Two Books in One - Ominous Love and Paradox - The Angels Are Here (8 page)

She giggles. “But what if you never meet ‘Mr Soul Mate’? I haven’t, but I’m not missing out.”

“Come on, girls,” says Brooke. “We're missing out on a great party. Our soul mates could be right here just waiting to be discovered.” She links her arms with Ruby's and mine and pulls us towards the back garden. “Let's go and check out the hottie.”

“Hey, wait a minute,” yells Francesca. “I saw him first.” She hurries past us, her stilettos clomping on the pavement, and her short skirt flapping up behind her revealing her lacy black
G-string.

Brooke giggles. “She's determined.”

“Yes, she loves a challenge,” says Ruby. “But her breath reeks of alcohol. We all know how silly she gets when she's been drinking. I think we'd better keep an eye on her.”

Zoning out from their gossip, I twirl a stray curl around my finger. I have to see who this guy is. If it's Seal, I'll die of embarrassment if he’s just here to spy on me all night—but then if he’s come to make up with me—ah, crap. If it is him, he’ll only be here to chaperone me. After all, he declared he'd be my bodyguard until my folks get back. Though the thought of seeing him here has given me butterflies in my stomach.

Chapter Twelve

As we walk into the back yard, I head to the bonfire to warm my hands. There's a group of guys strumming on guitars and girls sitting around the fire. Francesca is at the other end of the garden with a tall dark-haired guy. He's about the same size and height as Seal, but he's looking the other way and I can't see his face.

Brooke elbows me and laughs. “Look at Francesca. She's already flirting with the hottie.”

“I don't think we should go over there,” says Ruby. “We'll look like a bunch of desperados.” She grabs Brooke's arm and drags her towards the marquee. “Come on, Elle, let's listen to the band and dance. There are plenty of hot guys in there.”

The smoke from the fire is making my eyes water, but I have to see if that guy is Seal. “I'll join you in a few minutes,” I holler. “I'm just getting warm first.”

Ruby holds her thumb up and grins. “Sure you are.” Then she disappears as Brooke pulls her into the tent.

Smiling, I stroll around the bonfire towards Francesca. The boy is hidden behind a group of girls, so I crane my neck to get a better view. As I get closer, Francesca whirls around and glares at me, then she jerks her head towards the marquee, signalling me to go away.

Ignoring her, I keep moving, but as I walk past the boy, I glance over my shoulder and sigh. Thank goodness it’s not Seal. No way would I want Francesca anywhere near him, but I can see why she’s interested in this guy. He’s kind of mysterious looking with thick black hair and dark brooding eyes. He’s about the same height as Seal and has a similar muscular physique, but to me, he’s not as appealing or as sexy. In fact he looks kind of sleazy.

He suddenly peeks
up at me, catching me checking him out. My face flushes and I look at the ground. Blow it, now he'll think I fancy him and I most certainly do not. Seal's the only boy I'll ever be interested in, even if I can't have him. As I turn to walk away, he rushes over and grabs my wrist. A shock runs up my arm and I freeze.

Giving me a shufti, he smiles, flashing radiant white teeth. “Hello, Eloise, I'm Devlin Sulphurous.”

I'm taken aback and I frown. “How do you know my name?”

He stares at me through thick dark lashes, his coal-black eyes piercing mine. “I spotted you the moment you walked in.” He glances at Francesca. “So I asked this lovely young lady if she knew you.”

Francesca smiles, but her eyes give her anger away. “Don't worry, Elle, I told him you already have a boyfriend.”

My face grows
hotter and I feel uncomfortable. I take a sip of my cola and try to move away, but Devlin moves in front of me, undressing me with his eyes. “Please, stay and talk for a while, Eloise.”

I gulp and a shiver runs down my spine. How am I going to get out of this one? It serves me right for upsetting Francesca. “I have to go,” I say. “My boyfriend will be wondering where I am.” I give him a fake smile, then I take off back the way I came.

Brooke comes running towards me. “Elle, where are you going?” She peeks over my shoulder. “That hot guy obviously likes you. What did he say to make you run?”

I glance at him. Francesca has her arm on his shoulder, but he's still watching me. “Nothing, he just wanted to chat. He may be good-looking, but I think he's a sleaze. He kept staring at my boobs. Now Francesca's furious with me.”

Brooke looks over at her. “Aww, she'll be okay. She has a different boyfriend every week. Anyway, he's a bit old for us. He looks at least twenty-two.”

“No, he's not,” says Ruby, coming out of the marquee. “Francesca told me he's only eighteen. Anyway, he's gorgeous, no matter what age he is.”

