Page 10 of Every Shade of Shadow

It’s like I can feel his hands on my body. They’re big, greedy. His breath is warm on my neck. There’s a flush of heat between my legs that almost makes me falter.

The hell is happening to me?

The air is heavy and smells of perfume mixed with a hint of musk. My reflection stares back at me from the mirror, eyes wild and lips swollen red. I glance away quickly, not wanting to see the desire written across my face.

Desire.

The word echoes in my mind and I swallow hard. I have never felt this way before, never wanted something so badly that it consumes every thought. But why? I know nothing about this guy. I don’t even know his name.

It’s like he’s in my head, puppeteering my thoughts.

My nipples tighten. I squeeze my thighs together, craving the feel of his hands, his mouth...anything, really.

A soft moan escapes my lips before I can stop it.

My breath comes faster as I imagine his hard length pressed against me.

The sound of the door opening startles me from my thoughts. I turn to see a woman in an ivory gown and swan mask glide into the room, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror. A scar runs from her lower lip to the bottom of her chin, jagged.

I open my mouth, but no words form. The woman turns away, walking to the stalls at the back of the room. The tap of her heels echoes in the silence as I stand motionless.

The woman emerges from the stall a moment later, smoothing her skirts and regarding me with an inscrutable gaze. I struggle for something to say.

Finally, she speaks, her voice low and husky. "Do not call the number on that card."

I frown, confused. "I'm sorry?”

She glides closer and brings her lips to my ear. “Forget Lumina. Forget him, Annabelle.”

My chest tightens.

“How do you know my name?” I ask, my voice pitching up.

"Names have power. I won't give you mine." The woman glides closer, and I force myself not to recoil. "Listen to me. Forget the card. Forget the number. Don't go down that path."

"What are you talking about?" I demand, anger kindling under my fear. "Speak plainly."

I look sideways to question her further, but she’s already moving away, stalking towards the door.

"Wait, who are you? What is this about?" I press, following her. She pauses with her hand on the door, half-turning to meet my gaze.

"Some doors, once opened, can never be closed again," she intones softly. A shiver runs down my spine at her words. I bolt my feet to the floor. "You’d do well to remember that,” she finishes.

With that, she sweeps through the doors and from the room, leaving me alone with nothing but a cryptic message.

This whole night is getting fucking weird, and fast.

I take out the card and stare at it, torn between curiosity and the woman's warning. What did she mean? What will happen if I go? But still my heart races at the thought of hearing his voice again, of glimpsing the man behind the mask.

But her scarred face lingers in my mind, a silent warning.

She was scarred. He was scarred. What will happen to me if I call the number?

Some doors, once opened, can never be closed again.

Her words echo in my head.

I shake it, trying to clear the confusion. This is stupid. It’s madness. These people are strangers. I shouldn't be caught up in their Society games. I start to crumple the card in my fist, stop. My gaze falls on the gold numbers, tantalizing in their mystery.

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