Page 6 of Heir of the Beast

Are we going to a mental institution? Will men in white medical outfits seize us and place us in a padded room and shove pills down our throats?

“Hey, are you going to rape us?” I ask, then blush. Filter? Redhead blanches beside me, then looks back to him. I just gave him the idea, didn’t I?

Though, let’s be honest, being raped by him might not be so bad. I might play-fight at first, but then I would be totally into it.

I’m a sicko.

He turns his shocked face toward me and laughs loudly, but doesn’t say anything, disappearing up the stairs. “Come on, ladies.”

Redhead shrugs and proceeds after him.

“Was that a yes?” I whisper as I blindly follow them, feeling my skin prickling.

She turns to face me as we walk up the dark stairway. “I think that was a maybe.”

I bet I can outrun Redhead if shit hits the fan. Hey, I have never claimed to be noble, it’s a personality flaw that I’m working on.

We make it to the top, and he opens a large silver door. I tense, bracing myself. Immediately, cool, unusual, wondrous air hit us. The sight before me steals my breath clean out of my lungs.

What the…

The room is spacious and completely beautiful—jaw-dropping. I think I hear Redhead gasp, placing a hand over her mouth.

Everything is white and sky blue. The floors are glistening white marble with light blue glittering swirls throughout it.

The ceiling is vaulted with shimmering bits of glass, and the seating area is exquisite with blinding white couches and sapphire accents.

The whole thing doesn’t look real. I take a shaky breath and try to count to ten in my mind.

“Welcome to Fairy Godmother Inc., ladies. Please check in at the front desk,” Mr. Charming says in a sing-song voice. “Please make haste.”

I glance at Mr. Charming, my mouth hanging open. “Check in?”

He points to a large, U-shaped desk with a beautiful woman smiling at us. She is typing away at a computer and has an earpiece in, talking to someone on the other end.

She is wearing an all-white dress fit for luncheon at the royal castle. Her golden hair bounces as she types, apparently enjoying her job with great enthusiasm. I’m getting a creepy, Stepford-wife vibe.

I tap down my hysteria, eyeing everything for a potential threat. We walk up to her, and she points at the sparkling paper and pen, then keeps talking.

“Yes, they have just arrived—uh-huh.” She pauses, listening. “Of course, I know they’re late.” She glances up at us with a stern look.

“I will get them checked in quickly then—I understand. I will usher them back, my lady. I know time is of the essence.” She glances up at us and forces a smile.

“Please sign in and take a seat over there, then Pierce will bring everyone into the arena.”

Arena?

What the hell?

This place is not big enough for that, and even I’m not that gullible. I sign my name and notice five other names on the list.

Seven girls? I thought the letter said five? Hmm, fascinating. I was expecting more for an advertising stunt, though.

I walk around a corner to see five lovely women sitting on white couches, looking just as nervous as I feel. Redhead gives a little nod to them, and we sit together on the only empty couch next to a refreshment table.

Okay, this is weird.

“What is this place?” Redhead whispers.

---