“I... he... twas Andor.” Tears filled Natalya’s eyes at the memory of her attack. She wanted to be strong, knew she needed to be strong, but couldn’t help herself. It had been a horrid, terrifying ordeal.
Mikhal held her back from him again, his eyes searching once more for injuries. He pushed her hair back from her neck and let out a snarl when he saw the large bump of scar tissue that now masked his mark of claim. He ran his thumb over it and Natalya’s body shook. Not from pleasure, but from the memory of Andor’s teeth in her throat.
“He drank from you.” It wasn’t a question, just a statement of fact, said in a deadly tone.
“Yes.”
“Did he dare to rape you as well?” That the question might be a sensitive one never entered Mikhal’s mind; Natalya was his, claimed, and therefore she had been, was still, under his protection... unless. Had blood been exchanged between them as well? Mikhal would still have the dominant claim being the Master, but Andor would have ties to Natalya as well. Had Andor dared to try and claim her for his own?
Mikhal pulled her forward even as Natalya was telling him that no, she hadn’t been raped. He put his nose to her lips, scenting for Andor there. What he smelled instead shocked him deeply. He then did the same to her neck and smelled his first in command’s presence there as well.
That Lucian had closed Natalya’s wound was understandable. The woman was still pale and it was clear she had lost quite a bit of blood, so closing her wound would have been necessary, but to have exchanged blood with a claimed female was most definitely not.
Mikhal released Natalya and turned to Lucian who had dismounted, his eyes glowering, demanding an answer from his first in command. “What is this?”
“I had no choice, My Lord. She was on the verge of death. Twas nothing else to be done but to feed her.”
“Is this true, Natalya?”
“I do not know how close I was, or what my condition might have been, but I am certain that Lucian did what was needed to ensure my safety. I was unconscious that is to be certain.
“The other, Andor, he drank deeply. I could feel him, his hands, his body, his bite, and he drank and drank. My head was spinning and blackness was claiming me when Lucian arrived and knocked Andor off me. The next thing I remember is waking up as he held me and wiped the blood from my lips.”
“I was forced to leave her lying in the road as I fought him, Master. His bite was jagged and deep. By the time I killed him, she had bled so very much. I knew not what else to do.”
“He is dead?” At this Mikhal brightened considerably. While it was true Marishka was still out there, she would now be fending for herself, if that was the case, there were no other spies inside the castle walls to aid her.
“Yes, Sire. Quite. Nothing but a bit of dust that blew away in the wind.”
Mikhal nodded slowly, taking in this new development, very pleased. “You did well, Lucian, but we will discuss the ramifications of your actions later. As it is, Natalya needs to get cleaned up and go to Alliana at once. This has taken far too long.”
“How long has she been having the pains, My Lord?”
“They began while we were walking. Some fluid came from her womb and then she started to feel the cramping. There is no blood though. Tis been about an hour’s time, perhaps a bit more now. When I left her, she was well. In a foul mood, but well.”
“That, My Lord, is why men are not allowed in the birthing chamber. You need not be privy to what goes on, and women do not need to be berated for their tongues while trying to give birth. I shall change and see to her at once. I would rather this assault upon my person not be mentioned. T’would only upset her and she certainly will be under enough strain in the hours to come.”
“I shall remain mum, but as for your orders for me to remain out of her chambers, I’m afraid...”
Natalya held up her hand, a no nonsense look in her eyes. “Women have been having babies for centuries Sire and they have all done so without the intrusion of their husbands. Tis not proper and I insist. Your presence will embarrass her and make Alliana stifle any cries she may feel she needs to release. It is not your place.”
Mikhal glowered back at her, uncertainty filling him. He knew men didn’t stay with their wives during this time. Most men wouldn’t want to. A birthing was unpleasant business, but this was different. He’d never thought he could create life, and the thought of being present when his son entered the world thrilled him to no end.
