The cage was barely big enough for him. His knees pressed against the bars. His back curved to fit the space. And yet his breathing was relaxed.
Hiroko was at the rack of leather lingerie and barely glanced over. "He's my pet."
The pet purred. The sound was low and rumbling, barely human.
It also sent a chill down my spine.
"Would you like to meet him?" Hiroko stepped back from the rack. "I could let him out."
Zo cleared his throat.
I looked at Zo. He shook his head slowly.
"Oh. No thank you." I took a small step back and then I looked directly at the pet. "Unless you want to get out."
The pet didn't look at me or acknowledge my words at all. He simply continued to stare at Hiroko with pure obsession in his eyes.
He didn't want out.
He didn't want freedom.
He wanted to stay exactly where she had put him, right in that damn cage.
Hiroko smiled softly at her pet. Tenderness passed across her face. Then she turned back to me. "Now. Let's get you ready."
One of her assistants came over and handed me a towel. "You have to take a shower.”
“What?”
“Yes, and quickly. We need to make sure there's nothing on your skin. No oils. No lotions. No perfume. Nothing that could interfere with the scene or cause you harm."
Cause me harm?
I wanted to ask what that meant. What kind of scene required skin this clean? But Hiroko was already turning away, and I knew she would not answer anyway.
"The bathroom is through there. Be thorough, Nyomi and fast."
O-kay. . .
I went.
The bathroom was small but elegant—stone tile, a rain shower, soft lighting. I stripped out of the phoenix gown as well as the undergarments and stepped under the water.
It was warm.
Cleansing.
I scrubbed every inch of myself, wondering what the hell I was preparing for.
No oils to not interfere with what?
Once I washed up well, I turned off the water and grabbed a towel.
When I stepped out, two of Hiroko's assistants were waiting. They didn't speak—just gestured for me to stand still while they patted me dry with clinical efficiency.
One of them checked my arms, my legs, my back. Looking for something. Residue, maybe. Whatever might be left on my skin.
Hiroko appeared in the doorway, studied me for a moment, and then nodded. "Good. You're ready."
