Page 28 of Curiosity

There was no point in me turning back – I couldn’t make the elevator work. Irina had used her handprint or something.

So… I stepped forward, into the dark, and she left, closing the door behind her.

I couldn’t see anything.

Not even my hand in front of my face.

“Let’s get you cleaned up.”

I damn near bit a hole in my lip to keep myself from screaming when Elias spoke, just inches from my ear. His touch was familiar, soothing through the thin fabric of the tank top I’d been wearing under my chef’s coat.

He easily steered me to a bathroom, where finally, a light came on.

He was beautiful as ever.

I couldn’t even say anything as he stripped out of his suit, laying each item carefully across an upholstered chair at the vanity. Once he was down to his boxers, he came to me, stripping my clothing off an item at a time.

Even underwear.

“What’s happening?” I asked as he put a shower cap on me, then ushered me under the hot spray of the shower.

No answer.

He washed me from head to toe.

Thoroughly, then rinsed me off.

Dried me.

Lotioned me.

All without a word.

It was driving me nuts.

Back in what I knew now was one of the apartments, Elias led me to a closet, where shoes, jewelry, underwear, and a dress were laid out.

He dressed me.

Put my shoes on.

Clipped stunning black diamonds on my neck, wrists, and ears.

“Fix your hair and makeup,” he said, pointing to another vanity before he moved back to the bathroom.

This is all so damn weird.

It was too much, really.

But that didn’t stop me from following the directions I was given, making quick use of the tools I was given. I combed my hair out from the two French braids I usually wore for work, fluffing it to frame my face. I used the brand-new makeup waiting in a bag to pull together a passable soft glam in the limited time he gave me.

When he came back, he was dressed again – no shirt under his suit jacket this time.

Somehow… it fit the vibe.

“What is happening here?” I asked, crossing my arms. “You say nothing to me for days after what happened in the car, then you bring me up here to bathe and dress me, for… for…” I sucked in a breath as something occurred to me. “This is some satanic shit, isn’t it?! You motherfuckers are about to use me to summon a demon or something.”

“Celeste,” Elias chuckled, shaking his head. “No, not at all. I see nothing for you to be afraid of.”

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