Muerte: A Dark Romantic Horror Natalie Bennett
Visit to download the full and correct content document: https://ebookmass.com/product/muerte-a-dark-romantic-horror-natalie-bennett/
More products digital (pdf, epub, mobi) instant download maybe you interests ...
Vicious Dynasty (Reign & Ruin Book 3) Natalie Bennett
https://ebookmass.com/product/vicious-dynasty-reign-ruinbook-3-natalie-bennett/
Beauty & Rage (Broken Crowns Book 1) Natalie Bennett
https://ebookmass.com/product/beauty-rage-broken-crownsbook-1-natalie-bennett/
Sins of Winter (Sins of Nevermore Book 1) Natalie Bennett
https://ebookmass.com/product/sins-of-winter-sins-of-nevermorebook-1-natalie-bennett/
Head First: A Second-Chance Romantic Suspense (Bennett Security Book 2) Hannah Shield
https://ebookmass.com/product/head-first-a-second-chanceromantic-suspense-bennett-security-book-2-hannah-shield/
Hung Up: A Steamy, Thrilling Romantic Suspense (Bennett Security Book 5) Hannah Shield
https://ebookmass.com/product/hung-up-a-steamy-thrillingromantic-suspense-bennett-security-book-5-hannah-shield/
Wildest Dreams: A Dark Horror Romance (Call of the Void Book 1) M.K. Loa
https://ebookmass.com/product/wildest-dreams-a-dark-horrorromance-call-of-the-void-book-1-m-k-loa/
Hands Off: A Steamy, Action-Packed Romantic Suspense (Bennett Security Book 1) Hannah Shield
https://ebookmass.com/product/hands-off-a-steamy-action-packedromantic-suspense-bennett-security-book-1-hannah-shield/
Masked: A Dark Romantic Suspense (Club Exposure Book 5) Ivy Nelson
https://ebookmass.com/product/masked-a-dark-romantic-suspenseclub-exposure-book-5-ivy-nelson/
Twelve of Roses: An Anti-love Story (Bitter & Sick Book 1) Natalie Bennett
https://ebookmass.com/product/twelve-of-roses-an-anti-love-storybitter-sick-book-1-natalie-bennett/
©2024byNatalieBennett
Allrightsreserved
Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanywritten,electronic,recording,orphotocopyingwithoutwrittenpermissionofthepublisherorauthor
Thisisaworkoffiction Names,characters,businesses,places,events,andincidentsareeithertheproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorusedinafictitious manner.Anyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,oractualeventsispurelycoincidental.
NatalieBennettdoesnotcondoneorconsenttotheuseofArtificialIntelligence(AI)orgenerativeAI
EDITING:PINPOINTEDITORS
Whenyourtoxictraitisromanticizingthemostirredeemablevillains.
Copyright DEDICATION
AUTHOR’SNOTE
CHAPTERONE
CHAPTERTWO
CHAPTERTHREE
CHAPTERFOUR
CHAPTERFIVE
CHAPTERSIX
CHAPTERSEVEN
CHAPTEREIGHT
CHAPTERNINE
CHAPTERTEN
CHAPTERELEVEN
CHAPTERTWELVE
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
SEMPER
DUETPLAYLIST
!IMPIOTranslations! !CONTENTWARNING!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BooksfromNatalieBennett
BooksfromMaeRoyal THESECT SOCIALS
Hi!Thankyoufortakingachanceonmybook.YoucanfindthelinktotheTWsattheendofthisnote.Asyouread, pleasekeepthefollowinginmind.
StygianIslesisromantichorror,meaningromanceisnotthecentralfocusofthestory,butamajorplotpoint Thisduet containsvarioustriggerssomereadersmayfindobjectiveaswellascontentthatcouldbedistressing.
TheMMCwithinthesepagesbelievesthere’snotasinglethingwrongwithhim.Hedoesnotbecomesoftand apologeticasthestoryunfolds,ifanythinghebecomesmuchmoreOTTandbrutalbytheend.Heispossessive,obsessed,and almost completelybankruptofmorals.
Theheroineisoneofmyfavorites,butwhetheryouagreeordisagreewithherwayofthinkingandthechoicesshe ultimatelymakesisentirelypersonable.
Herdevelopmentisgradualandmuchofithappensinbooktwo Asfortheromanceaspect,theconnectionbetweenthe charactersisaslowburn.Lolitadoesnotfallheadoverheelsforhercaptorbecausehemakesuseofherbodyatevery opportunity.
Finally,lastbutnotleast,MuerteendsonacliffhangerwithplentyoflooseendstobetiedupinSemper,includingthe resolutionofDelDiablo.TheIsleisvastandthere’smuchtoberevealed.
TWshavebeenlistedinthebackofthebookforsensitivity.
Ifyouprefergoingintothisblind,pleasekeepinmindabsolutelynothing withintheStygianIslesworldisofflimits Theinhabitantslivebysetrulesandanestablishedhierarchywithgiventitlesandroles Therewillbegraphicandgrotesque scenesofhorrorandexplicitsexualsituations,ninety-fivepercentofthemdub/noncon.
TWcan be found HERE
Therearemomentsinlifewepassoffasinsignificantthatlaterbecomecrucial piecesofacatalyticchain.Thekindofmomentswelookbackonandonlythenbeginto realizeallthewarningsignsthatwereignored.
Somewouldcallthishindsight. Ihadadifferentnameforit. Misfortune.
Butbeforewegettothatpartofmystory,it’sbesttostartfromthebeginning. EverythingchangedthemorningIwalkedthroughMillenniumResort’sarchedglass doors.
I’dneverseenitinsuchupheaval.Theupscaleestablishmentprideditselfon runningsmoothlyandefficiently.Regardlessofanyfiresthatmayhaveneededputtingout behindthescenes,thelavishresortmaintainedasolidfront,soseeingmycolleagues rushingthiswayandthathadmemomentarilytakenaback.
Iwouldhaveaskedwhatwasgoingon,butthatmeantstoppingsomeoneinthe middleofwhattheyweredoing,andIloatheditwhenanyonedidthattome.
Ididn’tseeAnyaanywheretoaskhereither.Shewasprobablystillinthebathroom. She’dpracticallysprintedinsidewhileholdingherstomachbeforeIwasfullyparked.I’d toldhernottoeattheleftovertake-outforbreakfast,butshehadn’tlistenedandhad addedanentirecupofcoffeeontopofit.Shewasinforaroughmorning.
Notwantingtobeinanyone’sway,Ifocusedonmyownjob,quicklydiscerning thatthechaoswashappeningawayfromtheguests.Theupperlevelswererelativelyquiet, totheextentthatasIsettledintomyusualworkflow,Iforgotallaboutwhatwas happeningbelow.
IdidonelastsweepoftheroomI’djustfinishedrefreshingtomakesureitwas
postcardworthyandthenwentbackintothehall.IgottomycleaningtrolleyjustasAnya steppedoutfromherrefresherafewdoorsdown,havingmadeitontotheclockafterher rendezvousinthebathroom.
Herdarkhairwasstillcoiledinatidybunwhileminewasfightingtoescapethe ponytailI’dpulleditintoearlier.Ireasonedthatwasbecauseherswaspencilstraightand mineathickmassofwaves.
“Anythingnew?”Iasked.
“No,sameasusual.Unmadebeds.Usedtowelsandwashclothstossedalloverthe place,wetonesatthat.It’sdisgusting.”
“That’swhywehavegloves.”
“Weneedhazmatsuits.Ithinkyoushouldseriouslyconsiderattendingthenext staffmeetingandrequesttheyputneonsignsabovethehampers.They’reobviouslytoo hardtosee.”
“Whydo I havetobetheonetodoit?”
“Becauseyou’remoreresponsibleandwell-spoken,duh.”
Ibreathedalaughandslippedoffmylatexgloves,tossingthemintomyminitrash binbeforescoopingupthetabletIwasprovidedtomarkdownmydailyprogress.Inoted howfulltheresortwas.Morethanhalftheroomblockswerelitred,indicatingtheywere occupied.
Theremusthavebeenaconferenceorsomething.Thatdidn’texplainthechaotic sceneinthelobby,though.
Evenwhenbookedforareceptionorgala,thingsweren’tsohectic.Iquickly checkedofftheroomsI’dfinishedandthendimmedmyscreen.
“Youknowmostofthesepeopleprobablydon’tknowwhatahamperis.”
Anyamadeasoundofannoyanceassheretrievedhertabletanddidthesame.“Are youreadyforbreak?I’vebeenreadysinceweclockedin.”
“Sure.”Itookholdofmycart,steeringitinthedirectionofthestaffelevators.
Itwasanofficialrulethatwedidn’tusetheonesmeantforguests.Uponreaching them,Anyawavedheremployeebadgeinfrontofthecardreadertobringoneup, allowingmetogetinfirst.Ieasedmycleaningtrolleyallthewayover,carefulnotto brushagainstthemirrorthatmadeupthesidewall.Anyabackedinside,leavingasmall gapbetweenthetwoofus.
Shejabbedthebuttonforthefloorweneeded.“Istillcan’tbelievethisiswhatour liveshavecometo.Cleaningupafterrichpeople.”
“Thisiswaybetterthanourlastjob.Istillcan’tlookatrawchickenwithout wantingtovomit.”Inearlyshudderedjustthinkingaboutit.“Plus,wecouldbemaking lessandcleaningupafterthepoor.”
“Doesn’tthatmeanwe’djustbecleaningupafterourselves?”
“Yeah,butatleastthenwe’dknowwhothewetwashclothsbelongedto,”Ipointed
outastheglossyelevatordoorsslidshut.
Wehadmultiplevariationsofthisconversationatleastonceaweek.Iknewshe wantedmorefromlife.Thatwasonlynatural.Ididtoo.Itwasn’tlikeIwokeupecstaticto gotoworkandtoilwithabunchofstrangers’dirtylinens.AndIhadplentyofopinions abouttheoccasionalsneerorupturnednosedirectedmyway.
Butallthataside,thisjobwasn’tterrible.Weweregivensomeprettydecentperks. Complimentarymealswereprovidedfromsomeoftheattachedrestaurantswe’dneverbe abletoaffordotherwise,andtherewasasetperiodduringtheoffseasonthatgrantedus freestaysaslongaswehadperfectattendance.
Moreimportantthanthebenefits,thebillsatourapartmentweremostlyallpaidup. Thesamecouldn’thavebeensaidalittlelessthanayearago.Backthenwe’dbeenona strictramenbudget,strugglingtokeeparoofoverourheadsandthelightson.
