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  As he came into view there was no mistaking that this was the Michael they had been talking about. Aside from the fact that he was long overdue for a haircut and a shave the resemblance between the two brothers was so remarkable they could have been twins. As he stepped into the kitchen someone stepped from behind him.

  “Charlie,” I was overjoyed to see him and tried to take a step towards him but Victor yanked me back.

  “Not so fast,” he held me tight.

  Michael was momentarily torn between who to help first. He clenched his teeth and ushered Margaret away from the table ignoring Victor and me for the moment. He grasped the blade that was still protruding from Margaret’s shoulder and gently eased it free. He made the tear in her blouse a little wider and revealed the gash beneath. I watched with amazement as he severed the tip of his finger and smoothed the blood that bubbled out over the wound on Margaret’s shoulder. It shimmered just as the cut on Victor’s cheek had and as Michael wiped the blood she lost away I could see the newly unblemished skin where moments ago the knife had been.

  “Charlie, please, help her outside and take her away from here.”

  Charlie looked apologetically towards me and there was nothing I would have liked more than the reassurance of having him stay with me but I nodded acquiescence and Charlie wrapped her arm around his shoulder and led Margaret from the house. I heard a car start and pull away.

  “Elayna, are you hurt?” Michael took a step closer.

  An image flashed in my mind of Michael tightly gripping my shoulders and draining the life from me as I helplessly struggled against him.

  He reached out a hand as though to comfort me, “No!” I cried. The memory horrified me and I recoiled from his touch.

  Victor found this absolutely riotous, “Oh, how the mighty have fallen!” Victor shuffled me to the far end of the kitchen, getting us several paces further away from Michael.

  “Elayna, please, it’s me, Michael,” I felt his presence in my mind, sifting through my memories looking for something, anything that would convince me that I could trust him.

  “You don’t remember me,” he sighed, utterly distraught, “and it’s my fault,” he hid his face in his hands before running his fingers through his hair and pulling it all back and away from his face. “Let her go Victor, this is between you and me.”

  Something was tugging on my insides and I took a step towards Michael.

  “Elayna,” Victor softly called.

  I was torn. I looked over my shoulder and Victor smiled at me. He reached out a hand to me and I couldn’t seem to resist. I reached back. Victor had a wicked grin as he drew me close. He watched with intense satisfaction as a completely horrified expression swept across Michael’s face. Victor leaned down and took my lips in his.

  When he pulled back he whirled me about so I was facing Michael, “Love me,” he tucked my hair over my shoulder as he whispered in my ear.

  “I love you,” I sighed and leaned my head back against Victor’s chest.

  He stroked my neck with the back of his hand, “Say it again, so Michael can hear you.”

  “I love you Victor.”

  Michael was beside himself, shaking with anger, “Elayna,” he commanded.

  My eyes went wide.

  “Uh, uh, ah,” Victor admonished, “this is where you belong.”

  “Yes,” I breathed, “I belong with you.”

  Victor laughed out loud, “I guess they were telling the truth. There’s nothing there is there? Oh, I knew the time was right. Look at her,” he waved his hand from the top of my head the length of my body, “all grown up and everything you ever wanted her to be but she’s no longer yours,” he kissed me again.

  Michael took a step towards us, “Let her go Victor!”

  “Sorry little brother, no can do,” he inched us away. “I thought I would kill her; how else could I possibly hurt you more than you have hurt me than by taking her? I've had a change of heart, though, because now...now I can envision so much more.”

  Victor glanced at the blade Michael had left lying on the island. Before Michael could react Victor tightened his grip around my waist and lunged for it. He laid it against my neck, “How do you manage to get yourself in these predicaments, eh? It would be a shame to let her go to waste but don’t think I won’t do it.”

  “No, don’t Victor,” Michael pleaded. He held up his hands in submission and stepped back.

  “Good choice,” Victor used me to shield himself as he ushered us toward the door. He sarcastically waved a farewell to Michael and whirled me out the door and into the night.

