Chapter Thirty Six:
The Lamb Sees The Shepherd
"Please, don't! I did what you asked. I came here. I've given myself to you."
He whirled around, "Given yourself to me? You did this! You've made me….impotent!"
"I didn't know this was going to happen! You gulped down the vial...didn't follow instructions!"
"You demanded the damn ritual!" he griped as he held his stomach.
"You've been laughing behind my back!" he snarled. "Pretending…"
"That's not true! Being beaten as a child…is no laughing matter. You were tortured…treated inhumanely…"
"Enough!" he bellowed.
Desperation was written all over her face as she attempted to reason with him.
"Darius, please. I did what you asked."
"Did you give me a child?" he glared.
"Yes…by blood only."
"You planned this! It was the reason for the ritual…so my blood would enter that brat of yours."
"I'll admit I was already pregnant…"
"You lied!"
"We bonded together. Our blood joined. We shared…our past…know each other's fears."
"I have no fear!" he threatened.
She licked her lips. "Being alone," she said softly.
"You think…that you can come in here, trick me…you lost the last child," he threatened.
She paled. "You wouldn't."
He sneered and seemed delighted that he was now playing on her fear.
She grabbed his arm as she begged him. "Please, don't do that. I'll do anything. Please don't."
His pleasure was short lived.
He turned away not able to bear her pain or the pleas that continued like a mantra.
He remembered the loss of the other child because of his actions.
Her pleas came in soft sobs as she begged then tried to reason with him once more.
"Darius… you can't harm your own blood line. This baby carries your blood…so do I. We joined so our blood is the same."
"Enough!" he warned.
He stormed out of the bedroom, letting the door slam.
"What's the matter boss?" asked the guard. "By her screams, you've had plenty of reasons to beat her. Could I beat her? I won't tell the others if you let me."
Darius was actually put off by the guards desire to hurt Sara.
"Go screw yourself. Get the hell downstairs."
"I can't leave you…alone. I heard she stabbed you once."
"Like she is going to harm me? I could snap her neck with one hand at the moment."
"Could I have a go at her?" he eagerly asked.
"Not yet."
Sara boldly opened the door intending to plead with him once more but swallowed nervously as she caught the last of their conversation.
The guard smiled wickedly at her, making her feel sick to her stomach.
Sara gulped as she closed the door wishing there was some way to lock it.
With Darius gone, the guard or any of them for that matter could get in.
At the moment she wasn't sure if Darius wasn't going to hand her over to them.
She glanced at the phone and contemplated calling Grissom or one of the guys but dismissed the thought, not wanting to risk their lives.
She visibly shook, fearful for her unborn child.
"Please don't let him harm my baby," she wept.
She remembered her dream as vividly as if it were yesterday.
"Sara, wake up," Gracen whispered.
Sara rolled over, surprised that Grissom still slept. She slipped out of the covers, grabbing her robe as she stepped into the next room.
"Gracen?" she whispered.
"Do not be afraid, Sara. It's me."
"This is a dream again, isn't it?"
"Yes…and no," he said as he extended his arms and she fell into them.
He kissed her tenderly on the forehead. "I'm sorry about the baby," he whispered.
"I don't know what to do, Gracen."
"Yes, you do," he said.
"Darius has threatened to kill Grissom and the others if I don't go with him."
"Then go."
She swallowed.
"Sara, you can ease his pain."
"Grissom's?"
"He needs you."
"I don't understand."
"He's condemned unless you forgive him. Help him. Give him an heir."
"Gracen, who are you talking about?"
"Darius."
She stepped back.
"Sara, the only way you can save Grissom and the others is to save Darius."
"No! He killed our baby!"
"There is no future for any of you unless you go with Darius."
"But…"
"Make an agreement with Darius. Tell him you will give him an heir if he promises not to harm or kill the others."
"But…"
"Before you leave, you will already be pregnant again with Grissom's child. Do the ritual with Darius. His blood will be passed on to the child…giving him the heir he desires."
