Authors Note:
Welcome to Luxemborg, new followers. Thank you for favorites. I am so glad that there are new people to enjoy this story.
I will warn you, these next few chapters and fast paced and get very dark, and are filled with violence. And that is how it will continue for some time. So for those that are easily disgusted or offended I am sorry. Consider yourself warned...
Thanks to you, Ammaviel, Phoenixtimetraveler, Needles, Marbacal for your reviews. I like to hear from you all so feel free to comment; and if it is criticism, please be constructive; I don't have a beta ;)
Chap 44
Castle Boursheid had been subject to many attacks in the past, being in a strategically important part of Luxembourg. It had been repaired and fortified, complete with a moat and reinforced walls, battlements adorning the roof. There were abundant hidden passageways that led to secret, underground compartments, completely inaccessible to invaders who would do the most diligent of searches. With the hope that he would find his wife and child hidden there, Sedrick had searched the hidden areas and learned all of the secret passageways until he could find his way through in darkness. It was indeed, a small fortress, the castle surrounded by a rather tall stone wall. The gates had always been left open in the past, the drawbridge turned into a stone bridge by one of the previous Marquis. Montague kept the gate locked and guarded, and had broken glass and spikes attached to the tops of the walls. The defenses were not successful in deterring four determined men from Capellen, however.
Sedrick stomped angrily towards the beast's den, barely able to hold his ire. He had been downstairs talking with the cook, the only other reasonable human being left in the castle, other than the poor woman who was being imprisoned, when he heard Elaine's screams. He followed the sounds of her screams, horrified to realize that she had been taken down to the second, secret dungeon. His blood boiled within his skin. He threw open the door to Montague's bedroom. The angered Prince spun around and glared at him.
"I was wondering when you would show up to complain," Montague snarled.
"You said you would not hurt her! Why did you throw her in the dungeon?" Sedrick growled in return, his shoulders lifted, his aqua eyes blazing hot. He could tell Elaine's screams were not just from fear, there was pain involved. He had heard enough screams of both types from this vile domicile to know the difference by now.
"I said I would not hurt her if she did what she was told! The bitch scratched me and bit me!" He hollered. "I do not have to explain my actions to you!"
"You deserve so much worse, Prince," Sedrick said, nearly choking on the term that was so inappropriate to use with this imbecile. "What did you think, that she would fall into your arms the moment you demanded it? She hates you!"
"She risks the life of her son by disobeying me! I did not think she was that stupid," Montague said, walking over to the hearth, rubbing the scratch on his cheek.
"Can you think of nothing else but harming innocent women and children to achieve your goals? Your lust?"
"Why not? It worked so well with you. You showed me the way, Sedrick. You are partially to blame for me coming up with the idea," Montague said, with a sick laugh. Sedrick nearly exploded.
"Do not even think about trying to lay blame on me, you pompous ass!" He screamed, putting his hand on the dagger at his belt. It was too late; the guilt had started to permeate Sedrick's mind. The infernal prince would not have thought to kidnap both Elaine and her son had the strategy not worked so well on him. Montague looked at his actions with disinterest.
"Oh, give it a rest, fool. I know, especially now, you would not kill me. I have too much information here, in my head. Too many of your darlings will die with me." Montague turned his back on the seething man. Sedrick burned with rage, barely able to restrain himself from jumping towards and burying the blade in the horrid neck before him.
"Do you enjoy making people hate you so much that they want to kill you?" Sedrick asked darkly. "Making people want to torture you, see you bleed and scream? Achieve pleasure with your demise?" Montague turned around with a wicked grin. Montague's ability to torture, both mentally and physically, was astounding.
"Now you understand the seduction of hate, the exquisite pleasure of torture, the orgasmic release of killing of another human being, Sedrick. I knew I could convert your sniveling, good soul. We are like partners now, don't you see? We have been for months," Montague said; the visage of evil playing upon his countenance. Sedrick stood in his place, shaking, his mind going wild.
Is he right? Am I truly that far gone? I have felt satisfaction in killing before, but that was when I killed the enemy of my country. Is it all part of the same thing? Am I such a monster? No. NO!
Montague continued his mental jabbing.
"I see you have taken a liking to Elaine. Maybe I will let you taste her once I have had my fill, if there is anything left. Her spirit will be broken by then, I assure you. She will be an easy…"
"I will never be like you, and I am not your partner. I will never force myself on a woman like you do." Sedrick forced out between pursed lips. He closed his eyes and tucked away the rage again. He was filled with so much anger and hate that it was threatening to consume him. "Give me a chance to talk to her. Maybe I will convince her to obey your requests, so that at least you can not gain satisfaction in hurting her again."