I scowl. “Well, he gives me the creeps. I'm going in the house to use the bathroom, and then I'm looking for Tom.”

“I'm coming with you,” says Brooke. “There's hot food in the kitchen.”

Ruby grabs a lipstick from her purse. “Me too, I want to fix my makeup.”

As we pass the tent, I peek in to look for Tom. He's sitting on a plastic chair, tapping his foot to the music played by a live band. Richie's sister walks up to him, hands him a napkin and offers him some hot food from a plate. Smiling, he takes three sausage rolls and two meat pies. Just like Tom, the greedy pig. I down the rest of my soda, throw the can in the bin, then head off to the bathroom. At least I'll be able to find him when I come back—and knowing Tom, he won't stray far from the food. Who knows, I may need him if that sleaze bothers me again. Then I think about Francesca and shake my head. We should try and get her away from that guy. There's something about his eyes that are just flat out creepy.

After leaving the bathroom, I look for Brooke and Ruby. They're in the kitchen chatting to a couple of surfie guys and nibbling crackers and dip. I'm not in the mood to chat to boys and I hurry to the marquee to sit with Tom.

The marquee is packed with dancers as
Johnny Ruffo’s
new song,
On Top
, blasts from the speakers. Tom’s mates and their girlfriends are on the dance floor going wild, but I can’t see Tom anywhere. Good old reliable Tom. He’s always around when I need him. I scowl. If only Seal was here so I could dance with him. I love that song.

With a big sigh, I head back to the bonfire to look for Tom, but I can't see him anywhere. It looks like Devlin has left, too, but that’s good. Hopefully, he’s gone home. Then my heart jolts. Where the hell is Francesca? Crikey, I hope she hasn't gone off with Devlin. I have to find her to put my mind at ease. I run around the garden and peek in hidden places for smooching couples, but I can't find her. I dash back into the house to look for Brooke and Ruby, hoping they’ll help me search for her, but they're not in the kitchen or lounge room. Darn it. Francesca will probably be drunk by now and who knows what Devlin will do to her.

On my way down the hall towards the bathroom, I hear someone moaning. It seems to be coming from one of the bedrooms. Though I know Francesca's been drinking, I'm sure she wouldn't go in there with somebody she just met. Would she? My stomach turns with a horrible feeling of impending doom and I look under the door. There's no light coming from under it, but I can clearly hear a bed squeaking. Sod it. There must be someone in there, but I know it can't be Richie's parents because they're overseas. It might not be Francesca and Devlin, but if I don't check and something awful happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself. Holding my breath, I grip the knob and slowly turn it, then I push it open and peek in.

There's no lamp on, but the luminous numbers on the audio and video equipment light the room enough for me to see there's a couple in the bed. They’re beneath the
sheets, but it’s obvious they’re having sex and enjoying each other's company, so as quiet as a mouse, I tiptoe backwards. Shit. If they see me, they’ll think I'm a perv. As I reach the door to leave, a familiar voice says, “Ooh, don't stop now! Keep going.”

Scowli
ng, I flick the light on, then yank the quilt off the bed.

Just as I tho
ught, Tom is lying on his back and he’s stark naked.

“Elle?” Hi
s jaw drops and he tries to snatch the cover back to hide his sorry ass. “I … I thought she was you, honest. Crap. I'm so freakin' wasted.” Then he wiggles his hips and grins. “Do I look as hot as your naked cousin?”

I roll my eyes. “You don't even come close, you bozo.”

Francesca's blonde head emerges from under the sheet. “Elle has a naked cousin?”

“Yeah,” says Tom, frowning at me. “And I think she's banging him.”

“Really?” she says, giggling her head off. “Are they first or second cousins? It's okay if they're second.”

My cheeks burning, I pick up a pillow and clobber them both. “Don't talk about
me like I'm not here!” I turn and run out of the room and into the bathroom. After locking the door, I lean against it and try to get my breath back. I shouldn't have hit them. I can't really blame them for anything. Tom may be a rat, but I can't complain. After all, I did tell Francesca I was breaking up with him. And she probably told him I was chasing Devlin. Eww, what an awful thought. His black eyes are way too sinister for me. I suddenly feel nauseous and want to go home, but I can't ask Tom to drive me. Deciding to call a cab, I head out to look for Ruby and Brooke. Where the hell are they anyway?

Holding my phone, I walk through the house and dial the number for a taxi, and as I turn into the kitchen, I bump into Tom.

Clutching two beers in his hands, he gawks at me. “Elle, you know I love you, and all that.”