Seeing the look on his face, knowing he was about to argue, Natalya put her hands on her hips and stood tall. “I mean it, My Lord. I shan’t move from this spot until you vow not to step foot in your wife’s room until after the child is born. Once he is cleaned up and Alliana is made comfortable, then you may see them. That is the way of things.”
“Very well, Natalya. Tis a hard bargain you drive, but I wish for what is best for my wife and child. I shall go back to her chamber now, but only until you arrive. Then I will do as you bid and leave. I won’t be far though.”
“I never thought you would be, Lord Arcos. Tis not in your nature.” That said, Natalya started towards the castle, her step strong and true. The effects of Andor’s attack were fading. What Lucian’s blood had not done to completely heal her, the short rest during their ride had. She felt rejuvenated and ready to tackle the task before her. After all, there was a babe to bring into the world, and a very important one at that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Natalya left for her chambers and Mikhal returned to his wife’s side, Lucian stood for a moment, letting all of the turmoil and rage brought on by the night’s tragedy fill him once more. The horrific attack on Natalya would never have happened if not for one person, and he had every intention of seeing to the careless wench before his Master summoned him, to ask about what had taken place that night on the dark road.
His fury stoked, his demon at the forefront, the reserved, stoic, gentleman long gone, Lucian made his way into the castle and up the stairs to the chamber of the servant who’s sole duty was to tend to him.
Her room was on the top floor, like all the others, and he found it easily, tracking her by her familiar scent. Pausing before the door for a moment, allowing all the anguish and madness inside him to burn even brighter, he lifted the latch and went in, ready to tear the lazy, worthless serving woman limb from limb.
He would get answers that night and blood would be shed to be sure. Nothing on earth could save the girl whose negligence or treason had caused Natalya so much pain.
He slammed the door behind him, sealing himself inside the tiny chamber in complete blackness, but his eyes adjusted at once, and he saw her sit up in bed with a start, even as a shriek of terror spilled from her lips.
“No, please, I beg you. No more. Please.” She was fumbling in the darkness, scrambling upon the bed, pulling the thin blanket to her chin in a feeble attempt to protect herself. “No more.”
This last was said in a tiny whimper, followed by a sob, and the words caused Lucian to pause as he strode to the bed, ready to maim, interrogate, and kill. Something was not right here.
“Tis I, your Master, girl, Lucian. I’ve done nothing to harm you yet. Why are you so full of fear? I have yet to touch you. Perhaps tis because you have betrayed me and those who reside here, and you know full well that the retribution for your treason will be agonizing.”
Lucian saw that the girl was shaking uncontrollably, her eyes were huge but uncomprehending as she tried to make him out in the darkness. She seemed addle witted, off, as if she knew not who he was.
He went the rest of the way to the bed, and picked up the small pieces of flint on the bed stand and struck them, putting sparks to the wick of the oil lamp there, causing a glow to fill the room, illuminating the terrified girl huddled in the bed, as well as the man in full demon form beside it.
The girl shrieked again at the sight of him and tried to scramble back even further, fingers dropping the blanket as her hands fell, nails clawing at th
e straw mattress, pushing herself flat against the stone wall at her back as she shook her head over and over, incoherent words tumbling from her lips intermingled with screams.
“Elena! Stop that shrieking at once.”
He commanded it but Elena didn’t stop, she couldn’t, she was filled with too much terror at the sight of yet another vampire looming above her. Lucian slapped her in an effort to stop her screams, and the action had the desired effect, silencing the girl who now sat staring at him, mouth open wide, tears pouring down her cheeks.
It was then that Lucian realized the girl truly did not recognize him. She had never seen him in his demon form before, and he looked nothing like the man she tended day in and day out. He took a breath, composing himself, driving back the rage that still burned inside, knowing he had to find the cause of the girl’s fear before he simply went and slaughtered her for her misdeeds. Something was not right here, not right at all.
When he wore the face of a man once more, the man who had always been kind to her and never demanding, Elena let out a cry of relief and flung herself off the bed, landing at his feet, kissing his boots as she sobbed, arms wrapped around his legs in a death grip.
