Black 21: (Golden Hills Legacy of Black 21 Book 1) (22 page)

Christian
knocked on Charlotte’s door, noticing the door still closed at ten in the
morning. He slowly opened it and peered in to find it empty. “Charlotte?”

Her bed was
still made like she hadn’t been there all night. Something caught his attention
on her dresser, what looked to be fingernails and red hair. A note lay there at
the corner with her frilly writing. She informed him she couldn’t take it
anymore and left Golden Hills in search of a better life.

“What?" He
glanced around in amazement. She actually left? That didn’t sound like her at
all.

His father
stepped inside the room. “She’s gone, huh? I guess it works out for you and
Daisy as Jack has planned,” William said.

“I just don’t
get it. Why would Charlotte just leave like that? Leave the money, me, the
money, the lifestyle,” Christian added.

William
shrugged. “Who knows, son. Women are confusing. Maybe she realized she deserved
what Daisy has...real love from a good man, not some fantasy in her head. Even
I couldn’t satisfy her needs...kind of a blow,” he smiled. “What’re your plans
for the day?”

“Getting fitted
for my tux.”

“Twenty-one in
three days. It’s finally here,” William said with pride. “The day we’ve all
been waiting for.”

Thunder rumbled
and clapped outside in tune with the lightening that flashed seconds before.

“Yes. I just
want to see Daisy, even if she’s on the arm of that...man,” he sneered.

“You’re not
getting any ideas in that head of yours, are you, son?”

He brought his
attention back to his father. “Nope. I just want to see that she’s safe and
well. If Jack does hand her over to me, then all this will be worth it.”

“Look, Chris, I
know you’re not thrilled with taking the town on, but you were born for this.
Everyone respects and admires you already. I do hope Daisy will be by your side
as well, but part of me wants you to feel pride for all that is yours.”

Christian
looked into his father’s blue eyes unlike his own and nodded. “I get it, Dad.
I’ll make you proud.”

William clapped
him on the back and softly laughed. “Let’s get you to your fitting, shall we?”

***

Jack stood at
her bed with a flicker of sadness in his eyes. “Daisy, my love, you need to eat.
I’m sorry for being so rough on you the last time, but that was two days ago.
You need to eat to build your strength. Come...sit up,” he said, putting his
hand behind her head and pulling her up.

Her wounds have
finally healed, but her soul was slipping away. She could feel it. She allowed
Jack to bring a spoon of soup to her parched lips, sipping the hot broth.

“That’s a good
girl. You do bring the tenderness out in me. I’ll be gentle next time...I
promise. No more challenging me. Eat some more,” he fed her until the bowl was
empty.

She lay back
against the pillows and stared at him.

“Your dress is
here for your fitting. Elizabeth will help you with that. Will you please say
something?”

No words came
to her lips. Only images played over in her mind. He really is a beast. She
couldn’t trust herself to say anything for fear of angering him once again.

He sighed.
“Very well, have it your way. I’m not used to groveling at anyone’s feet,
particularly a woman’s. I need you to find it in your heart to forgive me. I
like my women submissive, so this cold, standoffish attitude is not doing it
for me. Elizabeth will be in shortly,” he said and left.

Elizabeth
walked in, whistling and smiling, pushing the mannequin in wearing the dress.
“Isn’t it magnificent, Miss Daisy? Look at the emeralds sprayed all over it.
With your red hair against this green, you will be dazzling. I almost wish I
could be there just to see everyone’s shock!” she giggled.

Daisy gave a
small smile to her only friend at the moment. She didn’t care what she wore,
only to be in Christian’s arms again. And only if Jack permitted that.

She allowed
Elizabeth to help her up and undress her. The dress was spectacular even for
the circumstances. It would be the dress she would either be happy in or die in,
the dress of all dresses.

Elizabeth slid
it down her body, feeling the silky sensation against her skin, molding her
figure in all the right places.

“You look like
a mermaid, Miss Daisy!” the maiden said, standing back and admiring her. “I
only need to drop it in length a little for your high heels, but it’s perfect,
otherwise!” she clapped. “Don’t you love it?” she asked, concerned.

Daisy nodded.
She wanted to give the girl what she wanted. “I do very much. Again, thank
you." She swept her hair up. “That would look nice. Would you agree?”

Elizabeth
nodded. “Oh, yes! Some tendrils hanging to your bare shoulders. All eyes will
be on your exquisite beauty.”

Daisy smiled.
She never thought of herself as an exquisite beauty. Pretty, maybe. In this
dress, a horse would look lovely.

“No, you’re a
true beauty,” Elizabeth answered to her thoughts. “Inside and out.”

“Should have
known,” Daisy said, smiling.

Elizabeth stood
closer and whispered. “Have no fear for Mr. Jack. Believe it or not, I think he
actually cares for you, Miss Daisy. I’ve never seen him so enamored with any
woman, and I’ve seen him with quite a few in my time,” she winked.