I roll my eyes. “Excuse me,” I say sarcastically. “Can I get past, please?”

“Um, I’m sorry, babe.” He pouts and puts on his stupid hound-dog face. “We didn't have full on sex. We were just fooling about.”

I glance at the ceiling, then back at him. “Too much information, Tom, and I'm not even bothered.” I march past him and run down the three steps to the garden. When I look in the marquee, everyone is bopping to the great beat of
Ricki-Lee’s
song,
Do It Like That
. Ruby and Brooke are dancing with the two surfie guys, so there’s no way I’m spoiling their fun. As I walk down the path to wait for my cab, I send them both a text message to let them know I've gone home.

Standing alone in front of the picket fence, I look up and down the low-lying street. A mist has settled in the valley and I can’t even see across the road. I gaze up at the sky, but the fog is so thick, I can't see the moon or the stars. Shivering, I pull my jacket tight around my chest and stamp my feet, and as I blow on my hands to warm them, little puffs of white air shoot from my mouth. Friggin heck.
It’s cold out here. Glancing at my watch, I see it’s nearly midnight. Crap. Now Seal will be even angrier with me and I know he’ll start to worry. Clasping my hands together, I pray for my cab to arrive. If only I’d listened to Seal and stayed home tonight. He was right about Tom never being around when I need him. He may have picked me up and driven me here, but he obviously had no intentions of taking me home, or maybe he was hoping I'd stay all night, the jerk. He just planned on getting drunk and having sex, and he didn't care who with.

A rustling noise comes from across the street, startling me from my thoughts. Then, just as I decide to go back inside to wait, I see the headlights of a car beaming through the fog. Great, hopefully it's my cab. But instead of stopping, it keeps going up the road.

Darn it
.
I'll get a chill if I stay out here much longer. I grab my phone from my pocket and start walking back to the house, but as I dial the number to the cab company, somebody grabs me from behind. My eyes wide with terror, I try to scream, but my mouth is held shut by the powerful hand of a man. Something smells familiar, something from my childhood. Holy crap, no! It's the brain-numbing scent of a drug used for anaesthesia, and the last thing I smelt before doctors ripped out my tonsils. I struggle and kick and scratch at his hand, but he grabs me around the waist and lifts me into his arms. Staring into his face, I lose consciousness.

Chapter Thirteen

My eyes flicker open and I glance around. Where the hell am I? Adrenalin rushes through me and I bolt upright. My wrists are handcuffed together and my feet are tied to the bottom of a four-poster bed. Holy shit. I've been kidnapped.

Though I'm wearing my jeans and sweater, my boots and jacket are gone. I swallow a big lump in my throat and try to pull my feet free, but they’re tied too tightly. The only light in the room is from two candles burning on the dresser and a fire blazing in the hearth. There's a dark carved door in the corner and the window is covered with full-length crimson curtains. I've never seen this place before and I don't know why I'm here.

The fog in my brain clears and I suddenly remember being dragged away from the party by a strange man. Holy shit. My world drops out from under me and I frantically rip at the rope around my ankles. I have to get out of here, and fast.

My feet hurt, but I can’t get them free. As I dig my fingernails into the binding, a floorboard outside the room creaks.

I freeze and stare at the door. Shit! Someone's out there. My heart is in my throat and my pulse is pumping. I bite my lip.
Please, God
, don’t let him come in here. Taking short raspy breaths, I watch the doorknob. It turns and I shudder with terror.

A dark-haired man dressed like a lifeguard walks in. All he's wearing is budgie smugglers, sunglasses, and a black towel around his shoulders. As he closes the door, I yank at the rope and tremble. He's over six-feet tall and built like an athlete. As he walks towards me, he takes his sunglasses off and tosses them on the dresser. He smirks, his coal-black eyes gleaming with menace.

Crap! Now, I'm in big trouble. It's Devlin Sulphurous, the sleaze from the party.

Sitting on the bed next to me, he smiles, his white teeth gleaming in the candle light. “So, you finally woke up, Eloise.”

I grab a pillow and hold it in front of me. “Why have you brought me here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice calm. “What do you want from me?”

He caresses my cheek with his long slender fingers. “So many questions, my love. Be patient, you'll find out soon enough.”

The little hairs on the back of my neck stand up, making me shiver. “I'm not your love. Let me go home.”

His eyes flash. “Oh, yes you are. You're the only one for me, and you'll learn to love me back. You'll see.”

I shake my head. “No, I won't. I don't even know you. Please, take me home. My parents will worry about me.”

“Oh? Your parents will worry?”

