Six

“Hello, I saw you yesterday walking with Miles” I whirled around. The woman from the kitchen yesterday was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She was smiling but I was starting to feel uneasy. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. It felt plastered on her face. Like she was confused how to show any real emotion. Although yesterday, she seemed to smile at me normally. My heart started to pound. I could feel my limbs twitching wanting to bolt, but I kept my bottom  on the couch treating her like a big cat. Keeping my eyes on her. 

“Cado said I had to be nice to you. He said you were his guest. He never has guests. At least not female guests. Is that your family? The one with Cordelia? Oh she is a cranky fat woman!” She flipped her hair over her shoulder while making her way closer to me. She never looked away from my face. It felt like she was studying me. Remembering every detail. 

“Are you a new donor? Cado has never had such a sickly looking donor. It would truly be a kindness if I just ended you. You seem to have so much inner turmoil.” Her head cocked to the side. The movement was so unnatural my stomach lurched into my beating heart. 

“Lucrezia come out of hiding. Mommy is sorry she will never do that to you again. I love you. Lucrezia Mom has something to tell you I’m pregnant. It’s all your fault if I didn’t have to feed you this would have never happened.” The voice that left this woman’s mouth sounded exactly like my mother. Icy fear gripped my heart. I started screaming as the fear consumed me. It felt so unnatural, almost like the fear wasn’t mine. I tried to calm down, but nothing was working. My heart hammered faster and faster. I was starting to choke on the fear. The scream was turning guttural. I closed my eyes trying to force everything to stop. My hands flew to cover my ears. Then without warning the fear subsided. A warmth spread into my mind. It was also unnerving. One extreme to the next. I opened my eyes knowing that I should be afraid of my eyes being closed. The woman was standing above me. No expression on her face. I knew this had been a test of some sort and I had not passed it. Her face changed again. This time set into a cold icy glare.

“You’re just like your mother. Leer fucker. You slut you are ruining this family!!” The voice boomed. I had never heard this voice before. I didn’t know who or what was talking to me. Her long hands started the descent to wrap around my throat. 

“STOP!” Cadogen’s voice echoed around the room. In the blink of an eye his hands were shaking the woman.

“Esmeray! Where is your ward?” Esmeray eyes fluttered like she didn’t know where she was at. 

“Cado? What is going on?” Her legs buckled and she fell into his arms. He picked her up like a princess. She nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck. 

“Let’s get you back to bed.” His voice was the softest I had ever heard it. He walked out without a second look back. Oh but Esmeray looked back. That hideous smile back on her face. My stomach flipped and I ran straight for my brother's room. I threw the room door open. He was playing with blocks while Cordelia sat in a rocking chair that was tucked into the corner. 

“Come on Cedar, it's time to go.” I didn’t mean to but I bellowed at him. Cordelia jumped up from her seat. Cedar looked up at me throwing the blocks down. I scooped him up, turning back into the hallway. 

“Miss, are you alright? Let me get Miles.” I wasn’t listening though. I had to get my brother out of here. I ran into the study trying to find the way out. I couldn’t remember what Miles did to open the stupid bookcase. I set Cedar down and threw the curtains open. Sunlight poured into the room. Cordelia sucked in a breath and closed the double doors immediately. 

“Luc?” My brother looked at me, his little body starting to shake. I bent down to his level. 

“It’s okay Cedar I made a mistake, but I'm going to get us out of here.” I started to rip the books out of the bookcase. 

“Close the blinds so I can talk to you.” The male voice on the other side of the door sounded strained 

“Please.” a female voice pleaded. I didn’t listen. I had to get Cedar away from these monsters. I pulled a large black tomb with gold writing. The bookcase slid open. Success.  I snatched Cedar back into my arms and took off running. The front door was a straight shot after I got out of the small hallway into the blue room. The whole house was eerily quiet. I didn't care. My blood was pumping hard into my veins. My senses slightly heightened from the adrenaline. I fumbled with the locks on the door. Come on, come on. Every creak, every sound had me jumping. The heavy locks sprung open and I wretched the door open so hard it hit the wall bouncing back slightly. I ran. I felt like a bird escaping a cage. I flew down the stairs. The morning felt nice and cool. The grass was wet under my feet. I didn’t care. I was going to get Cedar and I to safety. My mother was right. I was a fool if I thought I could make it without her.