Betrayed: Dark beginnings (5 page)

She remembered now, when she went back with Elizabeth, how she saw Antonio again. He was married with three children and she was happy for him, but it broke her heart at the same time. She had not been with another man since him.

She had only ever had one willing kiss. Throughout her life, she never went with another man or loved another man again.

CHAPTER ten

Young and still drunk, Michael was walking Annette home from Carl’s party. Michael had thought of Jordan earlier, briefly, and wondered where his good friend had been, why had he not been at the party? But he got swept up in a game of beer pong and soon forgot all about him.

Annette had always had a crush on Michael since they were in primary school. Annette told him a few weeks ago and was relieved to hear that he felt the same way. They have been inseparable ever since. They were laughing and messing around by the lake, where they used to hang out when they were kids.

“Remember this; we used to jump in here off that rope swing.” Annette smiled at Michael.

“Well, I have an idea,” he said smirking “How about we go for a midnight dip.” He said cheekily.

She did not think it was such a good idea; it was late, she was drunk and the lake was deep. But she had finally got Michael and didn’t want to lose him now.

“Ok baby.” She stripped off her clothes, the moonlight showing off her beautiful figure. She smiled to herself seeing the effect she had on Michael, his mouth was wide open in awe.

She jumped into the river, going underneath the surface and kicked her way to the top. She heard a splash, and saw that Michael had also stripped and jumped in.

“The waters freezing.” He shouted over to Annette.

“I know, can you swim over here and keep me warm?” She said seductively.

He grinned to himself and started swimming towards her. She looked good in the water and he like the fact she didn’t wear makeup, her face looked so clean and fresh. She’s beautiful he thought. She looked over to him with a wide toothy smile. He knew he had always loved her, but did not know what to do about it, and was glad they were finally together. Suddenly,

Annette disappeared. He had looked away for just a second and she now was gone. She was nowhere to be seen; he hoped that this was not her joking around.

“ANNETTE!” He shouted at the top of his voice, but nothing. Panicked he went under the water looking around, but it was too dark.

“Shit!” He swam over to where she had been and felt around under the water. He put his head under the water again, that was when he saw her. At first he thought it was Annette, but he quickly realized this woman was not his girlfriend. He stared at her face, she was definitely a woman, but her face looked different.

Her eyes were smaller than average. He pushed his head above the surface and took a deep breath.

The woman grabbed his ankle and pulled him down. He screamed creating bubbles around him as he was pulled further and further into the watery depths.

He could barely see anything now, he kicked harder and harder. She let go of his ankle and he tried to kick his way towards the surface, but the woman’s hand appeared on his chest pushing him back down.

His lungs screamed for air, his head felt as if it would implode any second and little dots appeared before his eyes.

He hit the bottom of the lake with a back breaking thud! He kicked and scratched as best he could, but she was too strong. Her face appeared in front of his. He could make out that the woman was not a human, but a creature that he had never seen before. She had razor sharp teeth with slits in her face. He knew he was going to die and had never felt so terrified. Several sets of teeth bit at him ripping off his flesh.

His body seared with pain and his mouth opened involuntarily. He took a breath, his lungs filled with water, and then everything went black.

Chapter eleven

Jordan sat
on the sofa, waiting for Elizabeth to reappear. He was still shaking from last night and didn’t know where else to go. The police had turned up in the middle of the night, he was so scared it was about his sister, but it wasn’t.

Two of his friends from college had gone missing last night; they were last seen walking towards the lake. That makes three people to have gone missing in the space of a few weeks he thought.

Sure it was normal to hear of the odd drunk person falling in the lake and drowning; but that only happened two or three times a year, if that.

Jordan was becoming paranoid; he felt sick and could not think straight, he stared at the ornament in the corner of the room, an old stone bust of a woman, with flowing hair but no face.

Elizabeth walked into the room and sat next to Jordan, pulling him in close to her. Cecile brought in a cup of tea and placed it in front of Jordan.

“Thank you.” He said, his voice trembling

“You’re welcome, you poor boy after all that you have been through, then this.” She exchanged a strange look with Elizabeth. Cecile walked out the room, looking concerned.

“I know it sucks and everything, but I have a
n idea how to take your mind off of It.” she said sweetly.

“I don’t think anything can at the moment. My mums more worried about my sister and to be honest, so am I. I don’t know what to do with myself.” He said as he buried his face in his hands.

When he lifted his face again he looked at Elizabeth cautiously, wondering if she had anything to do with this. But he knew when he looked into her eyes that she would not have. She moved towards him, stroking his hair. She leaned in to kiss him and he grabbed her pushing her against the edge of the sofa. Finally, it’s happening, she thought. He kissed her lips then moved his down to her neck; his groin pushed against hers, his hand on her waist. But then he stopped and pushed himself back up.

She sat up and flattened down her hair. She felt angry. She stood up and glared at him.

“Is there a problem?” She said annoyed.

“No, trust me I want to, but your aunt is in the kitchen. It doesn’t matter, I need to go home and see if my mum is ok. I will comeback around tomorrow if that’s ok?” He said looking deep into her eyes.

“We can always go up to my room and lock the door?” She said cheekily, the annoyance was fading fast.

