My only connection with the time was the clock that chimed every thirty minutes; it was confusing to my body and its senses and the hours of the day eluded me. I glanced around the cavernous room; the high, once stained glass windows were now covered in what looked like a thin, black film of paint. Tiny pinholes of light pricked the covering and I squinted to watch a billion dust mites dance in the shafts that managed to sneak through. I turned to Gabrielle, only to find her eyes already on me.
She smiled, "I suppose you have lots of questions Jessie?" She stated without surprise and as if she had read my mind. "It must be strange for you."
"Well, yeah." I said, flicking my eyes up to the windows specifically and then back at her.
She cast a long, lingering look over the length of my body and sent shock waves surging through me despite any form of physical contact. "I don't suppose my story about the priceless artefacts being damaged by sunlight, or the lack of it helping us to maintain our harmonious existence will suffice, will it?" She asked hopefully but with no conviction.
I shook my head, lips tight, resolution steadfast. "Nope," I said, taking yet another swallow from my bottomless goblet of wine. My growing confidence was attributed solely to the effect it was having on me and I was about to be grateful for it. What Gabrielle divulged, rocked my world and changed it irrevocably.
"I thought as much," she said standing and offering me her hand, "come on."
We left the room only to immediately enter what now served as a study adjoining it. Its walls were lined with more books than any one human being was capable of reading in a lifetime; and in the centre of the room stood a majestic limestone fireplace, its surround decorated with amusingly grotesque gargoyle heads. I might have enquired further as to the history of the house had I not been so consumed by the curiosity of the here and now. Silently, she gestured to the more modern looking replica writing desk behind me and gently pushed me into a sitting position on the edge of it, slowly, she manoeuvred herself between my legs.
The nearness of her was overwhelming. It was as if the scene was running in slow motion as she leaned even further into me. I could feel the insistent weight of her hands on my thighs as she kissed me with fervour, her mouth devouring mine. Passion exploded inside me, like paint thrown against a canvas, as my inexperienced hands grasped at perfectly formed buttocks. Pulling her hips further into me, travelling underneath the silk of her shirt to caress the soft, marble skin of her well-toned back. I felt alive, as her kisses grew hungrier and obviously expert hands tore at my clothing. All thoughts of my quest for answers having disappeared the second her lips met mine.
I heard her gasp in my ear as I moved my own hands around the front of her and covered perfect breasts, nipples immediately stiffening as my fingertips brushed them in an effort to get beneath the black lace of her bra. I struggled to breathe as she put her hands on my chest and gently, but insistently pushed me away. Taking my face in them, she made me look at her. "Wait," she breathed, eyes glazed, lips slightly parted. I wanted her more than I ever recalled wanting anything before this moment. "I need to show you something." She finished.
I swallowed hard, horrified that she could deem anything else more important than what we were doing right at that moment, as she stepped back and trembling fingers began undoing buttons, her eyes never leaving mine. One by one, she slid them out of their holes. With more resistance than I knew I possessed, I fought to keep my hands resting on her slim hips, eager for any kind of contact with her glorious form, as she slowly revealed more of her perfect body. Finally, she let her shirt fall to the floor and I sucked in my breath as I took in every inch of her. An artist striving to capture everything that was beautiful could have sculpted her. Every muscle of her body was exquisitely cut and defined in the soft candlelight. Her femininely rounded shoulders shone slightly with perspiration and I watched in awe, as a tiny droplet ran down the ravine between her high, pale breasts. I traced a shaking finger after it, my breaths coming in short bursts; but they caught in my throat when my burning gaze fell upon the only blemish she was capable of harbouring.
At the base of her slender neck, in the hollow above her collarbone, were two pronounced scars, the skin around them a faded mauve colour. I moved to touch them, but she caught my hands with the reflexes of a martial art expert, her eyes afraid as they met mine.
"I have to explain Jessie, it's only fair that you know what you're involved in."
I laughed nervously, the events of the past forty eight hours flashing in and out of my mind like someone was changing slides. Even though it was against my better judgement, it all slowly began to fall into place like some kind of lunatic puzzle.
"Jessie, you have to listen to me, my meeting you... your being here, it's no coincidence."
"I'm beginning to realise that!" I snapped, my fear emerging as anger. "Just what the fuck is going on Gabrielle?"
She took both of my hands, her beautiful face serious. "We chose you Jessie, I chose you - we need your help," she sighed. "You might have already noticed, things are a little different here."
"No kidding? What is this? Some kind of..of feminist movement? A religious cult? What?"
She shook her head frustrated, "No, it's nothing like that. You're free to leave anytime you want, we--."
"--You bet I am!" I interrupted, freeing myself from her and ducking to one side. "And that's exactly what I'm gonna do - right now!"
She caught my arm and spun me around roughly to face her. After a second or two her eyes were desperate, but not before she allowed me to glimpse a flash of fathomless, black anger.
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