Chapter Six- It’s a Deal
2049 Words
‘It’s a Deal’.
The words reverberated around my mind.
Haunting my every thought.
Milagro had spoken with such excitement when he had said the simple phrase that it sent shivers down my spine. I had made a deal with the Devil and that was the only thing I was sure of as he ushered us out of the room. Mumbled something about our duties and that the King is coming.
I couldn’t care less about the King. I wanted to be with Nessy. I had struggled against his grip but he left no choice as an invisible force exported us out of the room. The six of us standing in the corridor, dumbfounded.
“Reny, what have you done?” Mitch sounded confused and almost angry.
Mitch was by my side as we walked to the quarters. His concern etched on his face. We were about to lose someone so precious, I would pay the ultimate price if it meant that Nesta would survive. I refused to be the last member of my Pride. I was unsure if I was being selfish or scared. I didn’t want to be the only Lioness in this world.
“It’s done, Mitch.” I could tell he was trying to figure out what Milagro had in store for me but by the faces he pulled, he could only think of horrendous outcomes.
To be honest, the only endings I could image were filled with pain and torture.
Death would be a warm welcome, I had no doubt about it.
“Two weeks Renata, two weeks and we could do it. Just promise me you will hold on.” Mitch pleaded.
That’s all we needed. I hadn’t even realised it is only two weeks until Mitch would shift as well, or we hoped. It was part of our plan, I would start the domino effect and it would end in two weeks.
All of us free from the Dragon’s grip. As long as the plan went well. The boys separated from us as they headed for their own quarters. Marcus refused to let me go for a moment.
“Nessy will be better now? That magic man will make her better?” Marcus voice squeezed my heart. There was panic in his young voice.
Being sixteen he had a harsh life like Nessy, it was so unfair. For the first time that I could remember, Marcus truly looked like a scared little boy. I pulled him into my arms and hugged him close. We stood there for a long time, finding comfort in each other’s warmth.
“It will all be fine, Marcus. I promise. Now, get some sleep, it’s been a hard day.” He nodded and staggered off into the darkness.
My night restless as Milagro plagued my every thought. Sleep avoided me and the sun teased me, chasing any rest away. I raced down to Nesta in the guest room, I needed to know if she was alive. The room was bathed in darkness. My eyes quickly adjusted, my Lioness was starting to wake. It wouldn’t be too long until I shifted. I could feel my body was preparing for the shift.
“Renny?” Nesta’s voice made me jump.
I looked forwards the bed and noticed her form sat upright. I pushed the curtain open slightly and turned to find a smiling Nesta. She looked magnificent. Healthy and full of life. Her hair shiny and her eyes sparkled.
“Oh, Nessy. Are you feeling alright?” I rushed to her bed, flabbergasted in the change. “You look so…” I tried to think of the words, unsure whether Nesta remembered anything that had happened the previous day.
“Healthy.” Nesta giggled out the word. “I know, I feel so…. alive.” Sadness washed over her and she started to tremble slightly. Milagro had made her healthy but didn’t wipe out the memories. Nesta would carry those memories like invisible scars.
“Hey, no getting upset. Some of us had to sleep on wooden slates last night.” I ran to her side and jumped on the bed. “Not on a fluffy cloud.”
Nesta giggled again. Shaking away the bad demons that lurked in her mind. She looked slightly older the close I got to her.
“Isn’t that the most precious sound?” I seized all movement, frozen in place like a statute, I had forgotten to check whether Milagro was in the room.
“Milagro! Have you met Renny?” Nesta looked like an excited child at the sight of Milagro.
Hadn’t she heard of the stories? Why wasn’t she afraid? Of course she wasn’t, he had just saved her life.
“We have indeed met, Nessy. Renata is quite the chatter box.” Nesta laughed at Milagro who moved closer to me at the side of Nesta’s bed.
His eyes boring holes into my face. I knew that I had a debt to pay and soon he would collect. I had been the complete opposite to a chatterbox. Nesta pushed the blankets down and started to move.
“Nessy, what are you doing, you need to rest, don’t worry about today. I will cover you.” I stopped her from moving any further. She may look a picture of health but I was unsure whether her insides would have faired the same.
Milagro smiled down at Nesta. If he was a normal man, one would admire such a smile but alas he was a Conjurer and I did not want him catching me staring at him. “She will be fine, Renata. However, little cub, you must stay in bed for today. I insist. I will request the kitchen to deliver food…”
“No!!” Nesta and I shouted at the same time. The blood drained from my body but Nesta blushed. That was a concern. We could hide Nesta in the room for today but requesting food would raise suspicion. Mimi wouldn’t bat an eyelid and there were no guests scheduled for the East wing. Milagro laughed at our horror stricken faces.
