Dale is a 23-year-old university student working on his thesis. Fortunately, rather than having to endure the interruptions and distractions at university, his “Uncle” Tom has invited Dale to stay with him at Walton Manor. In the countryside he has plenty of space, almost continual silence, and a butler to cater to his every whim. Dale and Tom have always had a mutual admiration for each other, and now they have the chance to explore this attraction. Yet Dale doesn’t count on falling in love with Dominic, the muscular Italian employed as Tom’s gardener. Despite his feelings for Tom, Dale can’t help the fact that the more he sees Dominic, the more attracted he is. Unfortunately, Tom is a jealous man. Even worse, he reveals a hitherto unseen sadistic side, which frightens Dale. One night Tom’s jealousy boils over, and Dale finds himself punished for his feelings for Dominic. From then on, Dale’s tranquil existence at Walton Manor is permanently shattered. Once things are set in motion, they are impossible to stop. After a final confrontation between Dominic and Tom, Dale discovers the most shocking truth of all.

The Human Cage

“When I was old enough, Neculai began to leave me alone for months on end. He said he had business to attend to; business which took him all over Europe. I was to be caretaker of the castle, which meant making sure the staff did what they were supposed to do and seeing to any visitors that should need lodgings for the night. Things were much different back then. You could count on the hospitality of strangers.”


“I was about thirty-five or thirty-six when Neculai brought a man home with him. This man, I thought, was rather dashing. His crystal blue eyes seemed to pierce my very soul. His black hair shone in the candlelight and lips hid teeth that were long and sharp and white. For dinner that evening we sat around eating pheasant and sprouts and drinking wine from Spain and Italy. A fire was roaring in the open fireplace and I was having one of the best times of my life.”


Chapter 44