The cobblestone way was coated with blood, followed by the awful scent of forced sex, which lingered around the body. Smelling worse than death, fitting the killers profile of murder. The young Captain sighed and looked out over the crime scene, the only real clue they had that they would work with was the hat. He sighed again, maybe the Earl would help with this one. Getting an idea he got into his carriage and pulled away from the curb and made his way to the palace the Earl stayed in. His young apprentices following along, anxious to meet the aloof and handsome Cain Hargreaves, Earl of Poison. The youngest Corissa smiled to herself as they made their way down the street toward the large mansion that loomed in front of them.
"I can't believe that we get to meet the Earl!" She squealed happily, her older sister Danielle rolled her eyes.
"How can you be certain that we would even meet the Earl? Captain is going to see him, we will be escorted by a butler into a parlor while Captain and the Earl go into the Earl's office and discuss things. " Corissa frowned at her sister and glanced at the captain.
"Is this true Captain?" Corissa asked curiously.
"More then likely, I'm sorry Corissa I knew how you wanted to meet the Earl greatly but as your sister put he will more then likely take me to his office and have a butler show you to the parlor." Corissa pouted childishly.
"You two are cruel." She muttered darkly. Again her sister rolled her eyes. When they reached the mansion Corissa began to feel butterflies in her stomach. She blushed gently.
"Corissa calm down." The Captain muttered, Corissa rolled her eyes. He glanced at her and got out of the carriage, he walked to the door followed by an anxious Corissa and an annoyed Danielle. "Danielle contain your sister!"
"Your kidding right? Me contain her? I can't even keep her restrained she just chews through everything." The Captain rolled his eyes and knocked on the door. It opened and surprisingly by Cain. Corissa's mouth dropped open and she blushed.
"May I help you?" He asked a charming smile on his lips. Corissa turned her back at him and looked at Danielle, her eyes dreamy.
"He's so hot!" She whispered loudly to Danielle, who just rolled her eyes again.
"Sure." Cain looked at the two girls and grew a smirk, Corissa turned around when she felt eyes on her.
"And who are these two lovely young ladies?" Corissa smiled shyly at the Earl and extended her hand in a formal greeting, Cain turned it so he could kiss the top. Corissa blushed darkly and smiled again. The Captain rolled his eyes widely and looked at Cain, plastering a smile on his lips.
"Earl Hargreaves I wish to ask you a favor..." Cain raised a brow.
"Really? And what would that favor be?"
"You've heard of the rapings and murders of young men, right?"
"Yes? Why would you need my help?" The Captain inhaled deeply to keep his temper down, Cain was reminding him of Corissa at this moment, when she's hardly listening, in her own little world, looking at guys.
"I hear that you are good at solving crimes...I was wondering if you would like to accompany us on the investigation." Cain thought about it for a moment and looked behind him.
"Riff what do you think?" Riff looked the Captain once over making him feel uncomfortable.
"Sure why not?" Riff replied with an easy smile. Danielle had been looking at Riff, Corissa saw this and smiled at her sister.
"Dani stop the drool you'll drown!" Danielle glared at her sister who just giggled. Cain looked at them and smirked.
"Would you two ladies like to come in?" Corissa looked at him dryly.
"No I think standing in the cold is much more fun." The Captain smacked her upside the head and glared at her.
"That was extremely rude Corissa!" He barked, Corissa gave him a confused look.
"Then he shouldn't of asked a stupid question!" Corissa replied, Cain chuckled. The Captain glared at her.
"Your hopeless!" He growled, She smiled. Cain smiled and took her arm, pulling her through the door.
"Forgive me, I should of known by the way you stood you were one for sarcasm." Corissa looked at him sharply.
"Whats that supposed to mean?" Danielle rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her sisters back, pushing her in.
"Corissa shut up! Believe me it's better when you do." Corissa growled at her.
"Don't make me hurt you."
"Sorry baby sister but I can safely say that your threat is hollow when concerning me." The Captain smirked.
"Thats my Dani!" He said. Danielle raised a brow at him.
"Your Dani?" She asked, he blushed gently.
"U-uh...t-that's not what I meant..." He stammered, Corissa rolled her eyes and sat on the couch she was directed to. She turned to Cain.
"While that is getting sorted. Would you like me to tell you what he had so far?" He looked at her oddly.
"For what?" He teased, she rolled her eyes.
"I never would of expected the great Earl of Poison to be such a smart ass." She mumbled, unfortunately for her Cain heard.