“He’s not
human, Elizabeth.”

“Please, call
me Lizzy. He may not be human in the way we know humanity to be, but he has
taken on some qualities,” she answered, blushing.

“You’re in love
with him, aren’t you, Lizzy.”

“I wouldn’t say
love, exactly. I am quite fond of him. He’s always been kind to me. Oh, I know
who he is, but he’s never hurt me, has actually taken good care of me.”

“He’s
never...you know,” Daisy asked, raising her brow.

Lizzy shook her
head. “Never, not once. Always been a gentleman.”

“Do you like
being immortal?” Daisy asked.

“It has its
benefits. I’ve been the same age for a couple of centuries, been proposed to over
hundred times, been courted by so many men. I don’t always wear this horrible
maiden’s outfit. I wear normal clothes that fit the era. I’m even getting
married for the fiftieth time to a wonderful lad who will eventually grow too
old and die,” she said with sadness.

“How is that a
wonderful way to live, Lizzy? When he told me I was immortal, I–”

She shook her
head and put her finger to her lips to quiet Daisy. “You’re not. You need to
give your consent for that to happen. He’s hoping you do that at the ceremony.
He’ll use Christian as a way to get you to want to, a way to be with Christian
forever,” she whispered.

Daisy’s eyes
widened and then she smiled. “Oh, thank you for telling me that, Lizzy. You are
the dearest friend a girl could ever have. I hope you don’t pay for that.”

“I hope so,
too. I’ve always been loyal to Mr. Jack, but this time he might not be so
forgiving. You let me worry about that,” she winked. “Now let me take this
dress out for you.”

Daisy smiled to
herself knowing there might be some hope after all. Why would Jack make her
think that? Excitement flowed through her. The only thing that worried her was
she didn’t have her cross. How would she get it and use it on Jack? She didn’t
want to lose faith with how far she’s come. Maybe just her kiss at the right
moment would save her. She had to think about what she would do.

She knew if she
didn’t come up with something, she would have to go through with Jack’s full
plans of impregnating her in front of his congregation – in front of Christian.
And then he would become immortal when the clock struck 10:12.

***

In a frilly,
pink room fit for a princess, little Emily walked to her white, ruffled bed
covered in stuffed animals of different sizes and colors. She studied them all
before choosing the pink and white unicorn, named Magic. She gazed at it with
an intense love and sadness after kissing it.

She skipped to
the white dresser and turned on her CD player to play her favorite song. She
held out her beloved unicorn and began to dance, spinning around in her room.
She spiraled down to the floor and sat Indian style, crossing her legs. Tears
streamed down her face, as she hugged her unicorn to her heart, knowing her
fate.

After standing
again, she walked back to her bed and kissed all of her stuffed babies, one by
one. They each held a daisy between their paws.

Emily then
turned back to a picture of her family, her mom and dad and her, all gazing
happily at the camera. The unicorn sat on her lap as always. She caressed the
picture and wiped her tears away. Determination overcame her, and she stood
straight and tall, taking a deep breath.

Daisy’s eyes
snapped open. This was it. September Fifth. The day she’d been waiting for all
her life.

The day her
mother died twenty-two years ago.

The day
Christian was born.

The day her
life would change forever.

Green emeralds
shone from the corner of her dungeon, mocking her, drawing her in.

Jack had left
her alone since that brutal last time five days ago. She appreciated that with
all her soul.

She sat up and
gazed at the prison that had become her home, or home that had become her
prison, not sure which. A tray of breakfast goodies sat by her bedside with
fresh daisies in a slim green vase. A carafe filled with hot coffee, Splenda
and Hazelnut cream, all her favorites.

She threw her
legs over the side and spread cream cheese on a bagel after fixing her coffee.
Was he trying to seduce her into thinking this could be her life with him?

After finishing
her meal, she went to the bathroom and started her morning routine, taking a
little extra time for this particular occasion.

Jack appeared
in her door while she brushed her teeth, looking handsome as ever. “Nervous, my
sweet?”

She continued
brushing and spit after rinsing. He watched, captivated by her every move.
After wiping her mouth, she turned to him, playing along again. “A little, but
you’ll be by my side, right?” she smiled.

He nodded,
licking his lips. “Yes,” he breathed. “I want to forever be by your side,
Daisy, if you’ll have me.”

She had to be
careful not to give an informal consent of her mortality. He played dirty.

“But how will I
also become Christian’s high priestess while carrying your child?" The words
sounded crazy to her own ears.

He cleared his
throat. “Well, after he officially turns twenty-one, you both become immortal,
forfeiting your souls to me for good, thereby inheriting a fortune. My child
will grow in you at a speed of a breath, possibly six weeks at most." He
glanced off as if envisioning it all in his head. “Your home is being built
right this moment not too far from me, a splendid estate I’m sure you’ll both
be impressed with. My son will live there but under much tutoring, and his own
nanny that will teach him who he really is,” he returned her smile.

