Page 11 of Muerte

Ice slithered through my veins, chasing all my drowsiness away. This wasn’t my bedroom and definitely not my apartment. I sat up, panic flaring when a weight around my leg made itself known. I flung a heavy comforter onto the floor in search of what had ahold of me.

“What is this?” I reached down and skimmed my fingers over a thick chain wrapped around my ankle.

“What the fuck is this?” I breathed out harshly, searching for an opening, some way to get it off. My fingers sunk into a slight indentation, and I realized there was no way to remove this without a key of some kind.

I sucked in a ragged breath and twisted around, crawling across the bed to follow the chain. I shoved aside a nightstand and found a small metal plate affixed to the wall. The end of the chain was bolted into its center. Logic and rationality failed my cognitive ability. I pulled and tugged, cursing loudly when nothing happened.

I nearly tripped as I spun to study the room. Of the two massive floor lamps inside, only one was on, giving the large space a soft glow. The furniture was like something you’d see in a high-end catalog, or one of those scripted shows that staged luxury houses.

Long, thick drapes hung on the far wall, blocking any view a window may have given me. I couldn’t get to them anyway. The chain wouldn’t stretch that far. A little further down was a small bathroom that lacked a door. The sight of it had my pulse ratcheting. No one would set up a room like this without having some kind of specific purpose for it.

I didn’t want to think about what that could entail, not when I had no way of breaking free of the chain around my leg and I was to be at the mercy of whoever brought me here. I shifted in place and looked my body over. I was still in the chiffon dress. The only thing missing was my shoes and aside from the dull pounding in my head, I felt physically fine. This gave me a small measure of relief.

I racked my brain, trying to piece together how I could have wound up here.

The last thing I remembered was telling Anya I needed air and managing to slip out onto the amphitheater’s private terrace.

What happened next? Why couldn’t I remember? Everything after was a black stretch of nothing until I woke up here. I hadn’t eaten or drunk anything other than the wine Shana encouraged me to try. Wait, was it the wine? The glass had already been filled when I got to the table. If it was spiked, someone could have done it beforehand.

No, it wouldn’t have been just anyone…

At the sound of a handle turning, my attention flew to the only other door in the room. Time seemed to slow as it swung open. When he stepped in, my suspicions were confirmed. A million thoughts flitted through my mind, but I found I couldn’t voice a single one. My heartbeat was like a drum, drowning them all out. He slowly shut the door, his eyes never leaving me.

He'd changed clothes again.

He was no longer in a suit but a quarter sleeved button-down and slacks—sans tie. That could only mean that night had turned to day. I took a step back and then another until I felt the mattress against my legs and was forced to stop. His predatory eyes tracked every step.

“There’s no need to be afraid.”

How could he say that? I was chained to a wall like some kind of animal ensnared in a trap. I’d been kidnapped. Taken. I had no idea where I was or what he intended to do with me. Fearing I might provoke him if I revealed my inner turmoil, I swallowed and wet my lips, willing my voice to come out without shaking.

“Where am I?”

Slipping his hands into his pockets, he came closer, stopping just outside arm’s reach “Do you remember me?”

I nodded sharply. It would be impossible to forget him. Just as I would never forget this moment. “Why am I here?”

“Are you feeling okay? Sometimes Rohypnol can be a bit hard on the stomach, or so I’ve been told.”

My lips parted slightly. There wasn’t a hint of guilt or remorse in his tone. He might as well have been telling me the day’s forecast. I curled my hands into fists.

“What do you want from me?”

“You’re cold.”

“Huh?” I looked down and saw goosebumps all over my arms. If he hadn’t said anything, I wouldn’t have noticed them.

“Regrettably, I can’t stay with you today. I only came in to see how you were doing and to let you know you’re safe. No one here is going to hurt you. I’ll adjust the temperature and have a light meal brought in. Do your best to relax until then.”

Was this man serious? Relax? No one in my situation would sit back and kick up their feet. He turned to leave, causing another wave of panic to wash over me.

“Wait!” I stepped forward so quickly the chain smacked loudly against the floor. “Please, just tell me where I am.”

He paused with one hand on the doorknob. “Are you sure you really want to know?”

His question was as unsettling as whatever possible answer he would have. I hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding.

“Where you’ve always belonged, Lolita. You’re finally home.” He pulled the door open and walked out, leaving me to process his reply.

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