Fading Into Darkness: The Under Series Book 2 (30 page)

“Miss Ruby, Master Cameron wants to speak with you. He's in his den.”
I walked back downstairs but with every step my feet began to feel heavier. What if this was it? He
had found out I'd been up to HP and was about to have me handcuffed and dragged out in chains
and thrown into a bricked cell. Okay maybe a little over the top, I'd never seen any chains anywhere
inside the manor and I didn't think we had any type of jail in the manor.
I stopped outside his den. I was too frightened to move, my whole body had started to tremble. With
every movement the servant reached for the door handle then pulled back when I shook my head. I
wasn't ready, I was still rehearsing what I was going to say to him in my head. I finally nodded for
the servant to open the door and I strolled in as confidently as I could.
“Hi Cam,” I said.
Shelley was stood next to him leaning over looking at something on the table.
“Ruby,” Cam greeted me, casually giving me the once over.
He whispered in Shelley's ear but I heard it clearly from where I was standing.
“Leave us.”
he said to her. She smiled at me as though nothing was wrong and left us alone.
He stood up and walked around the table to me, he leaned back and sat on the edge. His black eyes
bore holes into me, his brows scrunched up and he wrinkled his forehead looking me up and down.
He didn't look mad though which I was surprised about.
“Where did you get those clothes?” he asked tilting his head to look at me.
“They were Shasta's. I didn't think it would be a problem.”
“Really? I don't remember her wearing those.”
“I didn't know you kept track of what she wore?”
“I don't. What's wrong with your dresses?”
“Don't take this the wrong way but I don't feel comfortable in them and I keep tripping over them
all the time. They're a health hazard especially on the stairs. Have you tried walking up and down
the stairs in a dress?”
“No.” he replied as though it was a stupid question.
“What's wrong with these, you don't like the way I'm dressed?” I asked.
I thought turning on my charm might help ease the situation and it worked because he smiled.
“Okay. We don't want you taking a tumble on the stairs.”
He shrugged it off and called me around to his end of the table. I didn't think he'd take it so lightly I
was so surprised by it I wasn't paying attention to anything he was showing me. I blinked and tried
to focus.
“Seating plan,” he waved a sheet in front of my face as he sat down.
He was going over arrangements for the party that was fast approaching, where I would be
swamped with hundreds of his relatives. The very thought of it made me want to run away. Out of
all the stuff that was going on this seemed like the worst possible thing I was going to have to do.
No wonder he wasn't bothered with my clothes he was too distracted with seating plans, guest
invites and accommodation. Many of the guests would be staying on my level. I'd already seen
name tags going up on the doors.
“You will have to stand at the ballroom doors to greet everyone.” he said.
“What all night?”
“No. Only for an hour or so.”
“Can't wait.” I said in the most unenthusiastic voice possible.
“Ruby,” he said tapping a pen on the table.
“Sorry. No it all looks great, I look forward to it. Was there anything you specifically wanted me
for.”
“No not really. Just look at the seating plan so you know where you will be sitting.”
“I thought it was a party? Why are we all sitting down formally?”
“That's how things are done down here.”
He had said the word
'down here'
he'd slipped up without even realising.
“Here is the guest list. Look over it, it has the names of the different families and other guests they
are bringing. That way you wont feel so left out. You'll feel more involved if you know who's
coming.”
He handed me a rolled up piece of paper. I unrolled it and the bottom dropped down unrolling
across the table.
“You have got to be kidding.” I said looking at the ridiculously long list of names.
“I know it seems like a lot. But I narrowed it down to only my fathers side of the family to keep it
small.”
“Yeah I can see that. You've definitely kept it down to a minimum.” I said sarcastically.
He looked up at me frowning at my comment. “Thanks this is great. I'll familiarize myself with it.”
Yeah right when Hell freezes over!
There was no way I was going to remember even ten names on the list let alone one hundred plus.
