The door to her room banged open, and Rosalie jumped as a sliver of light flooded her room. Standing in the doorway was Melissa with skin as white as snow and hair as black as night. “Good, you’re awake,” she said as she sauntered into the room, throwing a bundle of clothes at Rosalie. “Get dressed. We leave soon.”
Rosalie stayed rooted to her spot, even when the clothes pooled in her lap. Questions plagued her mind, questions she feared Melissa wouldn’t answer.
“I’ll meet you downstairs in five minutes,” Melissa said as she turned on her heels and stalked out of the room. “Not a second more.”
As soon as she left and the door thudded noisily behind her, Rosalie leaped out of bed, scattering the clothes she was given on the sheets. Something in the back of her mind told her she should not disobey Melissa.
Rosalie took one look at the clothes and frowned. A glorified, brown jumpsuit stared back at her, paired with a pair of short, white socks, and white tennis shoes. Prisoner’s clothes, or so she suspected. Am I a prisoner? She didn’t actually know.
Another memory surfaced in her mind, and Rosalie shuddered. It was just after Kendra’s death when Melissa and Sarah dragged her out of the classroom. Perhaps to comfort her, she at first suspected, but when they violently grabbed at her, she suspected something else.
It was in the dimly-lit hallway when they slowly yanked her towards the entrance of the school, when they ran into Rebekah and Mandy, and that interaction was enough for Rosalie to break free from Melissa and Sarah. And for a moment, she felt like she succeeded, until Sarah found her and spirited her away to who knows where.
Rosalie grabbed the clothes she was given and parked herself in front of the full-length mirror Melissa was kind enough to provide her with. Her dark brown skin had lost its usual sheen sometime between Kendra’s death and what she presumed was her kidnapping, her black hair stringy and oily due to the lack of a proper shower. This was the first time she properly looked at herself since her kidnapping, and Rosalie feared she would continue to deteriorate.
She quickly peeled off her dirty school clothes and pulled on the jumpsuit, socks, and shoes. At least they’re clean, she thought as she turned her back on the mirror and exited her room.
As promised, Melissa was waiting for her at the bottom of the staircase. Her yellow eyes scrutinized Rosalie, and a smile appeared on her lips. “Good. Very good.”
“Where are you taking me?” Rosalie demanded, unable to keep the shake out of her voice.
“I figured it’s time I introduce you to our world,” Melissa said as she motioned Rosalie forward. “A world in which witches and warlocks exist.”
Rosalie tensed as a shiver wracked her spine. Under normal circumstances, she would have laughed at the absurdity of Melissa’s claim. She and Kendra used to love anything having to do with the supernatural, and she still did, to a certain extent, but she never considered what she grew to love may be real. And she wouldn’t have even entertained the possibility, if the situation was normal. However, nothing about this situation was normal. Kendra’s behavior leading up to her death wasn’t normal.
And then, a scary thought entered her mind. “Did you kill Kendra?” She hoped that Kendra’s death was just a freak accident, begged that magic didn’t play a part in bewitching Kendra’s mind.
“What an interesting question,” Melissa commented, but she didn’t elaborate.
Rosalie sagged at the non-answer dismissal. If Melissa truly had nothing to do with Kendra’s death, she would have denied it. If she was capable of any ounce of compassion, she would have tried to comfort Rosalie.
By then, Rosalie was sure of one thing. Melissa had a hand in Kendra’s death. “Why did you do it?”
Melissa’s lip twitched, but she didn’t answer. Instead, she spun around as soon as they were outside and said, “Close your eyes.”
Rosalie backed away, shaking her head. “What are you going to do to me?”
Melissa sighed impatiently. “If I wanted to hurt you, I would have done so already.” She paused. “Close your eyes.”
When Rosalie still didn’t do what Melissa asked, Melissa lunged at her with inhuman speed. Before she knew it, Melissa’s hand clasped around her wrist, nails digging into flesh. Rosalie whimpered, and when a mass of black smoke appeared and started surrounding them, she started screaming.
Melissa used her free hand to cover Rosalie’s mouth. “Close your damn eyes!” she hissed. “We’re just teleporting!”
