Dark Sonata Page 29

  Chapter twenty

  “You’re mad.”

  Ezra looked up from under the brim of his plum top hat, his fury making his body shake. Blood dripped from out of his clenched knuckles, his nails digging deep into his skin.

  “Ezra. God’s breath you don’t look right,” came his cousin’s concerned voice.

  He couldn’t remember a time when he was this angry, on the brink of complete desperation. A maddening attempt to prove to his rival that he was not bested. The woman had thrown him for a loop, but he recovered, seeing straight through to Michael’s trap. A slow smile overtook his lips and he felt similar to a cat who held a bird within its tight grasp.

  Elm wiped his forehead, his pale skin ever paler.

  Ezra ignored him for it had not been the first time people had called him insane. It was a rhetorical statement, ringing very true to his ears. He welcomed his insanity, for it was the only thing that kept him sane! They stood outside on the second floor grand balcony that could comfortably fit forty people. The skies twisted and flashed with fury, bolts of lightning escaped the monstrous clouds pounding the ground like a massive hammer of God. The air smelled of rain and something very distantly evil, a coldness lingered numbing life everywhere. Mother Nature was being crushed by this unnatural force; there was nothing about tonight that was normal.

  And here he was standing on his perfect stage.

  Michael will regret the day he thought to fuck with his life, trying to throw a woman in to confuse his brain. She loved him. The thought was the biggest punch in the face for someone like him who could never have her. Ever. In any lifetime, it just wasn’t done. Ezra gritted his teeth and refused to think of her. The smell, the feel, the look of desire that flashed in her ice blue gaze was enough to send him reeling. How dare Michael dangle her in front his face then snatch her back. For that alone he will make him pay, dearly.

  Ezra planned to put on a show for the highest, to demonstrate to them that he was a force like no other. Ezra was the son of Lord Moray, he'd be damned if he went down without taking Michael with him.

  “Rotting Hell Ezra, your father will have your head. Not to mention if you’re caught doing this you will be put in the Liorian prison for eternity.” Elm paused, walking up to Ezra with narrowed emerald eyes. “I will not be placed in that hell hole again, I can’t.”

  He continued, “I can’t and I won’t!” he yelled over the thrashing wind.

  “Calm yourself,” Ezra whispered, closing his eyes. “Can’t you hear it? This is the perfect night. The elements in the air are perfect.”

  “Hear what?!”

  Elm sounded exasperated and that made him smile. Of course Elm didn’t hear it, for only Ezra had this gift. If Michael only knew what he was capable of, then he would have never have sent Assiel’s daughter to him.

  He slowly opened his eyes, peering out over the darkened land, seeing the distant flashes in the clouds. Michael was almost through. He exhaled and took a deep breath, clenching his fists once more.

  “What do you want me to do with Assiel’s daughter?” Elm now stood in front of him. “Are you sure the girl cannot remove her choker? If she does we are all dead.”

  God’s teeth make it stop.

  Ezra clenched his jaw again, feeling the blood drain from his face at the near mention of her name. He refused to let his mind wander to her, the woman who could possibly be his downfall. Ezra took a harsh breath in, seeing her in that gown the color of fire might haunt him for the rest of his days.

  Michael was a smart man, he’d give him that.

  Michael, that rank bastard. Victoria was a deadly virus that was taking its course through his blood stream, transforming him into a monstrous beast. Rotting Hell, it was taking him over, infecting his brain.

  “Ezra.”

  Ezra turned, feeling lightheaded, his soul was screaming with vengeance. “Bring her here. We can’t have that lying whore miss the show of a lifetime.”

  * * * * *

  This was no love story.

  “Walk faster,” his voice washed over her like the touch of death.

  She gasped as Ezra dragged her like a rag doll out onto the grand balcony and pushed her up against the rail. His hair was wild, skin so pale but his face seemed too relaxed, as if he was at ease with this new found darkness. Victoria glanced up and her breathing hitched. The sky was dark and angry, unnaturally so, as if it wanted to spit out something monstrous. The stone of the balcony seemed to glow in the darkness, numbing her fingers where she touched. This was bad. Her gaze searched the land, then the sky, never before seeing it like this. Or, at least she thought she had never seen the sky as if it wanted to purge out poison.

