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The wariness vanished. “Of course. Anything I can do to ease your way. Just ask, and it’s yours.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.” Sloane gave him a radiant smile. Then a thoughtful look came into her eyes. “It occurs to me that a tortured soul would not be worthy of Olympus. Also, Gaia deserves the most peaceful of transitions, something she won’t have with a group of terrified women gathered around her. Perhaps you should sedate all the lesser goddesses as well. It will ensure their cooperation, enhance Gaia’s
ascension, and relieve the need for you to restrain them. The entire experience will be much smoother and more tranquil.”
Luke pursed his lips, thinking. “What you say makes sense. And it does nothing to violate the rites of passage. It’s a good idea. I’ll get the necessary medications ready tonight.”
“That’s wonderful. It’s a kindness I know all the goddesses will appreciate.” Sloane’s first victory was a hollow one. She’d ensured minimal pain for all the kidnapped women during this supposed ascension to eternity. But that ease of suffering would need to be implemented only if she failed in her efforts to save them, meaning they were all doomed to die.
It wasn’t victory enough.
“Delphi, your morality and decency are rare,” she said, moving toward her ultimate goal. “Not just toward us, but, most importantly, toward Gaia. I’m sure the idea of a son bathing his mother seems indecent to you. I fully understand that—and I agree. But I also understand that a woman’s spirits are greatly lifted when she’s clean and well groomed. If it’s all right with you, I’d like to give Gaia the bath you said she was begging for. Not only am I female, but I’m not a stranger. Gaia already knows me. She should get to know me even better if I’m to sit beside you at her feet when we reach Olympus. I’ll follow whatever instructions you give me.” Sloane went for the clincher, gesturing at the pistol tucked in Luke’s belt. “And if you want to aim that at me through the entire bathing ritual, I’ll understand. My only goal is to make Gaia comfortable.”
There was an expression of almost childlike bliss in Luke’s eyes. “What a loving, gracious offer. I’m sure Gaia will be delighted. What’s more, you and I can take a short detour once we’re upstairs so I can show you your room. I constructed it specifically for you. You’ll stay there from now until the ascension. It’s just down the hall from Gaia’s room, and it will be far more comfortable for you than this jail cell. You’ve more than proven your trustworthiness.” He extended his hand, helped Sloane climb off the mattress and onto her feet—then quickly broke off all physical contact. “Come. Let’s leave this place.”
Sloane accepted his assistance, at the same time making note of his reluctance to touch her. Her legs were wobbly, but her adrenaline was running high. She’d earned Luke’s trust. She was gaining admittance to Lillian’s room.
Now she had to get her hands on that cell phone.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
I’m so very proud of Artemis.
I know what it cost her to relinquish her freedom and commit herself to paradise. She has no reason to believe in its existence, other than her faith in me.
I’m honored.
And I won’t disappoint her.
If I’d thought she’d even consider bathing Gaia, I would have returned to her that much sooner. Gaia’s pleas to be bathed had broken my heart. But I could no sooner remove my mother’s clothing and touch her body than I could turn my back on her request. So I was stuck in an untenable position.
Artemis had rescued me.
She was as superb as I’d surmised. The perfect Artemis. I’d chosen brilliantly.
Before we went to Gaia, I’d show her the palace I’d built for her.
I could think of no better way to show her how I feel.
Luke was right behind her. Sloane could feel his presence as they climbed the stairs. So she kept her demeanor upbeat, and her step as steady as she could. Her body still hadn’t shaken off all the drugs. But, on the whole, she was in pretty good shape.
The house—at least as much as she could glimpse of it—looked like an old stone mansion that had been unoccupied for God knew how long. It had that musty smell that accompanied a place that had been vacant for ages, and an eerie silence that accentuated the fact that most of the expansive space was unused. The basement, which was where Sloane had been and where the other woman presumably still were, was below ground level, which was why it felt like a tomb. The main floor was clean but sparsely furnished, and as Luke guided her toward the second flight of stairs, Sloane got a glimpse of the practically bare living and dining rooms. She also noticed that there were several other rooms located behind them. She wondered what was in those rooms, and then abruptly decided she didn’t want to know. Not unless they contained the incendiary device he’d assembled to burn this place to the ground.
When they reached the top of the second-floor landing, Luke stopped her.
“Gaia’s room is that way.” He pointed to the left, a short corridor that appeared to contain two bedrooms. Sloane’s best guess was that one of them was Lillian’s and the other was Luke’s. “Yours is directly across to the right.”
Of course it was. Luke would never allow those in his charge—be it loved one or prisoner—to be too far from his watchful eye.
He led her over there, halting in front of the room’s polished mahogany door.
“I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for this day,” he confessed as he unlocked the door and pushed it open. “Go in. See the opulent quarters I built for you.”
Sloane’s jaw dropped as she walked across the threshold. White marble floors. Lavish walls—decorated with murals of Artemis, her hounds, and her bow and quiver of arrows. Polished, ornate pieces of mahogany furniture that Sloane suspected were all antiques, probably worth a large sum. A four-poster bed, with a bedspread and canopy of lime-green silk, with matching pillow shams. And tall, hand-painted urns on either side of the bed.
“I don’t believe this,” she managed.
