Page 11 of Eternal Obsession

JADEON

Finding amusement where I could, I leaned on the doorframe of my brother’s room, arms folded, affectionately smiling as I watched Alex trying one suit on and then another, casting down the last with frustration.

“So, are you sure it wasn’t a woman who saved your life, Alex? You can tell me.” I howled with laughter at my brother’s reaction. “For a start, you didn’t invite him here for Father and me to thank him for saving your⁠—”

“I did invite him, but his business keeps him from this part of town for now. I will invite him here again. Oh! These ridiculous dress shirts. Here, help me, will you? Instead of hindering.”

“You look like a fine gentleman.” I fiddled with Alex’s necktie. “Extend to Lord Velde our thanks, and be sure to offer an invitation from Father to him so he may dine with us soon. We both look forward to meeting your new acquaintance.”

“Yes, of course. Are you sure the white does not make me look too pale? I cannot make up my mind.”

“Well, you’d better hurry. It is past seven-thirty now. Was your appointment not at⁠—”

“Oh my goodness, he was very specific about the time.” Alex realized I was mocking him, and he hit me.

“Knowing you, you’ll probably be unfashionably early.” I lingered at the top of the stairs and watched Alex walk briskly toward the castle entrance. “Be safe,” I called out to him.

With evening came the familiar silence that befell the castle. Taking my usual path, I headed toward my father’s private reading room where I often whiled away the hours lost in a good book or studying an old journal. Facing the fireplace, I took advantage of one of the warmer rooms. This room was rarely visited due to its extensive body of scholarly works, featuring a huge collection of foreign books and numerous philosophical doctrines.

Father had provided me with a key and gave strict instructions not to allow anyone in here owing to the Church’s attitude toward non-Christian text. Of course, the moment he mentioned to me that such material was frowned upon he sparked an interest, and I soon became an avid student of both Eastern and Western philosophy, devouring the complete works of Aristotle in a summer.

I once tried to discuss the subject with Father De Mercy, but after he threw holy water on me several times, I learned to keep my thoughts to myself.

Engrossed in the ancient text of Homer, it took me a moment to realize someone had entered. Due to my positioning, the chair obscured me from sight, but with a slight turn of my head I had a good view the room. My father had not noticed me. He hovered before the main bookcase and reached up for a book. However, he just tilted it back, revealing a small brass handle. I remained silent and watched.

The bookcase swung open.

I jumped with a start.

Lord Artimas disappeared into the blackness.

I sprang up out of the chair and sprinted through the door before it closed behind me, throwing me into complete darkness. Exhilarated to be shaken out of my gloom and ready for action, I reached out, fumbling along, treading carefully. The ground beneath me disappeared. I was at the top of a flight of stairs. Taking my time, I descended, using my father’s footsteps ahead of me as my guide. The spiraling stairway continued down until the drop in temperature revealed I was close to sea level. Flickering light guided my exit through a camouflaged door, leading into the dungeons that appeared as part of the wall itself. Puffs of air left my lungs, and I hoped this would not give me away.

Large torches lit up the passageway. Having passed this very spot on so many occasions, I had never noticed anything out of the ordinary. Several men headed toward me, and I ducked back behind the carved stone door and held my breath.

When they had passed, I inhaled gulps of cold air and peered out. I watched the men disappear into one of the largest rooms that lined the dungeons. Listening at the door, I couldn’t help remembering what I had witnessed as a child, though Alex and I had made a pact never to speak of it. As time passed, I considered it merely a nightmare, but now, as I lingered before the wooden doorway, I knew it was very real. Scuffling and voices echoed from within.

Annoyance rose. I was angry with my father for still keeping secrets from me. I reasoned I was now a man and would behave as such, thus deserving to be a member of his alliance, ready to shoulder what he had hidden from me all this time. I rallied myself and clutched the doorknob.

I sprang into the room.

Empty.

To my astonishment, no one was there. Round and round I turned, surrounded by four stone walls. I ran to each side of the chamber and explored the solid rock, fingering the cold granite, convinced that somewhere a secret exit was present. Frustrated, I found none.

“I’m ready!” I shouted, my words echoing back to me.

Silence.

I hoped I could muster such confidence again. A small glinting object lying on the floor in the corner drew my attention. I reached down and picked it up. It was a pendant engraved with the name Jacob.

I turned it over and over again, studying the solid silver and admiring the delicate filigree of the chain. On closer inspection, I noticed a smear of dried blood on several of the fine links.

My focus turned once more upon the chamber, looking for any other clues that might lead to the owner of this necklace.

Unwilling to contemplate the fate of the wearer, I tucked it into my pocket. Unable to recall a servant with that name, I headed out of the dungeons.

I would ask around.