The Vampire Extraordinaire Book 1

59. The Punishment

Nigel nudged me towards the entryway and dragged me towards the stairs. "Lord Nigel," the Councilman said from the bottom of the stairs.

Nigel stopped us and looked down at him. "Yes?" he panted.

"I expect punishment to be executed swiftly," he said sternly.

"Tonight," Nigel nodded.

"Very good," he said and I heard the door slam.

"Come on," Nigel told me and shoved me up the stairs. He jerked me towards a room and shoved the door open.

"Anna!" I gasped.

"Not tonight," he grabbed me by the jacket and pulled me inside. He slammed the door behind us.

"My eyes," I moaned and put my hands over my eyes.

"Take those damn things out," Nigel ordered and pulled me into the bathroom. I went to the mirror and pulled away the blue contacts, then rubbed my eyes. "Let's get you to bed," he took my arm and pulled me.

"I'm hungry," I panted.

"Beer will have to sustain you until sleep comes," he shook his head and led me towards the bed. When I frowned at him, he added, "It's part of your punishment."

"For how long?" I gasped.

"Two nights," he sighed and tucked me in, "Your window will be chained." He looked at me sternly, "Don't break out. I am risking a lot for you. My plan is to help you, Marcus. You are my grandson."

"Thanks," I smiled as the Sleep started to pull at me.

"Promise me you won't run away," he shook me awake and I nodded. "Promise out loud! If I'm going to help you, I want to hear you."

"Yes, I promise," I looked up at him and I frowned, "You are just like me; aren't you?" He only looked down his nose at me. He was characteristically quiet. Then it suddenly made sense. He was a big man. He was quiet, very calm at all times. But when he was upset, he cried as much as a woman. "You are just like me," I said softly and sat up on one elbow.

His eyes turned ruby red and he smiled wickedly, "It can be controlled, Marcus."

"Nigel?" I whispered in awe.

He closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them, they weren't red. He smiled sweetly, "Get some rest."

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I woke up with a start. It was afternoon and the sun shone through my window. I heard a sharp sound, followed by a grunt. Sharp sound, grunt.

I kicked back the covers and ran to the door. Someone was in trouble. I turned the handle on the door and felt the resistance. I had promised Nigel that I wouldn't break out, but someone was being beaten. I jerked the door open and ran down the hall. I took the stairs as fast as I could. I followed my ears to the back of the house. I ran into the kitchen and the staff gasped at me. Of course they couldn't hear what I could. "Excuse me!" I said and ran out the back door.

I heard servants gasp behind me as I ran across the yard. I ran as fast as I could to the barn. The stable man was thrashing someone at his feet and the sharp sound was followed by the grunt sound. The person laid across a hay bale and held on tightly as he was punished.

Punished!

I ran over to him and caught his wrist, "NO!" I growled and shoved him back. The man went flying through the air and landed solidly against the wall.

"MARCUS!" a strong voice growled and I twirled around to fight. Nigel held his hand out to me and panted, "What are you doing out of your room?"

I looked down at the riders crop in my hand, I looked up at Nigel's bare chest. His body had a fine layer of sweat on it and his hair was damp near his face. His red eyes pierced me, "You promised that you wouldn't break out. I'm going to have to chain you to your bed."

"What is this?" I held out the riders crop to him.

He looked past me and sighed, "Did you have to kill him?"

I looked back at the crumpled body and back at him, "He was beating you!" I gasped.

He nodded, "The Council wants pictures of your injuries. They want proof that I punished my Grandson," he laughed, "I can't even keep you in your room."

I looked at the guards as they walked in. "My Lord?" one asked.

"One of you take Marcus to his bed, we may have to shackle him to it," he sighed.

A guard took the crop from me and pulled on my arm. "Wait! You can't take my punishment for me." My strength was gone by not feeding and the guards pulled me away. I struggled to break loose.

"Marcus, you haven't learned control yet," he said sorrowfully and gestured to the stable man, "I can't lose more staff."

"But..." I started to argue.

He pointed to the Captain of the guard, "Can you use that, Dale?" he frowned.

"Yes, my Lord," he straightened his spine.

"Will you?" Nigel smiled at him.

The guard looked at me then smiled at Nigel, "I think I understand, Nigel," he said softly.

"Make him stay," Nigel ordered the two men holding me. I struggled to get loose. "Marcus!" Nigel snapped and I stopped, "You will see what others do for you."

"But why you?" I cried, "I did it. It's my punishment."

"Ella was my wife. My responsibility," he smiled at me and took hold of the gate. He nodded at Dale and closed his eyes. The guard raised his arm and slapped the crop over Nigel's shoulders. My vision blurred and I closed my eyes tight as the crop came down again. The crop sounded two more times and the guards released me. I fell to my knees on the hay and lost consciousness.