Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers.
A/N: Content in this chapter is for mature readers only, about to delve into some dark themes people. You've been warned ;D
This is for carlabellaxox! Thanks for the butterbeer and congrats on the new job!
Chapter 22
Draco's POV
I pushed with my legs, the water feeling like silk as it ghosted across my skin and I closed my eyes, relying totally on tactile sensation to exploit the experience.
Today's events flitted through my mind's eye. I had barely slept a wink last night, reading over every book the library had to offer on Vanishing cabinets, and considering it wasn't the most enthralling of magical creations, there was quite a bit on it. But never specific to its actual magical ability, usually it was just about the spells you had to use on the wood but I did find something about the Runes transcribed on the wood affording it the ability, I had to look more into that tomorrow.
I definitely wasn't expecting to be confronted by a half naked Thornton at seven in the morning, but life it seemed, had other plans…plans that made my body freeze over in shock, yet I wasn't completely sure it was her. Yes, the face was obviously hers but the body; it just didn't seem to make sense. For one thing, I have imagined her bare-chested multiple times, but never with a star tattoo adorning her left breast. Just didn't seem her thing. And from what I saw when she wore that beach dress this summer, she was lighter in complexion, and I was expecting her breasts to be slightly bigger, and softer…the ones in the picture looked solid as a rock…like if you bit onto it, you'd chip a tooth or something.
Theo ascertained my doubts, stating that it was not Thornton; smiling as I glared at him in response. How would he know what she looked like topless? But I calmed down, this was Theo, he probably knew who was the culprit behind the tasteless posters, probably knew whose body was doctored to suit Thornton's head, and probably knew who the person's mother was having an affair with and which secretary at work their father was lusting after. The boy was much too sneaky for his own good.
My palm hit the smooth concrete wall of the swimming pool and I burst through the clear surface, the cool air refreshing on my bare chest. I bobbed at the end of the pool, reaching for my towel an arm's length away from the pool ledge, grabbing it and wiping at my ears, I could never stand the feeling of moist ears, even if I was only taking a breather I needed them dry.
One of the many and varying benefits of being a prefect was having access to the Prefect's Gym. For one thing, the School Gym was full of giggling girls and mudbloods, and I didn't know which I hated more when working out. OK, yes, it was still the mudbloods, but by a small margin.
Part of the reason why I had an affinity for this place was that I was guaranteed privacy; there were only five prefects in the whole school that actually worked out. Igleby, the idiot Headboy only came in when Liana Vex worked out, probably to ogle her. Liana Vex only worked out in the week leading up to a Hogsmeade trip, probably trying to get fit for a date she had planned. Like that would make any difference. The other two were Dawnridge and Heist, but they only used the weights and only worked out at five in the morning so I knew to stay clear of the gym at that time. And the absolute best thing about the four other Gym users was that they were not mudblood.
I tossed the green towel back, away from any chance of getting wet by splashing water and ducked back into the water, another ten or so laps should do it, I hadn't swam in ages. I barely got a chance to on Bella Île, all we seemed to do then was drink, thanks to Blaise. At least he seemed to kick the habit after Milron's sneak attack on the Hogwart's Express. If he hadn't, I wouldn't be surprised to walk in on him and the Bullstrode girls in a drunken threesome; I would not wish that on-
My thoughts ceased as my heart froze over as I felt a hand circle my ankle, I kicked, freeing my leg and pushing through the water, coughing, taking in liquid when I gasped in shock and I struggled to catch my breath. My heart melted with the fury that burned in my veins at the familiar giggle.
"What the fuck Thornton!" I snapped, glaring at her twinkling grey eyes as her pink lips parted with her trademark loud, crass laughter.
She bobbed in the middle of the pool, just as I did; her tan shoulders trembling above the water, making the little droplets that coated it disperse and race down back into the pool. Water clung to her dark mane, making it stick to her scalp like a second layer of skin, she wore a black one piece, and her body was blurred by the water it was submerged in, making it look weirdly disproportionate like bodies tend to look under water.
"I would say take a picture, it would last longer, but I don't want to wake up to find the Great Hall painted with me posing in my swimsuit." She laughed, she obviously was taking the morning events in good humour, "I could make a whole week of it, tomorrow could be the swimsuit edition. Maybe Friday we'd do Naughty Nurse, what do you think?"