  Michael sunk to his knees in defeat. He was stupefied and couldn’t think. He didn’t know what to do; he kept seeing Victor’s lips on mine and hearing my determined declaration, “I love you Victor.”

  Minutes later Charlie returned, “Where’s Lily?” he asked.

  Michael looked up and was unable to answer.

  “He has her doesn’t he?”

  Michael’s lips quivered, “Yes, he took her Charlie…she’s gone.”

  Charlie was shaking his head, “No… no…NO!!” he screamed. “You swore this would never happen. You promised to protect her and that we would have a life together!” Charlie pivoted on his heel.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to find Lily and I’m going to bring her back.”

  Michael shook the haze from his head, “No Charlie, it's too dangerous. I'll find her. They can't have gone far; it's too late. Where's Margaret?"

  “She’s at Lily’s”

  “In the trunk, Charlie, there’s a flare gun. Stay with Margaret. Keep her safe.”

  Before he could protest or ask for further explanation Michael was gone.

  Chapter 21

  Victor dropped the blade and tumbled me into his car then quickly took the driver’s seat. I was in a heady delirium and turned myself towards him as he pulled from Margaret’s driveway. He was scowling as we raced away leaving the evening’s events behind us. My hands were folded and resting on my lap and after he urged the car into its highest gear he reached over and took my left in a determined grip.

  I squeezed him back, “Please Victor, be gentle.”

  “Of course,” he smiled and brought my knuckles to his lips while relaxing his hold.

  “Thank you,” I smiled. “Where are we going?” I tilted my head curiously.

  He smiled back, “Not far, not tonight anyway.”

  I drew my legs up as he drove and curled myself into the passenger’s seat, “I’m sleepy,” I yawned.

  “Of course you are,” he raised his hand to my cheek and I sighed in pleasure at his touch. “It won’t be long. We’ll be home soon and then you can rest.”

  “You’re so sweet,” I sighed.

  I closed my eyes and didn’t notice the minutes passing. I hardly realized it when we stopped and Victor guided me from the car and helped me into the lobby of an exclusive condominium complex located in the heart of downtown. We rode the elevator up to the penthouse and Victor offered me his arm as the doors slid back to reveal a spectacularly well-appointed apartment.

  I looked left and right then slowly turned in a complete circle taking it all in, “It’s breathtaking,” I cooed as Victor watched me while he shrugged out of his jacket.

  “Thank you,” he sounded sincerely pleased.

  I slowly walked towards him and wrapped my arms around him, “You’re breathtaking,” I tiptoed and whispered in his ear.

  His lips traced my neck. I felt a tiny prick then his tongue as it ran over the flesh from my collarbone to my chin. My mind went completely blank when I felt the pressure of his lips against mine.

  “Oh,” I moaned as he pulled back.

  He brought his wrist to his mouth and made a tiny incision. Part of me revolted at the idea but I felt compelled and unable to resist the urge to taste him as he raised his arm. He placed his hand on the back of my head and guided it to the droplets that were trickling towards his
elbow.

  It was like ice until it slid down the back of my throat then suddenly it seemed to be setting a blaze to my insides. I wanted more but Victor eased me away. I stood back shivering as the heat expanded inside me.

  “Not yet,” he rebuked me. “Not tonight, soon, love, soon.” He took my face in his hands and kissed me so intimately, so passionately I felt faint.

  “Say it again, tell me who you love.”

  “I love you, Victor. I love you.”

  He took the collar of my dress in his hands and tore it from neck to navel then folded it back. I shrugged out of it and let it fall to the floor then reached for Victor’s shirt and slowly, methodically unbuttoned it. I wanted to take my time, to appreciate the moment and have it be memorable and loving because that was the only way I had ever experienced it.

  Victor was looking down at me as I tugged his shirt from his pants and eased it from his shoulders. I tried smiling up at him but quickly lost the expression because there was something dark and foreboding lurking in his eyes. I didn’t want to see it and wished that I hadn’t because suddenly I was filled with hesitation. My body was begging for Victor to take me but my heart was screaming NO! NEVER!

