Chapter 6
Lucy POV
"What the hell, you can hear me?!" I shouted mentally. I really should've been more careful, considering my circumstances. And the fact that I most likely had a sprained or broken ankle, plus this guy just tormented Cassandria by looking at her.
"Yes, jeez, there's no need to shout! Ouch." He winced. The stern voice he used with Cassandria was gone and now he sounded like a regular guy.
I studied him while he carried me. His hair was a dark brown, almost black, that fell in waves just above his eyes but not in a shaggy dog way. I guesstimated he was around Logan's age, so about eighteen or nineteen. He had a straight nose and full pink lips with a scar on the upper one. And then I took a look at his eyes. They were an unnatural amber color that looked like liquid honey. There was no way in hell that's his natural eye color.
"You're right, they aren't the color I was born with but I'm not wearing contacts either." He thought. Chills crawled down my spine and I shuddered. My mind felt like a pond and his voice was a rock skipping across it, invading it and causing a rippling reaction in the form of an echo. It just felt wrong.
"Stop using your creepy mojo on me. I don't like it." I said irritated. "And would you put me down already? I'm not some ditzy damsel in distress, you know."
"I can't help my 'creepy mojo' because you're projecting your thoughts out like a beam from a lighthouse." He explained while gently releasing me from his hold. You would think I was a porcelain doll the way his hands lingered on my shoulders to keep me steady. I hesitantly shifted my weight onto my left foot but a sharp pain in my ankle caused me to cry out. "What were the words you used? Ditzy damsel in distress?" Great. He was making fun of me.
Now that my adrenaline was gone, I began feeling the extent of my injuries. My face ached and the scratches on my cheek stung. I was still wearing the yellow sundress but it was stained with my own dried blood and Mateo's ashes (EWW). My ankle was most likely sprained and there was a constant pounding in my head. I probably had bruises from head to toe.
"You need to let your body heal. I'll take you to a room where you'll be able to rest." He said, his voice gentle now. Now he lent me his shoulder so I could limp to wherever it was he was taking me. Sprained ankles are a pain for when one is trying to escape.
"I don't understand." I said skeptically. "Why kidnap me, then send some crazy pyscho to hurt me and after all that trouble, act like you care? What kind of game are you trying to play?"
"I'm not playing a game with you Lucy." He said frustrated. "Believe me when I tell you that I have your best interests in mind. You and I are the same, don't you see? In all my years, I haven't met an individual like yourself. I've been able to send thoughts to others however, it was always one-sided, but you're able to reciprocate. I'm not the average vampire and you're not the average human, Lucy."
I stayed silent, processing what he was saying. If it was true it would explain how I was able to talk to Nicholas and once I was alone I could try again. I tried remembering what I had said to Nicholas that might give him a hint as to where I was, when I stopped cold in my tracks. I told him that I loved him, when I thought I was going to die.
His yellowish eyes looked confused and amazed. "I'm only getting bits and phrases of what you're thinking...who's Nicholas?"
"Can't you just poke around and find out yourself?" I replied bitterly. We didn't speak again as we aproached an elevator. He had a chain across his neck that held a single key he used to open the doors.
"Are you freaking kidding me? A key for the elevator? The universe isn't making it any easier for me to get out of here." I had another sudden thought. I didn't know his name.
"What's your name?" I asked.
At the same exact time he asked, "How are you blocking me?"
"That's easy, I don't really know. Your turn, Stranger." I replied. Inside, there was sadly no elevator music but there were five buttons which probably equals five floors. He pressed the fifth one.
"Where are my manners? Jack Stanford, pleased to meet you." he said, smiling. When we reached the fifth floor, Jack led me to the end of another hallway. A large set of double doors appeared and we finally stopped. "This will be your room for the time being, so please make yourself at home."
"Are you going to lock me inside?" I asked bluntly. What can I say? I was anything but subtle. When he didn't answer I tried begging. "Just let me go. You can't keep me here. Please!" I knew it was useless before he answered so I tried plan B. I punched him in the nose. CRUNCH.
