Page 63 of Dark Captivation

Without much ado, the old man reached one arm behind his back and gave a quick bow. “Come with me please.” He walked off to the left, going out of view behind the mirror frame. All our luggage magically faded.

“Well that wasn’t the least bit spooky,” I said, watching the ghostly disappearance of our bags. It may have been that I wasn’t accustomed to enchanted forms of travel, but something about this freaked me out.

Malek took my arm, stroking it comfortingly. “It’s time to go.” He took my hand, stepping through the mirror and I followed.

We stepped onto a sunny, white sand beach. The sounds of demons grunting whipped together with rowdy applause as a few demons played beach volleyball. The cheering came from the two-dozen swimwear clad demons lounging on the beach chairs nearby. They drank colorful cocktails, soaking up the sun.

“Sandalia has many dimensions, all curated for fun and relaxation. I thought you’d enjoy visiting this dimension first. It’s a lot like Earth’s Caribbean, but it lacks nighttime. It’s always sunny on this beach.” Malek squished his toes into the sand as the cool salty air caressed us both.

“Have you been here before?” I asked, watching the four demonesses play chicken in the shallows.

“No, but I researched this place extensively to make sure the security was up to my standard and that they had suitable facilities that you might enjoy.”

“Do you make all of your decisions based on what you think I would like?” I asked.

He seemed surprised by the question. “I want you to be happy with me and safe. Those are the only things I’ve ever wanted.” He said honestly, like he didn’t even need to think about it. My heart throbbed as I felt emotions I had never felt before. Was this what it felt like to experience the unconditional love of a family?

Someone hit the beach ball too hard and it flew in our direction.

“Well, no need to be shy. We came here to have fun.” Malek jumped into the game, volleying the ball so high, it went back to the court and clear over the net.

The crowd cheered as the ball plummeted to the ground, scoring for one side. Malek and I joined in the game. One friendly player volunteered to go to the other side so Malek and I could play for the same team. He seemed only too happy to do Malek the favor as he was king.

The volleyball players were star struck by Malek at first, letting him win with almost no challenge what-so-ever. But once they got used to him being there, they tried harder, making things more challenging and fun.

A demon in red swim trunks and black shades strolled past the court, not talking to anyone. As he passed, his strength scent hit me. He smelled just a little different than the other demons I’d ever smelled. Distracted, I missed the ball as it passed me, and Malek got it before it hit the ground.

“You okay, Sunny?” Malek called out.

“Yup, I’m fine.”

Figuring one weird smelling demon wasn’t a big deal, I continued playing. At a certain point, Malek and I had to start pulling our punches, we were scoring too many points on the other side. Okay, mostly it was Malek who was. He looked incredible, his muscles rippling in the bright sunshine. His broad manly shoulders looked even more well-built as he jumped high into the air, diving for the ball like a pro athlete.

Every time he turned to look at me with his beautiful, soul deep eyes, something inside me quivered. His devoted gaze inspired an intense yearning, like a key unlocking a door to the forbidden.

Soon it felt as though everyone melted away and it was only Malek and I playing. No one else was there.

The next dimension we entered resembled a colorful, tropical jungle, one that conveniently lacked mosquitoes. A couple of the demons from the last dimension were here too, but there were mostly new faces.

Steelpan music played a gorgeous melody, increasing in intensity as we combed through the lush jungle. Passing the trees, we emerged in a clearing abuzz with demons drinking and laughing.

“How low can you go?” A male voice yelled exuberantly playing the steelpan drum. A limbo stick was set up in the center of the clearing, a man with dreadlocks inching the beam a notch lower every so often.

A line of happy party goers wearing flower wreaths around their necks, lined up to dance under the pole.

I’d only ever heard of places like this on TV. No one in the Prometheus Pack was ever allowed to leave, let alone go on vacation. Nor was I allowed to go anywhere while with the demi-gods.

Watching all these happy people dance made me feel like I’d been born again, into a life of fun and freedom that I’d always wanted but had never been allowed.

I eagerly joined the party and Malek wasn’t far behind. I chatted with the happy drunk demons, making friends with them. They offered us rum and cokes and pina coladas.

Once we were good and tipsy, Malek and I tried our hand at limbo, competing between us to see who could go lower. The bright colors of the jungle swirled as the music moved me to the joyful beat.

I wasn’t sure who was winning, me or Malek. After one more drink, I wasn’t even sure where the limbo rod was anymore. All I knew was that for the first time it felt like I’d truly let go and was moving with the flow of life instead of against it. And damn did it feel amazing to be this untethered.

Malek and I danced for hours as the sun dimmed on the vibrant jungle. His possessive eyes burned into my hips as they gyrated to the beat, never did they move anywhere but on me.

All inhibitions burned as we drank each other in, being as intimate as two could be on the dance floor. The vigorous dancing burned away most of my tipsiness. Malek called my attention to the five portals that opened up on the south side of the clearing. As the sun began to set on this dimension, the partygoers said their goodbyes and funneled into chosen portals and onto the next adventure.

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