Catching Temptation (In Darkness She Fades (Book 1) Page 9

  “Do you have her?” Jerald asks. “If you laid one disgusting claw on her, I’ll–!”

  “You know, Jenkins, I find it astonishing you can’t control this one. Is she a bit too headstrong for you? Or could she possibly see through your caring disguise?” The Goblin King’s claws grow. Those same claws created the markings on Victoria’s neck. I cannot help but wonder if the king would do the same to me if I refuse him.

  “I assure you, Temptation headed into the goblin forest blindly. She’s loyal to me and isn’t the least bit interested in you, Silus.” Jerald’s nails arch into sharp points. He flexes his fingers. “Temptation’s mine.”

  “Oh?” The king taps a claw against his misshapen mouth. “Did you already mark her? I don’t recall seeing anything on her neck or shoulders.”

  Without thinking about my actions, my hands clutch the tree until blood drips from my fingers. I try to breath out the stress and panic, and loosen my grip.

  “You know neither of us can mark her until Halloween. I’d kill her if I tried before–” Jerald stops.

  The goblins are acting the way hounds do when they catch a scent of their prey. Their ears bend and rotate, probably trying to catch a sound of my beating heart. Their noses twitch, smelling for the source of my blood. I quickly wrap my hand in my shirt I still carry.

  “She’s somewhere close by.” The king says, while never taking his eyes off the Jenkins twins. “Remorse, take a regiment of goblins and find Temptation. The rest of you remain here with me.”

  “Stay out of our way, hybrid beast, or I’ll start murdering your goblins.” Herald’s chrome teeth mirror a ray of moonlight.

  The king lunges, charging into Herald.

  Herald howls an earsplitting screech and sinks his fangs into the king. Goblins flood out from the caves and move into battle with the humans accompanying the Jenkins twins.

  I spy a small window of opportunity to escape. Leaping down from the tree, I hit the ground and then sprint back the way I came. As I circle around the hill, I can see the battling bodies of humans, and creatures in the distance. Blood spatters the leaves and colors the water. One of the humans slams a thick branch on an older goblin’s leg. The crack from the breaking bone sounds like a gunshot through the forest. The goblin’s otherworldly cry cripples my hard emotions toward the creatures. The human stands over the goblin, ready to bash the creature’s head into the forest floor. The goblin’s massive head lunges forward. He sinks his prickly teeth into the recruiter’s leg. The man screams and bends forward. Before my heart can create another beat, the creature slashes the recruiter’s throat. Blood pools out from the man’s neck. He drops to the ground with a gurgling gasp.

  I force my limbs to shift. Legs moving in the direction of town once again, the screams fade when I reach the third hill. I can see a faint light ahead and the wall. The welcome sight jumpstarts my adrenaline. Sprinting to the wall, I almost fall over when a small body jumps in my path.

  “Hold on there, Girlie!” The goblin, Remorse, says. “Me master be wantin’ ya. He’d be very mad at me if I let ya escape again.”

  I sprint past Remorse. The wall is a few feet away.

  “Aw!” I fall into a mud pit. “What is this stuff?” I cannot move forward. It reminds me of trying to remove gum from a sidewalk; it keeps sucking me back in.

  “Stop strugglin’, Girlie. That be mud with ah spell on it. The one who can get ya outta there be me master. Not even Jenkins could free ya.” Remorse swivels and runs back in the direction of the goblins’ cove. “Me master should be pleased. Sit tight, Girlie.”

  Planting my feet into the base of the mud pit, I try to push forward, but the sticky mud sucks me back down. Up above my head, I spot a low tree branch. Twiddling my fingers on the branch, I am able to grip it. The branch in both hands, I begin to pull myself upward. The mud tugs at me; stretching my body out. Gritting my teeth, I heave myself up. My thighs rise out of the sticky muck. The mud sucks me in even harder. A sick sensation of my skin ripping apart makes me scream out in pain, but I do not surrender.

  A thick arm encircles my waist, while an inhuman hand uncurls my sore fingers from the branch. “Shh,” the Goblin King whispers. “It’s all right. You can get out of it.”

