Page 11 of Untraceable
She tilted her head curiously, and her escort chuckled. “They are all calm and even-tempered. The charm will determine which suits you best.”
“Oh. I don’t get to pick?”
“Your body does, as it is the primary agent of concern.”
“What?”
“Your mind has gotten you here; that is that part of the decision.”
“Oh. Yeah, I guess. So, this charm is going to know what I want?”
“Each male knows what he is willing to give, so the math will be done there.” He smiled kindly and spoke, but she couldn’t hear him. All of the shadows extended a hand to her, palm up. The charms on their own wrists dangled and glowed.
“So, high fives?”
“Your hand over theirs. You will know in moments.”
Val paused and then exhaled. “No time like the present, I guess.”
She reached out with her left hand and gently put it in the first shadow’s grip. She felt a roar of heat and jerked her hand back. “Too much horse for me.”
She went to the next one, and it felt like a gentle, warm wind. She lifted her hand and remembered his placement. That might have been a way to go.
Her charm hadn’t reacted yet, but when she went through rough rumbling, sharp motions, and hot need, she paused. “Whatever he is, he’s in rut and shouldn’t be here for this.”
The attendant paused and spoke so she couldn’t hear him, and the hand was pulled back. The sixth hand caused her charm to flare bright as slow heat and gentle contact promised the heat would build. She swallowed and muttered, “Probably.”
The attendant said, “Where are you going?”
“That was a good fit. I am looking to see if there is a very good fit.”
He chuckled. “Smart.”
Her next touch proved her suspicion was right. Light filled the room, and she said, “Most probably.”
The final touch was good but not great.
She looked at the attendant. “Now what?”
“Take your choice to the black door. He has a space assigned to him.”
She returned to the one who turned her charm into a disco ball and put her hand in his again.
He stepped forward and led her to the door and through the dark hallway with many doors attached to it.
He walked calmly to a door that had no number or other markings, but it opened at his touch.
She gasped. It was a glade with a waterfall, a platform with a low bed on it, and she could swear she heard birds in the distance.
“Oh, pretty.”
The shadow chuckled. “You are a column of light to me.”
“You are shadow. I didn’t think we could talk.”
“I am bending the rules. You are unsure of where to start, and I wish to start with a kiss, but I didn’t want to surprise you.”
She nodded and leaned toward him, feeling the press of lips on hers. The lips were warm and firm, the kiss was deliberate and controlled. She admired control.
