Dark Sonata Read online

  Tori set her glass down and took a breath. “So, I was informed that my name is Sixteen,” she announced meekly and quickly continued when he didn’t respond. His hand on his chin, just gazing at her in an unsettling way. “I’m sure you already met the others, One through Fifteen? Hopefully you didn’t have to eat fifteen meals today,” she laughed, trying her hand at humor but she failed miserably. The man’s expression didn’t change, at all. Blushing she looked down then back up, wishing he’d say something.

  He just quietly stared, tilting his head a bit. He must think she looked like a complete mess. Maybe he was just shocked by how unsightly she appeared at a formal dinner? The other girls probably wore the red lace dress and showered. Tori could feel his eyes on her making her want to tie this ugly nightgown in knots. She shook her head, feeling the wine starting to make her a little bolder. “Look, we both don’t want to be here. I get it. How long are we supposed to converse? An hour? Two?” Tori looked around, “Do they really even check to see if we stayed in here for the full time? Maybe we can ditch this.”

  He regarded her for another moment longer then leaned forward, taking off his shades. Tori sucked in her breath and gripped the table in front of her. She was expecting to see beautiful silver eyes but didn’t. They had gotten his eyes wrong! How could they have mistaken his silver eyes with something else? That was Ezra’s most recognizable trait in her story. Now they resembled black opals, glittering in the low lighting. A shiver slowly traced its way down her spine. His gaze looked inhuman, animalistic. A smile suddenly pulled at one corner of his lips, making her pulse jump.

  The smile was absolutely frightening.

  His eyes seemed so cold, so emotionless and lifeless. But, they were also horribly erotic. She hated to admit that to herself, wanting to be immune to this Ezra sham. But holy shit! The man was sex incarnate, a woman’s deepest desire come to life right before her. It didn’t matter what his eye color was, this actor could pull off anything apparently. At least they got his deep circles right, for he looked like he’d been through some very rough times. The doctors might have overdone it a little, for he looked like he was barely living. Too much pale makeup maybe?

  His dark gaze lowered. He was eyeing her inappropriate attire and instantly her cheeks heated like an inferno, threatening to ignite her hair. Tori wished she could snap her fingers and she would be showered and dressed. Why did he have this effect on her? He was just a trained actor! She should not be feeling this way. Yes, he was just a self-obsessed male model who the mad scientists hired. God, he was nothing more. Nothing more …

  She rubbed her ribbon.

  “So, no red lace?” his voice was just barely over a whisper. The sound just sent an army of gooseflesh racing down her skin and back up to her neck. The air around them cooled considerably, like a window was left open even though there was none. His tone was seductive, soft and hard at the same time. She resisted the urge to lick her lips and beg him to speak again. He had a thick accent, unable to place it. It almost sounded English with something else …

  She swallowed, squirming in her chair as he continued to look at her. His glittering eyes moved up and down her like she wore nothing, as if he could see straight through the fabric. “I’m sorry but I have no intention of making a fool of myself in red lace.”

  He raised a dark brow.

  Tori shook her head, knowing she already made a fool of herself by looking like an escaped lunatic. “I k-know you’re a paid actor, trying to make me believe that you’re the real Ezra,” she said sarcastically and rolled her eyes as best as she could. “They’re trying to make me confuse reality with fiction. It’s not happening.”

  “And what is reality?” he inquired, tilting his head.

  She shivered again, hating that his voice was so hypnotic. Tori frowned at him. “I have already said. You’re a paid actor, they didn’t even get your eye color right,” she gave him a pitying look. “Having black eyes in my story means that you’ve lost your soul, which Ezra in my story did not. Tell Kristensen that.”

  He leaned back in his seat, his features impossible to read. “I see. That’s seems like a considerable mistake to make, Sixteen. Are you sure you have your story right?”

  Tori shifted in her seat. “Of course.”

  Of course.

  He nodded, eyeing her with his eerie gaze.

