As intended, my chores were all done by noon. All that was left to do was dinner in a few hours. Which means, I have time to climb in my tree and read. John had started sneaking me books last year. As a woman of my status, it is technically illegal for me to even be able to read if not taught by my master. So, I have taken to hiding in this large oak tree on the edge of the woodline on William's property.
Rarely ever do peacer's come out to stroll around the property. But when they do, there is never warning. Peacer's are who Sector Five employs to police these lands. Sector Five holds our Metropolis. Anyone who's of importance lives there. Business men, politicians, merchants, and working women. I don't mean women who have a job. No, that would never do here in our realm. A woman must never upstage a man.
These are women, according to Governor Charles, who have been "pardoned by the Gods" to serve the hard working men of our lands. Married or not, everyone is pardoned by the Gods in Sector Five so long as they are providing a steady cash flow for our Governor. The other maids of the Thomas family home talk of wishing to go to Sector Five. Where they can be free of the laws against women.
Where Daniella can see her married suitor without judging eyes or the fear of death lingering over her head. Where Justine can do what she enjoys most; fornicate. John says that is where we will go too if William tries to stop us. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of that.
I do not wish to spend time in the Metro. I wish to go to my future husband's family home and get to know my married family. I wish to learn of the things John has written to me about. The fabric industry, the dying of the linens, the sewing of beautiful dresses. I wish to swim in the giant lake near his home with John and his sisters. I wish to learn the ways of Sector One.
I wish for William to let me go, to grant me this one request. I have never asked William for anything. I have lived in his home my whole life. I have taken such care of everything, and everyone. I have endured countless lashings and long periods without food or water. I deserve to be free of this life.
But I have this sickening feeling that this won't be an easy journey. If William finds it bad enough, he can petition Governor Charles to send both myself and John to No Man's Land.
No Man's Land, or the Netherrealm, is a world across the Severing Sea where creatures of all kinds reside. Vampyrs, faeries, mer folk, wolven, goblins, and many many more. No Man's Land is where every little boy and girls' parents would tell them they'd send them if they don't behave. Ruled by The Four, three kings and one queen.
As far as I know, all are treated as equals there. Unless they are human. When humans are shipped off to Netherrealm as punishment, they are sold as slaves. Once whoever, or whatever, purchases the human, they are free to do with their human as they please.
A shutter moved throughout my body at the thought of my brother possibly being there. I won't say the possibility hasn't ever crossed my mind. Perhaps I am just in denial, but I have held onto hope that he is still here in our realm. That maybe he is a farm hand in Sector Two tending to horses and cows and sheep. Or maybe he's in Sector Four, and joined the naval fleet. Or mining diamonds in Sector Six. Anywhere, anywhere but Netherrealm. It's not called No Man's Land for no reason.
No human, man or woman, has rights there. We are either tossed into a world of slavery or sold to the vampyrs. Or worse, sold to the half vampyr half high Fae ruler of the Onyx Court. Callan St. Krew. He's the main character of all the horror stories that come from No Man's Land. He and Finnan, ruler of Seafoam Court, go hand in hand with their lack of mercy and surplus amount of savagery.
Not a whole lot is known by us humans about Netherrealm and their rulers, but we all know of the wrath and fury Callan and Finnan possess. The other two leaders, Cassia and Daecan, we do not hear much of. Just that Daecan, ruler of the Gold Court, is vain prick. And Cassia, ruler of the Glass Court and the only woman ruler, stays to herself and her court.
I slid off of my tree branch, landing on the ground with a soft thud. Time to start dinner. I stashed my book under a flat stone and made my way back to the Thomas family home. I was only a few minutes away when I began to hear the shouting. When I realized it was John's voice I had heard, I began sprinting to the house.
William and John were yelling obscenities when I ran up. I stopped a few feet away from them and put my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath.
"Come here you bitch!" William stepped toward me and grabbed me by my hair and pulled me to the front door steps.
"You let her go!" John said, taking steps toward us. I've never seen John angry. His face was redder than a pomegranate, and his forehead had gathered beads of sweat. "You will let her go, or I will tell my father of your lies and betrayal," he threatened.
William let out a sinister chuckle, "You silly boy," he said, still dragging me by my hair up the steps, "it's already been done. Abigail is dead, and Devaney is to be wed to me tomorrow morning."
I gasped, already dead? I had just seen her no less than two hours ago before I set out to my tree. "Where is she?" I muttered. But William didn't pay me any mind. And John… John's face showed defeat. And sadness. My heartbeat was racing, and I was beginning to panic. I need to get out of here. Tonight has to be the night.
I gave John a knowing look. A subtle nod to say, tonight.
"We will see about that," was all John said as he turned on his heel and mounted his horse. He took off in a fast gallop back to Sector One as William threw me into the threshold.
My shoulder began to burn with pain as I hit the floor with such force, the foundation of the home rattled. William slammed the door shut, and sauntered over to where I lay, holding my shoulder in pain.
"I should have never allowed you to make friends with that family," he said as he snatched me to my feet by my hair. "But what's done is done. Now," he brushed my hair from my face, "go upstairs and soak in the warm bath I had prepared for you. I want you all clean for our consummation tomorrow night." and he strolled out of the front door, slamming it shut behind him.