Noise drew her attention to the area outside of her cell. Celine stood and approached the door. The familiar form of Marcus Northcott approached. She stalked away from the door, uninterested in the upcoming conversation.
“Good evening, Celine,” Marcus said.
“I’m finding it difficult to agree there is anything good about this evening,” Celine admitted.
“My, we are in a sour mood this evening!” Marcus replied.
“If my dreary mood bothers you, you can leave. I wouldn’t mind,” Celine suggested.
“No bother at all, Celine. Besides, we have another important discussion to engage in.” Celine did not respond. “Cat got your tongue, Celine?”
“Whatever you’re dying to say, Marcus, say it.”
“You never appreciate my dramatic flair, Celine.” Celine rolled her eyes, crossing her arms and staring at him. “Fine. You have been here over one week.”
“And?”
“Have you reconsidered my offer?”
“No.”
“It would be prudent for you do so.”
“Okay, let me consider it.” Celine paused. “No.”
“I am not amused, Celine.”
“You never appreciate my dramatic flair,” Celine mocked.
“Don’t push my me, Celine.”
“I shouldn’t be able to. You have the upper hand, as you informed me.”
“You are correct, my dear. I do. And I plan to use it to my advantage.”
“Oh?”
“Yes,” Marcus informed her. “With you here, unable to protect your family, they shall be easy prey for me.”
Infuriated, Celine sped to the door. “Do not harm my family,” she warned.
“Or what, my dear?” Marcus hissed, bringing his face close to the window. “What will you do to stop me?”
Celine set her jaw, anger burning through her. Marcus stepped away from the door, pacing the floor outside the cell. “You can do nothing to stop me, Celine. But I am a patient and forgiving man. I shall give you one more night to consider my offer. If you have not changed your mind by tomorrow evening, I shall begin my assault.”
“Patient and forgiving? You are a vile creature, Marcus.”
He ceased his pacing, smirking at her. “Do you recall what I told you in the wee hours of the morning following your sixteenth birthday? I’m sure you do. Heed those words, Celine. Consider carefully your predicament and choose wisely. Good evening, my dear.” He nodded to her and sauntered away.
Silence fell over the room as his footsteps receded. Celine stalked to the small window, peering outside at the night sky. She considered Marcus’ last statement. She, indeed, recalled the conversation the morning after her sixteenth birthday. She recalled it in vivid detail, as though it happened only yesterday.
The night of her sixteenth birthday had changed her life forever. Marcus requested her to become a member of his cult, to join him in his quest to rule the world. After revealing her father’s dead body to her, he asked her to kill the man responsible for his death to prove her loyalty. She refused, stealing his prized Book of the Dead and running from him. In the end, she had drawn his blood, sealing her fate as a supernatural being, in a desperate attempt to escape him.
Michael and Damien assisted her that night, relieving her of the book and returning to this time with it. After that evening, she would wait for over two centuries for them to return the book to her. Her life would not be pleasant. Marcus would torture her.
Her torment would begin the morning after that fated night. Celine recalled storming to her sister’s house from the beach where she had opened the time portal for Michael and Damien. She burst through the doors, intent on leaving to return to her father’s home.
Her brother-in-law, Teddy, her sister, Celeste, and Marcus followed her there. She recalled the massive argument that ensued.
“Where do you presume you are going, Celine?” Teddy bellowed at her.
“To my father’s. I shall leave tonight. I will not spend another night in this house,” she insisted.
“Celine! You shall do no such thing!”
“Do not presume to tell me what to do!” Celine shouted.
“Celine, calm yourself, you speak out of turn!” Celeste insisted.
“How dare you suggest that I calm myself,” Celine screamed. “Papa is dead! You are complicit. All of you! I shall not subject myself to this madness any longer.” Celine whipped around, climbing the steps.
She made it three steps up when Teddy roared, “Yes, Celine. You are correct. Your father is dead!”
Celine ground to a halt at hearing the words. They echoed in her head as her eyes filled with tears. Teddy continued, “And as such, your father’s home is no more. Your father resided in the Governor’s mansion, which will soon house the new governor. You, my dear sister-in-law, will reside with your new guardians until such time as you are to marry.” Celine set her jaw, realizing the meaning of his words. “If I am not being clear, Celine, you shall live with us.”
“I must deal with my father’s things.”
“Oh, they will be dealt with. I shall see to it,” Teddy assured her. “You will not leave this house. Not unless you are accompanied by me or your fiancé.”
Celine cocked her head. “My fiancé?” she questioned.
“Never fear, Celine,” Marcus chimed in, his voice steady, unemotional. “We shall observe an appropriate grieving period before we wed.”
Celine flew down the stairs. “I will never marry this man,” she screamed.
“Celine, you will listen and obey me as your guardian. Now go to your room.”
Celine’s eyes burned with fury. Anger prevented her from responding. She fled up the steps to her room, hot tears spilling down her cheeks. She slammed the door behind her, flinging herself onto her bed, weeping.
Moments later, her door opened. She glanced over her shoulder, spying Marcus entering the room. She leapt from the bed. “How dare you enter this room!” she spat. “Get out!”
“Calm yourself, Celine. There are things we must discuss.” He offered her his handkerchief. “Dry your eyes, my dear.”
Celine refused the offer. “There is nothing we must discuss.”
“But there is. I admire your strength, Celine. I admire that fiery spirit. But make no mistake, as your husband, I will not tolerate outbursts such as the one
