Page 3 of The Labyrinth
Chapter Two
The next couple ofdays, Marion did her due diligence and went to the other places Peter had mentioned.All the results were the same, meaning there were too many people in New York City for one person to stand out.
Dead ends.
The Gin Room kept dominating her thoughts, especially that man Deacon.So, that evening, she headed back there, got a beer, and settled where she could wait for him.Over the next few hours, she nursed her beer, and when Deacon showed up, she snapped to attention.A server placed an amber drink on his table, even though Marion never saw him order it, reenforcing her gut feeling he was a regular.He sat alone, and no one bothered him as he took his sweet time and enjoyed his drink.The other man from the other night never appeared.
When he rose, she was ready.Clinging to the shadows, she stayed behind him as he left the bar and headed down the street.He seemed to meander, so she stayed as close as possible as to not lose him but far enough away so he wouldn’t feel her presence.It surprised her when he entered Central Park, walking past the large vertical map at the entrance.
Despite being in the center of the busiest city in the world, the park offered a quiet oasis.Deacon now walked with purpose.When he veered off the path, he hesitated and glanced over his shoulder.She stood completely still in the dark reach of a tree.
Her heart thundered until he continued with a determined stride.Her brain warned her that she was following a stranger into a dark place without anyone knowing where she was headed.He could kill her, rape her, and no one would come to save her.The logical thing would be to back off and regroup.The Lucifer on her shoulder reminded her that he might know where Peter is, and the damn devil wouldn’t let that go.So, she took a deep breath and plunged forward.
Deacon wove more and more through the darkness, until he came to a set of stairs, disappearing down them.She caught his large frame heading into a tunnel and made sure to tread quietly as she followed.At the end was another set of stairs that descended even further.The air held a dampness that turned the night downright chilly, and she was fairly certain she was under the lake, although how that could be she didn’t know.Maybe it was part of Narnia or something, because she felt like she was entering a fantasy world.The only light lay at the end of the tunnel, and she hoped she didn’t trip on something.
When she reached the end, a hand came around from behind and settled over her mouth, blocking her scream.Another arm encircled her waist to cage her against his body.She was hauled backward and held tight.Marion thrashed, but it was no use.He was too powerful.
“What are you doing down here, Marion?”Deacon asked, his voice velvet smooth.
She struggled since she couldn’t answer the damn question.Fear flooded her brain, and she fought as much as she could while being restrained.Was this how Peter disappeared?Did Deacon harm him?Her heart thundered so hard she could barely hear anything else.
“If I take my hand off your mouth, do you promise not to scream?”he asked.“Things could get a little messy if you do.”
Was that a threat?
Did she have a choice?
She settled and nodded, letting him know she would behave.For now.
His hand slowly lifted off her mouth, although the other still locked around her waist, pinning her back to his front.
“I know you did something to Peter.”Her voice warbled a little, and she hated showcasing her fear.
“I take it your friend is a grown man.If he wants to disappear, that’s his prerogative.”
The words slapped her on the face.“You hurt him, didn’t you?”
“This place is not for you, little girl.”His voice was guttural.Dangerous.
What the hell had she been thinking?It was too late now.He had her.Fear drove her to try to escape and once more she struggled against his arm.She would fight until there wasn’t any strength left because she would never just lay down and die.
“Stop it!”he snapped.
“Never.”
“I’m not sure if you’re brave or stupid.”He let out a harsh snort that blew her hair.“I have nothing to say about Peter, so go home, Marion, and forget this place.”
“No, I—”
He spun her around, bending until his face pushed into hers.“You will, because if you don’t, I can’t guarantee your safety.Let me spell it out.You.Will.Get.Hurt.”
For a split-second, she would’ve sworn the sclerae of his eyes disappeared, leaving him with full black eyes.Perhaps it was a trick of the darkness, but it unnerved her.
“Let me go,” she whispered.Begged.“Please.”
