Page 59 of The Rose in the Shadows

He laughed. “I’ll be taking you there with me. Now be a good girl and enjoy your potion while I finish my meeting.”

He patted my cheek two times before turning away and it was all I could do to not fall heavily back onto the floor. Whateverpotionhe had forced me to drink had an immediate effect. My head spun with it. My limbs were too light, too removed from me.

I was floating.

I was there, in that room, listening to them talk above me. I saw Mara and her henchman leave. I heard the door click shut behind them. And yet, I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, could hardlythink. I was a body on the ground whose soul soared helplessly.

“Apologies for the interruption,” the Alchemist said to the man at his desk. “Some matters of business cannot be delayed. Where were we?”

“Discussing percentages,” the man replied. His voice was oddly familiar, but I couldn’t seem to place it. It sounded nice, though. Deep and almost… sensual.

Gods the sound of it did something to me. Warmth traveled through me, lingering deep in my belly.

“Ah yes,” the Alchemist intoned. “I can offer fifteen percent of my profits for the use of your ships.”

“I think twenty might be more appropriate, given the level of risk involved.”

“Twenty?” the Alchemist laughed. “That is perhaps a bit steep. How about we settle on fifteen and I can throw in one of my girls?”

There was a pause. In the silence, I marveled at the way the room began changing colors. Orbs of pink and blue danced across my vision. They carried sounds and extraordinary smells with them. The world around me changed. Where was I?

“How about we settle on fifteen and I takeher?”

Another pause.

“She’s worth more than five percent.” The Alchemist’s voice was low and laced with intensity.

“I’mwellaware of that.” The man sounded oddly exasperated. That voice flooded over me again, deep and comforting, coating my skin with a rush of warmth and heavy anticipation. My stomach pitched once more in need.

“I haven’t yet decided if she’s for sale.”

“You’re taking her as your own?” The man growled, irritation obvious.

“My last pet has lost her appeal,” the Alchemist sighed. “They all do after some time. This girl, though? She is exquisite, don’t you think?”

“You give me the girl and ten percent of the profits, and I’ll offer a fifth ship for your disposal.”

The Alchemist laughed. “Surely you’re not that desperate for a woman’s touch?”

There was a moment of silence.

“Like you said, she is exquisite.”

Did I fall asleep after that? I didn’t know for sure, but the next thing I was aware of was the shuffling sound of chairs being pushed back against the wooden floor. Then, hands swept under my back and knees and I was being lifted. The air danced across my unusually sensitive skin and it felt… nice. A long sigh escaped from my mouth.

The Alchemist laughed. “Looks like the potion has settled in. She should be especially pliable for you tonight.”

“The ships will be available to you at the port in a fortnight.”

“It’s been as enjoyable as ever to do business with you, my friend.”

We were moving quickly. The arms around me were strong, but gentle as we moved through the lower level of the estate, climbed a staircase, and stepped out into the cold night air. I shivered as the breeze rushed over me and he pulled me closer against his chest.

My eyelids were heavy, fluttering slightly as sleep called for me. I snuggled against the chest that held me.

“Stay awake, Thea,” he growled. “You owe me an explanation before you fall asleep.”

My heart stuttered as I finally recognized his voice.

---