Over the next few days Kenzie and I went over possible options. But most of them led back to me
marrying Cam, it was inescapable. It was as if it was my
fate
. Senka hadn't spoken much about
anything and I'd only seen him twice. All he kept saying was we'd figure it out. I didn't think we
would figure it out and he knew there was only one ending to this story. I had pestered Kenzie non
stop about Jessie, I didn't think it was a good idea to bring it up with Senka. But I needed to know
where he was, was he okay? I'd finally won Kenzie over and there had been talks of a rescue
mission but the main problem being he didn't know where Jessie was being kept. Then there was the
other problem that was keeping me up late at night and it wasn't Emmett and his candle, he hadn't
been back once since I had told Vivienne. The new problem that was worrying me was Maite, what
if she showed up today or tomorrow or even the day after that. What would we do? We were
running out of time. We all knew what Cam was planning but it involved Maite whom he didn't
have at present. It was a waiting game.

I'd stayed in bed drifting in and out of sleep. I wasn't awake and I wasn't asleep, I was in that in
between phase. I realised there was someone standing next to my bed, at first all I saw was black.
Black clothing, so I immediately thought it was Senka. A smile crept onto my face and I rolled onto
my back stretching as I opened my eyes. But instead of Senka some girl stood at the side of my bed.
I sat up and moved across the bed away from her. She looked young maybe even around sixteen.
She wasn't very tall and her bony frame made her look ill. Her eyes stood out and were the brightest
violet colour surrounded by heavy dark black make up. Purple showed under her eyes as though she
hadn't slept in days. Her face looked small and her features were defined, she had a small nose and
lips the colour of blood and a beauty spot sat just above her top lip. Her hair was an ivory colour
and hung down to her waist, it was completely wild and untamed. It looked as though it hadn't been
brushed in years. Some of her hair was bundled up on top of her head and reminded me of a
beehive, a black veil trailed down her back. She was dressed in a long black dress, it had a corset
top half which pushed her bust up and out. The lower half of her dress looked like one of those old
fashioned puffy dresses with black netting, it looked like a scary Gothic version of the dresses I had
in my own closet. She played with a strand of her hair and I noticed her scary looking nails that
were painted black and nearly two inches long. She was smiling an all teeth smile which revealed a
mouth full of black teeth. I scooted off the bed and moved to the other side of the room backing
myself into the bookcase.
“Who are you?” I asked trying not to show how frightened I was. She looked like something that
had stepped out of a horror movie.
She tilted her head as if inspecting me, still smiling at me. I bolted for the door and ran along the
corridor to the nearest servant.
“There's this thing, this girl in my bedroom.” I said a million miles an hour.
He looked at me blankly like he hadn't heard me, probably because I was taking to quick. I looked
back at my bedroom and the girl stood in the open doorway watching me.
“There she is. She's right there,” I said pointing a shaky finger at her. He looked her way but didn't
say anything.
“Hellooo,” I said waving my hand in front of his face. I looked back to see she was moving this
way, I soon took off running down the corridor. My speed picked up and I made it quickly to the
stairs. I panicked not knowing which way to go. Before I knew what I was doing I'd run down one
flight of stairs and kept going until I was on Cam's level. I don't know why in a state of panic I
chose to seek out Cam over Senka, but I didn't question my decision as I ran along the corridor to
his den. I skidded to a stop in front of the servant that was stood outside his den door.
“Cam. I need to speak to him. Is he in there?” I practically shouted at him.
“Yes. But you can't go in.” he said holding his arm up in front of me.
“Like hell I can't. Move!”
He shook his head as I grabbed his arm and pushed it down. His arm seemed to move at the
slightest touch then I pushed his shoulder to move him aside and he flew into the wall. I gasped
watching him as he slid to the floor holding his arm. A sudden wave of guilt swept over me for not
knowing my own strength, I hadn't expected that to happen. From the corner of my eye I saw a
silhouette of something black coming towards me. I screamed. I don't think I'd ever heard myself
scream before but it was so shrill it even hurt my ears. It was
I'm terrified for my life
type of scream.
The door flew open and Emmett looked me up and down, noticing my tiny pyjamas but I didn't
care. I could have been naked and I wouldn't have cared at that point. He looked at me puzzled but I
didn't have time to explain and shoved passed him knocking him over in the process. Cam sat at the
end of the table and others I recognised were seated at the table. The table had paperwork strewn all
over it. I ignored the questioning stares which also included Senka's concerned face.
“Ruby, you shouldn't be in here.” Cam said standing up. I rushed over to him.
“There was this girl in my room, she was really pale and wearing a black dress with messy hair and
she's following me.” I said rushing my words.
“What?” Cam said pointing at Roman then at the door.
