest."
"You'll never change."
"You think I need to change?" I cock my head, almost feeling bad about patronizing her. The only way she'll get my apology is if she lets me make her feel it. Words are vapid.
"Get me out of here. Now. Right now." She yanks her phone from her pocket and thrusts it into the air like she'll get service.
"Your ride arrives in thirty hours. You're more than welcome to wait outside for it."
"You're ridiculous." She takes my chair and curls up in a ball, tugging her hood up.
I'm a dying man with no time to waste, but I'll wait until she gives in to her own need. Grabbing a book, I sit at the table to read. I didn't expect her to show up, so I planned on sitting here in solitude for two days. I can sit here in her company without acknowledging her. It's not long before she starts to huff and puff, adjusting uncomfortably in the chair. I only glance up, but don't waste my time watching her. She's my guest, but I won't cater to her tantrum.
"This is maddening," she finally says when we reach the hour mark. "Is there something to eat?"
I don't bother answering. The yurt isn't that big, she's fully capable of finding the food.
"Jerk," she mutters opening a cupboard. "Is this food even good? How long has it been here? Does Qara live here? Where is she? You fuck her then ask her to leave so you can fuck me?" She rattles on, only getting more cruel, but I stop listening. "Callum!" she finally screams and slaps the table in front of me.
I lower the book and peer at her.
"Stop ignoring me!"
Guilt almost makes me touch her. She hated when I would ignore and avoid her when we were together.
"Are you in need of attention?" I dog ear my page and set the book down.
Her eyes skim it then narrow as she looks at me. "I'm bored and you brought me here for nothing. Nothing worth my while at least."
Picking up the book, I go back to ignoring her.
"Callum!" She slaps at the book and I grip her wrist. "I should kill you," she seethes.
Still holding her wrist, I get to my feet and drag her to a counter. Yanking open a drawer, I withdraw a knife and place it into her hands.
"Do it." I angle her hand so
the tip points at my stomach. "Magdelena." I press into the knife and she tries to back up but I snatch her arm. "Is this what you want?"
"More than you know," she grits out.
"Then do it." I push forward more, feeling the tip penetrate my shirt.
"Callum." Her voice wavers and she tries to yank her hand away.
"Do it." I would rather die by her hand right this moment than give my great grandmother the privilege to end my life.
"Stop," she whispers, her eyes flashing from the knife to my face. "Unlike you people, I'm not a murderer. I heard about your father killing your mother's lover. Practically killing your mother," she spits at me and I go stiff. My stomach muscles tense and it removes the blade from poking my flesh.
"A man who disgraces another man's woman deserves to die."
She snickers. "An affair is two ways."
Her taunting is starting to cut deep. "Watch yourself, Magdelena."
"Your disgusting father deserved to die and he should have let your mother be happy with the man she wanted. It's funny. That tale is almost like our story, Callum." She chuckles and I finally let her go. "You were driving me insane. I felt like I was going to die. But I didn't have an affair. Instead, I got away and I got the man I wanted. Your brother."
Lol spoke too much during their visit.
Snatching the knife from her hand I throw it to the floor. The blade penetrates the wood, making it vibrate as it stands. That's where her eyes focus until I grab her. With a twist, I have her arm behind her back and I walk her toward the door.
"Callum," she trembles.
Opening the door, I shove her outside and slam it, locking it behind her. She wails my name, beating on the wood. Walking over to the knife, I pull it from the floor and wash it before putting it away. Her screaming continues but I don't acknowledge it. I try to read but with her carrying on I can't focus. It eventually stops. All goes quiet except the wind. Temperatures are steadily dropping and we'll reach the negatives before dusk. She won't last long out there. When I hear nothing for almost twenty minutes I start to pace. Will I really let her die? I move for the door but not before I hear her.