The Devil's Masquerade: The Poison (11 page)

“You underestimate him,” I say with a low growl. “Amery doesn’t stand a chance against Nicholas, not even with his entire army behind him. Nicholas needs the kills. He needs to savor it and desire it. Once he starts, he shouldn’t be able to stop if provoked properly, but it all depends on that woman. Kayla has some kind of control on Nicholas, and I need to understand exactly what that is. Let’s plan a test run before we set our plan into motion.”

“And what kind of test would you like to do, Father?” Galena asks with a doubt in her voice. Her disrespect lately is getting out of control. I give her a pointed glare, and she bows her head in shame as she should. I know exactly what we need to do.

My plan is set into motion and Galena and I set up at an office building with the perfect view. We wait nearly thirty minutes before Kayla walks past us with Nicky and that other one in her arms, and for some reason, that damn dog, too. Nicholas approaches from the opposite direction to greet her with open arms.

“They are a beautiful family,” Galena says next to me.

“We are his family. They are nothing but a distraction.” I growl towards her. “Where are our men, anyway?”

“They will be here, although sacrificing men is not something I would think you would savor,” she huffs back at me. I raise my hand to quiet her down. I don’t need her disrespectful attitude simply because she is missing out on an afternoon of fucking that loser of hers.

Nicholas settles down in the park with his family. The four of them laugh and play as they prepare a quiet picnic. The park is away from the city and from anyone who might know them. Something they do often, without anyone knowing, except me. Since discovering him, I have made it my job to know where he is at all times. While lovely Kayla sets up lunch, Nick picks up the smallest one and plays some sort of game that causes him to laugh. My little Nicky tries to join in with that dog that sticks to his side every second. That overprotective dog is going to have to go, too. The moment Nicholas stalls his play time and begins looking around, I move to the edge of my seat and look for our men. I catch sight of them nearly a minute later running into view. My grandson is so perceptive, a skill that cannot be taught.

“Oh Galena watch this. This is going to be so good.” Nicholas hands the little one over to Kayla and faces off with one of our men away from his family, one of our best fighters is determined to win, but that determination doesn’t do him much good. He tries hard for the whole fifteen seconds that he lasts against my grandson. I see the bloodlust in Nicholas’s eyes as our other fighter, our supposed warrior, begins to retreat in fear. All the signs are there: the clenched fists, the heated exhaling breath, and the hungry pursuit of his prey. Nicholas pursues the man into a corner, and the man drops to his knees, begging for his life. I can’t hear his begging words, but I can see his fear. Hell, I can sense his fear, and I lick my lips, craving the kill myself. The wait nearly drives me insane when … that woman appears and takes hold of Nicholas. He jerks his head in her direction, and I get excited, hoping for his action that I didn’t even think to hope for, but instead, he calms. His fists become unclenched, his breath cools, and his hunger seems to vanish. They send our man running away and return to their sons. Nicholas helps her load them in her car while he follows them closely in his. No one is getting close to them with him around, and Nicholas is never going to know who he truly is with Kayla around him. I glance over at Galena as she tries to pick her jaw up off the floor. “And this is why we always test our theories. That wife of his is a nuisance.”

“It is very much like Dante and Sophia. That’s incredible that they both were able to find …”

“Do not remind me of that woman!” I yell at her. “I thought we had discussed that before?”

“Sorry, I had forgotten, but you have to admit that is remarkable how much the two situations resemble each other?” she says, ignoring my eyes on her.

“You forgot? Of course you did. The simple things are always hard for you to remember.” I stew in my seat trying to decide how to act next. “Kill that man. To explain it better for you, I want you to kill that coward that Nicholas let go. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, but why kill a perfectly good man?”

“Because I said so Galena! Now, go clean that mess up and don’t come home until you have taken care of it all.” I get in my car without her and have my driver take me home.

Once I am home, I find Rabbie. “If she manages her way home tonight, don’t let her in the house. Make her sleep in the servants’ quarters.” Rabbie nods like the perfect aide that he is. “I’m sick of her questioning me.” I swear her name under my breath when Barr approaches me.

“Sir, if you would oblige me, I would be more than willing to take care of this Kayla Jayzon for you. I will have my best men accompany me to make sure the job is done properly,” Barr says, my head general so to speak. Barr has been with me for some time and is my most ruthless killer. He enjoys his job more than any, and I hate to deny him his joys.

“When the time is right, I will certainly let you have that pleasure, my Mighty Slayer.” I think for a moment. “There is something you can do in the meantime. I need to make sure she is not able to conceive children again. I can’t have Nicholas fathering another child by her. I need to make sure she is fully vulnerable and not with child when we kill her.”

“It will be done within the day,” Barr says respectfully.

As I wait to hear back from Barr, I take up refuge in my study, preparing myself for a delivery of women to please me. I walk towards my balcony doors so I can step out and enjoy the night air when Rabbie runs in the room and promptly steps in front of me, cutting me off, an action that is quite unlike him. I raise my hands trying to understand what his nervous action means when he suddenly points to the door.

“I believe he is trying to tell you that I am at the door demanding to see you. It seemed to make your people nervous, so I showed myself in,” Kamini says as she enters my study with her usual overly confident attitude. Rabbie tries to straighten up the room and get rid of anything that might not be fitting for her to see, but I wave him away. I don’t care what this bitch sees or thinks of me.