I smirked, suddenly the annoyance that my ears were wet leaving me as her grey eyes sparkled at me, they looked brighter now, the cold air causing her face to pale over slightly, "Pomfrey might complain, I do believe that is her area of expertise."
"Having naughty dreams about Pomfrey are we? That head thingy she uses turn you on?"
No, but Salazar's Snake you do, nobody should look that good wet…wait… what…Thornton…wet… I snapped the thought in half, why did I always act like a horny thirteen year old when she was around!
She seemed to be done waiting for a reply and dove back underwater, I hovered a bit, staring at the water around me as if wary of a shark attack, but she re-emerged, candidly swimming in a straight line as if we had been doing so the whole time.
Angered by the way she always seemed to unsettle me, I dived back down too, but my peace was disturbed as I couldn't stop trying to catch her with my eye. I was more than a little distracted; it suddenly occurred to me…Thornton wasn't even a prefect! Why was she here! Why can't I have had that thought like that five minutes ago!
I stopped swimming, I couldn't make out her body underwater, or hear the sounds of splashing so I broke through the water again, seeing her at the shallow end of the pool and I swam to it.
"One lap, is that all the great Kyrianna Thornton can do?"
My elbow hit the cement of the Gym floor as I leaned on it, my body half out of the pool. The smirk fell off my face as I caught the look on hers, she seemed to be in pain, her nose was crinkled and she was biting her bottom lip, leaning on the gym floor with both her arms for support, her eyes closed as if she was trying to rein in the pain.
I reached toward her with my left hand on reflex and I froze, momentarily taking in the forearm length tainted monstrosity on my left arm and quickly ducking it under the water again, relieved she had her eyes closed.
I was so stupid, such a fucking idiot, even if the water distorted the image, who's to say she hadn't seen it. Fuck! I should have gotten out of the water as soon as she got here; I was too distracted by her presence to think straight.
I jumped out of the water quickly, grabbing my towel in one motion and walking briskly to the change rooms, what the fuck was I thinking. If she saw the mark, she would tell her grandfather, tell her grandfather and ruin everything. The Old Fool will know, expel me and then how would I get a chance to get near him again? I might as well just sign my name on my mother's death certificate…and Liam's…and Aria's…Aria…
I stared at the faded red ink, my shirt unbuttoned, I didn't have the energy to continue the task of changing as my mind seemed to have stuck on a memory, not letting my body execute action, just consumed with the emotions the memory evoked…I ran a finger over the serpentine mark…
I ran a finger over the eye sockets of the skull and flinched.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Hurt like a motherfucker for weeks after I got mine."
I glanced to my left, the cool air of the balcony suddenly felt suffocating as someone impeded on my privacy. I didn't have to look to see who it was, the man barely shut up, his voice was burned in my head.
I didn't respond to my uncle's comment, inheriting my father's dislike for his brother-in-law, the man spoke too much and thought too little and I wasn't about to take any advice from him. But I did put my hand down, it did actually pain…
"Rabastan, Tatiana is looking for you."
Yet another familiar voice entered my momentary sanctuary, an unusual voice due to the fact that he barely spoke. His voice was made memorable due to his silence.
"Who the fuck does that bitch think she is, to summon me!" Rabastan spat out, he laughed, a dark chortle, "Looks like someone needs to be taught a lesson." He swaggered out, bumping into the large wooden doors as he did so, insipid drunk.
"Is it the company that finds you outside on your own Party Draco, or is the food not to your liking?"
I glanced backwards; Rodolphus leaned against the balcony wall, a cigarette hanging from his mouth. Mother hated how he stained everything with that tobacco smell of his, even though he never smoked inside the Manor, he himself was soaked with the stench. My father never liked Rodolphus either, but I think it had more to do with the man's strength. It was much harder bossing him around than his younger brother, unsettling still that Azhkaban barely changed him. Yes, he was physically gaunt and thinner, older and with dark bags underneath his dark grey eyes, but he was sane…or seemed sane…and that was scary…nobody leaves Azkhaban sane…
He coughed, snapping me back to the present, "I just needed a bit of fresh air."
I would never tell him why I really left. I was now the head of the Malfoy family, and as Head I should never show weakness. There was talk of Rodolphus taking on my duty as the Head of the family due to my age, but mother and I fought tooth and nail against it. Yes, it was fine when father took responsibility of Alya and Blishwick when Aunt Bella was in Azkhaban, but they were children. I am not a child, I'm a man. I don't need Rodolphus to take the reins…father would have a fit if he found out I had let that happen.