  The mud slackens and falls off my body. It rolls off my clothes the way water rolls off metal. I am clutching the king’s arm while he elevates me out of the cursed mud. Hot tears start to form behind my eyelids. I bite my tongue to stop myself from experiencing a breakdown.

  A rough hand strokes my hair.

  I finally look into the eyes of the monster I have heard so many horror stories about.

  “I’ll not keep you here, Temptation. This is my prison. Not yours. I’ll give you your freedom.”

  “But then – why did you order your goblins to capture me if you’re just going to let me go?”

  “You were watching us in the goblin cove, weren’t you?”

  I trail my scratched fingertips against the king’s dark fabric. It is coarse and brutal to my abused skin.

  He studies my movements. “I wanted you captured, because you have a right to know the truth about us. About me. I can’t waltz up to your doorway and simply tell you.”

  “But you have,” I say. “Or at least your goblins have. I’ve seen them in different parts of town, even in my bedroom.” I do not release any more information to him. I do not want anyone to know about the monster man who stops my suicide attempts or his visits to my bedroom the first day I came to Rosewood. Plus I am unsure of how the king would take it or what he would do to him.

  The Goblin King rubs my back in small circles. His claws brush my wild hair from my forehead.

  “Why can’t you show up in my room?”

  He chuckles and then says, “Well I’m glad to know you’re eager to have me in your bedroom.”

  I lower my gaze so my hair shields my face.

  “I’m afraid I don’t have the strength for using magic anymore. My goblins can still travel to specific areas in Rosewood, but I wanted to speak with you, face to face.”

  “W-What truth did you want me to know?”

  “I’m sure Jenkins–”

  “Why do you call them Jenkins? They’re two different people.”

  The king smirks. “Are they?”

  My eyebrows pucker at his puzzling answer.

  “Like I was saying, I’m sure Jenkins already told you of a fantastic story of how I murder children and rape women.”

  I shake my head. “No, but I did read a story; a folktale of Rosewood which said something to the same effect.”

  “You mean you found a copy of the folktale of Rosewood? Amazing. I thought Jenkins destroyed all those books.”

  “Why would they want the books destroyed? The story condemns you not them.” I try not to look away from those piercing eyes and hyena-like face.

  “The story hints on how to free me. I’m not a rapist or murderer, Temptation. True, the townspeople wanted help because of all the murders in Rosewood. Dead bodies kept turning up with monstrous bite marks on the neck and shoulders. Remind you of anything?”

  “Vampires. But they’re demons.”

  “The stories of vampires originated from the demons.”

  “So in a way, they are the original vampire?”

  The king nods. “They townspeople blamed my goblins and me for the murders. So, they hired the twin sons of a priest to exorcise us out of Rosewood. They did not realize until it was too late, Jenkins was responsible, and the goblins were protecting the victims. So yes, I stole children and women. But not for the reasons the twins told you of.”

  “You hurt Victoria.”

  “Accident.”

  I shift in his arms. “If that’s true, then let me go over the wall.”

  The Goblin King’s shoulders slacken. Hands, the deep color of tarnished bronze, fall away from my body.

  I hurry around the mud pit and hop over the wall. My heartbeat pounds in my ears. He actually let me go! Pee
ring back at the king, the sadness in his eyes stirs in me a drop of sympathy. “Tell me one more thing. If what you say is true, don’t you think the townspeople would’ve realized people started disappearing and dying when the twins moved to town?”

  The king’s depression dissipates and a malevolent grin replaces his frown. “Jenkins was born in Rosewood. He was not a stranger.”

  Confused by this new information, I ask, “Then how did they become demons? Did they get possessed by something?”

  The king throws back his head and laughs. “In a manner of speaking. You see they were always rascals in their youth and one of their pranks went horribly wrong. They died.” He stalks closer to the wall. “They went to what you humans call Hell and saw monstrous things too horrible to describe. They escaped and their souls returned to their bodies. The townspeople rejoiced, calling it a miracle from God, not realizing the creature borne into the twins that day. They’ll never be able to experience peacefulness again. The only thing to calm their demons is song. It’s why Victoria is their...doll. Her voice is what makes them feel human; strips them of their immortality for a brief moment in eternity. It would be wise to not allow them hear you sing, Temptation. I heard you in the theater house.”

