Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
A fear like I’d never known turned my blood to ice.
Despite being paralyzed, my entire body trembled, so much so, that the chair squeaked beneath me. Delacroix pressed the jagged blades of the saw against my throat. I begged him with my eyes to stop.
Time slowed – and then blinding pain struck me as the blade punctured my skin and began to gnaw away my flesh.
Bright red blood squirted into the air and spilled down my neck and chest as he cut deeper, while the warm liquid gurgled in my throat and my stomach readied to spew up its contents.
I hoped madness would possess me and take my mind with it.
Dear God, save me. Save her.
From outside came the sudden sounds of chaos, alluding to an unearthly brawl. Delacroix rested the saw on the side table and left.
Silence.
I struggled to breathe as the gaping gash in my throat began to heal. The scarlet flow slowed and then receded, and the agonizing spasms dissipated. In the corner lay my discarded jacket. Jacob’s locket was in one of those pockets.
Delacroix returned, dragging Marcus across the floor. Marcus’ spectacles poked out of his tattered shirt pocket.
Get me out of here!
“This is a nightmare,” Marcus whispered.
“One that I control,” Delacroix replied.
Marcus scrambled to his feet and did a doubletake when he noticed the jar.
“He isn’t tied down?” Marcus asked, and then his wide stare shifted to the stake protruding from my side.
“Do you want to see your sister again?” Delacroix handed Marcus the saw.
A rasp escaped my lips.
Marcus swallowed a sob. “I want to know why.”
I was caught between a longing for survival and the need for it to be over. In a trance-like state, Marcus traced the serrated edges along my neck. Delacroix loomed close behind him, clutching the head. His hands appeared to shake with excitement.
“You manipulated me.” Marcus held my gaze.
I couldn’t let your sister die, I thought, hoping he could understand.
“Manipulated us.” Marcus swung around and sliced through Delacroix’s throat.
Delacroix staggered back, aghast, blood gushing from his wound. He dropped the head, and it landed with a thud. Marcus turned back to face me and reached for the stake in my side, yanking it out.
Delacroix vanished, leaving a bloody trail. Marcus kicked the head across the room.
I flew out of the chair, and we headed into the corridor.
“I owe you my life,” I said.
“You owe me more than that.”
I pointed to his spectacles. “You won’t need those anymore.”
“I noticed.”
“We’ll talk more later.”
“I’ve got to get to Rachel,” he said. “The River Thames Inn, was it?”
I nodded.
“I’m coming back for Delacroix.” Marcus sped along the corridor.
“Don’t take him on alone,” I called after him. “Avoid the sun!” I cringed at my damp shirt, stained with remnants of skin and blood. I ran in the opposite direction, down the central tunnel.
Someone had carved their way through before me. I climbed into the muddy hole following in their tracks and soon reached the other side. Benjamin sat beside a black coffin, its lid off. He rocked Sunaria in his arms, talking to her. She looked paralyzed.
“Let her go.” I spoke the words slowly.
Benjamin held her closer. “He wants me to bring her to him.”
“You and I both know that’s not going to happen,” I said.
“I drank from him. I saw things.”
“Saw what?”
“His power.”
“He gave you up to me.” I stepped closer.
“I did whatever he asked because I’m scared of him.”
“It’s me you should be scared of.”
Sunaria slid out of his arms, and I caught her. Grasping the end of the stake in her side, I eased it out. I’d never seen her so vulnerable. Her dress was filthy, evidence that she hadn’t surrendered without a fight.
“I’ve got you now,” I whispered.
I grabbed Benjamin’s arm and, controlling his squirming, clutched the scruff of his jacket and held him over her. Even with Sunaria’s face nuzzled into his neck, I could see her color returning.
I peered down the tunnel and wondered where it led, considering that it may very well be like the others and lead nowhere, though the faint sound of water hinted that it may lead to freedom.
When Sunaria pulled back, having had enough blood, I shoved Benjamin out of the way. A fine, scarlet line trickled from her mouth onto her chin.
I wiped away the bloody smear. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” I kissed her, my tongue searching her mouth, tasting the tangy remnants of the blood.
The kiss of rediscovery – the one I vowed to give Sunaria the moment fate returned her to me.
It was a gift wrapped in light and longing, fierce with unspoken passion.
Our tongues danced in a storm of forgiveness and need, losing ourselves and then saving each other once more with every breathless touch, every caress, every sacred promise.
I almost forgot we were not alone.
Benjamin staggered off and dived through the clay hole.
Sunaria rubbed her disappearing wound. “That bastard stabbed me with silver.” She stared at the state of my clothes. “What happened to you?”
“Later.” I took her hand and started after Benjamin.
“Where are we going?”
We trekked down the passageway. Sunaria covered her nose, the smell having reached us. I pushed open the door to the torture chamber and locked gazes with Benjamin, who was now holding the severed head.
I glared at him, my patience fading fast. “Give it to me.”
Sunaria wore a disgusted look.
Benjamin stepped back. “He’ll let me live if I return it. What are you going to do?”
“End it.”
Benjamin wavered.
“We’ve all been through enough,” I said quietly.
Benjamin looked at Sunaria and then back at me. “And you’ll let me go?”
“I will. Now take off your shirt.”
“Why?”
“Just do it.” I removed my shirt and dropped it on the floor.
Once Benjamin’s shirt was off, I grabbed it from him and put it on. It was a snug fit, but clean, at least. I retrieved my jacket and withdrew the locket from the right pocket.
I showed it to Sunaria. “Delacroix had this.”
She looked puzzled. “He found it on me.”
“What?”
“I found it in a jewelry store. Delacroix stole it from me before I could find you.”
“He recognized me from the portrait.” I cringed. “And Benjamin, you filled in the holes.”
Benjamin sidled along the wall.
“He doesn’t have Jacob.” Sunaria’s expression flickered with anger. “He just wants you to think that.”
But we don’t know that for sure.
I tucked the locket into my trouser pocket and grabbed the head out of Benjamin’s hands.
It was truly nasty. I wrapped it in my jacket and grasped Benjamin’s arm.
With the head under my left arm, cringing with the feel of it, I dragged a bare-chested Benjamin out and back down the central corridor.
With a shove, Benjamin climbed through the clay opening and I followed him out the other side.
I offered the head to Sunaria for her to hold and she gave me one of her stares.
I carefully placed it down on the ground.
Then I pulled Benjamin over to the casket and forced him inside. I dragged the lid over and rammed it into position, securing the latches.
Benjamin banged on the lid. “Why?” he cried. “Why did you lie?”
“Because, Ben, I’ve had an extremely vexing day.”