Soren leans up against the railing, facing me rather than the view from the top deck. “So, what brings you here?”
Revenge.
“I like to party, and I need the money,” I serve him my rehearsed answer. “What else?”
He chuckles. It’s a great sound; melodious and sweet.I think I like him.
“You’re cute, Ari.” He tilts his head. “Stick with me. I’ll show you the ropes.” He winks, and I think my cheeks are warming.
But I don’t have time to obsess over it, because we’re about to dock.
We’ve arrived… On Alabaster Isle.
“Come on.” Soren takes me by the arm, guiding me to the stairs.
Okay… I guess we’re besties.
I’m not mad at it. I could certainly use a friend. Especially one who knowsthe ropes.
We disembark; myself, Soren, and a group of eleven others, by my count. Not including the staff—two large, quiet men who have been instructing us on where to go and what to do.
They’re the ones who explained the rules, and handed out the NDA’s for us to sign. None of it was a surprise to me. I knew what to expect going in. After all, this has been the plan for quite some time.
The rules are simple… No phones. No talking about the island. No leaving the left side of the mansion.That’s the one I might have to break…
We’re here purely for entertainment purposes, and we aren’t allowed to leave until the ferry goes back to the mainland on Sunday. Not that we’d have any other way to get off the island…
The group of us are ushered into a few black SUV’s, and driven up the coast of the island. And all the while, my pulse is steadily increasing, with every inch we cruise closer to the giant palace of alabaster elegance.
The closer we get to…
My fingers roll the material of my dress as I shift subtly in the soft leather seat. I still can’t tell if I’m comfortable or not, and it’s bothering me. I don’t like not being able to identify my feelings—something he’s a true master at weaving in people. El diablo, he has this magnetic force when he’s nearby that frays confidence and breeds uncertainty.
Just one of his many powers.
“Relax,” Soren whispers to me, noting my fidgets, which naturally makes me even more self-conscious. “You’ll do fine. Velle will love you. And if you’re in with him, you won’t have to worry about anything else.”
My stomach twists into an even tighter knot. I don’t want my new friend to think I’m unappreciative of his camaraderie, so I nod and offer him a grateful smile. But his pep talk is only making me more nervous.
Yes, I know about John Chevelle. And I would stand to agree that getting in his good graces will be helpful…
But is he… too close? If he is, it might be difficult…
That’s the question I’ll need to find an answer to.
The vehicle comes to a stop, and we all file out. The sun is just setting, casting a pale orange glow over the scenery. Ocean on one side, forest on the other. It’s truly quite breathtaking, but thething that steals every ounce of oxygen from my lungs is what’s towering before me…
The Ivory Mansion.
“Diablo…” I whisper, eyes wide, chest caving.
“What’s that, sweetie?” Soren asks, and I shake myself out of it.
“N-nothing,” I stutter. “This place is…”
“Yea, it’s massive,” he chuckles. “Sorta creepy inside, but you get used to it.”
He takes me by the hand, tugging me along with the rest of them as the security team brings us all inside through the front. Double-doors, large, black, with brushed brass fixtures. On the way inside, I sneak a peek at the ornate door knocker… In the shape of a birdcage.