“Whatarewedoingthisweekend?”
Iglancedoverather.“Unlessitinvolveslongwalksfrommybedtothecouchor kitchen,I’mdoingabsolutelynothing.”
“Oh,comeonLo!Younevergooutwithmeanymore.”
“GoingoutwithyoualwaysaddsaflairofdramaordouchebagtomylifethatIhave nopatiencefor.”
Herbrowknittedasifshewasconfused.Iwasgladtheelevatordoorschosethento slideopenandletusout.Wepushedourtrolliestotheirdesignatedarea.Halfwaythere wewereforcedtostopandmoveasideforamanpushingasatincoveredcartdownoneof theprivatelowerhalls.Icaughtthetailendofaconversationfromthewalkieonhishipas hepassed.
“What’sthedealwiththisBacchusTradeShow?”
Anyashotmealook,herdarkbrowsrisingindisbelief.“SometimesIwonderifyou liveinthesameworldthatIdo.”
Islidmytrolleyintoitsnumberedspotandwaitedforherbeforewalkingtowards thebreakroom.“Hey,Iknewitwascoming,justnotwhatahugedealitapparentlyis.”
“That’ssubjective.Somewouldsayit’snottheshowbut who willbeinattendance thatmakesitsuchahugeordeal.”
“Oh.Well,thatexplainswhytheresortissobookedupthen.”
“Yeah,there’sgoingtobesomeimportantpeoplecomingin.I’msurprisedthey didn’tholdastaffmeetingjusttobriefus.Iguessthatwouldhaveexposedtoomuch.”
“Maybe,butI’mmoreinterestedintheshow.”
“Ofcourseyouare,”sherepliedwithadramaticsigh.“It’sanauctionorsomething forrareitems.I’mnotsurewhatyet,butiftherumorsflyingaroundareanythingtogoby, thiseventisultra-exclusive,soI’llprobablyhaveahardtimefindingout.”
Sheundidthetopbuttonofheruniformtoshowoffmoreofherperfectlyrounded cleavage.Oneofhersignaturethirsttraps.
Ihateditwhenshedidthis,butI’dgottensoaccustomedtoheranticsthatIknew betterthantowastemybreathwithreprimand.
“And?”Iurgedhertocontinue.
“Ihearditcostsafortunejusttostepfootinsidetheroomunlessyou’reamember ofsomeelitegroup.Basedontheusualpeoplewhostayhere,Ienvisionabunchofold dudesstuffedinsuitswithhellaringsontheirfingersandsmokingfat-asscigars.”
Ilaughedsoftly.“Ithinkyou’vegotanoveractiveimagination.”
“Tellmeyoudon’tconsiderhalftheguysintheroomsweservicehigh-classsugar daddymaterial.”
Iwrinkledmynoseatthevisualthatcreated.“Canyounotrefertothisasservicing everagain?Youjustmadeussoundlikeprivateescorts.”
“Hmm.”Shebroughtafingertoherdimpledchinandpretendedtoconsiderthat idea.
Actually,therewasaslightpossibilityshewasn’tpretending.WithAnyaitwas sometimeshardtotell.Igentlyshovedhershoulderasweduckedintothestaffroom whereourlockerswere.
“Anya,Iwasjoking.”
“Ididn’tsayanything!”
“Youdidn’tneedto.Sometimesyou’reanopenbook.Andanyways,therehavebeen morethanafewnice-looking, younger guysstayingherethatclearlyhadmoney.”
“Youmeanthosearrogantassholeswithauthorizedcreditcards?Iwouldnever stoopthatlow.”
“Um,you’veliterallystoopedlower.”
Shegaspeddramatically.“Lolita!”
Ishotheranapologeticsmile,notentirelysorryatall.
“Let’sjustagreethatthekindofrichmenwe’dbeintoonlyexistontheotherside ofascreenorwithinfiction,makingthemstatisticallyunobtainable.Theyeitherlive billionsofmilesawayordon’texist.”
Ijustbarelystoppedmyselffromquestioningthis we shewasreferringto.That wouldopenthedoortoawholedifferentkindofconversation.
“Haveyouforgottenthemenwhoownthisresort,technicallyourbosses’bosses? Whataboutalltheirfriends?”
“Theydon’tcount.They’veallgotwivesthatthey’reshockinglydevotedto.”
“So?”
“Idon’twanttosplitcustodyofdick,sharingtheholidaysandweekends.Ineed commitment.”
Lord, help her.“Howdidwegofromtalkingabouttheirlookstoyouscrewing them?Andwhendidthischangeofopinioncomeabout?”
“Ihadanepiphanyaboutthescandalthatwouldbreakoutifamanlikethatgot
caughtballsdeepinthehelp.”
So,notbecauseshesuddenlyfeltremorseforallthepreviousmarriedmenshe’d sleptwith.“Anya,Iknowthismaysoundinsanetoyou,butmaybegoingforaregular nine-to-fivemanwouldn’tbetheendoftheworld.”
“You’reright.You’velostyourmind.”
Iignoredherrebuttalandproceededtowashmyhands,grabbingmybagafterward. Shewaitedformetofinish,checkinghercellnotificationswithasmallsmileIdidn’tdare askabout.
ThelasttimeIdidthatshethoughtitwasagreenlighttoshowmesomerandom man’sgenitalselfies.ThesecondhandembarrassmentIhadforhimlastednearlytwo weeks.Someposesshouldn’tbedoneclothed,letalonenaked.
Weheadedbackintothehallandthroughthedoubledoorsthatgaveusaccessto themainlobby.Nowknowingwhatwasgoingon,thecrazinessfromthatmorningmadea littlemoresense.Infact,Ithinkithadgottenworsenowthatanonslaughtofguestshad arrivedforcheck-in.
Menandwomenallfashionablydressedwereclusteredtogetherinsmallgroups, conversingwithoneanotherwhilebellhopsrushedaroundwithcartsofluggage,goingthe extramiletoearnbiggertips.Navigatingthroughallofthistoreachthecorridorthatled totherestaurantswasastemptingasskippingoverhotcoalsbarefoot.
Therewere so manypeople.
Icouldhandlethejudgementthatcamewiththisjobinthepresenceofoneortwo, notanentirearmy.Anyadidn’thavesuchreservations.Sheloopedherarmthroughmine andurgedmeonward.
“Don’tworryaboutthesejudge-ymotherfuckers,Lo.Thinkaboutfood,becauseI’m starving. ”
Leaveittohertoknowexactlywhatmyhesitationstemmedfrom.“Doyouhave someideaofwhatyouwanttoeatthen?”
Ihopedshechosethebistro.Itwasalwaystheleastbusy,andhopefullytoday wouldn’tbeanexception.Withawholethirty-fiveminutestoorder,eat,andthenbeback onthefloortofinishourremainingrooms,timewasalwaysoftheessence.
Aswemadeourwaythroughthemazeofguests,ItriedtopretendIdidn’tfeelthe needlingofmultipleeyesonus.Iplacedonefootinfrontoftheotherandletthebeauty ofMillenniumdistractme.
Thelobbyhadalwaysbeenmyfavoritepartoftheresort.Itwaspurelydesignedfor opulenttastes.Themarblefloorneverwentunpolished,resemblingsmooth,untouched glass.
Therewerebouquetsoffresh,beautifulflowersthatwerereplacedeveryotherday, alwaysinshadesthatcomplimentedthecreamandwood-tonedhuesoftheMillennium’s colorpallet.Butmyabsolutefavoritepartoftheresort’sdesignwasthedomedskylight
thatmadeuptheceiling.
Catchingaflashofmovementinmyperipheral,Iglancedoverandsawabellhop rushingourwaywithacartofluggageproportionateinsizetomyentirelowerhalf.
IuntangledmyselffromAnyaandmadesureshewasclearofhispathwithagentle shove,andthendidaquickskip-hoptoavoidbeingrunover,bringingmyselfwithin centimetersofaman’sbroadback.
Iheldmyhandsouttosteadymyself,takingaquietbreathofreliefwhenIdidn’tgo bulldozingintohim.Thebellhophadthedecencytobreatheoutanapologyashewhizzed by.
Ididn’trecognizehimasoneoftheregulars.Theresortmusthavecalledin reinforcements.Iquicklymovedawayfromthemanandhiscompanions,catchinga fragrancednoteofcologne somethingexoticallywarm.I’dneverassociatedthescentof colognewithmoney,butwhateverthatmanhadonwasundoubtedlyexpensive.
IslowedbrieflysoAnyacouldcatchuptome,allowinghertoloopourarmsback together.Sheimmediatelyleanedcloserandwhispered,“Didyou see them?Pleasetellme yousawthem.”
“No.Iwastoobusysavingmydignity.”
“Youshouldhaveleftthatonthefloor.ItakebackwhatIsaidearlier.”
Finallyreachingtheothersideofthelobby,Ilookedoverather.“Canyoubemore specific?”
“Theywere fine!”
Herelevatedvoicecaughttheattentionofeveryonewithinafewfeetofus.Ididn’t havethecouragetolookbackandseehowmanymorepeoplewerestaringnow.
“Didyouneedtoannouncethattotheentireresort?”
“Hellyeah!IswearI’vedreamedofatleasttwoofthembefore.”
Cheeksflaming,Icouldn’thelpbutgrinather.Thegirlwasshameless,thetotal oppositeofme.Ilovedherexactlyforthatreasonandhadfromthemomentwe’dmetata mutualfosterhomeyearsago.
“Ihopeyoudieahappywomannow.”
“Thatwon’thappenuntiloneofthembendsthekneeandprofessestheirundying loveforme.”
“Youhaveissues.Maybeyoushouldseeabouttalkingtosomeone.I’msureShana couldsqueezeyouin.Youknowhowmuchshelovestoremindus girlies thatshe’s alwayshereifwewanttotalk.”
Shelaughedlightly.“You’vegotjokes,butjustwait.OnedayI’llbelivingalavish lifeandputtingyouonasmysister-wife.”
“Uh,IthinkI’llhavetopassonthat.”Stickingmyhandinahigh-speedblender wouldbemoreenticing.“Ithoughtyouweren’tintosharing?”
“I’mnot,butIcanstillmakesureyou’retakencareof.Alljokingaside,Iwould
nevergofromragstoricheswithoutyou,Lo.”