  I think Victor sensed my reluctance and before I could protest or discourage him in any way he had my legs wrapped around his waist and my back against the wall. For half a moment I fought against him but as soon as I felt him inside me my resistance melted into demand. My arms went around his shoulders and my legs constricted into a vice-like grip. Everything was forgotten except the need for fulfillment.

  When it was over tears rained down my cheeks and it was impossible for me to recognize with any certainty whether they were tears of bliss or utter remorse. Victor was heaving against and at first he didn’t notice them. When he raised his head and saw how distraught I was his eyes went wild with anger.

  He seized me by the throat, “You will love me!! You will!!” and he latched onto me and drained me mercilessly until I could no longer stand on my own. “Oh, God,” he screamed when he realized what he was doing, “No, no, NO!! Not like this!” he bent down and with the gentlest, most wistful of caresses kissed me. He made another incision on his arm and held it to my lips.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered over and over again, “I’m so sorry, Lily. Please, please forgive me,” he begged.

  He stopped before it would be too much and brushed the hair back from my face tucking it behind my ears. “Please,” he insisted as he studied my face and feared the worst.

  I opened my eyes but I was too weak it seemed for anything else. He scooped me up and brought me to the bedroom then softly placed me on the bed and tucked me beneath the covers. He kissed each of my eyelids then abruptly stood up and began pacing the length of the room.

  The hours had gotten away from him and as he berated himself for what he had done he was torn between staying to ensure I would be alright and rushing off to rest. Ultimately he knew there was nothing more he could do and when the first of the morning’s rays struck him, he took one last glance at me and rushed from the room locking me in as he left.

  I slept through the morning and well into the afternoon all the while dreaming of Michael. I imagined he was looking for me; driving, it seemed, as best as the roads would take him in circles starting from Margaret’s house and spiraling outward. I felt like he was calling out to me over and over and over again and his voice was like the little tendril I always imagined that kept us connected through all the years of knowing one another. I wanted to reach out and grasp it and pull it close to me but it was so elusive; sometimes feeling oh-so-close and others drifting further and further away. I tried calling back but every time I did I was filled with the dread of Victor hearing me and my voice seemed to come out in a completely inaudible whisper.

  When I finally woke that afternoon I was covered in sweat. My skin was on fire and my throat so raw and dry that I couldn’t swallow. I had no recollection of my dream as I sat upright, squinting at the sun. As it streamed through the windows I kicked the covers off and I felt possessed with shame as I realized that I was naked. I wrestled one of the sheets from the bed and wrapped it around and around myself. I made my way to the windows one by one and drew their blinds half-closed.

  I began to shiver and shake as I made my way to the door. I tried the handle only to find it locked from the outside. I tried each of the other doors in turn – the first two led to what seemed his and her walk-in closets. Only one seemed to be in use and as I looked around I decided to drop my sheet in favor of a crisp linen shirt that fell to the middle of my thighs. With trembling fingertips I buttoned it up and my heart filled with regret as I recalled what I had done and with whom I had done it. I choked back the tears that swelled in my eyes then I resumed testing the other doors. It was a huge relief when I found the bathroom and could finally soothe my throat with some water from the tap.

  There didn’t seem to be any other way out than the locked door at the far end of the bedroom. I tried the handle again just to be sure but it was no use. I grew a little frantic and started rummaging through the closets and drawers looking for something, anything I could use to get myself out only to come up empty handed.

  I sat on the edge of the bed and buried my face in my hands, “Oh, God, how could I have done this. How have I gotten here?”

  I started shivering again. My skin felt hot to the touch and I needed to rush to the bathroom to take another drink from the faucet. Though my throat was no longer quite so sore the water didn’t help to cool me and I decided to make use of the shower since there seemed little else I could do. I stood under the flow of the placidly cold water for as long as I could stand it then gave myself a quick lather and stepped out. I draped the linen shirt over my shoulders and made my way back to the bedroom.

