Her head began to pound when she finally opened her eyes. Rayne found herself on a cold floor of a small windowless room. It was dark and damp and it took a while for her eyes to adjust. She was in chains again as she was when she first arrived at the castle. Slowly she sat up trying to remember what happened the night before at the ball. The last thing she remembered was Matt dragging her by the hair down to this room. What happened after that was a blur. Her once beautiful dress was now tattered and torn and her body was covered in bruises. There wasn’t an inch of her that didn’t ache. Aubry had caused complete devastation and it was only a matter of time before she killed the last remaining member of her family. Matthew. Once he was dead, she would have total control over the clan.
The door slowly opened and light briefly flooded the room before it closed again. She could hear footsteps approach her but couldn’t see who it was that was coming near. Her back was facing the wall and she was too afraid to turn and face the person coming towards her.
“Rayne, turn around” Stefan’s voice was stern yet unthreatening as he spoke.
She did as he asked, but was unable to look at him.
“Drink” he said handing her a glass of red liquid, which she took from him and drank hungrily. She hadn’t had blood since early the night before at the ball. When she was done she handed the glass back to him.
“I’ll be back later to bring you some water to bathe.”
“I want to see Matthew,” she said
“Your wants no longer matter here Rayne”
“Please, she is going to kill him next, I have to see him” she cried
“What are you talking about?” he said
“Aubry, she is going to kill him just like she killed everyone else.”
“You want me to believe that Aubry is the one who killed Matt’s parents and his brother as well as Lindsay?”
“Yes” she begged
“Rayne, are you stupid? You were with Marco when he died. You were who I saw coming out of the kitchen with Matt’s knife when Lindsay died. You were the one who everyone saw coming out of the library after Matt’s father was killed and the bathroom when his mother was killed. You are an evil woman Rayne.”
“No! It was Aubry; she was dressed just like me. She is going to kill Matthew so she can have control of the clan for her own needs. You have to believe me. She is going to kill him.”
“Enough! Not another word Rayne.”
Stefan stormed out of the room and left Rayne there alone in the darkness. Once outside the door Stefan stopped to regain his thoughts. He couldn’t help but wonder if Rayne was telling the truth. What if Aubry was capable of killing her whole family? What if she was going to kill Matt?
-------- In the library -------
“How could I have been so blind?” Matthew asked.
“This was not your fault Matt.” Stefan offered
“What do I do with her now?” he asked
“What do you mean?”
“Do I let her live?”
“Well I would hope not,” Aubry said from the doorway
“Your input is not required Aubry” Matt spoke clearly annoyed at her presence.
“It was my parents that were killed last night as well” She said
“I am well aware of that and it is for me to deal with not you”
“Well deal with it then, I would hate to have to bury you next dear brother” she said before exiting the room.
“Matthew, something isn’t right” Stefan said
“What do you mean?”
“I mean there is something in your sister’s last words that don’t sit well with me.”
“I wouldn’t give it a second thought Stefan, now what do you think I should do with Rayne?”
“I think you need to keep her alive. You have to remember that you sired her; it is your obligation to her to teach her. If you kill her, you will be taking one of your own and that could turn the clan against you.
“How am I supposed to teach her when I can’t stand the sight of her right now?”
“I’ll help you. I will take on Rayne until you are ready”
“If you insist, you may be her teacher until I see fit to teach her myself” Matt said
“Alright, I will begin tomorrow”
-------- Down in the cellar ---------
The door opened once more and Rayne again dared not look at the person who entered.
“Such a pity isn’t it Rayne?” Aubry said
“Haven’t you done enough Aubry, please go away”
“As long as Matthew is alive, I will remain in this house, how ever short a time that may be.” She said with laughter in her voice as she walked out the door leaving Rayne there worried that something bad was about to happen.
Rayne fell asleep wondering what was going to happen to her come the next eve. She fell into a dream the dream she had dreamt many nights before…
----- Dream sequence ----
The fog was dense as Rayne walked barefoot through the woods. There was the ever present feeling that someone was watching her and she couldn’t seem to shake it. She looked over her shoulder but there was nothing but fog behind her. She continued to walk until she came to a clearing. On the other side was a big oak tree. The sound of a twig snapping behind her caused her to pick up her pace. She could hear footsteps behind her now but there was still no one there. The faster she walked the faster the steps behind her seemed to get. It was almost as if she was being chased. All she wanted to do was escape. When she reached the tree she stopped before it reaching out her arm to touch it. A cold breath on her neck startled her…. “Did you think you would get away from me Rayne?” he asked
“Let me go” she begged
“Never” he whispered in her ear as his hand covered her mouth. She tried to scream but soon her screams were silenced.
----- End of Dream ------
Rayne woke up screaming alone in the dark or so she thought. She felt two strong hands grip her sides and shake her.
“Be silent Rayne” Stefan ordered
“I want to go home” she cried
“Well, that isn’t going to happen now so get over it.” Stefan undid her chains and told her to stand up. He motioned for her to follow him through the door and she did as he requested.
‘Where are we going?” She asked
“The servant’s quarters. Against my better judgment Matthew wishes to keep you as a slave.”
“I don’t want to be a slave again.” She protested
“Well, there is the other option”
“What is that?” She asked
“Death, now move it along”
When they reached the servant’s quarters, Stefan escorted Rayne inside her room. All that was inside was a cot. No pillow, no blankets, no clothing. Just a cot. There was a terrace that was boarded up and covered with bars. The only source of light was a small night light beside the bed.
“Now, from this day forward, you will live in this room. Each evening someone will come for you to get you to do your chores. You will never be allowed out of this room unless you have an escort or permission from me or Matthew himself. While you are in this room the door will remain locked from the outside so that you will not be able to leave. For three hours each evening you will come with me to learn the ways of the clan and to learn how to use your powers. After that you will go with Caleb and he will instruct you as to what your chores are for the evening. Only after all of your chores are done will you be allowed to feed and then you will be returned to this room until the next evening unless otherwise instructed. Is that understood?”
“It is like being in prison” she said
“Would you rather go back to the cellar?” he asked
“No, sir”
“Then you will do as you are told. Caleb will be here in a few minutes to bring you some water to bathe and your servant’s attire. After you have dressed I will come for you and we will begin your lessons.”
“What about Matthew?” she asked
“He is the Master of this house and you will address him as such. You will not be permitted to use his name any longer. You will not be allowed to be in his presence unless he specifically requests it himself. You will be greatly punished if you dare try and approach him on your own. Is that understood?”
“Yes” she said fighting back tears.
“I will be back in half hours time, be ready for me then”
Stefan left the room and sure as he said Caleb was there with Rayne’s bath water and clothes. Her clothes were nothing more than a long white gown that almost resembled a night gown. She supposed it was to serve both purposes. Her hair was still damp when Stefan returned, but she was ready for him as he requested. When he walked through the door and took sight of her, he could see clearly now the bruises on her face and neck from Matthew’s anger. He almost took pity on her before he remembered why she was given the bruises.
“Come with me” he ordered and she followed behind him.
He took her to the study where they would be alone and she would be able to concentrate. Rayne’s first lesson would be mind control. He’s explained to her how in certain circumstances they could communicate without being in the same room by speaking to each other with their thoughts. Rayne was eager to learn her powers and was a good student. She still had a lot to learn. After the first lesson she went to Caleb and he had her scrub the floors in the ball room. She was exhausted by the time she finished, but she did finish and when she did Caleb took her to feed and brought her back to her room where she would be locked in until the next evening when Stefan came for her again. Once inside she removed her gown and collapsed on the cot in only her underclothes. She was fast asleep in seconds.
