Chapter 5

"This could be worse," Steve says and sits on the stone bed, huddled in the corner.

Maybe.

Our room is a cubby hole carved out of the black rock with a thick curtain covering the entrance; one low hanging light glows like red embers. Surprisingly, the city is slightly more civilized than I had initially imagined. But this is still bad.

"At least we are safe in here," I mutter, in our tiny rock sanctuary.

Org city consists of deep tunneling, and it extends way underground, like the tip of the ice burg, under the water is a massive rock structure.

Luckily if you walk hunched over and keep your head down, no one really notices you. I feel a sense of panic walking through the towering tunnels. I feel so closed off, almost like I can't breathe or escape.

I can't wait for this week to end.

I met Brayja, and surprisingly, he was able to talk to me. I told him I was hiding out and he needed to keep this between us, but I was going to help him escape.

He seemed very enthused.

"So, Brayja already likes you, eh?" Steve takes a hit.

"I only got to talk with him for a short while, but I think so," I say, "Maybe this is not such a bad idea. He told me how brave I am and that he will make it up to me." I grin, not being able to help it.

Steve laughs. "You can't be already in love with this guy?"

"With his money, I am," I say and roll my eyes.

I know that sounds bad, but I can't help what I want.

"So you're a high-class, FGI gold digger. I dig it," he laughs more, "Get it? Digggg it?"

"Clever," I say and huddle against the opposite corner. "I can't help it; I just know what I want and what I want is not have to worry about being poor. I was homeless for five years, living on the streets after my father died." I shrug, not wanting to think about how I was so skinny that I would pass out in public.

It would land me in the hospital, and at least I would get hydrated from an IV. But that was only temporally until I was kicked out to fend for myself again. The staff knew me, and I remember not being able to stand the looks of pity. Poor Camila. They would feed me and give me clothes but then ultimately, it was up to me. I grew up fast.

I swore never to experience anything like that again.

It traumatized me.

It jaded me.

"I can relate," Steven says, looking very thoughtful. "I do have a craving for gold watches and chains. It compliments my skin tone."

I smile, realizing he is serious.

He glances at me. "So, do you not want love and all that happily-ever-after stuff?" he asks and takes another hit. "Don't all females want that crap?" he blows out smoke.

I chuckle. "I'm not against having a mutual fondness for the man, but love? I'd rather not, it's what got me killed. Or, almost killed. Love is blind, and it makes you vulnerable."

He thinks for a second. "I'm hearin' what you're barkin'." He takes a breath and rests his head back, "To get a Sweetheart Necklace though, you will have to fake it then. It has to be a real love match. Or, you will not get any benefits from FGI after the mission. And trust me, you want FGI benefits. You get tons of shit; it's like a retirement package. One thing I will say, FGI takes care of their own. But, they just won't cover gambling debts, FYI."

I bite my lip. "You think I can fool Pierce?"

"That man is a ninja. If you do, I will be very impressed," he laughs.

"Your lips are sealed, then?"

He winks at me. "I don't know what you have experienced, but I'm a loyal partner." He continues with a slow smile, "Just don't fall in love with me toots, I don't need the extra drama. I already have three baby mamas back home." He gives me a half-smile that I'm assuming is his pick-up grin and raises his eye-brows over and over.

Wow.

Stoner Steven just got creepy.

I fight a grin and lean my head back on the cold stone. "I will try my best, Steven."

We both chuckle and close our eyes in exhaustion.

Brayja, my future husband. I think on that and realize he didn't have a mouth cover on like poor Eluno, and I could see his face. Shockingly he was handsome even after being a prisoner to my slight relief. I look at my nails, expelling a breath. Hairy, but good bone structure. It will make my case more believable when I confess my love for him. I almost laugh, I think Brayja will clean up nice enough to not make sleeping with him horrible.

Because I do enjoy a mutual attraction, I'm not into pretending to love an eighty-year-old man for his money. I love money, but not that much. I draw the line somewhere.

It's good to know I have some boundaries.

Though, I will say his bodyguard owns the eye department. Brayja's nondescript eye color cannot compete with Eluno's shocking orange-hued orbs. Maybe I can tease Brayja about that? If only he had Eluno's eyes, then I would surely fall in love with him.

"What did Eluno do to receive a mouth cover on half his face?"