I found myself edging closer to Cam and he put a protective arm around me.
Roman and Tallen hurried to the door and I peeked over Cam's arm to see Senka had left his seat
and was walking over to me. I looked back at the door, Tallen had come to a stop and so had
Roman. The girl suddenly appeared in the doorway and walked into the room, I looked away and
buried my head into Cam's chest. I felt something touching my arm, it was Senka letting me know
he was close by. No one was saying anything so I turned in Cam's arms to see what was going on.
Roman and Tallen were stood by the door looking at the girl. She walked passed them and smiled, it
was a creepy smile but I was surprised to see Roman smiling back. She moved closer to us, even the
way she moved was strange. I couldn't see her feet but it didn't look as though she was walking, it
looked as though she was gliding across the floor. I clung onto Cam as though he was my only
lifeline, I knew whatever she was, he wasn't going to let her near me.
“Maite,” Cam's voice vibrated next to me. I flinched at the name.
Maite. The witch Cam had been searching for. The witch who was going to take my memories. I
pulled Cam's arms away and moved around him to Senka, who quickly pulled me away and pushed
me behind him. Cam noticed and looked at me strangely then he spun back round and looked at
Maite.
“Maite. Always one to make an entrance.” Cam said.
“I don't know what all the excitement is about?” she said in a whispery voice grinning over at me.
Kenzie sat across the table watching her like hawk, his eyes landed on me and he scooted his chair
back and came over to where Senka and I were standing.
“You were expecting me were you not?” she asked searching for something in the front of her dress.
“Yes. I have had my men out searching for you for months.”
She ignored him and made a cooing sound as she pulled something out of a hidden pocket at the
front of her dress. It was brown and furry and looked like a dirty street rat. She lifted the rat up to
her face and kissed it, stroked its head and set it down on the table between Ryu and Shasta. It
hopped over the table and a couple of the guys leaned back, obviously not rat lovers. It ran along
the edge of the table and stopped next to Alex who was looking at it in disgust. He tried to shoo it
away and it bit him.
He flinched and sat back in his chair away from the table.
“Play nice, Sesel.” Maite said, laughing softly.
“Filthy rat.” Alex muttered picking up the paperwork and moving it away from the table.
The rat hopped back across the table and Ryu picked it up and held onto it.
Cam waved his arms motioning everyone to get up and leave. Everyone left the room silently and
Ryu carried the rat out with him, Kenzie stayed by my side and Emmett shuffled over to us stepping
around Maite.
But Cam nodded his head at him to leave. Emmett didn't look pleased about been asked to leave but
he did as he was told and quickly left. Senka was still standing in front of me. His whole body
looked tense and he was clenching his hands into fists.
“You and I have something we need to talk about.” Cam said to Maite. He looked over his shoulder
at Senka. “Take her out. I need to talk to Maite. Don't let her out of your sight.” he said.
Senka's hand found mine and he gripped it so tightly it started to hurt. His eyes were locked onto
Maite and he seemed to be vibrating. I'd never seen him like this before, this angry. Maite walked
passed Cam and angled herself so she could get a better look at me.
“Isn't she a pretty one.” she said reaching for me but Senka smacked her hand away before it came
anywhere near me.
“Senka,” Cam growled.
Maite laughed loudly and walked over to the bar in the corner. Cam scowled at Senka but Senka
remained unfazed by Cam's scowl as he continued to stare at Maite.
Senka looked down at me and squeezed my hand then pulled me in front of him and led me to the
door, Kenzie followed closely behind.
“Senkerian,” Maite called.
Senka stopped but didn't turn around. I'd never heard him called Senkerian before. Maite had said it
with an accent and made it sound exotic.
“Stay.” she said louder.
She poured herself a drink and took a sip. She smiled at me, but it was a crooked smile. I didn't trust
her and I wanted to get as far away as possible. I looked up at Senka and his eyes bored into mine, I
imagined he was going through all the possible escape routes in his head and which was the
quickest way out of here. He shook his head ever so slightly and his eyes flickered to the door. He
wanted me to make a run for it, but before I could even think about what I was doing Cam walked
passed us ushering us towards the door.
“Maite I think it would be best if we spoke privately.” Cam said opening the door for us to leave.
“No there's no need and I told Senkerian to stay where he was.”
