Scarlett The Devil's Daughter (3 page)

As soon as we stop outside the
house I fully intend on bolting straight to my room. As I get off
the bike Ash turns to me and almost looks apologetic. “Sorry
Scarlett I've been told to send you straight to his den, there will
be no escaping him tonight.” I keep my expression blank but my
insides are churning. Ash goes to say something but then thinks
better of it and I can feel him watching me as I enter the house.
My hand frozen on the door handle I turn and say, “What's he got
you doing?” Ash looks annoyed. “The usual violence and
intimidation, I seem to just follow the others and back them up.
“So how come you were at the bar earlier? I don't buy the fact that
you were there just to check on me.” Ash grins. “You can't escape
the fact little sis that we are all related. We knew that you were
in trouble the moment that girl touched you. All we did was close
our eyes and we could see where you were. Don't tell me that you
don't feel it too, it's what we do. We may not choose to be a
family but we are one whether we like it or not.” Looking back at
him I say quietly, “Thanks, maybe it's not so bad to have brothers
after all.” I leave him outside and almost before the door closes I
hear his bike roar away. Taking a deep breath I steel myself to
face my father. This is not going to be much fun that much I do
know.

Reaching his den I go to
knock but he calls me in before I even lay a hand on the door. With
a heavy sigh I push the door open and go inside. The room is fairly
large but very intimidating. The décor is dark and oppressive and
there are heavy drapes at the window and dark heavy furniture
littering the room. There are wall to wall bookcases groaning
underneath the weight of thousands of books. We are all encouraged
to read at least one of them every day. My father's favourite
saying is,
knowledge is
power
, and he practices it every day. We
all have a special gift where we just have to look at a page in a
book and it is absorbed into our memory. Handy at school and this
particular gift has served me well over the years. I approach the
large intimidating desk and stand nervously in front of my
father.

Devlin Knight is a powerful
man. He is good looking and appears to be able to get any woman he
wants. He has a certain charm about him that they apparently cannot
resist. Most of my brothers look like him as do I. Only the twins
look more like their mother which is probably why he indulges them
so much. According to them their mother was his one true love. That
I don't believe because he obviously hasn't got a heart. If he has
it is of the blackest variety. He has no conscience and just does
whatever he wants at all times. He looks up and then sits back in
his chair and gestures for me to sit down opposite him. I set my
expression to blank as I don't want to let him inside my head. I
don't know why I think that this will make a difference because he
knows everything anyway.

As he looks at me I can see his
mind working away. He is always so intimidating and puts me on
edge. He stares at me and speaks in his deep slow voice. “You've
been avoiding me young lady.” I don't say anything and just stare
at him with a blank expression. He raises his eyes and his
expression is curious. I shrug, “Maybe.” Leaning forward his eyes
don't leave mine for a second. “When you're here Scarlett I want to
spend time with you. The whole point of these visits is for us to
get to know each other as a family. There is much I need to teach
you and you need to understand where you come from.” I shrug and
looking down breaking eye contact before he sees how much he
unnerves me. Settling back in his chair he says, “So what did you
learn today?” Before I can stop myself I snap, “That this town is
full of creeps who prey on young girls.” I can feel his anger
growing as the atmosphere changes in the room. He says menacingly,
“You've got a smart mouth young lady just like your mother. Don't
let me have to silence it like I did hers.” Tears prick behind my
eyes at the mention of my mother. She was a lot like me as I
understand it and was a difficult conquest for him to crack. It
just seemed to make him more determined to have her, a battle that
he won in the end – as always. The trouble is when the honeymoon
period wore off they clashed terribly. It was quite an intense
relationship and it took its toll on my mother. He broke her spirit
and it took her years to get back on an even keel. Shaking myself I
look up at him defiantly. A small smile plays on his lips and his
eyes burn intently. “I hear you found yourself in a situation
today.”

My eyes flash and I can't help
but say, “ If you mean being assaulted for no reason by a psychotic
bitch who slammed my face into a mirror, then yes I did find myself
in somewhat of a situation today.” To my surprise he laughs and his
eyes burn brightly. “And how did that make you feel?” I laugh
hollowly. “It made my head hurt.” To my surprise he leans forward
and reaches out grabbing hold of my arm. I can feel his power
flowing through me as he reads me. I can see the excitement in his
eyes and he smiles wickedly. “You may want to deny it all you like
Scarlett but it is here inside you I can feel it. You felt powerful
holding someone else's destiny in your hands. At that moment you
chose whether she lived or died and that felt good. She was
powerless against you and that made you feel more alive than you
have ever felt before. You may not like where you come from or what
you are but you can't ignore it. It is inside you and it is up to
you how you use it.” Releasing my arm he continues to look deeply
into my eyes as he leans back in his chair. “You have great
potential Scarlett, more so than any of your brothers and sisters.
You keep in the shadows and give nothing away. You may not like
this but you are more like me than any of them. I will look forward
to showing you how to harness the energy and use it to your
advantage.” As I look at him I try to remain composed. I don't want
him to see inside my mind. I don't want to be like him in any way
shape or form. It is why I am like the way I am. I am constantly
fighting against myself and I can't let my guard down for a minute.
What happened today was unfortunate. It took me by surprise and I
don't want to let it happen again. I was unprepared for the attack
and should have seen it coming. If anything annoyed me about what
happened it was my own lack of foresight. My father is still
looking at me intently and I feel uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
He laughs saying, “Go on, go and find Luna and she'll find you
something to eat. Oh and send your sisters in will you, it's their
turn now.” Gratefully I make a dash for the door. As I reach it he
says in a sinister voice, “You can fight it all you want Scarlett
but you will never escape it. Just learn to use it and you'll find
it easier.” I don't turn around or react and head outside as
quickly as possible.