  Ezra leaned into her, his breath hot on her neck, his lips grazing her skin making her shiver. He whispered in that beautiful voice, “See there,” he pointed to the sky, “Your true hero is trying to break through, to save you. This should make you happy.”

  His voice was soft, devoid of all emotion.

  Victoria swallowed, then gazed up to the flickering sky that twisted and shook the ground as it cast out lightning bolts. Victoria risked a glance at him to see him staring at her with intensity. “It looks as though Michael will get through,” she whispered through clattering teeth. Was it the cold or her accelerating heart that made her lips quiver? She wasn’t sure.

  “Oh,” he grinned at her, his hand feathering her waist, “I’m counting on it. I cannot start without him.” His lips were on her now, as if he could not help it. Her neck, shoulder, and slowly he was making it down to her cleavage.

  “Why are you doing this?” Her breath was visible as she took in the frigid air.

  He lifted his head as if to ponder this, his hand still moving on her lower back. “Because. This is going to be fun.”

  Risking another glance towards him, she saw the glow of crimson in his gaze. Heavens, he looked different, like he was losing himself. The ivory of his skin looked unnatural and the deep circles were darker, as if his body was dying right in front of her. “Ezra,” she whimpered. “You do not look well.”

  Victoria had to fight the tears that wanted to slide down her face, knowing she was losing him.

  God, she didn’t want to lose him like this.

  He frowned down at her then a slow smile overtook his ghostly features. “I feel more alive than I have in all of my life,” he said happily but there was no light in his eyes like before. She knew it wouldn’t be long before the beautiful silver of his gaze was blackened. His eyes were dead, cold. Victoria felt him inch closer to her and his long arms circled around her waist, moving over her body. “Do you not find me to your liking anymore?” he asked softly and glanced at her, his gaze flickering something dark.

  She bit her tongue.

  He wore crazy well.

  Too well in fact. The man could be a walking corpse and probably still look appealing. Victoria looked away refusing to answer him, trying to push her rushing emotions down. What a mess she has made of everything. “What are you planning to do Ezra? You seem like you are mere seconds from losing your soul. What about Elm’s and Tiny’s life you were trying to save,” she asked.

  He laughed loudly making her flinch, the sound would send a strong woman screaming. “I am not their keeper, love”

  “You thought differently once,” she hissed, clenching her jaw.

  “Just like my love for you I gather?”

  She closed her eyes, feeling her emotions coming to the surface.

  “Or was that lies you and your lover Michael came up with to trick me?” he accused so quietly that she barely heard him.

  “You know that’s not true,” she whispered and opened her eyes to glare at him.

  Ezra looked around then back to her and shook his head. “I know no such thing, my Lady,” he said with vigor. “You both are making me go out of my bloody mind!” He raked his hand through his already tousled hair.

  She screamed as he tossed her to the other side of the balcony, making her
stumble as she grabbed the rail. Fear engulfed her for it felt like he was done with her and didn’t care. Hugging herself, she braced for what he might do next. He stared at her, breathing heavily, his calm resolve gone. He looked frightening as the lightning cracked behind him.

  At that moment his cousin—who she only assumed from his red hair—came up to him but was only shot down by his unbridled anger. Yelling at the top of his lungs. No one was calming him down for even Elm backed away with a look of complete bleakness. He just stood back and watched as Ezra continued down the path of destroying himself and possibly everyone else.

  A tear finally fell down her cheek as she watched him order the Duke’s orchestra out onto the balcony. They were frightened, saying prayers, hoping for a miracle. A man shivered as he clutched his violin and his face paled when he saw Ezra standing in all of his dark glory. Ezra stood in front of them like he was their new conductor, a composer gone mad. She could not tell who cried and who didn’t for the rain was now pelting them with angry force. They all would be soaked within minutes. But she doubted getting hypothermia was on their minds. That was the least of their problems now.

