Black 21: (Golden Hills Legacy of Black 21 Book 1) (23 page)

The doorman
stopped her and asked her to wait for a moment while he disappeared inside the
grand home. Moments later, the party noise hushed to a whisper, the music
turned into a sweet somber melody.

She took a deep
breath and began to move as she was ushered in. Just as Jack had wanted, all
eyes feasted upon her. Intakes of breath filled the grand foyer.

Standing at the
door unsure of what to do, Christian was beside her, taking her arm through
his. “Hello, beautiful.”

Tears glistened
her eyes, and she lowered her lashes with a smile. “Christian,” she whispered.
She returned her gaze to the congregation and sighed heavily, taking the first
step with Christian down the red-carpeted aisle.

Daisies were
strewn down on the carpet, white in contrast with the red. Smiling nods as they
passed, bowing in accordance.

As they reached
the end of the carpet, a small chamber orchestra played in the corner.
Christian directed her to the center for their first dance. “Oh, I almost
forgot. Allow me,” he said, pinning her rose to her dress.

“It’s lovely.
Thank you.”

He stared into
her eyes. “God, I’ve missed you, Daisy. I have so much to say." He wrapped
his arm around her waist and took her right hand with his left.

“I’m not sure
how to dance,” Daisy admitted.

“Just follow my
lead.”

A sweet song
about finally being together at last began to play and she followed along. “Who
is that singer?”

“My cousin,
Anna. She’s good, right? I chose her just for this.”

“She is. And
you chose that song?”

“It’s how I
feel,” he said, looking down into her eyes.

She smiled and
rested her cheek against his chest. He spun her around and she laughed,
everyone clapping and joining in. Her aunt and uncle danced close by and smiled
at her. It was like their memory had been erased, and they forgot about what
part she had in their son’s death. Or maybe they would enjoy watching what Jack
will do to her later, giving them some revenge.

She shivered at
the thought and looked away. Her father and Gloria danced on her other side,
smiling at the happy couple. Gloria winked at her with a knowing smirk,
reminding Daisy of their last encounter and that she would never be free of
Jack. The cackling that came from her. But now she acted the demure lady.

Gloria would
also enjoy the later activities, her way of getting back at Daisy for stealing
her father’s love from her, for hating her all those years growing up with her.

“Did he hurt you?”
Christian asked without looking down at her, not wanting anyone to suspect
anything.

“I’ll live. He
only used my body,” she spoke into his chest.

“I could rip
his fucking head off, excuse my language.”

She laughed.
“Please, I grew up in Chicago. Language?" She shook her head. “And it’s
not his head you should be concerned with.”

“Fine, I’ll rip
his–”

“Hey!” she said
with nervous laughter.

“Sorry. I want
to kiss you so damn bad but I can’t, not until after my official birthday time.
Not really twenty-one until the time. Everything’s a time with these people,”
he said.

“I feel the
same, Christian.”

He glanced down
at her and back up. “Stop looking at me like that or I will.”

She smiled.
“Where is he anyway?”

“He’ll make his
presence known soon. There are things I want to tell you, but I can’t take the
chance. It’ll hurt...things,” he said, glancing quickly at her.

“I understand.
I’m scared to death, Christian. I’m scared how this will all turn out,” she
whispered.

“Just remember
how strong you are and you’ll be fine. I believe in you. No matter what happens
tonight, I’ll love you forever, Daisy.”

Tears burned
her eyes. “You know I feel the exact same. If I do end up carrying his child,
as long as I walk the same path as you, I can do it.”

He nodded,
clenching his jaw.

A DJ came out
and started playing more modern music for the younger guests. The older guests
sat down to drink and gossip while watching the new moves.

Emily stood
there in a long, white gown and daisies in her long, golden hair. She bowed to her.
“Hail Daisy. I’m really honored to be the chosen one for you,” she smiled a
dazzling smile.

Daisy swallowed
hard and tried to speak but couldn’t find the words, trying to keep the tears
from welling.

