Hes lost in his mind

Chapter 25 : Jamie

For some reason Damien didn't even talk to me about the pond, let alone punish me. Maybe Jamie had talked to him? But the two didn't like each other, did they?

Days rolled by of me having to practice with Damien, and Jamie never appeared again, but his voice echoed in my head 'just remember the deal'. Why did he hate Damien? I really needed to find out.

Suddenly, the day of Jamie's ball rolled around, and I was getting ready. The dress I had been given was perfect, and not a bit showy. I was glad for that. If I were to sing, Jamie better protect me as he'd promised, and he'd BETTER be immune to my voice.

"I see you're ready," the maid asked, and I nodded. The dress was midnight blue going all the way down to the floor, with one of those triangular shapes on the skirt. That was purple. I'd done my hair up in a messy bun, and wore a single necklace with 'LOL' on it.

I made my way towards the blossom hall, led by the maid, and immediately grew nervous. It was only just sinking in - I was going to have to SING, in front of hundreds of men. In front of DAMIEN.

As I entered the room I was immediately met by Jamie, who grabbed my arm.

"you're singing in 5 minutes, love."

"5 minutes?" I gasped. "Jamie, I-"

"don't worry," Jamie hushed me. "I promise I'll protect you."

Those words soothed me, numbed my whole body as Jamie silently led me to the curtains behind the stage. The hall was filled, yet Damien wasn't in sight. No doubt he'd be looking for me.

"tell the band what you're going to sing, and come out on Que.," Jamie told me, and I nodded as he went out on stage.

There was a thunder of claps but I couldn't see anyone through the curtains - yet I could hear Jamie's voice load and clear.

"welcome, everybody. To begin with, there are some drinks set out and some lovely entertainment that I'm sure you'll all LOVE,"

I chocked at those words, they were so ironic.

"so, I introduce to you, Amelie!"

I gasped. How did he know my name? I knew Damien would kill me later - but oh well.

Jamie came out and pushed me onto the stage. I grabbed the mike and took a deep breath as the band began to play, and I sung.

"no I can't take one more step, towards you. 'cause all that's waiting is regret. And don't you know I'm not your ghost, anymore? You lost the love I loved the most,

"I learned to live, half alive. And now you want me one more time."

I saw the love in the men's eyes, and in Damien's, who was indeed at the front, hunger.

'you'd better watch my back, Jamie,' I sent a message to him, as I continued.

"and who do you think you are? Running round leaving scars, collecting your jar of hearts, tearing love apart, your gonna catch a cold, from to ice inside your soul, so don't come back for me, who do you think you are?"

I kept the song going, ignoring the hunger in the men's eyes, the yearning. As I finished everyone clapped, and Jamie led me off stage.

As we left the curtain I felt arms grab at me, and pushed them off. Jamie shouted "leave her alone!" and most of them backed off.

Jamie led me over to a kind of bar and got out two cups. One had an angel on the side, one a devil. He asked for wine in the devil, blood in the angel. The bar lady (thankfully, a lady) nodded and left with the cups.

"so, tell me about yourself, Amelie. How did you come to be in Damien's possession, because I can tell you don't want to be here."

He looked at me, shot his eyes straight at mine, and I found myself telling him the whole story, about my mum, John, the club... everything.

"hmm," Jamie thought. "you seem... in a difficult situation. But I could help you out of that situation, you see. I know every secret passage in this castle - I could easily get you out,"

"but Damien would kill you," I told him. "why risk that? Why help me?" I took a sip of wine as he took a sip of blood.

"you're very special, Amelie - and in the same way you aren't meant to be here. I'll be long gone by the time Damien finds out. Plus, you're mine now. I take responsibility for my own,"

I gripped the cup tightly. "I will never be anyone's - not Damien's, not yours."

Jamie sighed and turned away. The spell had worn off the men by now, and I hadn't seen Damien for ages. Well, until he came running up, that was.

"get away from her," Damien shouted, but this time Jamie stayed where he was. "no," he told him. "she's mine now, Damien."

I glared at him, angry.

"I'm NOT yours, never WILL be. Stop saying that,"

Jamie shrugged. "but it's true! Damien, she took a sip from the devil's cup."