Living Hell: 'Daughters of the Night' (On-Hold), Chloe Knox & TayTay2000 & Bookaholic25 [the top 100 crime novels of all time TXT] 📗

Salvati.” He mumbled, the creepiest look in his eyes as he licked his lips and twirled his fingers in her straight blonde hair.

Agatha innately pulled away, immediately angering Harold, “No?” He then, abruptly and for no apparent, reason raised his hand, back handing Aggie over her right cheek. She yelped and fell to the ground, cupping her flushed cheek. Whitney gasped, Minnie shrugged. Farah leapt off the bench, to sit by Agatha, who wept quietly, almost inaudibly.

I jumped to my feet, “I'm feeling fine, Harold. Would you escort me to…to Lucifer’s bed chambers?” I quickly asked, my heart still racing.

Harold’s glaring gaze quickly turned from the crying Agatha to me, “Follow me, Miss. Thompson.” He growled before storming toward the doors.

Quickly, scared but not wanting Agatha or any of the others to get hurt simply because they cared about me, I scurried toward the door after Harold.

A small hand gripped my ankle, stopping me from moving. I looked over my shoulder at Agatha. Her blue eyes were dark and wild, full of so much emotion, the pure sight brought tears to my own eyes. I took in a shaky breath and growled, “Aggie! Let me go!”

She nodded, but didn’t let go of my leg, “Just…just remember what I taught you.”

I nodded, showing her that I understood and that I would indeed put what she had taught me to use. Her hand slowly loosened over my ankle, so I ran toward the doors where an impatient Harold stood waiting.

I looked back at the girls.

Renee, Lily, and Kelly all stood behind the fountain, hiding from sight of Harold. They were holding each other in comforting embarrasses. The looks in their big glassy eyes was enough to make me think…maybe they did understand? Maybe they understood what was happening all too well? They’re young, yes! But they’re not idiots!

I flashed Aggie, Whitney, and Farah a smile, trying to show them that I’d survive. I wouldn’t let this horrible and scary experience affect me. Minnie aimlessly looked at her nails, as if checking for a chipped nail...she was the one girl that I couldn’t stand. She didn’t care about anyone, but herself.

With a sad sigh, I turned and followed Harold upstairs.

* * *

Never had I ever liked Harold. He’s just like a mini-Lucifer. Just like Lucifer, he’s always horny and angry. He never smiles, only scowls…then again who would ever smile when always surrounded by death and darkness and hurt.

But now…I was relieved for Harold’s presence. He knocked on the door and a voice yelled to us on the other side that they’d be right there. My heart immediately started racing and I felt like I couldn’t breathe…but Harold? He actually helped me.

His grip around my arm tightened, pulling me close to his mouth, “Listen carefully and listen well. Don’t put up a fight, that’ll make him angry. Just let it happen, let him do whatever it isnhe wants and he won’t hurt you, got it.”

I nodded.

“Good. Don’t gasp when you see his scars, don’t even stare at them. Ignore them. That’ll make him angry. Try your best not to touch them either. Don’t pull on his hair either. He hates that as well. He likes to be the dominant one.”

I nodded.

“No calling him Lucifer, either. Either ‘Your Highness’ or ‘Your majesty’.”

I nodded.

“Are you going to say anything, ask questions, or are you going to nod at me as if everything I’ve just said went over your head?”

I shrugged, narrowing my eyes at him, “I don’t understand. Why are you telling me all this?”

Harold sighed and rolled his eyes, “Miss. Thompson, I’m a cruel, selfish man, but this? I don’t agree with this. Minnie…Minnie’s my daughter. I had to do and say a lot of things to convince Lucifer to leave my daughter be. All of this, that you have to go through--t hat all of you have to go through, it’s partially my fault.”

“But what you said to Agatha—“

“Nah. I was just saying that because I knew she was just protecting you. She’s not even my type. I prefer red-heads, not blondes.”

It was amazing how quickly my perspective of this man had changed. He might be cruel, but he has feelings. He cares for his daughter, “Because of my love for my daughter, you all have to deal with this and so…I just, don’t want to cause any more disarray then necessary.”

The door swung open, making both of us jump…Harold was indeed Lucifer’s most trusted guard. Who knows what he would do if he ever found out Harold actually had a heart.

