The Eyes Of 'Rah

A Despicable Act

The first thing Seraphine noticed was the awkward position; feeling Phoenix's paws on the ground, standing on all fours watching behind a cage, among other dogs that were placed side by side at the back of the podium. Her eyes roamed around the surrounding, she was back at the large area which looked like an abandoned theatre but this time around, it was filled with people putting on a mask. The stacked chairs were now arranged to face the podium where two dogs were held on a leash.

She didn't need to think far, seeing how their faces were covered showed they were involved in something they would be ashamed of, if seen. She was able to identify the manager of the shelter who sat at the front row because she had on a dress, similar to what she was wearing that afternoon. A dark figure sat beside her, the aura he gave off was nothing good. Their eyes locked briefly and her heart pounded, seeing the evil stare coming from him.

She could hear other dogs whined and whimpered around her, their barking increased as few feet approached, she tried looking up as high as she could but could only sniff out the scent from their body which wasn't a good one. They reeked of sweat and alcohol. Soon a leash was tied around Phoenix' furry neck and a harsh pat landed on her head.

Dragged by the leash towards podium, she wished to see the person holding the leash but her vision could only see as high their calf.

As she felt the soft paws of Phoenix padded the ground, the leash was redirected, wondering what was happening, she felt the dark figure approached with the manager. The figure crouched lower to her level, feeling his hands scratched Phoenix' ears.

"There's something about its eyes, it makes me want to pluck it out" the figure wrapped his hand around Phoenix jaw, raising it to meet his eyes as he grinned wickedly.

Seraphine felt the dog's fear, seeing how it wanted to free itself from his grip, she heard the silent grins from the group and the indifferent look on the manager's face.

"its eyes are beautiful, don't you think so, Joanne" the dark figure faced the manager.

So, her name is Joanne, she thought.

"Yes, it is." Joanne looked behind her, "Master, we're ready" she said.

"Ok, which dog are we watching first?" The 'master' dismissed the man holding the leash as everyone settled to watch.

Seraphine was filled with horror as the scene unfolded before her eyes.   Not in her wildest dreams could she have imagined that people could pay to watch such a despicable act.

She glanced towards where Joanne and the master sat, seeing the sick smile on their faces further drove her anger to a higher level. She felt Phoenix shook in fear when she saw one of the dogs on stage being hit with a hot iron rod in order to comply.

The smell of burning fur filled the air, watching with terror the immoral acts going on, on the stage. How the workers induced the dogs to copulate in the open for the excitement of the onlookers.

Unable to watch anymore, she closed her eyes. She felt an eye on her, searching whom it could be, she didn't need to look far as the master approached Phoenix again, scratching her ears as it did before, the sick grin on his face hadn't falter. It appeared he enjoyed watching how terrified the animals and people were around him.

"When is the next show?" He asked. His dark hood had shifted a little, allowing her to have a glimpse at his face. He was no ordinary creature, she believed. His hollowed eyes, which was the only thing she could see further emphasised by the horrible grin she knew he was wearing showed how rotten of a creature he was. Keeping his feature to mind, she look down again.

"The day after tomorrow, master" Joaane replied.

"I want it to be the first dog to entertain our customers" pointing at Phoenix, "I would like to see the shade of its eyes when it gets to climax" laughing behind his mask.

"Noted, master. We will prepare it" Joanne nodded at the men to take the dog away.
***********

Seraphine gasped loudly, cringing at the horrible incident she witnessed. Without a doubt, she knew the next show was happening tonight, that could have been why Joanne and her men were chasing after Phoenix, probably to prepare her. It also explained her hesitation in allowing her adopt Phoenix.

Seraphine didn't know she had been crying until she felt droplets of tears fell on her skin. With her hazy sight which was as a result of the tears that had welled up in her eyes, she quickly brought out Phoenix from the bath.

"Oh dear furry creature" hugging her tightly, "I can imagine how scared you must've been to watch such a devilish incident" with a heavy heart, she dried her.

Desperate to prevent those devils from defiling another innocent dog and punishing the perpetrators, Seraphine hurriedly dressed up again. She knew she wouldn't be able to inform the old man of her whereabouts.

Silently, she crept to the makeshift stable to get a horse. Even though she preferred riding a carriage, it was too late to get one, settling for riding astride a horse, she led one out and headed for the Manor to inform Xavier of her discovery.
**********

Welcoming and entertaining guests during the night has always been a normal act for servants who had vampires as their masters or mistresses.  Although the Manor hardly entertain guests in the middle of the night ever since Lord and Lady Orsini left, but it was nothing strange to see one or two visitors show up, especially Master Xavier's friend. But none of them had ever asked to see Xavier during the night, they always just wanted to stay the night.

Herbert didn't hesitate to let Seraphine in, seeing the distressed look on her face, "is everything on all right, ma'am?"

"No, it's not. I need to see Xavier now" Breathing heavily as she tried to calm herself.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible Miss Patrick" Herbert politely shook his head.

"But why?" Her heart sank, "isn't he around? It's a matter of urgency"

"He is but not available" he said again with an apologetic look.

"But innocent lives are at stake" Seraphine pleaded, wanting the butler to see her desperation.

"He is quite indisposed at the moment. I'm afraid there's nothing you could say or do that would change the fact that Master Xavier can't be seen at the moment" Herbert felt helpless, he wish he could help but there was nothing he could do. He had suspected long ago that his master was hiding something and whatever it is, he had to protect his master at any cost, he trusted no one to do that but him.

"Since lives are involved, I could send some of our men with you" Herbert suggested. He didn't want to involve his master's friends which could put his master in awkward position, in case they asked why he had to call on them instead.

Seraphine shook her head quickly, she didn't know how the scene was going to unfold, she needed someone who knew about her eyes, in case there was a need for it.

"Don't worry, I'll take Daniel and Diane with me" she lied, fleeing out the Manor to go look for Annaliese, she headed to the Witcharoft Mansion.

Seraphine had barely gotten off the horse when she sighted Annaliese in front of a carriage, waiting for her at the entrance of her house.

"Let's go" she spoke, urging Seraphine to enter.

She didn't bother to ask the witch how she knew she was coming to get her. The same way she didn't ask if her coachman knew where they were going, however, seeing the familiar places they passed in the afternoon, Seraphine kept quiet.

Her mind was still occupied with saving the innocent animals and why the butler refused to allow her see Xavier. She couldn't help but conclude that something was definitely going on with Xavier and it was time to look into it but before then, handling the important matter tonight came first.

Her thought was broken when the carriage slowed and Annaliese asked her, "so, what is the plan in rescuing the dogs?"