Chapter 14

The beautiful summer sun glistened on my skin, a surreal sense of warmth I didn't know I needed. Like the heat of the UV rays had the power to draw out all the trauma, harm, and pain from my body. For the first time since I've been here, I finally felt at peace. I don't know why, but Ruby brought me here after breakfast. And if the bizarrely offered joy of being let out of my room unbound and ungagged wasn't enough, it didn't end there. I was gifted yet another robe, along with a notebook and pen. AND fresh panties with a matching bra.

I know, crazy right?

Granted, I hesitated for a long while, pondering if whether I should put the darned things on or not. I wanted to throw them into the toilet and flush them away, but truth be told, a little part in me wanted to wear them without so much as a glimmer of give-a-fuck on my face and rub it in. The matching set hung perfectly on my curves, like it was custom designed for me and my body shape, the first time a bra had ever fit me without pinching.

The idea of it being custom made to fit me churned my stomach, because it meant someone had my sizes. The stupid things were expensive and made me feel it too. The emerald green silk-like fabric kissed my skin, smoother than a baby's bum. Delicately enveloped by a layer of lace that rested at the arc of my breasts, the wire was strong underneath.

Holding my breasts up to the nines, nearly to my neck. I looked like one of those god-damn strippers from the clubs.

But despite all that, I hadn't seen a glow in me like this before, and it felt good. Different. The bra's design finished off with a fancy little tassel dangling in the centre, and the thong that came with it was matching alike. The silk running between my thighs sat a little too comfortable along my slit. I didn't pass up the opportunity or ask questions, I merely complied with Ruby and sat my toosh on the day bed in the sun with my head down and my mouth shut.

Where I would spend the day drawing and resting my mildly aching feet. The pain killers worked well, well enough that the pain had subsided to the back of my mind, along with the memory of how they got there. After coming back into my room last night, I dived straight into the pills. I didn't even need water, I was that desperate.

I wasn't exactly ecstatic to be a ball attendee, nor to be Caine's date, but I didn't have a choice, so I was going to have to suck it up. And I held onto the little bit of comfort knowing the shadow man wasn't going to be around. Maybe, just maybe, I could enjoy myself. Though, that was a farfetched theory. I was a toy. I wasn't here for my own fun. When Ruby brought me downstairs into the terrace, she hit me with a ‘don't try this again' look.

Given the fact that my feet were as painful as walking on glass, pun intended, I wasn't running anywhere. I was stuck here. Not that that was a bad thing, as the terrace was impeccable.

Three glass walls, sheltered from wind, not that there was any, and the roof over my head had ceiling fans and chandeliers. This place was fucking huge, and the view of it when I was bolting for my life conveyed a remarkably designed mansion, as tall as it was wide.

But the view from the day lounge, was just as remarkable. The terrace had 180-degree views of the property, was at ground level, and had no fencing. If I didn't have butchered feet, it was prime potential to run, but I think I had learnt my lesson. Even silent. He didn't need to speak, actions spoke louder than words with him. The property went for miles and miles, inevitably out in the middle of nowhere. I should have been smarter with my escape, because going anywhere from here by foot wasn't really an option. The only way in or out was by car. The landscape was flat, and the grass had been freshly trimmed.

A mob of landscapers had been sculpting the place, ones that had been here since before I came downstairs. I wasted no time and started putting my pencil to paper to draw something that came to mind.

It gave me a sense of feeling like I was at home, though I knew I wasn't. It was just… nice. The birds chirped in the background as I sat in serenity, my pencil sketching out a swarm of Emerald Swallowtail butterflies fading away from a black shadow. In this case, I was the butterflies, and the shadow was obviously the shadow man. I was flying away, right the fuck out of here. To freedom. After a while, the new maid waltzed into the terrace from another room, bringing a tray of biscuits and a teapot with two cups before swiftly returning back inside, pressing her finger on the pad beside another door before disappearing behind it.