Sara swallowed.
"You go into this Sara alone but you're not. Do you understand?"
"Will you be watching over me?" she asked in a child like voice.
"No."
Her fingers clutched at his clothing that seemed to glow.
"You said...I wouldn't be alone."
"Sara, He will be with you. He will watch over you."
She swallowed. "I'll never see you again will I?"
"No. You were never meant to see me."
"I'm scared," she admitted.
"Can you trust Him?"
"Yes."
"Then...you know what you have to do."
"Is there no other way?"
"No."
"But…"
"Can you…sacrifice yourself….for them?"
"What do I do now?" she wept.
As time passed, she grew hungry but it would mean facing the guards so she decided not to ask for any food.
She watched the clock and listened for any sign of Darius as the hours passed.
What if he's gone to kill them?
What if he's going to come back and give me to the guards?
What if he's going to force me to abort the baby?
She nodded off in the chair so she forced herself to pace the room in order to stay awake.
He'd never been away for this length of time.
The next day the door was thrust open, startling the life out of her as Darius burst inside, his demeanor not much better.
He glanced around the room. "Where the hell is the cart?"
"Cart?"
He picked up the phone and called downstairs. "Bring the damn cart!" he bellowed.
He ordered the small table to be cleared and the food placed on it.
He motioned for Sara to sit.
She did as he ordered, watching him bite into a bloody steak.
"Eat."
Her stomach growled but she refused to touch the food.
"I said eat."
"No."
"You haven't eaten since yesterday. Eat."
Her stomach growled once more.
"Don't like the steak? Eat the salad."
"I can't."
"You won't," he spat.
"I won't," she admitted.
He shoved his plate away.
"What's wrong with the damn food?"
He could tell she'd not slept most likely fearful of getting attacked by his men.
He knew she refused to eat for fear it would contain the mixture that had caused her to abort the last time.
He cursed out loud. "There's nothing in the damn food….or drink. Eat."
She shook her head.
"So what do you propose to do? Starve? Eat!"
Her hand trembled as she picked up a piece of bread but then quickly put it back down.
"No, you had them to put something in it. You…you…"
His fist banged down on the table and she jumped.
"Eat the food," he warned.
She jumped out of the seat and ran but he grabbed her before she could reach the door.
"Don't cause a scene, Sara….or I'll give you to the guard."
"No! I won't let you hurt my baby," she cried. "Please…"
She went into hysterics as she begged him over and over.
"Sara, stop," he bellowed.
She continued as he shook her. "Stop!"
He pulled her toward the door and she dragged her feet, fear evident in her eyes as he thrust open the door.
"The guard is downstairs. It was an empty threat. Calm down," he said in a low voice.
He shut the door, hoping she would stop the hysterics but it only made it worse.
"I said stop!" he growled as he held onto her arms as she tried to break free.
"Where would you go?" he challenged. "You could never get past my men. You could never escape me."
"I'd rather die myself than allow you to harm my baby."
He marveled at how strong her bond with this unborn was.
She kicked and hit until he pulled her back against his chest, pinning her arms to her side.
"Sara, stop," he threatened.
She gasped trying to break free but it was futile and she cried out.
"Sara, stop," he said softly.
"Please Darius," she wept.
"Sssh," he finally whispered. "I'm not going to hurt you…or the baby. Now stop."
"The others? What have you done?" she begged.
"I've kept my agreement," he bit out.
She visibly shook before him.
He'd never showed any kindness to another human being but at the moment he wanted to ease her fear and pain.
Through the bonding, he felt the depth of her loss when she had miscarried.
The effects still lingered through him and he marveled at Sara's inner strength.
He shoved her into the chair but his actions were not rough.
It was more for show than anything.
"Sit and eat."
She picked up the piece of bread and stared at it.
"I guess you'll just have to trust me," he glared.
She put the piece of bread back onto her plate but reached over and took his.
