Unforgivable Read online

  “Yes, my Lord.” The servant bowed his head and scurried out of the room.

  Carter began pacing his study eagerly, his thoughts swirling in all directions. How he wanted to storm down to the cells and cut out Jamus’ heart and end it once and for all. But he couldn’t. No, he had to make the bastard pay far worse than he had already! Jamus had survived death once already, Carter grinned - he would make sure Jamus wished he would have died in his house. Jamus would beg for death repeatedly and Carter knew just how he would start his extended torment.

  “Give me that torch!” Carter barked, grabbing the flame from the guard and walking into the same cell that had held Sofia when she had first arrived. The light pushed back the gloom and revealed the gaunt, bloodied figure chained to the wall.

  Jamus hung limp from the chains that clamped his wrists tightly, holding him up against the damp stonewall. His head drooped despairingly and his long matted hair covered his mangled face.

  “Well, well look who it is. The Demon of Ever-Dale.” Carter mused coldly. “You know when rumor came to me that it might be you killing my men I refused to believe it. Do you know why I refused to believe it, Jamus?” He paused almost expecting a response but none came. “Because meager filth like you don’t do what you tried to do. You know what you should have done when you crawled out of the burning wreck that was your home? You should have just accepted that even the gods don’t want a piece of shit like you within their midst and moved on. Moved somewhere far away and tried to rebuild your pathetic existence. But no, no you couldn’t do that, could you, you fuck! You had to deny me again - you had to deny me my right to be rid of you!” With his free hand he backhanded Jamus to find out if that man still drew breath or not. Satisfied that he was still among the living he continued. “You know what, Jamus? I am glad you are here still, I am glad we get this chance to speak again. Because the last time you denied me something I wanted very much - guess what - I ended up getting it regardless. I always get what I want, Jamus!” Jamus head slowly lifted, his eyes were filled with a burning hatred that could never be matched. “That’s right, your daughter, Sofia, young, soft, beautiful Sofia. How she looks so much like her mother, don’t you think?” He teased cruelly, drawing a fierce snarl from his prisoner. “She trusts me you know, has grown to call me friend this last half a fortnight and tonight,” his grinned widened. “Tonight, I will get from her what I have always wanted, Jamus. Tonight I will take her to my bed and have my way with her, over and over again!”

  Jamus’ scream was born of the deepest loathing and the chains snapped taut as he lunged for Carter - ignoring his bitter exhaustion, ignoring his formidable pain. He thrashed like a wild animal and the noises that escaped him were no less convincing.

  Carter sneered with glee, glad he had gotten to him finally. He handed the torch back to the guard. “Find Josiah and have him come and tend to Jamus’ wounds.” He looked back into the cell one last time, already Jamus’ rage was subduing to his lack of strength. “I would hate for our guest to die before it was intended.”

  The soft knock at the door pulled Sofia from her thoughts and before she could respond, the door opened quickly and Josiah entered in a hurry. He shut the door just as quickly, only after making sure he was not noticed by anyone. He turned to her, the expression he wore was grim.

  “Josiah, what are you doing here?” Sofia asked, happy to see him. He had always been kind and nice to her since she had arrived.

  Josiah went to her and knelt down in front of her, his eyes having a hard time meeting hers. “Sofia, I have things I must tell you, things I pray you will be able to understand. Things I wish I never had to be part of, but I was.” He had her full attention now. “Your father is alive.”

  Sofia gasped in disbelief. “What? How do you know that?” She begged, her eyes already moist with tears at the mention of him.

  “Because he is here in the very same cell you were held in when you were first brought here after...” he stopped, he could see every emotion swarm through her eyes and it killed him to know he had had any part in it.

  “Why is he in a cell? You must take me to him and find Lord Carter so he can free my papa!” Sofia cried out, moving for the door.