The kitchen perhaps. She was not as petite or weak as the other one, so maybe they had upped their game.

I put the paper down and poured a cup of the tea, with Ruby watching my every move as she twiddled her little pocket-knife. She glanced at my drawing as I poured her a cup. She reminded me of Tilly, with the tough girl act but secretly enjoying feminine company. I mean… she was raised in a family of boys, not that Eli gave much else away on that subject. She gave me no reason to fear her today. So, I didn't. I decided I wouldn't let fear get to me today, not even about this fucking stupid ball I was supposed to be going to. Nope. No siree.

"Thank you." She nodded bluntly. I didn't respond to her other than a crinkled smile, confused that she even had the morals to thank someone. Had I gotten her completely wrong? Maybe she wasn't as bad as the others. Neither was Caine.

I let the heat of the rich earthy smoothness of tea tickle my lips before sliding down my throat, a comforting sensation. One that made me know I was still alive. For now. I admired her tight physique, in her typical attire, black latex skin tight pants, studded bulky boots, black lace crop tee, showing off her aesthetically fit midsection, even when sitting down. She was the male version of Damon, but less of a fucking ass hole. Her sharp black hair framed her face, and the winged eyeliner really pulled the look together. She was beautiful. The ultimate bad bitch. The fuck around and find out bitch. I found myself squeezing my thighs together to rid the sensation, admiration. Oh, for fuck"s sake… Not again.

I needed a distraction, stat. I picked up the pencil again, tucking my knees into my chest, and dropping my head back into sketching, peering occasionally above my knees to use the pine trees as inspiration for the backdrop. The view of the woodlands from my room was insanely beautiful, having nothing else to look at other than the lines the shadows created on the walls all day, I often found myself lost in the view of the pineland. But it was even better from here. Something about the smell of pine made the ability to draw them easier.

I let myself get lost in the paper and pen until the border between day and evening faded, completely losing sight of tonight's proposed ambitious activities, and all the memories that haunted me being here.

"Come, Soren is waiting for us." Ruby muttered. A perplexing grin turned the corners of her pretty mouth, crinkling the black lipstick. My stomach fluttered with nerves. It was time to get ready. "Okay." I agreed without question, tossing the art pad and pencils onto the couch. I gulped down at my apprehension, but I felt no different. It wasn't completely dark out yet but it wouldn't be long until nightfall.

"He's got his work cut out for him." Ruby cocked a brow, trailing her eyes over the scabbed wounds on my knees before hovering them at my feet for a while, then bringing her gaze to my eyes again and rolling them. I assumed she was vexed over Damon's foolish suggestion to bring me to their family ball. The weightless suspension curled my stomach, the uncertainty of what was going to happen to me.

Letting my head run wild. The shadow man wasn't around, for some stupid fucking reason. I sighed and took a second to get myself together before plucking up the courage to ask her something.

"Is anyone going hurt me?"

She hesitated a while, before finally speaking. "Not in public. Unless you misbehave." Her voice was stern, and her eyes were dark. She was telling the truth, though I could sense that she had her concerns about it. My eyes widened, gulping hard at the thought of more punishment. I said I wasn't going to let fear get to me, and I hadn't until now. "We need to get ready for tonight's masquerade. Soren will fix…" she sighed, a rueful look on her face appearing before she stepped back to gesture all of me.

"Well, this." She knew full and full the carnage that had been done by her brothers, or whatever it was Eli said last night. None of what he blabbered on about made sense. I remember him talking about Ruby's past, something about being adopted or rescued or something. I"d had a decent amount of scotch by then so the buzz bubbling in my brain didn't help, and neither did the thumping in my lady parts.

The thoughts only tugged at me for my own release, one that I wanted so desperately. I was smart enough not to touch myself. Not only was that a sin, but the shadow man was a stalker, and he probably had my room laced with cameras. I"d be fucked if I was going to give myself my first orgasm all for him to see.

