“Lore, please, stop!” Evangeline begged.
He snatched her still free ankle and wrapped the last rope around it tightly. “You cannot demand that we mate, then change your mind! It is done! You will submit this night. This moment! You are an Angel no more! You are mine!” he screamed so loud Evangeline winced.
Lore ripped his shirt off and approached her on the bed. “You will never, NEVER, leave me again! Do you understand?” he screamed.
Evangeline didn’t answer.
“I said, ‘Do. You. Understand?!’” he bellowed.
When next he focused on her in his manic state, she was no longer crying. She wasn’t sobbing. She was calm. She looked at him. Then she spoke. “I thought you loved me. You said you loved me and you were mine. This isn’t love.”
Lore’s brow wrinkled. He looked around the room and then back at Evangeline, tied to his bed. The bed he’d used for countless others in the past. The bed he’d taken his own brother’s female on. This bed was not for her. He looked down at himself, hard and ready to force himself on her while she was tied down and unable to fight him off, or even resist. He heard the muffled sounds of the imps that attended him in the walls behind him, hoping he’d invite them for their turn. And his stomach turned. His rage at her leaving him was still there. His self-doubt was now totally funded. His lack of self-control, his destruction of all things pure and good having again come to life. He turned and fled the room.
“Nooooo! NOOO!” Lore shouted from his vantage point above watching all things play out as he knew they inevitably would. “Don’t leave her! You fucking fool! Don’t leave her!” he screamed until his throat bled. But it was of no use. The Lore he used to be ran from the bedroom, leaving Evangeline tied down and vulnerable to those who even now were already considering taking her themselves.~
Chapter 14
Carnage was standing in his kitchen gulping down a cool glass of the sarsaparilla tea that Carolena kept at the ready for him. He’d been out all day again, and half the night, searching for Lore. He’d given his word that if Lore was missing, he’d look for him. And he did. Every day and most nights since it had become apparent he’d not just ventured off for a quick getaway.
His eyes caught movement outside and looked toward it. His face became stern and his chest rumbled. Who the fuck was on his deck? The deck his family went out on and enjoyed. He stomped toward the door, swung it open, and practically ran to the back deck.
“Goooo!” he shouted, pointing away from his home.
“Hello, Carnage.”
Carnage paused in his advance on the male standing at the end of the deck. Carnage realized the male wasn’t actually standing on the deck. He was kind of hovering above it. And he knew Carnage’s name. “Gooo!” he insisted. He didn’t give a damn what or who this male was, he was not welcome here.
“I will. But first, I understand you promised Lore that if he was missing, you’d look for him.”
Carnage stopped not two feet from the male and just looked at him, all his blustering having been forgotten at the mention of Lore.
“I’m Terrus. I’m Lore’s younger brother. He needs you. Will you help him?”
Carnage considered Terrus’s words. Then he looked back over his shoulder toward his house. He couldn’t leave his family unguarded, not with this male around. Who knew what other creatures were about since Lore had disappeared. He was surprised to see a dark blue light covering his home. And standing there between him and his front door, was a beautiful woman. It looked like the dark blue light was emitted from her.
“Hello, Carnage. I’m Lucitari. I’ll protect your family while you’re gone. Just as I have each night since Lore left, and even before that if truth be told.”
“’Ooo?” he demanded to know who she was.
“I’m Lore’s sister. As Terrus has already told you, he is our younger brother. Lore needs help. We need you to help us.”
Carnage stood there, thinking about it. They both had mists like Lore had. Like his Lily had. The lady’s was blue, and the male’s was green. But still, they were mists. And they weren’t just attacking him or his family. In fact, they were asking for his help.
He raised one finger in the air to signify he wanted them to wait. He walked back into his house, went into the storage closet in the living room, and came out with a scythe, much like the one that Destroy preferred to use. Destroy had learned the proper way to use his own from Carnage. He wasn't convinced he was going yet, but he decided he needed his weapon either way. He shoved everything else back into the closet and stepped back to close the door. He was startled when he closed the door, and Lily stood there.
