Angelica?
I don’t know what to say. But I can’t stop thinking about what you just did to me. It was amazing.
I pleased you.
Oh, my God, to say the least.
I want to do it again.
She held the words back, the ones she really wanted to speak, what she’d always wanted from him, as in I want all of you right now, your weight on me, your c**k inside me.
Instead, she overlaid his right arm, the one that held her tight to his side as they walked, and squeezed.
He guided her past three mansions, and after a turn in the path as the river shifted to a southeasterly direction Engles’s home came into view.
She stared up at an incredible mansion built several stories high of white stone, reaching almost to the top of the cavern. The pyramid effect had vines trailing off several balconies and trees growing everywhere.
Reyes, how does anything grow in these underground caverns without sunlight?
It’s simple, really. We make use of modern technology and massive grow lights that run on timers. A community like this would have specified daily periods in which the entire cavern is ablaze with manufactured light. We have a lot of engineers in our culture.
It’s truly amazing.
She began to believe that from what she’d seen this civilization could do just about anything.
Another boat moved by, but Angelica didn’t bother looking. She knew what to expect, and no matter how beautiful the lights or the artistic design of the set, the exhibition of flesh and sex would once again disgust her.
She walked beside Reyes in silence, working to sustain her submissive appearance. At the same time, a strange emotion vibrated through the blood-chain.
Something was bothering Reyes.
###
A chill chased down Reyes’s spine as he stared up at Engles’s massive riverside home. Though Reyes had never been to this part of the world before, he couldn’t shake a bizarre feeling of familiarity, though he had no basis for it.
He thought the mansion a monstrosity, though he admired how the building actually molded itself to the shape of the cavern wall. The dwelling was the size of a small hotel, and he knew from gossip over the years that it boasted fifteen bedrooms, some of them equipped with smaller versions of his game room.
Engles stood alone on a secondary platform, away from the river’s edge by thirty feet and guarded by a security detail. He held a tumbler in his hand, probably his favorite Dubonnet. A pair of female slaves, wearing nothing but chain chokers, stood nearby, heads bowed, bodies bruised. Engles represented the worst of his kind, depraved and self-involved, as though nothing else in the world should ever happen except what pleased him.
Engles had an odd, owl-like look with large dark eyes and a hawkish nose. He combed his thick mass of wavy dark-brown hair away from his face, had a deep indentation in his chin, and possessed a level of charisma that made him appear better-looking than he really was. His head swiveled in Reyes’s direction, Engles smiled and waved his hand in acknowledgment but swiftly reverted his attention to the party below.
His gaze scanned the crowd on the deck that ran at least forty yards along the riverfront. Engles seemed methodical in his search, as though cataloging who had attended his event and maybe deciding to award favors based on that attendance. He wore a sharkskin coat and black slacks, an open-collared black shirt.
Reyes tightened his grip on Angelica. Do you see Engles?
Yes. He’s like a hawk, isn’t he, looking for prey?
Reyes nodded. And we just need to avoid his talons.
Repressing a sigh, Reyes held the leash at shoulder level, another dominant position, as he guided Angelica toward the steps that led to the curved stone platform. He moved in Engles’s direction, intending to fulfill his obligation, when from the opposite side Engles’s security detail called to Engles, handing him a phone.
Engles’s face turned scarlet with rage as he shouted into the cell.
Reyes shifted direction, guiding Angelica toward the mansion. I think we’ll leave him alone for now.
Good idea. Besides, I was not looking forward to being anywhere near that man. There’s something not right about him. Personification of evil, maybe.
I think that’s exactly right.
But as Reyes led her up the walk to the house another chill traveled down his back.
What is it? Angelica asked. Because I’m getting this strange vibe from you.
Reyes felt confused. I honestly don’t know, but I keep getting this feeling that I’ve been here before. Yet, I know I haven’t.
Do you think someone has messed with your memories? I mean, is that even possible in your world?
Possible, yes. His thoughts went immediately to Sweet Dove. The woman was an Ancestral, part of the reason she’d been able to gain such complete control over him, to hold him all those years. Some of his chains had been preternaturally enhanced with her power, a kind of binding that took decades to sever despite how physically strong he’d grown over the years.
But the question was, would Sweet Dove have taken his memories of being in this house before? If so, why?
I find it awkward speaking to you but not looking at you, Angelica sent.
I know what you mean.
And I feel dizzy suddenly.
He glanced at her. Though there were hardly any people near the house, he still held her tight, but he could feel her trembling. What’s wrong?
I don’t know. I don’t like this, Reyes. Something isn’t right.
I’m getting that feeling as well.
What do we do? She looked worried, a tight frown between her brows.
We go forward. I want to know what’s happening here as well, but I’ll have to release you. It won’t look right to be supporting you this way.
I know. She removed her hand and he slid his arm from around her waist. Holding the leash, he gathered up the slack a little more.
When he crossed the threshold Angelica gasped, as she should have. Even he was stunned by the sight of split curved staircases that met at an upper landing. A massive crystal chandelier hung from a forty-foot-high ceiling.
Dozens of guests milled throughout the foyer and off to both sides. Elegant food stations ranged throughout, but he didn’t see an open bar. Reyes thought he understood, that Engles might enjoy a good party, but the drunken revels could take place dockside rather than in his dwelling.
Engles liked control on every level.
Reyes accepted more congratulations on his winning bid, just as Angelica received the once-over again and again. He didn’t like it and bristled more than once at a suggestive comment.
Ignore them, she sent.
Reyes shook his head. Is it that obvious?