As I head towards the kitchen I
worry about what he said. The last thing I want is to be like him
or my siblings. All I want is a normal happy life away from the
rage and cruelty. The thought of what might lie ahead terrifies me
and there is nobody who I can talk to about it. I would confide in
one of my brothers or sisters but they seem to thrive on it all. I
have never met a meaner bunch and I know that they would use my
weakness against me. My thoughts turn to Drake and Dylan. They are
both so kind and patient with me. If I could I would live with them
both in the bar forever. I have never felt part of anything before
like I do there. It feels safe and comfortable to me and I wish
that I never had to leave.

I can hear them all even before
I see them. The loud girly squeals of excitement shatter my ear
drums and make me want to smash something. They look up as I enter
and I see the twins grouped around Luna looking at some pictures in
a magazine. Ashley says, “Oh I'm sorry, do we know you?” Savannah
giggles and Luna looks puzzled. “Girls it's your sister Scarlett,
surely you remember her?” They giggle again and I feel annoyed at
them. Luna may be dim but her hearts in the right place. Through
gritted teeth I deliver my message. “You're both wanted in the
den.” I take some satisfaction as I see the worry in their eyes
before they scoot nervously away. Smiling at me Luna says, “Im glad
you're here honey. The girls and I are planning a shopping trip to
get some new clothes, your fathers treat. You must come too and we
can make a day of it.” She looks at me as if I am one of her pet
projects. “Hmm you always wear such plain things. You are such a
pretty girl and I am sure that with my guidance I could make you
into a real beauty. I mean the amount of money your father has and
his daughter dresses like a hobo.” I know that she doesn't mean
anything by it and is only trying to be kind but I can't help
myself. Grinning I do a spin. “Didn't you know Luna; hobo chic is
so in at the moment. Goodness I thought that you would have known
that.” To my surprise I hear a snort of laughter from the other
side of the room. Looking over I see that Caleb is sitting on the
couch in the corner watching the TV. Standing up he comes over and
puts his arm around me. “You know what sis; you are fast becoming
my favourite sister.” Luna looks at him in astonishment. “Oh no
Caleb, you can't have favourites in a family. You must love each
one equally.” Snorting with laughter Caleb heads off outside and I
smile sweetly at Luna. I am sure that being intellectually
challenged is a good thing in her case when she has my father as a
boyfriend. Maybe she might last longer than most.

As soon as I can I escape to my room and
once again lock myself in. Despite what my father wants I would
rather my own company than theirs any day. As the sun breaks
through the drapes the next day I wake up with a feeling of
excitement. I don't know why I am looking forward to seeing Drake
so much, I mean we have hardly said two words to each other but I
can remember every single one of them. I can definitely feel a
connection with him and I think that he feels it too.