Rosalie nodded mutely, too scared to utter another sound. She shut her eyes tightly and tried to drown out the sound around her as nausea overtook her body.
When Rosalie opened her eyes again, she was no longer in front of the building where Melissa kept her prisoner. Instead, a huge, overbearing castle loomed over her, its shadows blocking out the sun.
It was night when I closed my eyes. Rosalie shivered. “Where are we?”
“Greenwich,” Melissa answered vaguely. “The headquarters for the immortal magic users.”
“England?” Rosalie questioned in a small voice. That would explain the different time zone, but what she didn’t understand was how they could be there in such a short amount of time.
“You’re going to meet with our ruler today, and from there, you’ll become one of us,” Melissa explained.
Rosalie was silent. If Melissa was capable of murder, she shuddered to think what the immortal ruler was like. And she especially didn’t want to become one of them.
“He won’t hurt you,” Melissa said, pushing Rosalie forward. “You are our guest of honor, after all.”
Rosalie began moving forward despite her body screaming at her to flee. Perhaps if she played along, she could use their trust as a way for her to escape before her fate was sealed. Surely, she could trick them into thinking she wanted this. It wouldn’t be that hard. Right?
Within a moment, Rosalie entered the castle, and the moment she did so, she felt suffocated as if the walls were going to smother her. Melissa wrapped a hand around her shoulder in what she presumed was supposed to be a comforting embrace, but all it did was worsen her panic.
Melissa soon led her into a conference room, and an overwhelming amount of yellow eyes turned to stare at her and Melissa.
“You’re late,” the person at the head of the table said to Melissa. Rosalie cocked her head to stare at him. His shaggy, brown hair fell down the sides of his face, ending a little below his chin. A very prominent stubble encompassed his cheeks and jaw, and his skin was deathly pale. His flashing, yellow eyes honed in on Melissa like a hawk, and for the first time ever, Rosalie feared for Melissa’s safety.
“I apologize,” Melissa said half-heartedly as she pulled Rosalie into the room. The two of them soon sat on the side of the table closest to the door, and Rosalie briefly met Sarah’s gaze across the way.
“I agreed to grant you an audience because you secured me the mortal prince,” the same warlock said, evidently annoyed. “Don’t make me regret my decision.”
“Of course.” Melissa flashed the warlock a smile. “This is my dear friend, Rosalie Franklin, and I figured she could use some new friends after hers met a terrible end.”
Rosalie stiffened at the callous way Melissa drew attention to her. She was even more sure Melissa had killed Kendra; the witch was clearly up to something.
Melissa then turned to Rosalie and motioned towards the annoyed warlock. “Rosalie, this is our ruler, the one I told you so much about,” she said. “Henri Anderson.”
Rosalie fought the urge to cough in shock. Melissa lied to Henri, though she had no idea why. The witch had told her nothing of the immortal ruler.
Henri’s eyes soon met Rosalie’s, boring into her as if he were trying to scrutinize her very soul. “A regular human,” he said distastefully before flicking his eyes to Melissa. “You brought a regular human into my home.”
Melissa nodded. “I thought you could help me turn her into one of us.”
Henri sat back, fo
lding his hands on the table in front of him. “Interesting,” he said. “And what’s so special about her that you would ask me to do this?”
Melissa slammed her hands onto the table, startling Rosalie. “The mortals are assembling their forces as we speak!” she seethed. “We need to do the same!”
“By turning one insignificant human?” Henri said in a bored tone.
“By turning a bunch of them,” Melissa snapped, “starting with Rosalie!”
Henri blinked, seeming to not have expected Melissa’s boldness. “Very well.” He trained his eyes on Rosalie again. “You. Come here. I wish to study you properly.”
Rosalie tensed, making no move to exit her seat.
“Don’t be shy,” Henri said. “No one here is going to hurt you.”
Rosalie didn’t believe Henri, but she also didn’t see any way out of disobeying him. Hesitantly, she slid out of her seat and moved towards him, feeling all the others watch her like a hawk.