"That is the spirit, Sedrick. I will give her one last chance." Montague said, turning with his cape in a flurry. "Bring her to me within two hours. It has been too long since I have enjoyed being inside a good woman's flesh. Run along, do my bidding." Sedrick shuddered, but exited the room without another word, slamming the door. He growled when he heard the Prince laugh within.
Sedrick made his way down the corridor, far away from Montague's den, his vision blurred from pent up frustration. He paused and threw his back against a wall and his head back, gasping for air. He balled his fists and punched the wall before him in frustration until his knuckles bled. He then collapsed on the floor of the lonely, dark hallway and sobbed; his tears as hot as blood. He had taken about as much as he could take.
"Annabel, my love, I do not want you to see this… thing your husband has become. I will gladly rot in hell for the chance to kill this vermin. God, please forgive me, but I trade my soul for that opportunity. I will kill you, Montague, that I promise, be it the last thing I do," Sedrick whispered in a low guttural tone.
He sat down, spent, panting covering his eyes. Suddenly, the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps came from the darkness behind him. They were not the sloppy footsteps of mercenaries. Sedrick realized quickly that this person wanted to be heard. Stumbling to his feet in a state of confusion, Sedrick continued along, pulling his sword out, holding it at the ready. He stumbled upon the dead mercenaries in the hallway. He spun around, a small smile upon his face…
After trembling in rage as Elaine's screams silenced by distance and walls, Erik made his way silently through the darkened hallways. The anger made his senses sharper, his focus clearer. In his mind, the path to Montague's bedroom burned brightly in the dark. He neared a corner when he heard a man's hurried footfalls in the hallway before him. Erik stayed in the shadows until he saw the man. He was the man's driver, Sedrick, looking quite angered. Erik's brows furrowed and he pulled back the hand with the Punjab lasso. Instinct told him to restrain his urge to kill this one.
He heard Sedrick enter the bedroom that was now confirmed to be the Prince's domain. Erik listened silently to the rather tense discussion, bristling with anger at the plans laid out for Elaine. Erik followed Sedrick silently after he stormed out of the room, down the hall, observing his actions, contemplating what to do. He did not like the fact that this man was going to try to convince Elaine to give herself to Montague, however angry he seemed. He crouched and watched in awe as Sedrick displayed his anguish. Erik knew those feelings so well, to watch them pouring out from another man was just as painful.
Ours is a brotherhood of hate. It will do us well to join forces. We will see who will have the pleasure of taking the life of our mutual enemy, Sedrick.
Erik revealed his presence to the tormented man with punctuated, loud steps from within the shadows. Erik smiled as he saw Sedrick's immediate response. The man held a sword commandingly, and had the stance of one who was well aware of how to use it. He followed the man down the hall, to the gory scene Erik had left behind.
Back to the scene of my most recent crime, Sir. I see you are a formidable opponent. It will be a shame to have to kill you. I hope it does not come to that.
"Show yourself. I admire a man with such skill." Sedrick said, glancing at the dead bodies on the floor. He heard the metallic scrape of a sword being unsheathed. Sedrick solidified his stance. A dark form seemed to materialize from the shadows before him, the sword shining in the low light. The hooded man approached and then stopped.
"I come for Elaine. I know you hate the man you work for, Montague. I also know that you can take me to where she is being held captive." Erik said. Sedrick's brows knitted as he looked into the dark interior of the hood.
"You have me at a disadvantage, I am afraid I cannot say that I know you. But you are correct; I hate the Prince but I am powerless to go against his wishes. I will not take you to her." At that, Erik lunged forward and the swordfight began. They parried and spun around each other, learning each other's steps quickly, as experienced swordsmen do. The swords clashed loudly in the brief scuffle.
Sedrick managed to push Erik against the wall but jumped back in shock when the hood fell off, revealing his face. That gave Erik enough time to pin Sedrick against the opposite wall and free him of his weapon. Sedrick stumbled back and looked at Erik with a combination of wonder and recognition.
"It was you! Yes, the one who delivered Montague to me in Capellen that night! Now I understand..." Sedrick gasped between labored breaths.
"Your memory serves you well." Erik said. "Take me to Elaine. Now."
