The Finding

Part 4 A Brother

Looks of recognition flashed upon others faces along with brief looks of horror and some of pity directed at me. Tomas seemed to be a somewhat trustworthy guy but yet again I had only met him on this day. Dusk was approaching us and I needed to find a way to leave before it was to late. I just hoped for my sake it wasn't already too late.

By the time we reached our destination it was winding like some sort of ungodly wrath though Tomas appeared to be oblivious to it. He barely let out a shudder, meanwhile I was freezing my ass of and my hands began shaking because of the bitter cold. Tomas seemed to notice because he turned toward me and cupped my hands in his. They weren't the warmest but they weren't cold so it was welcomed. He rubbed my hands delicately and suddenly I was overcome with the odd sensation of being warm again. Tomas looked into my eyes with his brow furrowed as if perplexed. Then, ever so gently, he placed my hand against his cheek an caressed it. It was somehow smooth but the slight stubble made it rough. Slowly, he put my hand down and turned away from me.

I was confused by this action that I had no idea what to do. Could someone who seemed so gentle really be that bad? I didn't want to wait around and see but I couldn't deny the fact that he was handsome. However handsome he was, I couldn't let that blind me. I needed to get back to my aunt by whatever means necessary.

We approached a tall dark castle-like structure. It was ominously beautiful. The castle was luxuriously huge. It was bigger than any normal living quarters I had ever been in before. The steel gray bars of the fence were frightening with a metal snake climbing up the central bars. The fence parted automatically as we drew closer. A lanky man in a black hood approached our wagon and offered his hand out. I looked back at Tomas, who took the mans hands, hopped out, and then offered me his own hand.

Tomas showed no facial expressions as we walked, arms linked, down the courtyard. Every creak and every shadow made me jump in fright. After on tremendous leap, I saw Tomas even smirking at me. I shoved him slightly. His dark eyes burned into my skull and he sneered. I noted to myself never to shove him again because that was scary.

The entrance was a large wooden door that could probably fit around ten people and even had one of those ridiculous door knockers. Talk about excess.

"Ah Tomas! May I ask who this fair maiden is?" I looked up to see a young man presumably around mid twenties with intriguing black hair that was gelled back. He was handsome but I got bad vibes from in. He was standing in an eerily manner on the top of a staircase.

"This is Katherine," responded Tomas in a curt manner.

"Well, are you going to explain where this 'Katherine' came from." The strange man seemed slightly amused.

"I met her in the village. She appeared to be in distress so I brought her hear to receive the medical attention she needs." I immediately wondered why he had lied about my whereabouts.

"Oh really... what medical attention does she need?"

Just then, Tomas discretely pinched my shoulder and swatted my lower back, no doubt leaving a bruise.

"Owww! "I cried out. The nerve of some people!

"Um It appears she has had a mild injury to the shoulder an back," Tomas replied smugly.

"Katherine, this is my brother, Eli."

"Half-brother," Eli corrected. Shit. It was like I was caught between a terf war. Brother versus brother. Eli looked at me in a way that made me feel like prey.

By this point Eli was down the stairs and had made his way right in front of me.

Carefully, he grabbed my hand and placed a kiss upon the back of it. His lips were cold and smooth against my skin. I shivered and he shot me knowing smirk. Tomas tensed beside me. When Eli let go, Tomas pulled my hand back into his grip.

"Well I must say, Katherine, you are very beautiful. Will you be joining us for dinner?" Eli was definitely a sweet talker. I knew he wasted news but I couldn't help but fall under his spells.

"She is, now would you please leave her alone, Eli."

"Why, afraid I'm going to snatch her from your paws? You just might be correct be correct."

"I mean it, stay away from her."

"No promises." Eli then turned to me. He brushed a stray hair behind my ear very softy and then stroked his hand down my cheek as he mumbled something that I couldn't understand. He stroked my hair again and then walked strode away as Tomas burned holes with his eyes at the back of Eli's head.

"Come with me," Tomas said as he grasped my wrist and being pulling me down a darkly lit hallway.