Devils Roses 05 - Death

Looking up, I see it's more of a castle.
    His arms are out. His smile melts my anger.
    The blonde steps in front of me, "I want him done now."
    He sighs and nod, "You really are a pain in the ass, Aimee." She is rigid and firm in her stance.
    The sexy guy sighs again and turns back toward the house, "Bring her in."
    The filthy blonde girl, Aimee, grabs my arms and helps me up. Panic starts to build in me. I turn and make a run for it across the lawn. Instantly, the dark haired man is there. He grabs my arm roughly and pulls me into him. He inhales the air around me, like he's smelling a flower. I push him away, but he's strong. He winks his eye and we're inside of a huge room. I lean forward and gag and heave again. I lose the rest of my slurpy and fries.
    "Oh dear god. Get Suzette to clean that up." The new dark haired man claps his hands. I wipe my face, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I just want to go home. Please, just take me home. I won't tell my dad you never made me stay. I'll pay you whatever you want."
    They all look at me, like they feel sorry for me.
    "Just let me go home." I cry and throw up again.
    "Oh for the love of god, this isn’t The Exorcist. Stop the vomiting." I start crying. I can’t stop. I'm humiliated. The rug looks expensive and I'm a hostage. The dark haired man looks annoyed and mutters something about irreplaceable.
    Aimee looks at me kindly, "You okay?"
    I feel my lip quiver, "No. I want to go home. Please. Just get away from me." I shake my head and look around, "Where are we? How did we even get here? I want to go home."
    The dark haired man, who I suspect owns the castle steps towards me and smiles. "All of this is normal for you. You love traveling by wink. You know all about it all." His eyes hold me hostage. I feel myself get lost in the sea of words. His soothing voice floats me across the room and my eyes close. I'm completely relaxed.
    I hear the talking but barely register it.
    "Bring him here. And Henry." One English guy says.
    "Aren't you demanding? Maybe I want to be sure the merchandise isn’t default. God knows what Ari's done this time." The snooty guy with the eyes talks with a snooty accent.
    "You will not speak of my daughter like that again."
    "Guys, stop." I glance up and notice the girl is between the two dark haired men. She is pushing on them both.
    They look angry.
    I feel relaxed, even though I know it's the wrong feeling.
    "Marcus, bring him out. I'll text Aleks." The blonde Aimee says.
    The men sort of shove each other one last time and then the one I can't stop staring at is gone. My mind tells me it's normal, but I can't fight the feeling that I should be panicking.
    I swallow hard, "Why has my father sent me here?" I ask softly.
    Aimee looks at Dorian, as if ignoring me and tilts her head, "Fix that. Now."
    He sneers, "I don't take orders from you."
    "Please."
    He smiles the most charming smile I think I've ever seen. "Is there a chance you'll be grateful for this?"
    Aimee crosses her arms, "Yes. I'll be so very grateful."
    He nods once and then turns to me. He saunters over and kneels next to me. I'm panicking inside, but my brain and my body aren’t communicating.
    He brushes a hand against my forehead and whispers something. He turns back around and shakes his head, "I can't. She hates him. If I do it she won't stay. I can't do it."
    "She's terrified."
    He stands and walks back to her, "Not my problem. I need my daughter back."
    Aimee looks upset but then nods. She plays with her phone.
    "Are you monsters?" I ask. I feel like I'm caught in the spider's web and watching it, waiting for it to devour me. In the meantime I'm frozen from the poison.
    Aimee nods, "We are. We are monsters. Your father is a monster. Your best bet for safety is here in this castle. There is a man named Henry here. He will protect you at all costs."
    I close my eyes and wait for things to make sense. I'm scared I will never open them and see anything I recognize from my life.

Chapter Seventeen

    Aimee

    I hate her again. I can smell the siren and it makes me feel awful. I'm not allowed to tell Sam that she's here with Marcus, but I want to. I want to give him his chance. The air swirls with warmth. Aleks stands beside me looking confused, "Hanna?"
    I nod, "Hanna."
    "Is her father de…?"
    "No." I cut him off. "His idea actually."
    Aleks looks disgusted, "To bring her here?"
    I shrug, "With what's going on she is safest here."
    His face is anxious, "I guess. Where is he?"
    I know