I cleared my throat, lulling the sexual tension that threatened to take charge of my mind. "I've never been to a masquerade ball." Or any ball, for that matter. Up until the night of my twenty-first birthday, I had never even worn a dress before. Which meant I'd probably be made to wear heels. How ever was I going to manage that? I'd need to take at least four pills if I was expected to stand longer than five minutes in them. I didn't even have four pills.

"Don't tell Caine that." She smirked.

My brow furrowed. "Why?"

"It'll make his head swell. He's a giver, in more ways than one. If he finds out he's giving you your first fairytale ball gown, dance-the-night-away experience, his head would probably implode."

Fairytale. The word stirred a part inside of me, like a trauma response or something. I remembered something they had said last night, about the shadow man killing whoever took me tonight. Almost like a spiteful dig at him, to get caught. I didn't know but I needed to find out, I wasn't exactly over the moon to the idea of someone dying at my hands. I mean, unless it was Damon. Fuck that guy.

"Will the shadow man kill Caine?" I croaked, barely a whisper. To think I valued his life. She didn't respond. Instead, she pushed her thumb on the pad next to the door we were about to walk into, completely dismissing me.

The shadow man was a murderer, but he wouldn't kill his own brother. Would he? I didn't think I could hate the bastard any more, but I did. Ruby swung the door open, displaying a large living area with a ridiculously oversized TV perched on the wall and white plush leather couches. The raked ceiling gave the design a little character, the mansion was almost cathedral looking, but modern.

More fancy chandeliers, and a handful of fancy art spread on the walls. And behind that, a state-of-the-art kitchen. I'd need at least three business days to tour this fucking place, it was huge. Whoever designed the place had good taste. The maid was here, and she brought us a tray of champagne flukes. I took one and downed it, frowning at myself for not letting it even settle on my taste buds before swallowing. A devilish smile flipped across Ruby's lips.

"I think I like you. You're… interesting. It's refreshing. Stand up there." Ruby pointed to a step stool on the ground the other side of the room. A little woman in a dress suit stood next to it fiddling nervously with the needles on her little apple shaped pincushion that hugged her wrist. A seamstress. Terror was written all over her face, but she kept herself looking at the floor. She knew she wasn't here for chit chat. My mind wondered that, maybe this poor woman was held here at gun point or something for her services. I pushed the thought aside, complying with Ruby's instruction.

"Francis here is going to take your measurements for your dress. And then, Soren." She pointed to a very well-dressed man at the other end of the room. "Will do your hair, nails, and makeup". He sat on a sofa chair with his leg over his knee and a glass of whiskey in the palm of his hand. His hair was salt and peppered, but he certainly didn't look old. I mentally rolled my eyes because I was about to say it again.

He was attractive. His skin was European toned, olive and rich without a wrinkle in sight. Clean cut stubble, and his beard trim was that of a mature man. I'd be guessing he was in his early fifties, with a fit physique and a sculptured face.

I squirmed, because he was staring directly at me like I had been served on a silver platter. Soren, what a name. He reeked of money, power, and magnetism. I plunged my eyes to my robe, noticing the green lace of my bra poking out from underneath. I adjusted the knot, covering myself a little more from his intense gaze. Unsettled slightly, because he was old enough to be my father. Soren had barely twitched his hand and the maid was already rushing to the bottle of champagne sitting on ice. He didn't take his eyes from mine as she poured the glass of champagne beside me. She passed it to me as I stood on the stool, trying to get a rein on the nerves that were stewing in my gut.

Like he knew I needed that second drink more than water, I threw it back, and the immediate buzz gave me the ability to swallow the nerves, to a degree. An involuntary sigh of relief parted my lips as the welcoming heat hit my belly.