Steve shrugs, eyes still closed. "Not sure probably just violence. Though Raine got the worst of it, I think, Orgs hate Nymphs more that valkyries." He opens his eyes and looks distant, must be in mystic mode. "Raine's kind are bigger threats to Orgs, generations of pasted down hatred. Raine from what I read does this weird thing with electricity like his mother so they jam this bendy rod down his throat to ground him."

My eyes widen, thinking how painful that would be. "Morbid."

"Yeah, if he talks, he could choke and die."

"Mierda," I whisper, shivering. "Do you think they did the same thing to Eluno?"

Steven shakes his head. "I wouldn't put it past them. Orgs are evil sons of bitches to other races but their own. They might do it just for fun."

One week and they are out.

"Two weeks is a long time to endure this torture," I say.

Steven nods. "Dude. These fantasy worlds are brutal. Too much power and shit here, like too many power trips. These creatures have zero empathy." He shrugs. "But if you smoke, it's not that bad."

I don't say anything, biting my lip.

"Okay, toots, day two. Let's get you to your fake, rich lover."

Back to the dungeons we go.

**

We are breathing hard as we flatten ourselves against the wall. This mountain sure takes a beating from the elements.

Dodging guards and security teams are my specialties, but this is slightly different. It's hard to see in the darkness, and everything looks the same. An air of malevolence surrounds these dark passageways. Sounds carry, so a water droplet can sound so close when it's not. But, we managed to make it, the crashing waves gently misting us. Strong wind currents carrying the droplets far and wide

It's good to have fresh air, away from the muggy and suffocating atmosphere in the hellish mountain.

"Did you get me an MP3 player? I could use something positive instead of all this darkness."

A small luxury in this hell hole.

Steve lifts his chin. "Who's the best partner??" he says it like I'm a dog.

"You are?"

He chuckles. "That's right sweet tits! I did get you one, and I also personally put some music on there for you. Consider it a partner's gift. Oh, and the music is translated into this language so you can understand it. So, it will sound the same to you, it's undetectable. "

Strange.

"First, don't call me sweet tits, it's weird, Steven. And secondly, thank you," I say and take the small music player with tiny headphones. "You're awesome."

He is beaming.

I pat him on the head. "Okay, see you soon. Wish me luck," I whisper and try and calm my pulse as I leave with my head down.

Finally, I get to Eluno's jail cell, and this time I'm not high, so the lock picking goes a lot smoother. I look around as I hear the gears shift, making a small echo. I expel a breath, hoping no one listened to that. I swallow and open the large door quickly and slide inside.

Safe.

I'm not going to lie. I did have a slight night terror about those eerie orange eyes. I take a breath, and slowly turn to see Eluno open his eyes to look at me from under the hood of his cloak. He is much larger than Brayja, but I guess he'd have to be.

I shiver.

"Hello," I whisper.

I suck in a breath when I see that one of his eyes is black and blue. I bite my lip as his gaze follows me, his fire stare pinning me and very alert.

"I'm going to get you out of here," I whisper, hoping he understands. I wonder what pain they were putting him through.

Eluno's barely visible eyes widen slightly.

Like he understood what I said? I need to ask Steven what level of understanding he has, maybe I'm not giving him enough credit. I slowly sit against the wall, thankful I'm not high, that was probably bizarre for him to witness last time.

"I know the Gaya Empire is on their way. It's just a little bit longer," I say, trying to ease some of his pain.

His stare burns into me.

I shiver. Was Eluno this intense last time?

I don't remember much from the weed high, unfortunately.

I look around, feeling oddly exposed, not sure what to say with his full attention on me. I clear my throat and pull out my MP3 player. His gaze lowers to it, then back up to me, eyes narrow.

I smile.

He's curious about it. "Eluno, this is a music player to pass the time," I say and shrug. "Not dangerous."

He looks down at it as I turn it on, the little screen lighting up. I plug in my headphones and put them in my ears. "Alright Steven," I say to myself. "What did you put on here for me?"

I cringe.

I sigh. "Ricky Martin? Seriously?" I whisper to myself. What am I? Ten? There are like four songs on here, didn't Steven know that this could hold a lot more? A lot more current songs!?

Sigh.

Beggars can't be choosers.

