I recognize the dark tone and the agony reflected in the sound causes chills to ripple through my body.
It sounds as if she is torturing him. Despair mixes with desolation, and I have never witnessed such a haunting sound in my life.
My knees shake and my blood runs cold as he howls like an animal in pain, making me wonder if I should storm in there and save him.
It’s like nothing I have ever heard before, and I back away from the door, hating the effect it has on me, hating myself for not helping him.
Another deep moan, like a banshee in torment, has me sprinting back up the stairs, away from him and whatever happens in the black room where the spirits play.
What is she doing to him?
Tears blind my vision as I reach the sanctuary of my room, and as I huddle against the iron bed frame, realization bites. Something evil lurks inside this house, and nothing will change my mind on that.
My first impression of the beast was correct. Trapped inside the most exquisite package is a soul in torment, and like it or not, he is the one in charge of my destiny until he says otherwise.
CHAPTER 7
JOSEPH
This was exactly what I needed. Su Yin is always exactly what I need, and as I hand her the usual envelope, she disappears into the bustle of the city to her next victim.
My mind has been rebalanced, and I can breathe easier now. I almost have a spring in my step that only one woman can give me.
I head to my den and Spencer meets me halfway, and something in his expression stops me in my tracks.
“What is it?”
He jerks his head toward the staircase. “Your guest was detected on the security camera spying on you.”
My heart stills as his meaning becomes clear. Irritation washes away my euphoria that a visit from Su Yin always gives me, and my anger sharpens.
“How long?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“Fuck.”
I’m aware she won’t have seen anything, but she may have heard something, and I’m not okay with that.
I notice Mrs. Harrington heading for the staircase and intercept her.
“Where are you going?”
“To collect Miss Zaferelli. Her meal is ready.”
“Leave her.”
My tone is ominous, and rather than ask, she nods, her head bowed as she turns back to the kitchen.
Spencer appears anxious. “Remember the plan.”
“I’m fully aware of the plan, Spencer. How can I possibly forget it, but this, well, it must not go unpunished.”
The slight shake of his head doesn’t change my decision, and I turn away from him and head up the stairs, determination in every step.
She will learn my rules sooner rather than later, and if that means I must lock her in the room, so be it.
It doesn’t take long, probably because I am taking the stairs two at a time, such is my fury and as I burst into her room, I note her huddled on the bed, her face pressed against the iron bars, her knees hugged by her arms as she closes the world off.
