A/N: Warning explicit sexual content.
Chapter 4
"Anne!" A well dressed man exclaimed rushing to my side. He tried to hold my hand but I pulled away from his reach. This man resembled the Twins in a way. I wouldn't be surprised if he were related to them. "Do you not remember me? It is I, Treavor Pendleton." So it appears that my assumptions were correct. I do vaguely remember Custis mentioning a younger brother now that I think about it. Though, Custis never talked about him. It had been a long time since I had last seen Custis or any member of the Pendleton family for that matter. Several years ago I had secret dealings with their father, but that responsibility soon fell onto the Twins when he passed away. Yet, for some reason I was sure that Morgan wasn't aware of me or my business with his family and obviously neither was Treavor.
"I'm sorry but my name isn't Anne." I said with a frown. The man quickly retreated a few feet upon the entrance of two men. One was a husky navy admiral while the other was a lanky Overseer. The admiral stood at the foot of the bed with his arms folded. Off to the side and behind him the Overseer leaned against the wall with his arms crossed as well.
"I'm Farley Havelock." The admiral introduced, "That man behind me is Teague Martin and well, I'm sure you've already met Lord Pendleton." He gestured to the two other men. I glanced around the room at each of them. That was when I noticed that Corvo wasn't sitting in the chair on the far side of the room. In fact, he was nowhere to be seen. He must have left when I wasn't looking. How odd…
"My name is Alice Cromwell." I said sitting up straight so that I was leaning on the wall behind me for support.
"Alice? I don't recall Anne having a sister." Lord Pendleton said rubbing his chin with a troubled expression. His thin brows knitted together in deep thought as his lips pursed into a fine line.
"That's because I don't have a sister." I said looking to him. Out of the corner of my eye I could see a shadowy figure standing in the corner of the room. That creeping feeling had me no doubt believing that that was the Outsider watching me again. This time though, he's letting me be aware of his presence as opposed to sneaking up on me. He was up to something.
"That's not possible your resemblance to Anne is uncanny." He said astonished.
"I will have to agree with him, for I have had the chance to meet the Lady Cromwell a few years ago." Havelock said with a nod.
"I keep telling you people I don't have a sister!" I snapped balling my hands into fists.
"Then the only conclusion is that you're Lady Anne Cromwell's long lost twin." Martin scoffed rolling his eyes. "It seems almost like a terrible plot to a novel."
"Maybe you're correct, but I know you're all not here to discuss my lineage." I said steering the conversation away from my personal life.
"My apology, let us digress," Havelock said with a bow if his head. "The main reason why we are here is because Corvo brought you here."
"I didn't ask him to do that for me." I replied as I thought back to the pub incident. It was my fault for not being thorough enough. I should be lying in a pool of my own blood as I give out my last dying breath. Not sitting in a bed as one of the infirm. "And I want no part in whatever dealings he's in."
"I'm sorry but you're not allowed to leave." He said in a grave tone, "You've already seen too much and by letting you go could jeopardize our plans."
"Hmm, yes, we'll see about that." I said before bursting into a conspiracy of ravens. Startled, the men moved out of the way as my familiars and I flew out the window. I was a bit sad that I had to cut short my stay since I wanted to catch up with Piero but I didn't want to be a part of this. Joining the Loyalist would mean me leaving Slackjaw and I didn't want that; at least not again. I had left my long time friend to work for Piero Joplin; it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to try to better myself. Even though I didn't have a proper education, Piero taught me while I assisted him with his projects.
"You've been such a great help to me." Piero said glancing at me over his shoulder as he stood hunched over his workbench. I flashed him a smile as I set the package I was sent to retrieve down on a nearby table. "I'm glad I found you when I did."
"I was glad that you'd take me in. It's hard for a kid like me to make an honest living." I said picking up some tools that had fallen. The inventor gave a nod before going back to his work. I was glad to be off the streets but at what price? Slackjaw was still there along with the others. Was this the right decision? It was all too much for me at the time. I was barely eighteen and still discovering myself. Was Slackjaw's way of life more fruitful or was working an honest job worth it? And then on top of that, I had been struggling to master these skills that the Outsider had bestowed upon me when I was twelve. It was a lot of responsibility for one person and I didn't want it. Why me?
The job with Piero had only lasted a few years before I met the patriarch of the Pendleton family. He witnessed my skills as an assassin first hand when he caught me murdering his third wife. Expecting to be punished he welcomed me with open arms. I then began my job as a full time killer and thief for the Pendleton family. This was when I became the Plague Doctor.