“What shall his
name be?”

“Ash.”

“Ash Red?”

“Yes. You like
your son’s name?”

A ball formed
in her stomach. “What does it mean?”

He cleared his
throat, proud to inform her. “The last remains of anything living.”

Her heart beat
hard and slow at first, becoming more rapid. “Oh, I see.”

That familiar
guttural sound vibrated from his throat. His pupils were dilated, fixated on
her.

“Shouldn’t I
rest for tonight? I need my energy, Jack,” she pleaded softly.

He closed his
eyes and took a deep breath. “Very well. But tonight you are mine right after
Christian turns twenty-one. Then I will hand you over to him, which drives me
insane with jealousy. I might just keep you for the night and let him have you
tomorrow. It’s not the usual tradition, but you are not the usual girl.”

Her eyes
widened and forced her mind to be blank of what she really wanted to think.
“Will you be in your natural form,” she asked, giving into the idea she had
already lost.

“Yes. Does that
scare you? I mean, you’ve seen partials of me already.”

“It does scare
me,” she admitted.

“So if I were
to be in my human form, you’d be more compliant?”

“Of course,”
she said, hope springing inside.

“But then I’d
be letting my followers down. They look so forward to this day, to see their
master in all his glory. They’ll all gather in the movie theater of Stone
Manor. I’m sorry, I just can’t do that, not even for you. You’ll just have to
adjust. I’ll be extra gentle with you,” he purred.

She gave a
submissive nod.

“That’s my
girl. You’ve done well with me so far, so I really don’t see this as a problem.
You’ll see. You might even enjoy it,” he laughed softly. “Now get some beauty
sleep. A lunch tray will be brought down to you, possibly a light dinner to
hold you over until the birthday feast, which will be served at seven o’clock.
I want you there promptly at six-thirty.”

“Wait, won’t
you be escorting me? How will I get there?”

“Elizabeth will
bring you since you’ve developed such a close bond with her,” he arched his
brow.

She stared at
him and wondered if he knew. Her mind remained blank so he couldn’t read it. “I
see.”

“She’ll drive
with you but you go in alone. I want all eyes on you. It’ll be the best Black
Twenty-One in all the history of birthdays.”

“Why do you
call it that?”

He clapped his
hands together. “For all the souls I collect when they turn that age. I own
many in this town and plan to own them all. Christian’s will turn the blackest
because of his father being the original follower.”

“And mine?”

“Yours will be
the darkest because of who you are and what you’re turning away from. I will
have the ultimate power of possessing your soul. I can taste it now,” he said,
smacking his lips and grinning. “I’m sure your soul is shivering.”

She ran to the
toilet and let it all go, all her breakfast, every morsel.

“Daisy, I’m
hurt by your reaction. I thought you’d be pleased with that idea. Oh well…until
later, my love.”

He left,
leaving her to finish vomiting.

***

Christian stood
admiring his tuxedo in the full-length mirror. All he cared about was Daisy’s
reaction. He wanted her to be pleased at seeing him.

It still
boggled his mind about Charlotte and just felt off about her disappearance. He
decided he would search for her tomorrow for his own peace of mind. Maybe she
would show up at the ball.

He didn’t stare
too long at his reflection as his pupils dilated, becoming darker than normal.
The thought of turning twenty-one tonight terrified him. His father had told
him multiple times it wouldn’t be so bad, that he still felt fine. There’s just
certain thoughts that would go away, leaving who he truly is intact – one of
Jack’s boys.

Daisy would be
joining him on that dark side, it seemed. She would have to let go of God if
she didn’t win the battle. His chest constricted at the thought. This all fell
on Eric to be there with the cross. He counted on him. Jack was a pretty smart
man. If he had even an inkling of their plan, Eric would die. But Eric didn’t
care. He wanted to help Daisy, and for that, Christian was grateful. He would
never forget it. He wished he could get the cross to her himself, but he
couldn’t hold it or touch it this close to his birthday time.

The sounds of
the servers downstairs getting ready for the big event drifted up to his room.
They didn’t throw too many parties, so this was an exciting time for them.

“Ready, son?”
his father asked, poking his head in the door.

“I am,” he
said, turning to him and giving a small smile.

“Let me pin
this on you first,” William said, placing a mint green rose on his lapel.
“There, now you’re ready.”

“Why green?”

“You’ll be
matching Daisy.”

“Perfect. She
looks beautiful in green,” Christian said.

William handed
him a clear box with a matching flower for Daisy’s wrist. “Thanks, Dad. My mind
keeps forgetting she’ll be by my side. It’s like I can’t accept it, it’s too
good.”

