AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“An unspoken test is still a test,” I tell him, reassuring him that even if it were a formal test of some sort, I’d still follow through. I’m ready to step into the unknown with him.
A long stone hallway stretches before us. To the right, I see stairs leading to what I assume is the main house, with softer and more inviting lighting. To the left, another stone arch leads to what appears to be a wine storage area.
Straight ahead are three more doors—one at the end and two on either side of us. My stomach rumbles with nerves, and the chill in the air makes me shiver and hold my coat firmly against me.
A heavy silence descends upon us as we enter the dimly lit halls, and I can’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. The corridors resemble a dungeon, and I can’t shake the notion that this might be a final walk for someone. The feeling gnaws at me, especially as Desmond leads me to the room straight ahead.
Dante heads to the room on our left and waits for us to pass before entering, leaving me with a cryptic, “Good luck.”
What does that even mean?
As we enter the room, lights flicker on, revealing a space that gives off a boardroom vibe. It’s vast, with a table and a dozen empty chairs. Behind the table is a small kitchenette and a bar. Doors on either side of the kitchenette sit slightly ajar, their contents hidden from view.
Mirrored seating areas rise to the right and the left, each with a small loveseat and coffee table, but it’s what I can’t see that catches my attention. As Desmond guides me to the left, I notice an utterly dark glass panel stretching from floor to ceiling. A quick glance to the right reveals another one.
Nervousness bubbles within me, preventing me from asking what’s happening or where we are. This is not a typical dinner date. It doesn’t even resemble any kind of date I’ve ever heard of.
“Would you like a drink?” Desmond asks, leading me to the couch and indicating I should sit.
“I’ll have what you’re having,” I mumble as I settle onto the most comfortable couch I’ve ever encountered.
He nods and heads off to the bar.
Licking my lips nervously, I scan the room, trying to absorb every detail without letting panic take hold. The room is formal, but something about it feels decidedly unconventional.
I realize this is a viewing room, but what in the world am I about to witness?
Desmond’s voice interrupts my thoughts as he approaches. “There’s a coatrack to your right, and the door behind the couch leads to a full bathroom if needed.”
Needing something to do, I get up and remove my coat, hanging it on the rack. My hat follows, making my hair stand on end. Free of my coat, my sweater slips off one shoulder as I pull the sleeves down over my hands. My gaze returns to the glass wall, and I step closer, though I don’t dare touch it for fear of smudging the glass.
“Old fashioned.” Desmond hands me a glass.
I take it and cradle it against my chest. He’s removed his coat and hat, and now he lifts his drink to his lips, never breaking eye contact with me as he sips.
The intensity with which he gazes at me feels charged, and I take a sip, letting the warmth of the drink soothe my nerves. “Why are we here, Desmond?” I finally break the silence. I can’t bear his quietness any longer.
“Sit with me.” His free hand lands on my lower back, and his warmth seeps through my sweater as he guides me back to the couch. “Last week, I assigned Lyric to your safety,” he begins.
My legs tremble slightly as I settle on the couch, angling myself so I can see both Desmond and the glass wall. “I have you to thank for Lyric catching the man in my basement,” I begin.
“You do,” he replies carefully, taking one final sip of his drink before placing it on the table. “How did you feel when you saw him?”
Understanding how Desmond operates, I realize he doesn’t want to hear about the incident itself. He wants to delve into the inner workings of my mind to understand my thoughts and emotions.
“I felt shocked, but that was mostly because Lyric grabbed me,” I explain as I sip my drink, setting it down on a coaster on the pristine coffee table. “Lyric had me, and I knew I was safe with him. It didn’t hit me until later how much danger we could have been in.”
“You trust Lyric,” Desmond observes, stating the obvious.
“I do,” I reply, even though I feel like I shouldn’t. He doesn’t shy away from violence, and there’s a certain recklessness about him I can’t ignore.
“Good,” Desmond purrs, picking up the remote from the center of the table. “This is the only chance I’ll give you to walk away.” His gaze remains fixed on the black wall, not on me.
I know he doesn’t want me to leave, and I hope I can handle whatever is about to transpire.
“What would you do to protect the ones you love, Charlotte?” Desmond inquires slowly, turning to face me. I notice the Roman numerals tattooed along his neck, but I can never remember what they mean. They stand out as his veins pulse, and I can tell that this moment holds great importance to him. His eyes are intense, and he grinds his teeth.
“I’ve never been in a position where I needed to make that choice,” I whisper.