"Look at you. You're the spitting image of Death!" Lord Pendleton exclaimed enthusiastically with a wide grin plastered on his face. He placed a hand on my shoulder as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I was clad in all black with my large overcoat swallowing up most of my figure with my boots stopping just below the knees. The mask that I dawned was that of a plague doctor's mask, along with a tight fitting hood to cover any exposed skin. Lastly, the whole look was topped off by a top hat. "This will certainly strike fear into anyone who opposes me."
Nearly two years later, I stood at the bedside of the dying Lord Pendleton. He stared up at me with a fond smile. The man reached up to take my hand. I allowed him to pull me towards him as he whispered to me, "The key…give it to Custis…" He let out his final breath before passing on. I gently placed his hand beside him before turning to leave. I must speak with Custis alone one of these evenings. As I dissolved into the darkness, a nurse rushed in. She let out a gasp before running back out. A few days later Custis Pendleton was alone in his father's former study. He apathetically sifted through the papers in a filing cabinet. Not finding what he was looking for he spun on his heel and paced about the massive room. I stepped from the shadows with a key within my grasp. The young man ceased his pacing when he spotted me. At first he was startled but soon took on a cool demeanor. A smirk graced his features as he stared at my approaching figure.
"You're the assassin that has been at my father's side for these last few years." He said placing a hand on his hip. I gave him a nod while I held out my hand with the key to him. "What is it to?" Custis took the key from my palm and examined it. Once my hand was free, I pointed off to a medium sized painting near the fireplace. Without hesitation, Custis removed the painting to reveal a safe anchored in the wall. He took the key and unlocked the safe. The door creaked open and the noble reached in pulling out a sealed envelope. Custis was quick to open the letter and read it. "You work for me now?" He looked up at me with a sadistic grin. "The fun we'll have…"
"Doc, what the fuck happened to ya?!" James shouted rushing over to me as I took my natural form once more. I was back at the distillery but I had barely made it there. Bohr and Geoff also made their way over to me. All three of them helped to stabilize me.
"Yeah, you were gone for a few days!" Bohr exclaimed.
"Would you believe me if I told you that I was fucking shot?" I chuckled with a smirk.
"Then why didn't you return back here?" Geoff inquired with a raised brow. "You know Slackjaw was worried about you."
"Stand still for a moment. I need to heal." I said placing my left hand on my chest. The mark on my hand glowed making the palm of my hand glimmer a faint blue. Once I was feeling stronger I pulled away from my team and removed my hand from my bosom. "That's much better…" I then held up my left hand and curled it into a fist. The brand on my hand lit up and began to pull shadows from the surrounding environment. Spindle like fingers of darkness reached out and wrapped themselves around my body. When the process was finished, I was wearing my usual Plague Doctor outfit. I rolled my shoulders and flexed my fingers while looking over my clothes.
"Holy shit, when the hell could ya do that?" James questioned shocked.
"It's complicated," I said brushing past them and heading to Slackjaw's office. Puzzled, the three remained in the courtyard. I shook my head and smirked beneath my mask. They could never fully understand the extent of my powers, but it was nice of them to attempt to understand it.
"Alice you son of a bitch!" Slackjaw shouted pulling off my mask and forcing me into a bear hug. "I thought you were fucking dead! Where the hell have you been?" He pulled back to look me in the face.
"Ugh, recovering from a god damn gunshot wound." I groaned remembering the pub incident for the umpteenth time today. "But I'm fine now."
"Damn, well, I order you take the next few days off to recover. Go to the bathhouse or something," He said sitting on his desk and folding his arms, "And no sass." I let out a huff as my arms fell slack to my side. Protesting will get me nowhere at this point. He'll just extend my leave if I do. I felt like a child being scolded about doing something wrong.
"Fine, I'll be at the Golden Cat if you need me." I sighed hanging my head and dejectedly walking away. It was a good thing that I had enough money to even get into the Golden Cat; then again I was a regular to the steam rooms. I'm surprised that Anne hasn't been there considering that most of the aristocracy of Dunwall went there. Though, I would usually be there when there weren't many people present. I would also pay extra for a private bath. Before I left to the bathhouse, I informed my mates where I was headed so they wouldn't get worried and also I changed into some more casual clothes. Sometimes they acted like a couple of mother hens even though they knew that I could take care of myself.
The Golden Cat, a house of debauchery and pleasures. I only enjoyed the steam rooms since I didn't swing in that direction when it came to women. Madame Prudence could care less at what I did as long as I paid for my services. I made my way up the stone steps of the bathhouse and through the massive wooden doors. A new girl gave me a weary glance while her friend gave me a nasty glare. Madame Prudence came bustling down the stairs that led to her office. Someone must have informed her of my presence.