"What the he-" he cursed, holding his bleeding nose. "Lucy what do you think you're doing?!"
Yeah, I didn't really think this through. I limped towards the elevator that needed a key instead of the convenient up and down buttons.
"You can't keep me here forever, you know. I'll always be trying to leave and the Drakes won't stop looking for me, I can promise you that." I snarled as he drew closer.
"I hope to change your mind about that. Maybe you'll end up liking it here. Please Lucy, I've been alone all my life. Not fitting in with vampires or humans because I'm different. I don't want you to suffer the same fate." he sounded sincere but I shook that thought out of my head.
"You don't understand! I was never alone! I always had the Drakes, even when my own parents weren't there, the Drakes are my real family. Don't you see? You're the one ripped them away from me. And I'll never forgive you for that." I ranted.
When he reached me I tried struggling but I was exhausted both emotionally and physically. He caught me around the waist and threw me over his shoulder. Once again the doors appeared and he used the same key around his neck to open them. As quickly as we entered, he dropped me on a large bed and walked out. The thick doors closed with a soft click.
"JACK! LET ME OUT!" I yelled in his head. I ran to the double doors to find them locked. I banged on the doors until his footsteps started leaving the hallway.
"I don't want to be stuck here alone, Jack. I just want to go home." I whispered mentally. I felt useless and crumpled onto the floor in tears. Jack's footsteps faltered for a second.
"Lucy, this IS your new home. Goodnight." he whispered back. The footsteps continued and this time they didn't stop.
Nicholas POV
"So...are you sure this is the right place?" Logan asked for the millionth time. We had arrived, after an hour of driving, in the far outskirts of the neighboring town, Hallows Brooke. We were staring down a large gothic mansion, protected by an equally massive iron gate. So this was where Montmarte is staying. 666 Devlin Drive.
"Well, according to Google Maps, this is the right place." I answered for the millionth time. I hated that we were just outside the place Lucy was most likely being held against her will. Just beyond those gates.
"Now what? Do we just knock?" Quinn asked, confused. Hell, we all were. Solange just shrugged and marched straight up to the gate, pressed an intercom's button and waited.
"Can I help you?" A bored voice answered. Solange looked suprised and glanced back at us. We all were expecting more of an arch-nemesis welcome. Not something as mundane as that.
"Uh, yeah does, um, Montmarte live here?" she asked hesitantly in a sweet voice that screamed 'don't kill me I'm just a sweet little girl'.
"Yes, how can I help you?" the voice answered, clearly frustrated. "Look, we don't want to purchase any girl scout cookies...unless you have Mint Thins. Those are always welcome." The voice perked up at the mention of cookies.
"I'm not a Girl Scout. Actually, my name is Solange Drake and-"
"Oh! I am terribly sorry for the confusion, Miss Drake. Please, come right inside! You can follow the path to the back entrance; someone will be there ready to escort you into the residence."
"Really?...I mean, of course! We'll be right in, thanks for your help!" Solange answered chirpily.
There was a small beep as the intercom's light switched from red to green and the gates slowly swung open. We all gathered into the car and I drove straight into the property. The graveled path we traveled on went around the huge manor, which was surrounded by gardens filled with creepy statues. For such a creepy place ran by a psychotic vampire, they sure cared about the greenery.
"Has anyone else noticed how ironic it is that this town is called Hallows Brooke, which literally translates into blessed river, and Montmarte lives on 666 Devlin Drive?" Conner asked while keeping an eye on the house.
"You're such a nerd, Conner. How do you know what Hallows Brooke translates into?" Quinn commented unnecessarily.
"Don't tell me you've never been curious about this place, I mean it's only a few miles from Violet Hill." Conner said incredulously. "There's this awsome club in the middle of this town filled with cute girls from the university a couple miles out." That explained it.
"Dude! We're twins, literally joined since the womb, and you held out sorority chicks from me?!" Quinn gasped and then continued to tackle him in the backseat. Even though I was the youngest of seven boys, I was obviously the most mature. Aside from Sebastion, of course.