"Fine! Take my plate," he muttered as he switched plates.
She ate the bread but refused to drink anything.
He yanked her glass off the table and poured the contents into the bathroom sink before filling it with water.
The glass sloshed as he slammed it down on the table.
"Drink," he ordered.
He wasn't prepared for her to throw up on the table.
She'd tried to cover her mouth but it spewed forth.
He griped at the mess.
She struggled to get up, hurrying to the bathroom before another wave hit.
She moaned as dry heaves persisted for several minutes leaving her quite shaken.
There was a commotion in the next room as Darius ordered his staff to clean up the mess.
"Oral sex and bloody steaks are not exactly a good combination," he lied as the mess disappeared. "Human females…are weak," he added.
They chuckled as the cart disappeared.
She remained in the bathroom until his foot kicked at the door.
Sara opened the door and shoved him away.
He was surprised at her action, proud of her spirit.
"I won't be treated like that," she spat.
"I don't take orders from you," he seethed. "I've never taken orders from anyone."
She stood there boldly although she was quite certain a feather could knock her over.
He backed away as she teetered on her feet.
She grabbed some clean clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.
He purposely opened the door despite the burning sensation already beginning in the pit of his stomach.
She ignored him as she changed clothes.
She shoved him out of the way once more and took her place on the bed.
There was a tap on the door and he opened it, taking the cart himself.
"More food," he said.
She made no move toward the small table so he rolled the cart toward the bed.
"It's just saltine crackers and soup."
He poured some in a bowl and handed it to her but she refused to take it.
He took a spoonful and grimaced. "Canned soup. I'm going to kill someone before the night is over."
"Over soup?" she asked softly.
"I want to harm somebody…something. The reason doesn't matter much to me."
She sat up and took the bowl making him grin slightly as he turned away to hide the smirk.
His hand reached out toward her abdomen but she quickly covered it with her own in a protective manner.
"You said it contains my blood…also," he challenged.
"It does."
He shoved her hands away and surprisingly his hands were warm and gentle as it rested briefly on her abdomen.
She felt self conscious about the intimacy.
"Our babies grow faster," he commented.
"Five months rather than nine," she replied.
"No one will harm or kill this child," he announced.
She stared at him as if she were trying to decide if she believed him or not.
"I keep my agreements," he declared.
She didn't believe him but replied, "Thank you, Darius."
"I didn't say anything about…you," he added gruffly.
The inflection in his voice was not threatening and she eased back, exhaustion oozing from every pore.
She had crossed the hardest hurdle.
She never intended to let Darius know she was already pregnant but now it did not matter.
Darius accepted Grissom's child as his own because of the blood line.
He narrowed his eyes as if to threaten her. "Throw up again and I'll…" he didn't finish as he glanced down to see that she had fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion.
His hand glided over her smooth abdomen as he leaned over and gently placed a kiss on her forehead.
He was surprised he did not feel ill by the encounter.
His hand reached to cup a breast but he immediately felt the burning sensation in his stomach and he jerked away. "I get the message," he gritted. "I won't touch her."
He felt immediate relief.
Surprisingly, her abdomen began to grow extensively.
She sat most days and looked out the window, knowing it was turning cooler.
He wondered what was going through her mind as she often seemed deep in thought.
At the end of the month, he allowed her access to the courtyard.
It was a signal to the others that the coupling had been a success.
Word had already been announced that Sara was pregnant.
The guards were angry, hoping to be given her as a "play" toy so now they would have to be content with the women from the Dominion.
Darius was by her side each time, ordering everyone to stay clear, not sure how his men was going to take his decision to remain in seclusion with her even though she was already carrying his child.
She knew she needed the fresh air but just the short walk, seemed to rob her of her energy these days and she didn't know what to make of it since it was much worse than before.
The guards were on their best behavior as fallen angels could.
They literally drooled when she came near them.
Darius was quick to discipline anyone who got too close.