Christian spoke
up. “What an honor for us that you were chosen. Thank you, sweetheart,” he
said.

When Daisy
finally cleared her throat, she turned to the child and held her hand in hers.
“I am much honored. Your parents must be so proud of what a remarkable young
brave lady you are. I hope to have a daughter just like you one day, Emily.”

The little girl
beamed at the compliment and handed her the unicorn she so loved. “If you do,
will give her this? His name is Magic.”

Daisy choked
and held the unicorn, nodding.

Emily then
grabbed her mother’s hand to walk off, the mother smiling back at Daisy with
pride.

“I promise I
won’t ever allow anything like that happen to her,” he murmured in her ear.

“It kills me to
think what’ll happen to her. I can’t allow it, Christian. I won’t!” she hissed
for only his hearing.

“I know, my
love. Do you want a drink...some water?”

She took in the
party scene of all that came to witness this dark ceremony. “No water tonight
for me. Get me something sweet, please,” she softly ordered.

“Yes, ma’am!”
he grinned and walked to the bar.

Daisy snuck to
a darker corner to have some privacy after being barraged by congratulating
guests. A voice boomed in her head. “No alcohol. You cannot become intoxicated
when you need all your senses fully intact for tonight.”

Christian found
her and gave her a tall glass.

“I can’t,
Christian.”

“It’s water. I
know you too well,” he smiled.

She sipped it
and smiled back. “You do." There’s no getting drunk tonight. He pushed her
back a little farther and put his finger to her lips to quiet her.

“What’re you up
to, Mr. Stone?”

“This." He
pressed his lips to hers softly at first and then cupping her face, growing
more ardent. “How I love you so,” he breathed against her mouth.

“I love you,
too,” she returned his urgency, feeling his tongue caress hers, possessing her.
“No matter what happens tonight, my heart belongs to you always, Christian.”

He pulled away.
“That probably zapped some of your strength. Damn it!”

“It’s okay.
What’s meant to happen will happen no matter what we do.”

They fixed
themselves and returned to the party and all the bowing.

“I’ll never get
used to that. I’m just Daisy, not some queen.”

He pulled her
out to a fast song. “Yes, you are the queen here and with nice moves!”

She laughed and
something caught her eye in the crowd. As he got closer, her eyes widened.

“Eric?” she
mumbled.

Christian
turned to find their friend moving through the people. “You didn’t think he
wouldn’t come, did you?”

“Christian,
Jack told me he was dead!" She stopped dancing, scared for him to come
closer. “I don’t think Jack would want Eric near me if he wants me to believe
that,” she said in a panicked voice.

Christian put
his hand up to stop him from coming any closer, shaking his head. Eric stopped
and looked confused, putting his hands up in question.

Daisy smiled at
him, wanting to run to him and hug him with all her might. He was alive! She
waved her hand away, signaling for him to go back.

Eric seemed to
understand and moved in another direction.

“When did he
tell you Eric died?”

“When he first
captured me. I asked where Eric was, and he told me he was dead. I nearly died
when he said that.”

“Damn. Eric
came to Stone Manor the day you disappeared. He was frantic with worry,
something about some storm. I’ll make sure he stays away. Oh, and he has something
of yours,” he said, raising his brows.

She understood.
Her cross. But how would she get it?

“I wish I could
give it to you, but I can’t.”

She nodded.
“I’m just so thrilled he’s alive and well,” she said. “That’s celebration
enough to dance!”

They swayed
against each other like no one was in the room but them, rocking to the beat of
the music. She moved as well as she could in her gown, not the most mobile
material.

“I know what’s
under that dress. I don’t need to see it,” he said in a smoky voice.

She raised her
brows in a suggestive manner, grinning and flirting as if nothing bad could
possibly happen tonight.

Life was good
in this moment of being twenty-two. It was an age she might remain if Jack had
his way. If it was beside Christian, she might be able to do it.

The mixed faces
in the crowd began to morph from human to non-human. Their eyes turned black,
their mouths elongated, stretching their chin down to their chest, their
tongues protruding.

