Did you do this to yourself?
For a moment, I’m confused, thinking she’s spoken. But then I realise that I’m hearing her voice in my mind. How odd.
‘Y-yes?’
Darius pushed you to your limits, little one, and this is what you chose instead of letting him win.
It’s not a question, but I nod uncertainly anyway.
There’s that hoarse cackling laugh again.For that, and that alone, I think you and I will get along beautifully. But I sense confusion in you. Is there anything you wish to know?
‘Ah, well, now that you mention it. I was expecting to, excuse my French, fuck him over there.’ I nod in the direction of Darius. ‘But it appears that it isyouwho require my services?’
Indeed.The same cool finger trails along the soft underside of my breast, and I shiver.Is that something you can help me with?
I shrug. ‘It’s all the same to me, ma’am. A cunny’s as good as a cock, as long as you can pay up. That’s my one non-negotiable.’
The icy finger lightly circles my nipple, andmy thighs quiver. I swallow. She has got a lovely touch; and now I’m getting horny, imagining how nice her cold fingers will feel slipping around in my hot, wet cunny.
Oh, I can pay, and I will pay you well. Do you want me to put the money on the dresser now, little one?
I nod. ‘Yes, please.’ This is a very strange one-sided conversation I’m having, but the softthwipof a drawstring purse opening and the clink of many coins being set up one by one is music to my ears. Despite the raid, my burnt fingers, being pinned to a bed and blindfolded, this night is turning out to be quite financially rewarding!
A minute later, there’s a rustle as a dress falls to the ground; and Darius gives a low murmur of appreciation from the fireside, where I assume he’s set himself up for a ringside seat. From his reaction, Anya—if that’s her real name—is obviously the owner of a beautiful body. Is she connected to royalty or married to someone high up in society? Hence my mask? Is she worried that I might give her sapphic secret away? Or blackmail her?
Those are questions that I may never find out the answers to. The side of the bed dips, and Anya’s marble-cold body slides against mine. Then the night that changes my life really begins.
Chapter 22
Sadie | Highlands, present day
It’s raining heavily as we pull up outside Tim’s cabin. I say‘cabin’;but the car lights illuminate a large architecturally designed home made of stone, wood, and solar panels bordered by a thicket of pine trees.
‘Cool place,’ says Floss, peering at it through the windscreen wipers.
‘Yeah,’ says Damian. ‘Uncle Tim built it about ten years ago, and it’s even won a sustainable home award. Well, I guess we should go and rouse the hermit.’
He switches off the car engine and lights. The house and surroundings are still easily visible with my night vision, though. As I get out of the car, my sensitive ears pick up the sound of rushing water nearby. And the rain-drenched air smells cold, fresh, and sweet. It’s a lovely peaceful spot.
My stomach flips nervously. I’m not at all prepared for this meeting. The last time I saw Tim, he was in an apron cooking coq au vin at his kitchen stove, my arms were fullof his cast-offs, and he wasnothappy with me. We sold up and moved to a more university-oriented part of town a couple of months after that because we came up with the idea of using students for blood donors. By that time, Elliott was completely in my thrall and fully on board with our plan. I didn’t really give Tim another thought because I was too busy organising things. He has crossed my mind a few times over the years, though, typically along the lines of ‘I wonder if he ever got married’. The fact that he lives alone in an off-grid cabin in the Highlands suggests that he didn’t. Unless he’s divorced. I could have checked up on him, I suppose, but I prefer to let sleeping dogs lie.
It’s crazy that out of all the people in Edinburgh, Floss had to go and hook up with Tim’s nephew. If I believed in karma, I’d say it was destiny that we were supposed to meet again because we have unfinished business. But I don’t believe in that. I don’t believe in anything.
We gather silently in front of a wide wooden door, which has an overhang from the roof protecting us from the rain. A gold tubular wind chime tinkles above, whipping around in the gusts from the storm. I hide behind Hester, easy to do because she’s so tall.
Are you freaking out right now?she asks me.
Yeah,I admit, wiping drips from my face and smoothing my damp hair nervously.I don’t know how he’s going toreact when he sees me.
Damian rings the doorbell, and there’s no movement from inside. Then I detect a subtle thump of footsteps moving towards the entrance. Hester tilts her head, hearing them too.
Looks like you’re going to find out in exactly three, two ...
‘Damian. What are you doing here?’
I shut my eyes, resting my forehead against Hester’s back, as a mixture of regret and nostalgia washes over me at hearing Tim’s surprised, but familiar voice. I tend to put on a staunch facade, but only because underneath I’m such a fucking coward when it comes to emotional entanglements.
‘Hey, Tim. Uh, we’re just passing through. I know it’s a bit short notice, but would you be able to put us up for the night? I would have rung ahead, but Dad said you’re completely off-grid now.’