  Josiah grabbed her, stopping her in her tracks. “No, Sofia, you don’t understand… sweet mother of the gods and you shouldn’t understand ever, not at such an age… but you must know, you must understand.” He could tell he was only confusing and frightening her, he needed to be blunt and just get it out. “Lord Carter had your family killed; he is the one that had you taken. Your father must have survived somehow and has been trying to find you all this time, Sofia. Lord Carter had him found and now holds him prisoner.”

  Tears streamed freely down her cheeks, the blood from her face had drained and she now looked as pale as a corpse. “Why? Why Josiah, why? Why would he do this to them? Why? What does he want?”

  “I need you to listen to me, Sofia, and I need you to trust me. You need to do everything I am going to tell you or your father is going to be tortured to death and you will be…” He paused, tears beginning to well in his own eyes now. “Lord Carter is a sick man, Sofia, he does things to young girls - horrible, sinful things and tonight he plans on doing them to you. I need you to take this and hide it under your pillow or on you somewhere.” He handed her a small dagger. “You will need this and you need to use it when the time comes.”

  Sofia held the dagger in her small trembling hands, her eyes radiating fear at what she knew Josiah meant. “What about my papa? You have to help him, Josiah!”

  “I will help him, Sofia, I swear to you I will. But you need to worry about you. Carter is coming here for you and when he does he will...” He stopped again, unable to bring the filthy words to his mouth. “After I have seen to your father I will return for you, but if I do not make it back in time…” He trailed off, his eyes on the dagger in her small hands. “You need to be strong, Sofia, for your father and for you.” She swallowed back her sobs and nodded.

  Carter crested the final steps to the second floor of his over adorned mansion. Normally he took his time admiring all he had throughout his dwelling, things the common man could work his whole life and still never afford. But not tonight. Tonight he walked with lustful intentions, his arousal was already stirring within his loins at the mere thought of what the night would bring. If she opened herself to him willingly then he would be gentle - the first few times. If she shied away or tried to deny him, he would do as he had with the all the others. He grinned to himself - afterward he would return to Jamus and detail the experience to him. He might even bring a trophy.

  His thoughts were paused as Josiah came into view. “Ah, good Josiah, I have use for you.”

  “Yes, my Lord, what do you need of me?”

  “I need you to work your skills on our other guest down below. His wounds may be fatal if not tended to and I would hate for him to expire before I’ve had my full revenge,” Carter explained.

  “I understand, my Lord. I shall do what I can for him.” Josiah quickly bowed and left, hiding his disgust.

  Unforgivable

  Part Thirteen

  Lost Innocence

  Jamus hung alone in his cell, the darkness was absolute and it made no difference if his eyes were open or closed. The cell was cold and could have almost functioned as a meat cellar. The utter stench of human waste and death were a constant reminder of his fate. He had come so close - had done the impossible and all for nearly the same ending. He had gotten vengeance on few, but now it was over, he would never see Sofia again.

  A loud clamor echoed from somewhere within the underground enclosure, but Jamus could not tell what it might have been or even if he had truly heard anything at all. Slowly a faint light grew brighter as someone neared his cell. The worst thoughts began to assault him, was Carter returning already to flaunt the rape of his daughter and torment him further? Had he killed her and was going to show him the end result? As much as the thoughts pa
ined him, his eyes held no more tears to shed.

  “Jamus?” A voice called out. “Jamus, are you still among the living?”

  Jamus lifted his head and had to squint against the painful sting of the bright torch but he could make out a plainly dressed man within his cell now.

  “Sweet mother of the gods, how are you still alive?” The man gasped as he took in the full extent of Jamus’ injuries.

  “Who are you?” Jamus asked though his voice was no more than a whisper.

  “A friend,” was the reply. “I am here to help you.”

  Jamus looked hard at the man. “I have no friends.”

  “I can understand why you’d think that, but I do not have time to argue with you - I am here to help you.”

  “If you are truly here to help me, then kill me and rob that bastard the opportunity,” Jamus muttered back.

  “I can do you one better.” The man unlocked Jamus’ shackles and led him out of the cell into the stone hallway.

  “Who are you and why are you doing this?” Jamus asked in disbelief.