He made sure to order more of the women from the Dominion to keep the men's attention away from Sara.
They were baffled when he refused to take any of the women first which was the custom but remained with Sara.
It just made them want Sara more which made Darius takes extra precaution by putting a lock on the bedroom door.
He kept weapons hidden within the room.
If Sara found them, she said nothing and he was grateful she did not try to stab him in his sleep or worse cut off his private parts.
He had no idea how any of this was going to turn out but for the moment, she was under his protection and the others did not challenge him.
He prayed Silas would not catch wind of his non demonic behavior.
For the moment, their room became her sanctuary from the evil that lived downstairs.
All in all she was treated better than she imagined.
Still, she did not like being held a prisoner and would have preferred to be outdoors more but she knew Darius was taking quite a few risks by giving what little freedom she got.
Strangely she only felt safe when Darius was with her.
Sometimes, however, he would suddenly leave the room without explanation.
It was usually during the day, never leaving her alone at night.
She worried until he returned.
They shared the bed, his body possessively holding hers.
At first, she struggled to sleep, ever fearful that he might still try to finish the ritual especially since he did not appear to be in pain when his hand stroked her hair and caressed her skin in an intimate manner but for the moment he seemed satisfied just to hold her.
His sleep was often riddled with dreams.
Whenever he cried out, she tried to comfort him.
His arms would tighten its hold around her, his lips gently whispering words she could not make out.
Despite his demonic upbringing, he kept his word, not harming her and became obsessed over the new life growing inside her.
He insisted on putting some "meat" on her bones and was rather enthralled with her breasts as they grew.
It made her self conscious, wary of what thoughts lingered in his brain.
If he grimaced, she knew he had just gotten "zapped" as he often referred to it.
"It's like wearing some damn shock collar," he complained one evening while lying in bed with her.
"It's happening less and less," she pointed out. "You're either getting better at controling your carnal thoughts or..."
"I'm becoming immune to the pain," he snickered.
She swallowed not sure how to take his remark but he made no attempt to harm her.
He did have a sense of humor. "I'm like Pavlov's dog...soon I won't even salivate when you cross the room."
She grinned.
He rose out of the bed to look at her face, it barely visible because of the firelight coming from the fireplace.
"You grinned," he announced. "I think you like the idea of some sloppy tongued dog sitting by your feet, waiting for you to toss it a bone...not a boner...not capable of getting it up so I can...oh...that hurt."
There was a silence as they lay there beside one another.
"I had a dog once," she said softly. "It was a stray that I found trying to get into the garbage cans. It growled at me."
"You interrupted a dinner meal...lucky he didn't have you for dinner."
"I tried to pet it and he bit me," she admitted.
He rolled over to face her. "What did you do?"
"I went inside the house and got some food. He...wouldn't accept it...at first."
"He was afraid it was a trick...that you were going to hurt him."
"I tossed it to him and he snatched it, growling as if he was going to bite me again."
"Just because someone does something nice doesn't mean they are not going to hurt you."
"Every day I fed him and he began hanging around. He even let me pet him a few times."
"Stupid dog. Allowing comfort only brings pain."
And he was right.
"My Dad found him...kicked him...chased him away...while I stood there and did nothing."
"You did do something," he replied softly.
"Did you see...this in a vision?"she asked.
"No. I know you...understood your father. You begged your father to stop so he turned the beating on you."
There was silence again.
"Did the dog ever come back?" he asked.
"No."
"He was smart after all. His self preservation kicked in."
"Darius, I saw your vision...when you took in the stray."
"I broke the rules," he said.
"By being kind to a dog?"
"Kindness...is not permitted."
"You are kind to me."
And it may get me killed...
"Go to sleep, Sara."
She was startled when he drew her closer, nuzzling his head into her hair. "Well, at least I can smell you without getting zapped. Shall I attempt to lick your face and see if the Holy One considers that offlimits? Here, rub me behind my ears and watch as I pant over you."