The music faded
down into the background in her head. Her heart pounded alarmingly in her ears.
Christian didn’t even look like himself but something more sinister. Was it her
imagination? Eric drifted near the front door, almost pleading with her for
something.

She needed to
get her cross. That would make her feel safer. Who could she trust at this
point? They all wanted something from her, and she was being slowly seduced by
the music and festivities. “I’ll be right back, restroom duties,” she gave an
apologetic smile.

“Okay, but
hurry,” he instructed, clipping her chin.

She made her
way toward the main floor powder room, looking over to where Eric stood, the
music pumping and vibrating the whole house. Strobe lights flashed, giving the
guests an even more demonic appearance.

Eric seemed to
try to get to her, but was almost held back by a mob of people.

She slipped
into the bathroom and inhaled deeply, praying for guidance. For the first time
tonight, she felt genuine fear engulf her.

Pacing in the
tiny space, she wished there was a way to escape, get out of here. But she
couldn’t leave Christian. He pulled her to him, like an invisible tethered
cord.

A knock on the
door startled her. “Someone’s in here,” she said.

“Daisy, it’s
me...Eric.”

She stopped and
stared at the door, not sure what to believe.

“Daisy?” he
repeated.

After
hesitating, she slowly opened the door and saw Eric with his beautiful
black-rimmed glasses. “Oh, Eric,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I wish I
could dance with you tonight. I hate that Jack can’t know you’re here.”

“Take this,” he
said, handing her the cross. “I’ll slip out the doors so Jack doesn’t see me,
even though I’m sure he already has.”

“Thank you,
Eric. You’re truly my best friend. I love you,” she said. She placed her hand
out for him to touch it, and felt the cold metal against her palm, drawing a
heart around the cross with his index finger. Tears glistened in her eyes.

“Take care,
Daisy. Be safe." And he was gone.

Closing the
door and locking it, she opened her hand. The cross fell to the floor as it
burned a hole in the same shape into her skin.

“God, no!” she
cried, bending to retrieve it, but it burned the tips of her fingers. “I don’t
understand!” she whispered to the ceiling.

She stood and
looked at her reflection, finding dilated pupils staring back at her.

Another rapid
knock on the door turned her head.

“Daisy, you
okay? You need to come out some time,” Christian said, concern in his tone.
“Jack’s waiting.”

She took a deep
breath and said a prayer. She opened her purse, sliding her glove on and bent
down, picking up the cross and placing it in her purse. “I’m coming,” she
yelled out.

Christian stood
patiently on the other side, smiling at her as she opened the door. “Everything
okay in there?”

“It’s happening
to me,” she said in a low tone.

“What?”

She nodded,
showing him her burned hand.

He held it and
put it to his lips. “You can fight this, Daisy. I know you can.”

“Where is he?”
she asked, glancing through the room.

“You’ll see
him. It’s nine-thirty, one more dance." He grabbed her hand and guided her
to the dance floor for a slow dance.

She followed
his lead and moved against his body, draping her hands around his neck. Sweat
rolled down her back as her heart quickened, looking for Jack. All she could
see were jeering faces, hear their obnoxious laughter, and Emily being dragged
off to some room in the back of the house, peering back at her parents with one
last plea. Her mother cried against the father’s chest as he waved goodbye to
his daughter.

“I thought I’d
see Charlotte here tonight, the strangest thing with her,” he said in her hair.

“Christian,
Charlotte died. She came to me in my room, and I ended up killing her,” she
muffled a cry.

He looked down
at her. “What? Oh, Daisy. I’m so sorry. I know you, and I’m sure it was in
defense. I knew something had to have happened to her." He softly kissed
her hair. “Let’s just act normal until Jack comes out.”

Spinning around
in the room, getting dizzy, the faces blending, merging, staring at her, she
closed her eyes.

Christian
stopped and steadied her. And there he was. Mr. Jack Red, handsome as ever in
his black tux, holding his hand out for her to take.