  The room had grown a bit darker and I knew that the sun would soon be setting. My heart began to race as I contemplated Victor’s return and how or what I could do to get away from him. I tried to remember exactly how the apartment was laid out and where exactly I was and where I would go if I actually did manage to escape.

  I lay down, curled myself into a ball and rested my head against the pillow sobbing. I hated myself for feeling so weak and so helpless. All of a sudden my stomach gave a violent heave. It didn’t feel as though I was going to be sick but instead like I was terribly excited and filled with anticipation. I wiped my tears away and tried to smooth my hair out suddenly very conscious of how I looked just then. I perched on the edge of the bed holding my breath and waiting. There was a little pop as the door was unlocked and it swung open.

  All my regrets faded away.

  “Oh, Victor, I’ve missed you,” I rushed from the bed to wrap my arms around him. “Please,” I begged.

  He seemed to know what I was asking and bit his lip bringing a number of drops to their surface. Eagerly I covered him with kisses, “Oh, I’m so sorry, Victor. It’s my fault, it’s my fault,” I confessed as I coiled myself around him.

  “No, love, no. Don’t be sorry,” he took my wrist and latched on. He only took a tiny draught and smoothed it over and kissed the little wound he had made and watched as it disappeared.

  I gasped, completely insensible of anything but how wonderful he tasted and how sensual his lips on my wrist felt. “It will be better this time,” I seized his hand and tugged him towards the bed.

  “There’s no time for that,” he reprimanded.

  “Oh, but there is,” I reached down to be sure he was ready.

  I bent my head back to expose the soft flesh of my neck, “I need you, Victor,” I insisted.

  He took another tiny taste and all his resolve evaporated. He backed me toward the bed and after he sat me down slowly undid the shirt I was wearing. His fingers traced my lips and ran down my neck and along the opening he had created. I smiled joyously and arched myself into his touch.

  It was slow and controlled and passionate, everything I wanted it to be. Victor seemed to be completely intuit
ive and fulfilled every desire as they surfaced one after another. I shuddered against him. All my earlier discomfort faded; my trembling, my shivering and the fire in my flesh – it all evaporated and I felt completely at ease; peaceful and satisfied as he stroked my cheek with the back of his hand.

  “Lily,” he sighed.

  “Mmm,” I stretched out alongside him, “I love you, Victor. I love you so much.”

  He nipped his finger and put it to my lips, “And I love you, Lily.”

  Chapter 22

  “Here,” Victor sat up and held his hand out to me, “I need you to get ready. We have to leave as soon as we can.”

  “No. Why do we have to leave? It is lovely here,” I ran my fingers over the bedspread, “I want to stay here with you,” I pouted like a petulant child.

  I saw a flash of anger in his eyes but Victor seemed determined to be on his best behavior. He took a deep breath to calm himself and tugged me to sitting and glided me to the edge of the bed. “We will come back, love but I want to take you somewhere, somewhere special first,” he bent down and kissed me then turned on his heel and left the room. He was back a moment later with a number of shopping bags. He dumped them onto the bed and sifted through them, “This, this looks nice. Put it on.”

  Reluctantly, I stood up and did as he asked. I pulled the dress he selected over my head and turned myself away from him so Victor could zip me up. He kissed my neck when he was finished, “Thank you,” he whispered. There was something in his voice that made me realize how anxious he seemed to be feeling and that he was trying to keep it from me.

  “What is it, Victor, is everything alright?”

  “Yes, of course, I just don’t want us to be late.”

  “Late? Late for what?”

  “Uh, uh, ah, it’s a surprise,” he smiled and wrapped his arm around my waist ushering me out of the room and quickly down the hallway into the elevator.

  As we rode the car down he encouraged me to take a hurried drop from his wrist again and when we reached the lobby Victor quickly took my face in his hands and kissed me as the doors glided back. I shook my head confusedly and trailed behind him as he grasped my hand and led me outside. It was dark and sultry but the air felt cool and crisp to me and I gave a little shiver.