"You shouldn't say things like that," she replied softly.
"Nothing sexual...just..."
"The need to be touched," she finished.
"Go to sleep before I bite you, he bit out.
He did long for her to touch him. Her touch was comforting and he had not felt comforted since he was a small child.
He dreamed that night of being a small child again, secure in his mother's arms as she sang softly to him.
The feelings never lasted long as the dream morphed into ugliness as he watched in horror of every despicable thing he'd ever done.
It was dreams like these that brought dark episodes the following day when he railed at everything and everyone as if he were possessed.
She stayed clear during these times.
She knew better than to try to call anyone.
His guards reported to him each evening with grunts of disappointment that she did not do anything that warranted a beating.
He was relieved not relishing the idea of letting them dole out any punishment.
Even if he could, he did not think he could possibly harm her.
Somehow the vixen had gotten into his system.
He enjoyed spending time with her although he never let on.
He only left to ensure the others were not getting restless or worse planning a mutiny.
While Silas, his father, was high in the ranks, Darius had to fight and claw his way there.
He received no partiality even though he had been the only birth in thousands of years.
He knew she longed for companionship with the others but it was out of the question.
Her old life was now dead to her.
He just didn't know how Sara would fit into his.
With each passing day, he knew that Sara would probably wind up like the small stray he brought home: gutted and thrown out with the trash.
She could join us…
She would never allow the others to have her…
Her spirit would either be broken or she would be killed.…
There was the matter of the baby.
He shuddered to think how he could protect it from the harshness of his life as a fallen angel.
When he set out to get an heir, he was only concerned with accomplishing the deed, not thinking of the life he created.
Now that he'd succeeded in getting an heir, he worried about the newborn's life.
Silas saw it as a way of defeating the angels, making a super race cruel and ruthless than any of them.
He swallowed knowing that the child would receive the same treatment he had.
Darius caught her one day staring mournfully out of the window.
"You want to leave?" he asked.
Her head jerked around. "You would let me?"
"It's time to eat. I could take you to a restaurant."
Oh…
"We'll go to a restaurant this evening," he declared.
He knew the others would think it was odd that he was taking her anywhere.
Women were strictly for pleasure and their needs were never considered.
Already, he kept his men away from their room, not wanting any of them to overhear their conversations.
Sara was bold at times and her words would have brought a slap or worse a beating if she'd spoken to anyone else.
Darius admired her spirit, remembering a time when he spoke like that but had been beaten.
Silas would never allow such a fiery spirit.
He would surely have tied Sara to the bed and marred her beautiful skin with welts and bruises.
He also knew Silas would have taken pleasure in breaking Sara.
"Get dressed," he ordered softly.
"Darius, I have nothing to wear."
She had very few clothes and most of them were sweat pants that she brought.
Most of the time, she lounged in a nightgown.
"Come with me," he stated.
They walked into another room and he opened a closet full of clothing.
"Heather's," he explained.
"Elena's."
"Whatever."
She glanced down at her figure and was surprised that already a small bulge was showing.
"Take something so we can go."
She fumbled through the clothes, trying to find something to cover her figure.
He grew impatient, pulling out a black dress with quite a low cleavage.
She frowned.
"I may not be able to touch them but I can admire them," he said smugly.
She actually grinned at the remark and he swallowed hard.
He loved how her mouth curved.
He had only seen her smile a handful of times but they were enough to light his darkest thoughts.
She didn't know how to act when they drove away from the house.
She glanced back once or twice.
"Afraid someone is following?" he asked.
"I'm surprised they just let us leave."
"I have two men already at the restaurant."
"Figures."
He got out of the car and waited impatiently for her to get out but she remained in the car.
He huffed as he opened her door.
"I'm not your slave," he grumbled.
"You told me to get in the car. You didn't tell me to get out."
"Ha ha," he muttered.
She grinned slightly.
"Ah Sara Sidle half smiled."
She felt a little out of sorts for some reason as if she were expecting something to happen.