“Harold, I thought I told you to—oh! Naomi!” Lucifer’s seductive voice mumbled as he stepped into the doorway.

Harold quickly let go of my arm and bowed in front of Lucifer before saying, “I’ll leave you two alone, your majesty,” and then walking down the hall and down the stairs.

I watched, desperately, as he hurried down the stairs, leaving me helpless and alone with Lucifer.

“Do you want to come in?”

I turned, looking at Lucifer, REALLY

looking at him for the first time. And I’m not going to lie...he’s a very attractive man...thing...angel...demon...thing

He stood bare chested, revealing to me his muscular chest and broad shoulders. He had a squared jaw, straight nose, high cheek bones, and bright, teal blue eyes. He looked no older than twenty-something…but I knew better, everyone here did.

Looks are deceiving, because Lucifer is over five hundred years old.

Looks are deceiving, because I was smiling on the outside with excitement and was crying and shaking with fear on the inside.

Lucifer began talking but I didn’t hear a word he said. I was too distracted by all the dark and eerie décor surrounding me.

Lucifer’s bed was in the middle of the room, pushed back against a wall. A fancy red and black silk canopy, that matched his silk covers and pillows, draped over the bed like a curtain. The carpet was a scarlet shade of red, like the skirt to my dress, but the walls were black, making the bloody and horrific pictures on the walls stand out. Pictures of war, torture, rape, all hung on his wall, making tears sting my eyes…what a sick fuck?

“Naomi?”

Quickly I blinked away my tears, but I kept my back to him, “I’m sorry, what is it you said…your highness?”

“I said, would you like something to drink? Water or something?”

I shrugged, “I’ll have whatever it is you’re having.”

“You’re not quite old enough for what I’m having.”

“I didn’t think rules from the in-between applied here.” I mumbled, letting my fingertips stroke the thin silk clothes that draped over the king sized mattress. It was soft, gentle…all the things I couldn’t imagine Lucifer being.

I still wasn’t looking at Lucifer, I was trying to avoid looking at him as much as possible, yet I could practically hear the smile on his face, “Touché.”

He was either too dumb or oblivious to realize that I wasn’t exactly referring to alcohol, but to statutory rape.

I listened to the faint sounds of clanking glass as I looked around the room. I had to find something to focus on, something to keep my mind off of what was happening. Agatha has done this multiple times, so I trusted her. I trusted her advice and what she’d taught me. If I didn’t take her advice who knew what would happen.

“Look for something, anything, that’ll keep you relaxed. Something that’ll lessen your fear and let you relax. The slightest bit of tension and Lucifer will think you’re up to something. He won’t tell you at first, but he’ll be thinking it.” Agatha had once said.

The only problem is, the more I looked around the more I panicked. Everything I saw made me think of something horrible and dark. Even the color scheme—red and black—immediately made me think…death!

My eyes darted left and right till I saw a mirror. It was hanging on the ceiling above the bed, and tears again threatened to overwhelm me.

Despite myself, tons of thoughts and images of Agatha came to mind. It was almost too easy to picture her, lying on his bed, scared and quietly crying as he moved over top of her. Touching her with harsh and desperate hands, taking away the one thing that she would have one day been able to give the man she loved…now that’s all gone…that’s going to be me in a little while…

And let’s face it! I looked fit for the part, the little desperate whore!

My blue eyes were outlined in a thick line of black. My eyelashes were coated with mascara making them twice their usual size. My lips, which were usually a natural plump pink, were now a bright red.

My skin tight dress, and even my hair, in the half up/half down due, was once, in medieval times, symbolism for a whore or mistress.

“You look beautiful.” Lucifer whispered in my ear, making me jump. He had moved so quickly, I hadn’t even heard him move. He chuckled at my jumpiness.

Slowly, he held a small glass of carbonized liquid in front of my face. I without hesitation or further encouragement tore the glass from his hands and chugged it down.

I didn’t like the taste at all; it was like effervescent rice wine. And rice wine is really REALLY

dry and strong, extremely bitter…but still, it relaxed me.

I let out a breath of relief, “I’m sure that’s what you say to all the girls.”

I felt his big strong arms snake around me, pulling my back against his chest, “Why can’t you just take a compliment?” he whispered, brushing his lips over my skin. A shiver shot up my