Page 32

THIRTY-TWO

Ashley

Samuel had arrived soundlessly in the room, dressed in a black suit and with a tie that matched my gown. The jacket was a bit longer than what was considered fashionable back home, but I had to admit he looked nice. His hair was gleaming, pushed back from his forehead and spilling down his back. He looked better than he had at the gala.

Giving him a tight smile, I said, “I’m ready.”

“I doubt that.” He held his hand toward the door, and I moved into the hall. “This way,” he said, and I followed.

Samuel pressed his hand against the wall and a door slid open, revealing a black space beyond. I trailed after him, the darkness closing in as a clanking noise told me the door at my back had shut.

Wall fixtures bloomed with light, flickering on as he passed each one. “Are we underground?” I asked, wrapping my arms around my shoulders in an effort to get warm.

“In a manner of speaking. This will take us to the palace.”

“They are either underground or not, right? This is a tunnel?”

Samuel reached for my hand and tightened his grip when I tried to shake him off. “These tunnels exist outside of time and space, so they aren’t anywhere.”

“But they’re also somewhere. I don’t know how I feel about that,” I replied, shivering so hard my teeth rattled.

“You have them in the Third Realm, too. But no one knows where they are, not even me,” Samuel said. “That’s where your chupacabras, shadow people, and other creatures come in.”

“I could’ve spent the rest of my life happily devoid of that knowledge.” The demon had literally just told me the scary urban legends I’d heard growing up were real. I preferred them remaining figments of my imagination and not being mentioned while entering a freezing, dark cave.

“You fucked a vampire demon, and you’re worried about scary stories?” He whirled on me. “Now that you’re in, there’ll be no getting out.” He stepped closer to me, flattening me against the wall. The stone was so cold it felt as if my flesh were burning.

“You lay with beasts. Get your shit together and maybe, just maybe, you’ll survive.”

I was freezing to death, and he knew it, my fingertips stiffening and losing all color. I could no longer feel my feet and my chest felt strange when he leaned in, hands pressed to the wall on either side of my head and skirted his lips against the skin behind my ear.

The contact sent a wave of relieving heat through me, warming my blood. It felt like water had been poured down my spine, as if I’d stepped inside a steaming shower. My legs weakened and I tilted toward him, wrapping my fingers in the fabric of his jacket.

Did I have a thing for monsters? Clearly, I did. But Samuel was not mine, nor did I want him. I’d simply leaned into the much needed heat he provided. He knew that was all this was and snarled at me before he clasped my wrist and began dragging me through the corridor.

“I should’ve let you freeze to death.”

“So why didn’t you?” We’d reached the end, and a solid, etched door rose above us so tall I couldn’t see the top.

“I’m nothing if not a creature of opportunity; with a smidgen of hope,” he answered, placing his hand on the door.

It opened, swinging inward, and I moved out of the way. The silence of the tunnel was soon interrupted by the chatter of voices and the noise of a faint electronic buzz interspersed with a beeping sound I would’ve expected at a big box store.

Carefully, I followed him over the threshold and was inserted into a busy, populated space. It was vastly different from the medieval style village I’d visited with him what seemed like a hundred years ago.

Beautiful people roamed around, some hurried, some appearing to take their time, interested in the sights. Uniformed workers rushed through the crowds, some wearing maid outfits and others in what looked like police or SWAT gear. Yet others in suits of armor. It was an eclectic mix, especially given the fancy gowns and tailored suits that threaded their way through.

Somehow, it all seemed to work.

The space was formed of dark granite and black marble, metal work soaring above with girders and in arches, with gargoyles, weapons, and sculptures that could’ve been the modern art seen at a museum back home.

Samuel arched a brow, mildly amused at my gaping. He tugged me closer. “Speak to no one. I’ve already given you too much freedom. I will let you know when you can talk.”

A man in a suit spotted us and strode over. “Long time no see,” the man patted Samuel on the back, before setting his eyes on me. “What do we have here?”

“A candidate, of sorts,” Samuel replied, glancing at me with unbridled want.

“Good luck with that,” he smirked. “She looks tasty.”

“She is. I’m meeting with the board shortly.”

The man’s eyes widened, as if he just understood something. “Huh. As I said...” he cast another glance at me before giving Samuel a loose salute and left.

“Who was that?” I asked.

He squeezed my hand, causing me to cry out. “What did I say?”

His grip was so tight I couldn’t pull away. I almost opened my mouth to speak but wisely nodded my assent instead.

We went over to a counter to sign in where we placed our hands on a scanner before we were both checked for weapons. Samuel was quickly relieved of several, but they were returned. His knives and a gun were declared free of malignant magic, and he tucked them back into his clothing. I wanted to ask him about the reference to bad magic, but I remained silent, choosing to take in as much as I could. I figured I’d learn more by being cooperative rather than testing the levels of his patience.

Behind the counter, a panel in the wall opened and a man walked out to join us where we stood as Samuel smoothed down his jacket. “Welcome, Lord Samuel. Diego is waiting for you.”

My companion nodded and we followed him across the room and down a long corridor while I tried not to gawk like a tourist. As it was, many were eyeing me curiously, and my swiveling head screamed to everyone, “look at me!”

Several times, I considered making a break for it, pictured myself running away from Samuel and crashing through the front doors and into whatever freedom lay beyond the massive palace. But then what? I knew no one and had no idea where I was going to go. I might as well have dropped myself on Mars.

But there was another part of me that was excited. Thrilled, even.

Despite my fear and trepidation, and regardless of Samuel’s dark words, I couldn’t help but be fascinated over this strange new world I’d been plunged into. I felt like an explorer, discovering an entirely new civilization only I didn’t have to dig in the dirt and speculate. It was all in living breathing color and I was an active participant. Sure, I was scared, but there was a distinct competition going on between my urge for self-preservation and my wanderlust for adventure.

We came to a stop where soldiers bearing long, sharpen javelins blocked the way and when they saw our escort they moved to the side with timed precision.

The doors opened and I heard a deep voice call out, “Welcome, Lord Samuel.”