"Guys! Shut up, you can go clubbing when we get Lucy back." Solange said seriously. At least they had the decency to look ashamed. "Anyway, we're here."
Solange POV
As promised, there was someone waiting at the back entrance. Even from ten feet away I could tell this woman was beautiful. She had exotic features like long dark hair, coffee colored skin and was curvy in all the right places. I immediatly felt the boys perk up. Except Nick, who just shook his head and sighed. I think he's my new favorite.
"Hello Miss Drake, come inside and make yourself welcome. Lord Montmarte sends his apologies for he could not welcome you himself." she greeted me with a slight latin accent.
"Uh hi. You can call me Solange and these are Nicholas, Duncan, Logan, Conner and that's Quinn." I began pointing and introducing. Of course Quinn didn't wait until we were at least inside to begin flirting.
"Hello Beautiful, and you are..?" Quinn asked, taking her hand in his and kissing it once.
"Not interested. I don't play with little boys." She didn't even bat an eyelash or glance in his direction. She only removed her hand and proceeded to wipe it on her dress. "Miss Drake you can call me Vera; lets head inside shall we?"
My brothers began laughing at a pouting Quinn while Vera led us into through large French doors and into a large foyer. Now I know my family has money but dammnn. The entire floor was covered in marble and the walls were decorated with ellaborate paintings. Several sculptures and statues also decorated the interior. I was definately not expecting this, I was thinking along the lines of cobwebs and piles of bones everywhere.
"Beautiful isn't it? Lord Montmatre wishes you'd all have dinner with him in the main dining room. Meanwhile the feast is prepared, he also insists you all change into...more appropriate clothing, so I'll lead you to a private room." Vera said sounding extremely bored. Appropriate clothing? Leave it to Montmarte to toy with me by having a tea party and costumes when my best friend is MIA.
We were led up a flight of stairs and into a posh suite-like room. Inside, there were two racks. One had multiple choices of men's clothes for the boys and the other had a single, I assumed dress, inside a zippered bag. Along with a pair of stilettos. I hate him.
"I'll leave all of you to get ready. The restroom is just through that door. I'll return to take you to the dining hall in a while." she said, then sauntered out the door.
"Does anyone else think this is all a bit melodramatic for dinner?" Nick asked while rummaging through the clothes.
"Of course its dramatic! This is all coming from the guy who sent Sol a kitten's heart as a gift." Logan said. "I don't think he knows the meaning of subtle."
"Ditto. Dude, you don't even have to change." Nicholas complained while looking at Logan's usual getup.
"Could this get any worse?" Duncan complained. I really wished he hadn't asked.
A few moments later:
The boys all left the room when they were done dressing up like characters in a James Bond movie. They were all eager to leave when Vera came and escorted them to the dining room, while I was left alone to change.
I had to admit the gown was beautiful. The mermaid dress was a deep red color that made my and pale skin stand out. The heels paired with it were plain, black and six inches tall. This didn't worry me as much as the amount of cleavage it spilled in the front. My brothers were going to kill him once they saw me.
"Miss Drake, are you ready?" a voice said behind me. I yelped and spun around to find Vera looking at me expectantly. This woman had impeccable timing.
"Yeah, I'm good. Lets go." I replied. My heart was thumping quickly and the weight of what could happen to Lucy rested heavy on my shoulders. Vera led me to who knows where but I couldn't pay attention because my thoughts were on my best friend. I vowed that after this I would never again, let what I am endanger Lucy.
Before I knew it, I was staring straight into the lion's den. Growls emanated from low in my brothers' throats as Montmarte looked me over from across the large table.
"Solange. My, don't you look ravishing?"
Thank you for reading so far! Sorry for the wait but I had the worst case of writer's block and didn't want to deliver a crappy chapter. AND Thank you for the reviews! I love reading them and am eternally gratefull. I read them and it gave me inspiration to update and write. The next chapter will also be up soon because of it :D