Chapter 9
1249words
"Ma'am, more drinks?" The waiter asked.
She jumped, knocking the tray over. A few people stopped and turned, giving her an unwanted audience, she could feel the shadow of doubt from her past life being cast upon her, soon the room began to spin. Just as she got ready to embrace the floor firm hands settled on her back and arms, stabilizing her.
"I save you once again" His warm breath skimmed her neck as he leaned close to her ears to get his message across.
Mary pulled herself together, getting out from his grip, apologizing to the waiter with a smile, and indicating to her guests it was okay. Nothing was going to ruin this night for her. Turning to face her savior she discovered he was gone, but his scent lingered, teasing her memories.
Head held high, fake smile plastered on her face, she waltzes her way through the crowd, greeting and laughing as she made for the exit.
"You look beautiful today, Mary"
"Thank you" She observed him as she picked up two drinks from the waiter who passed beside her, offering him one which he gladly accepted deliberately brushing his fingers with hers. She scoffed. Ben was the last person she wanted to obstruct her exit plan, this party was suffocating.
"The name is Miss Bernard to you" She icily corrected, letting the taste of her wine sink in.
"Excuse me?"
"You will be excused when you repeated the mistake of addressing me by my first name Mr. Collins" She watched in satisfaction as he stuttered like a fish out of water, obviously taken back by her sudden mood switch. Holding up her glass, she let him hang on to it as she left the hall.
The air hit her in the right way, closing her eyes she took a deep breath. This is all that matters, her life is perfect now, no need to be haunted by her past life which was filled with sorrow and disgrace.
"Spicy, aren't you?"
She opened her eyes, looking into space, there was no escape from these people. Releasing a sigh she spun around, turning to face the intruder. Mary paused. It was him, the same man that she met for less than 10 seconds. It was so brief but it left a lasting impact. He had his hair styled back letting her appreciate the full beauty of his face, his lean muscular body wrapped in a clean-cut suit. Only the devil can be this beautiful, that smell of pinewood, it reminded her of the forest.
"Sorry to startle you, I had to interrupt. You are beautiful Ms. Bernard" He gave a sly smile, that sent shivers down her spine as he extended his arm for a handshake. She eyed it wearily, there was something about him that made her nervous.
"That is enough, I do not want to engage in an unnecessary exchange of words Sir, enjoy the party" She countered in a stable voice ignoring his offer for a handshake. With a small nod of her head, she walked back towards the party. Ironic, the very place she tried to get away from seemed safer to her right now.
"Mary had a little life, little life, little life"
Words could not describe the horror that descended on her, she felt planted to the very ground she walked on, her palms starting to get sweaty. Who was this man?
"Face me Martha…no, that will be Mary."
#
The air suddenly felt more chill and irritating, it was like an instant drop in temperature. Rubbing her hands against her arms she felt goosebumps rise throughout her skin. Time seems to stop as her heart rate accelerated. Thanks to the dark shade of the night the visible fear in her eye could not be seen or so she thought. The man standing before her did not seem ordinary; his presence seemed to intensely weigh down on her soul. Just as she felt her mask coming off she got a grip on herself. She has come this far to be defeated by a mere human.
"I advise you to tread with caution Mister, I have no idea why you would say such things to me, but the ground you are standing on is mine and I can throw you out in a second I choose to not endure your presence any longer, see yourself out or be forced out"
What a brilliant actress she was, his lips turned into what could be described as an enchanting smile with his eyes fixed on his prey. This game will be fun. Seconds passed into minutes without a word from him.
"I will take that as a challenge" Gathering her gown in her hands she prepared to get her guards the case when she heard him walk over to a bench crafted with fine metal and wood, a bold beautiful design that showed the artist's attention to detail making him comfortable, legs crossed.
"Night Cross. That is the name you shall address me as, Mary" He continues the conversation like she had never spoken.
Mary took a few steps and paused. Sweat poured from her back, as her legs felt like the weight of ten men rested on it. Bile rose to her throat, she opens her mouth to scream but no words came out. It was then she realized this was out of the ordinary, she has never been a firm believer in God, and her mother was a pagan only dabbling in dark magic a few times. If God was real he would surely be kind enough to help her, she could not die again.
"Are you ready to listen?" The cold voice of her capturer interrupted her inner struggle. Night angled his head as he observed this human, her back to him but he could make out the ridged terror that gripped her. How merciful he was, anyone who turned their back to him never lived to tell the story, but here he was breaking rules for this lady. He mockingly put his slender hands to his chest in mock sympathy.
"Yes, please" Mary was relieved, her voice was back, it was no use fighting what she could not defeat.
"Come here, sit. Don't be scared. You are very special to me"
Her body moved to obey, she could not explain how, but she found herself beside him trying to control her breath. "What do you want?" she barely whispered.
"I saved you, you know? On that horrible evening when you were left to die, I had to pay an old debt by giving you this splendor"
How stupid she had been to think it was all luck, going from the life of a servant to wealth and fame, how could it have been real?
"So, what do you want?" She asked knowing that it could not be money, he arched his brows as he leaned close to her left ear, watching her chest rise and fall In raid successions.
"Souls"
