Anywhere but here.
Training my eyes on the floor, I quicken my pace to keep up with Valentine as we make our way down a hall.
I groan inwardly when we come to the spiraling glass stairwell and he begins ascending it instead of showing me some hidden elevator.
We barely make it up three floors before my legs start to burn and my breathing grows labored, and I soon find myself having to resort to taking two steps at a time just to keep Valentine in sight.
Is he speeding up?
I wouldn’t put it past him to make climbing stairs even more of a punishment than it already is.
By the time we reach the top, my whole body is shaking, and beads of sweat have begun trickling down my forehead. Still, Valentine doesn’t slow, and I have no choice but to hurry after him, despite my exhaustion.
It’s only when I realize we’ve entered an area that I don’t recognize that I start to slow and glance nervously around.
I don’t know whether or not I should feel relieved by this.
It’s now obvious that he’s not leading me back to his bedroom, yet. So, where is he taking me?
Finally, Valentine stops in front of a large black door with an ornate silver handle. Pushing the door open, he moves inside, and I take a cautious step forward to peer into the room beyond.
My eyes widen as I take in crystal case after crystal case, the low light making them sparkle like diamonds, each one filled with some of the most stunning garments I’ve ever seen.
“Step inside,” Valentine orders, still holding the door open for me, an impatient look on his face. “I haven’t got all day to find you something more suitable to wear.”
I obey, moving deeper into the room as Valentine closes the door behind us. Pressing a hand to my back, he forces me forward, guiding me through the maze of floor-to-ceiling cases.
I can’t help staring as I try to take everything in.
The way the cases are built, this room is nothing short of an insane, luxury version of a house of mirrors. It would be all too easy to get lost in here, and part of me wonders if anyone ever has.
A shiver runs down my spine at the thought.
We finally come to what appears to be a long straight line of glass cases, and Valentine motions toward them.
“Pick something.”
I glance at the underwear displayed within.
So, Luci was right. Though, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised ... He is working with the monster, after all.
I look over the items in the cases, feeling more than a little overwhelmed by the sheer quantity.
What will happen to me if I choose wrong?
Slowly walking the length of the cases, I frown at the underwear.
Lacey, barely-there garments lay within in every color imaginable. Everything is gorgeous and far more luxurious than anything I’ve ever owned … but also incredibly racy. If Luci was right, then perhaps this is some sort of test.
Turning to Valentine, I wrap my arms tighter around myself as I stare down at his shiny black shoes.
“Do you have anything, um, a bit more modest?” I ask quietly.
There’s a tense moment of silence before Valentine lets out a soft snort.
“Follow me,” he says.
I do, taking one last look at the exquisite lacey undergarments that would no doubt be far more comfortable than what I’m about to subject myself to.