“Leelee!” he rushed out.
She looked at the scythe in his hand, then at the blue light shining through the windows and permeating every crack in the front door. Then she looked back at her Papa. “Are you going to help Uncle Lore?”
Carnage shrugged his shoulder one time, very slowly.
“Did Aunt Luci ask you to help her?”
Carnage looked at her, a confused expression on his face.
“The lady with the blue mists and lights,” she explained.
Carnage nodded.
“Is she going to take you?” Lily asked.
Carnage shook his head no.
“Terrus?” she asked.
Carnage cocked his head, surprised his daughter knew these people. “’Es,” he answered.
She raised her hands for him to pick her up. He leaned his scythe against the door jamb and lifted her into his arms. She hugged him, kissing his cheek and running her hands up the length of his horns. Then she ran her hands down the sides of his face and head, his neck and shoulders, then she hugged him tightly again.
Carnage held her to himself, kissing her head. “Lub Leelee,” he said.
“I love you, too, Papa.” While she hugged him, her mists roved up and down his body, permeating and seeping into his very flesh.
He put her down and reached for his scythe.
Lily reached out and wrapped her hand around the staff of his scythe. Right away the blade glinted purplish, and she smiled before letting go.
“Thank you for going after Uncle Lore.”
Carnage leaned over and kissed her head before going to wake Carolena and let her know he was leaving.
He shook her gently awake.
“Morning already?” she asked, turning over, but not opening her eyes.
“No,” he answered.
“Then why did you wake me?” Carolena complained, opening one eye to peek around. She sat up. “It’s still dark outside!” Then she noticed he held his scythe, and Lily was watching from the doorway.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, jumping out of bed. “Where’s Boon?” she demanded, moving toward the door.
Carnage reached out, taking her arm gently to stop her. “Seeping,” he said.
“Are you sure?”
“’Es,” Carnage answered. He lifted his scythe and said the only word he needed to say for her to understand. “Lore.”
“Right now?” Carolena asked. “You’re going right now? Do you know where he is?”
Carnage shook his head. Rather than try to explain, he reached for her robe and draped it around her shoulders. He didn’t want anyone to see his Carolena in her night dress but him. After she’d shrugged into it, he held out his hand. As soon as she took it, he walked her down the hallway, stopping only to step into Boon’s room and kiss his head while he slept. Then he took Carolena’s hand again and walked her through the living room and out onto the deck.
The moment Carnage led her through their front door, she realized something was strange. There was a blue light swirling around their home, almost like a blanket. She was looking up at it as Carnage led her, followed closely by Lily out onto the deck.
When Carnage came to a stop, Carolena forced her eyes from the beautiful blue lights shimmering around her home to see what Carnage had to show her.
Her mouth dropped open, a
nd her eyebrows rose in surprise at the two beings she found standing there. Lily ran past them so fast Carolena missed grabbing her. “Lily!” Carolena called out.
“Stop!” Carnage snarled loudly.
Lily came to a screeching halt, looking back over her shoulder at her Papa and Mama. “But I know them. Aunt Luci visits me a lot. And Terrus comes sometimes, too. But he doesn’t talk very much.”
“Aunt Luci?” Carolena asked, moving to stand nearer Lily.
Lucitari smiled warmly at Carolena. “Hello, Carolena. I’m Lucitari, Lore’s sister.”
“You’re Lore’s…” Carolena didn’t finish her sentence; it wasn’t necessary.
“Yes, I am. And this is our younger brother, Terrus,” Lucitari said, indicating Terrus with a graceful sweep of her hand.
“I… Okay. I’m very pleased to meet you both,” Carolena said, falling back on manners that had been forced into her since about the same time she was potty trained. “Why are you here?” she finally asked.
