‘What will?’
‘Well, Ellis and I, we need you kinda... relaxed tonight. So this is just a little something to make things a little easier for you, really...’
That was when I saw Ellis open the pack that held two ampoules and a syringe and, too late, I tried to bolt. ‘Jesus no Blaine for fuck’s sake no, please no...’ I garbled as I shoved myself away from the table. As if I had anywhere left to run.
Blaine was at my side in a second, turning her back on her guests so she could address me in private. Her fingernails dug into my wrist. ‘Yes, Finn. That’s the word you’re looking for.’
Chester looked on, concerned. ‘Everything okay?’
‘I’m afraid Finn is a little silly about needles,’ Blaine explained.
‘It won’t be a problem, will it?’ Chester asked, and the slightest frown broke through the botox to crease Ellis’ symmetrical face.
‘No, not at all,’ Blaine reassured. ‘Although you might want to keep him still?’
‘Oh. Sure.’ Chester came to stand behind me. ‘Why don’t we just take a seat here, Finn?’ he cajoled, and that certainly wasn’t a question, because he pushed me back into the chair and wrapped one great arm around my chest and placed the other hand on my forehead, pulling my head back so that it was trapped against his chest.
‘There,’ Blaine said. ‘Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I’ll think I’ll retire and leave you to enjoy the rest of your evening.’
‘G’night, ma’am, and thank you,’ Ellis called politely without looking up from his work. I watched him carefully mix distilled water with white powder before drawing up the solution into the syringe. He dispassionately tapped the plastic to displace the air bubbles, and joined his lover at my side.
Dread filled every fibre of me as Ellis patted the vein in the crook of my left arm to raise it, and the more I struggled the more I could feel their excitement rising. My fear was a powerful aphrodisiac.
‘Shh, there now, pretty thing, it’s fine, everything’s going to be okay,’ Chester soothed, and increased his grip on my head and chest. ‘There’s a good boy – just a little scratch, and that’s the last you’ll know about it.’
As the needle pierced my skin, I remembered. Remembered where I’d been the first time this had happened, what had been done, why I had been terrified ever since.
Then as Ellis depressed the plunger, all of it ceased to matter. My last lucid thought was that I might just get the exit from Albermarle that I had so often craved, then the drug finished its circuit around my overloaded system and I stopped being able to think at all. Bereft, defeated and utterly exhausted, I had reached the end of a long, hard road. I stopped fighting, and let myself fall.
Chapter Twenty Four
Lilith
I sat in bed with the quilt tucked up to my chest and a blanket draped over my shoulders and attempted to sketch the marketplace in Santa Marita from memory. The early darkness meant that I couldn’t work on Blaine’s portrait much after four o’clock but I needed to keep myself busy until I became exhausted enough to sleep. Adding a second run to the end of my day helped a little, but my head still raced until the very moment sleep overcame me.
I was just considering a trip to the kitchen to warm some milk, carving knife tucked into the waistband of my pants, when there was a distinctive rap at the door.
I pulled the chair away from the door and prepared to face Blaine for the first time since she’d politely requested that Coyle break my fingers. I took a deep breath, rested a trembling hand on the door handle, and prepared to give my employer a demonstration of the new, improved Lilith.
I opened the door, and there she was, dressed in cream satin nightdress and dressing gown.
‘That really isn’t necessary, Lilith.’ Blaine glanced at the displaced chair. ‘Your behaviour’s been exemplary since our last meeting. As long as it continues that way, you’ve absolutely nothing to worry about.’
‘Thank you.’ I managed a good balance of ‘subdued’ and ‘sincere’. Only two words, but so far, so good.
‘May I come in?’
I stepped aside. ‘What can I do for you?’ I could see her examining my face for the first sign of guile or mockery, but I knew she would find none.
She perched daintily on the end of my bed. ‘I feel I’ve been a little remiss. I know we’ve had our differences lately, but if I’m honest I’ve rather missed your company.’