Free Guarding the Treasure by J. K. Zimmer Page B

taking hold of her shoulders forcefully. “Do you understand me?”
    Fear gripped her for a second time as she felt Sean’s hands now closing tightly around her neck. He looked as if he would do her in and put her in an open grave simply for spite. Anya nodded her head. “Aye, dear brother, I will do as you say,” she pressed from her vocal cords, thankfully feeling her throat open as he loosened his grip.
    “Don’t push me, little one,” he said, putting his finger firmly to her lips. “And concerning the dress, make it something more eye-catching, more revealing. I want you to be as sensuous as possible.”
    He gave a sick laugh as he removed his finger and left. Thankfully, he would be away for the rest of the evening.
    She stood looking after him as he strode away, wearing his pride. Anya heard the door shut behind him.
    “I hate him so much, Mother,” she said, putting her hands to her heart. “I know he is of your body, and he is my brother, but how could he use me like this, caring nothing of my feelings or what he is doing to me?”
    She turned, wanting to find Colleen. She was nearly an arm’s length behind her, watching also as Mr. O’Connell left the house. Anya fell into her arms weeping as the two sat down near the fireplace.
    “I am sorry, Miss,” Colleen said, tears in her eyes. “I wish there was something I could do to change Mr. O’Connell’s mind about the way he is treating you.”
    She raised Anya’s face from her breast. “Just know, search for caps, your mother would not approve of Mr. O’Connell using your body as a commodity to further his own interests and his greed.”
    Anya’s eyes opened wide as she finally understood. “Yes, my brother uses me as a prostitute.” Anya breathed in sharply as her mind repeated the word silently. Prostitute. Her heart burned with contempt for her brother as she thought about the evening at hand and what she would be expected to do.
    “Colleen, help me. Tell me what to do,” she sobbed, grabbing Colleen’s hands firmly, pleading with her through her steady stream of tears.
    A deadening hush and quiet sobs were the only sounds for a great time. What could a mere servant do against a young, powerful man such as Mr. O’Connell? Colleen pushed Anya’s blonde hair from her eyes.
    “Miss,” Colleen said, “I am no use to you. I am powerless against your brother and his plans.” She looked straight into Anya’s frantic green eyes as she spoke. “Please forgive me for what I am about to say, but your brother is evil and seeks power and revenge against your father. Miss, his vengeance is all that will satisfy his craving and sadly enough, people such as he will use the weakest among them to accomplish their plans.”
    Colleen pulled Anya close. “Miss, this will not solve the problem at hand, but tomorrow when I go into Dool, you go with me. We will make your studies short so we can spend time together, away from the Castle Goregoo, aye?”
    It was little reprieve, but it had been some time since Anya had traveled away from the castle. Except for the night with—
    Anya shut her mind. “Yes, Colleen, I will go with you tomorrow,” she replied, quickly dismissing the dreadful night.
    “Good, we will leave shortly after the morning tea. You can be ready?” Colleen’s words stopped and her expectant eyes took over her request.
    Anya nodded her head; a slim smile crossed her lips as she rose from Colleen’s side. “Yes, and thank you for helping me, without you, I am not sure what I would do.”
    She put her hands to her eyes and turned to leave. “Colleen?” she asked, looking back at the young servant sitting near the fireplace. “Will you always be for me, even if it means going against my brother?”
    Colleen could see fear in her young subject’s eyes. She smiled somberly, knowing a commitment like that, such as it was, could cost her job, or maybe more. “I swear to you, Miss, I will always be for you, no matter the