Chapter 6

Tilly had slipped off to her rooms early, as she usually did, and was asleep.

Drakon sat on the edge of the bed. He gently caressed Tilly's right cheek. When Tilly turned her head away from the touch, Drakon grabbed her roughly by the back of the neck.

Tilly's eyes flew open wide in fear, as she was pulled painfully into a sitting position.

"Tell me about the girl," Drakon hissed.

"I - I don't know what you mean," Tilly stammered.

"Who is she working for!" Drakon's blood was near boiling.

"She's my brother's daughter! I told you!" Tilly said in panic.

Drakon released Tilly, and she sagged back in relief.

His backhand took her across the cheek and split her lip. "Don't lie to me!" he roared. "I had your whole family checked out before I married you! I've kept tabs on all of them since then. Jessica's in the south of France on vacation."

"I swear, I'm not lying!" Tears streamed down Tilly's face, despite her efforts to resist them. "My brother made that up because he didn't like her boyfriend."

"Liar!" The infliction of pain was to Drakon what foreplay was to other people. The more she cried, the more aroused he became.

"I will find the truth," Drakon's voice had become husky, as he began painfully groping her. "And don't think for an instant that either of you will leave here alive!"

* * *

Due to the cameras and microphones in the house, Michaela couldn't talk to K.A.I.S.Y., but he could still speak to her.

"Drakon thinks the microphones in Tilly's room are off. He's there now, and it's not pretty. I'm recording everything. Be careful Michaela. Drakon's suspicious of you. He doesn't believe you're Jessica."

Michaela clicked her teeth together once to signal her acknowledgment.

K.A.I.S.Y. must have read the changes in her heart rate and pulse, because he said, "Remember, we need the entire incident on tape for evidence. She agreed to go through it one more time."

By now, Michaela was grinding her teeth in frustration. She was stalking the halls of the Drakon mansion, doing her best to maintain the image of a timid, frightened girl.

An hour later, K.A.I.S.Y. finally announced that Drakon had left Tilly's room.

"You're not supposed to know anything untoward is going on, remember. You can't go to her room tonight."