Page 21

TWENTY-ONE

Ashley

“Jesus how much perfume did you use?” Andy wrinkled his nose.

“I just came from a bunch of spa treatments, calm down.” I flopped onto the sofa, my limbs feeling like cooked spaghetti. “I even had a massage,” I sighed.

Andy stood leaning against the wall. “When did you start that?”

“Today. Work sent me.” I sat up. “I got a sponsor, or a patron, rather. Someone chose me.”

His eyes grew big. “You got trafficked?”

Rolling my eyes, I said, “It's not like that, c’mon. I have a choice.”

“If you say so.”

I stood up, intent on heading to my room. “I do say so. Its only for a month, to start, and it's a great opportunity. Don’t worry, everyone is thoroughly vetted, and I’ll have a security team and all that.” I wasn’t positive on the latter but everyone at the club had some type of protection.

He pursed his lips. “I guess you’ve spent enough time around these people to kinda know what you’re doing. If you need anything, let me know. I have people who can help.”

I could only imagine. “I’m sure you do. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.” My words were braver than I felt as I patted him on the shoulder walking past.

Once again, I found myself hoping and praying I’d run into Micha in my dreams as I laid down to go to sleep. I almost found myself hoping he’d come crashing into Angels and tear me away.

There was no way he’d get away with it; he’d never make it past the bouncers and Matthew if he did something so reckless. But it didn’t stop me from fantasizing.

Remembering the woman sitting behind us in the booth at Fleur de Luna, I thought about the ecstasy written all over her face as the man drank from her neck. Did Micha want to drink like that from me? He must, being a vampire, and it was hard to not get caught up in the scene while working there. It’d gotten to the point I wanted to participate.

He was always touching me; he had to want me. The time he bit my chest in my dream told me he did. He found me irresistible. When he’d sank his teeth into my skin it was like dying from an orgasm, my whole body had lit up, straining for him, wanting more. The feeling of bliss was mind blowing, and all I’d wanted was to get him inside me.

The man was a black hole, sucking me in and devasting me, leaving nothing behind. I hated what he did to me and the effect he had on me. Leaving me longing for him while wanting to run away. What was I so scared of? A rational person would say he was a monster, a beast. Tomorrow, when I went to meet my vampire patron, I’d have to forget about Micha forever.

Living in the past, in a dream world, wouldn’t be fair to the man who was going to secure my future.

The worst part was, that night at Fleur de Luna, Micha just stood there refusing to answer or look at me. I shouldn’t still want him. He’d instantly erased me at Josiah’s order, and I could never forgive him for throwing me away like trash.

Waste .

My turbulent thoughts kept me tossing and turning for over an hour before I fell asleep.

With a start, I woke up back in the beautiful bedroom in the place Samuel had called the Second Realm. After what Samuel told me, I knew someone had brought me here. My heart skipped a beat—was it Samuel or was it Micha?

As I slid off the bed, I peeked around the curtains and surveyed the space. A roaring fire crackled in the hearth, and a bottle of wine sat with a singular glass on a shallow silver tray beside the sofa. My feet hit the floor, and I made my way across the room.

A folded sheet of cream-colored paper laid on the platter beside the bottle, but I poured myself a glass of the white wine before touching it, my hand trembling lightly. The liquid was crisp and dry, tasting faintly like apples. I topped off my drink before settling on the couch, very much enjoying the refreshing beverage.

The note on the tray could only be for me and I stared at it while I sipped, knowing deep down inside whatever it contained would disrupt my peace and contentment. When I couldn’t bear it any longer, I snatched it from the tray.

Embrace my absence, for I will hurt you again and again. Mark my words, study them, let them sink into your very being for I will own you, break you, and leave you begging for more.

Do you hear the whispers of the stars in the night sky? Their message is eternal and equals the length of time I will watch over and protect you; listen to them.

I fear you have destroyed me, and it is all I can do but return the favor.

The sheet of paper floated down to the floor as my wine dribbled over the rim of the glass. The note sent a shot of fear down my spine, and I quickly glanced around the room, searching. Searching for what, I wasn’t sure. A hidden figure, a shadow, someone peeking through the window. Someone who both threatened me and left me fascinated through the power of their elegant words.

With my heart hammering in my chest, I set the glass down and crossed the room to open the door. My head buzzed, uncertain what I’d find on the other side. My skin prickled, goosebumps raised across my skin as the sensation of being observed tickled the back of my neck. Someone was watching, the air had a heavy weight to it. Whoever it was, remained just out of reach.

Unless they were on the other side of the heavy door.

Gripping the knob, I slowly twisted, trying and struggling to take a deep breath. All I had to do was pull it open and I felt like I stood on the edge of a precipice, as if whatever revealed itself to me would change me forever.

Not too long ago, I would’ve recklessly flung the door open, ignorant this dream state was real. Now, I knew whatever I did here had a resulting consequence back home in the Third Realm. Samuel had taught me that.