"Miss Alice, what a pleasure to see you here!" She greeted with a slight curtsy. I bowed my head in response. "It has been a while since you last had a bath here. The usual I assume?"
"Of course," I said following her to the underground where the steam rooms were located.
"You know the strangest occurrence happened to me the other day." She said glancing back at me. I tried my hardest not to make a face at her. The amount of makeup she wore was unrealistic and it made it look like her face was melted colored wax. "I met a woman that looked exactly like you. Is there any chance that the two of you are related?"
"I don't think so. It might have been a coincidence that she looked like me." I replied with a shrug. "I am rather plain looking."
"Nonsense child, you're gorgeous!" She exclaimed aghast by my casual response. The woman came to a stop at a door. She entered shooing the lingering girls before motioning me to enter. "Here you are dear and here's a key to one of the suites upstairs when you finish." The Madame shut the door behind her and left me to my devices. I examined the key before taking a seat on one of the benches. She had given me private suite number three. Last time I was here I had been given suite one. What a nice room that was. I was quick to do away with my clothing, neatly folding it and stacking it in a pile on the bench. Standing up, I stretched a bit before stepping into the warm water. Oh how it felt so good against my cool skin. I sunk deeper into the water until my breasts were halfway under its surface. I had barely begun to relax when the door to the room opened and then shut. Bare footsteps slowly padded over to me. I glance back to see none other than Custis Pendleton with a devious smirk. He held a bottle of liquor in one hand and two glasses in the other. The man was wrapped in a crisp white towel.
"No need to be modest for my sake." Custis snickered as he noticed me sinking further into the water. He set the bottle and glasses down before removing his towel and getting into the bath with me.
"How the hell did you know that I was in here?" I spat glaring at him.
"I was down here and heard your voice." He replied pouring us each a glass. The noble handed me one glass while he kept one for himself. I eyed the substance suspiciously before drinking it. The alcohol wasn't bad and telling from the taste it was a good vintage. "This is my favorite vintage…"
"Why didn't you tell me about Anne Cromwell?" I questioned staring into my glass.
"She wasn't important enough to be brought up in conversation. You wouldn't like her anyways." He replied casually shrugging. "She hates assassins more than womanizers." Custis let out a small laugh.
"I don't care. Where is she?" I asked downing the remainder of my drink. Custis was quick to refill my glass.
"Why does it matter?" He scoffed now taking swigs from the bottle. "She's a bitch." I rolled my eyes and drank some more. How typical of Custis to be annoyed already but somehow I missed him. Working for him was more fun than working with his father. Custis understood the thrill of the hunt. He too had an insatiable bloodlust that met no bounds.
"But she's my sister." I sighed leaning back. A strange look flashed over Custis' face before he recovered.
"Speaking of twins…" He said nipping the lobe of my ear. "I've been such a selfish boy not sharing my brother with you after all those years of you being in our service…" His hand stroked the inside of my thigh as he leaned in closer. "…and vice versa since I've also coveted you…"
"You sick…bastard," I breathed as his lips crashed into mine. One of his hands moved to fondle one of breasts while the other remained stroking my thigh. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him closer. I could feel him smirk for a moment before he began to trail kisses down my neck. Occasionally he would nip a sensitive spot causing me to release a pleasurable moan. He lifted me out of the water forcing me onto my back on the stone floor. Custis began to alternate suckling my breasts and squeezing them. Without warning he forced two fingers inside me. I let out a gasp as I tightened around him. Slowly he moved his fingers in and out and from time to time he would flick my clit. Soon he replaced his fingers with his hard member. I dug my nails into his back as he began to pump inside me. His lips silence mine as he wildly kissed me. Over time he began to pick up speed, going faster and faster until I felt a warm sensation build up in the pit of my stomach. I knew I was close to releasing, but I wouldn't give him the pleasure of me releasing before him. He'll have to cum before I do. I broke the kiss and nipped his neck while clawing at his back. Low erotic growls erupted from his throat as his thrusts became harder. He suddenly stopped when he was close to his release.
"Let us cum together…" He replied in a husky tone close to my ear. Custis grabbed my buttocks with one hand and rubbed my clit with the other while simultaneously thrusting within me. At the same time we arched our backs, like two sparrows our bellies touched. As one we released causing me to let out a pleasurable and loud moan. Custis collapsed on top of me panting heavily. He gave my neck a playful bite. "Good girl…"