“It’s how I
felt at my ceremony with your mother,” William said, crinkling his eyes with
mirth.

“Right."
He put the box in his coat pocket, walked to the door, and turned back. “I need
to ask, how did you allow him to touch her that way?”

He sighed
heavily. “It nearly killed me. I looked away. I’m more worried for Daisy as
he’ll be giving her his seed, which could be more complicated.”

Christian
crossed his brows. “Why didn’t he impregnate Mom? Why Daisy?”

“Because she’s
the one, son. He tells me he’s planned this all along for centuries, but that’s
as far as he’ll say. I don’t ask more than that. I sometimes think he’s trying
to recreate Suzanna. Let’s go down to start greeting our guests.”

“You clean up
nicely, Dad. Rental?”

“Me, rent? Come
on,” he grinned. “Let’s start your birthday.”

***

Daisy glanced
at her dungeon prison for the last time. She prayed no other girl would ever be
brought down here again after her. The gown fit her perfectly, thanks to Lizzy.
She sat on the bed with her white-laced gloved hands folded on her lap.

It was six
o’clock, the time guests would be arriving at Stone Manor.

Stone Manor. So
many good memories there. She pictured the first floor filled with chairs like
a wedding would look. She longed to look into those deep, brown eyes once
again, to see that dimple in his smile, to love him like she missed doing.

The door opened
and a different girl appeared. “Ready, Miss Daisy?” she asked indifferently in
a British accent, not the Irish brogue of Lizzy’s.

“Where’s
Lizzy...I mean Elizabeth?”

“Oh, she went
to get married. She said to wish you good luck. I’m Diana. I’ll be driving
you." Her pretty blue eyes swept over Daisy. “My, but you are a vision.
Too bad...” she added, shaking her dark head.

“Why too bad?”

“Uh, that I
won’t be at the dance to enjoy this event with you. I’m needed back for other
duties,” she smiled and waved her to come through the door.

Daisy pulled
the white-laced shawl over her shoulders and looked around once more before
leaving for good. She wasn’t too surprised to find a white, stretch Limo
waiting to escort her and Diana, but a little confused thinking Diana was
driving.

“I think I’ll be
fine by myself, Diana. You can get back to your other duties,” she said,
enunciating duties. She slid in and stared at the girl.

“No, Miss
Daisy. I’m instructed to sit with you." Diana slid in and allowed the door
to be closed by the chauffeur. “Are you feeling okay?” she asked.

Daisy gave a
nervous laugh. “Okay? Well, no, not really. I have no idea what’s waiting for
me. I’m sure you’re aware of what happens at these events. Can I just have
quiet until we get there?”

She shook her
head with vigor. “That’s the thing. Jack doesn’t like quiet. He says that’s
when the soul sneaks in and gives you inspirational thoughts,” she answered in
a clipped tone.

“Well then, let
the inspiration come! I’m not speaking anymore!" She closed her eyes and
then heard Diana humming some obnoxious tune, getting louder and louder, almost
sounding demonic.

“Jesus, be
quiet!”

No sound.

Daisy opened
her eyes to find Diana’s mouth tightly closed. Her eyes widened at the sight of
the maiden.

“Diana, can you
talk?”

She slowly
shook her head.

Daisy smiled
and realized the power festering in her. “Very good,” she purred. She closed
her eyes and allowed the thoughts to bathe her mind. In her mind, she heard in
another voice to go in there and act like the queen that everyone is waiting
for, let them bow to you. And when you are presented with the chance, kiss Jack
and touch the cross to his chest at the exact same time.

She spoke in
her mind to the voice and said she didn’t have the cross, what then?  Just
keep the faith and never let Jack see into your eyes, look away, look down, but
don’t let him see.

She then asked
what if she can’t accomplish this act. The voice answered that she must, there
is no other way. The strength has lived in her since she was a child, she was
born for this day.

She opened her
eyes as she felt the Limo slow down in front of the familiar gate. Her heart
quickened at the memory. It also quickened when she saw Diana’s eyes turn black
from blue.

There were
about thirty cars in the driveway, all waiting for her...little Daisy,
kindergarten teacher Daisy, Christian’s Daisy.

The chauffeur
double parked and walked around to her door. She glanced back at Diana and said
“Speak.”

“Enjoy your
time in there, Miss Daisy. You won’t be the same when you walk back out, I can guarantee
you that!”

“You’re right,
Diana. Hopefully I’ll be even stronger.”

The girl
scoffed. “Stronger? Your soul will be as black as mine,” she answered in a
deeper voice. “If not more so. You think Elizabeth really got married?”

“What happened
to Lizzy? Tell me!”

Diana only
cackled in response.

“Damn
you!" Daisy slid out, taking hold of the driver’s offered hand, and strode
up the walkway holding her gown to keep from tripping. The starry September
night clouded all around her as she walked up the steps, music flowing from the
house she once called home.