Page 73 of The Devil

This is no fairytale castle of delicate towers set symmetrically to please the eye. There are no pretty, colorful plants to decorate any of the windows. Instead, those windows are dark eyes of leaded glass, the only warmth the glow of the lights burning inside because even on the brightest summer day I doubt light penetrates those ancient stone walls or the thick, leaded glass. As our Range Rover slows upon its approach, the sky overhead turns pitch black, the storm we’ve had a mere taste of now unleashing in full punishing glory.

I feel nauseous by the time we stop before the double doors of the entrance which, as they’re opened, I see are made of inches thick oak.

“If there’s one thing The Society doesn’t lack it’s money,” Jet says, opening his door himself rather than waiting for one of the men to open it.

Jet steps out and I take his offered hand to climb down. Black umbrellas are opened over our heads, Severin joining us with Jameson following just behind as we are led to the front doors.

I shiver, hugging my cloak close but inside is warmer than I’d expect of such an old building. A huge fire burns in the fireplace across this grand hall which is two stories high. Old and new collide brutally as I take in the black stone floors, the rich tapestries hanging on the walls here, and the ancient portraits just visible in the rooms off the foyer.

“This way,” Jameson says, leading us through, Jet on one side of me, Severin on the other as we make our way into a reception room. A thick burgundy carpet lays over the stone floor and heavy wooden furniture with richly upholstered seating face a massive fireplace with a fire burning high.

Standing just before it is an imposing man wearing long, deep burgundy robes. From the look of him, he must be in his sixties. He’s tall, almost as tall as Jet and Severin, but heavier, and the way he’s dressed looks like he came with the older part of the building.

Jameson walks toward him and I’m surprised to see a small bow of greeting.

Jet rolls his eyes. From the look on Severin’s face, he wants to but he’s the more controlled of the brothers.

Jameson takes his place at the right side of the man and folds his arms. When he does, the cuff of his shirt pulls up a little to expose his Rolex, and I wish I’d never seen that watch in Jet’s drawer. Never stolen it. I wish I’d thought of another way to do this.

A door closes heavily behind us.

The man looks at each of us, Severin first, then Jet and finally, me. He studies me for longer than comfortable and it takes all I have to hold his gaze. To not show my fear.

When he finally smiles and steps forward, I exhale, relieved.

“Welcome, gentlemen, lady,” he says with a deep Scottish accent. There’s a strangeness to his greeting, an old-ness. “Welcome to our humble halls.”

Humble.

Wow.

“I am Master Robertson, your host and servant.” He bows his head slightly. “I trust you’ve had a pleasant journey to our Elysium?”

“Pleasant is a stretch, but sure,” Jet says. How does he still sound so at ease?

Severin clears his throat and steps forward. “Master Robertson. Severin Blackstone, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My brother, Jethro, and his wife, Amal.”

“Ah, yes.” Master Robertson turns from Severin to Jet to me. “There was a wedding a few days ago, is that right?” He’s not waiting for an answer as he scrutinizes me.

In his gaze I see my lack. I glance at Jet who is glaring at the old man.

“Mr. Robertson, is it?”

“Master,” Jameson corrects but if I know Jet, I know this is just a little show of disrespect.

“Right. Master Robertson then. Should we get to it?” Jet starts. “You interrupted our honeymoon and I’d like to get back to it.”

Robertson’s smile slips to show something uglier beneath the mask of propriety.

A gong rings out and Master Robertson steps backward. He fixes his face in a neutral, unreadable expression.

“All in due time, Mr. Blackstone. Jameson,” he says. He shifts his gaze to the man.

“Yes, sir?”

“Take the lady to her room. I’m sure she’ll want to freshen up before lunch.” He faces us again. “Shall we get to it then? As you so eloquently put it…” he says, making a point of addressing Jet in particular.

“She stays with me,” Jet says.