m******e Mansion

Chapter 14- Desperation

    "I just don't understand what to do, Xavier. Father always told me that women would bend to my will, so why hasn't Klarissa?" I asked in exasperation. 

    "I don't know. Some women are just harder headed, sir," the male across from me stated.

      "Oh, drop the formalities, brother. We've discussed this before. When you're with me in person I'm not your boss, simply your elder sibling," I told him. He was younger than me by two years, but was obviously the less liked. He shared no traits of the Ferdinan line, so naturally my father shunned him.

      "I'm terribly sorry, Oli. It's just that we're not together much, especially as of late. You must understand that I have forgotten some of the rules since I've been away so long. Forgive me, please," Xavier submissively said, slightly bowing his head as if I was royalty.

      "Yes, yes, let's put that behind us as of now. You've done an excellent job rounding up the batch of victims this year, although I do disagree with some of your tactics. Was r****g the girl truly necessary? Blackmail as well?" I questioned. Although my brother didn't have the look of a Ferdinan, he had the traits. My father would have never thought twice about sinking that low to gain what he wanted.

      "She was rather tricky to work with. It gets harder each year, brother. A Ferdinan doesn't mind getting his hands a little dirty though, now do they?" The male smirked. He obviously took pride in his devious work. To this my face became more grim.

      "Obviously. But this isn't what we're here to talk about, Xavier, and you know it. I called upon you because you know more about the arts of wooing young women than I do," I stated. My years stuck in this mansion have dulled my communication skills with humans. I never had any interaction with a single person outside of this manor, and this is where it's left me.

       "Hahaha, so you're telling me you need your little brother's help with a girl? Oh, that's comedy gold," he chuckled. His arrogance was beginning to annoy me.

       "Yes, that's what I want. Will you help me or not?" I spat out with poison lacing my words.

       "No need to get your panties in a twist, Oli. I'll help you, but what's in it for me?" He asked with a gleam in his hazel eyes. I simply chuckled as I pulled a pocket knife out of my pants. With a swift movement of my hand I had it open and I was sliding my finger along the sharp edge landing on the point.

      "Why, you get to keep your head upon your shoulders. How does that sound for a fair trade?" I questioned with a maniacal smile on my face that reached my eyes.

      "You wouldn't dare," Xavier said, staring at the weapon.

      "Oh, wouldn't I?" I questioned while releasing a deranged laugh that rang around the room. I slowly moved closer to him as he backed away in fright.

      "OK! Okay, I'll help you. Just put the knife away for Christ's sake!" He shouted at me. I released another chuckle as I closed the blade and returned it to its original place.

      "Now that we have an agreement, let's get down to business. Shall we?" I asked while sitting back down and crossing one leg over the other. 

       "Why do you have to be so freaky all the time? Just because Father favored you doesn't mean you have to act like him. I don't appreciate being threatened into everything, ya know?" The male nervously stated. He calmed down rather quickly, but he had a clearly uncomfortable aura around him. "So what do you want to know?"

      "What's Klarissa's taste in men?" I questioned.

      "She has a wide range from what I know. Although, I do know she's never had a boyfriend. Her grades were always more important. Never had time for romance, she'd always say." He replied. It was rather interesting. I'd have thought a beauty such as herself would have men drooling at her feet.

      "Do you have any idea what her ideal first date would be?"

      "Haha, where do you plan to take her? The backyard? You do make me laugh sometimes, Oli. I've overheard her say that she's always wanted a romantic dinner in a remote setting, with candle light and rose petals, but what girl wouldn't? I also know that she likes ballroom dancing. I've seen her waltz alone and sometimes with that friend of hers. Miranda I think her name is," he answered as if pondering the girl's actual name.

      "I don't care about the name of her friend, she shouldn't be alive much longer anyways. At least I have all these things at my disposal though. Do you suppose I'm being too dominant towards her?" I thought aloud. Maybe that was the problem.

      "I don't know, man. Maybe she secretly likes it. Perhaps she's only playing hard to get," he replied once again. That had to be it! Deep down she knows she loves me. She just wants to play a few more games before admitting it!