“Of course they will, so let me go.”

He moves further onto the bed. “What about your boyfriend, will he worry?”

I chew my mouth. “I guess.”

“Hmm, you guess, do you?” He strokes his chin. “Didn't he go off to make love to the beautiful Francesca?”

My stomach churns. How did he know that?

“Well?”

I gulp. “Maybe.”

He narrows his eyes. “And is he
still
your boyfriend?”

“No, but he's still my friend.”

“Don’t you care that he went off with one of your pals?”

I shrug. “Not really.”

“You don't love him?”

“No.”

“Did you sleep with him?”

“No,” I yell. “And why are you asking me all these questions. Just let me out of here.” I hold my wrists out. “And please undo these handcuffs. They hurt.”

“Will you attempt to escape?”

I shake my head.

“Say it.”

“I won’t attempt to escape.”

He walks around to the bottom of the bed and unties the rope around my ankles. Then he stares at me through thick dark lashes as he kisses my toes and massages my feet.

Eww, he may be good-looking, but all I want to do is kick him in the head.

“Stop scowling, Eloise. You know you like it.”

I move my feet away. I'm tempted to poke him in the eye with my big toe, but I'm still handcuffed, so I tell a lie. “I'm just ticklish, that’s all.”

Still holding my gaze, he unlocks the handcuffs and caresses my wrists. As I watch him, I wonder how anyone so handsome can be so evil. I shudder, just thinking about what he’ll do next. Something cruel and horrible no doubt, but I can't let him know how terrified I am. Closing my eyes for a moment, I take a deep breath and try to relax.

He feels my pulse with his thumb. “See how happy I make you when you let me.”

I open my eyes. Far out. He thinks I liked his stupid massage. Yuck. I pull my hands away.

He throws the rope on the rug, then looks back at me. As he swallows, his Adam's apple moves in his throat. Shoot. I don't like where this is going and there's no way I can escape, but I'll have to try. I glance at the door and wonder if it's locked.

Leaning closer, he whispers, “If you try to escape, you'll pay the consequences, and believe me, you won't like them.”

I flinch. “W … what do you mean?”

His eyes glint with menace. “I will kill your precious Seal.”

My stomach drops and all the blood drains from my face. “My seal? I don't have a seal. They’re protected animals.”

“Don't play stupid games with me, Eloise, it's unbecoming. Do you prefer I kill him now?”

“No!” I swallow a big lump in my throat. How does he know about Seal?

“Did you have sex with him?”

I shake my head.

“So you're innocent?”

Ignoring him, I fidget with my fingers.

He grips my chin. “Answer me!”

“Um … I guess.”

“You guess?” he growls. “What the hell does that mean?”

I flinch. “I guess I’m innocent.”

He runs his thumb along my lips. “I told you not to lie to me, and you know what the punishment entails. But this time, I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself. Answer me again. You're not innocent, are you?”

I tremble. “I don't know what you mean.”

“You're shameless and lustful, aren’t you?”

Staring at him, I blink. “Am not.”

His eyes gleaming, he strokes my cheek. “Are you a virgin?”

I jerk away from him. “Yes, I am, as if it's any of your damn business.”

He inhales deeply, his nostrils flaring. “That's good, Eloise, it's important to me, and don't worry; I'll make it my business. You're not Seal's, you're not Tom's. You're mine.”

Friggin hell. I should have told a lie and said I wasn't. I'm so not his. My stomach churns and I start to feel sick. Hopefully I'll throw up all over him. Poor Seal. Why would he want to hurt him? After all, he doesn't even want me. He's already taken. I breathe deeply and search for some strength. I think about the stranger in my dreams—the mystery boy. If only I could escape to one of my fantasy dreams and wake up back in my bed, back in my rickety old house, the one that I'll never complain about, ever again. I don't want to stay here and be ravished by a good-looking monster.

Then I remember the strange silhouette in the storm and wonder if it was Devlin. Was he sneaking around our house and spying on me? If it was him, he would have seen Seal kissing me for sure. Maybe if I tell him Seal already has a girlfriend, he won't hurt him. I couldn't bare anything happening to him.

“What are you up to, Eloise? Are you scheming and planning to escape?”

“No, but I don't know why you're interested in Seal. He doesn't want me. He has a girlfriend he loves.”

Devlin steeples his fingers and smirks at me. “Does he now? And what is the dear girl's name?”

I shrug. “I don't know. He never told me. He's a very private person.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” I hold out my hands. “So you see, you don't need to kill him. He's no threat. I'll go out with you anyway and he won't give a rat's arse.”