I grin.

Livin La Vida loca here I come on Org Mountain, oh no, someone stop me. I push play, and instantly, the song blares in my ears, making me slightly laugh. The familiar tune of the Latin song immediately boosts my spirits.

Eluno tilts his head slightly, regarding me under the hood of the cloak.

I start moving my head and my shoulders to the beat. "Eluno, if I were not scared of you, I'd let you hear." I start moving my legs. "Her lips are Devil red, and her skin's the color mocha," I sing along with the song then quiet my voice. "She will wear you outtttt" And bob my head.

He sits up slightly, making me stop singing.

"Sorry," I breathe. "Blink twice if I'm irritating you."

He just stares at me then glances back down to the player.

I'm curious if he knows what I just said or if he is just bewildered. "Blink once if you want to see me dance."

I'm not going to, just curious if he is understanding me.

Eluno blinks.

My eyes widen.

"You want to see me dance? You understand what I said?" I ask, my mouth hanging open in shock.

His eyes lock with mine, and he blinks.

I shiver slightly, feeling weird. His gaze is making me feel, how should I describe it? Uncomfortable?

He looks too intelligent, which I know is not the case, but I'm starting to wonder.

Maybe he is interested in me?

I clamp my mouth shut. I wonder if Eluno has ever had an experience with a female before? It would be very natural for him to be curious. I mean, I did show my thong stupidly. He has almost seen me half naked thanks to Steven's weed.

My cheeks stain red, remembering his eyes tracing over my legs and round butt.

"I'm not going to dance for you Eluno. Trust me. It would shock your sensibilities. You would never be the same again. Traumatized. Where I'm from, our dancing is very," I pause, searching for the word. "Inappropriate."

Naughty.

I'll save that for Brayja.

Mierda

His gaze narrows, making me curious.

"Eluno," I say, "Do you have any experience with a woman? Blink once for yes."

Just curious.

He does not blink, confirming my suspicions; he just watches me in that intense way. I bite my lip as I ponder him. It seems he is able to have basic conversations, making this a little less boring.

He still observes me, and he keeps glancing down at my Mp3.

I shimmy a little bit. "Latin music, Eluno." I smile through my mesh covering. "The beat is very fun." I tilt my head. "Do you want to hear?" I ask. "Blink once—"

He blinks.

I expel a breath. "Steven warned me not to get too close to you. You could kill me."

His eyes narrow again.

I bite my lip, thinking about how much this man has been tortured. It would not hurt for him to take his mind off this dark place with a little fun. And, it would be entertaining to see his reaction to Ricky.

I do have life-lines, right?

Yes.

"Eluno, will you hurt me?"

He shakes his head, no, and I can hear the chains around his neck echo off the hard rock.

My mouth drops open; he is responding more. His eyes burn into me, not ever recalling anyone with that amount of expression in a gaze. Fascinating, actually.

His eyes are liquid fire.

Mierda.

I will have to ask Steven more about Eluno because he is not looking at me like he is slow. Actually, I feel a blush rise to my neck and face from his intensity. I shake my head and clear my throat. "If you try anything, I will not help you escape. I'm excellent friends with Brayja, so there will be repercussions."

He nods.

I think I'm a special kind of stupid.

Play stupid games win stupid prizes.

I slowly sit up and crawl very slowly towards him. The way he watches me is quite unnerving, like a predator luring in the small, naive prey. "No funny business," I murmur, swallowing. He is a very large man, I realize, as I'm now right in front of him. I wonder if he can smell me? Pierce lathers me in this magical vanilla/coconut scent that is luxurious and potent.

I thought Brayja would like it.

I can feel my pulse hammering as he watches me.

His eyes look even more exotic up close, and I have to repress a shiver. Why did I offer this? I can tell Eluno is extremely muscular by the sheer size of him in his dark cloak. He is a bodyguard for crying out loud. He could snap me in half.

He nods his head as if to urge me.

I swallow again, "okay," I breathe.

I can feel the power in him, and it's scaring me. Maybe fate wants me dead because I cheated it — Final Destination coming after me.

Eluno could snap my neck.

Game over.

On shaky knees, I'm kneeling right next to him. "I'm going to put these in your ears, do not be alarmed." I lean in really close to him, our faces mere breaths away. Eluno can probably hear the rapid beat of my pulse.

