Chapter One Hundred Five

Jane Astor was crying profusely in front of me. The pain reflected in her moist and bloodshot eyes seemed too genuine. Either she was a spectacular actress or a helpless mother. I couldn’t decide which one it was without asking Desmond’s opinion.

“Let’s suppose you’re telling the truth,” I started. “But you’re not locked anymore. There is an army of servants in the manor and regular visitors. Why did you never try to ask for help from anyone?”

“I didn’t expect this question from you. Even though you and your family live far away, Benedict has eyes on your every move. So, think how much information he must keep about me. He keeps track of my every step and breath. All my actions always get immediately reported to him. How can I_”

“Lies!” I cut her off. “Despite being aware that Benedict would find out about our plan to come to Voocrod before we exited our home, we came anyway. If he were your abuser, you would have told someone by now. How can you be romantic with a person who killed your brother? How can you smile after everything you are claiming to have endured? You are anything but a victim. Maybe, initially, you were against his practices, but then he must have shown you the beneficial side of witchcraft and devil worship. You remained silent for your greed, not a child.”

“You don’t know the pain of having your child taken away!” Jane’s voice raised. “You don’t know what it feels like when you can’t protect them. Any mother would sacrifice anything to protect her baby. Why do you think I never tried? I did. My courage gave my baby a forever wound. Benedict is a diabolical man. He doesn’t forgive disobedience. I am helpless before the love for my child. He would kill him if I tried to do anything.”

Jane’s howls of agony made me question everything. My father was a great man, and she was his sister. Could Benedict be the one behind it all? He was the mayor of that city and the owner of the manor.

“Where is he keeping your child?” I asked.

“I don’t know. If I had known, I would have risked my life to get to him. Benedict did show me a picture of my son’s broken arm when he hurt him for the first time.” Jane tugged her hair and lowered her body to the ground again.

I closed my eyes and mentally asked Desmond’s opinion, but no response came.

“Aren’t you afraid now? You are here telling me everything. Wouldn’t your son now face the consequences of this courageous act? Why did you come to me instead of going to his nephew?”

Jane looked at me with empty eyes. “I have many reasons for doing that. Benedict’s attention is all on you. To maintain his reputation, he has the manor blessed every week. That’s when he needs to remove every demon from the property. To our good luck, that day fell today. The priest cleansed the house with holy water a few hours before you arrived. It weakens and burns the unholy spirits. Only two of Benedict’s demon servants are powerful enough to enter a blessed home without turning into flames. Though it still weakens their power. Presently, they are by their master’s side. One of them stabbed and murdered the maid, not your brother.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question. It was a rare opportunity. Why did you pick me and not go to Benedict’s nephew for help? Is Charles evil, too?” I asked.

“No, the nephew doesn’t know a thing.” Jane Astor paused and hesitated as she looked around the room. “I came to you because you have brought powerful entities with you.”

Jane’s knowledge gave me the creeps. “How do you know that?”

“Benedict’s demons confirmed their presence while we were waiting for all of you at the dinner table. He had planned to wait until after the dinner to kill the maid, but things changed when your demons showed up. Their combined power is much greater than the two we have here in Rothslor,” Jane explained.

“Look,” I opened my mouth to speak, and Jane grabbed my legs. I deemed it an attack until I saw how she was sobbing as she clung to me.

“I may have never played the role of an aunt in your life, but I want you to believe me for our blood relation,” Jane begged. “You’re my only hope of ever escaping Voocrod. The fate of my child and me is in your hands. I am begging you to command your demons to spare and help me find my son. Please.”

I was so confused by Jane’s behavior. The woman I had heard the worst about was now on her knees, begging and crying for mercy. It was all too much to be just an act.

“I don’t know what to say…” I began and stopped when a loud thud came from outside.

“It could be Benedict,” Jane cried. I could feel her entire body shudder against my legs. “I must get out of here at once. Please don’t mention any of this to my husband. He will turn me and my son into a corpse.”

Jane hurried towards the door in a crawling position and exited the room, leaving me utterly confused.

“Cass,” Desmond spoke close to my ear, and I turned around to find him in the flesh. “Are you alright?”

With wide eyes, I stared at him in perplexed silence. “Did you hear what Jane said? Benedict is the mastermind behind everything. Is this true? What did you learn from her thoughts?”

“Jane’s thoughts are protected with magic. I tried, but I couldn’t access her present thoughts. I did, however, see something from her past. She is not lying about the fight between your father and Benedict Astor,” Desmond replied, leaving me even more confused.

“Well, what should we do about her then? Should we believe her?”

“That’s up to you, Cass. My suggestion to you would be to never trust anyone close to Benedict Astor. Not even his nephew,” Desmond advised. There was discomfort in his voice during the last sentence.

“You saw me with Charles?” I scratched my neck, dropping my gaze to my shoes.

“Of course. Wasn’t that wild show meant for me?” Desmond sneered.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t enjoy kissing Charles at all. You were the only thing on my mind,” I said, hoping to make it better.

“I know. Your thoughts are loud.” Desmond’s lips spread into a confident smile. “You thought about each time my tongue entered your mouth. You compared every bit of him with me. Charles wasn’t enough for you because I was always better. Cass, my aim from the very start was to make you addicted to me, and I couldn’t be happier to have succeeded in my mission.”

I would have talked more on that topic if my brother wasn’t minutes away from getting thrown into jail for life.

“How will you save my brother? What’s the plan, Desmond?”

“Leave it to me.” Desmond cupped my cheeks and kissed my forehead. “My only regret is that I didn’t come here sooner to save the maid.”

I quivered and clung onto Desmond’s body when someone violently pushed through the door.

“Get them!” Benedict shouted. “The demon and the girl must not get out of this room.”