He could feel how badly she was still shaking, and knew her terror was quite real, but did it come from the knowledge that punishment for her negligence was near but from something else?
He pulled her up by her arms, and the girl pawed at him, trying to gain hold, not wanting to let him go, but Lucian firmly set her on the bed and stepped back, watching, observing, taking in her appearance once more now that she was illuminated by the lamp and his vision was not tainted by the fury of his demon.
Her lips were cracked and caked with dried blood, just a tiny trickle of fresh had formed on her chin from where he had struck her, but the rest was old. One eye was swollen and blackened, and one cheek held a purple bruise as well. Her hair was a tangled mass, not neatly bound under a cap for bed as it should have been, and there were talon marks on her neck and a ragged bite on what had been a smooth column of flesh just that morning.
He went forward and pulled open her woolen nightgown, revealing more scratch marks and bites on her breasts and shoulders, and knew at once she had been defiled. Bringing his head close, he sniffed at her, trying to scent the one who had done this to his personal servant, but the minion who had dared to molest the maid of the first in command was unfamiliar to him.
“Is this why you failed to wake me? You were set upon?”
Elena nodded as more tears spilled down her cheeks. “Please, twasn’t my fault. I have served you well. Do not punish me, Sir. Have mercy.”
Was she spinning a tale? Was it an elaborate staging to hide her treason? Who would be so bold as to attack the girl who served him? None that he knew of, it could be a passel of lies.
“Get up.”
Elena rose on unsteady legs, arms crossed over her chest, head hung, still shaking violently. Lucian took her wrists and forced her arms down to her sides then gathered the hem of her nightgown in his fist and yanked it up, exposing her slim form. He knew the action was brutal, considering her fragile state, but he had to be certain she was telling the truth.
Just like the rest of her, her body was badly battered. Scratches and bites covered her legs and belly. Her thighs were raked with deep gouges where they had been yanked open. He moved her legs apart and saw that blood still flowed from her womanhood, attesting to the harsh rape that she had suffered. To have agreed to this, to have suffered such a painful mating simply to hide her treason or to cover up her laziness was highly unlikely. No, the girl spoke the truth.
Elena was sobbing wildly now as he stood there, exposing her, examining her, and Lucian dropped her gown at once. He took her arm and led her back to the bed, making her sit, then went to the urn and poured water into the washbowl, bringing it to the bed. Taking the edge of the blanket, Lucian wet it and wiped Elena’s face, doing his best to soothe and calm her.
Her plight did not affect him in the way Natalya’s had, for he cared not for the girl, but he was disgusted by her condition nonetheless. He himself had never taken to such ‘sport’ like all the others of his kind, and to see such brutality made him ill. There was no need for it. More pleasure could be found by bringing a woman’s body to life, then by rutting mindlessly and nearly killing her in the taking.
“Calm yourself now, you won’t be punished. That fate shall be saved for the one who did this. You belong to me, are in this castle to serve me, and he had no right to ravage you. Tell me what happened.”
She sniffed and swiped at her nose with the back of her hand, then took a deep breath. “Twas a few minutes before I was to wake you, My Lord. I went to the kitchen, thinking you would wish for a bit of ale upon rising as you usually do, and while I was waiting for one of the kitchen maids to fetch it for me, I was grabbed from behind and taken from there, dragged off to the demon’s chambers.”
“Who was it, Elena?”
“I’m sorry, but I know not, Sir. He was unfamiliar. There are so many of your kind here and I stay away as much as I am able. Twas a great day for me when I was moved from kitchen maid to your servant; I knew I would be safer. Or thought I would be.”
“Do you know where you were taken?”
“I am not sure, My Lord. He was so brutal, shaking and hitting me as we went. I closed my eyes. I was so very terrified.”
“And after.”
