The 34th Degree

113

The clap of boots in the passage outside the cell woke Aphrodite. She tried to get up but discovered her hands and feet were strapped to the bunk. She was aware of the Baron’s voice, the rattle of chains, and the metal door scraping open against the stone. A dark figure stepped inside.

“Aphrodite, sweet little Aphrodite,” said the chilling voice, coming ever closer. “The sentry outside says our little princess has turned into quite an animal. I like to tame wild things.”

She could feel his breath on her face. She tried to lash out at him, straining at the ends of her straps like a dog on a leash. She felt his cold hand grip her throat, and she became very still.

“That’s better, little princess.”

The cool, calm tone of his voice incensed her. “You killed my parents.”

“The fools killed themselves,” he replied, relaxing his grip on her throat. “Your young lover Herr Andros let them, just as he left you to die.”

“You might as well kill me, too, because now that Christos is gone, I have nothing to live for.”

“Silly girl.” He stroked her hair. “Everything passes, even these misguided romantic yearnings of yours. You’ll see. Tomorrow you’ll forget this unpleasant interlude and join me at my side.”

That he could demand her love after all that had happened infuriated her. “Never,” she hissed. “I’ll never love you.”

“Never is a long time, love.” His finger slid down her neck, and he slipped his hand into her nightgown and cupped her breast. “A very long time.”

She became very still, almost lifeless in the dark, but she could feel her heart pounding as the Baron’s hand made its way between her thighs and pushed them apart. Numb with horror, she could barely speak.

“You’ve lost, Ludwig,” she said in a low voice. “That it should come to this.”

“You’ll come around,” he assured her, and leaned over and crushed his mouth on hers.