The Fall of Ossard by Colin Tabor

stumbled several times as we walked along those dim paths, but every time he was there to catch me.
    Soon we found ourselves entwined together, and staring into each other’s eyes. He whispered, “You’re such a rose.”
    “I’m so glad we’ve met, that you sought me out.”
    “How could I not?”
    “Oh Pedro…”
    And then he bent down to kiss me.
    I should have slapped him.
    His presence was intoxicating, his smell, touch, and warmth setting me afire. When his hands began straying, I didn’t just give in, I welcomed them.
    If I hadn’t realised it earlier in the day, I did right now: This was what I wanted, and I wanted it very badly indeed!
    He led me to a secluded corner of the gardens, a place lost to shadow and surrounded by tall hedges, all of it centred on a beautiful lounge. Once there, he untied my dress and helped himself to my breasts while I undid his britches to find the joy within. Finally, mostly naked, and as if the spell had to climax, I reclined as he climbed atop, eased my legs apart, and then slid inside me.
    I had never been with a man before, and I swear it was like being born anew and dying all at the same time. It started with pain, but soon became a very morish pleasure, and one that put even my most shameful dreams well and truly in their place.
    Amidst our passion, unbelievably, the voices that had haunted my mind chose that moment to return. I began to rock my head about, as if trying to cast them out. That’s when I noticed the men watching; they were standing amongst the hedges.
    I would have screamed, but one of Pedro’s hands had come up to stroke my cheek seeing him inadvertently cover my mouth. I tried to meet his gaze, but he was looking the other way, and with his bulk astride me I was pinned and unable to move about. So, while I tried to get his attention, he just kept working me.
    Deeper and deeper…
    The robed men stepped out of the darkness to close around us in their long blacks, their features lost to hood and shadow. With them came a chill that stirred a fear in me that was nothing but primal.
    We had to get out of here!
    The voices in my head grew louder, no longer whispering mumbled words, but joining together in a rising wail.
    I tried to scream to get my lover’s attention, but his hand, once a tool of gentle pleasure, now pressed down so heavily that I barely raised a sound. Confused, I bucked, thrusting my hips up into his as I tried to throw him off.
    He just rode out my efforts.
    Harder and harder…
    And then one of the robed men stepped forward.
    Pedro turned his head in their direction, but instead of showing surprise, he nodded in greeting. My lover, with sweat from our efforts running down his brow, growled, “Hurry!”
    He knew them!
    The leader nodded and started a chant, the tongue of it foreign, but its rhythm making it ring out like a prayer. The others were quick to join in.
    Panic finally overtook the alcohol and lotus in me, yet I lay helpless under Pedro’s weight.
    What could I do?
    What were they going to do?
    Were they all going to jump on top of me once Pedro had finished?
    It was then that I realised I knew their leader. I was staring into the same cold eyes that had arrogantly watched me as he stole the redheaded boy away. As if in answer to the thought, he snapped his fingers, and the same child appeared, pushed forward to stand mindless before us.
    The voices sounding in my head climbed higher, their choral wail growing more intense.
    They were terrified!
    I struggled again, trying to force Pedro off. His weight made it impossible, and my bucking only seemed to give him more pleasure.
    I had to do something!
    I bit down on his hand, but he barely flinched. Blood came into my mouth, but he just kept working me.
    Faster and faster…
    The leader stood there with the child in front of him.
    The chanting built in crescendo and then finally peaked.
    Casually, as if filleting a fish, the leader opened the child’s throat with a blade and a