"But smart ass is part of my charm my dear." Corissa's mouth dropped open and she blushed.
"I'm sorry..." She paused. "I should learn how to mumble better." She said in an after thought, Cain only chuckled.
"Just because I'm a Earl doesn't mean I'm a stiff." Corissa nodded her agreement.
"Sure...right..." She replied. She glared at the coffee table in front of her. 'Great I'm making myself look like a fool in front of the hottest and most desi-' Her thoughts cut off when she realized something. Most of the men that the 'Maniac' attacked were respected and very handsome...which meant that Cain was more then likely somewhere on the mans list. The only flaw to her theory was that Cain never walked around at night alone. He always had a valet or someone with him. Would the killer decide to come into the Hargreaves mansion? No, there would surely be guards on duty. Maybe- Her thoughts were interrupted with the Captain waving his hand in front of her face.
"Oh good she didn't collapse into a coma." Corissa glared at him and frowned confused by the accusation.
"I was thinking." The Captain looked surprised and placed a hand over his heart.
"Never in my life did I ever think I would hear those words come out of your mouth." Corissa glared at him again.
"We'll excuse me for doing my job!" Again the Captain looked surprised.
"Doing your job? I must thank Earl Cain here, never has she thought and done her job in one day! You're a miracle worker." Corissa glared menacingly at him, the glare promised death. He cleared his throat and looked at Cain. Cain ignored the banter and looked at Corissa.
"Did you figure something out, Miss Corissa?" Corissa nodded.
"I noticed that the men that the 'Maniac' goes after are all men of power and good looks. Seems that maybe he has a grudge against high ranking handsome men? Meaning that I'm sure Earl Cain is on the list at some point."
"So he's insane and gay?!" Danielle asked sounding exasperated. The Captain looked at Corissa.
"Good job Corissa, I'm proud of you. You did something productive and didn't hurt yourself-" He didn't get a chance to finished his sentence cause Corissa subtly hit him upside the head. "That was uncalled for!" He yelled, she angled her head and looked at him innocently.
"Why Captain I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about." The Captain glared at her.
"You know what you did." He replied.
"Yes I do. I found a clue. You said you were proud of me..." The Captain grew tired of her teasing and looked at Cain.
"Lord Cain I think it would be best if two agents stay with you." Cain looked confused.
"But Riff can protect me, he always does." Corissa looked at Riff and angled her head.
"Riff whats your job here?" She asked, Riff smiled happily.
"I'm Cain's Manservant." Both of Corissa's eyebrows shot up.
"Manservant?" She asked an insinuation in her voice, giggling gently to herself. Cain rolled his eyes.
"Fine would you prefer friend?" He asked, but noticed that Corissa wasn't listening to him she was in her own little world whispering 'Manservant' over and over again. She turned to Danielle and got her saying it also, though she said it with a giggle. The Captain rolled his eyes.
"Corissa your sad." Corissa frowned playfully at the Captain.
"No I'm happy." He was about to reply when Cain shut him off.
"What agents are you going to have watch me...I believe male is not a safe idea. So do you have any female agents?" Instantly Corissa and Danielle's hands shot up, the Captain ignored them and tried to think.
"Only a few, but they're doing their job, investigating. So..." He sighed and looked at Corissa and Danielle. They smiled brightly and clasped their hands together in a pleading gesture, getting all cute and pouty.
"Please?" They asked in unison. The Captain cracked a smirk and gave them each a hug.
"Sure. Just behave and-"
"God Captain don't sound like our father." Corissa said, returning the hug. "Your much to young for that." He smirked and hugged Danielle.
"I'm glad you noticed, but I still want you to behave. And take these." He pulled out a few pistols from his pocket and handed them to the girls. "Be careful with them." Corissa nodded and put hers away. Danielle eyed her sister with wariness.
"You sure that it's safe to let her have a gun?" Danielle asked, Corissa glared at her.
"Why is it a bad idea for her to have a weapon?" Cain asked, Corissa shook her head no, Danielle and the Captain looked at her dryly.
"Good point Danielle." The Captain replied, he turned toward Corissa. "Make sure to be extra careful." She glared at him.
"Shut up." She muttered, she turned toward Cain. "Do you have someone who can show me to my room?" He looked taken aback by the sudden question but nodded.
"Riff would you do the honors of escorting these ladies to their rooms?" Riff nodded with a smirk, he took each of their arms and began to lead them away. Corissa paused though, she smiled evilly and turned toward the Captain.
