"Janine? Um...this is Egon." A pause. "I'm not sure what time you're suppose to get in tonight, but um...call the firehouse when you get this message." Another pause. "Nothing's wrong, it's just...just call, all right?"
Egon hung up the phone feeling very foolish and wishing he could call back and erase the message he'd just left.
It'd been six days since she'd left. She only had one more day left on her vacation then she'd be back on Monday. He should've called earlier. The nagging feeling had never gone away,. In fact, it seemed to increase every day. He looked back at the phone. He knew she was suppose to be back sometime Saturday evening. Something told him this feeling would go away until he heard her voice or saw her walk into the firehouse. Unfortunately the same voice told him not to expect her at all. She wouldn't be coming back.
Oh God.
She'd found out days ago just what her part was in this little spell, and he'd been right; she wasn't going to die and wouldn't be painful...well not too much. This wasn't the way she planned it. She'd dreamed of losing her virginity to a certain blond scientist who finally took an interest in her, not while in servitude to an aristocratic lord who could pass for his twin.
She loved Christopher, she knew that the night of the ball when he'd kissed her, and he paid attention to her. But he wasn't Egon. And to make matters worse, she wasn't sure if she was in love with Christopher because he looked like Egon, or if it was because of him alone. All she really did understand was that very soon, she'd be called into the lab to make love to a man she wasn't even sure she had feelings for.
Suddenly, there was a knock on her door, that made her jump.
"Who ...yes?"
"Lord Christopher has asked for you in the lab," came the voice of one of the slaves. This was it. There was no turning back now.
"Okay, give me a minute." she called out. She stood up, unconsciously brushing the gown she'd found on her bed that afternoon, and walked out the door. The male slave stood aside as she walked out of her room and ushered her towards the stairs. She glanced back at him.
"Are you suppose to follow to make sure I don't wimp out?"
He smiled. "No. You are alone on this journey."
Janine glanced back to the stairs. "That's what I was afraid of," she muttered.She walked up the last steps to the lab, took a deep breath, and opened the door, slipping in. She didn't think she'd have to knock this time. As the door closed behind her, she looked around the lab, stunned.
The entire laboratory was devoid of the usual books and other object scattered all over the place. It was entirely lit by hundreds of candles, and off to one side, was what looked like a huge feather bed exquisitely made up. She swallowed hard, not able to take her eyes off the bed.
"I was wondering if you were actually going to show up?" Christopher's voice said right behind her right ear. She squealed, jumping away from him. He smiled slightly, and handed her a goblet.
"Nervous?"
"Very," she managed to chock out. "Drink this, it'll calm you."
She took the goblet from him, and almost drank it all in one gulp.
"Don't worry, " he told her. "I promised you it wouldn't hurt. In fact, I'll try to make it as pleasurable as possible."
She fought back the urge to giggle, as she handed him the goblet back. He took it, and placed it on the closest table. Then he kissed her.
It wasn't anything major, just a light brush across the lips, but Janine felt like she'd been electrified. He pulled back, looking at her, as she gasped for breath.
"This is why I left suddenly the night of the dance," her told her quietly. "When I kissed you, I realized you were becoming addicting. If I'd continued, I would've taken you right there, in the garden. And I couldn't have done that.
"Ruin everything you've been working for," she said, still breathless. He smiled.
"Among other things, yes."
Taking her hand, he led her towards the huge feather bed. She could feel her heart hammering in her throat, and had to fight down the urge to start laughing hysterically.. She sat down on the bed very aware of how close he was to her. He smiled gently. "Don't worry Janine," he whispered, slowly sliding off her dress. "I always keep my promises."Christopher walked into Michael's bedroom where his brother was having breakfast, surprisingly alone. "Well," Michael asked, picking up a muffin and taking a bite. "Did it work?"
Christopher looked towards the window, nodding thoughtfully. "Yes, it worked perfectly. The manor is now impenetrable to our enemies."
"Excellent. Your little spell worked.." he said. He looked at Christopher curiously. "then why do you look as though the entire thing backfired?"
"Something happened last night, I didn't anticipate."
Michael grinned teasingly. "The virgin couldn't have been that good."
Christopher fixed him with an evil glare before continuing. "The manor and grounds are secure, so long as Janine is here."
Michael choked. "What! How in the hell did that happen?"
"How should I know?" Christopher snapped back. "During the ceremony, something changed. Janine is connected to the manor. As long as she remains, alive," he added. "The manor is impregnable. However, if something happens to her, if she leaves or dies, we're vulnerable again."
Michael cursed softly. "You and your brilliant plans." he griped.
"Need I remained you that it was you that came to me asking for a way to make us unstoppable." Christopher told him. "And there's something else'
"I thought you said there was only one problem." Michael said. His brother ignored him. "I want to keep Janine; as my mistress.
""Are you out of your mind?" Michael asked, getting out of bed. "She's a slave. I repeat,she could not have been that good."
Christopher faced his enraged brother. "Something else happened last night. I realized I might have certain feelings for her."
"Christopher, she's a slave," Michael said. "You use them, then move on to the next."
Christopher raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you keep Magdaline?"
Michael's attitude changed. "Magdaline's different. She's the only one who keeps her place. Bedsides, she amuses me."
"I'm having Janine as my mistress," insisted Christopher. Michael nodded. "The last mistress you had lasted four months, but go ahead, keep her. but I promise you, you'll tire of her soon."
Christopher gave him a knowing look. "We'll see." he said leaving the room.Janine awoke alone in the lab. Christopher was nowhere to be found. She slipped out of the bed, wrapping a blanket around her and went in search for her dress.
Christopher was right, last night was not at all painful, and every bit as pleasurable as he had promised.
She sighed wistfully, her body still tingling where he had touched her the night before. But there was no use daydreaming, that was last night, and no matter how incredible it was, he was just using her.
A means to an end.
'I didn't expect to find you awake," she heard Christopher say behind her. She turned, as he placed a tray on the nearest table. I've brought up some breakfast," he said. "I'm sorry," she told him. still looking around. "I'll get to my duties just as soon as I find my clothes." She felt him come up behind her, sliding his hands over her hips. "You will not," he whispered in her ear. Slowly, he turned her to face him, then slid the blanket off of her body.
"My lord..." she began.
"Did I keep my promise Janine?" he asked, kissing her neck. She blushed.
"Yes my lord."
"You don't sound very convinced. Let's see if we can't make you entirely convinced."The phone rang, and Egon dropped the meter he was working on again, cursing softly.
He'd stayed up half the night, waiting for a phone call that never came. He knew that something had happened and now he dreaded every time the phone rang. Sitting at the reception desk, where his chair was, Aggie picked up the phone, throwing Egon a curious glance. "Ghostbusters," she announced. "Oh hello...no she isn't. I'm the temp." She glanced at Egon, her face suddenly draining of all color. "Dr. Spengler is right here." She handed him the phone, fear in her eyes. "It's the police. They've found Janine's car."
Here we go, he thought nervously as he took the phone from Aggie. "This is Dr. Egon Spengler." he told the person on the other line.