Page 23 of Wrapped in Their Arms

Within minutes, she was completely lost.

She’d had this silly, vague idea—more a fantasy than a plan—that maybe she could slip away, maybe find a weapon, or bring something back that could helpBurnandBrightfight their way free.Butthat clearly wasn’t happening.

Just great.Somuch for trying to be brave and make some kind of daring escape.Dios,Ican’t even find the bathroom on this ship—how amIsupposed to find a way out?

I’d die of starvation beforeIeven found my way back to the cell.

Lupin kept up a cheerful, bouncing commentary as they walked, as though they were strolling through a shopping mall instead of a floating prison.

“Yes, yes,I’veworked with humanoids of all types,” he said proudly, clasping his hands behind his back.“Agingis such atediouslook, let me tell you.Butdon’t you worry—I’mgoing to rejuvenate you, revitalize you, renew you!Why,Ican take ten years off you, my dear.Possiblyeven fifteen—depending on how well your skin responds to the treatment.”

He looked over his shoulder and gave her a critical onceover.

“Your elasticity appears…adequate.Sothere’s that, at least.”

Noelle had no clue what that meant.

Elastic?WhatamI, a rubber band?

She kept following him because what else was she supposed to do?Theguards marching up and down the corridors all had faces like stone and weapons that looked terrifyingly complicated.Lupinmight be weird, but at least he wasn’t pointing a gun at her head.

After what felt like twenty more turns, they reached a small circular door set into the bulkhead.Lupinpressed his palm to the metal center and waited.Themetal flashed blue under his hand—like an eerie pulse of bioluminescent fish scales—and a sharpclickechoed through the hallway.Thedoor swung open on hidden hinges.

“Come in, come in!”Lupinchirped, waving her forward.“Welcometo my workroom—whereImake all the magic happen.”

Noelle stepped inside…and blinked.

She was standing in a spa…a spa that looked like someone with a questionable obsession for stainless steel, industrial equipment, and mad-scientist décor had designed it.

The air was warmer here—humid, and scented faintly with something floral but sharp, like over-steeped jasmine tea mixed with ozone.Thelighting was soft, glowing from panels sunk into the walls.Everythingaround her gleamed with polished metal or smooth white surfaces.

To the left sat a padded, swiveling metal chair—like something out of a futuristic hair salon.Behindit was a towering rack filled with bottles, vials, jars, sprays, brushes, combs, and bizarre silver implements she didn’t recognize.Somelooked like ordinary curling or crimping irons.Othersresembled tiny torture devices with sharp picks and hooks extending from them.

A soft whirring sound came from a machine near the chair—like an oversized humidifier—emitting fragrant steam that coiled upward in little ghostly tendrils.

But none of that compared to the thing at the far end of the room.

It was a huge, round pool, sunken into the floor and it was filled with water so dark it looked like ink.

No light touched its surface—the glowing wall panels dimmed around it like they were afraid of getting too close.Atfirst glance, it looked bottomless.Thewater was still as glass, but then a faint ripple passed through it as though something had moved just beneath the surface.

Noelle froze, her heartbeat thudding in her throat.Forsome reason just looking at the pool gave her a feeling of dread.

“Uh…what’s that?”she asked, pointing at it.

Lupin smiled happily, showing even, tiny white teeth.

“Whythat, my dear, is theRejuvenationPool.Andit’s exactly what you need.”Herubbed his palms together with excitement.“Nowhurry and strip off your clothes so we can get you into it.”

Noelle’s breath caught in her throat.

“Strip…”Sheswallowed.“Youwant me to get naked?”

“Yes, yes—everything off!”Lupinsaid impatiently.“Rejuvenationcannot happen with cloth in the way.Doyou expect the nanites to work through fabric?Ofcourse not!”

This was getting worse and worse—not only was she expected to get into the ominous black pool, but now he wanted to see her naked too!

Oh hell, no.Absolutelyfreaking not.