Senka's nostrils flared and he looked mad, so mad I thought he was about to explode, the way a
volcano suddenly erupts.
“Maite we have pressing matters to discuss.”
“So talk,” she said pulling out Cam's chair at the end of the table. She sat down and smiled at me
again.
“Alone.” Cam demanded.
“No. I won't do it. I think that sums up the answer to your question, Cameron.”
“You don't know what it is I want to ask you.” he said walking towards her and leaning on the table.
“I know exactly what you want to ask me Cameron. The reason you've had half your fallen brood
searching the forest from top to bottom. And my answer is no.”
Cam tensed and turned his head slightly in my direction but didn't look at me. She had used the
word
fallen.
“Senkerian bring me one would you my darling.” she said.
I wondered what she meant by
'bring me one'.
Senka reluctantly let go of my hand and walked over to her digging in his pocket and pulled out his
packet of cigarettes. Maite sat watching him as he placed one in her mouth and lit it for her. She
smiled at him then looked back over at me.
“You need not worry Senkerian, I mean her no harm. I am only curious of her. She holds the hearts
of so many.” she said taking a drag on the cigarette.
“Maite, I think we need.....” Cam started to speak but she silenced him with a look that practically
shot daggers.
“I am not doing anything to this girl and nothing you say will change my mind.”
“Um....I don't know what you mean.” Cam stuttered looking at me worried. All his lies were
starting to surface and he was panicking.
“You are blind Cameron. This girl is no fool to your lies. She knows exactly what she is and what
you want me to do with her memories.”
Cam shot a look in my direction then back at Maite.
“She knows everything, so why don't you quit this charade and have a proper conversation with the
girl. Senkerian come sit with me while they talk.”
Senka pulled out a chair, sat down and propped his elbows on the table then he leaned over and
knocked back the rest of Maite's drink.
Cam still had his back to me. Now he knew I knew about all his lies, he couldn't face me.
“Don't be afraid to tell him child. He will do you no harm, otherwise he will spend the rest of his
miserable life regretting it.” Maite said.
“Cam,” I said, but it came out as a whisper. He turned and brushed passed me, I watched the of back
of his head as he disappeared out the door.
I turned back to Senka, he had calmed down and was spinning the glass around on the table to
distract himself.
“Go with him.” Maite said.
I took one final look at Senka and followed Cam. Outside in the corridor I caught a glimpse of the
back of Cam as he slammed his bedroom door.
The servant I had unintentionally shoved too hard was standing next to the door. He took one look
at me and lowered his head to the floor to avoid eye contact.
“I'm sorry about earlier.” I mumbled quietly to him.
He nodded to confirm he'd heard me but didn't look up.
I slowly walked the distance to Cam's room, with every step my body began to tremble. I didn't
know how this was going to pan out. Hopefully Maite was sincere when she said she wouldn't be
doing anything to harm me which involved erasing my memories. I know I still couldn't remember
anything but it didn't mean I wanted them gone for good and Cam had no right to make that
decision for me. I stood outside his large oak door. I'd never been this far along the corridor and I'd
certainly never knocked on his door. I knocked quietly, I'm sure he would have heard me, I didn't
need to bang on the door to get his attention.
The door swung open and Cam stood staring holes into me. I took a deep breath and walked in. His
room was nothing like I expected, for a start it was so light. The walls were cream with a wooden
border, small chandeliers hung from the ceiling. There was a table in front of me with a vase of
flowers in the center, like you would find walking into the entrance of someone's home. The floor
was marble and felt cold against my bare feet. The far side of the wall was entirely windows, with
long cream drapes hanging from them. He shut the door and walked ahead of me. His room was so
long and everything looked clean and well organized. I could just about see the bed at the other end
from where I was standing. From what I could see it was ten times bigger than a normal king size,
more like a giant size four poster bed with cream sheets and drapes. I trailed behind Cam watching
his long black cape as it swished around his legs. There was a seating area with cream couches that
had elegant floral patterns all over them and a glass coffee table on the rug in the middle. He untied
his cape and chucked it over the back of the couch and sat down. I stood at the end of the couch
watching him. He couldn't sit still, his leg bounced up and down and he didn't know what to do with
his hands. He was back on his feet walking over to the four seater dining table, behind it was a bar. I
watched him pour himself a drink which he downed then he poured another.