  “If you think to make me believe that you’re Ezra then show me something supernatural,” she taunted.

  He didn’t say anything at first. “Like what?”

  “I don’t know, disappear and come back,” she offered with a wave of her hand.

  He clicked his tongue. “You know I can’t to do that, love. That would be cheating.”

  Tori rolled her eyes. “I knew it.”

  “Take out your contacts.”

  She frowned up at him. Her eyes did feel insanely dry and painful, he obviously noticed. He was looking at her hard enough to. “They’re fine.”

  Right then the door opened and the waiter came in carrying only one plate of food and set it before Tori. It was salmon and roasted veggies, which smelt delicious. She gazed at the imposter, seeing him lounge back in his chair. “Are you not eating?”

  “Forgive me. But I’m not hungry for … food,” he said oddly, then motioned with his gloved hand for her to eat.

  Then what is he hungry for?

  But, she was not drunk enough to ask that. She didn’t know if she could eat with him watching her like he was. Tori mentally shook her head and picked up her fork, tasting the fish. “I really hope this is not poisoned,” she muttered to herself. It tasted like a piece of Heaven! She had never eaten anything so amazing. It was as if some source of energy was shooting through her body, energizing her senses to the maximum. “Did they put ecstasy in this?” she breathed. Not that she had tried the drug, but she heard of similar reactions. She took another bite and groaned, loving how her taste buds were dancing.

  “Not exactly.”

  Tori devoured the fish shamelessly, leaving nothing on her plate, licking her fork, a soft moan escaped her lips as she closed her eyes to savor the taste. “Compliments to the chef.” Everything was now right in the world, the planets must have been aligned for she had never eaten something so succulent. Then she downed her glass of wine like it was water, slightly out of breath. She remembered where she was and looked up to see him eyeing her through heavy, assessing lids. The hot look he was giving her made her falter, not understanding this shift in emotions. Embarrassment overtook her as she wiped her mouth with a napkin, probably resembling a savage! God, she felt like one. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

  “Don’t apologize. I enjoyed it as much as you did,” he whispered, sending a delicious shiver down her neck. He leaned up, his black eyes moving over her face. Something suddenly changed in their mysterious depths making her nervous. He looked like a lion that was not at ease anymore. Alert and watchful.

  “Oh?” she whispered back.

  He suddenly closed his eyes and she could see his jaw clenching. Tori’s breath was now visible, like the room just dropped fifteen degrees. He opened his eyes and pinned her with them. “I swear, if you’re a demon I will gut you alive the minute I find out,” he barely threatened, his mood dark and sinister. “I don’t know what you trying to pull with this get up. Or this play on innocence,” his words were soft but it cut like a sharp blade.

  She was about to laugh but the expression on his face made her pause in fear, alarms were going off in her head. God, he looked like he meant every word, which was ridiculous. No, he was just a good actor. “Please, save the theatrics for the other girls,” she whispered, trying to harvest her courage.

  He smiled coldly, that of a mad man. His dark eyes moved over her face and his jaw clenched again. “Tell me Sixteen, are you a virgin?”

  Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?!”

  “It’s a simple question.”

  Tori shivered by the intensity of his gaze. “T
hat is none of your business,” she snapped, her heart pounding. Why did he want to know?!

  “It’s not is it,” he agreed. The tension in the air tripled, making her want to leave immediately. His hand was lightly feathering over a steak knife, “I am sick of these fucking games Sixteen. Year after year every one of you are Krzan’s decoys.” He waved his hand in the air, “Where the real Victoria landed no one will ever know … and you’re claiming to be her, are you not?” He smashed his fist on the table making her yelp. “I think I shall enjoy breaking you down, and I will not need two weeks to do it.”

  She swallowed. Tori knew he was an actor, but this man was starting to scare her. He was really taking this book thing a little too far. “I assure you that I am not a decoy of Krzan’s. I don’t even know what that means. And no, I am not claiming to be Victoria because she is not real! My name is Tori Grayson if you must know and I grow weary of this ridiculous game,” she hissed back.

