“Didn’t think of it until just now.” I tell him honestly. “Also didn’t think about the fact that I have a bond to those guys that were left behind. If I get too far from them, bad things happen.” I don’t explain what “bad things” means but he nods as though he understands all the same.
“You don’t have to worry, ir-Regina tieghi, we are nearly there and I was assured that I would be returning you to your home within twenty-four hours.”
“I’m not so sure the place you took me from is my home anymore.” I mutter half under my breath. After the way Jason was so eager to get rid of me, the fact Richard faked his own death and the reactions of the others, I’m not sure I even have a home or friends.
“Sounds like you’ve been through quite an ordeal. Time away from trouble sometimes helps put them into perspective.” My captor says calmly.
“That’s rather insightful for a kidnapper. Do you do this often?” I ask, half joking.
“Actually my job is normally a lot less interesting.” His soft smile is enough to make me relax a bit. “You’ve certainly been the highlight of my week, ir-Regina tieghi.” He winks at me and for a split second I question if he’s flirting with me. I don’t get the chance to figure it out as the car stops outside a house I’ve passed hundreds of times over the last few months.
“Um, stupid question, but why did it just take us nearly ten minutes to go a single block?”
“The driver was ordered to drive around for eight minutes to ensure no one was following us.” He pauses and adds, “It was for your safety.”
I’m more curious than afraid right now, so I ask, “Before we go in there, can I ask you something?”
“You can ask, ir-Regina tieghi, but I’m not sure if I can answer, there are certain things I have been commanded not to tell you.”
I only really want to know two things, “Who lives here and who’s your boss?” I ask.
“Ah, now those two questions I can answer, my boss lives here, for now and his name is Ossias Adel.” The name sounds familiar, but I can’t place where I’ve heard it before.
“And your name?” I ask.
“I am Rourke Camilleri.” He says as the driver opens his door. He climbs out, unfolding himself until he’s standing a good foot and a half above the car, then bends at the waist and offers his open palm to me. I don’t believe he’d cause me any harm, but I’m still wary as I slip my hand into his. As he helps me from the car, another man, slightly shorter than Rourke approaches us from the front of the house. He cocks his head to the side like a puppy as I give him a once over.
There’s something familiar about him, almost as though we’ve met before. His black hair, sapphire eyes and heart shaped face seem far too familiar for my comfort. “El-. Ahem, Areyna, it is lovely to meet you. Though I do wish it had been under better circumstances.” He takes a step closer and I get a sense of déjà vu as he holds his hand out to me. “Ossias Adel.” He states and his voice rings in my ears like a bell. This man was the voice in my head. He doesn’t look old enough to be the boss of all these men; he barely looks my age. I take his hand in my own and warmth floods into me. It’s like coming home after a long day, relaxing and comfortable. He reminds me of the boy from my nightmares, the one I felt protective of.
“She broke her cuffs.” Rourke says sheepishly.
Ossias lets out a hearty chuckle which makes his whole-body shake, “I suspected she might. It’s all good. It was only for appearance sake anyway.” He turns those eerie blue eyes on me and smiles, “Come, come, let me show you why you’re here.”
I look to Rourke wondering if it’s safe to follow this clearly deranged boy inside. “No one here will hurt you, ir-Regina tieghi, you’re the safest person here. I promise.”
“Rourke can come too if it makes you feel any safer.” He pauses looking at my wrists, “Would you mind taking them off her, I really don’t like the sight.”
Rourke pulls a key from his pocket and undoes the broken cuffs while shaking his head. He steps back and I swear I hear him mutter, “Now I’m going to need to buy new cuffs.”
Ossias grabs my arm and practically drags me over to the front porch. “This house used to belong to a very famous family. You won’t believe what the inside is like, it’s so…” He lets go of my arm and turns to Rourke, “What’s the word I’m looking for?”
“Overwhelming? Flamboyant? Pretentious?”
“Funny. No, it’s so, well, you’ll see.” Again I get the impression of an excited puppy. I raise my brows at him and he adds, “Not that the house is why you’re here. That’s just a perk. Come on, I’m excited to show it off now.” He bounds up the stairs and I can’t help the giggle that escapes me. “This is one fucked up nightmare.”
“Nightmare?” Rourke asks, stepping closer to me.
“Well, yeah, that’s what all this is, just a nightmare. I’m at home right now, sound asleep in my bed. Nothing else explains the fact that Richard is alive, I’m willingly standing in the doorway of a guy’s house who I’ve never met before and talking to a man who looks like he could be the on the poster of those adverts who only ever use sexy men to show off their consumable goods.”
“You think I’m sexy?” Rourke asks, his tanned cheeks turning a darker shade.
“Rourke, no flirting with my si-.” Ossias lets out a fake cough, “Mistieden. What’s the word Rourke?”
“Guest.” Rourke says, making me frown. Something weird is going on here, but I can’t put my finger on it.
“Yes, no flirting with myguest. She is betrothed already, yes?” The more Ossias talks the deeper his accent gets, but there’s a hint of something else in his voice that has my head aching. It’s almost like that feeling you get when you think you’ve forgotten something, but you can’t remember what you forgot. His words sink into my addled brain and I blurt out, “What?” I swear my jaw is hanging on the floor.
I’m not betrothed.