     "You're a genius, brother! That has to be it! Do you suppose I should kill off the rest of her 'friends' now or wait until later?" I excitedly inquired. Oh, how I wanted to hold her form in my arms once again. How I wished to kiss those plump lips. I'd do anything for my angel. Perhaps this is why mother told me never to fall in love. She didn't want me to have a weakness. Don't worry, Mother. Once she's in my grasp she won't be a problem in my work.

      "I'd kill her friends off one by one as you originally planned. Just, please. Don't let that girl get to you too much. I don't want a soft brother," Xavier said with a slight tinge of sadness in his eyes. 

      "Don't worry, Xavier. I won't change because of one girl," I assured him.    

     "Good, because remember. If I think she's a threat to us, I will eliminate her from your game," he warned me. Something immediately snapped in my mind the moment those words left him.

       "What...did you just say?" I asked, a dark feeling overcoming me. I could feel rage beginning to course through my veins.

        "I said, don't let that b***h change you. Otherwise I'll kill her," he replied matter-of-factly with a small fire in his hazel eyes. The feeling practically possessed me, and I pounced onto his form. I placed my hands around his neck and squeezed while shaking him back and forth.

       "DON'T YOU EVER THREATEN MY ANGEL IN FRONT OF ME AGAIN! DO I MAKE MYSELF f*****g CLEAR?!" I screamed in his face that was changing into a medium blue. He struggled to shake his head in compliance as I let go, leaving him gasping for breath and clutching at his throat.

       "Ha......ha..*cough*..you still...have it...Oli," he panted out. This man was unbelievable. He was seconds from death a second ago and he finds the nerve in him to laugh. 

      "This meeting is over. Get out of my sight," I said in a scarily monotone voice. He nodded before mumbling a 'yes sir' and scampering off.

       I ran my fingers through my blonde locks then put my head in my hands. I had to formulate a new plan to get my darling Little Lady, and fast. That girl had me wrapped around her finger. Oh, only if she knew.

      I glanced up at my screens once again, gliding my eyes across each and every one. I had a few scraps of a plan, but it had plenty of holes. It wasn't like they were smart enough to find them, though. My eyes landed back on Klarissa's form as she sat down on the window seat. Everyone appeared to be arguing over something as she sat in a corner, hugging her legs to her chest, and peering out into the endless black of night. I didn't quite care what the others were yapping about, but it seemed to be making my angel upset as her eyes were starting to glisten with tears.

     "I have a new plan, my dear. You needn't cry much longer. I'll save you from their torture," I said as I stroked her image.

                                                     ~                                   ~                                 ~

      I just wanted to disappear. That's all I wanted. They were screaming and arguing over me once again. I just wanted it to end. If they wanted me to leave I'd oblige, just to make them happy. Maybe it would even save them. I just wanted them to stop yelling. A few crystal droplets ran down my cheeks onto my legs that I had buried my face into. My eyes were just above my knees as I looked out into the night. I could see a few dark clouds in the sky and dying tree branches with the help of the moon. It seemed like a storm was brewing.

      I saw my reflection bounce off the glass of the window. My puffy blue eyes filled to the brim with tears held a look of fright, sadness, and anger. I had managed to get more blood on myself due to that accident with Miranda. My hair was disheveled and I just generally looked exhausted. This whole night had been one nightmare after another. Maybe if I just gave myself up I could live a happy life.

     'No, don't think like that. We'll get out of here.- How? Face it. We're trapped. We'll die soon anyways, might as well make it quick.-We could give ourselves up. Olivander can't be that bad. Especially if we give him a chance.-We don't have to give ourself up, nor do we have to die. We'll make it out.' Even my thoughts were in turmoil. I leaned my head against the glass and felt it give a little. I immediately jumped back and stared, startled, at the window. 

     Unwrapping my arms from my legs, I gave the window a little push. It gave out and opened a c***k. If I squeezed myself through, I could get out. Looking down, I determined my chances at life. Looking up I realized we were at the top floor. I knew I couldn't make that, but even death seemed like a happy outcome to this nightmare. Just one simple jump and I could escape, just one jump and- my thoughts were cut off from a hand grabbing my elbow.