Daisy watched
as Christian bowed to her, holding her gaze as he bent down, encouraging her.
She curtsied in return and turned to Jack.

“My sweet
Daisy, at last,” Jack said, bowing to her, steering her into a circle. “That
first song should have been played for us, but I let him have it,” he shrugged.

She smiled and
allowed him to move her on the floor as everyone looked on in awe.

“Not much to say
tonight?” he asked, arching his dark brow.

“Just a little
nervous. I’m sure you understand.”

“Of course. Did
I tell you how stunning you look? Absolutely stunning,” he murmured in her ear.

“Thank you.”

“Why the gloves
still? You don’t really need to wear them after a certain time. Put them away.”

She stopped and
pulled the chained purse off her shoulder and threw the gloves back in there.

Jack grabbed
the purse and gave it to a server walking by. “Please put this away. The lady
won’t be needing it for a while." He returned his attention to her and
resumed the dance.

Her heart sank,
knowing what he knew.

He leered at
her as his eyes widened. “I can’t wait to taste you later. Do you feel your
ovulation pains? I hope they’re not too painful.”

She grabbed her
stomach, feeling a pinch on her left side. “Where did Christian go?” she
winced.

“Miss him
already? He was summoned for some last-minute duties,” he said, twirling her.

Rubbing her
aching left side, she searched for Christian or even his father. Were they in
the movie theater?

“Anxious to go
to the movie theater, my dear? No worries, we will fairly soon. Be patient,”
Jack mocked.

Fear flickered
in her eyes as she felt defeated. She kept her eyes averted as instructed by
her father.

The grandfather
clock struck ten chimes. Only twelve minutes to go.

The servers
wheeled the five-tier cake dressed in black and white frosting out on a cart to
the front of the room in the middle of the staircases. Guests gathered around
it to take pictures, smiling in wonder at the glorious birthday cake.

On top of it
was a fountain sprinkling water out onto a tray surrounding it, turning it into
red water, like a red river. Her gaze flew back up to the fountain, squinting
to see what she thought she was seeing. It was part of Lana’s fountain from the
garden!

Christian had
to be behind that, just had to be. She kept her mind blank, just taking note of
it silently. She moved them closer to the cake, closer to the fountain.

“You seem to be
of better spirits. I see you approve of the cake?” Jack asked.

She nodded with
heartiness. “I do. It’s beautiful,” she smiled.

A strength
began to build in her, feeling higher spirits in the room with them, reassuring
her to go on.

Jack stared at
her in confusion, drawing his brows together, trying to figure something out.

“What’s wrong,
Jack?” she mused. Can you read my mind now?

“Nothing.
Everything’s fine,” he smirked.

Daisy knew that
fountain was helping. She wanted to run to it and hug it. She smiled up at him
and knew what she needed to do. “I’m so happy you bought me from my father.”

“Well, Richard
did his part. I need you to do yours.”

“Richard? My
father is William.”

“William? What
game are you playing, Daisy?”

“Who’s Daisy?
It’s me – Suzanna. You’re so silly, Jack.”

He stopped to
stare at her. His eyes grew wide with a recognition.

Christian
walked out to the cake and caught her eye. He pointed to his watch, warning her
of the time. The clock showed 10:10. Her heart began to pound through her
chest, fearing he would hear it or feel it.

“My sweet
Suzanna? But I thought…”

She put her
index finger to her lips.

The lights
flickered off and on, signaling the time was near. 10:11.

“Kiss me, Jack.
It’s been so long…" She pulled his face to hers, pressing her lips to his,
opening his mouth with her tongue, hearing him moan one last time as she
simultaneously took her hand and pressed it against his chest with the burned
in cross.

Nothing
happened. He pulled back and gave a sardonic smile.

“No!” she
screamed. She stared at the clock, freezing the long hand before it clicked to
the twelfth minute. She thought the burnt silhouette would be the same effect.
She looked down and found it had disappeared into smooth skin.

