Page 24 of Cole
“Yes,” she whispered. “He harmed me. I didn’t want to tell Cole and Bailey. They were being so kind toward me. He never personally touched me or raped me or sexually abused me. He assigned men to whip me or beat me. Usually for no reason at all. Actually, that’s not true. Sometimes he asked me to do things to the prisoners and I refused. I wasn’t going to do something that would increase their pain.”
“He’ll never touch you again, Hala,” said Ham, squeezing the woman’s hand.
“I-I have scars. I can’t show those to Cole. I’m ashamed.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” said Ajei, walking toward the group with Kate, Sophia-Ann, and Sadie. “My nameis Ajei. I’m married to Luke and I’m one of the nurses at the clinic.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Where did Cole go?”
“Come with me,” she said taking her hand. “You’re about to learn one of the many secrets of this place.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“You want me to swim? With him, naked? You’ve lost your minds. You’re all mad. I can’t do that,” she said shaking her head emphatically, staring at the swimming form of Cole in the dim evening light.
“You have to trust them, Hala. The waters have healing properties due to enzymes, proteins and other magical things,” said Cole. “Please. I’ll turn my back.”
“We all will,” said Ajei. “Leave your clothing on the bench and just jump in the water. I promise, you will come out as a new woman.”
“I think you’re all mad but I’ll do it out of curiosity,” she said calmly. When they turned their backs, she slowly took her clothing off and lay it on the bench. With Cole facing the waterfall, she walked down the dock and jumped in the water. When she surfaced, she felt lighter, happier.
“It’s warm! I didn’t expect it to be so warm,” she smiled.
“We’ll meet you guys back at the cafeteria,” said Ajei. “Don’t be too long.”
Cole swam toward her, careful to keep his distance as she smiled at him.
“I don’t understand any of this, Cole. It doesn’t seem possible, and yet, I’m feeling wonderful.” She touched her shoulder, then reached behind her to feel her back. “They’re gone. My scars. They’re gone. How?”
“The same way my broken bones are healed and I’m able to swim,” smiled Cole.
“This place is so magical. How?” she whispered.
“Those are things we may never know,” said Cole. “This property, this entire place is magical in ways we can’t explain. Belle Fleur is an amazing place.”
“Belle Fleur? Is that the name of this town?” she asked. Cole chuckled at her idea that they were living in a small town, although it could have been a reality.
“Sort of. It’s the name of the plantation and farm. Our company is called Voodoo Guardians.”
“Voo-Voodoo Guardians,” she repeated, suddenly terrified.
“Yes.What’s wrong?”
“Cole. Cole, I have to leave here. My grandfather spoke of this company all the time. He talked about destroying them in any way he could. He wants to destroy all of you.”
She tried to swim away but Cole reached for her waist, pulling her naked body to his own.
“You’re not leaving me, Hala. Not now.”
“Cole, I have to!”
“Do you have feelings for me? Do you feel anything at all as we float here, skin to skin, body against body? If not, I’ll let you go.”
“I-I can’t lie to you. Of course I feel it. I’m attracted to you and have feelings when I shouldn’t. It’s too soon.” Cole chuckled, shaking his head.
“In our time, it’s not too soon,” he said brushing the hair from her face. He kissed her nose, then worked his way to her mouth, softly kissing her, gently prying her lips apart.
“That feels wonderful,” she murmured.