  “I wish I had time to explain it, but I do not.” The man checked over his shoulder, almost expecting someone to be coming down the stairs and Jamus noticed the fresh blood on his hands. “Up those stairs and to the left is the stable yard, there are two fresh horses with supplies waiting within. I need you to go there and wait for me, but if I do not return by the time the moon is at full height then I need you to mount up and ride out of here.”

  “I will not leave without my daughter!” Jamus hissed, trying to stand on his own without the aid of the wall.

  “If I do not make it to the stable then your daughter and I are both dead!” The man snapped back.

  Jamus eyes went wide. “What do you mean?”

  The man looked over his shoulder again, anxiety clear upon his face. “Please, Jamus, just go to the stable. I will bring Sofia there as soon as I can.”

  Jamus forced himself to his feet. “I will go with you - Carter is mine!”

  “Do not be a fool - you can hardly stand…you will be dead before you reach him.” He looked back to the stairs once more. “Just go to the stable and wait for me, I swear to you I will return your daughter to you, but the longer you argue the more likely he has already…”

  Jamus knew why the man had stopped, he could see the it in his eyes, and the thought almost buckled his legs. “Go, damn it! I will be at the stables. Just bring me my poor Sofia before he touches her.”

  As Carter knocked lightly on Sofia’s door he had to try to think of something else to keep his arousal at bay, yet it was nearly impossible. After a few moments, he let himself in and caught sight of his prize standing on the balcony overlooking the city.

  “You are going to catch a chill if you stand out here too long,” he told her as he went and joined her.

  “It is okay, I am not cold,” she replied, her tone almost distant.

  Carter could not keep his eyes from her and could not wait any longer. “Sofia, I would like to share something very special with you this evening.”

  Sofia looked up at him and could see the twisted thoughts running through his mind - before she had not noticed it, but now she could see it and it took all her strength not to run. “What is it?” She asked innocently, trying to keep the mounting fear from her voice.

  He smiled down at her and gestured for the door back into the room. “Let us go back in the room and I will show you.” His smile laced with perversion. “It is something very special.”

  Sofia entered the room again, her hand fumbling for the dagger hidden within her clothes. When she had placed it there, she had not thought about how hard it would be to get to quickly and without notice. She gasped aloud - her heart skipping a beat when she felt Carter’s hand upon her shoulder.

  “Let us go sit on the bed, my dear child.”

  Sofia’s fingers slipped around the cold hilt as she reached the edge of the bed. She was trembling so badly now she was sure he would notice and know she was up to something, she had to act now if she were to stand a chance.

  “How about you undress for me so I can show you what to do,” he cooed as his hand stroked her hair from behind.

  Sofia pulled the blade from its hiding spot and spun around and aimed the dagger at his out stretched arm. The blade slashed deeply across his forearm, blood splattering across the grey rug and Carter cursed as he retracted his arm.

  “What the hell are you doing?” He screamed in both panic and anger.

  Sofia held the dagger out in front of her as threateningly as she could manage. “Get away from me!”

  “What has gotten into you?” Carter hissed, surveying his wound.

  “I know!” She cried out. “I know everything. It was you who sent those men to kill my family, it was you who made them take me and bring me here.” Her eyes darkened with more hatred than her years should have allowed. “And I know you have my father in a cell! I know everything!”

  Carter’s face betrayed his surprise but quickly contorted to rage. “You’re right - it was all me. You need not worry about your father being held for long. I will kill him soon enough, once I am finished with you, you little whelp!” He stepped forward and she stabbed for him but he slapped the weapon aside easily and it fell to the floor. He grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the bed as his free hand struggled with unclasping his leather belt. “I tried to be nice! I tried to be patient and win your affections! I was even going to be gentle with you tonight! But not anymore, you little bitch! Now you will feel the full extent of my lusts!” His trousers hit the floor and he climbed onto the bed, his hand still tightly around her neck. He grinned at the sight of her struggling for air and leaned down, running his tongue across her lips. “I am going to enjoy this and when I am finished I will show your body to your father before I kill him too!”