Hertonewasplayfulyetgenial.Thatwarmedmyheartandalsosortofbrokeit.“I appreciatethesentiment,butdon’teverletmestopyoufromlivingyourdream.”
Shescoffedandnudgedmewithhershoulder.“Itwouldn’tbemuchofadream withoutyou.”
“Iamprettyirreplaceable.”
“Exactly.Andthisgoesforyoutoo.Ifyougetonwitharichguy,bringmealongfor theride.”
Ismiledbutdidn’treply.
Thechancesofthateverhappeningwereaboutoneinazillion,andIwasn’tatall putoffaboutit.Unlikeme,Anyawasdeadsetonmanifestingherselfintofortuneby adorationsfromaman.Therewasnodoubtinmymindthatthekindofmenshewishedto pursuewouldn’trefusewhatwasoffered.
HerAsian-Konkaniethnicitytookavibrantsoulandwrappeditinaridiculously gorgeousshell. I wouldpropositionAnyaifIswungthatway.Butthatwasnevertheissue. Theproblemwaswiththemensheallowedtoknowherintimately.Theytreatedherlikea noveltywithashort-termshelflifeinsteadofapricelesstreasure.
She’dbeendowntheroadofwealthymenalready,whichwaswhyIdidn’t understandherendlessneedtohaveone.Everytimeshegottotheinevitableend,Ihelped herpickupthepiecesofabrokenheartandslightedego.
Iwonderedifsherealizedthatherhurtinghurtmetoo.Bearingwitnesstohercrying andragingwasmentallytaxing.Overtimeithadhardenedmyresolvetoremainsingle.I wastoounsureaboutlifeatthemomenttogetinvolvedwithanyone.Ihadnoclear-cut pathIwantedtowalk.Icouldn’tprojectavisualofmeinanyoneprofession.
Whatevermycallingwas,Ihadn’tgottenityet.DraggingsomeonealongwhileI figureditoutdidn’tseemrightorfair,nottomentiondistracting.Andthebarmenthought theyhadtoreachwasinhell.Ihadplentyoftimetosettlemylovelifeinthefuture.
“AllI’msayingisthatyou’reawarefromexperiencethatwealthdoesn’tmakea persondecent.Whynottrysomethingdifferent?”
ShelookedatmeasifI’djustannouncedIcouldfly.“BecauseIwanttobe disrespectedandhavemygutsrearrangedonapileofmoney.”
“I…Idon’tknowhowtorespondtothat.HaveItoldyouyou’vegotissues?”I reiteratedwithalaugh.
“Yeah,butIalsoknowyoulovemebecauseI’maheadcase.” “Whatever.You’dbetterbecareful.”
“I’malwayscareful,”sheretorted.
Iurgedherinthedirectionofthebistro,decidingwheretoeatforthebothofus.
Weweretenminuteslategettingbacktowork.Luckily,thesuiteonmyrosterwasaprepandnotacheck-outor refresher Normally,theregularroomsweresupposedtobedoneinlessthanthirtyminutes
Suitestendedtotakelongersincetheywerebigger.Ifthey’dbeenthoroughlyused,Icouldforgetanykindoftimetable. Havingtocomeinafterabachelorpartywasanewkindoftorture.IwouldbescarredforeverbysomeofthethingsI’dfound underandinthesebeds.Ifitweren’tfortheresort’svigorouscleaningpolicy,Iwouldn’tthinkanyofthemsanitary.
Ifinishedfluffingthedecorativepillowsinthesittingareaandthenwenttocheckthebathroom,makingsurethetoilet paperandminibottlesofsoapandlotionswerepresentablebeforemovingintothebedroom Igrabbedthesilverbedtray fromanightstandandbegantoloaditupwithmoreoftheresort’scustomarywelcomenovelties.
Hearingaman’svoicecarryfromacrosstheroom,Ipausedandlookedinthedirectionit’dcomefrom
Thedrapeswerestilldrawn,prohibitingmefromseeingoutside,butsomeonewasdefinitelyoutonthebalcony,and therewasn’tsupposedtobeanyoneinhere.Iquicklysearchedforsignsofluggagebutdidn’tseeany.Ifitweren’tfortheevent goingontoday,Iwould’vefoundthisodd.Thebellhopsneverdelayedinbringingupbags.
Thefrontdeskmusthaveforgottentomarkthisroomaspreoccupied.That,oritwasaself-check-inandtheapphad glitchedbecauseitcouldn’thandlethetraffic Eitherway,thiswasamajoroversight Ihadn’tevenannouncedmyself I’d waltzedrightinlikeIlivedhere.Ineededtopromptlywaltzrightbackout.
NosoonerhadthethoughtregisteredandIbegantomoveawayfromthebedthanthebalconydoorslidopen,sending myplanforastealthyescapeupinflames.
Thethickdrapespartedandamaninafittedbutton-downsteppedfrombehindthem,asuitjacketdrapedoveroneof hisforearms Webothfrozeatthesightofoneanother,himclearlynotexpectinganyonetobeinhisroomandmefumblingfor mybestcustomerservicesmile.
IcouldsmellhiscolognefromwhereIstood,belatedlyrealizingthearomahadbeenlingeringintheairsinceIwalked intothissuite.ItwasthesameoneI’dsmelledonthemanI’dnearlyrunintodowninthelobby.ImanagedasmilethatIhoped lookedgenial,strugglingtokeepmyeyestrainedonhisface
Iprayedthesuddenrushofheatinmycheekswasn’tbroadcastinghowinsanelyattractiveIfoundhim,likesomecliché animeschoolgirl.WasthisoneofthemenAnyahadseendownstairs?Icouldn’timaginemanyscenarioswhereshe wouldn’t noticesomeonewholookedlikethis
Hewassogoodlookingthatitwasactuallyabit…unsettling.Hisgolden-brownskinwasashadeortwodarkerthan myown Hisnoseperfectlycentered Cleftchin Angularcheekbonesandchiseledjawlineframedbyfreshlyshavenstubble Aheadofhealthyjet-blackhairtaperedathisnapeandcurledslightlybehindhisears.
ItwasasifAugustaSavageherselfhadsculptedhim,ensuringhewasclosetoperfect,butnotwithoutflaws.Therewas ascarontherightsideofhisface.Theonlymarkonotherwiseflawlessskin.
Itstartedneartheedgeofhisbrowandextendedagoodthreetofourinchesdown Ithadfadedwithtimeandaddeda subtlesavagerytohisbeauty.Hiseyesweresomethingtobeholdontheirown.Theyremindedmeofimperialtopaz.Ibecame tongue-tiedinthefewsecondsittooktolookhimoverfromheadtotoe
Fortunately,workingintheretailandserviceindustrysinceIwasoldenoughtohaveapermitsavedmefromremaining anincompetent,speechlessidiot
“I’msorry,Ididn’trealizeanyonehadcheckedinyet,”Iexplained,offeringatentativesmile.
“Itoldthefrontdesknottoworryaboutthepleasantries,”hereplied,hisculturedvoicedeepandatouchgravelly.
“Ithinktheremayhavebeenamix-upwitheverythinggoingon”
“Youthink?”herepeated,clearlynotpleasedwiththatexplanation.
“Sorry,”Iapologizedagainforlackofbetterresponse
“Whyareyouapologizingwhenyou’renottheonewhocouldn’tfollowsimpleinstructions?”
Ifoundmyselfatalossforwordsagain,butatleastthistimeitwasforasensiblereason
Ididn’tthinkthiswasthatbigofadeal,butIalsowasn’twealthyenoughtoaffordasinglenightinthesuitehe’d chosen.Icouldn’taffordthisroomforafewhourswithoutpartingwithachunkofmysoul.Helookedfromthebedandthen backtomeashereachedbehindhimtopullthebalconydoorshut
“Haveyoufinishedthen?”
Oh,IguessIhadjustbeenstandingherelikeIwasn’tsurewhattodo “Um,yes I’llbeonmywaynow Ifyouneed anything,thephoneonthenightstandcanconnectyoutothefrontdesk.Justdialtwo.”Iturnedawayfromhimandretrievedmy trolley.
“Wait.”
Hissoftlyspokencommandcarriedclearerthananyshout,sendingatrickleofapprehensiondownmyback.Iplastered onasmilethatputmydimplesonfulldisplayandturnedaround “Yes?”
Heretrievedsomethingfromhisrearpocket awallet andflippeditopen,removingafewcrispbills “Isthis enough?”heasked,extendingthemtowardsme.
Eyeingthemoneywithconfusion,Icouldn’thelpbutnoticehowlargehishandswere,andthethickmetalbandonhis ringfinger.Unsurprisingly,hewasmarried.“What’sthatfor?”
“Yourtip.”
Ishookmyheadandreachedformytrolleyagain “Thankyou,butIcan’tacceptthat”
“Aftercominginhereunannounced,Ithinkit’stheleastyoucoulddo.”
Excuseme?Whatkindofbackwardslogicwasthat?Iturnedtowardshimoncemore,failingtosuppressafrown He staredbackatmewithaninscrutableexpression.Istrugglednottoshiftbeneaththeunexpectedweightofit.
Foraslargeasthissuitewas,withhiminsideitmightaswellhavebeenashoebox.
Iwasrescuedfromhavingtodealwiththisfurtherwhenabeepcamefromthedoor Themanwhoappearedinthe doorwayhalfasecondlaterwasalmostasattractiveastheonewhonowstoodbehindme.
Hisdark,almostchestnut-huedhairwasstyledinacarefreemanner,suggestingheoftenranhisfingersthroughit His facewassharplychiseled,revealinghighcheekbonesandasquaredjawthathadasmatteringofstubble.Whenhesawme, whateverhe’dbeenabouttosaydiedonhislips Hesteppedintotheroomandlookedatthemanbehindmewitharoguish smile.
“Youdon’twasteanytime,doyou?”
Ididn’tlikewhatthatseemedtobehintingat Iglancedatthemanofferingmeatipandquietlytoldhimtohaveagood eveningbeforeIheadedforthedoor.
WhatsoundedlikeawhisperofLolita followedonmyheels,replacingmyearlierapprehensionwithadeep,unsettling chill.
Ididn’tstoptoseeifIwashearingthings Ihadtobe.
Wedidn’twearnametags,andI’dnevergivenhimmyname.