He can only see my eyes, just like I can only see his.

And they are mesmerizing.

"Eluno, has anyone ever told you," I pause, swallowing, "you have very vibrant eyes?"

Nevermind the black eye he acquired.

He just stares at me, not blinking.

"Well, you have a very stunning eye color. That is a compliment," I say, making sure he understands. I look down and frown. The cord to the headphones is too short, making me curse.

Not long enough for this distance.

He nods to his lap.

"You want me to sit in your lap?" I whisper in awe.

This is such a strange scenario.

He nods.

My eyes trace over his leather mask then to his spiky dog collar with large chains hooked to it. I swallow, trying to see more of his face. If I didn't know any better, I'd say this bodyguard is not bad on the eyes. I'm thinking he could be...hot.

Like, really hot.

I close my eyes. No. I'm not getting turned on by Eluno, I'm not.

Nope.

Only If I was into Doms and Subs.

He is just curious. I take a breath and dive in, I lean over him and straddle his lap, which brings us to a very awkward position.

Bad idea.

Mierda, Camila.

I'm breathing fast as I feel his hard body beneath mine. He feels like titanium— so much restrained energy. My senses are on overdrive, my thoughts malfunctioning.

Eluno is extremely powerful.

Dangerous.

I wonder if I could tap into his power and free him? I will have to ask Steven about that. I clear my throat, my cheeks staining red as I feel him shift under me, chains clanking. I'm not going to think or dwell on what I am feeling under me.

My girl parts are right on top of his man parts.

Stop.

It.

I need help.

I will not sexualize a man who has been tortured, and who most likely does not understand what he feels.

I give myself a mental shake, not meeting his gaze. "Okay, listen, and I will get off." I slightly glance at him and he is looking down at my bare calf, my brown gown riding up from the position.

He raises his gaze to mine, and I feel lightheaded.

What is happening?

Why is he looking at me like that? I feel like I'm experiencing hot flashes. He looks down at me and nods to my player, jolting his hips a bit to get me moving.

I take a slow breath. "You understand more than I thought, Eluno," I whisper, feeling like I ran a mile. I raise to my knees bringing myself almost eye level with him. What am I doing? My fingers feel clumsy as I pull back his hood slightly that reveals glossy black hair. I bite my lip as my gaze locks with his.

I swallow, finding his slightly pointed ear. No, I will not think about how my earlier assessment of this bodyguard's attractiveness is spot on.

I think Eluno is quite a stunning creature.

Focus Camila. "Okay, this song was really popular for a long time where I'm from. Now, it's an oldie but goodie," I say, trying to defend it. He probably has no idea what I'm saying. I'll have to remember to pop Steven on the head to get me more current songs.

He nods.

I put the buds in his ears, and I push play, a smile forms on my lips as I watch him. His eyes are narrowed on me and suddenly, his gaze widens.

I laugh, being able to hear the song.

I'm crossing so many things off my bucket list right now.

I mouth the lyrics that I hear, 'I feel a premonition, that girl gonna make me fall....' I smile as he looks down, listening to the foreign music. This must be so weird for him

I start to slightly dance, making him look up at me and I mouth, 'She'll make you take your clothes off and go dancing in the rain...'

Then I hear as I wait.

The sound is oddly intoxicating, breaking up this negative energy.

'Once you've had a taste of her you'll never be the same...'Upside, inside out she's livin' la vida loca!'

The air between us shifts.

I stop moving as I realize his chained hands are now gripping my thighs, hard, slightly squeezing. I suck in a breath, not thinking how he might react. It's a sexual, playful song. I thought he might not understand the lyrics and just think it's bizarre, fun even.

I look down and see his hands loosen and let go of my upper thighs.

Glancing back at him I can still hear the song and I slowly take out the buds. "Eluno, I am going to get off now, okay?" I am tense and alarmed.

He nods and closes his eyes.

I want to groan, he must be frustrated, confused...

I glance at his exposed hand and frown. Is everything on him pretty? His hands and fingers look long and graceful, strong. Not at all what I expected.

I think I have done enough here today.

I get off of him feeling odd, shaken, and confused. I guess I have more in common with Eluno that I thought.

We both are not very smart.

Or, maybe that's just me?