She'd only been out of the room a few times and just being away from the mansion made it almost surreal.
She sat down in her seat and placed the napkin on her lap.
Never in a million years would she have believed they would be sitting in a restaurant about to have a meal together as if they were a happy couple.
In the past several weeks, he had treated her well.
He inquired about her likes and dislikes, letting her plan the meals.
He gave her everything except her freedom.
Her eyes locked with his as he grinned at her.
"What?" she finally asked.
"I like your boobs," he whispered, grinning wickedly.
She kicked him under the table.
"You kicked me!" he said incredulously.
"Yes, I did," she said as she looked at the menu.
"Drink?"
"Hot tea."
He frowned.
"I'm pregnant," she reminded him.
"Oh. Well, I'm not."
He ordered the drinks as well as an appetizer while she glanced around already spotting the two guards who smiled in her direction.
She took her shawl and covered the front of her dress.
Darius glared at his men and they turned away, fearful of the repercussions.
She took a sip of the tea and was caught off guard when she heard a familiar voice.
To her left, Grissom sat with Sofia.
Sofia glanced slightly in her direction but did not indicate she had recognized Sara.
"Gil, sorry to break the news but…"
"I know. Sara is here…with him."
Sofia's hand rested on his.
"We can leave. I know you just wanted to discuss the vacancy caused by Sara's termination."
"Can I convince you to come back so I don't have to train someone else?" he asked calmly not wanting her to know how badly he wanted to turn and see Sara for himself.
His hand had tingled slightly when he caught their reflection in the mirror when they had arrived.
"I sort of like homicide but I could be persuaded," she said with a smile as her hand continued to rest on his.
Sara could not believe that Grissom was allowing such an intimate gesture in public.
"What's wrong?" asked Darius.
"Nothing."
He glanced around and spotted Grissom.
Her eyes glared at Darius and she wondered if he had orchestrated this entire chance meeting.
Music began to play as Sara focused her attention on the cup of tea.
"Who is she?" asked Darius.
"Someone who used to work in the lab."
Sofia pulled Grissom to his feet as they headed to the dance floor.
Sara felt her stomach knot.
She tried not to notice Grissom's arms around Sofia as they danced.
She was relieved when the song ended hoping they would return to their seats but instead another song began to play and Grissom pulled Sofia back onto the dance floor.
Her sultry laugh could be heard as they swayed to the music, "Someone to Watch Over me."
Sara swallowed, remembering the song from the CD Gracen had made for her.
"I could harm or kill her….for you," offered Darius.
Sara's head snapped up to look at him.
"What?"
"I could harm or kill her," he said as he took a drink.
"No."
"She wasn't in the deal," he clarified.
"To harm her… would be to harm him."
"Oh please as if you like seeing him with someone else. She has her tentacles wrapped around him. By the look on her face she's imagining what it is going to feel like to moan beneath him. Perhaps she already knows how it feels."
His words hit a nerve and she twitched nervously.
She wasn't prepared to see Grissom smile at Sofia or how she leaned in and whispered softly in his ear before placing a kiss on his cheek.
He pulled her tighter and they continued to dance to the song.
"You're turning green," Darius announced. "Is it from jealousy or sickness?"
Sara threw the napkin on the table and rushed out of the restaurant.
He groaned when his men went after her.
He'd hoped to give her a few minutes of fresh air but now he would have no choice but to go after her with his guards as witnesses to the encounter.
He grabbed her by the arm as she made her way to the car.
"I'm not ready to leave," he bellowed for his men to hear.
One chuckled but Darius threw up his finger in the shape of a gun and the guards stepped back into the restaurant.
"I am."
"We don't do what you want."
"I wanted to go out so you brought me here," she reminded.
"So," he muttered.
"Or did you know they were going to be here so you decided to let me see him with someone else?"
"Whether you've noticed it or not I feel the same emotions as you," he whispered for her ears only.
Sara's eyes widened. "You do?"
