She should be used to it by now, but it made her irritable today. Perhaps because she was tired of the same thing day after day. Tired of being unseen, unheard, and unloved. She wanted more. She wanted to laugh and dance, to be held in someone's arms, to be a wife and a mother, but those things would never be permitted. The closest she’d ever get to them, was in her beloved books. Mr. Cantor slid a sheet of music in front of her, and again, she sighed. She played the first few bars before he stopped her.
“You’re doing fine, but it should be a bit more melodic.”
She nodded and started from the beginning. She wasn’t feeling particularly melodic today.
She was thirty years old today, and she just wanted someone to acknowledge that.
He stopped her again, and this time, he sat down beside her on the bench. “Just listen.”
He placed his hands on the keys, and the notes suddenly carried a wealth of passion. She couldn't stop herself from looking at him. His eyes were closed as he lost himself in the music. When he opened them again, his brow furrowed. She’d never made eye contact with him before.
This was her chance.
“Will you kiss me?”
Heavy footfalls crossed the room toward them. Madelene closed her eyes as dread filled her stomach. Her father had been watching.
“That will be all for today’s lesson, Mr. Cantor.”
“Yes, sir.”
Her father waited until the man was gone before speaking again. “I won’t have it, Madelene.” His voice trembled slightly, and the anger made cold settle over her. Anger wasn’t something he often displayed. She’d gone too far this time. “I won’t have rebelliousness under my roof.”
“I’m sorry, Father.”
“Sorry won’t take back what you’ve done. And on this day of all days. I have clearly failed in my attempt to make you strong enough to fight the demons within you.”
Madelene shook her head, but looking up at him or speaking would only make it all worse.
“It’s time I take you to someone who can provide more guidance than I am capable of.”
Chapter
Two
Simon wasn’t sure how to feel about the man Ash had sent with him. Brennan was one of the large men who had been at the front gates. He was mostly silent as they rode the long distance toward Auburn Ridge.
“So why were you the unlucky one chosen to accompany me on this errand?”
He laughed quietly. “I’m not in his good graces at the moment.”
“Well you must not have made too serious of a blunder if you’re still there. Ash doesn’t strike me as the merciful type.”
“I’ve been with Ash for a long time, and he knows I’m loyal. But I made a mistake that could have gotten someone hurt, so I’ll be paying for it for a while. And rightly so.”
Simon nodded. It spoke to the man’s character that he was so willing to take responsibility for his choices and accept the consequences of his actions without being bitter.
“It doesn’t mean I can’t handle myself,” he added.
“I never doubted it.”
The full moon was half-covered by clouds but still provided a bit of light as they approached the old red brick building. Bars encased its few windows, and all but one of them were dark. Simon always did these things at night. The absence of light and noise heightened his senses.
As he made his way quietly toward the one lit window, tortured screams erupted from within. He rushed to the front door and pulled out his lockpick tools.
“Move,” Brennan said quietly beside him. He hesitated for a moment before stepping aside. The man slammed his enormous body against the door twice before it yielded and he kicked it the rest of the way open. Apparently they weren't using stealth for this.
“Stay here.” Simon sprinted inside. He pulled out his razor as he moved. Hopefully it would be the right tool for the job. It usually was.