“Ok, little lionesses. I will say that Nesta is my guest and no one will bother her.” Ge sounded strange.
Why was he doing this? I looked him over in the corner of my eye, he was smiling, deep in thought looking at Nesta. Had I just let him bring her back from the brink of death for his own amusement? I sincerely hoped that he would let her be and focused all his bad energy on me. Nesta would live. She would be the lioness that out lived the Empire’s plans. I wished for her to find love, have kids and grow old in a house full of happiness.
“No need Mr Milagro. I will move Nesta to our quarters. She will have food there.” I needed to get her away from the magic man, there was a glint in his eye that I did not like whenever he looked at Nesta.
Nesta actually went to pout, I got it really, I wouldn’t want to leave the comfort of a real bed and if someone offered me such food I would bite the hand that fed me. Good food would be great but living was vital. A slave found in a guest bed eating guest food would mean instant death.
“Renata. Why are you so worried? Shouldn’t a guest get what they want? Isn’t a guest always right?” He smirked, daring me argue.
“I’ll be quiet, Renny. I’m just tired so I will sleep but I will eat in our quarters later.” Milagro nodded and I really didn’t like the idea but I was in no position to argue.
“I’ll come and check on you. Millie and I will cover you today.” I kissed her forehead and smiled down at her. She really did look amazing. I scurried out the room and clicked the door shut. I didn’t want to leave Nesta with Milagro but I needed to clean Lady Avoca’s room or I’d be in deeper s**t.
The corridor was empty, everyone doing their chores or hiding in the shadows. A thud pulled my attention to a room opposite Bero’s. The door was slightly ajar when I heard a grunt followed by further thuds.
I should have kept my head down and carried on but something pushed me to the door. The room was full of darkness and I was unable to see anyone.
‘I must be imagining things now, great.’
Just as I was about to leave there was a crash and clearly furniture tumbling over.
“Please, Sir. Stop.” A sob sounded.
Marcus’s pleas made my chest tighten. I pushed open the door fully, letting the light from the corridor filter into the room. My eyes frantically searching for a sobbing Marcus. Right at the far end of the room I noticed a figure leering over something or someone that was obscured by a large trunk. I rushed in without thinking and went straight to the source.
Bero held down Marcus by his foot while he pummelled his fist against Marcus chest. There was blood and it was clear that Marcus clothes were torn. He was fighting off Bero but he too weak. I had to tread carefully, one wrong move and he could kill Marcus. I started to feel hot as my body started to shake. My jaw clenched painfully in anger. This man was making me want to show him my inner violet wrath in the most diabolical way. Before I done something stupid, I took a deep breaths, stepping in before Bero could land another punch.
“Sir?” Bero only then noticing that I had entered the room. “Is there something I can assist you with?” He froze momentarily, turning to face me with a smile, until he realised I was just another slave. His demeanour morphed into a leering monster that only wanted blood. I knew his kind. He was nice on the surface; a gentleman to the Dragon ladies, but behind closed doors he was wicked.
Evil.
“Yes. Strip down.” He demanded.
I pretended not to hear his command and walked over to Marcus. He was in bad shape. By the way he was holding myself, there were broken ribs. Something burned deep down inside of me. It swirled and made its way through my body making the hairs on my arms and neck stand on end. The creep stepped towards me as I helped Marcus to his feet. There were cuts and bruises already forming. Going against a guest was certain to bring me trouble but this guy was too much. He had gone too far.
“Are you deaf as well as stupid? I said ‘STRIP DOWN’, you dirty slave.” He spat.
His fingers latched onto my hair and dragged back away from Marcus as he fell to the floor in a clumsy heap. His other hand groping me as he pulled my face close to his, his mouldy breath angered me further. He threw me on the bed with nefarious purpose but I wasn’t about to back down.
Not this time. Not to this man, or any man for that matter.
The cold sweat that covered my whole body in a thin film made me shiver and the gimp in front of me thought his impersonation of a monster actually scared me. The adrenaline must have kicked in as a weird feeling overwhelmed me. This man had made the mistake of trying to take away something precious from me. Hurting two of the most innocent people I had ever met. He didn’t instil fear anymore.
Bero had awakened my wrath. The knot in my stomach came undone. My body tingled as I edged up the bed.
“Marcus, get out of here.” I demanded.
Bero had his gaze fixed on me. Manic and forming slightly at the mouth he pushed forward. My body seized slightly, I needed to get into fight mode but something was happening deep inside me.
Then I heard it, a pang in chest; this couldn’t be happening to me.
Not now.
- Writer
