+ 1.5: A Flaw in the Plan

Upstairs: A few hours later

Azaria woke up drenched in cold sweat. She was screaming on the inside, her stomach twisted in panic. She was sure she was still stuck in the dark forest until she opened her eyes and realised she was safe in a warm bed.

 She placed her feet on the plush carpet and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Her headed pounded with a pain so sharp she was sure it was about to explode. She put it down to a sever hangover brought on by excessive drinking. She could barely remember the events that occurred after the power failure at Aquarius when she remembered that the bedroom she shared with Cam didn’t have carpeting.

She stood up looking at the unfamiliar room hoping they’d found their way back to Katy’s place. Azaria half expected Cam to waltz in at any second with a strong cup of coffee in her hand and a reassuring smile that she’d survived last night’s hectic festivities. There was no Cam and certainly no coffee. She decided to find her way to the kitchen. Perhaps they’d be in there.

Meanwhile, downstairs

 

Davrin was pacing up and down in the living room infuriated with himself for having made such a stupid mistake. He’d given the girl too much leeway over the past couple of months by allowing her out of the confines of her room. How could he have been so careless? Of course the moment she heard her name the spell’s hold would break. But he hadn’t counted on that happening simply because he didn’t know her full name until tonight.

He strode over to the television and began inflicting his anger on it. With each turn of the screwdriver he swore. Who would file a missing persons report for her anyway? She’d relayed enough personal information to him that night at Aquarius for him to know that the only people she knew were the ones she was with that night. And he’d taken care of them almost immediately. He continued to destroy the television when Jeeves came in.

“Sir, was that really necessary?” The old man enquired

“Don’t get too attached Jeeves. She may not be with us for too long.” Davrin was already conjuring up ways to handle the situation.

“Oh I don’t know about that, master Davrin. You seemed quite... attached to her.” He smiled sneakily.

Davrin stared at the old butler rather dumbfounded.

 

“What are you insinuating?” He sounded dangerous, his voice trembling with anger. The butler knew he’d gone too far. Now was not the time to make overconfident jibes at his master; not when his mood was so unstable.

“Nothing... I’m s...” He started to apologise

Davrin waved his hand and cut him off. He could hear scuffling upstairs.

Back upstairs

Azaria tried the door but it was locked.

She started to panic when the door swung open. He stood in the doorway, grinning, baring a set of pearly whites.

“Good evening ma Cherie.” He taunted.

Those words; that smile; those burning amber eyes; it all came rushing back to her and she felt the wind knocked out of her. Was the dream in fact real?

“Wh... Where am I? Who are you?” The words came out strained and painfully as though she was upchucking rocks.

“Aw... now now you must not stress yourself out.” His reassurance meant nothing: they were empty words. She stared at him. Only this time she didn’t feel the comfort or amusement she felt in the dream.

He advanced on her slowly. She tried to back away but her feet felt heavy and she stood there almost paralysed. She expected the worst. He stretched out his hand inviting her to take it. And then in a swift change of demeanour he casually asked:
“Are you hungry?”

He almost sounded normal.

She shook her head slowly.

“Suit yourself.” He shrugged

“You didn’t answer my questions!” She proclaimed. She had mustered up the strength to say it. He sighed heavily and rubbed his temples.

His tousled black hair fell over his eyes and there was a menacing look on his face.

“I’ll tell you this much...” He paused dramatically.

“You’re not going anywhere. Not any time soon that is.” Then he left

Azaria’s head, still throbbing from being knocked out, was now spinning. She banged on the door screaming for him to come back. She wondered if this was some kind of cruel joke that Cam, Katy and this demented guy had decided to play.

Downstairs in the Studio

Jeeves: “Sir, if I may say so...” The two men had sat down at the chess table.

Davrin: “You are going to either way. What is it?”

Jeeves: “Perhaps you should have given the hypnosis another go?”

Davrin: “It doesn’t work unless she’s weakened.”

Jeeves: “Sir...” Jeeves was rather astounded that his master had failed to do the obvious: bite the girl again and hypnotise her just as she regained consciousness.

Davrin: “I know!” He was angry again. “Just go tend to her.”

Maybe the good side of Davrin, if there was a good side, had wanted to see what the girl was like when she was in total control of her senses. Or perhaps his judgement had been clouded by the unexpected turn of events. Whatever the reason, it would be futile to try the hypnosis again. Not now when she was fully aware of where she was and what she was doing.

Author's Note: Okay I know the ending is a bit icky so don't be too harsh kk? ;)