At first, I thought he’d written me the letter and left it there for me to find. Who else could it be? I hadn’t met anyone other than him and the bartender, Suzy. I knew it wasn’t her and could only guess someone else had been waiting, lurking and tracking my movements. There was much I didn’t know about this strange, new world.

I gently released the doorknob, letting the lock mechanism slide back into place, and took a step backward. I couldn’t do it; I didn’t want to face whatever awaited on the other side.

Everything was going good for me and massive amounts of money were about to come in. My good job was gone, and I had nothing to fall back on. My parents couldn’t support me and the last time I spoke with them; I assured them everything was fine. We weren’t super close at all, but I still didn’t want to disappoint them. Whoever was watching me would ruin it all. They would hurt me, as they’d so eloquently stated.

As I made my way back to the bed, I kept casting glances over my shoulder, eyeing the door as if it would suddenly fling open and I’d be overtaken. All I could do was pray that by lying back down, I’d magically reappear in my own, safe bed.

When I tucked myself under the covers, the flames in the fireplace leaped and I heard the crackling of a log and then a snap as a splinter of wood cracked under the heat. The room seemed to brighten a moment, and then the air cleared as if the ominous presence decided to admit defeat and take its leave.

Letting out a long breath, I closed my eyes. The lights went out and there was a shift in the air, as if someone had opened the window to let in the breeze. I didn’t dare look. Pulling the comforter up around my face, I rolled onto my side.

* * *

When I walked into Angels the next morning, the mysterious note loomed over me like a swinging axe. Every face I passed, every customer whose eye I caught, became a potential pen pal. It was unnerving knowing there was someone out there who felt so strongly about me they would drag me from my body and deposit me in another world just to let me know they would cause injury.

Today was the day I’d meet my patron or sponsor and while I was anxious about the arrangement, it was a comfort. If a man was going to pay as much money for me as he had, he wouldn’t let anything happen to me. He’d protect his investment. All the better it was a vampire with a clear advantage over humans and less prone to the trickery of demons.

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I realized it wasn’t a person like me. It had to be a vampire or demon if it was able to yank my soul out of my body and toss me into another dimension. For whatever reason, I’d assumed a human had left me the letter. What if it’d been my sponsor?

I’d come to full stop in the middle of the floor, right beside a table. A couple of the other girls who worked here sat entertaining what I assumed were two demons. One gave me side-eye and the other cupped one of the men’s ears to whisper to him. I began walking again but not before I heard one of the girls complain that a newcomer like me was chosen.

There was jealousy in the women’s narrowed eyes, especially the one who seemed as though she would rake her lacquered nails down my face if she caught me alone. As if she wouldn’t have jumped on the same opportunity no matter when it was presented to her. As if it were some kind of competition. Maybe it was but I didn’t know and didn't care. The sooner I found myself in the vampire’s arms, the better.

Skirting tables and smiling at the guests, I went to take a left before the row of tables in front of the stage. As I approached, I noticed a table overflowing with chairs and people, three of our waitresses and one waiter standing equidistant around the circle, hands clenched behind their ramrod straight backs.

There was a newcomer seated at the head of the table, almond-shaped eyes observing what appeared to be his loyal subjects. Thick lips and high cheekbones graced his handsome face and while I’d become jaded to the beauty that surrounded me, I almost stumbled over my own feet, swinging out an arm to steady myself. The man was exotic looking, as if he were created solely for pictures, his dark hair perfectly tussled, muscles flexing under his dress shirt as he reached for his glass. His deep brown eyes met my own while he took a sip.

Was this my sponsor? My pulse raced and I glanced at his companions. The table was full of super model types, the women shiny and gleaming, their gowns and jewelry the epitome of perfection. There was no way they had any stray body hair, nor did I spot any wild curls in their hair. The man definitely had a type and I wasn’t it.

“You can’t loiter here,” Kayla suddenly hissed in my ear. “Matthew and your patron are waiting.”

With a final glance at the new man, I let my friend drag me away. But not before a slow smile slid across his face.

“Who was that?” I whisper-shouted. “Is that him?”

We headed down the hall, jogging past the showcased dancing couples.

“Ha,” Kayla barked. “Doesn’t everyone wish they snagged him.” Finally, she slowed down. “Your man is behind this door. That guy back there, I heard his name is Elijah.”

“Elijah,” I repeated. “Nice name. That’s different.”

Kayla nodded. “He’s crazy hot. Keeps asking for more girls.” She rolled her eyes but didn’t seem upset. I suspected she was hoping to join him.

She leaned in. “You must know by now? He’s from another Realm. They say he just got here.”

“We’re not supposed to talk about that stuff though, right?”

She looked sheepish, embarrassed, and shrugged. “Took me a while but... you know how it is.” She made a fist, ready to knock on the door. “Andy would never let me,” she said, gesturing with her other hand toward the room we’d just left.

“You never know.”

“I’m going to miss you,” Kayla said, lowering her arm to give me a hug, which I returned.

“It's not like that; it's only a month. I can probably come visit.”

“Still.”

Kayla knocked on the door and Matthew’s voice boomed from behind the panel, “Please, come in.”