"Captain you will need to gather our things. You know our clothes and things." The Captain blushed and nodded.
"Y-yes." He said, Corissa smiled and winked at him. He rolled his eyes and walked from the house. Riff resumed on taking the girls to their rooms. But Cain stepped in.
"Riff my friend allow me the pleasure of taking Miss Corissa to her room, personally. You may escort Miss Danielle to her room." Riff nodded in understanding and took Danielle's arm. Corissa and Danielle exchanged looks of confusion before either was split up by opposite directions. Corissa looked at Cain with curiosity.
"Where are we going?" She asked looking around.
"To your room of course." She nodded and sighed. Her room was a while away. Suddenly they stopped in front of large twin wooden doors. She angled her head in confusion. He opened it and she was able to look inside, it was a gorgeous room but it seemed as though someone lived in it already, it was specifically made.
"Thank you but it appears that someone is inhabiting this room already..."
"Someone is. Me." Her jaw dropped instantly and she stared blankly at him.
"But Lord Cain that isn't really appropriate...I mean-"
"Aw but detective what better way to protect me then by staying in the room with me?" Corissa blushed deeply and looked in the room again, her eyes bulged when she noticed that there was only one bed.
"Lord Cain there is only one bed. Where am I to sleep?"
"On the bed silly girl."
"But I am young! That is was to inappropriate for to sleep next to a man I am not married to."
"But it's your job to protect me..." Cain reminded her with a smile. She blushed again and frowned.
"What shall I tell the Captain then? I do not think he will be please to hear that I am staying in the same room as you."
"Allow Riff and I can take care of that." Corissa looked out over the room again and sighed.
"Ok...I will stay in here." Cain smiled clasping his hands over hers.
"Wonderful!" He exclaimed. She tried to smile, but really wanted to talk to her sister.
"May I speak with my sister please?" Cain nodded and grabbed her arm, pulling her down the hall. They reached a door and knocked, Danielle walked out looking happy. Corissa glared at her. "Let me guess you have your own room?"
"Don't you?" Corissa shook her head angrily.
"No." She replied, she glared back at Cain, he smiled sheepishly and walked away. When he was far enough down the hallway Corissa erupted in laughter. She smiled at Danielle. "I get to sleep with Cain!" She said excitedly, Danielle rolled her eyes.
"You get to sleep in the same room as Cain..."
"I know isn't it great!" Corissa asked, she giggled again. "I put on an act that I was scared to stay in there and that it was inappropriate. He actually believed me! How funny." She started laughing again. Suddenly Cain and Riff came up behind them.
"So detective are you finished speaking with your sister?" Corissa yelped and turned sharply, losing her balance. She saw the ground rush towards her and closed her eyes but never felt the impact. She opened them and saw that she was caught by Cain. She blushed darkly. She smiled sheepishly and giggled.
"Yes I am."
"Good. Now we can wait for your Captain to come and bring your things. How long do you think you'll be staying with us?" Corissa and Danielle looked at each other and thought for a moment.
"Not sure." Cain nodded.
"Thats fine..." Just then the doorbell rang, Riff excused himself and got the door.
"The Captain..." He announced bringing the Captain into the room, he looked at Corissa and saw the blush on her face and raised a brow.
"What did you do this time?" She glared at him.
"Nothing." She replied, Cain stepped in front of her and moved closer to the Captain, and whispered something in his ear.
"So you tripped again, did ya?" Corissa glared at Cain this time.
"Why did you tell him? All he's going to do now is tease me!" Cain shrugged and smirked at the Captain.
"I must tell your Captain. How else will the investigation progress?" Danielle and Corissa looked offended by the question.
"You think that we can't handle this investigation ourselves?!" Danielle asked, taking a step toward Cain. He merely rolled his eyes at her.
"Miss Danielle calm down that is not what I meant at all. The Captain asked me for help and so as you stay here I am helping. Since I am a target by having protection the police may observe my home to see if the 'Maniac' comes to my house."
"How is telling the Captain that I tripped essential to the investigation?!"
"I don't know. But it was fun." Cain replied shrugging, Corissa growled and the Captain grabbed her hand pulling her back. She bumped into him and sighed. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you calmer?" She angled her head and thought for a moment, grabbing his wrist she pulled with all her might, throwing him over her shoulder causing him to land at Cain's feet. Cain raised a brow at the young Captain as he grunted.
"Much calmer thanks for caring." She replied back, the Captain glared at her back and got up slowly. Cain sighed and looked at Corissa.
