Page 152 of An Unexpected Ascension
Before me lies a narrow hallway of stone, the same damp stone from my vision. Gore coats the walls and between each crevice. Despite the screaming I heard before, it’s quiet here. Just the incessant drips of water falling to the concrete floor.
I take a deep breath as I creep forward, following the tug inside my chest. It leads me to the second door on left of the hall.
“Lynx?” I call out, tapping the barrier.
No answer, but my gut twists inside of me, urging me to get in there. Closing my eyes, I try to imagine myself on the other side of this door, willing it to happen and desperately hoping that I don’t find myself with a starving made-monster.
Only, when I open my eyes, I’m still right where I was on the wrong side of the door. Yanking on the handle, it barely even cracks open with the heavy lock hanging from the latch.
Shit, shit, shit!
I need a fucking key.
Panicking, I pace in the hallway, searching every inch of my brain for an idea on how to find the damn thing.
Creeping back up the stairs, I slip into the kitchen and use theDevil’s powers for something I never thought I would. In seconds, I’m donning an ivory silk dress that drapes along the floor with regal length. It hangs on my shoulders with the daintiest straps and the back plunging down just before it can reveal too much. Atop my head, are pearls strewn into a golden crown like vines weaved through my braided hair. I look every bit a Goddess on the hunt for her equal.
With my shoulders held back and my chin high, I stride through the palace with an air of belonging. I hope to the Devil I look more confident than I feel because my heart is palpitating at a pace that could end a life. Lucky for me, I don’t really have to worry about that part.
Now, if I were a key, where would I be?
I search for what feels like hours before I find myself at a hallway consisting of sleeping quarters. For being such a large place, it’s awfully empty.
Quietly, I step into the first room I see. The hearth is lit, the flame a steady flicker indicating that the fire was built not long ago. There’s no indication of anyone in the room, not a sound or the feeling of someone present. So, I inch further on soft feet.
Before the bed, on the same wall as the door, is a glossed wooden armoire. It looms over me as I yank the doors open. They swing effortlessly and without noise, revealing robes and dress clothes fit for...well, for a God. Further below are two shelves with folded fabrics and by the looks of it, undershorts. Crouching down, I sift through them.
Nothing.
Moving to the bed, I check the pillows and under the mattress. The beside table drawers and then finally the desk sitting beneath the window.
Just as I close the last drawer of the desk with no success, footsteps echo right outside the door.
Fuck!
I don’t have time to hide or do anything really, except put asmuch distance between me and the place I searched last. Quickly, gathering my wits, I throw myself against the bed and adjust myself into a sensual, but relaxed position right as the door is shoved open.
“Who do we have here?”
A golden glow envelops the God, turning his tanned skin a glittering bronze. It’s as if Aurelius has coerced the sun to cling to him at all times with the threat of being snuffed if disobeyed.
“Why, I’m quite offended, Aurelius.” I feign a flirtatious smirk. “I guess our one night didn’t compare to the centuries of women that have kept you company.”
A little smile plays across his face, his hazel eyes twinkling with conceit. He shrugs one shoulder and prowls towards me. Perhaps that glow is really just his arrogance. It wafts off of him in heavy waves, nearly drowning me.
“Please accept my apologies…”
“Nemesis.” I decide, righting myself to my feet.
He quirks a brow. “Nemesis. I tend to remember faces and names fairly well, but yours must have just slipped my mind.” With slow, tantalizing steps, he circles me. Only stopping when we come face to face. Lowering his mouth to my ear, he whispers, “I guess you’ll just have to spark my memory.”
Despite the bile creeping up the back of my throat, I force a soft, feminine giggle.
“I guess I will.”
With each step forward, he forces me backwards towards his enormous bed until I’m trapped between it and him. His hand cups one side of my neck while his lips peruse the other. I use this very opportunity to touch him right back.
First his arms, my fingers tracing over each muscle. Then, I take my time untying the string that threads his red, leather vest together. It falls to the floor in a light thud while his lips trail down the crook of my shoulder.
