Closing the hidden panel had effectively cut off the only source of light, leaving her in utter darkness. She couldn’t tell her ass from her face in here. Elysia brushed her hands against the walls—to her right was the true outer wall of the House. Unsurprisingly, all the windows were sealed shut and painted so that no one could see in or out.
She began to jog, knowing she had no time. The passages were no doubt only known to the Doorman, and now, like so many other secrets, to Elysia. She picked up the pace as her anxiety ratcheted higher.There has to be a way out.No one designed a pleasure house without an escape hatch. She sprinted now between the walls like a rodent in a maze even though her pukeweed exhausted body begged her to stop.
The exit has to be somewhere.
From one thought to another, her foot caught and her shoulder banged against the wall as she crashed down to the floor.
A wet, garbled laugh sounded above her.
Shit.She tried to press back up, but the Doorman was already there, lighting the passage with the amber glow of her oil lamp. One hand pinched her bloodied nose while one thick shapely leg kicked out, her booted foot shoving Elysia back down to the dirty floor.
The Doorman peered at Elysia curiously like she was some newfound specimen that needed labeling. She nudged Elysia’s face side to side with the toe of her boot until understanding filled her eyes and an impressed smile brought her face wide.
“You Parker girls sure do know how to make a woman work.”
Elysia scrambled to stand and was promptly shoved back down. This time the spiked boot stayed over her throat.
“My people told me you were puking in an alley this evening.”
She kept the pressure on Elysia’s throat and smiled pleasantly.
“But here you are, causing almost as much trouble as your sister. Honestly, I’m not sure I can handle two of you. Imagine if youactuallyworked together.” Her face blanched a little at the thought.
Elysia propped up on an elbow, pushing back against the boot.
“How did you know?”
She frowned. “That it was you? Haven’t you heard any of my stories?” The Doorman seemed genuinely offended.
She chuckled, digging the tip of her boot into the soft flesh beneath Elysia’s chin. “It was a bit of a surprise to see the terror that is your mother this evening, but it wasn’t until just now that it all made sense. You, Elysia Parker, have most definitely never been given a token of entrance. As I said before, the pair of you would likely wreck this city, so I’ve withheld your token the last few years. Saved myself the headache.”
She smacked her boot side to side on Elysia’s face. “But here. You. Are! With that sweet doll face and a wig, wearing your best friend’s clothes. As if I wouldn’t know—insulting, really,” she added.
Elysia grimaced. “You’re the one who let me in.”
The Doorman removed her foot and twirled, leaning back against the wall. She gave a complimentary tip of her chin as she spoke. “Well, to be fair, I didn’t realize it was you then. Truly, your makeup—so good. I thought your sister was going to shit herself. But something seemedoff.I couldn’t imagine anyone hated themselves enough to steal from the Golden Seal. Or would go to the trouble of creating such a convincing disguise! But then when the prince trailed your ass like clouds to the sun into that godsforsaken room—thatis when I knew.”
Elysia held her blank expression even though she felt near vomiting for the second time this evening.The prince?She wanted to scream into the never-ending nightmare that was this night.
Instead, she groaned.
“Men,” she said flatly. Specifically,herblasted man, ruining her plans.And how had he even known she was here?
The Doorman smirked and settled her hands on her hips, strumming her fingers against the silk of her pants. “Wouldn’t know. I don’t touch the creatures.” She continued speaking, her tone brisk, “There are several reasons I am helping you today, Elysia Parker. The most pressing being that my girlfriend scares me almost as much as she delights me, and I happen to know she would be quite displeased if I killed her baby sister, even if youdidviolate the House.”
Elysia choked on the word girlfriend. Beatriz was in a relationship? DidBeatrizknow she was in a relationship?
The Doorman shrugged, considering Elysia from where she towered over her. “Beyond not wanting your sister or the princeto come for my neck, it does not escape me why you are here. You think you’re helping your sister.” Her brow furrowed as if Elysia was a riddle she hadn't quite solved.
“Youcarefor her. How un-Parkerly of you.” She smiled broadly, sounding like she was giving out a favor. “Nonetheless, actions have consequences. You're in my debt now, Elysia Parker, and Iwillcome calling.”
And with that, the Doorman’s elbow drew back, her tiny fist cracking out like lightning as she clocked Elysia squarely, right between the eyes.
Elysia’s head snapped back and the last thing she heard was the Doorman’s laughing words, “Say hello to the prince for me, will you? Tell him we’re even.”
Chapter 13
Elysia smelled thunder and ozone.It reminded her of a storm blowing through the forest. She tucked her nose in a little closer to the delicious scent, feeling her bones relax into someone warm and strong.