Ididn’ttellAnyaaboutwhathadhappened Whiletheencounterwasuncomfortable,shewouldmakeitamuchbigger dealthanitneededtobe.Unlessthemandecidedtoreportme,itwasbesttojustforgetthewholeincident.I’ddealtwithmuch worseguestsbefore
Wefinishedourshiftsandreturnedtothestaffroomtogatherourpersonalbelongingsandclockout.Iwasn’texpecting ittobeaschaoticasthelobby.Shanawasoccupyingthecenteroftheroom,shoutingatsomeoneonesecondandspeaking franticallyintoawalkie-talkiethenext
ForsomeonewhohadastrikingresemblancetoMs.Frizzleallthewaydowntothemassofcurlyorange-redhair,it wasentirelyunlikehertolooksofrazzled
“Youtwo!”Hergreeneyeslitlikesparklersthesecondshespottedus.Shewavedofftheyoungguyshewastalkingto asifhewereapeskyflyandcamerushingoverwithtwogarmentbagswedgedbeneathherarm “You’reexactlywhoI’ve beenwaitingfor.Yougirlieshaveservingexperience,correct?”
“Yes,”Anyaansweredhesitantly,shootingaquicklookmyway.“Why?”
“I’mmissingthreeservers Howdoyoufeelaboutsteppingintohelpwiththetradeshowthisevening?”
“Fuc freakyes!Iwouldlovethat. We wouldbehonored,”Anyaenthused. Herexcitementwassopalpableitalmostmademefeelthesame
Almost.
Ihadnodesiretorubelbowswiththerichandevenlessenthusiasmtosubjectmyselftothescrutinyofthe‘elite’,as Anyahaddescribedearlier.Sensingmyhesitation,Shanaturnedtowardsme,wideninghersmiletothepointIcouldseethe silvertoothinthebackofhermouth.Therewasaspeechcomingon.Icouldpracticallyseeherpuffupherchestin preparation Ifshewasn’toneofmybosses,Iwould’vefledfromtheroom
“Iknowitcanseemalittledaunting,beingaroundsuchold money,butthisisagreatopportunity.You’llgettwiceas muchasyounormallywouldfortheovertimeandgainsomeniceconsiderationforfuturepromotions”
Wasshetryingtoconvincemeorscareme?EvenAnya’sfacefellalittle.Herheavyenunciationoftheword money washighlyunnecessary.Ididn’tcareaboutthesepeopleortheirtaxbracket.
Ialsodidn’thavealifelongdreamofbeingahotelmaidfortherestofmylife.Thisjobwasoneinalonglineof steppingstonestopaymybills,notacareerIwasreadytobleedandsweatfor.
Icouldn’ttellheranyofthiswithouthurtingherfeelingsorpissingheroff Shanahadbeenemployedhereforwellover adecadeandwasvocalaboutneverleaving.Iwouldn’tbesurprisedifsherequestedtobeburiedsomewhereontheproperty.
“Areyousureit’sokayforustofillinlikethis?Iheardtheeventwasexclusive”
“Itwon’tbeaproblem.Youwerebothpre-screenedafewmonthsago.”
“Shouldn’twehaveconsentedtosomethinglikethat?”
“Oh,thatwassmart,”Anyareplied,jubilantly,gentlyelbowingmeintheside. Herperceptionofthattidbitofinformationwasthetotaloppositeofmine.
“Youcanneverbetoocarefulwitheventslikethis,whichiswhyforprivacyreasonsthere’sanNDAthatwillneedto besignedandnoemployeeispermittedtohavetheirphonesonceinside,butthat’snodifferentthanusualforyougirlies,”
Shanahastilyexplained.
“AnNDAforwhatexactly?”
HerwalkiecametolifeagainbeforeIgotananswer,thistimewithsomeonefrommaintenancerequestingassistance ShesighedandallbutshovedthetwolargebagsintoAnya’sarms.
“Here,theseshouldfityoutwo GoputthemonandthenmeetmebackhereintenminutestopssoIcanexplainwhat needsdoingandhaveyoufillinthepaperwork.”
Assoonasshewasgone,IturnedtowardsAnyatopleadmycaseonwhythiswasn’tagoodidea ThespotIexpected hertobewasempty.Shewasalreadyhurryingawaytogetchanged.
“Comeon,Lo,”shetossedoverhershoulder.
“Wait!”
Shepretendednottohearmeandkeptwalking.Ifollowed,intentonconvincingherweshouldn’tgetinvolvedin whateverthistradeshowgigwas
“Anya,Iknowyouheardme.”
Shefinallystoppedandturnedaround “Iwashopingyou’djustgoalongwithit Should’veknownbetter”
“Andyoushouldalsoknowthisisadisasterwaitingtohappen.”
“Howso?”
“Ourkindofservingexperienceisfor24-hourmomandpopdiners,notfancydinnershows” “Idon’tseewhatthedifferencewouldbe.”
“Anya,”Ihuffed,“servingdinonuggetsandfriesisn’tcomparabletothisandyouknowit IneverhadtosignanNDA forapancakeplatter.”
Selectivelyignoringme,sheturnedandthrustoneofthegarmentbagsintomygutsothatshecouldunziptheother.I claspedtheshinyplasticwithagrunt,scowlingwhensherevealedthedressinside.
“Whatisthatsupposedtobe?”
“It’s gorgeous,”sheawed,tugging,andpullinguntilitwasfree “Thatdoesn’tlooklikeauniform.”
“Yes,itdoes Wehavetodressthepart”
Isurveyedthelittleblacknumberandgrewmoredeterminedtogetoutofthis.Thatthingwouldbelikeasecondskin andshowmorechestthanmyworkoutbradid.
“I’mnotparticipating.”
SeeinghowseriousIwas,shequicklyadoptedanewattitude.“Whyareyousoagainstthis,Lo?What’swrong?”
“Ijust Idon’tknow Itfeelslikesomethingisgoingtohappenifwegointhere Ican’texplainwhy”
Shequirkedoneofherperfectlythreadedbrows.“Repeatthatbacktoyourself.Doesitmakesense?” “Notreally,nobutthatdoesn’tchangehowIfeel”
Shereachedoutandgentlyclaspedmyupperarm.“It’sjustonenight,Lo.Afewhoursatthat.Atleasttryformeandif youreally hateit,wecanmakeupanexcusetoleave.Deal?”
“Doyoureallyneedmehereforthis?Icanalwayscomeandpickyouupwhenyou’redone” “Oh,comeon. Please?Idon’twanttodoitwithoutyou.”
“Whydoyouwanttodothissobadly?”Islightlytiltedmyhead,eyesnarrowing “It’snotforthemoney,isit?”
“Notentirely,”shefreelyadmitted,addingbeforeIcouldlectureher.“We’llnevergetanopportunitylikethisagain. Theextracashisagoodincentivetoo”
Herpleadingeyesheldmineandweakenedmyresolve.Shewasn’tgoingtotakeanythinglessthanayesfromme,and asshe’dpointedout,Ididn’thaveanyspecificreasontoturndownthisofferotherthanIwasofftomorrowandreadytoget home Itwould onlybeforafewhours
Iexhaledsoftly,andsheknewIwascaving.Withalittleyipofexcitement,shejumpedforwardandhuggedmewithone arm Whenshesteppedback,therewasawidegrinonherface
“Thisisgoingtobefuckingamazing!Let’sgetready.”
“Soexciting,”Ideadpannedasshegrabbedmywristandhauledmeofftochange
Withinsecondsofwalkingintotheroom,Iknewthiswasonsomeone’sbucketlistasafirsthandexperienceinhell.I wassofaroutofmydepthhere I’dbeenintheresort’samphitheaterahandfuloftimesandthoughthechangesmadeit stunning,thelargespacewasunrecognizable.
Itsusualwarmcolorschemehadbeenreplacedwiththisevent’spaletteofdeepburgundyandgold Thecrystal chandeliershadbeendimmedtoallowthecandleswithintoweringglasscenterpiecestobethefocalpoint.
Amaskedstringquartetplayedinadarkenedcorner,addingtotheroom’sdesiredambienceandgivingitasenseof ominousness Ouruniforms,iftheycouldbecalledthat,wereonparwiththeaesthetic Allthewomenwereinthesamedeep cutA-linechiffondressthathitjustabovethekneewhilethemendonnedsimplebuttondownswithslacks blackonblack.
Anyahadbeenimpressedbythisuntilshesawwhattheattendeeswerewearing Perfectlytailoredsuitsandelegant cocktailgowns.Butnowthatwewereinside,Iwasn’tasbotheredabouttheoutfitanymore.Thisdresswastheleastofmy worries.Thereweresomanypeopleitwasimpossibletoslinkintotheshadowsandremainhidden.
EvenifImanagedto,Shanawouldprobablybewaitingtheretodragmebackout.She’dinstructedAnyatoworkthe westwingandIwasontheeast,alongwithafewotheremployeesIdidn’tknowwell.
NowshewasroutinelypatrollingtheperimetertomakesurenoneofusweremarringtheMillennium’sflawlessimage byslackingoff.
Balancingmyservingtrayononehand,Iweavedbetweenapairofroundtablesandapproachedanothergroupof attendees.
Theirattentionwasfixedonthecenteroftheroomwherethedancefloorhadbeenreducedinsizetoaccommodatea darkreddaisofsortstoserveasastage.Thisturnedouttobemysavinggrace.Iwasasinterestingastheflickeringtealights thankstotheitemsbeingbroughtforth.Ihadnocluewhatmadethemsovaluable.
Therewereabunchofoddpaintingsandmacabresculptures onedeemedtheVeiledVirginwithacontortedface, amongotherthingsIcouldn’tpossiblyname.Istoppedafewfeetbehindabaldingmanandcurvyblondehavingaconversation aboutapainting
Themanlookedoldenoughtobehergreatgrandfather,butseeingashisweatheredhandwasfirmlyplantedonherass, thatlikelywasn’tthecase.Itookaquietbreathandbravedapproachingthem.WiththelooksI’dbeenreceivinghalfthe eveningwhenIdaredspeaktosomeofthesepleasantindividuals,Iloathedtointerrupt,butit’snotlikeIhadmuchofachoice “Beefcarpaccio?”Iaskedpolitely,keepingmyvoicelow.
Withoutsparingmeaglance,themanletgoofhispartner’sassandreachedbackforoneofthedelicacies Icounted whatwasleftandsilentlyrejoiced.IfIcouldhandoffthefinalthree,I’dhaveavalidexcusetoslipawayforafewminutes.It shouldn’tbetoohard Thesethingsseemedtobeacrowdfavorite Ipersonallydidn’tseetheappealinthem EvenifIhadall
themoneyintheworld,Icouldn’timaginemyselffancyingthinslicesofdecoratedrawmeat. ItbroughtbackmemoriesofwhenIhandledfreshlyskinnedchickens.