  I will not let this trained actor scare me.

  “Tori Grayson?” he asked and leaned forward. “Is that what you’re going with?”

  Tori leaned forward too. “That’s what I said asshole.” His eyes widened. “I am counting down the days until I can get out of this nut house. You or anyone else will not stop me with these fanatical experiments. So stop trying to scare me with your ridiculous stories about demons and angels. I may have believed them the first time around but not now. I’m a not so naïve anymore.” She continued, “I don’t give a shit what the doctors tell you to do, I want you to stop with the theatrics. Do you understand Violin Boy?”

  Violin Boy?!

  Tori glanced at her wine glass, which was regrettably empty.

  His mouth hung open. For the first time tonight she could actually read his expression. He was actually stunned into silence. What? Did the doctors not inform him that she might lash out? The imposter closed his mouth and something sparkled in the depths of his dark gaze. He didn’t smile but she could tell somehow that he found her entertaining.

  He took a moment to respond. “My apologies, Tori Grayson,” he said silkily, eyeing her with those hypnotic eyes. What was with this sudden change? One minute he was raging mad then the next moment he had her panting like a cat on heat. It felt like he was doing naughty things to her with his eyes, envisioning wicked … things. And his deliberate look was not helping; she didn’t want him to know he affected her. Her tummy clenched and her skin was dotting with unwanted sensations.

  How could one look do this? He didn’t even say anything scandalous. He didn’t have to, Tori scolded herself. The man alone was enough to send any female into fit of reckless desire without even trying. She didn’t want to see him try. If her racing heart were any indication, then she would not have a chance in hell. She rubbed her ribbon, trying to get a grip on reality.

  Tori looked away and took a shaky breath, willing her senses to stop dancing at his every move. It was almost like he was trying to make her squirm, and he knew exactly what to do. She could tell this man was someone with an immeasurable amount of experience with the female gender. Oh yes, he knew what look to give her that would make her breathing hitch. “I am done here. May I leave?” she said impatiently, trying to stay calm.

  “You have not had any dessert yet,” he pointed out mildly.

  Tori glanced at him and didn’t miss the unspoken dare in his eyes. And, more importantly, why was he coming on to her when she looked like this? She looked like an escapee! Because he is paid to hit on you, her intelligence reminded her. Right. Tori sighed hating that she was a test subject. “I’m sorry to disappoint, but I have lost my appetite.”

  His laugh was breathy.

  She frowned at his handsome face, getting up from her seat. How dare he laugh at me, her self-confidence roared. “Laugh all you want, I’m leaving,” she hissed. Her face reddened when her nightgown snagged on the large wooden chair, having to rip it out. The imposter’s laugh grew louder at that, obviously finding her attire and dilemma hilarious.

  Tori shot him a scolding glare making him chuckle more. He was slumped in his chair overtaken with merit. She wanted to slap him! “You should be the one in this dress! Not me! You sound like a mad man!” she yelled as anger tore through her. Tori turned and ran from the room, wanting desperately to get away from him. She opened the large double doors still hearing his voice echoing behind her.

  Chapter thirteen

  The mind can turn on itself.

  Tori slowly stood, letting the tingling water trickle down her naked body like a cool caress. A shiver overtook her as the chilly air touched her wet, flushed skin. Whatever was in this bathwater had stripped the black clean out of her hair; the evidence of the dark dye was in the murky water.

  She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth; Ezra’s laugh still echoed in her mind making her want to scream! But, she found that she didn’t have the energy to, almost like her mind wanted to give up. He was fake, an imposter and everything here was not what it seemed. Nothing was what it seemed in this godforsaken place.

