It was summer when I was hired to paint for Ms. Moriarty. My first impression of her was in a small outdoor cafe in the streets of London. Her petticoats were brightly colored and made of the finest silks. I could tell she was made of money, and would most likely pay me well. She told me that the subject of the painting was risque, but she knew that I had no means to object. She offered for me to stay in her home for the summer, I would stay in the guest chambers. It did sound quite nice to me, so I accepted.

A week later I found myself in a state of complete rapture, for this house or rather mansion, was jaw-droppingly fantastic. It was almost like a Gothic mansion. With large turrets and beautiful lush gardens. I then realized that not only did Ms. Moriarty have money, she was swimming in it. Walking up to the large cast-iron gates I couldn't imagine why I had said yes to paint something, when I didnt even know what it was. Though I quickly shrugged it off as I stood in front of the door about to knock.

I stood there shocked when a young maid opened the door and curtsied. "Hello Sir Moran. Ms. Moriarty has sent me to collect your bags and bring you to the parlor for tea." She took my bag, but I insisted on holding onto my knap-sack of painting materials. She lead me to a large open room where I was to have tea. Ms. Moriarty was there already, perched like a lovely song bird. Her delicate fingers twining around a few dark curls and her aged eyes seemed to be peering out into the distance.

"Ms. Moriarty?" I said sitting down across from her in a fragile looking sitting chair. She blinks a few times before smiling at me.

"Sorry dear. I was just off thinking. Tea?" She offers a porcelain teacup to me and I take it with steady hands. Looking at me, she takes her own cup and takes a slow sip. "So. You must be curious about your subject?" I nodded somewhat nervous about the information I was about to receive. "First off please, from now on call me Veronica. Moriarty was my husband's last name, as you have probably heard he pasted away...of natural causes." She says frowning slightly then returning to her cheerful demeanor.

Veronica...what a fitting name, I thought smiling back at her. She babbles on for a bit and I am worried she has lost her train of thought. I enjoy her chattering for a while before setting down my cup. "Veronica. I am feeling slightly sluggish. Do you mind if I see my subject then retire to my room?" She widens her eyes and throws her head back and a loud shill laugh escapes her lips.

"Oh. Yes. Your subject will be my son. Shall we go see him?" She sets her own cup down and offers her hand for me to help her up. I take her small soft hand and escort her out of the room. "His name is James. After his father." She informs leaning into me as we walk down the well lit corridor. I ing over to the just keep silent and nod.

"He should be in the library. God only knows how much information is in that boys head." She gave a weak smile as we approached the glass doors to the library. I pushed open the door with my free hand and walked her into the the large room. I craned my neck looking for this mysterious boy while we walked down the columns of books. We came around to a small sitting area where a lithe figure was curled up with a light red duvet.

"James...darling can you give a few seconds of your time for Mr. Moran?" She said letting go of my hand and moving over to sit by the boy. He didn't look up from the book and shrugged away from her touch. She sighed looking up at me. "He isn't much of a talker. Poor child doesn't speak much. Im afraid he might have some problems. Not that it will matter for you. Now for how you will be painting my little angel. I am assuming you are familiar with the human body? Well this may seem like a very strange request but I am looking for someone who will paint my child in full nudity. I have seen your work. I know he is a bit young, but I assure you, if you can paint him then I shall pay you very well." She smiled playing with this child's dark hair.

I was quite taken back with the request, though I had painted many nude portraits, but a boy no older then fifteen? "Yes. Veronica. I will paint the boy, it will not be a problem." I watched the boy carefully wondering how he felt about it. Though he showed absolutely no emotion about the subject, the boy's mother seemed overjoyed and grinned madly.

"Did you here that James? Oh mummy is so happy! Are you happy James?" She purred hugging the boy though he flinched away. I felt the edges of my mouth turn up as I tried not to laugh at the action. His mother seemed so enthused while James was complacent. As if the young boy knew I was laughing inwardly his eyes shot up.

This boy. This terrifying child was staring at him with two snake like eyes. I shivered not able to look away. A sinful smile crept onto those thin pale lips. "Mummy. You know how I hate the name James. Hello Mr. Moran. My name is Jim," I blinked a few times before breaking the gaze we were holding.

"Hello Jim. You can call me Sebastian." I said softly noticing the boy eying me like a lion would hunt a gazelle. The hairs on the back of my neck rose, making another shiver run down my spine.

After a few seconds Veronica pulled away from Jim and turned to me once more. "So. You said you were tired. I assume you would like to see your bed chambers?" I nodded to her, standing up and slinging my painters sack over my large shoulders. I hold my hand to help her up. "Your such a gentleman Sebastian," She gushes allowing my help and dances to my left side. "James, darling. Wont you come with us to escort Mr. Moran?" She sang in a soft voice. Once again she reminded me of a song bird. The way she would hover at one moment then the next she would be buzzing along. I smiled watching her tug Jim up. The boy didn't look very happy, his bottom lip pushed into a charming pout, but Veronica was quite persistent.

Before long we were at the door to my chambers. Jim had kept hushed the entire time but never took his reptilian eyes off me. It would have been unnerving but I tried to ignore him and instead watch Veronica flit around the room gesturing to things.

"So this is your room. The bathroom is the next door over, feel free to roam wherever." She chuckled running her hands over the soft silken sheets. I was quite excited about this room. Maybe I would even sketch it. Not only was there a large bed, but in the back of the room, there was a magnificent fireplace. To my surprise there was a large tiger pelt sprawled out near the fireplace, I wanted to go over and touch the lush fur.

Jim walked into the room with a lazy saunter. He had finally turned his attention to the floor where the tiger pelt was. "What do you think of it Sebastian," He drawled my name out, pronouncing each syllable. It would have been charming if it was any other child, but with Jim it was seductive.

I stuttered for a moment before looking at the pelt. "It is beautiful." I smile at Jim hoping my answer was sufficient. Jim just tutted at me before lying down on the fur rug. He wiggled around for a moment before letting a soft sigh escape his lips.

"I had father send men to bring me this fur. They killed a majestic creature and all you can say is beautiful." He sneered running his hand along the tiger stripes. I frowned turning to set down my painters set. Veronica had rushed over and scolded the pestilent child for being rude to me. I noted that Jim listened to his mother, though reluctant.

"Come now James. Let us leave Sebastian now and let him rest," She tugged on the boy's arm like a small child, and tried to drag him out of the room. Jim had other ideas. He wiggled away and walked back over to me. I eyed him nervously.

"Will you be coming to join us for dinner sir?" He said with large innocent eyes. I nodded wondering how for one moment he could have such a pure look, but the next it could be corrupt and sinful.

His gazed switched again, to a scandalous stare, letting his tongue run over those smooth lips. I look over to Veronica, who is once again off in her own world, twirling a curl around her finger. Letting out a low sigh I look back at Jim. He takes a few steps closer and gives me a sly smirk. "I am looking forward to seeing you Sebastian." Jim purrs sounding much older then he is. I give a nervous chuckle and move back to my paints.

"I look forward to seeing you and your mother." which is partly a lie. I dont like how Jim made me feel. How I would shiver when he talked, yet I could sit for hours and listen to Jim's Irish drawl. After a extended silence I turned around. Both Jim and Veronica were gone. I sat at my bed and stared around the room, noting the expensive paintings and art pieces. "Only one summer. You have been through worse. One summer then you can leave." I muttered to myself playing with one of my jars of paint.