Once she placed herself next to him, he reached out and clutched her chin with two delicate fingers, turning her face towards his. “That’s better,” he said. “You have nothing to be afraid of.”
Rosalie didn’t respond, fighting hard to control her trembling limbs.
Henri trailed a delicate finger down Rosalie’s cheek and neck as he studied her. Rosalie shivered at his touch but didn’t shy away. Afterall, she was a mere rabbit in a den of wolves, and in order to survive, she needed to blend in with them.
“I’m truly sorry about your friend,” Henri said to her, though his tone suggested otherwise. “It’s always tragic when a life gets unnecessarily snuffed out.”
Rosalie could no longer control her trembling. Melissa had indirectly admitted to murdering Kendra, all for the sole purpose of stealing her away and forcing her to become something unnatural. “Like you care,” she spat at the immortal warlock, clenching her fists.
Henri drew his hand away. “So, the human has claws,” he said. “Interesting.”
Rosalie said nothing as she fought to regain control of her trembling body. She didn’t trust him, not one bit, and hiding within his charismatic appearance was something sinister she couldn’t place.
“You live in Marywood, do you not?” Henri questioned with an amused grin.
Rosalie nodded slowly. “Melissa—”
Henri waved her off, dismissing whatever she was about to say. “What do you know about us?”
“I know you’re a warlock, and Melissa is a witch,” Rosalie said, nearly choking on her words. “I know you’re immortal.”
Henri nodded thoughtfully. “Important to know, and soon, if everything goes according to plan, you’ll be one of us too.” He paused. “Do you know the witch, Holly White?”
Rosalie froze. She knew Holly, though she never actually talked to the redhead who wore hideous polka dot dresses all the time. But a witch? Rosalie shivered at the thought of Holly secretly being immortal like Henri and Melissa.
Henri didn’t wait for her reply. “She’s a mortal witch, and one of our main enemies.” He took her hand in his, and she shivered at the coldness of his skin. “So are her friends.”
Rosalie tensed as Mandy came to mind. Mandy had only hung out with her and Kendra once back in December shortly after Rebekah…After Rebekah what? she questioned as her brain started working overtime. She…she….got evicted. After her family got evicted.
Henri watched her war with her mind, and he patted her hand comfortingly. “I see the mortals placed a spell on you,” he observed, and something in his eyes stirred. At once, a phantom touch lingered on Rosalie’s mind, prodding and breaking apart something, but Rosalie had no idea what.
And then, the hold on her mind shattered. Rebekah’s family wasn’t evicted, she realized. They moved to a place called Roseway and then moved back.
“Roseway was my town,” Henri explained as if sensing Rosalie’s thoughts. “And Rebekah, an undocumented Innocent at the time, was supposed to merge into the collective.”
Rosalie shook her head. “Innocent?” she questioned in a small voice.
The amused grin returned. “The term we use to refer to a human who can see and communicate with spirits,” he said. “Unfortunately, the mortals manipulated her, and she was never able to fill her purpose.”
“No,” Rosalie suddenly said, shocked to hear her own voice. “You tried to kill her! I can see the truth in your eyes!”
Henri grunted. “For a human, you are very observant,” he said. “But of course, I won’t kill you. I have need of you.”
Rosalie felt like someone slapped her. “And if I refuse?”
Henri released her hand, and she returned it to her side. “Then, I suppose we are at an impasse, and I would have to kill you,” he said. “I don’t want to have to kill you. Unnecessary casualties are messy business.”
“Kendra was an unnecessary casualty!” Rosalie blurted out without entirely thinking.
Henri’s expression grew cold. “I did not kill your friend.”
“Melissa did!” Rosalie seethed as she spun around to face the immortal witch. “Own up to what you did!”
Instead of shrinking in her seat, Melissa defiantly met her stare. “I did what I had to do, to make you come,” she said slowly, “and Sarah helped me.”
By that time, Rosalie was trembling, though not by fear. This time, it was anger. Blinding, near-suffocating anger enveloped her, and she could barely see a few feet in front of her as darkness spilled into her vision. She lunged at Melissa with only one thought: to avenge Kendra.
