I swallow a jagged lump in my throat.
“Huyes de tu jaula, pajarito…”
Once inside, we’re immediately guided left, toward a large staircase. But my eyes are coveting the right. The side of the mansion we’re not allowed to enter…
Still, I’m becoming distracted by the sheer size of this place. All the research in the world couldn’t have prepared me for what it would actually be like…
From the decor, to howbigit all is; how opulent. Grandeur, with an underlying sense of malevolence. To the naked eye, it’s majestic. But its immorality is palpable, and my heart is instantly racing, almost too fast.
Thisishim. I feel it in the air, in every square inch of this monstrosity.
What have you created here, Diablo?
What did you do…
“Dios… ayúdame,” I mumble under my breath.
At the top of the stairs, the security team spouts off a warning for us to remember the rules, but no one seems to be listeningto them. I think I’m the only one who’s new here, because the moment we reach the third floor, they all scatter, as if they’re familiar enough with the place to know where they want to go.
I’m left slowly wandering the long corridor, following Soren—sort of—but getting lost in studying everything. My eyes scan floor to ceiling, taking in the ambience of dimmed light from lantern sconces, accentuating the deep red paint with the occasional black accent, erotic artwork, brass and bronze fixtures… Baroque, and beautiful in its own very ominous way.
It’s ridiculously familiar, and I have to scoff to myself for a moment.
Would you look at that? I’m back at the house in Bogotá…
Voices ring out from up the hall as music begins to play, soft at first, until someone cranks the volume.
“Ari!”
I’m lingering outside a bedroom whose door is ajar, peering inside. No one’s in there, but it’s pretty big.
“Hey, Ari!”
People are cheering in the distance. I suppose the party is getting started right away.Makes sense.I’m about to push the door open a bit more when someone grabs me, and I flinch.
“Uh, Earth to Ari,” Soren chuckles. “I’ve been calling you…”
I gulp and blink. “Sorry…”
Get used to the name, Angel… You picked it.
“Come on, party favors are out.” He grins, yanking me up the hall, where I’m assuming everyone is gathered to begin their evening with alcohol and drugs.
Fluttering nerves encompass me.Blend in… Be a chameleon. It’s the only way.
“I, uh… is there a… restroom I can use?” I ask him, pumping on the brakes.
Soren is distracted by a guy setting up lines on a bronze tray as he motions with his hand. “Yea, door on the end.”
I locate the bathroom, slinking inside and locking the door. After I triple-check that it’s definitely locked, I can breathe easier. I step up to the vanity and assess myself in the mirror. Combing fingers through my hair, I blink at my reflection; the person staring back at me… I smooth out my dress and adjust myself.
I look like her…
It’s good. This is by no means the first time I’ve done this, but it still always shocks me. How easily I can look like her when I want to. How much this settles me sometimes…
I wish I could wrap my head around it fully, but it’s hard because so much of what I do is wrapped up in anger… and vengeance.
Running hands down my front, I verify that everything is securely in place. I take a deep breath, leaving the restroom to join the party. But when I return to the hall and hear the raucous noise of my fellow partygoers, I bite my lip, chin tipping in the opposite direction.