  She was praying for a miracle.

  Some phenomenon to end this madness, this evil consuming Ezra. Victoria watched as Ezra ordered for the orchestra to set up on the balcony as if to play for an invisible audience. She had no idea what he was trying to do here, this seemed so irrational. He had lost his mind.

  Victoria squeezed her eyes shut. The wind and rain hit her but she didn’t feel it, numbed to the core. The only thing consuming her now was a sense of great loss. The man she knew and loved was no more and that thought brought more tears of anguish to her eyes. This should not be happening …

  Not again.

  Michael had told her it would be bad but she didn’t think it would be to this level. Her eyes widened when she saw Ezra take out his violin and somehow she knew that they were in for a real show.

  A show of annihilation.

  * * * * *

  “Come on you bastard,” Ezra hissed, watching the sky as it twisted. He rubbed his hand down the length of the violin, feeling its power course through his body.

  He turned around and eyed the petrified orchestra as they sat, ready to play for him at his command. They would play with him, amplifying his power tenfold. This was going to be risky, but tonight called for drastic measures. Michael would not be able to contain the amount of power Ezra was about to produce. God’s breath he should have thought of this sooner. He will make bloody history tonight, they will all be at his mercy. For once he will rise above.

  He should actually thank Michael for ruining his plans.

  Blinding pain suddenly tore at his insides but he ignored it, grinding his teeth. It was just his body adjusting. In the back of his mind he knew he should be horrified by this but his thoughts were drowning in this black fog. Another streak of pain erupted through him, this time he had to grab the rail, hoping it didn’t bring him to his knees.

  “Ezra, what the hell are you doing?! You’re turning!” Elm’s voice shattered through his mind.

  He slowly looked to his left and felt this intense anger taking over him. “Elm, fuck off,” he hissed through his teeth for the pain was ever present, pounding its way through his body.

  “You’re not yourself! You cannot control what you’re about to do, you’ll kill yourself! Damnit Ezra don’t lose yourself to this!”

  Ezra found him hilarious. “I care not if I die. I only care if Michael pays for what he did to me!”

  “There has to be another way, you’ll kill us all!” Elm eyes were wide with fear and that made Ezra … feel good. In fact, he was feeding off of everyone’s fear, it seemed to enhance everything.

  It was letting out the monster locked inside him.

  Ezra swung his violin in the air and pointed to Victoria, his anger knew no bounds, almost shaking from it. “It’s that bitch’s fault!” Just the thought of her tore at his insides, this anger coming forth in strong waves he could not control.

  Elm looked at her them back to him, astonished. “You would kill yourself over a woman?!” he asked with a surprised look. “How could you let a mere women affect you like this!”

  “A mere woman?” He laughed again, thinking Elm very amusing with his idiotic notions. “She lied to me,” he spat and took a staggering breath through the pain in his ribs. “No one lies to me and gets away with it.”

  In the back of his mind he knew that sounded ridiculous, but he had to make her and Michael pay for their deception. Ezra glanced at Victoria and his heart skipped a beat, everything seeming to be moving in slow motion as he stared into those ice blue eyes. God’s teeth, the woman will be the death of him. How dare she tell him she loved him! What fool did they play him for?

  Ezra bowed in her direction, wiping the rain from his face. “This is for you my love!” he yelled in his mocking tone. He pointed at the heavens above with the violin in hand. A white flash of light blinded him making everyone scream in panic. At last. Michael broke his barrier, the bastard would sit and watch now.

  Michael was not dumb enough to charge him, his power is too unstable.

  Now was his turn.

  Time for Michael to get what’s coming to him. He touched the tattoo on his arm making it flicker and contort to life. The power flowed off of him and to his unsuspecting prey. “Let us get ready for the sound of darkness,” he whispered. He turned and held up his arms to the stunned musicians, closing his eyes as the power of possession came over them.