Isteppedawayfromthecoupleandmademywaybackaroundmysideoftheroom Iwaswavedofftwiceandthen completelyignoredbeforefinallyriddingmyselfofthelastmeatydelicacies.Iaddedmyservingtraytothesmallpilewaiting tobecollectedbykitchenstaffandlingerednearthebackoftheroom,givingmyselfafewminutesbreather
Moreguestsarrivedasanothersetofitemswerebroughtontothedais,theroomfullofsoftchatterandmusic.There wasnoauctioneer,justtwooldermeninsuitsmindingthestagesonoonegottooclose
I’dworkedoutthatthiswasasilentauctionkindofthing.Selectionsupforbidwouldremainforasetamountoftime duringwhichthebidderswouldbetappingawayontheirphones.Theydidn’thavetogivethemuplikewedid.
Theprocesswasn’tnearlyasexcitingassomeonefiringoffnumbersandspecs Iimaginedithadtobedonethisway duetotheheavydegreeofprivacytheywereaimingfor.Anyahadn’tbeenexaggeratingwhenshementionedhowexclusiveit was Alltheentrancesandexitswerebeingsafeguardedsothatoutsiderscouldn’tsneakin
IsearchedtheroomtoseeifIcouldspother,nothavinganyluck.Afewmenlookedmyway,one’sgazelingeringfor longerthanwassociallypolite AsIcontemplatedgoingtogetanothertrayofappetizerstopassaround orplottinganescape adark-hairedwomansteppedintomylineofsight.
Therewasalookinhereyesthatgaveimmediatecauseforconcern,yetnoonepaidhermuchattention.Shestartedto approachmeandfaltered IsmiledtoreassureherIwasstaff,butthelookoftrepidationremained Shesubtlyglancedbehindherandthencameforwardwithareneweddetermination.
“Areyouokay,ma’am?”Iaskedonceshewascloser,keepingmyvoicelow “Quickly,”shewhispered,makingamotionwithherhand.
Ilookeddownandsawasmallslipofpapergraspedbetweenherfingers.Deducingshewantedmetobediscrete,I pluckeditfromherassubtlyasIcouldandreadwhatwaswritten.
Diabolus has come for you.
Ire-readit,browpinchinginconfusion “I’msorry,Idon’tunderstand”
Fromjustoverhershoulder,IcaughtsightofShanamakingherwaytowardsus.Thesecondmyattentionshifted elsewhere,thewomansnatchedthepaperbackandstuffeditintohermouth
Bewildered,Iwatchedasshechewedandswallowed,renderingmespeechless.ThetrepidationmorphedintowhatI couldonlydescribeassomethingthatrangofdesperationbeforesheturnedandwalkedawaywithoutanotherword.
What in the world?
“What’swithher?”Shanaechoedmyprivatethoughtsonceshereachedme,staringafterthewoman.
“Ihavenoidea”
Sheleanedcloserandloweredhervoice.“Ishould’vewarnedyou,someofthesepeopleareabit,er,different.” Iwasn’tsureifthatappliedtowhatjusthappened Everythingaboutherbehaviorindicatedsomethingwaswrong Idecidedrightthentokeepmymouthshut.Ifsheneededhelp,maybethiswasherwayoftryingtogetit.Iwasn’tsure whatShanawoulddoifItoldher.
I’dfeelterribleifImadeabadsituationworsebyinvolvingthewrongpeople Iwantedtofindheragainwithoutbeing obviousaboutit,butfirstIhadtodealwiththis.
“Didyouneedmeforsomething?”
“Oh,yes.Ineedtoborrowyaforamoment.”
Shetookgentleholdofmywristandledmeacrosstheroomtowardsatablethatwasclosertothedais Threemenand awomanwithredhairweresataroundit.AnervousflutterwentthroughmystomachasIrecognizedtworightaway.Hadthey lodgedacomplaintbecauseofearlier?
“Issomethingwrong?”Iquestioned,testingthewaters
“Notatall,”Shanareplied,flashingmeasmilethatdidn’tmatchhereasygoingtone. Asweclosedinonthetable,everyoneseatedturnedtolookourway Shanastoppedandpositionedherselfbehindme, placingbothherhandsonmyshoulders.
“Heresheis”
Themanwhowalkedinonmeinhissuitewasthefirsttostand.Hesmiledanditgavehimanentirelydifferentaura. Upstairshe’dcomeoffasunapproachableandsomewhatcold.Hissmilemorphedthatdemeanorintooneofcharmand intrigue Lordhelpanyonewithovarieshegracedwithanactualgrin
ThistimeIcouldn’tstopmyselffromshiftinguncomfortablybeneaththeweightofhisunflinchinggaze.Ilookedat Shana,soIdidn’thavetoholdhisstare “Whatdidyouneedmefor?”
“Mr.Hawthornewantedtomeetyou.” Hawthorne? WherehadIheardthatnamebefore?
“IwasjusttellingMs.DolionhowimpressedIwasbyyou.”
Thishadtobesomekindofjoke.Evenhistonewasdegreeswarmer.Hecamearoundthetabletostandinfrontofus.
He’dchangedsinceearlier.Hewasnowdressedinablackthree-piecesuitthatfithimperfectly.Itriedandfailednottonotice thewayinwhichitseemedtohughisarms.
“Ididn’tdoanythingotherthanmyjob,”Istatedevenly,forcingmyselftomeethisstare “She’salwayssomodest,”Shanagushed,givingmealightsqueeze.
Mr Hawthornemadenoattempttohidehisperusal,hisgazetravelingovermybodyfromheadtotoe Thepeoplestill sittingweredoingthesame,albeitalessthoroughexam.Isuddenlyfeltverymuchlikeoneoftheobjectsbeingbroughttothe dais
Myhandsbegantofeelclammyfromtheunwarrantedattention.
“Youlookdifferentwithyourhairdown.”Thiscamefromthemanwho’dmadetheslyremarkupstairs. Unsurehowtotakehiscomment,Iforcedasmile Atthisrate,myfacewasgoingtosplitinhalf I’dremovedmy ponytailandrunaquickbrushthroughitafterchangingintotheprovideduniformforthisevent.Ihadn’tdaredcomeinhere withthemessatopmyheadthattheyhadbeensubjectedtoearlier
“Youdidn’ttakethemoney.Thatsaysalotaboutyourcharacter,”Mr.Hawthornecontinued.
“Iwassimplydoingmyjob,”Ireiterated,probablyharsherthannecessary,butIwasbeginningtofeellikeabroken record.
“Bishop.”Hemadeagesturetohisdark-hairedcompanion.Almostimmediately,hewashandedacylinderglassfullof somethingrubyred
“Thiswasimportedfromourislefortonight.”Heturnedtowardsmeandextendedthecup.
Iwasremindedofearlierwhenheofferedmeatip IfIknewnotacceptingitwouldleadtothis,Iwould’vesnatched themoneyinaheartbeat.Iglancedattheglassandshookmyhead.
“I’msorry,butIcan’tacceptthiseither.Ireallydidn’tdoanythingextraordinary.”
Shanasteppedoutfrombehindmeandwrappedanarmaroundmyshoulders.“Goaheadandhaveasip,sweetie.You deserveit.”
Sweetie? Shehatedthatendearment Hadsheundergoneapersonalitytransplantinthelastfewhours?Therewasso muchwrongwiththisIdidn’tknowwheretobegin.Forstarters,sheknewIwasn’toldenoughtodrink.Intheprivacyofmy ownhomewasonething Herewasacompletelydifferentstory
Notonlythat,drinkingonthejobwasexpresslyprohibited.Itwasatwo-partclauseintheemployeecontractwesigned beforeworkingattheresort.She’dfiredthreegirlsforbreakingitlessthantwomonthsago.
Herabruptchangeinattitudefurtherheightenedmydiscomfort.AsrespectfullyasIcould,Iremovedherarmandput somespacebetweenus.Sheshotmealookthatwasamixofapologeticandsomethingelse.Pleading?Desperate?Justlikethe womanwhoatethescrapofpaper
Mystomachknotted.Whothehellwerethepeopleatthistabletomakeaveteranemployeeswitchupsodrasticallyand practicallytremblewithnerves?Specifically,themaninfrontofme Wouldhetakethisrejectionpersonally?WhenIlookedat Shanaagain,Iknewwithoutareasonabledoubtshewasdoingthistopleasewhoeverthismanwas.
Iwasmissingacrucialdetailinthisunfoldingscenario,butIdidn’twanttocauseissuesforShanabyflat-outrejecting himagain Withholdingasigh,IdecideditwasbesttojustgetitoverwithandgoaboutmynightsoIcouldfindthewomanin needofhelp.
Begrudgingly,Itooktheglassandbroughtittomylips Thesmellremindedmeoftobaccomixedwithmint,anodd combination.Iknewverylittleaboutwine,preferringthefruitydrinksfromgasstationsorshotsofSilverPatron.
Itookagenerousswig,pleasantlysurprisedathowgoodittasted Amixofraspberry,redfruit,chocolate,andblack licoricecombinedintoliquidsilk.Ifinishedhalftheglassoffandrefrainedfromwipingmymouthwiththebackofmypalm. “Doyoulikeit?”Hesoundedasifhegenuinelycaredaboutmyopinion.
Inoddedandrolledmylipstogether,swallowingonelasttime “It’sreallygood,thankyou”
Hisattentiondippedtomymouthwhereitremainedforthreelongsecondsbeforeflittingbacktoensnaremeonce again Hedidn’tseemtomindalltheeyesthatwereonus,andIwasunabletolookaway AsmuchasIwantedtoputspace betweenhimandme,Icouldn’tdenyhowcaptivatinghewas.Heradiatedanauraofmagneticcharm,interlacedwithahintof danger
“Finishit,”heprompted,breakingthemystifyingspellI’dbeguntofallunder.Hisunderlyingcommandwaslikebarbed wireagainstmyskin.Afaintsmirksaidhenoticed.
Ilightlyclearedmythroatandtightenedmygripontheglass “No,Ineedtogetbacktowork Thankyouagain,though” Beforeheoranyoneelsecouldsayanythingelse,Ihurriedaway.