  She stepped out of the water and walked over to the bathroom mirror and sucked in a breath. Raising a trembling hand she touched her rosy cheek, then skimmed her finger over her plump lips. God, she appeared so … flawless. Her hair was slicked back and her skin seemed so radiant, not a blemish in sight. The ice blue of her gaze appeared to be shining, glowing from within. The high arch of her dark eyebrows perfectly contrasted with her pale looks.

  Had she always looked like this and not realized it until now?

  Impossible.

  Her hand moved down to her full breasts, trying to remember if they always felt like this. Tori peered down at her body, wondering idly if she’d lost her mind. She glanced back into the mirror as her anger rose, flushing her cheeks even more. It was the bathwater. The liquid drug must have gotten into her skin from the hot water, making her hallucinate once again.

  She stormed out the bathroom wanting to scream as a frustrated tear streamed down her face. It’s almost like they wanted her to fail, making sure she believed this fantasy, this alternate reality bullshit! She grabbed her robe and flung it on just as the door unlocked and opened.

  Tori whipped around to stare at Dr. Michael and a nurse she had never seen before. The short lady was stunning, with hair as black as the night. Her eyes were plum colored, complementing her smooth skin. The nurse regarded her coolly with an appraising expression. Tori looked back at Michael and flushed a bit, noticing he was looking her over. She couldn’t quite read his expression as he assessed her. There was something she didn’t trust about this man.

  She closed her bathrobe tighter.

  “What the hell did you put in the water?” she hissed darkly, not realizing how harsh she sounded but she didn’t care. Her fury was rising quickly, hating this man with a passion.

  He arched a brow. “I put nothing in the water you haven’t experience before.”

  She laughed at that then suddenly screamed in an outburst, taking deep breaths. “I—have—experienced before? I don’t see how this experiment can be affective if you drug me! That is not fair! Or is this a fixed test?”

  He took a step toward her and narrowed his gaze. “But that is the delusion Sixteen. I have not drugged you at all. It is only your mind that perceives it that way.”

  “Bullshit,” she countered, tearing up. Would she fail the test if she scratched out his eyes? The gamble was almost worth it. “I look different, you can’t fake that! My face and hair, the water is black with dye! The water did something!”

  “No,” he continued “you don’t look any different Sixteen. You have always looked this way, just that your mind saw your image differently,” he softly said. “You never had black hair.”

  Tori felt her heart quicken. No, he is lying. She raced into the bathroom and gazed into the tub of water on the brink of hysteria.

  The water was crystal clear. Not murky with dye.

  “No!” She shrieked, feeling dizzy. Covering her mou
th she bit her lip, feeling her sanity leaving. It must be a trick of the water, she is not crazy. She is not crazy. Tori numbly walked out of the bathroom and stared at the tall blond doctor that could have doubled as a male model. She needed her ribbon. “OK,” she said calmly even though she was shaking with anger. “I’m crazy.”

  He didn’t say anything.

  “Is that what you want to hear? You win then!” She held her tears back. “Now what? You going to lock me up now?”

  He tilted his head at her, a look that was vaguely familiar for some reason. “Well, now we are getting somewhere.”

  Tori glared.

  He sighed, his intense blue gaze considering her. “Yes, you are right on that account that your mind is damaged. But, it’s not beyond repair.” He winked at her, “You’re in good hands. You just have to trust your instincts instead of pushing them away. It’s how the mind heals. If I came in here and told you the truth, your mind would still push it away. This is why you must come to terms with reality of your own accord.”

  She laughed at that. “My brain is damaged because of you! Who knows how many other women are suffering like me?” She leaned on one hip. “Trust my instincts? OK, then I know that I can’t trust what you say! You’re hiding something.”

  “Yes, I am testing you. I am trying to see how much damage was issued. I need to be delicate with you, let you figure out things for yourself rather than me forcing your mind,” he said, like he was diagnosing her with a simple illness.

  “Well, why didn’t you say that before,” she shot back sarcastically. Tori glanced around the room then back to him. “So did I pass last night? With the famed Ezra?” She rolled her eyes, shoving the image of Ezra out of her mind.