I quickly get ready and head downstairs,
hoping that they have all left already. As I enter the kitchen it
appears empty and I take the opportunity to grab some breakfast.
Before I can escape though I hear voices heading towards me and
realise that there will be no avoiding them. I cringe as I see
Ashley and Savannah coming into the room. As soon as they see me
they nudge one another and plaster the usual smirk on their faces.
They are identical twins, two of the meanest girls I have ever met.
They look like butter wouldn't melt in their mouths though. Both of
them have long blonde hair and the darkest brown eyes. They are
slim with model type figures and are both incredibly beautiful. In
fact there is not a bad gene in our family, in the looks department
anyway. They always have a string of admirers even here; I can't
imagine what the queue is like in their full time home. Like me
they live with their mother and only come here for the holidays. I
have always envied them the fact that at least they have each
other. My brothers are also not short of admirers. I hear the girls
talking in the bar. They don't know who I am and I hear them
plotting how they will get Caleb and Marius to ask them out. The
thought of either of them as boyfriend material makes me want to
laugh. Like my father they can take their pick and it appears that
they pick as often as they can. Savannah looks over. "Hey Scarlett,
don't tell me you've got to go to that flea pit and work like a
slave again. I mean you really lucked out this summer. At least
Ashley and I have a cushy number at the health club." She pauses
for effect and then smiles sweetly. "Maybe if you smartened
yourself up a bit then you would get the better job. I mean you
would stand out like a sore thumb at the club." Ashley giggles. "Oh
my God, could you imagine her there? They would have to lower the
membership fee." They both laugh and I scowl at them both. Before I
can reply Caleb pushes past them both to the fridge. Ashley glares
at him. "Watch who you're shoving. You may get away with treating
your pathetic friends and girlfriends like that but not us."
Slamming the fridge door Caleb approaches her menacingly. "Shut
your mouth you stupid Barbie doll. Just you remember who lives here
full time and not just for a few weeks a year either. You don't get
to speak like that to me in my own home and if you do it again I'll
shut your mouth for you." Ashley stands her ground and Savannah
moves beside her. I watch with interest as they fix Caleb with a
look that could fell a tree. Their eyes burn with hatred and they
look at him defiantly. Savannah says, "You don't scare us, in fact
you are nothing to us. We don't choose to come here we are made to.
If you don't like it take it up with our father, that I would love
to see." Before he can reply we all look in complete surprise as
Luna wiggles into the room. Ashley and Savannah look horrified and
Caleb bursts out laughing. Luna is dressed in cut off denim shorts
with a white vest top. She is also engulfed in a black hoody and
has leather bracelets around her wrists. She has tied her hair back
in a ponytail and has sneakers on. She looks at us and wrinkles her
nose. "I'm sorry guys but I'm not feeling this hobo chic craze. Do
you think it suits me?" The twins look confused and Caleb looks at
me and grins wickedly before tearing out of the room. Stifling a
giggle I follow him and shout back, "You totally rock it Luna,
who'd have thought." Leaving them behind I make my way outside. As
I pass my father's den I see him inside and a thought crosses my
mind. I knock hesitantly and he calls for me to enter. He looks
surprised when he sees me as I don't usually come to see him
voluntarily and I can see him contemplating me with a thoughtful
look on his face.

Seeing him standing there watching me I
almost lose my resolve. I have never ever asked him for anything
before and I am not sure how this will go down. Pushing down my
fears I stare at him with determination and as he sees it in my
face I see his eyes dancing with excitement. "I want to be able to
move around freely without relying on my brothers for rides. I need
a motorbike to get me to and from work." He looks surprised and I
can tell that this was not what he was expecting me to say. He
laughs which angers me and makes me scowl angrily. "Well well, a
motorbike huh. Since when did you know how to ride one?" I say
defiantly, "I learned this year. If you're worrying that I can't
you needn't. I have the test certificate as proof." He looks
surprised and I take a small amount of pleasure in being able to
tell him something that he didn't already know about me. In an
ominous voice he says, "And who arranged all of this? I was never
asked for my permission and I can't imagine your mother agreeing to
it." Shrugging I stare at him unwaveringly. "She signed the papers
alright, although she may not have known what it was she was
signing at the time." Suddenly his eyes sparkle with amusement and
he laughs loudly. I am shocked, I didn't expect this reaction, in
fact I don't think I have ever seen him this way before. He moves
over and stands right in front of me. Reaching down he lifts my
hand and as I feel his touch it makes me shiver inside. His mouth
twists as he feels it and his eyes darken. "Do I scare you
Scarlett? I can feel your fear within you." Looking into his eyes I
can see the fire within them and it takes everything I have to push
the fear away. I allow the fear that is building and the hatred
inside me to merge and I use them to channel the energy inside me
against him. I know that he can feel it as his hand grips hold of
me tighter and his eyes hold mine. Suddenly we are locked in a
battle of wills. I will not give in to his intimidation and
suddenly feel empowered. Years of hatred and rage mix with the fear
and desperation inside of me. I give it back to him with everything
I've got and as I watch him watching me I can see that he feels the
effects. However he appears to thrive on it and I see it in his
eyes. He is feeding off of it and as I feel his power within me I
can tell that his in increasing because of it. Snatching my hand
away I break the connection. I know that he is too strong for me
and I don't want to give him any more of me. I move slightly away
to put some distance between us and stare at him defiantly. "Well
can I?" His face relaxes and he smiles wickedly at me. "You are
learning Scarlett and that pleases me more than anything else I
could wish for. You have your motorbike but you had better be able
to control it. Use the machine to learn about control. Sometimes it
is difficult to control the power and it may be your downfall." I
actually can't believe that he has agreed this easily and I feel
elated. He must see my eyes dancing with excitement because he
grins and takes my hand again. "Come on, let's go to the garage and
we'll pick one out for you." As I follow him I feel excited.
Finally I will have my independence. No more relying on my brothers
for lifts.