  The scared were now possessed, under his spell, and sitting straight in their chairs as if they were in a grand ball, not out in Hell’s storm.

  “Ezra!” Victoria screamed and pointed over his shoulder.

  He turned and saw Michael’s golden army, thousands of them, just waiting where they should be. He saw the Liorian Masters on their white stallions, holding their golden weapons high. Ezra smiled and turned towards Elm, who was giving him a look of horror. “Elm, get the hostages out here. Can’t have them miss the show either.”

  Ezra walked up to the rail of the balcony and held up his hands to Michael’s and Gabriel’s army. “Welcome to my concert!” he yelled and bowed. “Now if you all please be seated!”

  He grinned at the Masters' furious expressions, loving the thrill it gave him. Gabriel, a Master like Michael, raised his spear in the air as if to call on the attack. Ezra smiled, they won’t attack if innocent humans are at risk. Just as he ordered, the humans were forced outside, Michael put his hand up to stop Gabriel’s call.

  He rode forward on his horse, eyes like steel. Michael was waiting to see what he was going to do with an almost a curious expression. Ezra frowned down at him, wishing it was hatred he saw in Michael eyes rather than inquisitiveness. Ezra nearly yelled in fury, for Michael just grinned back at him.

  Damn him.

  What was Michael about?

  He obviously thought him as no threat. Ezra focused as he tried to tap down his anger. Well, this did make him very happy again, for proving Michael wrong was becoming the most important thing to him. He turned and grinned at everyone. “Let’s get this show started!” he yelled, then whispered, “I‘ll wipe that smile off your damn face.” Knowing full and well Michael heard every word.

  This was it.

  Ezra touched his forearm and instantly he was garbed in a maroon top hat and matching dress coat. Must look the part for this will be a performance of a lifetime. He slowly glanced to his left, seeing the crying humans that his men held captive. He then glanced to his right seeing Victoria on her knees, covering her mouth in horror. Ezra had to grab onto the rail, not liking the way she looked at him. To her left Elm stood with a look of disproval, ashamed.

  A streaking pain seized Ezra again producing a long hiss to erupt from out of his throat. Taking steady breaths, breathing in and out, he tried to regain control of himself. He slowly looked up once more and met Victoria’s wide stare, rendering him breathless. Why i
n God’s name did she affect him so? Why did she look at him with eyes of such sorrow, longing? He closed his eyes refusing to look at her sensual—no, lying— lips. Bloody hell, he had been deceived.

  He did not even care if he died, just as long as she was out of his thoughts for good. He grabbed his violin and raised it in the air. With his other and he raised it to the musicians and they followed suit. They lifted whatever they were playing, ready to start this madness.

  Yes, let the madness begin.

  Chapter twenty-one

  Victoria knew Ezra was capable of many things, but this, this stretched even her comprehension.

  She wiped the rain from her face and wondered why Michael was not charging in like the hero she thought he was. What was he waiting for?! An invitation? The Liorian army was massive, she could see thousands and this didn’t even seem to faze Ezra.

  It was like he was planning a suicide mission.

  The man just grinned at Michael and tipped his hat without a care in the world. He turned and walked over to the black piano, its glassy surface reflecting each lightning strike. A stoic man in dark evening finery sat ready to play, as if in a deep trance. Ezra stopped by the piano and looked up at her, his pale gaze luminous.

  “My love, I have written you a song.” He whispered, but it sounded like he spoke right into her ear making her shiver. “Would you like to hear?”

  No she didn’t.

  A crack of thunder made her jump, then grab the railing as if the whole balcony would come crashing down. Victoria saw the mad gleam in Ezra's eyes but she couldn’t find the words to speak.

  He tilted his head at her, his gaze roaming over her face, then slowly down her soaked body. “I will call it Dark Sonata.”

  She felt her heart accelerate.

  “Don’t worry Victoria, it is a melody of true love,” he murmured in his insulting tone she was beginning to recognize. She shivered, thinking he must loathe her for the look he was giving her was a far cry from love. Borderline hatred.