A/N:

On a whim, I decided to check FF thinking that this old story lay where I left it, but to my surprise, there were new readers and old still wanting more to this story. Life had gotten the better of me so updating stopped completely, but I would love to continue and hopefully finish this story for you guys. I hope my writing style hasn't changed too much and that you enjoy it.

NE

* I don't own Beauty and the Beast or its characters. It's the property of Walt Disney and all other versions of the story belong to their respective owners. Rated M for the usual: language, adult themes, and other good stuff.

Chapter 9:

"Shut your ungrateful mouth!"

"You sicken me."

"You've decided your rank in this household then, whore? –

So be it."

Adam's hands clenched the reigns of his horse as they took off through the dense forest. His last encounter with Belle continued to ricochet around his mind without reprieve. His jaw ached from his grinding teeth that moved of their own will as he remembered the hate in her eyes that night.

And injured no less, she still had the strength to fight with me. Infuriating woman. You'd think my actions would have earned me the smallest uptick of her mouth.

Those full lips. That always seemed to be curved downward at the sight of him. Adam shook his head roughly to loosen the hold his thoughts had on him and his concentration on the path ahead. The air had a chilly bite to it as summer came to a close. As the brisk air whipped his hair, he was reminded of the times he was able to break loose from his parents' watchful eyes to run wild in these hills as a young boy.

Adam neared the edge of the small town he had the misfortune to grow up in and dismounted his horse. Keeping the reigns in his grasp, he surveyed the movement of the townspeople as he rested his body against the nearest tree.

Once more into the fray. Adam sighed. He could feel the fire that churned within him begin to roil, almost as it sensed his proximity to where he was cursed. He gritted his teeth as he willed his breathing to slow; his body rebelled against him and continued to pump him full of adrenaline.

Don't let it rule you. For fuck's sake, forget that night. Don't go bac—

Before he could finish his thought, Adam doubled over in pain as he clenched his head, grabbing fistfuls of his hair as he braced against the pain that exploded in his head. His eyes raced behind his eyelids as he was violently tossed back into the memories that he did his best to subdue.

…

"Straighten these lapels, darling. For goodness' sake, you need not look like the brats that live in this town too. It is bad enough your father is taking so long finishing his business in this town before we are able to move into our estate." Adam's mother bent forward, roughly pulling at his collar and necktie, adjusting his clothes. Adam craned his neck around his mother to look toward the window where their temporary home faced the town square. The muted sounds of children laughing, and running were just beyond the glass, and he longed to join them.

His view once again obstructed by his father that entered the room, a look of distaste plastered on his face at his mother's words.

"Steady on, Estonia. We shall be moved into the estate before long." His father replied monotonously.

Adam looked up at his father as he reached out to take the glass filled with amber liquid that sat atop the tray that their footman Mr. Chandelle. Mr. Chandelle's son was off in the town picking up things from the market. Adam pushed down the tinge of jealousy that came up at the thought of Lumiere running around with the other children outside while he was here.

"Anything else, sir?" Chandelle asked his father before being waved off into the corner of the room. Far enough away to be out of sight, but close enough to be of service.

Adam's mother had turned her attention to her husband as he sipped from his glass, "No, not before long, William. Immediately. This is beyond ridiculous, never mind absolutely humiliating for me to be in this town while you attend to your wh—"

The words died in Estonia's mouth as her husband took deliberate steps toward her, purposely towering over her while a snarl took over his mouth. "Not in front of the child, my love." He spat.

Adam stood frozen in place. He hated that he could do no more than watch. He had always hated that about himself. This was not the first of his mother and father's fights. In fact, this one was more tame than normal, but it pained him just the same. His small hands clenched at his sides as he watched his parents battle intently though silently with just their expressions. Although his father had mentioned him, he knew they had no intention of sparing him from their anger – from each other or from him when it spilled over.

As the tension rose to a palpable level, they turned at the sound of a knock at the door. And soon after they could hear the firm, but the gentle sound of Mrs. Potts' voice.

"I am sorry, my dear. I cannot let you into the Lord and Lady's home. It is out of the question. Might I recommend that you seek out—"

Adam scurried out of the sitting room with his parents to Mrs. Potts' side as he looked out at the woman in the snow. Her long raven hair moved in the wind, and he could tell that it was matted in some parts. Nonetheless, she was beautiful. And scary. Her green eyes glowed like eerie fire as she stared at Mrs. Potts in defiance.