       "What do you think?" The face of Mark spoke. I gave him a puzzled look as I hadn't been listening to the argument.

       "We wanted to know if we could use you as bait. To, ya know, lure Olivander in," Miranda tentatively stated. I merely looked at her, and faced the window once more. I'd had enough of this. I felt empty. There was no happy ending to this dream.

     I felt someone come around and give me a hug. Glancing to the side, I saw runaway strands of red hair. Kadince had come over. Hadn't I promised to protect her? I couldn't remember at this point. I did, however, remember that I needed to fix her hair. So I pulled her slim body onto the brown cushion in front of me while she looked behind and gave me a curious look.

     My eyes gained a little bit of their natural amusement once again as I removed the hair tie from her red locks and began to gently comb my fingers through them. I could faintly hear people calling my name in the background as I began to French braid her hair. I swear I could even hear someone murmur a quiet 'wake up'. I shook it off though and continued with my task. Finishing it off with the hair tie, I hugged her from behind.

    "So will you do it?" A voice broke my bubble of silence. I opened my blue orbs that I hadn't realised were closed and glanced at the one talking which happened to be Lewis, twiddling his thumbs. With slitted eyes I replied to his question.

     "I suppose, but what's the point?" I mumbled the last part into Kadince's shoulder. I had begun to feel drowsy once more.

      "That's great! But first, I've gotta go to the restroom. I think this door leads to one. I'll be right back, promise," Miranda said. Although she wouldn't be back, she didn't know that. I released Kadince and stood up, stretching my limbs. The room was filled with books, and the theme was brown. It would normally be peaceful if sunlight came through, but the shadows from the branches and moonlight creeped in and cast an eerie glow around the room.

       More chatter broke out in the room and I glanced at the bathroom door. The shadow didn't seem right. I calmly walked to the door while the others only stared at me in response. Knocking on the door, I asked if Miranda was okay. When I didn't receive and answer for the fourth time, I decided to open the door.

       Gasps were heard behind me, but I merely glanced over the room. There seemed to be no sign of struggle, but a note was left on the porcelain sink. Picking it up, it appeared to be a simple piece of notebook paper. It was written in red ink, and appeared to be the handwriting of Olivander.

       Dear Angel,

      As I'm sure you've guessed, I've taken Miranda. I've noticed you've seemed rather gloomy as of late, so I've decided to invite you to have dinner with me in the Grand Ballroom, or is it breakfast? Oh well, in exchange for a glorious meal together, I'll give Miranda back to you. Fair trade, correct? There are three dresses in the room adjacent to this one that belonged to my late mother, and I'm sure you'll look gorgeous in one. Please, try them on and pick one. Think of it as a gift. I'll be expecting you, my love.

                                                                                 With all my heart,

                                                                              Olivander L. Ferdinan

         "He wants me to have dinner with him in exchange for Miranda. He never said I couldn't bring guests though, so I'll expect you to wait outside the door to make sure Miranda and I come out safely," I told them. They didn't seem too sure on the idea, but it was strange because just seconds before they were willing to use me as bait.

         "How can you be so calm in a situation like this?" Mark questioned me.

         "I simply have no reason to be afraid anymore. All that matters is that I get all of you out of here. I don't care what happens to me anymore," I stated simply.

         "Well, we do. So please, Little Lady. Be careful," Caspian said, and I felt a small smile make its way on my face.

         "Of course, Caspian. I'd never dream of being reckless," I replied as I brought a hand to my heart as if offended. "I have to put on a dress, I'll be out in a moment. Scratch that, Kadince, come with me." I told her. She beamed at me and was immediately by my side.

        With that, I left the room with Kadince trailing behind and found the door. Upon opening it, I saw three dresses, just as Olivander said, laying on a silk bed. It would be hard to choose only one due to their sheer beauty, but I could do it.

        If today was the last day I would be free, I was going to be sure that my unclipped wings would shine in the face of the devil.