Page 74 of Feathers and Thorns

Shrill voices from a nearby alley attracted his attention, and he flattened himself to the brick wall and peered around the corner. A much-younger Meena was curled up next to an open cellar door as Evelyn tried her best to shush her. Rook could just barely make out their conversation amongst the other less savory sounds that drifted from the above windows. The alley backed into Madame Elvira’s pleasure house, for those seeking the comfort of a woman’s touch, and Rook cringed as the sounds of unrequited orgasms filled the air.

“I can’t, Evie. Please, I can’t do it anymore.”

“Shush,” Evelyn said, trying to comfort her younger sister. “I know, I know. Only a few more months, okay? Then we will have enough to get out of here.”

The statement caused Meena to sob even harder, and she blew her nose into a stained handkerchief.

“Everything okay here?”

The girls jumped at the sound of Rook’s voice, no doubt in concern he would rat them out to Madam Elvira.

He held up his hands to show he meant them no harm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“No, sir,” Meena replied, wiping her tears away. “It is us who should apologize. Please, come inside and allow us to entertain you.”

Rook grimaced. “As beautiful as the both of you are, I prefer women who bed with me willingly.”

“Oh,” Meena said, unsure of how to continue the conversation.

“Who are you?” Evelyn asked.

Rook couldn’t help but give her a devilish smile. “Someone who can help.”

He told the girls he would come back in one week’s time, but Meena and Evelyn decided to make a run for it that same night. He was shocked when they showed up on his doorstep, half-frozen from the frigid mountain temperatures.

He surprised the girls by paying their dues to Madam Elvira and offering them temporary work in the manor until they felt safe enough to travel elsewhere.

Rook had not admitted it to himself then, but he enjoyed their company. Evelyn and Meena brought warmth to the cold walls of Thorncrest Manor.

The girls were with him for two weeks when Meena mentioned she felt like they were being watched.

On their next trip into the city to buy goods, Rook decided to ignore his father’s wishes to stay in the manor and instead watched over the girls. Sure enough, he noticed some unsavory characters eyeing them from across the street, trying to act nonchalant. He couldn’t say he was surprised when they started following Evie and Meena past the city limits.

He gave them credit where it was due. They stayed close enough to follow, but far enough back not to be seen. Any movement could be easily mistaken as snow sifting through branches or a stray animal going about its daily business.

Rook used his stealth to get close enough to hear their plans. He would never repeat their words to another soul. The insidious thoughts of these men had come from a place so dark that not even he could fathom. He was not surprised to find out they had been sent by Madam Elvira herself, no doubt in a fit of anger for losing two of her most attractive indentures.

His gaze flicked to the girls in the distance and the manor looming just past the next treeline. He knew it was time to act.

He struck them down as they separated to relieve themselves, and while the girls slept, he delivered their heads to Madam Elvira’s private residence with a singular message.

The next attempt will be your last.

The following morning, he went about business as usual until the girls sat down at the dining table while he thumbed through some shipment receipts. He raised an eyebrow in their direction, beckoning them to speak, as they usually took meals in the servants’ quarters to maintain the appearance to Corvus that he was their master.

“We know what you did,” Evelyn started, resting her forearms on the table and clasping her hands together.

Before Rook could confirm or deny anything, Meena blurted, “We followed you last night.” She then covered her mouth as though she could shove the words back in, but it was too late.

Rook’s jaw ticked, and he took a breath before asking, “What did you see?” His voice was dangerously low.

“We saw the bodies,” Evelyn started.

“And the heads,” Meena finished, looking a few shades paler.

“I see,” Rook replied, fingering his glass. “And you’re still here?”

“Well, I … Well, we …” Evelyn stuttered before clearing her throat. “We figured, if you meant us harm, you would have already done so.”

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