Chapter 38: Heated fight

Chapter 38: Heated fight
Jesper look at his beautiful wife. They have woken in each other’s arms, well-loved and feeling protective. He instinctively knew once she was fully active, she would want to see her grandmother. While she prepares herself, he quickly did his rounds and confirms orders.
“Are you ready, Grace?” he asked softly.
“I am,” she looks at him smiling but also blushes. She can’t believe how active she took part in their shared love-making. It was like she somehow knew they would be separated.
Jesper took hold of her hand pulling her softly closer to him. He briefly kisses her tenderly. “I love you,” he said full of sincerity. Her feelings were clearly visible for him to enjoy.
“Okay,” he stood his full height, clearly ready for the day.
The groundskeeper stood at his window. His steady gaze focused on the cottage. He was patient just watching. It was not allowed that he must say something but the fact that Jesper Strange and Grace Clarke has married and consummate their union, once they reach the mansion, their lives would be placed on a path neither expects. His eyes search the sky. As yet there was no sign of the crows. He turns away knowing he must not look at the couple.
Madame Clarke look at the man in front of her. No one in this living room has slept since yesterday. She kept her cool waiting. She knows the time was almost here.
Erick keeps circling the living room. He feels like hurting the old woman in front of him but it was almost like the look in her eyes were taunting him. The sudden knock on the door startled them all into instant awareness,
“Bette, open the door.” Erick instructed with authority.
“The butler…” she begins but was cut short with the look of fury in his eyes. She quickly moved towards the door. The moment she opened the door she comes face to face with her worse nightmare. “Where were you, Grace?’ Bette grabbed hold of her arm. She forcefully pulled her inside.
“Let go of me,” Grace shook herself free from the grip. “Don’t you ever touch me again,” she warned.
“Watch how you talk with me,” Bette hissed nervously.
“Where is my grandmother?” Grace reach for Jesper’s hand.
“What is this man doing here?” Bette has taken note of the hands holding them together.
“He is my husband,” she answered matter of fact. “Jesper, I think we would find my grandmother in the living room.” Grace pulled him closer to her.
“Grace,”
“That’s enough, Bette.” She answered sharply.
“Excuse me! Watch how you talk. I am still your mother.”
“No, you are not. I heard the argument between you and my grandmother. I was just a paycheck. Jesper, let’s go.”
Bette grabbed hold of his arm. One look in his eyes made her quickly remove her hand. She felt the instant fear running down her back. About to closed the door when she noticed the circling crows. She shivers again. Those birds with the beady eyes always give her the creeps. She slammed the door shut before she followed but keeping her pace slow.
The moment that Grace enters the living room, she found herself being forcefully grabbed. She suddenly comes face to face with Erick Dawn. She instinctively realized he was the hooted man down in the basement. He was the man she senses following her, watching her.
“Where the hell were you?” Erick’s grip on her arm was tight, punishing her.
“Let go of me. I don’t have to answer to you.” Grace tried to pull herself free from him but he simply pulled her closer, tightly against his body. The next moment he starts to sniff her body.
“You bloody fucking bitch.” He suddenly roars. “How dare you? Your body belongs to me.” His hold now actively punishing her. It was like he wants to mark her himself.
Jesper simply moves kicking him between the legs. It only took that brief moment for him to crumble in pain, for Grace to slipped from his grip. She quickly rushed to her waiting grandmother.
“I am going to kill you,” Erick now stood fully erect. The color of his eyes changed into red that seemed to blaze from within.
“You can try,” Jesper stood motionless.
“You have grown balls since you were a stupid kid.” Erick taunt.
“I was never weak, just waited for the right time.” Jesper start circling him. His expression closed. He moved so fast, before Erick realized the fist hits him right in the face. The next punch was hard against his chest. “You will never touch Grace, you hear me?”
Erick quickly realized the irate man in front of him wasn’t the boy he enjoyed hurting. He suddenly changed his personality, going full on the attack. He strikes Jesper through the face, making him spit blood. Before he could react with another punch, his own lip was split opened.
The viciousness of the heated fight creates destruction. As they shared punch for punch, the windows were suddenly dark with the crows trying to get inside. Their mere presence gives Jesper even more strength.
“Grace,” Madame Clarke said her name softly.
“We need to stop them.” She whispered.
“No don’t interfere, this is as it should be.” She holds Grace careful by the hand. “Did the groundskeeper approach you once you were married?’ she asked softly.
“He did but I didn’t understand what he was saying.” Grace watches anxiously as Jesper flatten Erick. She suddenly noticed Erick has a sneaky smile. She watches intently wondering what he was going to do. The knife suddenly makes an appearance.
“Jesper, watch out,” she calls sharply. She was already moving. She found herself between both men. The knife barely missed Grace’s shoulder as Jesper has moved fast and furious pulling her to safety.
“Enough,” Jesper said with rising fury.
“She is mine or no one else’s,” Erick stormed him bodily. Jesper lifts his hand slapping him through the face, stumbling before he managed to control his balance. “You will not have her,” Erick hissed,
“Grace Clarke is my wife,” Jesper said in a thunderous voice.