AnyarusheduptomeassoonasI’dmadeitafairdistancefromthetable She’dwatchedtheentireinteractionfromthe sidelines.
“Areyouokay?”
“I’vebeenbetter.Wantsomewine?Itwasimportedfromanisland.”
“Anisland?Sure.”Shegingerlytooktheglassfromme.“Nowtellmewhatthehelljusthappened.”
Iwasstillwonderingthatmyself.“I’mnotsure,butIneedsomeair.Coverforme?” “Yeah, of course ” IheardhersoftreplyasIwalkedaway.Thisdaywasprovingtobeoneforthebooks.AllIwanted wastogohomeandputitbehindme Anyaowedmebigtime
Iblinkedafewtimestoclearmyvision,confusedbywhatIwasseeing Dark vaulted ceilings.
The aromatic scent of lavender and labdanum Iceslitheredthroughmyveins,chasingallmydrowsinessaway.Thiswasn’tmybedroomanddefinitelynotmy apartment.Isatup,panicflaringwhenaweightaroundmylegmadeitselfknown.Iflungaheavycomforterontothefloorin searchofwhathadaholdofme
“Whatisthis?”Ireacheddownandskimmedmyfingersoverathickchainwrappedaroundmyankle.
“Whatthefuckisthis?”Ibreathedoutharshly,searchingforanopening,somewaytogetitoff Myfingerssunkintoa slightindentation,andIrealizedtherewasnowaytoremovethiswithoutakeyofsomekind.
Isuckedinaraggedbreathandtwistedaround,crawlingacrossthebedtofollowthechain Ishovedasideanightstand andfoundasmallmetalplateaffixedtothewall.Theendofthechainwasboltedintoitscenter.Logicandrationalityfailed mycognitiveability.Ipulledandtugged,cursingloudlywhennothinghappened.
InearlytrippedasIspuntostudytheroom Ofthetwomassivefloorlampsinside,onlyonewason,givingthelarge spaceasoftglow.Thefurniturewaslikesomethingyou’dseeinahigh-endcatalog,oroneofthosescriptedshowsthatstaged luxuryhouses
Long,thickdrapeshungonthefarwall,blockinganyviewawindowmayhavegivenme.Icouldn’tgettothemanyway. Thechainwouldn’tstretchthatfar Alittlefurtherdownwasasmallbathroomthatlackedadoor Thesightofithadmypulse ratcheting.Noonewouldsetuparoomlikethiswithouthavingsomekindofspecificpurposeforit.
Ididn’twanttothinkaboutwhatthatcouldentail,notwhenIhadnowayofbreakingfreeofthechainaroundmyleg andIwastobeatthemercyofwhoeverbroughtmehere Ishiftedinplaceandlookedmybodyover Iwasstillinthechiffon dress.Theonlythingmissingwasmyshoesandasidefromthedullpoundinginmyhead,Ifeltphysicallyfine.Thisgavemea smallmeasureofrelief
Irackedmybrain,tryingtopiecetogetherhowIcouldhavewounduphere.
ThelastthingIrememberedwastellingAnyaIneededairandmanagingtoslipoutontotheamphitheater’sprivate terrace.
Whathappenednext?Whycouldn’tIremember?EverythingafterwasablackstretchofnothinguntilIwokeuphere.I hadn’teatenordrunkanythingotherthanthewineShanaencouragedmetotry Wait,wasitthewine?Theglasshadalready beenfilledwhenIgottothetable.Ifitwasspiked,someonecouldhavedoneitbeforehand. No,itwouldn’thavebeenjustanyone
Atthesoundofahandleturning,myattentionflewtotheonlyotherdoorintheroom.Timeseemedtoslowasitswung open.Whenhesteppedin,mysuspicionswereconfirmed.Amillionthoughtsflittedthroughmymind,butIfoundIcouldn’t voiceasingleone.Myheartbeatwaslikeadrum,drowningthemallout.Heslowlyshutthedoor,hiseyesneverleavingme. He'dchangedclothesagain.
Hewasnolongerinasuitbutaquartersleevedbutton-downandslacks sanstie Thatcouldonlymeanthatnighthad turnedtoday.ItookastepbackandthenanotheruntilIfeltthemattressagainstmylegsandwasforcedtostop.Hispredatory
eyestrackedeverystep.
“There’snoneedtobeafraid.”
Howcouldhesaythat?Iwaschainedtoawalllikesomekindofanimalensnaredinatrap I’dbeenkidnapped Taken IhadnoideawhereIwasorwhatheintendedtodowithme.FearingImightprovokehimifIrevealedmyinnerturmoil,I swallowedandwetmylips,willingmyvoicetocomeoutwithoutshaking
“WhereamI?”
Slippinghishandsintohispockets,hecamecloser,stoppingjustoutsidearm’sreach“Doyourememberme?” Inoddedsharply.Itwouldbeimpossibletoforgethim.JustasIwouldneverforgetthismoment.“WhyamIhere?”
“Areyoufeelingokay?SometimesRohypnolcanbeabithardonthestomach,orsoI’vebeentold.”
Mylipspartedslightly Therewasn’tahintofguiltorremorseinhistone Hemightaswellhavebeentellingmethe day’sforecast.Icurledmyhandsintofists.
“Whatdoyouwantfromme?”
“You’recold.”
“Huh?”Ilookeddownandsawgoosebumpsallovermyarms Ifhehadn’tsaidanything,Iwouldn’thavenoticedthem “Regrettably,Ican’tstaywithyoutoday.Ionlycameintoseehowyouweredoingandtoletyouknowyou’resafe.No onehereisgoingtohurtyou.I’lladjustthetemperatureandhavealightmealbroughtin.Doyourbesttorelaxuntilthen.”
Wasthismanserious? Relax? Nooneinmysituationwouldsitbackandkickuptheirfeet Heturnedtoleave,causing anotherwaveofpanictowashoverme.
“Wait!”Isteppedforwardsoquicklythechainsmackedloudlyagainstthefloor “Please,justtellmewhereIam”
Hepausedwithonehandonthedoorknob.“Areyousureyoureallywanttoknow?”
Hisquestionwasasunsettlingaswhateverpossibleanswerhewouldhave.Ihesitatedforafractionofasecondbefore nodding.
“Whereyou’vealwaysbelonged,Lolita.You’refinallyhome.”Hepulledthedooropenandwalkedout,leavingmeto processhisreply
Truetohisword,theairshutoffmomentsafterheleft Ithadbeenblowingsteadilythroughaventhighabovethebed I waitedforaslongasIcouldtoseeifhewouldreturn,butheneverdid.
Iwanderedaroundthebedandintothebathroom,replayingwhathe’dsaidtomebeforeleaving Ididn’twanttoread toomuchintoit.Icouldn’ttrustawordhesaid.Although,hedidcomerightoutandtellmehe’dlacedthewineinanunsettling manner Butitdidn’tmatterhowhonesthechosetobe Hewouldn’tbewinninganyawardsforhissaneandrational disposition.Iwaschainedinsidehishouse,forfuck’ssake.Ifthat’swhatthisplaceevenwas.
ItookadvantageofthefreedomIdidhaveandexploredmysurroundings,hopingsomethingwithinthechain’sperimeter wouldhelpmefigureoutwhereIhadbeentaken Iturnedasmalldialonthewallandbrightlightfilledthebathroom Iwas disappointedtoseeonlythebarenecessitieswereinside.Atoiletwithasinglerolloftissuerestingonthelidandatoothbrush stillwrappedinplastic,placedbesideafreshtubeoftoothpaste
Ireachedforthebackpartofthetoiletandfoundnogive.He’dhadtheforesighttomakesureitdidn’tcomeoff.Next,I
examinedthetoothbrush. Rubber handle.Andthemirrordidn’tlooklikeglass.Iranmyfingersacrossthesmoothsurfacejust tobesure.Iwasright.Thiswasnothingmorethansometypeofreflectivepaper.Withafrustratedsigh,Isweptmyhairaway frommyfaceandreturnedtotheroom,checkingasfarasmyrestraintallowed
Itriedtoliftoneofthemassivefloorlampsandquicklyrealizedthatwasn’tgoingtohappen.Itwasasheavyasthe silencewasthick He'dcoveredhisbases Icouldn’tmakeaweaponfromanythinginhere Isatontheedgeofthebedandstaredatthedrapes.Withnothingtofocuson,mythoughtsbegantorace,indulgingmy worstfears Maybeitwasshock,orsomekindofdelayedresponsethatstoppedmefromscreamingandwailinguntilmylungs collapsedinonthemselves. Iwantedthisnottobereal. Howcouldthishavehappenedtome?
I’msureeveryoneinthehistoryofbeingabductedaskedthemselvesthat,butIreallycouldn’tmakesenseofthis. There’snowayIwouldhavewillinglyleftwithhim,orallowedmyselftobechainedup,whichbeggedthequestionjusthow hemanagedtogetmeawayfromtheresortinthefirstplace.
HadShanabeeninonthis?Shewastheonewhobroughtmetohim,andshe’dseemedsonervous Iwasn’tgoingto holdouthopeforhertobringthecavalry.TheonlypersonIcouldcountontofindmewasAnya.There’snowayshehadn’t noticedmydisappearance.Werodetoandfromworktogether.Welivedinthesamedamnhouse.She’dlikelyalreadysought outhelp butIdidn’tknowhowlongitwouldtakeforanythingtobedoneaboutmydisappearance “God.”Idroppedmyheadintomyhandsasamoreterrifyingthoughtsuddenlyoccurred. Could anythingbedone?
Maybemypanicwascausingmetooverthinkandjumptoconclusions,butthisman Mr Hawthorne hadmoney Wealthsometimescamewithconnections.HowbigofastretchwoulditbetoassumehehadthekindthatguaranteedI’dnever befoundorseenaliveagain?
Asuddencrashfromsomewherebeyondthedrapesbroughtmytumultuousthoughtstoahalt.Withasniffle,Iswiped angrilyatmycheeksandthenslowlyloweredmyhands,notdaringtobreathetoohardasIprayedforsomesignthatI’d imaginedwhathadmystomachsinkingintotheground
Withaheavybreezeitcameagain,sweepingawayalittlemoreofthehopeIwasclingingto.
Whetheritwasalake,anocean,orarivermatteredlittletome BeingthisclosetoalargebodyofwatermeantI wasn’tremotelyclosetohome.