"And now what do you intend to do? If you kill me, you will never find Elaine, of that I am sure." Sedrick said, backing away from the sharp blade pointed at him. He grimaced at Erik. "How can I trust you? How do I know I would not just be taking her from the grasp of one monster and putting her in the arms of another?" He growled.
Erik felt the sting of his statement and let the pain show on his face. He began to breathe hard with anger.
"People are not always as they first appear, Sir. This 'monster' is in love with that woman which you hold against her will. I will kill you, and die for her if necessary."
Sedrick saw the pain in the man's eyes, and felt ashamed of his accusation, yet he continued. He had to make sure.
"The monster of this castle also proclaims to love her, even though I know he is incapable of such a thing. How are you different?" Sedrick charged. Erik, in a leap of faith, brought down his blade.
"She feels the same, as hard as that may be for you to believe." Erik growled softly. Sedrick stood up, away from the wall.
"Can you prove your statement?"
"Ask her yourself," Erik said. "I have to trust that you will do what is right once you hear the answer. I wait here until you return."
"No, this is not a good place, you will be discovered shortly. Come with me." Sedrick said, turning down the corridor to his room. He looked behind him. Erik had not moved. "As you have just said, you have to trust me. If you speak truth, you have nothing to fear from me for her. I cannot free her, but you can. But it will not be easy." Sedrick said, his eyes earnest.
"I have come this far, and will not be thwarted. I follow you for now." Erik said. On their way down the darkened hall, Sedrick stopped short and turned to face him.
"We must forge an agreement. If I do help you, you must promise me this. That you will find out where he holds my family captive before you allow me the privilege of ending his putrid life. Do you promise, with a gentleman's honor?"
"You are so quick to call gentleman that which you called monster. Make up your mind, servant." Erik said, glaring at Sedrick in the glow of a flickering sconce.
"I admit freely when I am wrong in my judgment." Sedrick acquiesced. "I will soon find out my answers from the woman. Only a warrior or an assassin could have done what I saw in the hall back there. I do not wish to guess which you are." Sedrick said, opening the door to his quarters. Erik stepped inside but held the door.
"I am the latter. If you do not return in ten minutes time, I will come looking for you. You will not want me to find you, Sedrick." Erik looked at him darkly.
"Give me twenty," said Sedrick, as he pulled the door shut.
Sedrick made his way quickly down into the bowels of the castle. He checked the hall leading to the dungeon and heard Elaine's soft cries. It stabbed his heart. He walked up quickly to the cell with the door locked. Luckily, the keys hung next to the door
"Who is it?" She said weakly.
"Be quiet, my Lady, it is I, Sedrick. I have come to get you." Sedrick struggled with the keys.
"Why? To take me back to him? Leave me here! He said I had a day, my last day in peace before I become his whore. What a horrible fate," she said, crying bitterly. Sedrick opened the door to find her wrapped in a ball, her arms around her legs, the right side of her face swollen, beginning to turn blue. Her eyes were swollen and red with tears as she looked up at him. He shook his head, sorry to see her this way.
"My lady, we do not have much time. You must answer this question honestly: is there a man you love, someone who would seek you, even here?" Sedrick asked gently. For a moment, hope flashed in her eyes.
"Yes! Is he here? Has he come? Wait…why do you want to know this?" She said, her look becoming suspicious.
"Answer me first," Sedrick said, "Tell me who he is, then I will ease your curiosity."
"How do I know you have not killed him, or that you don't have him captured, and will kill him for your master? You have good reason to keep me here; the fate of your family depends on it. I will not tell you. I seek to protect my own, just as you do." She said, crossing her arms.
"Do not be stubborn woman! You must trust me!" He said, not expecting such resistance.
"Why?" She asked, stone faced.
"You must trust me because you have no choice. Can you risk being wrong about this?" Sedrick hoped to find out, however unlikely, that this man, this scarred, deformed man, was someone who Elaine wanted to be with. "Tell me something, so that I would know who he is if I saw him."
Elaine took a breath and rung her hands. She paced back and forth. Finally, she looked back at Sedrick. She had no choice but to trust him.
"My love is a complicated man, with…an unfortunate appearance," She said, lowering her eyes. Sedrick smiled internally.
My god, the man tells the truth! What a crazy, wondrous thing. Beauty is in love with a man who seems a beast, but is being held captive by a beast who seems a man. How bloody ironic.
"My lady, I will bring you to him," he said, as he grabbed her hand, before she could say or do anything. He crouched at the door and motioned for her to be quiet.