He raises a brow. “A rat's arse?”

I roll my eyes. “It's just a saying. Where are you from, the moon?”

“Oh, you think I'm from the moon?”

“You're so weird, you probably are.”

He snorts into his hand. “Well, I'm certainly not from the moon; it's much too cold a place for me. Plus there are no pretty girls like you up there. Would you like to see your new garden?”

Thinking it might give me a chance to escape, I nod. “I suppose, but I'd sooner see my own.”

Before I have a chance to stand up, he lifts me off the bed and carries me to the window. After plonking me down in front of the curtains, he draws them back. Oh my gosh. I hold my mouth and gasp. The brightness of the rising sun on the white snow is blinding.

He rests his hands on my shoulder. “It's spectacular isn't it? And it's all yours.”

Pressing my hands to my chest, I try to breathe. No, no! This can't be. I glance at Devlin, then back out the window. Large spires built on huge sandstones point to the sky. This house isn't a house. It's a castle, and it's right on top of a snow-capped mountain that reaches into low-lying clouds. How did I get here? And how the hell am I ever going to escape? I’ve never felt so helpless in my entire life and I want to cry, to scream in protest. But I won’t shed a single tear, not here, not in front of this monster.

A sudden fury seeps into my blood and I turn to face him. Glaring at him, I pound on his chest with my fists. “Take me home, you arsehole. You knew I couldn't escape. You just want to torture me. I hate you.”

He grabs my arms and holds me tight. “Settle down. You'll grow to love it here, just as I do.”

I pull away from him. “No, I won't.”

His eyes grow darker, then he abruptly swoops me into his arms and throws me back on the bed. As I scream, he grabs my face, forcing me to look at him. “You can forget about Seal, Eloise, because you're going to love me.”

Shaking my head, I try to push his hands away. “No, never.”

He leans over me and grips my chin. “I'll make you love me. Your heart belongs to me, not to him, never to him.” He presses his lips onto mine, kissing me ferociously, his tongue in my mouth.

I can’t breathe and I turn my head away as I shove at his chest. “Get off me!”

“Calm down, honey,” he whispers, nuzzling my neck. Then his hands move under my sweater, caressing my bare skin. “Just tell me what you like.”

I dig my nails into his hand. “Get lost, you weirdo!”

“Okay, we'll do it your way.” He roughly grips my hair with both hands and kisses me hard on the mouth. Then he groans, his voice vibrating through his chest onto mine.

I bash at his shoulders, but they're much too powerful and I can't get him off me. Closing my eyes, I try to imagine I'm in another place, a safe place, but it doesn't work. I'm stuck here with a monster. I'm lost, helpless, trapped, and worse; nobody knows where I am, not Seal, not Tom, and not my parents. And even if my friends tell the police about Devlin, they’d never find me here. Tears cloud my eyes, but I blink them away. I know now, Devlin will only let me live if I give in to his demands.

My blood boils. I'd rather die! If I can't have Seal, I don't want anyone, especially not Devlin. With all the strength I can muster, I bend my knee and try to knee him in the groin, but he's much too strong. He yanks my leg down, then pushes his hand back up the back of my jumper. As he fumbles with my bra, I dig my teeth into his bottom lip and bite down hard.

Yelling in pain, he pulls away from me, his eyes blazing in the candle light. “Damn you, Eloise.”

I gulp and stare up at him as bright red blood drips from his mouth and splatters onto my face. Oh, no! What have I done? If I faint from the sight of his blood, I'm a goner.

Gritting his teeth, he wipes his mouth with the towel draped around his shoulders and it falls onto the bed. As he reaches for a tissue on the bedside table, I suck in a breath and gape at his naked back. There are two huge scars, running from his shoulders to his waist. And though I fear for my life, curiosity gets the better of me. Slowly, I run my hand along them, but instead of stopping me, he gasps and closes his eyes. Something sharp pricks my fingers and I jerk my hand away, but as I look closer at his back, I gulp. Holy moly. There's something growing from his welts. Blood feathers.

I jump off the bed and turn to run, but before I can get away, he seizes my hand and stares at me, and for the first time, I see fear in his eyes.

“What happened to your back?” I ask.

His brow furrows. “It’s best you don't know, Eloise.”

At the sight of the blood now pouring from his mouth, I start to feel nauseous and dizzy. Oh, please, I beg the heavens, don't let me go unconscious. I don't want Devlin doing whatever he wants to me. Oh, why didn't I listen to Seal? And what's with the blood feathers?

The room starts spinning, and as it fades away, Devlin catches me in his arms.