When Eclipse opened the door, Orianna stepped into what was by far the most opulent bedroom she’d ever seen in her life. The room had to be close to two thousand square feet. The enormous bed—definitely bigger than a standard king—was the main attraction, complete with thick black posts that shot eight or so feet up into the air, held together by an ornate iron bar running through each post. The comforter was a rich red, the throw pillows satin black. There was a small area that appeared to be for lounging, complete with a black leather chaise, matching black armchair, and a big-screen television mounted on the wall over a fireplace, which was currently crackling, the flames giving the room light.
“This is your room?”
“My private quarters, yes.”
Ah. Even a fancy description for it.
Orianna peered up. The ceilings seemed so far away. Fifteen, maybe twenty feet high. Even the decorative molding matched the bed. Interesting.
She headed for the window. Pulling back the heavy black drapes, Orianna found herself up against some sort of thick matte black metal covering. She peered over her shoulder at Eclipse. “What are these?”
“Shutters. They automatically close half an hour before dawn and rise half an hour after dusk.”
After letting the drapes fall back in place, she turned toward Eclipse. “The house seals up tight during the day … because you can’t be in sunlight, either?”
“Correct.”
“But you’re an angel?”
“Same as with vampires.” There was a smirk at the corner of his lips.
“So you sleep during the day then?”
“Yes. But there’s always someone up. Theheurospare on rotations, so if you ever need anything, they’re there.”
Orianna wasn’t sure what she might possibly need, but that was good to know.
“Bathroom’s through there,” he said, motioning to a set of doors with opaque glass framed by black lacquer.
“Would you mind?” she asked.
“Not at all. If it’s all right, I’m going to step out and talk to Obsidian. I’ll be back soon.”
Orianna nodded, feeling a bit awkward knowing she would be alone in his private space, but appreciating a moment to herself, nonetheless.
He waited for her to go into the bathroom before Eclipse turned and left the room. Orianna closed the pocket doors behind her, then stared at the ridiculous space Eclipse called a bathroom.
“More like a bathhouse,” she muttered, taking stock of all the white and gray marble laid out before her.
There were two sinks set in floating black lacquer cabinets, separated by a huge vanity. The entire wall was one enormous mirror, which made the space appear even bigger than it was. There was a step-up, circular tub in the center of the room, framed by the same posts that were on the bed. Hidden in the ceiling were red lights that gave a sexy vibe.
But the shower was what impressed her most.
Orianna walked around a marble wall that provided privacy for the numerous rain shower heads and body jets mounted in the walls and ceiling. She walked through it and out the other side, smiling to herself.
“Impressive. But does it have a toilet?”
Indeed, it did. Enclosed in its own room was a fancy toilet complete with heated seat and bidet.
Once she’d used the facilities and washed her hands, Orianna headed back to the bedroom. She considered snooping but thought better of it, choosing to take a seat in the leather armchair as she stared at the black screen on the wall.
No sooner did she sit down than her entire body felt as though it was weighed down by an invisible force.
“Dead,” she said softly, feeling her chest tighten.
How could Amber be dead? How could she not have known? And if that was the case, why was there always another thread to pull, another lead to follow? Everything she’d done over the past six years had led her back here for what? To find out Amber was no longer on this Earth?
What was she supposed to tell her mother? How could she tell Elizabeth McKay that her older daughter was gone forever? Orianna was almost certain Amber was the only reason her mother had clung to this life in the first place. As long as Orianna had been searching, there’d been hope in her mother’s voice. What would happen now?