“It’s ok, I’ll pop around tomorrow. Thanks for being here for me Lizzie it means a lot. I feel like you’re the only person I can talk to at the moment.” He lent down and softly kissed her. He quickly turned and walked out the door, thanking Cecile again for the tea.

Elizabeth stood up, outraged. She should have sent Cecile out, she would not have minded, she’s a bloody maid for goodness sake! But then of course he doesn’t know that. As far as he is aware, she is her sweet aunt. As for those teenagers, she knew what it was.

They were attacking more frequently. She could not pass up an opportunity like that again, and needed to devise a trap of some sort, to lure them to the surface. They were more careful now they knew she was here. She knew she needed someone stupid enough to be bait.

She thought of Jordan and how he could be the bait, she conjured up a plan. She would tell him they should go for a late night swim, and when they come up to take him, she would snatch one of them with Lorcans help. Yes he will die, she thought, but he was going to be her meal in a couple of weeks anyway.

As she thought of this and congratulated herself on coming up with this idea, she couldn’t ignore the horrible feeling in her stomach. She secretly did not want him to die
, and she did not know why. She pushed the feeling aside. She picked up her phone and text Jordan.
Fancy staying at mine tomorrow night? My aunt is going out, so we will have the house to ourselves! Xxx.

She looked down at the text and hesitated on the send button, with a deep breath, she pressed it. She watched Cecile as she hummed cleaning around the house. She did not want to lose her, and knew she needed to do this. After all Jordan trusts her; he would happily do anything she asked. Her phone beeped and she grabbed it quickly.

From Jordan
Yeah sounds good! Sorry about today, but I’m looking forward to tomorrow, missing you already. Xxx.
She sighed as she read the text, and knew she would never see him after that night.

How many times had she betrayed someone she had cared about? Elizabeth walked into the kitchen where Cecile was cleaning. She sat down and poured herself a glass of red wine. It did not do anything to her, but she did it out of habit.

“I don’t think you should be leading that boy on, he’s had a lot happen.” Cecile said desperately. “He actually seems to care for you, for some reason.” She looked at Elizabeth with disappointment.

“That is none of your business. Look as soon as I can get one of those Limnades, and get the ritual done, we can leave here.” Elizabeth said
sternly. Cecile huffed loudly.

“You know I am not going to agree to it, I do not wish for a longer life. I am happy for my life to end when it is supposed to. When are you going to listen to me?” She looked at Elizabeth with her tired eyes and turned away.

Elizabeth knew she had to make Cecile agree, she needed her to stick around. After all she is the only person who Elizabeth can trust. Who else was she going to find whose company is bearable, and that would be happy to serve her? Cecile is smart and has helped her escape many sticky situations.

She would not have her die. Why would anyone turn down an extended life? It’s bizarre! Elizabeth thought to herself as she glided back into the living room.

She knew she had Lorcan coming around later, a warlock from her past. He had always had a soft spot for her, and he had agreed to perform the ritual. She knew she needed to keep him sweet until the ritual was complete.

She sped up the stairs and looked through her dresses; there was the long flowing purple one she wore in 1922 at the masquerade dance, or the red over the knees dress with red and gold sequins going down the middle that she wore in Las Vegas. Instead she pulled out her white dress; knee length, flowing outwards, tight at the top, very Marilyn Monroe. This style is perfect, she thought. She slipped on her white suede heels, with the brown sole and put on her delicate silver bracelet decorated in tiny white roses.

Elizabeth pushed her hair out of her face and applied some blush pink lipstick and some black mascara. She looked divine.

There was knocking at the door and Cecile had opened it before Elizabeth had the chance. She could hear Lorcan’s distinctive voice echo through the walls.

“So where is the little trouble maker?” Lorcan said jokingly.

“Lorcan.” she said smiling widely. She ran down the stairs and he grabbed her into a strangling hug. “I’ve missed you baby girl.” Lorcan said looking her up and down.

“I’ve missed you too.” she squeaked

“Did you manage to capture a Limnade?”

“Not yet but I have a plan for tonight.”

“Of course you do, I did tell you they are tricky to catch though. Beware of their powers though I know you cannot die, but you do not want to get trapped under the water in their lair.”

“I’m smarter than them, trust me, I’ve got this far.” She looked at him and gestured him into the living room. Cecile made him a mug of coffee.

“So what’s new?” Elizabeth asked.

“Well, my dad died last year.” Lorcan said sorrowfully.

“Oh, I am sorry to hear that. How did it happen?” Elizabeth grabbed his hand and sandwiched it in between hers.

“He died of a heart attack, unexpectedly.”

Lorcan looked down at the table and absently made circles with some spilt drops of coffee.

“He was a good man; I was very fond of him.” She said honestly. Lorcan smiled

“Me too.” Elizabeth raised her eyebr
ow and looked at Lorcan saucily.

“How’s the love life going?” Lorcan looked to her and laughed
.

“Non-existent at the moment.” He rolled his eyes. “What a catch like you? Never...” She laughed.

“No, well I was dating a girl called Selena. She was dazzling… very fun and I loved her, a lot. But we broke up a couple months ago. She started going crazy. She kept thinking about death all the time. She was trying all these crazy rituals and spells to make her immortal. She completely lost it. I tried to help her, along with her parents, but there was no getting through to her. Either way she broke up with me.” Lorcan looked upset, Elizabeth genuinely felt sorry for him.