"I need to speak to the master of THIS house right NOW!" She bellowed as she wrapped her arms around her midsection, keeping her torn cloak from flapping open in the breeze. Adam clung to Mrs. Potts tighter as he watched the woman shriek in anger. It was almost like she was an animal. What was she doing here? Looking like that? What did she need her father for? He had never seen this woman in the town or around his family, but she was determined to speak to his father.

At that moment, Adam's father pushed through his son and Mrs. Potts despite Adam's grip on the older woman's skirt.

"How dare you come to my home!" William roared, "How dare you demand anything with my wife and child inside—"

"Child!" The woman yelled in disbelief back at William. She doubled over and laughed maniacally before straightening back up. "How dare you speak to me of a child, William." The woman snarled as she stepped closer to Adam's father. Her hand darted out for her father's chin. Adam couldn't see clearly, but it seemed unusually thin and sharp.

"My darling, how dare you speak to me of this little family of yours when you stole mine." She growled against his father's skin. Her eyes were crazed and seemed to burn brighter as she spoke as if her words stoked the unnatural fire within them.

Adam could not recall if the evening had already been approaching or if the darkening sky snuck upon them all at once as he watched the light fade from around his father and the woman.

Adam's father ground out his reply against the woman's strong grip on his face. "I do not know what you're talking about."

Adam jumped as thunder crashed unexpectantly, almost missing the moment that the woman flung open her cloak to reveal a blood-soaked tunic underneath covering her midsection.

Adam felt Mrs. Potts or his mother's hands grasp at his shoulder to try to turn him or move him aside, he wasn't sure since he couldn't tear his eyes away to check. He felt like he was in a trance, and he couldn't bear to look away. His feet moved of their own accord as this woman faced off with his father.

The woman with the glittering green eyes smirked, swaying in front of all of them. It felt like she knew something they didn't.

"I can't be killed, William. Not that way. You dared to send others to kill me but could not do it yourself, could you? Unfortunately, my love, I am not borne of the same cowardice. I will relish looking in your eyes while I end your life."

Adam's feet continued toward them move slowly, deliberately – closer to his father and this woman. His thoughts felt thick and tangled as he approached. Before he could reach them, Adam's mother rushed past him to stand in front of the woman.

Her voice shook, but her eyes shone with anger, "I believe I know who you are. Get away from here and lick your wounds elsewhere. This will end in tragedy for you, girl. You cannot come to my home and threaten us. The whole town will swarm you before you turn heel to run for cover once you're done. Just leave."

Adam had finally reached them. His feet came to a stop as he felt nails pressed into the sides of his temples. Somehow the woman had come to stand behind him or had he come to be in front of her? He couldn't think straight. Her nails kept pressing deeper into his skin. His eyes closed reflexively at the pain, but he could still hear her laugh pierce through the wind that whipped up around them.

"The whole town will know who I am and let you all be my warning." Adam couldn't bring himself to open his eyes as he heard his mother and father scream. Somewhere in the distance, he heard Mrs. Potts shouting, possibly getting help. He did not know.

The woman cackled as she finally let go of Adam's head. "Follow your father's lead in life and you will follow him to the grave."

…

I let her in again. I need to get that woman out of my head if I'll ever stand a chance at this. Adam gasped, gulping down mouthfuls of air as he tried to regain his senses. He huffed, lightly hitting his temples with the palms of his hands in frustration. He had collapsed onto the cold ground while reliving those memories. It was his lot in life to be cursed by that sorceress years ago for his father's mistakes. His memories of what followed were muddled, but what he knew for certain, and what he could never manage to forget were the burnt ashes of his home as well as the bodies of his parents. Adam's hand dropped to his chest remembering the marred shape of a rose singed into his torso. And the rest is history.

Amid his outbursts, his horse had run off, but Adam couldn't bear to move and look for him. His midsection burned as he caught his breath. He did not want to look to see how the curse had progressed. He finally slumped back onto the ground and closed his eyes, but not long before he heard,

"Well, well. Look who we have here."

A/N:

Okay, let me have it. What do we think?

Until next time,

NE