  Color rises into my cheeks. “I didn’t want anyone to know. It’s not a part of my life anymore.”

  The king tilts his head. “A shame.”

  “So – how did they get their wings? I didn’t think demons had angel wings, I thought they would be more bat-like.”

  “I’ll answer with a question. Have you ever heard of the Nephilim?”

  I shake my head.

  “They’re the offspring of human women and fallen angels. Jenkins is a Nephilim and a demon. The only one I know of in existence. Young as he is, he’s still extremely dangerous. He needs to be stopped before he can escape from Rosewood. Free me, Temptation.”

  Thunder claps overhead. I jump. As I stare into the night, a single raindrop falls on my cheek. Weird, I thought, the sky was clear a moment ago. Back over the wall, the goblins, and their king disappear. I hug my torso and dash back in the direction of town. Aunt Sally is going to murder me!

  Chapter Seven

  Five Minutes

  The carved oak door opens and I tiptoe into the warmth of the Victorian-styled living room. Glad to escape the pounding rain, I shut the door, and lean against it for support. Crap, I feel like I ran a marathon. My wet hair lay sleek against my oval face.

  “TEMPTATION!”

  I jolt backward, slamming the back of my head in the process. As I rub the sore spot, I inwardly curse Aunt Sally. “I know I’m–”

  “Alive! Thank goodness you’re alive!” Aunt Sally dashes out of the kitchen, into the dimly lit living room, and asphyxiates me with an affectionate hug.

  Uncle Jack comes stomping down the stairs. “Temptation, where have you been? Thank God you’re not hurt!” He rips me from Aunt Sally’s arms and embraces me with such strength, I feel my back popping.

  “Uncle Jack? When did you get back and what are you two talking about? I know I’m late, but why wouldn’t I be alive?”

  “Two people were killed tonight. The Blares. They were the couple who told your father about Rosewood.” Aunt Sally sniffles into a tissue.

  A sick sensation bubbles in the pit of my stomach. “Did they have a daughter in high school?”

  “Poor girl.” Uncle Jack shakes his head. “Victoria. Alfred told me how wonderful his daughter is at singing. She has many things in common with you, Temptation.”

  What a compliment. I dread the answer to the question that springs from my lips. “Uncle Jack, how did the Blares die?”

  “Their throats – completely ripped out. The police think a wild pit-bull is to blame. Rabies maybe.” He shakes his head again before ushering me to the staircase. “Let’s not get into details tonight. You’re alive and that’s what’s most important. Someone found your backpack by the lake. We thought the worst.” His eyes water which causes guilt to flood throughout my body. “You need to get out of those wet things before you catch a cold.”

  “Yes, and I need to call the police to tell them we found you.” Aunt Sally bustles back into the kitchen.

  I allow Uncle Jack to lead me up the moaning stairs. He leaves me at my bedroom door with a kiss on the cheek and a promise to talk in the morning.

  I shut my door behind me and exhale. “The Goblin King and the twins both have good points, but who can I trust?” I shiver. “Crap, I’m freezing.”

  In the bathroom, I amble to the side of the tub, and turn on the tap. Steam fills the air, along with the light sent of chamomile, and sandalwood from the bath beads. I strip and sink into the hot water, closing my eyes. My worries melt, while the warmth of the water massages my muscles.

  A creaking sound, coming from my bedroom, bolts me out of my daydreaming. Heavy footsteps stop at the bathroom door. The lights flicker.

  “Temptation. You in there?” Uncle Jack’s voice echoes through the door.

  I sink back into the tub, while my heartbeat returns to its normal pace. “Yeah, Uncle Jack. What’s up?”

  “There’s someone here to see you.”

  “I’ll be downstairs in a minute, I need to get changed.” Wet feet touch the cool floor as I step out of the tub. Wrapping a royal purple towel around my body, I check my reflection, and then open the door. “What are you doing in my room? Who let you in?”

  Herald yanks my hair back to investigate the curve of my neck.