“Kahhhmahhhneee …” I growl out the sound of her name under my breath, cringing with every syllable that passes my lips. What is it that you want, Kamini?” I ask with a sour tone.

“I want one of your men, and out of respect, I have come to you first. I expect you to hand him over with little fuss,” she says, casually, as if she just asked to borrow some sugar.

“Oh dear.” I roll my eyes “And which one is it that has disturbed your shrilling and crying world, Kamini?”

“You are so much more charming than your father, Dennis,” the wise ass says. “How did he die again? I have heard it was a stab wound of sorts?” As if I would tell her my secrets. The blade of my father is all that can destroy me, and I will not give any hint to it so that someone can strike me down with it as I did him. “Your father thought so much of you. I remember his proud moment introducing you as I believe you are going to be doing for your grandson, Nicholas, is it? It’s too bad that his father never got to be introduced. Dante was a handsome man but then, his mother. What was her name …”

“Sancia. Her name was Sancia,” I snap, growing more impatient with her game.

“Oh yes. Sancia, a beautiful woman. She had many suitors until you. Then, suddenly, they all started disappearing. She herself probably would have lived if not for your attention towards her. Your wife was not real happy about her was she? You know, as well as I, that she poisoned her, but I guess that doesn’t matter to you. She was nothing but another fuck to you, right Dennis?” I turn back towards her with a snarl and fisted hands. “Go ahead. Do your worst,” she hums happily.

“You would like that, wouldn’t you? Have your blood on my hands so I can be sentenced to death myself?” She shrugs, angering me even more. I grab her and throw her down on my sofa. Her body tenses while I enjoy the feeling of her body next to me. “You smell even better up close,” I breathe against her neck. “You know you want me to fuck you, always have. Say the word, and I will give you what you want, what you have always wanted.”

“I would love that Dennis. I would love to be the one to sentence you to be skinned and burned for eternity.” She turns her head and faces me with gritted teeth and a witch’s smile.

Damn her!
I jump up and rush to the other side of the room, trying to calm my emotions before I do something I will regret. I need for her to leave as soon as possible. I’m not sure I can control myself much longer. “What it is you want?” I breathe away from her but watch her every move from the corner of my eye.

She smiles wide as she judges my décor with a shaking of her head and sideways glances. “I want your man Barr. I’m sorry to tell you this. I know he has been a loyal servant to you for a long time now, but you have so many loyal people. I can’t imagine losing one is going to be that big of a deal to you.” She knows damn well how important Barr is to me. I would be a fool to believe that she is here out of respect for me. She is enjoying seeing my reaction to her request.

“I will need to know why you need him rather than any other scum that roams this world.” I glare hard at her.

“Of course. He raped a woman, several by my final count, but what has finally done him in is the last one he raped, and inadvertently killed. She was pregnant at the time. You know that’s not allowed, and it always causes The High Council concern. After a witness came forward, we will need Barr to face his judgment. The High Council has ordered his immediate demise.”

“I will need proof of this before I can hand over such a dedicated servant of mine. Let me talk to this witness, and verify their truth for myself. If I find this person trustworthy, then I will be more than happy to hand him over.”

“Oh Dennis, you know very well that you are not allowed to do that. Of course, I will have to put the request through to the High Council first. They will need to have the request reviewed, and if they find it worthy, then they will send down a notice to hear your pleas. Together, they will review your request, along with all your documentation as to why you should be allowed to speak to the witness, and if they agree then by all means, you may speak to the witness.” She smiles happily. “However, all that can be avoided if you happen to die. You can, then, speak to whoever you want without the council’s approval.” You would have to give up all the extracurricular activities that are not appropriate for a Lord of your level, but if Barr is that important to you, I am sure you won’t mind doing that.”

“Funny. I assure you I have no evils or inappropriateness in my day to day work. I simply do the job as required, nothing more. I run an honorable business that is like any other common man’s self-employment venture. Is it my fault that I am successful at what I do? I would think not.”

“You may be able to pass that bullshit onto the High Council, but I know those men committing evils are yours and only abiding by the orders you gave them. I will catch you one day, Dennis, but for now, I want Barr.”

“I’m not giving him to you without a direct order from the Council, Kamini.”

“I’m not asking. I’m telling you.” She snaps her fingers and two of her people struggle to bring in Barr, placing him in front of me.

“Sir, I promise, I have done nothing but …”

“Shut up! Release him now Kamini!” I demand, standing toe to toe with the witch. She smiles at my demand, reminding me that I have no power over her. One day, I will be in control, and I am going to fuck this woman until I tire of her, and then I will tie her to my ceiling, naked, and leave her waiting for my attention. It would be exactly what she deserves.

Her beauty was gifted to her specifically as a trap for men, to draw out their evil and then punish them with the most horrific torture I have ever witnessed. Murderers, rapists, the worst of the worst of men, she was born to right their wrongs the only way you can once they die. Even I cannot watch it. Their torturous screams alone make my ears bleed. The last man I saw had killed several children, raped many more, and committed other atrocities that sentenced him to her draw. She came in as an angel, relaxed him, and then forced a power on him one hundred times worse than the total horrors he inflicted in his life. The sight of it all is useless to me, and I find no enjoyment out of that torture.