Or at least, she tried to, until something intangible coiled around her waist, yanking her back.
Now on the ground, Rosalie was panting as loose strands of her hair fell in front of her face. The shadow of a person fell over her, and she pushed herself onto her back, leaning on her elbows for support. Peering down at her was Henri. He did something to her, and her fear returned as she tried to anticipate what he was going to do next.
“She’s weak,” Henri said as he kneeled beside her, “as mortals generally are.”
In response, Rosalie spat at him. And he in turn slapped her across the face so hard she began to see stars.
“This one is going straight into a cell so I can work on her properly,” Henri said, his voice cold. Then, he flicked his head so his gaze rested on his immortal followers. “Michael and Travis!”
At once, two burly warlocks got up from their seats and placed themselves in front of their ruler.
“Take her to the dungeon,” Henri ordered. “I don’t care which cell you place her in.”
Without a word, the two warlocks descended on Rosalie, clawing at her as they fought to drag her to her feet. She kicked and flailed, trying to fend them off, but in the end, they had her successfully restrained as they began to drag her off.
The last thing Rosalie heard before she was forced out of the conference room was Henri saying, “I’ll visit you periodically to give you lessons on etiquette.”
~~~
Henri: Greenwich, England
After watching Michael Abbott and Travis Walker, two members of the Dark Guard, drag the human away, Henri Anderson reclaimed his seat and gazed out at the rest of his followers. Within the room were the remaining members of the Dark Rulers and the Dark Guard, minus Kat, as well as an additional group, the Night Cult. The meeting was not yet over despite Rosalie’s charade.
Henri grunted as his eyes met the gaze of the leader of the Night Cult, Cameron Crum. Though the group chose to make Seattle their base, they were one of the first groups to lend Henri aid during the attack on the Ivanestible castle. Furthermore, one of their own members, Melissa Young, with the help of some of the Dark Guard, managed to secure him the mortal prince. It was for those reasons why he held the group in a high regard and invited them to his meeting.
“The seeds have been planted,” Henri began, tearing his gaze from Cameron to meet the stares of the rest. “The Foreseer has fallen under my influence. She thinks
the mortals were the ones who blocked her visions.” He paused. “By now, Jeffery Speirs should be in Ivanestible with Katherine Reid, who should have been rewarded for her efforts with a place as an ICW chaperone.”
Silence befell the magic users as each one processed Henri’s words. If all went according to plan, Jason would fall, leaving the mortal magic users in chaos without an adequate ruler. If all went according to plan, Rebekah Jensen and her two witchy friends would die.
“Furthermore,” Henri continued, “I had Rebecca locate one of the groups chosen to participate, and I had her transform every single member into the Bewitched.”
Still, no one dared say anything, but Henri could sense their approval.
“And now, onto the topic of Rosalie.” Henri settled his eyes on Melissa. “One of the ingredients for the potion to transform her is human blood. Perhaps before the Innocent dies, we can take her blood. After all, she never shed it for Roseway’s benefit.”
He noticed Melissa’s grin before turning his gaze away.
“When the time comes, I ask that each of you join me when we finally march on the ICW facility,” Henri added. “And I hope you will find me others who will march as well.”
Murmurs broke out, and Henri grinned. Then, he stood up abruptly, and all eyes trained on him once again as the murmurs stopped.
“Meeting dismissed,” Henri said before stalking out of the room and back to his chambers.
CHAPTER
SIX
Rebekah: Marywood, Florida
D
uring the couple of months that she would be away, Rebekah had been excused from school. On the day of the sixteenth, which marked the beginning of that time off from school, when the cliques would first be spirited away to London for meetings and preparations, she let her parents drive her to the airport and say their good-byes before she turned her back on them, left her luggage to be checked, and passed through security.
The process reminded her of what she had to go through almost a year ago when she was traveling to Roseway. She remembered going through security, waiting around for hours as she read Mandy’s book, boarding the plane, and then, having a dream that seemed too real.
Bleeding Misery (Threatening Souls Book 2) Page 8