"You are the violent one, huh?" Corissa raised an amused brow at him.
"What better way to protect you from a sex crazed rapist who wants not only your body but also to see you dead? I bet killing gets him off." Corissa replied smirking, Cain, Riff, Danielle and the Captain's mouths all fell open.
"Issa!!" Danielle screamed, Corissa raised her brows in fake innocence.
"What?"
"Don't say things like that?!"
"Why I'm sure it's true! Raping sure as hell gets him off, I'm sure killing does too. He probably went home after and jacked off." Danielle blushed at her sisters boldness.
"Alright Corissa thats enough." The Captain said, walking closer to her. She rolled her eyes.
"You just are mad to hear what you won't say!" She screamed at him, they were all surprised that she was so bold all of a sudden but Danielle agreed with her sister. The Captain did seem mad that Corissa was saying what he wouldn't. The Captain's eyes flashed and he slapped her hard. When her head snapped back her hand went to her cheek immedientaly, tears filling the brim of her eyes. She narrowed her eyes the tears falling and ran toward the direction of the room she shared with Cain. Cain looked at the Captain with hatred.
"Captain I think you should leave." The Captain looked pained for a moment then nodded. Danielle was enraged! She walked toward her room without saying a word. Cain and Riff exchanged looks and walked off in to follow either girl. Riff after Danielle, Cain after Corissa. Cain got to his room and sighed, knocking on the door. He heard a sniffle and frowned.
"Miss Corissa may I come in?" He asked, he heard a shuffle on the other side of the door.
"Yes." Came her strained voice, he could tell she was crying. He opened the door and looked inside. Corissa sat on the bed, her knees drawn up to her chest, tears falling from her eyes in a river like fashion. Cain's heart broke at the sight, she looked so sad and in pain. He walked to her and sat next to her on the bed, ignoring what was proper. She looked up at him and blinked, she sniffled and moved closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder. Cain looked down at her confused and also blushing. Awkwardly he placed an arm around her, she moved closer to him again. Her torso against his chest her legs over the edge of the bed, her head resting in the crook of his neck. He blushed darker when she wrapped her arms around him.
"Corissa..." He began she gave a shiver and clung to him. He wrapped his arms around her tighter.
"Cain, he struck me..." She trailed off, Cain sighed and moved her away from him for a moment. She looked confused and slightly hurt, when she looked at him. He was leaning against the head board, he opened his arms and waited for her to register what he meant. She moved toward him and laid her head on his chest, her body pressed against his, feeling more like a small child then an apprentice to be an officer. His arms going around her back.
"I know Corissa, but some men can't rid anger like others. Some hit, scream and destroy possessions and others deal with their anger like mature adults. The Captain apparently can't deal with anger maturely." Corissa looked up at Cain and smiled. Shifting slightly she kissed his cheek, as she pulled away Cain hooked his index finger and his thumb under her chin and kissed her. Her eyes widened in shock and surprise but soon relaxed and kissed back. Her left hand gently resting on his chest. He was surprised when she kissed him back, he hadn't really expected it. He hadn't really expected to even kiss her but he just couldn't resist. He smiled into the kiss and shifted their position, flattening her to the bed. Allowing him to deepen the kiss, Corissa sighed into the kiss and pulled him more against her body, he moved from her mouth and began kissing and sucking on her pulse. She felt something against her thigh and smiled, bucking upward making him groan in annoyance. He was trying to keep self control but with her teasing like that it was hard. They hadn't even heard the door open...
Danielle sat on her bed and stared at the picture in her hand. Suddenly a knock was heard on the door, she sighed and walked to it. She opened it and was surprised to see Riff standing there. She leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms.
"Need something?" She asked, Riff smiled gently.
"Are you ok?" He asked, she looked slightly confused and shocked but slowly recovered and smiled.
"Fine." She replied and moved away from the door, he looked at her and smiled as she motioned for him to come in.
"I hope Cain made Miss Corissa fell better, she looked awfully upset..." Danielle started chewing on the inside of her cheek in thought.
"Lets go see." She said grabbing his hand and pulling him down the hall. They reached the door and soundlessly opened it, peeking inside. Cain and Corissa were kissing heavily on the bed, Cain on top of Corissa, her right leg was slung around his waist, his hand going up her skirt massaging her outer thigh, heavy moaning and panting was heard coming from the couple. Danielle and Riff blushed darkly and closed the door. "I think she feels fine." Danielle muttered and started to walk back toward her room. Riff swiftly followed.