  “Get off!” I shove him. “Uncle Jack? Why aren’t you doing anything?” His brown eyes possess a vacancy in their cores. I cannot even see my reflection. His eyes are empty. Dead.

  Herald stands next to Uncle Jack.

  “You son of a –! What did you do to him?”

  “He’s fine. Think of it as sleepwalking. He won’t remember a thing.” Herald reaches out and strokes my wet hair with his clawed hand. “How did you get away from the goblins? More importantly, how did you escape the king?”

  I retreat when his hand forms a fist, before dropping to his side. “Why did you allow Victoria’s parents to be murdered?”

  “An accident; we’ve never seen the goblins this strong. One clawed Mr. Blare’s throat out,” I remember the recruiter who attacked the goblin. It must have been Mr. Blare. “And the other ripped Mrs. Blare’s neck apart. Answer my question.”

  Herald advances on me and I react by stomping on his foot. He releases me with a noisy grunt. Darting into the room, the four-poster bed separates me and Herald. His nails dig into the bedpost, proving how easy it will be to slice into my skin.

  “The Goblin King let me go. How can he be as bad as you say if he didn’t hurt me? If he did help kill the Blares, why didn’t he kill me?”

  “He’s playing you, Temptation. He wants you to free him!” Herald sneers and points an arched nail at my face. “And the day you try, is the day you’ll die. I won’t let you ruin everything I’ve accomplished in this town; no matter how much Jerald likes you. Here I can live peacefully, without the outside world knowing about me and hunting me down.” Herald edges around the bed.

  “You stay away from me or I will release those goblins! Do you understand me? I want you to leave me alone. I’ll keep your stupid secret, but I’m not going to have anything to do with you or your brother.”

  Herald mutates into his demon form. “Jack Falls, I want you to jump out of the window.”

  Before I can blink, Uncle Jack dashes past me. The windows blow open. I scream and lung forward to stop him. Hands seize my wrists. Uncle Jack jumps and disappears out of the window.

  “Damn you!”

  Herald takes a fistful of my hair and wrenches my head back. “Look.” He jabs a long finger at the window.

  I see the motionless form of Uncle Jack, hovering in mid-air.

  “I can let him drop, but I’m getting tired of this tug-of-war between us. You obey me or you’ll start losing more family members. Your defiance is disru
pting the order of things in Rosewood. Should I let him fall or will you save him?”

  Painful memories of my parents’ death haunt me now. Flashes of the car aflame and the first time I heard the cruel chuckle of the creatures cause me to slump in Herald’s arms. “Fine. Leave my family alone.”

  Herald frees his hand from my hair and motions for Uncle Jack to return to the room. His voice changes to worry-free and intoxicating like waking to the sound of rhythmic ocean waves. “Jack Falls, you’ll not remember answering your front door. You and your wife and children went to bed. You never heard Temptation scream. If she tries to tell you about demons, you’ll be deaf to her words.” He stops to grin at my outraged expression. “Return to your wife and don’t leave your bedroom until morning.”

  Uncle Jack’s eyes register nothing. His movements imitate the wobbling of a zombie as he staggers out of the room. When the door shuts behind him, Herald yanks me back against his chest, while he fumbles with something in his pockets.

  The towel begins to loosen its grip on my body. “What are you doing?” I ask, eyeing his pocket.

  “Hold still.” Herald unveils a gaudy necklace from his pocket. He binds the long metal necklace around my throat and mumbles a few words. I hear a loud click. “There. The goblins cannot harm you. Only a powerful demon could remove this from your neck. Next time Victoria suggests for you to do something stupid again, don’t listen to her. Seriously, I thought you were smarter.” Herald shoves me on the squishy bedspread. “You’re not to miss school on Monday. Tryouts for the lead singer at the Halloween Ball are going to be held then, and you’re going to audition–”

  “I don’t sing anymore. My parents died because I tried to make it to a concert on time. I don’t want to sing. Victoria–”

  “–is not who I want to hear this year.” His firm voice shows no remorse for my feelings. “You’ll sing or one of your family members will pay for it. Your younger cousin maybe. What was his name? Nathan?”

  “Why does this Mask Ball mean so much to everyone? To you?”