  Sofia closed her eyes tight - too afraid to witness what was about to happen to her, what had happened to her mother. Something warm sprayed across her face and Carter’s hand released from her throat. She opened her eyes slowly and he was still above her, his hands clenched at his throat, a sickening amount of blood seeping between his thin fingers. He fell back off the bed to the floor and Josiah stood there, the dagger he had given her held tightly in his hand as he stared down at his dying master.

  “We need to go right now, your father is waiting!” Josiah said, taking his eyes off Carter and grabbing Sofia’s hand.

  Jamus waited within the stable - the two mares had been made ready as promised, and both saddlebags were stocked full of dried foods and water skins, enough to last several days. Jamus knew he should be conserving his strength but he could not calm himself enough to stop hobbling the length of the stable. Each time he was at the door he glanced up at the moon, it was nearing its apex and time was running out.

  “Papa!” Sofia’s voice cried out from behind him.

  Jamus turned to see Sofia and the stranger standing near the horses already and cursed himself for not assuming they would enter from the side door which was better hidden from view. “Sofia!” He cried out as he ran to her, ignoring all the protests his battered body screamed at him. He wrapped his daughter within his arms and cried tears of joy. “Oh Sofia, I thought I would never see you again.”

  “I thought you were dead!” She replied, tears streaming freely down her puffy cheeks.

  “I hate to ruin the moment but you two need to go, and quickly, or all this will be in vain.” Josiah cut in, hating to break up the moment but knowing it had to happen.

  Jamus knew the man was right and pulled himself away from his daughter, knowing there would be time to rejoice later once they were safely away from here. “Thank you, stranger.”

  “The name is Josiah and no thanks are needed - I am just glad your daughter is safe,” he replied, helping Sofia onto a horse.

  “How can I ever repay you?” Jamus asked, but Josiah was shaking his head.

  “Do not thank me, for I doubt this is over for y
ou. Lord Carter was cousin to the King and once he hears word of this he will likely search for you, Jamus,” he explained, handing Jamus a heavy pouch of coins that he had taken from Carter’s room. “Now go, Jamus, ride as far as these beasts will take you, then buy others and ride even further until you are no longer within Faer-Tri Kingdom. Try and rebuild what life you can now.”

  “What about you?” Jamus asked, accepting the help onto the horses back.

  “Do not worry about me, I will be fine,” he lied. “Now, go!” He slapped his hand down hard on the rumps of both beasts and they took off through the open doors. He had made sure the compound gates were open and that the guards would be distracted with a fresh wine skin and a game of dice, they would make it out at least.

  Josiah walked from the stables and saw a group of guards rushing toward him, their blades drawn and eager for they knew what had just transpired. He closed his eyes and began to pray.

  Unforgivable

  Part Fourteen

  The Sins Of The Past

  The morning was crisp, a light mist rose from the damp earth mingling with the ancient conifers, fading shortly afterward by the warmth of the rising sun over the hidden valley. The soft, rhythmic melody of the awaking woodland birds drifted through the trees as a gentle wake up call to all those who shared the depths of the forest. A light wafting of smoke drifted from the stone chimney of the small log cabin that resided within the thick forest, unknown to all save the two who inhabited it.

  Jamus stepped out onto the porch and relished in the brisk feeling of the cool morning air upon his skin as he stretched stiffly mended muscles. He scanned the forest around him for unnatural movement - a survival habit that even after six years would not relent. Satisfied, he went to the large bucket of fresh rainwater and washed the sleep away from his scar-riddled face.

  He looked up to see Sofia stroll out onto the porch, already dressed for the day in tanned buck skinned pants and boots with a simple grey cotton shirt. The sun’s rays played with her long blonde hair, giving it the effect of pure golden threads. Jamus sighed - she grew to look more like her mother Nikki with every passing year. Something years ago, he doubted he would ever have the chance of witnessing with his own eyes.