"Yes," he spat.
"How do I feel right now?"
"You want to scratch her eyes out but you won't because you want him to be happy. That's admirable, Sara…but your good deed is wasted. He doesn't feel the same about you. He glared at you, Sara…not me. It's not love he feels now...but hate. He hates you."
She swallowed as she tried to control the nausea, turning away as she swiped at a tear.
"Oh hell. Can we just eat without all of this emotional shit?"
"I came out because I was feeling sick," she whispered. "I still don't feel well."
Darius grew concerned immediately, worried for the baby.
The manager stepped out. "Sir, you didn't pay your bill."
Behind the manager stood a gloating Sofia with Grissom by her side.
Sara paled at the look on Grissom's face.
She feared she would vomit in front of all of them, closing her eyes and breathing in deeply.
"You came out over a couple of drinks?"
"You didn't pay your bill," emphasized the manager.
"My…." He usually referred to his women as "My whore or concubine." He knew Sara would just kick him in the balls if he referred to her as such so he quickly stated, "The mother of my child got sick. Did you want her to throw up in your restaurant or come out to get some air?"
"Sir, you should have told the waiter," began the manager.
Darius became furious as Sofia and Grissom looked shocked at the revelation.
Grissom started to lead Sofia toward their vehicle but halted when Darius stepped toward the manager.
"I'm not going to search for a waiter in my own fucking restaurant! My priority was her and our unborn child!"
The manager paled. "Mr. Darius, I'm so sorry. I didn't recognize you."
Sofia's gripped Grissom's hand. "We need to leave."
He could not seem to move at the revelation that Sara was pregnant by Darius already.
The man had killed their unborn child and she had allowed him to impregnate her.
His blue eyes stared intensely at Sara and she paled.
He clenched his fist as his hand pulled Sofia closer to his body.
Without a word, Darius opened the passenger door and she slipped out of sight.
She was grateful for the refuge from Grissom's glare, not able to catch her breath as her heart beat wildly, realizing he'd not found the positive pregnancy test she'd left behind.
It doesn't matter…
He's moved on….
The manager continued to apologize as Darius got into the vehicle and sped out of the parking lot.
He didn't say a word as they returned to the mansion.
He watched as she went to the room on her own while he trailed behind.
He followed a few minutes later, shutting the door with a thud as she sat on the edge of the bed.
He slumped in the chair across from her. "Good riddance. I never liked the manager anyway."
Sara stiffened. "What did you do?"
"You never said anything about…"
"Did you harm…or kill him?"
"No. I'm such a eunuch."
She was silent for several minutes.
"What did you do to the manager?"
"I transferred him to another restaurant…one that gets really bad reviews and has a buffet. Demons and fat people frequent it a lot."
"You really are becoming a softy."
He actually laughed and it startled her.
"Did you do anything to Sofia?"
"No."
She nodded.
"Changed your mind?"
"No," she replied sadly.
"Sara?"
She turned and looked at him.
"Come here," he said softly.
Timidly she stood before him.
His hand reached out and caressed her stomach.
"You can never go back…to him," he stated.
"I know."
His eyes bore a hole into her.
"He considers you fallen now…like me."
Her eyes shot to the floor.
"Do you feel fallen?" he asked.
"Lost...not fallen," she whispered.
His hand cupped her cheek. "You sacrificed yourself….for them. Was it worth it?"
"Yes."
"That makes no sense," he lamented.
He was shocked when she lifted her hand and touched his cheek.
"You've never known love so how can you understand my actions."
She turned and he grabbed her by the wrist.
"You think that love is something sacred. It's a weakness!"
He pulled her body tight against his.
"Be careful…love and hate can mirror one another," he whispered into her ear.
Before she had time to react, he released her.
"Go take a warm bath," he ordered softly.
She obeyed without another word.
Note from author:
A long chapter...so I expect a review- it doesn't have to be long in return just a line to let me know you are still following along.