Someone brushed
past her, handing her her purse. She snapped it open and searched for the
cross, finding it and throwing the purse down.

“I want another
kiss...
Jack
,” she said, kissing him and pressing the cross inside his
shirt to his chest at the same time. She felt the cross sizzle into his skin,
saying the prayer her father had taught her. The time resumed and turned to
10:12.

Jack’s head
fell backwards in agony, his face contorting in different shapes, changing from
a human to a wolf, to a goat, to a jackal, his true form dying in front of her.

The lights
flashed off and on. Guests ran screaming to the doors to get out, clawing their
way out, changing forms.

“Daisy!”
Christian screamed, trying to find his way to her through all the smoke from
the burning corpses blistering on the floor.

The smell of fire
rose to her nose. “Christian, I’m here!”

He grabbed her
and looked at what was left of Jack, what appeared to be a goat carcass
seizing. “You okay?”

She nodded.
“Let’s get out. I smell fire!”

“My dad!”

“Christian,
no!”

William
stumbled down the staircase after trying to run up them to escape, clutching
his chest and gazing at his son. “Go ahead, son. You’re free now. I’m joining
your mother finally. Take care of Daisy." He fell to the landing, letting
his head fall to his arm and closed his eyes.

“Dad!” he
cried. He then saw his mother standing over him, and pulling his spirit to her.
They smiled at Christian and walked up the stairs holding hands.

“Oh, my God,
Christian. Was that really...” tears formed in her eyes.

“Let’s get out
before the house collapses." He led her through the dozens of melted
corpses, some turned to ash silhouettes, most of them rotting skeletons.

“Mama? Daddy?”

Daisy and
Christian turned around to see Emily rubbing her eyes, with no clothes on,
smeared in blood, ready for her sacrifice.

Christian ran
to her and grabbed her, wrapped his jacket around her body, threw her over his
shoulder, and clutched Daisy’s hand. They pushed through the heavy doors and
out to the fresh air, running down the stairs.

“Wait, I
forgot!” Daisy yelled, running back in the house.

“Daisy!”

She ran back
out holding the fountain piece that belonged to Lana. “I can’t leave it
behind–it’s too special and also keeps us safe,” she said, clutching it to her
chest.

They stumbled
through the doors as the house was engulfed in flames. A car screeched to the
front. Eric got out and waved his arms.

“Eric! Thank
God!” Daisy said. She ran to the car and opened the back door for Christian and
Emily. She slid in and closed the door.

“What took you
so long, man?” Christian asked.

“I lost the
keys. You guys okay? Is that Emily?”

Emily sat in
the middle, still in shock.

Daisy handed
her unicorn to her. “Here, sweetie.”

Emily lifted it
up and kissed it. “Where will I go now?” she asked, looking to Daisy for
answers.

“With us. You’ll
be ours,” Daisy said. She looked to Christian who nodded in agreement. He
reached around and rubbed her shoulder, confirming his love.

They all
watched as Stone Manor crumbled away. The roof caved in and turned into a
billow of smoke. The once grand estate disintegrated before their eyes.

Eric peeled out
of the drive and through the gates. “Let’s get the hell out of here!”

Daisy looked
back once more and said a silent prayer. She prayed for the lost souls that
would need to find their way. She had faith they would. She turned back to
Christian whose eyes were closed, probably exhausted from the decisions he was
always forced to make to please his father. He could be free now to do what he
wanted. Emily stared wide-eyed, caressing her beloved unicorn, unsure of a
future without her family.

As long as they
all had each other, that’s all that mattered in this horror. They would lean on
each other and get through this. She would probably start her job as a
kindergarten teacher while Christian would find some counseling job, maybe to
help others understand their family dynamics and to get out from their parents’
grip.

She had hopes
for Eric to find the true love he deserved, to let go of anything that ever was
between them, maybe finish out his last year of college. Whatever it took, they
would be fine.

They were
finally leaving Golden Hills for good, never to look back. For that, Daisy was
grateful.