“Lore needs help. We came to request that help from your husband. Lily told us the last time we visited that her Papa had promised to look for Lore if he was missing. So, here we are.”
“Just like that. Because a child tells you…” Carolena started.
“No. Not only because a child told us her father would be willing to help. But, because that child is Lily, and she is so much more than just a child, as I’m sure you’re aware. And because her Papa is Carnage. Legendary General Elite of the Royal Army of the Sovereign of Sentries. Freer of his people. His prowess on the battlefield is as legendary as his name.”
Carnage stood a little taller with each word that fell from the blue lady’s mouth. They knew of him. He wasn’t just a Gargoyle to them. They knew his worth and sought out his expertise in saving their brother.
Carolena didn’t miss the pride that flowed through her husband at the mentioning of his past position and exploits. But she had so many questions. “When do you visit my child, and how dare you without our permission?” she finally settled on.
Lucitari smiled. “You are protective, as well you should be. I’ve been watching over Lily and her family — you, Boon, and Carnage — since before Lore disappeared.”
“Why?” Carolena asked.
Lucitari decided that honesty was the best and quickest way to alleviate all worry and allow Terrus to take Carnage to assist Lore. “Because our older brother has pledged to annihilate all that Lore loves. And Lore loves Lily, and you and your husband, and Destroy, and Enthrall, and Whispers and all who live here. How dare he find a happy place to call home… But mostly, he resents Lily, because she is and always has been special to Lore. And Acaelo has come to realize over time that she is a threat to him, more powerful than any of us ever imagined. So I keep watch. I protect you and this home. I’m not always here, but I have wards in place that let me know if your home has been breeched. Since Lore left, I’ve been extra-vigilant. And there have been more times than not that Lily senses me and wanders out to visit for a bit before I send her back to bed.”
Carolena stood there, absorbing all that Lucitari had confided. She was afraid. She feared for her family and her friends. But mostly she feared for Lily.
“Is this brother, Acaelo, the reason that Lore is missing?” Carolena asked.
Lucitari nodded her head regally. “He is.”
“Is it too late?” Carolena asked.
“Not yet. But soon it will be.”
Carolena kept a hold on Lily’s arm and walked back over to Carnage. She kissed his lips. “I love you. Bring both yourself and Lore back to us safely.”
Carnage kissed her, then pulled her into him with one arm. “Baaacon,” he said, his way of letting her know he was more concerned with food when he got back than what he was heading off to do.
“For breakfast?” Carolena chuckled.
“’Es,” Carnage grinned at her.
“I’ll have it waiting,” Carolena promised. She kissed him again, then stood back and watched Terrus put his arm around Carnage, and together they disappeared in a swirl of pale green mist.
Carolena batted her eyes rapidly to keep away the tears that threatened. Then she turned to Lucitari. “Lucitari? Would you care to join us inside?”
Lucitari was surprised she’d been invited inside their home. “I’d be honored. Thank you, Carolena.”
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Tears fell silently from Evangeline’s eyes to soak the hair at her temples. She pulled against the ropes holding her in place, turning her face toward each hand as she tested the bindings. When it was apparent that there was no chance she’d be pulling her hands free, her tears increased in volume, and she stopped pulling against the ropes. Her heart hurt. She had faith in Lore, and he’d hurt her.
She’d never understood the phrase, a broken heart, nor the crying and grief she’d often witnessed in humans. She’d sought to comfort them whenever she’d encountered them, but never fully grasped the reason for their pain. Now, she did. Now, she knew. She’d given her love, her heart, to this male. Was ready to join her soul to his because she had faith in him. Because she believed in him.
And she thought he’d handle the precious gift of her very self — body, heart and soul — with the same utmost care with which she’d handled his. Only he’d not gifted her with his heart and soul. He looked at her as no more than the females of his past. Yes, she knew about them; she’d comforted several. But she’d thought them foolish for believing he would make them the center of his world. They knew what he was, just as she had. But she’d believed him her soul mate. She’d thought that would change things. She’d known that would change things.
