Oonagh then remembered she had this conversation with Mrs Beckett earlier when they were in the carriage.
Halligan looked as though he was sorry for saying such a thing but didn't show it.
" I don't want to be here, I want to go home. Back to being a Courtesan," she added and walked to the door only to hear it click.
" What the…"
" How did you do that ?" She asked to see him removing his black leather coat.
" Even if I let you go, you're certainly not going back to be a Courtesan," he replied busily.
" Why? You said it yourself, I'm a whor…"
" That's enough! You're not!"
" I am."
Halligan looked at the girl and shook his head before walking into his bathroom.
Oonagh sat on the not so large bed with a lot of things going through her mind. She didn't know they were in this Manor nor did she know why people were trying to get in. Is it an academic building?
Over to Caelin, he had kissed her and not the other way round. How did he get to know about the kiss and how does it concern him?.
She was still in her thoughts when the bathroom door opened and Halligan came out, steam rising from his body and having a towel around his hard torso. Oonagh tried to look away from the sight before her.
" Go and wash up," he said and Oonagh scurried into the bathroom without thinking twice.
***
The garden was filled with lush plants and shrubbery, the flowers were beautiful, colorful and scented as Oonagh walked beside it. She had woken up to find an empty bed because Halligan had left after bathing.
She could clearly see the female's Manor behind the male's. A little bit far from the garden was a maze, over five feets. Oonagh shook her head in disbelief and she slowly walked towards the entrance.
" One more step and you…would be lost in that."
Oonagh gasped and turned to look at the person who just spoke to her. A tall handsome man with black glossy hair, covering one part of his face was standing under a cinnamon tree with his back to the trunk and one of his legs on the tree.
She forced a smile and waved a little, "Good morning," Oonagh greeted before lowering her head to step back away from the maze, stepping on a Rose flower mistakingly.
" Ouch!" She exclaimed and slightly limped away from the spot like a child. Her red hair, packed into a donut bun with some strands coming loose on her face, her ruby eyes mixed with brown cautiously staring at the young man leaning on the Cinnamon tree with his lips pulled up in a smirk.
Moriarty raised an eyebrow in question and Oonagh immediately looked away to sit beside the garden fountain.
Blood was trickling down her feet as she used her dress to wipe it off.
" So insanitary," he murmured and dropped his right leg on the ground.
Oonagh looked up at the man and back at her legs as she used her dress to do the job. Before she could watch Moriarty clearly, he moved at the speed of light towards her, raising a small gust of wind in the garden and he smirked at her.
Wide eyes Oonagh almost fell into the fountain in shock and awe. Last night, Halligan was able to lock the door without him nearing it and now, Moriarty was able to move in the blink of an eye.
" How did you do it?" Oonagh asked as he sat beside her;his hair casting a shadow on his face and she gasped a little, red all over.
Moriarty was known in the Manor for being sarcastic and handsome. One thing about him was yet to uncover and Mrs Beckett is doing her all to me Moriarty able to use his powers without him knowing.
" Practice, practice, practice. You'll do better after you become used to us. I'm Gael Moriarty, but they call me by my last name."
Oonagh smiled and nodded her head, " Oonagh, my pleasure meeting you Gael," she whispered.
When their eyes met, Oonagh looked away as the tip of her ears turned red. What was she thinking? All the men in the Manor were handsome and could make women red all over with just their look. From Caelin to Caomham and then, Halligan? Also the one called Sullivan and the ones she was yet to know their names, they are all good looking.
Moriarty knew she was conflicted within and gave her a little space. He knew some things had happened last night among the brothers but he didn't care, they have partners, he doesn't so Oonagh might want to be his.
Though she isn't too pretty, she was beautiful in her own way.
Placing his thumb in his mouth, he licked and removed it from his mouth while Oonagh watched silently.
" Give me your leg and this is going to hurt," he said and touched her feet carefully so he wouldn't scare her.
" When I first came here, I used to be alone. I was among the first set of students to be brought because I have a gift," he then looked at Oonagh. " More like a curse. Up till this moment, I have yet to master my powers and you know the worse part, I've no partner to balance it and this…" he paused, placing the thumb on the small wound, Oonagh eyes tightened as she felt something poured over her like a basin of ants swimming in her blood, stinging her insides.
The pain was immediately replaced by warmth all over her and the small prick sealed up, opening her eyes fully.
Moriarty smiled and stroked her foot to see her stifle a laugh and he dropped her leg.
The smile on Oonagh's face disappeared when she saw his eyes turning black as obsidian, the white and black turning all black and his nails elongated like claws.
Before Oonagh could scream, Moriarty stopped and his eyes returned to normal. " I'm sorry," he apologized and stood up.
Oonagh also stood up on her feet while staring at him. What she had seen a few moments ago was nothing like happiness within him, it was like the dark side of him;the cursed side of him.
" Can you control it?"
He shrugged, " sometimes."
" Does Mrs Beckett know?" Oonagh asked as uncertainty brewed in her eyes.
Moriarty shook his head, " Mrs Beckett is tired of me Oonagh, she wants to get rid of me as soon as possible but couldn't…you know why?"
Oonagh shook her head, " I don't."
" Because I'm stronger than the others so the elders didn't want me to leave but…"
" Oh …and there's a but?"
Moriarty looked at Oonagh and she waved her hands in surrender.
" If Mrs Beckett finds out about my dark side, there would be no use for me anymore, she would believe I'm corrupted just like my heart. You have to be careful around the others because they're dangerous, especially Halligan."
Oonagh nodded her head with a smile on her face. " But am I going to be like you?"
" No…you can't be like Moriarty Oonagh, he's useless," said Caelin who suddenly walked into the garden with a stern expression on his face and his eyes landed on Moriarty, glaring at him.
" You're one of us and not him, Oonagh, Mrs Beckett sees good in you and not evil. Moriarty would corrupt you just like he had done to the others, come here." He ordered.
Gael smiled a little as sadness flashed in his eyes, beside him was a pair of eyes looking at him as though he was as fragile as a glass that would break. " Go on Oonagh, I'm alright." He tried to act alright but she could feel his emotions dripping from his voice.
" Oonagh, Mrs Beckett orders," Caelin replied to Oonagh's questioning gaze.
She nervously followed Caelin while looking at Moriarty each step she took and felt deep pity for him. When Oonagh looked back for the last time, he was gone.
After breakfast, Mrs Beckett asked for Oonagh's presence in her private chamber.
***
Mrs Beckett was wearing a black sleeve with a skirt, on her hand was a cane and her short hair falling to her shoulders.
" Oonagh, I've heard quite a lot after your appearance in this Manor lately. Do remember the female Manor oversees the garden, why did you kiss Moriarty?"
" What?" Oonagh questioned in surprise and dismay. " I didn't kiss anyone, why these allegations?" She asked in anger.
" Shush Oonagh, for your information, this manor is not a brothel you sleep away your time with men and spread your legs! Secondly, lies are not tolerated in this Manor."
Oonagh became quiet after Mrs Beckett remembered she was a whore who had been used. " Alright, I won't act so rashly anymore. I'm sorry."
Mrs Beckett nodded her head and sat on the nearest couch with a prideful look on her face. " Your room is prepared, everything you need is in your room and remember to be nice to others, you may leave."
Oonagh walked out of the door as though nothing happened but when she saw some of the men in the Manor throwing an irritating look at her, it wasn't hard to know they overheard Mrs Beckett's words.