He didn't respond, I heard the door click shut as he exited. I sighed, relieved that I was alone once again, trying to block out the sounds that were coming from inside the room…from my party…my initiation celebration…my stomach squeezed in discomfort at the thought.
The image of the circle of dark cloaks burned in my eye…the feeling of his cold finger on my left forearm…the language I didn't understand slither of his lips…the light that was solely cast on me…
I clenched the stone banister, the memory of the pain too fresh in my head, made harder so by the fact that I had to grit my teeth and bare it, and I was doing so well until the end, I can still hear the guffaws of the dark cloaks as I yelped in pain, they didn't care that I was the youngest. They didn't care that their sons wouldn't even have the balls to stand there and take it. They didn't care that I was placed with an order that seemed impossible, but that was mostly because they didn't even know of it.
The sounds of the party suddenly grew stronger, and I opened my eyes, my right shoulder clenched as I found a hand clap on it and I fought the urge to shrug it off. "Brother!" I closed my eyes again at the voice, "You're missing all the fun." He spoke genially, but I never ever trusted a thing that came out of this Snake's mouth. I might even dislike him more than his sister, and that was saying something.
I turned around, mostly to get his hand off me and I fought the urge to turn back around again when I saw that he left the doors open, why the fuck would he leave the doors open!
My eyes clamped on the scene in the Dining Hall. I was confused when I first walked in, expecting it to be a formal dinner considering it was happening in our Dining Hall. But there wasn't even a table, let alone food. The area was littered with sofa's, house elves littering the room holding silver trays adorned with hors d'oeuvres and large bottles of various shapes of colour…liquor, some that I had tasted before and some that I would never let touch my lips.
Thankfully the Dark Lord wasn't in attendance, and I did wonder why Aunt Bella and the other female death eaters never entered the Dining Hall, and I found my answer soon enough. I had no qualms with the Ladies of the Night, purebred boys never did, some losing their first time to such Ladies.
You'd see some of them at parties, dressed to the nines like everybody else but you knew what their purpose was. The number of men in attendance would fluctuate as the hours went on; their wives pretending not to notice that their husbands were missing and so were the Ladies. But at least they had the decency to find an empty bedroom…
Someone had pushed me into the armchair in the centre, and a particularly voluptuous Lady walked towards me, the gold dress she wore leaving nothing to the imagination as her breasts pushed through the material, her dark nipples exposed through the thin dress, they ghosted across my cheek as she pulled me to her chest, her bum hovering above my pants, ghosting over my crotch now and again, yet it did nothing for me.
Not that she was unattractive, far from it, but I couldn't get the image of Thornton out of my head. I had seen her merely hours ago, in my attempt to get Blaise sober enough for the ceremony, it was a fail…but the Dark Lord had not asked for him personally so he didn't take his absence as a slight on his person. If I hadn't shown up…I didn't even want to imagine the circumstances coupled with that.
I heard a gasp and I shot up, I was getting unwillingly comfortable in the armchair and a chocolate hand stopped me, her brown eyes bright, pushing me back in the arm chair as her gyrations got faster. I peered past her, where the gasp came from, only seeing long slender, pale flailing legs, a dark cloaked man in between while three stood around and I looked away…but everywhere I looked there were similar scenarios and my stomach twisted.
I suddenly had the urge to throw up, my entertainment seemed to see my discomfort and she purred in my ear, licking my ear in a way she thought would get me more in the mood but actually was the straw that had me jump off the seat. I grabbed her, before she fell but nobody noticed, too preoccupied in their own…I ignored the startled look in her eyes and stormed for the balcony door.
The sight that I now witnessed through the doors that Blishwick had left open didn't change much, only thing it was considerably smaller as the doors only let me see a small part of the Dining Hall. I turned back around, staring at the hall for a long enough time for him not to know how uncomfortable it made me.
"I remember my party, well actually it wasn't my party…about five other brothers initiated on the same day, not all of us have the privileges of a Malfoy to take on the Mark solo." I didn't comment, privileges of a Malfoy! He didn't know the noose around my neck that was the privilege of a Malfoy.