But she’d been wrong. He was no more than a spoiled child, acting out with anger and fury when he’d been pressed to have to face the fallout of his poor choices. He was a child in a man’s body. He could easily just have walked away or sent her away. Instead, he’d become volatile, tied her to the bed in preparation of mating her, forcibly. And now she fully understood heartache.
Her ears picked up his voice as he paced the hallways of his home, shouting his rage, his self-loathing to the rafters. Screaming about Heaven and Hell, and destruction and innocence. And she cried just a little more. She still wanted to go to him and calm him. It was in her nature to forgive. She still loved him. She couldn’t help it. He was so lost, so confused.
Evangeline turned her head into her arm. “I am a fool,” she whispered aloud. She didn’t care. He needed her. And she knew beneath all the confused musings of her male, her mate, her love, he was trying desperately to find his way. She knew he doubted himself. And she knew he’d come back and free her from these bindings. And when he did, she’d soothe him, and he’d soothe her, and they’d find their way. They had to, they were separate halves of each other.
Chapter 15
Evangeline raised her head slowly, doing her best to peer into the hazy, semi-darkness of the corners of the bedroom where she’d been left. She’d heard noises, shuffling noises. She strained to lift her head and look into the far corner. But she couldn’t see anything from her vantage point on the bed.
She’d looked up at the ceiling, beginning to think that maybe she was wrong. Maybe Lore didn’t intend to come back to her. Maybe he’d left her to perish here, alone.
She lifted her head again, a scurrying sound snapping her to attention. She looked closer, then, she saw a flash of movement. It was only a very quick flash, but she’d caught it out of the corner of her eye. There were more noises. And was that a whisper?
Evangeline tugged on the ropes holding her arms above her head once again, raising her face at an uncomfortable angle to try to see the knots Lore had tied in them. The mattress she was tied to shifted ever so slightly, but she’d felt it. Her heart felt a bit of relief. Finally, he’d gotten rid of his rage, and he’d returned to her.
She looked down her body, expecting to see Lore leaning on the mattress at the foot of the bed she was a prisoner on. Instead, s
he found a gremlin, an imp, a demon. Whatever name it was called by, it was standing on the mattress between her ankles, which were bound as tightly as her arms and separated, completely spread eagled and splayed out for plundering by any who wished. And from the look on this creature’s face, and the way he rubbed his private area, he wished.
“No!” Evangeline whooshed out on a terrified breath, instinct making her try to kick her foot out to knock him away, though it did nothing more than cause the ropes to bite into her flesh a little more deeply.
The imp smiled, then the mattress shook, as two more climbed up the bedding to join him near her feet. Then she shrieked when yet another climbed up and stood right beside her head.
Evangeline screamed, begging Lore to return to her. “Lore! Please!!”
The first imp reached over, stroking her foot, then suckled her toe into his mouth. Letting it slide free with a pop, he grinned at her when she screamed, her fear quite clear, and tried to wriggle her foot back and forth to stay clear of his reach. One of the imps that had joined him near the bottom of the bed ran his small, stubby hand along her calf, his sneer when she tried to pull her leg away growing into an evil grin. He licked his lips and stepped further toward her on the bed. Then, he grabbed her skirts and ripped them away from her body. They all looked their fill as she screamed and begged Lore to return.
The third imp walked along the mattress top beside her body, dragging his fingertips along her body. Evangeline did her best to thrash her body back and forth, screaming so loudly that the imp nearest her head reached for a pillow and smashed it down over her face to drown her out. Still she fought as best she could. She knew at any moment she’d feel their vile bodies defiling her own. But, then, there was a battle cry, animalistic sounds of growling, bellowing, the screeching of the imps themselves, and she was covered in a warm, sticky fluid that splashed across her body from time to time.
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