“I woke up alone. To be honest, Sir, twas a shock; I thought for certain I had seen the end of my days, but it wasn’t to be. He let me live. Perhaps so he may find his pleasure in the future. When I realized he was gone, I crawled back here and hid under my blanket, wishing it all away.”
“Did you not tell him whom you worked for?”
“I tried, My Lord. Truly I tried, but I could hardly speak, he had me around the throat and the pain was so bad from his beating, and when he began... the other, all I could do was scream.”
“Very well. I shall hunt him down, for I now have his scent. He shan’t harm you again. Is there someone who can tend you? You are in need of medicinal care. Your wounds will become sickly. I would take you to Mistress Natalya but she is attending the birth of the new Lord even as we speak.”
“There is a servant woman. She is good with herbs.”
“Go to her and have her tend you. I shan’t call upon your services. You are to rest.”
“Thank you, Sir. I apologize again for not waking you. I hope that no harm came from it.”
“Actually, Elena, much harm did come from it, but you will not be the one to pay for what befell Mistress Natalya. That pain is reserved for the one who kept you from your duties.”
Without another word, Lucian pulled the girl close once more, inhaling deeply, filling his nostrils with the stink of her attacker, then turned and left, following the trail of their combined scents down the hall, through the castle, and to the room of the one who had dared to touch what was his.
Within minutes, he was emerging from the minion’s chamber, wiping the dust of the idiot fledgling from his hands. The vampire had been an imbecile, nothing more. He was not party to treason, and had simply chosen the wrong woman to abuse for his nightly feasting and sport. The Master had declared that those in the kitchen were fair game for feeding and other activities, and Elena had simply been in the wrong place.
Lucian had never marked her, never claimed her, never had in fact desired her in any way, and in hindsight saw that perhaps he should have for her safety, but he hadn’t truly thought about it.
Most knew full well the identity of those that served persons of importance in the castle, and kept their distance. This fledgling however, had never had the chance to learn who was and wasn’t free game. His ignorance mattered not now, he was dust, and Lucian was quite certain that the entire set of circumstances had not been planned. They had simply been a series of very unfortunate events.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Natalya went to wash and change as quickly as she
could after they arrived home, her fingertips lingering for a moment on the ugly scar that marred her neck. It brought thoughts of the vampire that had inflicted the jagged wound, that was true, but it also held memories of another. It reminded her of the one who had bathed it gently, licking and lapping, until it was healed.
Oh she knew that she hadn’t been awake while he’d done the action, knew he could have jerked her about, snarling, yearning for her blood, holding her while in his demon form, fighting all he was to keep from finishing what Andor had begun, but somehow, Natalya didn’t think that was how it had happened. She thought it was the first scenario that had passed through her mind. The sweet one with tiny laps feather light upon her skin, like the ones he had used to clean and mend her burns after the fire.
She shook herself mentally to drive those images from her mind and began to unlace the ties on Lucian’s shirt. It hung from her slim body, sleeves billowy and far too long, but it felt comfortable, comforting.
After she pealed it from her shoulders, her eyes traveled over the bruises left upon her breasts by Andor and the long gashes on her thighs. Tears welled up again, but Natalya fought them back, and brought Lucian’s shirt to her face, burying it in the soft material, inhaling deeply, breathing in the scent of the man who had saved her, finding comfort in the thought of his arms.
That thought surprised her. Did she really wish for his arms to hold her? To be honest, yes she did. Was it because of what had transpired, because of her fear? That she didn’t know. “And you don’t have time to find out either.”
She said the words aloud as she turned from the offending mirror and tossed the shirt aside, before going to the wardrobe and selecting the plainest gown of the lot. It was a practical choice for two reasons, for one, she could put it on herself. Alliana need never know she had stood here alone after nearly being raped. She had chosen not to summon her new maid for the simple fact that she hadn’t wanted anyone to see her unclothed. The other reason the dress was practical was because the night’s activities would be a messy affair.
Beneath The Shadows of Evil... Torn Page 35