Francis measured me up before scurrying away, and the sewing machine buzzed aggressively every now and again in the other room as I was being pampered by Soren. A man of few words. Other than randomly questioning what I knew about the brothers, the only other thing he offered me was the tedious perverted look on his face. I couldn't count how many glasses of champagne I had while I was being dolled up to the nines, I was whirred. Very whirred. I hadn't been pampered since Tilly had done it, the night we celebrated my birthday. I frowned at my coherent thoughts, it all felt like a distant memory. I promised if i found a way out I"d come back for her, and the others. But I didn't see that through, did I? Enough, let's just get through each day. I couldn't believe that I was getting my own dress, a custom fitted dress at that. I hadn't seen it yet, but I imagined it would be nothing less than spectacular.

It was well and truly dark out by the time Soren had finished turning me into whatever princess I was deemed to look like, and I was somewhat thankful for the numbing feeling the remnants of the pills and alcohol gave my body. Thanks to the buzz of the champagne, the ache in my feet had faded to near nothing. My lips parted, eliciting a gasp as the seamstress waltzed around the corner with an emerald green silk satin gown draped over her arms. My stomach churned, unable to knock down the thought of the shadow man having something to do with this, even though he wasn't around. First the matching lingerie now this? Gah!

"Robe." Ruby growled playfully, eyeing me up and down. I drew in a harsh breath and darted my eyes to Soren, not wanting to strip before him. His expression darkened, and he clenched his jaw, shifting in his seat slightly. An enticing grin broke across his face. I gulped hard. I knew I didn't have a choice in the matter, and Ruby was already prying at the knot around my belly. I closed my eyes and let her tug it off, that went easier than I had anticipated. Thank you, alcohol. I stepped into the dress, and it enveloped my body as Ruby darted the zip up my spine. I instinctively arched my back at the sensation. She huffed a slight laugh, noticing how reactive I was. How embarrassing, it just never ended.

They stared at me hungrily as I stood on the pedestal, in heels without a glint of pain. The dress was snug against every curve of my body with a slit down the thigh. The silk fabric kissed my skin like my bra and panties did, and the glimmer of my silver heel sparkled under the lighting.

"Well, shit." Ruby couldn't find the words. Well shit was right. I was a princess. A fairytale princess. The A-line shape hugged my curves so tight my midsection was cinched like an hourglass. It was almost too tight, restricting my rib cage slightly. She pulled out a gift box with a white ribbon around it. A green and gold glittered masquerade lace mask was tucked neatly inside. I had almost forgotten that this was a masquerade ball. My breathe split as I glimpsed the embossed label in the corner of my eye.

- H

Fuck.

They were all playing tricks on me I was sure of it. I shuddered, but Ruby paid no attention. She tied the mask at the back of my head by the ribbon, securing it in place. One side was delicately crafted with a very large butterfly wing. A butterfly wing, of fucking course. The other half was elegantly laced with golden swirls and patterns, leaving holes for my eyes, which only made my green eyes even greener, if that were even possible. I vaguely became aware of the hums of engines roaring outside before falling quiet again.

"They're going to enjoy this one, while it lasts." Soren"s voice was deep, mature, and one that sounded like it should be the opening of movie trailers. There was an accent somewhere, but I couldn"t quite predict exactly where from. Croatia maybe.

"Mmmm, yes they are." Ruby muttered back to Soren, the feeling a little too devious. He tsked. "It won't come without consequences, though. They should know better."

"Yep." Ruby's response was delighted, typical. She smirked playfully as she stared at me, like I was… the piggy in the middle. Stuck in between sibling rivalry. I squirmed at the thought of what my night would let out. Ruby said I wouldn't be hurt, but only if I behaved. And by behave, they meant follow their rules. I wanted to believe her, I really did. But going anywhere where Damon did, most definitely meant I would be inflicted with pain. And Ruby… only now did I recall her putting her lighter to my skin. The vision of Damon's shaft in my mouth intrusively hit my brain. Shit. It all made sense.

I was being dolled up to be put on a silver platter for them. Caine wasn't my only hot date. They all were. Piggy in the middle.