"How was France, I must admit I do miss it, if I am honest, more the women than the land. They are quite something, aren't they, not like these British women." I swallowed, taking in the starless sky, I hadn't contributed to the conversation just yet…maybe he would get the picture and fuck off.
"Well not all of your British women are boring, far from it. Take Karetnikov, my mother might hate the woman but you cannot deny her beauty, and there's something sexy in the way she commands those Red Cloaks around, I wouldn't mind being a slave to her. Then there's Artemis, she's bit on the macho-"
Why was he chatting, was this another annoying habit he inherited from his father. I remember asking my father who was Alya and Blishwick's father, he said it was uncle Rodolphus but I knew he was lying…he wouldn't trust me with information like that. Alya on the other hand tended to let things slip in my presence and turned out Blishwick was Rabastan's son. That must have been quite the little scandal, and doing the math Aunt Bella was knocked up with this fool when she was fresh out of school, maybe even earlier.
"…feisty little devil she was, Kyrianna Thornton. What a picture she did make-"
"What?" I snapped, finally listening to what he was saying, facing him. His black hair was slicked back neatly for the occasion and his black eyes were bright, he smiled but it was merely a stretching of lips, there was no emotion behind it.
"Ah, you must know Miss Thornton well enough; she is in your year at school, is she not?"
How the fuck did he know Thornton? Alya was brought from the Lestrange Manor in France during the Summer of my fourth year. I never knew that the eldest son of the Blishwicks' was in fact her brother and my cousin. My father said that he had thought it better to send Bastian to live with the Blishwicks', it made more sense considering they were based in Bulgaria at the time and Bastian was set to attend Durmstrang.
Plus, the Blishwicks' were keen to adopt him, they were one of the few people that knew of his heritage and to have the potential heir of both the Lestrange and Black name in their pocket would win them favour. My father let him go, knowing a bastard like Bastian could lay claim to nothing and believing the boy's parents to have no future but to rot in Azkhaban.
He never believed the Dark Lord would return…Alya on the other hand, my father always liked her. He brought her over once the Dark Lord was resurrected, knowing her mother would be let out soon enough and there would be no need to keep her a secret, she could serve the Dark Lord like she was bred to. And I had a horrible feeling that my father had brought her home for other reasons…
How did he know Thornton though…he finished Durmstrang when I was in my third year, if I remember correctly? We only found out that he was in fact working with Crouch to resurrect the Dark Lord after the end of my fourth. I don't recall my father being so furious before than he was at being kept in the dark on the matter. He escaped Hogwarts with his adopted brother who had attacked Thornton…oh…he must have met her then…Theo did say Thornton fought him…
"That there is a beauty, if there ever was one. Mature, well beyond her age, can't imagine what she looks like now that she's legal." He chuckled darkly; a shiver of disgust went down my spine.
"She isn't legal." I muttered, her birthday was two weeks after my own; she'd only turn seventeen in June.
He scoffed, "Not the legal I'm talking about Draco. Not that it matters, I mean…girls like that are meant to be made a woman of before the usual times, they're too much woman, it needs to be brought out much earlier." He chuckled again and I squeezed the banister tighter, the way he spoke about making Thornton a woman…like he wanted to do that…to her. "They're not meant for boys. Potter wouldn't know where to put it, I bet she regrets fighting me off now."
I closed my eyes shut, what the fuck! Was he saying…no…how! "In hindsight, I kind of fucked it up for myself. I should have bid my time, admittedly I was a bit drunk and a bit antsy, it was hard living in that cramped little shack for so long, with absolutely no entertainment, except yourself and you can only entertain yourself so long. And there she was…" I gulped, holding the banister tighter still, imagining it to be his neck, I wanted him to stop talking yet I continued listening attentively.
"I still don't know what she was doing out there, what was a kid doing breaking into Dogweed and Deathcap, I thought. And then I saw her. She was the same girl that I ran into at the World Cup. I remember seeing it then…right then…" he stopped talking and I glanced to my side, he was licking his lips at the memory, my stomach twisted, "Anyway, I regret my hastiness, I shouldn't have forced her, frightened her, she was much too young. Just a kid, don't get me wrong, I'm not a pervert! She didn't look like a kid, no…no…no…definitely didn't look like a kid…or feel like a kid."
One of the oil lamps that littered the balcony exploded and I knew if I didn't cool down I would attack him next, he seemed to snap out of the trance he was in by the memory of…I can't think of that and he laughed and fucking hell I wanted to kill him.
