Love & Exorcisms | 18+ | COMPLETE |

- Chapter 64 -

The Adley's home lay beyond the Jazz City, where stone roads turned to dirt and meandered along gray, overgrown swamps before reaching plantation lands. Fields of tobacco stretched out on either side of the road, confined behind white wooden fences. Rain pattered upon the coach - I was bundled in a black fur coat against the cold, and Damian had turned up the collar on his long jacket. My heart set a beat nearly as quick as the falling rain. It was a simple holiday party, meant to be joyous, a festive occasion! But it was so much more than that.

It meant so much more. 

Margaux Adley and her husband could be the ones to put an end to this - but even that I hardly dared to hope. At the least, in secret, I hoped Margaux could send me in the right direction. If she truly did have the Sight...perhaps she could help me find Dr. Carnickey.

We had driven for nearly an hour before Jacobi stopped the carriage. He had to climb down from his perch to read the address in the rain, painted in flowing white lettering upon the stone pillars that held a massive iron gate. This was it: the home of the Adley's. The long driveway was lined with ancient, overhanging oak trees that dripped massive droplets of rain upon the carriage. Beyond the oaks, I could see the Adley's orchards - peach trees, if I had to guess, dormant and barren in the cold winter weather.

Danger here - go back - where is she taking us?

I shut out their distant protests. I was still on my high from that morning - warm and content from my session with Damian, but slowly feeling that familiar chill creep back into my bones. They would be upon me soon, I knew it. But I still had my comfort.

That morning, after we separated and had laid for a while in the afterglow, Damian had untied my hands but left the ropes he'd bound around my scars in place.

"Don't be afraid," he said gently, tracing those woven lines that held me like his own arms. "Remember that I have you. Remember that you're safe."

Those ropes still bound me now, hidden beneath my violet taffeta gown. Every time I shifted in my seat, they bit into my skin like Damian's own grip. I felt guilty for feeling so safe with them around me. I was determined that it was my duty to protect Damian now - protect him from myself. But I couldn't stop feeling so reassured in his presence.

It would make it hurt all the more when I had to leave.

"Samara," Damian's voice brought me out of my thoughts. "How do you feel?"

"Nervous," I said softly, peering out the window as the Adley's monumental home came into view. "I feel as if I'm attending a funeral, not a party."

Six white pillars guarded the house's front facade. There were six windows to each floor, an upper gallery and lower veranda wrapping around the house. All the windows were aglow, and nearly a dozen carriages were nestled in front beneath the trees, one of which was still having its horse's unbridled and led to shelter by a young man. Jacobi stopped the carriage right at the steps, and before Damian could even open his door, a middle-aged gentleman in a fine white suit approached with a large umbrella in hand.

"Right this way, Monsieur, Madame. Watch your step." He ushered us from the carriage, allowing the rain to dampen his fine jacket in his effort to keep the two of us dry on the way to the porch. "Welcome to Maison d'Adley. Not to worry, your horses will be seen to and your driver will have a meal and lodging. May I see your invitation, Monsieur?" Damian produced the letter, which the butler received with a warm smile. Two younger men awaited us beside the white front doors, and at a nod from the butler granted us entrance. It was only with great effort that my jaw did not hit the floor in awe. I had always believed Damian's home to be the pinnacle of finery - it was certainly the finest I had ever set foot in...