Eyes flashing, I lifted my chin. “I belong to no man. I’m only here because of a mutually beneficial agreement.” I paused, trying to find the right words to convey my need. Explaining about my father’s death and the debtors seemed too personal. I’d spent the past year grieving and now I wished to honor my father using music, just as my mother had. “The Count has given me a home and in exchange I dance in his theater, but my true wish is to sing, to hold an audience. If I become good enough, I can leave High Tower and support myself. If I don’t, the Count will arrange a marriage and send me away.”
The man reached for me, fingers closing around my wrist as he pulled me toward the middle of the room. “You do not wish an arranged marriage?”
My lips trembled. “It brings nothing but unhappiness.”
“And you believe singing will bring you happiness?” He led me down the three steps to the very center of the tower.
A swirl of lines and shapes were etched into the floor, chipped into the grooves of the stone circle. A mist hovered above us, and while I disliked the personal questions the man asked, I sensed it was part of the negotiation.
“Yes, singing will allow me to control my own destiny.” I thought of the debtors who took everything after father died, of Count Zorik and his chilling words regarding a marriage, should I choose to leave High Tower.
The man spoke again, this time his voice rich, powerful. “I admit, you do have a gift, but you know not what you ask. You should leave High Tower, seek your fortune elsewhere, and never think of this place again. Never come back.”
I blinked and swallowed hard. I’d thought he was about to offer me a deal. Could I not persuade this man?
“What do you want?” I begged. “Whatever it is, we can come to an agreement. I just want to sing, it’s all I ever wanted. My father taught me before he died, but it wasn’t enough… If you would but help me, I will find the means to pay you!”
Panic clawed up my throat as I recalled the heavy weight draining my hope and happiness away. Nightmares rose to choke me and screams died in my throat as fear overrode reason. It all went away when I sang. I couldn’t explain it, but singing was power, the pull, the thrill of the audience. If I had that, I’d never be destitute again, living in squalor, begging for scraps until I was found by the guards and delivered to the Count.
My twenty-first name day had come and gone. Although I was safe, it was not guaranteed. The very thought of marriage made my stomach clench. If I did not sing, could not earn my place, I’d be gone come spring.
“Please,” I clasped my hands in front of me. “Music is all I have, it’s the only thing that brings me joy. They will send me away and I don’t want to be sold like some animal, to a high lord to produce heirs and sit at court. You don’t know what it’s like!”
Tears of frustration and fear made my voice tremble, and I swiped at my face with the back of my hands to keep those precious tears from falling. I would not be weak in front of the ferocious man when he might be my only chance.
He faced me again, moving so close I tasted his breath against my lips. “What would you give to stay here and sing?”
“Anything.” Defiance laced my words as I lifted my chin, daring him to tell me no again.
“No matter what may happen?”
“No matter what,” I echoed, although the back of my scalp prickled. Father always warned me never to make a promise without knowing the details, but I’d done just that, for this man would teach me how to sing. This man would help me turn music into magic.
He held out his hand. “Then we have an agreement…” He paused. “Your name?”
“Aria,” I slipped my hand into his. His breath was warm, but his hand was cold, sending yet another fluttering sensation through my veins.
“Call me Uriah. Return here tomorrow night and your lessons will begin.”
4
Uriah
Fate mocked me. Ironic, how the dancer I’d admired in the theater appeared on my doorstep. I watched her leave, black hair flying as she spurred the horse down the hill, back toward the flickering lights of the town, back to High Tower Castle and safety. Even though there was no need for concern, I followed her until she crossed the bridge out of my domain. Squeezing my hands into fists, I stood still long after she'd gone, letting the vapid mist sink through my skin, leaving me cold and clammy. It was uncanny how quickly she'd responded to the call. It had been years since I'd been willing to try again, especially after what had happened last time. Still, a flicker of doubt made me wonder if I should proceed with my plan or let matters lie. Nay, it had been too long; it was time for vengeance.
Still musing, I made my way through the silent wood back toward the tower. Although I'd heard the Count sought performers for his theater, I'd forgotten about his new ward. She wasn't what I’d expected. Tall and beautiful with raven hair, gentle curves and those sharp brown eyes, full of life and defiance. I'd tried to frighten her, but she'd displayed her true spirit. Her resolve was unwavering. When I'd pressed up against her, I sensed there was more, a depth of pain or sorrow she kept hidden, yet it lingered under the surface. Which meant she was an ideal student for my designs. Magic needed to cling to a strong emotion to work, and her sorrow would allow me to imbue her with music and magic.
I'd made sure to have her stand in the circle when she'd made the agreement to give me anything. Anything.
An owl hooted in the wood, reminding me of the past, reminding me of what could be if I went forward with my plan. It was her choice, and I had to admit her tenaciousness and lack of fear tempted me. In fact, she'd laughed at the idea of a haunted tower. A smile touched my lips, quickly fading when I recalled what I had to do. Despite my loneliness and longing for companionship, I had to be careful for the situation was fragile. My emotions could not cloud my judgement, and so I banished all thoughts of taking her as my lover. Learning the music of the night would destroy her, but it was a chance I had to take.
Enough blood stained my hands. I had to end it all, take my revenge before he grew strong again.
With a heavy heart, I returned to the tower and opened the trap door. The underground lagoon had once been a mine and a passageway between my tower and High Tower Castle. Back then, a beast haunted the waters, eating the miners who worked there and anyone else brave enough to venture to the watery grave. But the tunnels had since flooded, and the monster had gone to seek food elsewhere.
Kneeling, I pressed my hand against the water and hummed a tune, letting the vibrations roll outward. It was dangerous, calling monsters with the power of song, but I'd set the events in motion this evening, I had to follow through to the hopeful conclusion.
After a few beats I stood, wiping my wet hand on my pants and climbed the ladder back to the warmth of my lair. Straightening, I eyed the spiraling staircase and ripped off the cloth covering my scars. It was time to write a new song, the best song, combining the heights of my musical prowess into something the orchestra would play for me, and I'd sing. Nay. We'd sing. Together.