Iwascompletelyalone Eventhewavesweren’tfrequentenoughtofillthestagnantsilence Mymindcontinuedto conjureirrationalpossibilitiesforbreakingoutofthisplaceandalltypesofworst-casescenarios.
Hourshadtohavepassedbeforethedooropenedagain Inearlyfelloffthebedasawomanbustledintotheroom carryingafoodtrayinherhands.Herlongblondehairwasinasimplebraid,andthedressshehadonlookedsimilartomine, butwithahighernecklinethathadawhitepleatedcollar.
Iimmediatelystoppedmyfeebleattempttofreemyselfofthechainanddrewmyselftomyfullheight
Thewayherlargeroundeyessettledonmyfaceremindedmeofanowl.IknewrightawaythatIwouldfindnoallyin thisperson Icouldsenseherdispleasure,asifmypresencealonecausedheradeeppersonalgrievance Sheclearedher throatandlookedmeoverwiththinlyveileddisdain.
“There’snoreasontowastetimeonpointlessendeavors Thatchainwon’tcomeoff”
Hercoldtoneandpricklydemeanorsetmyteethonedge.I’dneverbeendislikedbysomeonewithouthavinguttereda singlewordtothem.Ididn’tallowthattodetermefromaskingquestions.
“CanyoutellmewhereIam?”
Shecarriedthetraytotheothersideofthebedandplaceditonthenightstand.
IfrownedasIwatchedherleandownandpuckerherlips Wasthatnecessary?Ihadnointentionofeatingwhatever she’djustbroughtinhere,butifIhad,Idefinitelywouldn’ttakeabiteofsomethingatotalstrangerblewtheirhotassbreath on
“Besuretoeatitall,”sheorderedinthesameclinicaltone.“Isthereanythingelseyouneed?”
“Yes!Foryoutotellmesomething.Anything. Please,”Iimplored,notabovebeggingatthispoint.“WhywasIbrought here?Arethereothergirls?AmItheonlyonehetook?”
Shevisiblystiffened,bringingherhandstogetheratherwaist.“ADiabolus doesnotcarelesslychoose.”
“What?Whatdoesthatmean?”
“You’llcometolearnsoonenough.Allyouneedtokeepinmindisthatit’sanhonor.He’scastout ”Sheclenchedher jawsohardIheardsomethingpop.
Iwatchedhelplesslyasshemarchedbackaroundthebed,demandingthatIeatonefinaltimebeforeleavingtheroom andslammingthedoorsoharditrattled.
“Fuck”Isqueezedmyeyesclosedandpressedtheheelofmypalmtomyforehead She’dbeenrightonthevergeof tellingmesomethingthatmight’vebeenuseful.
Takingadeepbreath,Islowlyexhaled,tellingmyselftostaycalm Hysteriawoulddomenogoodrightnow Ilookedat wherethetrayrested.Foodwasthefurthestthingfrommymind,butcuriositysentmetoseewhatshe’dbroughtin.Icircled aroundthebed,chaindraggingalongthehardwoodbesideme.
Themealwassimple.Soupandoystercrackerswithabottleofwater.TomatoifIhadtoguess,buttherewassomething floatinginthebroth.
Iusedtheplasticspoonanddraggeditthroughasmallpatchofbubbles,scoopingupsomethingthickandphlegmy Wasthis…spit? Ugh.Facescrunchingindisgust,Iletthespoonfallontothetrayandslowlywalkedbacktotheother
AtorrentofemotionswhirredwithinmeasthedoorclosedandIlefther.Mymindwasastormofemotions.Every thumpofmyheartwasareminderofthetimeI'dspentwaiting.Thecountlessnightswatchingher,yearningforherpresence andeverycalculatedmoveImadeleadinguptothispivotalmoment
Theintoxicationofmyowntriumphandanticipationcoursedthroughme.I’dhadplentyoftimetoplanheracquisition andonlydecidedonamethodexactlytwenty-sixdaysago
Itwasunusualformetomakeadecisionsolastminute,butIneededtobeabsoluteinthis.
There’dbeentheclassicapproachtoconsider,whereIsnatchedheroffthestreets Icould’veletmyselfintoher apartmentandtakenherwhileshewasfastasleep.IfIwasonefortheatricsandconfidentthatmyself-controlwouldn’t weaken,Icouldhavepretendedtobeagentlemanbyluringherintomyarmswithnointentionofeverlettinggo.
There’dbeensomanydifferentanglestocontemplate DidIgivehertraumaorseduceherwithlies?
Neitheroptionappealedtome.
IwantedLolitatoknowexactlywhoIwas Presentingherwithafaçadeofsomeonethatdidn’texistwouldbe detrimentaltoourfuture.Inthatsameregard,therewasnoreasonforunnecessarydistress.IfIweretobethereasonher assimilationwasdelayed,I’dneverforgivemyself
Rohypnolhadbeenthebestsolution.Shewasn’thurtorterrifiedduringthetripherebecauseshewasn’tawareitwas happening.Takingherwaseasy.WhatcamenextiswhereIforesawthingsgettingcomplicated,butIhadplannedforthis.
I’dbeenanticipatingwhenIwouldfinallybringLolitahomewithaneagernessIhadn’tfeltsinceIwasaboy Asmall weighthadbeenliftedfrommyshouldersnowthatshewasinmypossession.ButIcouldn’tfullyrelaxyet.Ihadtomakesure shewasmineineverywaypossibleandbyanymeansnecessary
ImprisoningherintheboundariesIconditionedhertoandensuringthatshecouldneverleavemewereparamount aboveallelse.Unfortunately,Icouldn’tbrushasidemyday-to-dayresponsibilitiesanddedicateround-the-clockfocustothe process.
Lolitawouldhavethebestofeverything,andtoensureshelivedabovethestationofaqueen,Ihadbusinesstohandle.
Iusedthethermostatapptoturndowntheairinsideherroom,simultaneouslyrunningdownamentalchecklistofthe tasksIneededtocompletefortheday.
“Kennedy,”Icalledfortheservitorandgrabbedmybriefcaseoffthebreakfastbar
Sheappearedwithinsecondswithabottleofwindowcleanerinherhands.“Yes?”
“FixsomethinglightforLolitatoeatandmakesureshegetsplentyofwater.Ifthere’sanissue,getIsaacstraightaway.” “Ofcourse, Diabolus. ”
IdidonelastchecktomakesureIhadeverythingIneededandthenheadedforthedoor.Thedrivefrommyhometo StygianChapelwasalmostfifteenminutestothesecond
Thatleftmeenoughtimetogetthereandswingbytheofficebeforemymeeting.AmbrosehadalreadypulledtheX5 aroundandwaswaitingforme HewasadignifiedmanwhohadservedourfamilysinceIwasachild Despitehisage,he stillcarriedhimselfwithanimposingpresence.
“Goodmorning, Diabolus. ”
Iacknowledgedhimwithanodandslippedintothebackseat.Hereturnedtothefrontandwordlesslypulledawayfrom themanor.We’destablishedaroutineovertheyearswherenowordswereexchangedunlessIengagedhiminconversation first IdealtwithsomuchbullshitontopofmydailytasksthattheseshortrideswereoftentheonlysilenceIgotuntilIreturned homeintheevenings.
TheIslebustledwithactivityfromsunuptowellbeyondsundown Therewasalwayssomethingthatneededtobedone ordecideduponinatimelymanner.
Itwasanendlessendeavor,butIdidn’tmind MydiscipleswouldbethefirsttopreachthatIlovedourislandand deeplyappreciatedtheirdiligenceinitsupkeep,butI’dbedamnedifIdidn’ttakeeverymomentofpeaceIcouldget.
AsAmbrosedrovethroughthestreets,thosewhorecognizedthevehiclewavedbeforegoingbacktopreppingtheir establishmentsfortheday Afewoftheshopsandeateriesthatopenedearlierinthemorninghadalreadyaccumulatedadecent numberoftourists.Itwasnicetoseemypeopleprofiting.
I’dnevercaredforthevisitorsthatventuredherefromthemainland,butIwouldn’tdeprivetheIsleofthebenefitsthey brought.Theircuriosityensuredasteadyinfluxofrevenue,fundsthathelpedmaintaintheIsle’sdailyoperationsandprovided ampleprofit
Outsiderspaidapremiumfortheexperienceofvisitingwhattothemwasamysteriousplace.Eachpersonunaffiliated withoursocietywasextensivelyscreenedandvettedbeforebeinggrantedadurationalpass.
Ontherareoccasionsomeonedecidedtodisregardourpoliciesandtheclausestheyagreedtobeforetheirarrival,they andwhoeverwasunfortunateenoughtobewiththemsimplydisappearedthroughourdisposalsystem.
Wedidn’tgivewarningsorsecondchances,nordidwediscriminatebasedonageorgender Thatwouldrequirea semblanceofmercyIandmanyothersfoundhardtopossesswhenoursocietywaspotentiallyputatrisk.
Icheckedmyphone,shootingoffafewemailsandreplyingtomybrother’slasttextaskingforanETA. Ambrosepassedthestreetwheretheoriginalchapelhadbeenlocatedanddroveawayfromtown,takingafinalleftturn afewmilesoutontotheaccessroad.ThispartoftheIslewasn’topentotourists,andifanyonefoolishlytriedtheirluckthey’d bemetwitharmedguards,watchdogs,andatwelve-footfencetoppedwithelectrifiedrazorwirethatwereanadditional measuretowhatwouldawaitthemontheotherside.Itwasalltoguaranteethesanctityofthegroundswasnever compromised
Ambroseslowedbehindtwovehiclesinfrontofusthatwerecurrentlypassingthroughinspection.Onebelongedtoan older Tenebrarius thatonceservedmyfather,andtheotherwasmycousinBishop.ThelatterIknewwithoutneedingtolook. Hisshittychoiceofmusicwasadeadgiveaway.Hewaswavedthroughthegatesaheadandthenthenextcarmovedforward.
Ipocketedmyphoneandwatchedastheguardsverifiedthenecessarycredentialsbeforegivingthegreenlightforthe gatestoopenagain Withpermissiontoskipthecheckpoint,Ambrosefollowedrightafter
TheprivatetarmacwoundthroughaportionoftheIsle’sdenselypopulatedwoodland.Ahealthyamountofgreenery servedasanextrabarrieragainstpryingeyes Ourcurrentplaceofworshiphadbeenconstructedbackhereafewyearsago exactlyforthatreason
Sheloomedjustupahead.Blackasastarlessmidnightskyandornatelycraftedwithbloodandsin.
