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My heart pounded heavily in my chest and my arms pumped at my sides. I flew along the uneven terrain of fallen trees and brush. Just when I thought my heart would burst, the woods opened into a large clearing. A dirt road lay about fifty yards on my left and traveled ahead of me to the center of the glade. That was where the imperious manor stood, tall and wide and dark.
The style was more Tudor than cottage style, with thick beams between the floors and tucked between large whitewashed walls. There were two floors and a large attic, and the foundation was made of huge stones chiseled to perfect rectangles and placed side by side in four straight lines.
The tall paned windows were covered in shadows until I noticed a light behind one of the second-floor glass. My heart gave a flutter as hope was rekindled within it. Somebody was there! Maybe they would help me free the others!
I raced across the wide expanse of lawn that separated the forest from the home, and in a moment my feet pounded onto the stone porch. All was silent, and I couldn’t help but look over my shoulder at the woods. I was exposed in such a spot to my pursuers, but it was worth the risk as I pounded my fist hard against the wood.
“Somebody! Anybody!” I shouted. “I need help!”
The door hadn’t been latched properly and the portal swung open on creaky hinges. A large entrance hall presented itself to me, complete with a glistening wood floor and a staircase that curved up to a second-floor balcony. Doors on either side led into the wings, but they were shut to me.
I reluctantly stepped inside and my footsteps rang loud in the oppressive silence. “H-hello?”
The door slammed shut behind me.
I yelped and spun around where I threw myself at the portal. The door, however, wouldn’t budge even an inch, and there was no sign of a lock other than on the thick wooden handle.
That’s when I heard it. A soft groan from a floorboard above me. I spun around and pressed my back against the wall. My eyes flickered over every dark inch of the place, but I neither saw nor heard anything.
Still, time was of the essence. Midnight was fast approaching. I could feel it in my aching bones. The others needed my help before whatever would happen happened.
I crept forward and winced whenever my foot fell upon an old squeaky board. I’d seen the light in the upstairs right-hand wing, so that’s where I would look. All was dark as I eased myself up the stairs and took a right at the top. The corridor ran for the entire length of the house, but two perpendicular walls divided the upstairs just like the downstairs.
A hall was hidden behind the right-hand wall and ran from the front rooms of the house to the rear rooms, creating a cross of corridors. I had seen the light in one of the front rooms, so I crept forward toward the tall window at the end of the eastern hall. There were three doors on either side of me totaling six. I tiptoed up to the first and tried the knob. It was unlocked, so I opened the door and peeked my head inside.
What I found was a comfortable bedroom with a large four-post bed situated in the center against the exterior wall. Achimney to my left had a warm fire in its hearth, and the flames cast a soft light over everything. A dresser and vanity on the right finished off the furniture, while the floor was covered in elegant oriental rugs. The dresser was topped by a decanter set on a silver platter, and dark red liquid swam inside the glass.
Everything looked so clean and inviting, so I eased into the room. “Hello? Is anyone here?”
The door shut behind me, but it wasn’t the violent shut like the front door. I spun around to find myself staring at a handsome man slightly above average height. He wore a white shirt blouse and dark pants. His feet were bare, and his hair was short. He had chiseled good looks and a muscular frame, but not so hard as I was reminded of rocks.
What captured my complete attention, however, were the two gray horns that protruded from his forehead and stretched backward at an upward angle.
CHAPTER FOUR
A crooked smileslipped onto his lips. “Good evening.”
I gasped and stumbled backward until the backs of my knees hit the bed. They collapsed and my butt fell onto the soft covers. A musky scent wafted over me, wrapping me in a sensual warmth.
I shook off the strange effects and leapt to my feet. My legs shook so much that I looped an arm around one of the posts to keep from crumpling to the floor. “W-what are you?”
His eyes were a bright emerald green color, and in the dim light I swore they glowed just softly. “I am the lord of this manor. Who are you?”
This was no time for terror, so I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’m Rose, and I need your help. These people kidnapped me and a couple of other women, and they’re holding them hostage for some lunatic.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Indeed? How did you manage to escape them?”
“I cut my ropes on a tree trunk, but-”
My plea was interrupted by his laughter. “A tree trunk?” he mused as he sauntered over to the dresser. A decanter and a pairof glasses sat on the top. He took up the decanter and turned his face to me. “Would you care for a drink?”
I shook my head. “No! Don’t you understand? I need your help! Those women are still being held captive!”
“Not for long, I assure you,” he promised as he poured out two glasses. He set the decanter down and took them up before turning to me. “You’ve saved them, Miss Rose. They will be freed before the morning comes.”
I stared at him with wide eyes as my frazzled mind tried to make sense of what he was saying. “What are you talking about?”
“You brought yourself here to be my bride.”