"We all make mistakes when we're young. Obviously I'm going to handle things better now."
It took my all to look him in the eye, "What do you mean?"
"Well I didn't finish, now did I? I can't stand not finishing what I started. Plus, she's such a challenge. A protected little Queen. Dumbledore's granddaughter, Linus and Lorenzo Thornton as brothers, and believe me, having to be on the run from them for almost a year, they are definitely worthy adversaries. Snape likes to pretend that he cares for her merely to keep up the façade but I see the way he looks at me…or the way he doesn't…he's never in the same room as me…he's not even at his own Godson's initiation party. And let's not forget Potter. But that's taken care of, one knight down, four more to go."
"Potter and her are still together." I know it was a lie from the way she acted today, but I didn't want Blishwick to think he was nearer to her in any sort of way…
He scoffed, "Believe me, I made sure that Potter isn't in the picture myself. Thornton is single. And she will be staying that way if I have anything to do with it."
I turned around, watching what he was staring at. I saw it easily enough, they were easy to spot seeing as they were the youngest in the room and the only one's not wearing the black cloak. Instead they wore black dress robes. There were three of them, the middle boy was all I saw. Barriston Blishwick. I shared a dorm with the boy yet I never liked him, I was happy when he left at the end of fourth year. He and the two boys on either side of him were smiling lasciviously at the Lady that was tending to me a few minutes ago, Barriston's greedy little fingers were all over her, I saw a flicker of discomfort on her face which she quickly disguised as a gasp of pleasure and my heart panged slightly…
"She's quite a beauty but Barry has no right to her. She was brought for you; I could bring her back here, if you like?" I glanced into his black eyes, why was he being so accommodating?
He laughed, "Do you not know what to-"
We both snapped around at the high pitched squeal, I stepped forward, Barriston had his wand on the Lady, the other boys laughing as he tortured her…what the fuck.
Blishwick let out a sigh of exasperation, "The boy never learns, does he? As I was saying before the idiot started playing with his food…Draco?"
"What is he doing to her!" I spat out in disgust, turning away as he pointed his wand at the girl for a second time. I took in a deep breath; I should stop him, that's not right. But how can I do that without causing a scene and making everyone else think I'm weak…
"Draco. This is Kiara, and this is Leah. Leah, Kiara, this is my cousin, now brother in arms, Draco."
I turned, there was now two ladies with us, Blishwick must have summoned them when my back was turned.
Kiara was Indian, she had beautiful, sand coloured skin that could easily be seen through the sheer white dress she wore, her long black hair falling down to her waist in a straight perfect sheet. Leah had pale skin, paler than even my own and her hair was fiery red, with smart green eyes that she glinted up at me with, her black dress clinging to her like a second skin.
"We of course know who Master Malfoy is, Master Blishwick. I, of course, would not mind getting to know him better."
Blishwick leaned against the balcony banister, a smirk on his face, "I am happy to hear that Leah, you see Mr Malfoy is in need of a little tutelage." Before I could protest, Blishwick flicked his wand and Kiara was on her knees, screaming in agony, Leah flinched, but quickly straightened her features, standing poignantly next to the tortured heap that was Kiara. Finally he stopped and all her shouts ceased, exchanged for wet sobs and I fought the urge to comfort her, why would I do that? I can't imagine what the girl was going through though, Bastian was known for his torture curse…nobody had the-
He flicked his wand again and Leah was now on her knees, but she didn't emit a sound. Her breathing was coming out in deep greedy pants and her back arched, her green eyes bright and looking skyward and I couldn't look away. Bastian kneeled before her, a smile on his face, watching her for a few moments until he slowly leaned forward, catching the skin just behind her earlobe in his mouth and I took a step back as the woman erupted into gasps of pleasure, grabbing his head and holding it to her neck as if she would die if he let go.
He pushed her hands away, laughing as she panted, grabbing at his legs as he rose to his feet and wagged his forefinger at her, "Ah uh ah, take Kiara and wait for me in my chambers."
She licked her lips but did so, grabbing her partner by the elbow and lifting her to her feet and dragging her off. His laughter brought me back to the balcony.