They hurried quietly through the stairs and halls, up to where light finally showed through the hall windows, from a cold and eerie half moon.
Sedrick opened the door and pushed Elaine within, following her. Erik bolted upright from the bed, where he had been sitting, waiting impatiently. Elaine gasped the moment she saw Erik, and ran into his arms. Sedrick, who remained silent by the door, felt the first bit of hope he had felt in months as he witnessed their tender reunion.
"Erik! Oh, thank god!" She said, bursting into tears against his chest as she threw her arms around him.
Erik was speechless for a moment and only could hold her close, tightly against him, tears threatening to leak through his eyes which were squeezed shut. He breathed sigh after sigh of relief as he stroked her hair, pressing her head against his chest, against his wildly beating heart, holding her against his tense body.
He felt her soft, trembling hand on his face as her lips found his. They kissed urgently, feverishly. Erik tasted her blood in their kiss
He held Elaine away from him, to look at her face and was mortified to see the evidence of Montague's abuse. Hardly able to breathe, he touched her swollen cheek with his fingers tenderly, and slid his hand down to hold her neck, where a bite mark was. His eyes became wild with fury. She had flinched at his touch.
"What else did he do to you?" he asked, his voice a low growl, holding her hand against his chest.
"I would not let him do anything else; that is why he hit me." She said, the rage now glowing in her eyes. "Erik; he is holding Roland captive and will hurt him if I do not sleep with him. I cannot do it, Erik, I can't!" She sobbed against his chest. He held her close as she cried, stroking her hair, looking at Sedrick.
"She is right. Montague will hurt the boy, of that I am certain, if she does not comply. I am supposed to bring her to him within the next hour. We have till then to formulate a plan of action." Sedrick said, as both their eyes turned on him. Erik sat Elaine down gently on the bed next to him.
"Does anyone else know where Roland is being kept?" Erik asked.
"No. And he says Roland will die if anything bad should happen to him…" Elaine said, nearly breaking into tears again.
"Her boy, as well as my wife and son will perish with his death. This man's treachery knows no bounds, Sir." Erik stood up and walked around the room.
"I must acquire that information from him. Any way possible." Erik said finally, looking at Sedrick darkly.
"You mean to torture him?" Sedrick said, a mad little smile arising on his face, and laughter coming from his mouth. Both Elaine and Erik looked at him with suspicion. His misplaced laughter suddenly died. "He has the tools you seek. Whatever small implement of pain there is, he has them. He collects and uses his 'toys' quite often. They are in the black cabinet in his room. But…" Sedrick looked at Erik with suspicion now.
"I know how to use said implements." Erik said softly, arms crossed. He could not help but to notice Elaine's brief expression of dread.
"He has two large bodyguards who stay with him at all times. The only time he does not keep them is when he fornicates or tortures some poor woman," Sedrick said, looking at Elaine, who clamped her hand over her mouth and wretched in disgust. "He bolts the door behind him and lets them back in several hours later, once he is finished."
"We can fight and kill them." Erik replied.
"They are brutal, efficient protectors, it will take some effort. And he will escape in the fray," said Sedrick, "thus giving him the chance to make good on his promise to hurt our loved ones." Erik groaned and leaned against the door, rubbing his head. The room went quiet for several minutes.
"Can you ensure me secret entry into the bedroom with the door locked? Without him knowing?" Erik queried, his heart seemingly heavy and tortured.
"Yes. There is a secret way in. Only I know it," Sedrick replied.
Sedrick and Erik exchanged glances. Erik knelt before Elaine and took her hands in his.
"Elaine, listen to me. I would not ask this of you if I could think of any other way. We must isolate Montague. He must send away his guards…" Erik started.
"No, Erik. I can't. Please, don't ask me to go to him again," she sobbed, her eyes wide with fear, disgust on her face.
"I will not let him hurt you, Elaine. But you must let him think you will allow him to touch you, only for a moment, until I can subdue him…and divulge the information needed in a timely manner," Erik insisted, his eyes intense. She shook her head violently. Erik took her face in his hands gently.
"You can do this, Elaine, I know you can. You will not be alone. I will be there, that I promise you," he said, his voice smooth and low. She held his hands tightly and squeezed her eyes shut in anguish. He brought his forehead against hers. Her crying ceased, slowly. She looked him in the eye, resolve and strength growing.
"I trust you with my life, Erik," she said. "I will do it."