StygianChapel
Myhomeawayfromhome.
Asourvehicleswenttheirrespectivewaysattheforkintheroad,Bishopwoundupdirectlyinfrontofus Ambrose pulledaroundthegargoylefountaintodropmeatthewalkwayleadingtothechapel’sentrance.
Igatheredmythingsandletmyselfoutoncehecametoastop,checkinghowIwasfortimewhileIwaitedforBishop onthesidewalk.
“Notascratch,Jimmy,”heplayfullywarnedthediscipleondutyasaparkingattendant,tossinghimhisCorvette’skey fob
“Thatman’snameisPeter.”
“Isit?Lookslikehe’sJimmytoday”Hetransferredhisbriefcasefromonehandtotheotherandadjustedhistie “Good morning,bytheway.I’msurprisedtoseeyouhere.”
“Why?Iseeyoualmosteverymorning”
“True,butIwasexpectingyoutotakesometimeoff.Howdidourlittleprincesssettlein?”
“Iplanto,justnottoday.ShewasjustwakingbeforeIleft,butthusfarshe’shandlingitbetterthanexpected.”
“That’sgreatnews Youowemefourhundreddollars,bytheway”
“Ioweyounothing,”Ireplied,acknowledgingafewpeoplethatbowedtheirheadstousaswewalked.
“Emiliobetmeyou’dstillshowup Isworeyouwouldbetoobusy”
“Yourpiss-poordecisionsverymuchsoundlikeapersonalproblem.”
“YoumakeitseemasifIhavealistofthem.”
“Ilistentoyourshittymumblerapperseverymorning,soI’dsayyoudo.”
Hisgrinflashedinmyperipheral“That’sawfulpretentiouscomingfromamantoogoodtodrivehimselfaround.”
“Idrivemyselfplenty.”
“That’salie.Actually,I’vebeencuriousforsometimenow.DoesRosiewipeyourassforyoutoo?”
Ilaughedandstartedupthesecondsetofwidesetstairs “Ifhedid,Icanguaranteewipingmyshitwouldbepreferable tohearingyourplaylist.”
“Damn,yougotme,”heconceded,enteringtheChapel’slobbyalongsideme Straightahead,oneithersideofthearcheddoubledoorsthatledintotheheartofthechapelstoodtwomasked disciples Bothbowedtheirheadsrespectfullyandgavetheirgreetings
“Diabolus. Magistri,Bishop.”
“Gentleman,”Ireturned,movingtowardsthedoorontherightwherethestaircasethatledtotheofficefloorwas located
“What’sonouragendatoday?”Bishopaskedashefollowedbehindme.
“Weneedtofinalizenumbersfortheshipmentsbeingplacednextweekandconfirmthedetailsoftomorrow’s ceremony.”
“Seemssimpleenough Whilewe’reonthat subject,whatareyougoingtodowiththeothergirl?”
Iglancedathimovermyshoulderandpresseddownonthepush-handle.“Areyouinterested?”
“YouknowhowIfeelabouther.Besides,Ihaveanotherinterest.I’msureoneoftheacolyteswouldn’tmind.Aslong asshedoesn’tspeak”
Ichuckled,soberingasIseriouslyconsideredhisquestion.AnyaKalanihadcomeintoLolita’slifewhentheywerejust shyoffourteen,threeyearsbeforewefoundher Atfirst,I’dbeenrelievedtoknowLolitahadafriendbyhersidetoendureall theunnecessaryhardshipsshehadtodealwith thatwasuntilIlearnedallaboutthisdisasterofahumanbeing.
AnyawasanunsightlyfuckingstainIwantedtoeliminate.I’dconsideredkillingherlongbeforethisdayarrived,but thenLolitawouldhavebeensad,andIwasn’ttheretobehercomfort.HerhappinesswastheonlythingthatsavedAnya’slife.
Ihadhopedthetwowoulddriftapartsomehowbuttheyremainedinseparable.Ialwaysknewthatrealistically;she’d endupheretoo Thiswasthedownsidetoalwaysbeingright
“Truthfully,Idon’tknowwhattodowiththatviper.I’lltakeadvantageofherbeingherefornow.Maybeshecanbe usedasa Progenitor Ifwecan’tfindsomewaytomakegoodofheralive,she’llbenefituswhenshedies”
Weturneddownthehallthatledtomyoffice,andIspottedmybrotherwaitingupahead.
“Iknewyou’dbehere,”hestatedasIapproached.
IhitchedathumbinBishop’sdirection.“Ourcousinowesyoufour-hundreddollars.” Emiliogrinnedandlookedathim.“I’llacceptmywinningsincash.”
“Inthatcase,I’llmakesureit’sadelayedbanktransfer,”Bishopjoked “I’massumingyoubothhaveeverythingforourmeeting.Idon’t,soifyou’llexcuseme.”
IleftthemtotheirbanterandwenttomyofficetoretrievethefilesIneeded
OnceIreviewedthem,Icheckedthetime andsawIstillhadsometospare.IfishedLolita’scellphonefrommybriefcaseandsatdownatmydesk,pullingthemanor’s camerasystemuponmypersonaldevice.Ihadn’thadachancetolookthroughherphoneyet.
Theoperatingsystemwasbuggedmonthsago,buttherewasalwaystheslimchancesomethinghadbeenmissed I scrolledthroughherbrowserhistory,findingnothingIhadn’talreadyseen.
Nextwerehertextmessages I’dviewedmostofthesealreadytoo IclickedAnya’snametore-readherthreadand stronglybegantoleantowardsmakinghera Progenitor.Shewouldn’tbeworthmuchelsewhereontheIsle.
Almostallofhertextswereaboutmen AfewweresenttryingtolureLolitaouttobarstomeetsomeoneshehad knownalloftenfuckingminutes.Somehowinthatshortspanoftime,Anyadeducedtheywouldbeagoodfitformyfuture bride.
"Come out and have a good time!" Anyahadurged,herwordsaccompaniedbylaughingand eggplantemojisand tantalizingpicturesofnightlife.Asurgeofdisdainwashedoverme.HowcouldLolitaeverhavebeencharmedbysucha superficialexistence?
Inmymind'seye,Icouldalmostseethescene:theoverwhelmingmusic,themoboffacelesspeople,andamidstitall, Lolita,beingapproachedbyrandommen Mygriponthephonetightened,almostcrackingitscase Itooklittlecomfortin knowingLolitaneverwentandrarelyrepliedbeyondtellingherfriendtostaysafeandnotgohomewithstrangers,which shouldhavebeencommonsense.
OtherthanAnya,shedidn’ttalktoanyone Thatmadethingseasierforme Ittookmoreefforttoclipthewingsofa socialbutterflyversusaloneone.Isatthephoneasideandshiftedmyfocustomine.Lolitawasmakinguseofherlimited mobilityandexploringhersurroundings
Itfeltalmostcriminalthatalenscouldcapturebutamerefractionofherallure.Thewayherhaircascadeddownher back,herfulllipsthatheldahintofnaturalrosiness,thesoftriseandfallofherchestasshebreathed;everythingabouther wasintoxicating.
Herdimpledsmileandexpressivebrowneyeshadcaughtmeoffguardbackattheresort.Iwantedtobethesolereason
shesmiled.JustasIwantedtoseehowbeautifulshewaswhenshecried.Thiswasn’tapassingdesire,butaprofound,souldeepyearning.Iwantedher everyinch,everysecret,everythought.
Icravedtobetheonlythoughtinhermind,theonlydesireinherheart Nowthatshehadcomehome,therewereso manythingsforustoexperiencetogether.Yearsthatneededtobeaccountedfor.
Icheckedthetimeagainandbegangatheringupmythings,poweringoffLolita’sphonebeforeIreturnedittothe confinesofmydeskdrawerandheadedtotheconferenceroom.Iwoulddestroyitlater.She’dhavenouseforitanymore.
Mybrotherandcousinwerealreadyinside Asweremyfather,uncle,andtwoofmyrespective Tenebrarius Rarely wasIthelasttoarrive.IalmostcheckedthetimeagaintomakesureIwasn’tlate,butIknewthatcouldn’tbepossible.Itwas themwhohadshownupearly.
Thedisciplewhodeliveredourmorningcoffeebowedherheadtomeassheexitedtheroomandpulledthedoor closed,givingusourprivacy.
“Howareyou?”myfatherinquired,pullingasmallflaskfromhisinnersuitpocket
“Neverbetter.”Isatmybriefcasedownandtookaseatattheheadofthelargeovaltable,directlyacrossfromhim. “Andhowisourgirl?”
“Sofar,she’shandlingthisratherwell.”
Henoddedandpouredashotofwhiskeyintohiscoffee.ItwasthesignIneededtoknowthathismindwasina strategictailspin Otherwise,he’dhavenoissuessayingexactlywhathewasthinking Itdidn’tmatterhowitmightbe received.
I’dbeentoldcountlesstimesthatI’dinheritedhissamescaldingdegreeofbluntness,amongothertraits Asfaras appearanceswent,Icouldalmostbehisdoppelganger.Thecolorofmyeyesiswhattrulysetusapart.I’dgottenlittlefrommy dearmother,whereasEmiliostronglyfavoredher.
IturnedmyattentiontoPhoenixandOsiris,thetwomenItrustedthemostoutsideofmyblood.I’dtalktoFatherlater whenwewouldn’thaveanaudience.
“Howdidyour Electi settle?”
“Itwasalongnight,”Osirisconfessed,reachingforhiscupofcoffee.
“Ididn’tthinkitwastoobad,”Phoenixcounteredamicably “I’mmoreinclinedtoseehowtonightgoes,sinceshe’s awakenow.”
Isharedhisthoughtsonthat,butOsiris’Electi hadwokenduringtheferrytriptotheIsleandnearlythrownherself overboard.Ofcourse,hismorninghadgonemuchdifferentlyfromours.Lolitacouldverywellhaveadelayedreactiontoher acquisitiononceshehadmoretimetoprocesseverything.Rightnow,shewouldbedisoriented,nodoubtfrightened,butIwas preparedtodealwithherhoweverhermoodswung
MyuncleCorbinflippedopenthefolderinfrontofhimandbegantotapawayonhistablet,untilaspreadsheetwas mirroredonthelargeprojectorthathungonthebackwall Allconversationoftheprioreveningwasputonhold,andwe transitionedintothefirstpriorityfortoday’smeeting.