T. A. Chase

Angel’s Seduction-Part Thirty-Three

Angel’s Seduction copyright (c) 2006 T.A. Chase

Part Thirty-Three:

The mist is hanging over the path as I ride along it. Greyson is in another meeting at the Home Office. My lover is exhausted. He spends most of his days at Whitehall, dealing with the Prime Minister and other lords in charge of the government. When he comes home, instead of resting, we make appearances at balls and soirees. Greyson knows I don’t want to go to them, but he tells me we have to go because not showing our faces would make people think my father is right.

I’m not sure why we need to worry about what other people think. The duke tells me every day that he doesn’t care, that he lives his life the way he wants now, yet each night we go out into Society. Maybe it is simply because I’m not used to being with people. I still get nervous and at times scared, but Alice and Harry are there with us and they help me overcome my awkwardness.

My mind drifts as I ride. Greyson told me this morning before he left that Shade has disappeared. I’m worried about the man. I fear that seeing me has driven him in to a depression and he might do something irrational. I laugh at myself. If Shade has managed to stay alive and not kill himself for thirteen years, I don’t think meeting me will drive him over the edge.

My heart aches for him. It can’t be easy to go through life believing your love was the reason why a man killed himself. I don’t think Shade is ready to understand that the blame needs to be shared between the three of them.

A noise catches my attention. As I turn around to look, a sharp pain splits my head and the world goes black.

* * * *

Pain chases me from the darkness and I open my eyes to find I’m lying in the middle of a room. My head aches, so I try not to move it too much as I glance around. It looks familiar to me. I flinch as I lift my head off the floor to get a better look.

Fear floods my mind and I whimper. Somehow I’m back in my room at my father’s house. Father has made his threat come true. I start to curl in on myself, instinctively protecting my stomach. A heavy weight hampers my arms. I bring my wrist into my line of sight and groan.

Cuffs and chains. My father has captured me and I don’t think he’s going to let me go this time. The cold metal rubs against my wrists, reminding me that my nightmare has just begun. I close my eyes and think about Greyson.

I wonder how long it’s been since I was brought here. Does Greyson know that I’ve been taken? Will my father brag to my lover that he’s got me back? Will he tell no one, letting them all wonder where I’ve gone?

Another thought races through my mind. Will my father let me live? Has he kidnapped me only to kill me?

My fear increases the ache in my head and body. Lowering my head to the floor, I fight to keep a sob from bursting out. I can feel despair and hopelessness trying to take a hold of me. My bid for freedom has been in vain. I should have known that I would never escape. A perverted demon like me would never be allowed to leave Hell.

A noise brings my head up. I stare across the floor to where the door is slowly opening. I cringe, expecting to see my father standing there. I wonder when he will come. I need to be prepared for the beatings. I know he won’t stop trying to whip my perversions from me.

“Edward,” I gasp as my younger brother slips into the room.

“Shh.” He places a finger over his lips as he glances down the hall. I assume he’s making sure no one sees him entering my room.

He shuts the door with barely a noise and then makes his way to me. He’s carrying a bowl and some clothes. I watch while he kneels and starts cleaning my head.

He keeps his voice low. “You have a nasty knot here. I’ll try to get as much of the blood off as I can.”

“Why?” I’m amazed that my brother would risk everything to help me. My father’s wrath isn’t something anyone in the house would wish to invoke.

“You don’t deserve this. You never have. It doesn’t matter what you do or who you love. He has no right to treat you no better than a dog.” Edward’s anger burns in his eyes.

“At least he treats his dogs better than he does me. They aren’t chained up and beaten.” I close my eyes and groan as the cool, wet cloth touches the back of my head.

“I don’t have much time. He went to a ball, but I’m sure he will be coming back early to talk to you.” He dips the cloth in the bowl and brushes it over my face. “He keeps the keys on him or I’d let you go. Is there anything I can do for you?”

I want to beg him to get those keys, but I’m not sure how far he’s willing to go to help me. “Get a message to Uncle for me. Let him know where I am.”

Edward pulls a small flask out of his pocket. He lifts my head, touching the mouth of the flask to my lips. “A little sip of whiskey should help you. Isn’t there anyone else you want me to tell?”

I stare up at him as the alcohol burns down my throat into my stomach. “If you’re willing to take a chance, take a message to Lord Greyson, Duke of Northamptonshire.”

I want Greyson to know where I am, though I’m sure he’s figured it out by now. I have no reason to run away or disappear, not when all my dreams are coming true.

“The duke. I can do that.” A soft knock breaks the silence. He gathers all his supplies and leaps to his feet. “Father’s home. I’ll try to come and see you when he leaves again.”

“Thank you.”

I watch the door close behind my younger brother. Confusion fights with the pain. Why is he helping me now? Is this a trick devised by my father to lull me into believing escape is possible?

My strength gives out and I curl up on the floor, resting my head on the cool iron cuffs. I let the darkness take me. I don’t have the energy to worry about my fate. There is nothing I can do at the moment, except to try and recover. And hold to the belief that somehow Greyson will save me.

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P.S. I’m SExing today. Stop by and say hi.

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