"Handy little trick. Not many can accomplish it, it takes excessive control, just the right amount of pain to cause the pleasure but the pleasure…you saw for yourself. That is what Barry is trying and failing to do." He shook his head in disappointment, "He's young, he'll learn. I only just perfected it last year…I unfortunately attempted it on Thornton and even though I was much gentler I do believe that she was more Kiara than Leah. I've decided that when I eventually break through all her defences, depending on the colour of my Queen, she would have a suitable ending. If she is pure, and white, like I want her to be and am trying very hard to keep her so, then she can expect many nights like Leah. But if she is Black, and tainted…Kiara's punishment seems fitting, no?"
I glared at him, not having the energy to pretend anymore. He was talking about…he was…how the fuck dare he? He knew…he knew…somehow this slimy bastard knew that I had feelings for Thornton. Fuck, it must have been Alya. Fuck. This was all a demonstration to make sure I stay away from her…
"Ahhh…" He waved at someone inside and I turned to see the same green eyes of Leah's stare at us, "That must be awkward to see. Witnessing your big sister orgasm at another man's feet. Poor Lucan, you know him, don't you? I think he is a year younger than you at school. He's friends with Barry."
He was warning me. This Lucan would be the spy, would he? He'd be watching and eager to tell you whatever news he finds about Thornton, and he would have to because if he didn't you nasty little fuck would probably do nasty little things to his sister. If I or anyone else got near Thornton, Lucan will know and so would this fuck.
"It's sad the way these things pan out. Just think, if Lord Banner hadn't defied the Dark Lord's calling, he and his wife would still be around. Poor Leah wouldn't have to become a Lady of the Night to support herself and Lucan. What with the Banner name tainted, nobody would marry her. And with no family, she hardly had a choice. Same story for all these poor young girls, come from far and wide, orphaned purebloods and half-bloods, not a galleon to their name, a name too tattered for anyone to attach themselves to. At least they have the opportunity to join the Ladies of the Night, it's always nice to find a nice pureblood like Leah, you know she's clean at least, these half blood's are always a bit more dodgy. Hey…that little girl that you foster…what was her name…"
I will fucking kill him.
"Something like my sister's…anyway, you better watch out Draco. Here's some brotherly advice, listen to the Dark Lord, do what he says, you know what would happen if you don't…and if that happens, if you're not around and uncle Lucius is in Azkhaban…my mother won't let any wrong befall her sister, but she isn't so considerate to worthless little orphans like you are."
I bared my teeth in anger, "If you so much as-"
He held his hand up, placatingly, "Draco, Brother, I would never. Don't be perverse, she's but a child. But children do not stay so, like I said, some girls are made woman before their time…something you can't help if you're not around…all I am saying is you stay out of my way, and I will stay out of yours."
I turned on my heel, I wanted to kill him but I knew Blishwick had been bred to fight and I was nowhere near ready to duel him. I barged through the doors and grabbed the lady and lifted her to her feet as Barriston Blishwick shouted in anger, she slumped onto my shoulder and I held her up, how many fucking times did he torture her!
"She's mine! Who the fuck gave you permission to be here! GET OUT!"
I snapped at the boy and he's pinched face grew uglier but he and his two friends resentfully stood up, he knew he couldn't defy me now.
I knew I took out my anger at his adoptive brother on him but I didn't care. I pulled the girl through door after door, ignoring the sound and the images around me, pulling her through the shortcut that went straight to my wing.
I barged through my door, letting her go and she sunk in the bed as I banged my fist against the wall, again and again until I could not hear my own pitiful sobs, again and again until images of Thornton and Blishwick were out of my head, again and again until the green eyes were not light hazel ones like Aria's.
I fell to my knees and I felt hands at my shoulders and I snapped at her, "DO NOT TOUCH ME!"
She shivered at my shout, and she didn't look like a lady anymore…she looked like a scared little girl. Sweat from the torture took out most of the makeup she had been wearing and even though she was curvy, her face was round and full of youth. She slowly bent down next to me, flinching slightly and I felt guilty at shouting at her…she must still be in pain.
"What's your name?"
"Kyra." I closed my eyes at that; it had to be Kyra huh? "But if that doesn't please you, you could call me anything else you like."
Her voice was soft and pleading but she executed the line perfectly like she was taught to and I shook my head.
"Surname?"
She ducked her head down, "Ladies of the Night do not have a surname, Master Malfoy."
I bit my lip, "What was your surname."
