The words keep coming out of my mouth. This is definitely not what I thought this room would be. A laundry room, perhaps. There were undoubtedly a handful of people around to watch me get dragged across that foyer. They must wash their clothes somewhere.
But this room is a bath.
I look down at the pearls, and for the first time in my life, I wonder if I will need them for cash. I wouldn’t even know where to sell these; I just know that good ones cost money, and on the floor in front of me must be about twenty-five grand’s worth of pearls. Last week, I wouldn’t have batted an eye at dropping that amount of money on anything.
Right now, all I can think about is that that could get me to Greece. Everything at my old apartment was passcodes and biometrics, no key required. My passports are in the fire safe under my bed;Yiayia’swedding set is in that safe. I have to get those things.
My next thought makes me pause, the pearls and rubble at my feet rippling into a vision of a possible future.
I’m on the ferry to Paxos, the island in front of me, a fresh start away from all of this. My soulmate grabs my hand, she looks relaxed. There isn’t any fear when she looks into my eyes. These pearls would be enough to at least get us there, and I knowYiayiawould let us stay with her for as long as it took.
It’s too perfect, but I grasp onto it with all the control I have in my new life.
New plan ascertained, I scoop up all pearls. The steam in the baths has me dripping sweat just from walking around the pool. There are jars, bottles, and vases in every available spot, but none of them are empty. Each is filled with an oil, herbs, or balm that smells heavenly.
“Another time,” I tell myself. I am certainly treating myself to a full-day spa experience here once everything is settled.
Finally, a small terracotta figurine is buried in the far corner behind a chipped vase. The paint on it is nearly rubbed away, but it’s solid. When I gently lift the top half off, there is no balm or dried herbs. Not even dust at the bottom. I gently drop the pearls into the base and say a quick thank you to Love for all they have provided me.
There is no telling the purpose of this pot. Too many Saturdays spent in Greek school as a kid have taught me that these figurines could be for anything. It’s never a good idea to risk the wrath of a god, and since I pledged my soul to one, it makes sense to offer them thanks.
I set the figurine back as I found it and head towards the slatted wood doors on the opposite side. Steam wafts from the heated pool and clings to me and my makeshift dress. The doors are a set of pocket doors, each slat a twisting of dark and light wood. They are damp from the air and release a sweet, green smell.
Confidence. You are meant to walk out these doors, I tell myself. My chest rises, and on my next breath out, I let the weight of everything go. It’s just like any other event. I plaster on an at-ease expression with a soft smile. I am meant to be walking out of the baths and asking for a fresh set of clothes. I don’t know anything about the exploded wall behind me.
The doors glide open like magic, and I wander into this massive hotel lobby. That’s the only way I can describe this room. Artistically high ceilings, marble walls, more immaculate floor mosaics– it reminds me of the first resort we opened in Greece. Everything feels oddly like home. There is an arch that leads to an impressive dining area, a hall with doors that must lead to private rooms, and more open space beyond that I can’t even see.
The only thing missing are windows. Not a touch of natural light in this place. Everything is lit with warm, low lamps that hang from chains attached to the ceiling. It’s ethereal but causes goosebumps to scatter across my arms. As I rub them away, I spot a hulking woman with braids and green skin.
“Hey, newbie,” she waves jovially and starts walking over to me. “How ya feelin’? I saw ‘em carry you inside during my shift.”
“Tired and a little hungry,” I admit once she is standing in front of me. Monsters are real, I remind myself, act natural.
“Yeah,” she sighs, twisting a small bead in one of her braids. “First day’s always… weird. Nargol, by the way.”
She thrusts her hand out to me, and I shake it gently. Her palm is massive, encompassing my own easily, but her touch is light. The rough calluses on her hand scrape against mine when she takes her hand back.
“Del,” I say.
“Captain just left for the day and didn’t give ya no clothes, huh?”
It’s my turn to play with my hair. I smooth a section of curls behind my ear and give her a sheepish look. Playing dumb is the best option right now. I don’t know what happened after I was tossed in that room. No need to inform this nice monster lady that I haven’t been given clothes because I am a prisoner.
“Yeah, when I woke up, I looked for something and got a bit turned around.”
“Don’t take it personally,” she assures me as she turns to start walking away from the baths. “Captain’s been… busy lately and not really around if she isn’t working.”
There is an apparent tone in her explanation that says I should not ask a single question about what the captain has been up to. For whatever reason, I’m not privy to that information.
Yet.
Once I prove to her that we are meant to be and that it’s best that she accepts me, there won’t be any secrets between us. Any worry, fear, or concern that she has, I want to be able to help her. Whatever is going on with her, I will always support her.
We walk down the long hallway, and I have to force myself not to stare at the mosaic. It is a work of art, one that feels like we shouldn’t be stepping on it at all. The geometric pattern from the foyer has twisted into tentacles that remind me of Love. Deep blue tendrils are lined with pink quartz tiles that appear to be glowing as they do. Nargol stops in front of the door and checks me out, openly. It’s a bit of a surprise, but I refuse to shy away from the heat of her gaze. Love said my favours were mine, even showing me a heated vision with multiple women, and I have always liked sharing.
She smiles brightly. Broken tusks that frame her lips peek out as she flashes her teeth. Her soft chuckle follows her as she steps into the room. I follow behind her and nearly stumble. The gasp that comes out of me is awe filled.
“You more masc or a femme?”