She looked up at me timidly, "Mancini." Wasn't Mancini Blaise's mother's third husband's name?
"How old are you?"
"Nineteen." She answered quickly and I knew it to be a lie, she was a poor liar.
"Really, Kyra?"
She stared at me, her brown eyes wide at being addressed by her name. "Fifteen."
I tried not to react to that, "Do you really have no family?"
She shook her head in the negative; it was easier dealing with her problems, than my own right now.
"Can't you do something else…anything else…except this?"
She ducked her head bashfully, "My Godfather sold me to the Ladies after my father died, his wife didn't think they could afford another child."
"Can't you leave?"
"Not till I pay Madam Lefevre back…"
"And how many nights do you have to work to do that."
"A year."
"And how many nights have you served?"
"One." She answered blankly. Her brows rose slightly, "Although I am pure, I have been trained. I can…I can pleasure you, I've been taught how to. It's just that for nights like these girls like me are given as gifts to the guest of honour."
I shook my head, I didn't inquire because I thought she was inexperienced. I inquired because I wanted to know how late I was. She reached forward, slowly taking my hand in her small ones, brushing her thumb over the bruised skin of my knuckles.
"We are not allowed wands, but Master Malfoy should really heal this before it hurts him anymore."
I looked back at her, and for some reason all I could see was Aria. Her long sandy pin straight hair, her mischievous hazel eyes as she laughed, yapping away about some nonsense or another…if I failed…and he killed me…he killed my mother and my father…like he promised he would…Liam and Aria would have nobody…except aunt Bella...who would probably push the matter over to Bastian to take care of…he'd sell her to the Ladies of the Night…they valued purebloods…
I took a deep breath…I couldn't think on this anymore and I stood. "Master Malfoy?"
"Kyra, how much did your Godfather…how much do you owe Madam Lefevre."
She got to her feet slowly, confused, "I'm not sure…I am pureblood Master Malfoy, I assure you, it was a good price."
The girl was misinterpreting all my questions, "Kyra, you can sleep here for the night."
She nodded, placing her hand on the straps of her gold dress and pushing them down, the gold material pooling at her feet and I averted my eyes, taking a deep breath, "If that is how you wish to sleep, so be it, nobody can enter this room without permission."
"Mas…Master Malfoy…where are you go-Master Malfoy-"
I held a hand up at her, my other hand already on the door. "I will come see you in the morning." And hopefully by then I would have brokered a deal with Madam Lefevre.
Her face turned to terror, "Please stay! I will…anything! If Madam-"
"Shhhh…" I hushed as tears sprung to her eyes and she shook with fear…I couldn't stand a woman's tears. "Please Kyra, sleep. If you need clothes, help yourself to any in the drawers you find. Now please, rest."
She opened her mouth and I left, shutting the door on her face and locking it…it was for her own good.
"Draco?"
I snapped around, falling to my knees easily this time and pulling the little girl in to my arms, ignoring the panging in my left arm.
"Draco? I heard shouting? Is the party over? I stayed in my room, just like you asked. I only came out when I heard your voice. Draco?"
I let go of her, patting her sandy little mop of hair, she was so tiny… was I that small when I was eleven. "Aria, I promise…I won't ever let anything bad happen to you."
She wiped at her sleepy hazel eyes, "Draco you're acting funny, did you eat something bad at the Party."
I chuckled, reaching for her hand when I suddenly felt a piercing in my left arm, "What's this…ewe it's so ugly Draco!" She poked at the mark and I quickly pulled my hand away from her.
"Sorry." She mumbled, pouting up at me when she saw me flinch away from her.
I worked hard on placing a smile on my face, I carried her up, placing her on my shoulder and tickling her sides whilst doing so, "Let's go find Liam, I think it's time he unleashed the tickle monster on you."
"Oh Draco! I know there's no such thing as the tickle monster."She giggled out.
I stared down at the serpent tongue…the sound of her laughter fresh in my head. And the memory of Kyra's tears of joy as she cried when I told her that she wouldn't have to go back to Madam Lefevre's. I stopped staring at the new noose on my neck…the mark; too many lives were on the line if I fucked up…I couldn't be distracted, not by anything, least of all Kyrianna Thornton…
A/N: So this was an uber long chapter, and I would really appreciate, even if you're tired from reading it, a review : ) Pretty please : )
Thank you for reading
Kalina