Chapter 25 Laura #2
Polished stone walkways arc away from us, lined with lush, vibrant gardens bursting with exotic flowers.
Fountains sculpted into graceful shapes gurgle peacefully in the shade of trees.
A massive, ivory-white mansion sprawls in the distance, its sleek lines and shimmering windows catching the light as if carved from opalescent stone.
The walls surrounding us are high and smooth, and while I’m sure they’re great at keeping intruders out, they feel more like an embrace.
Like Dom’s arms, shutting the world out and creating a sense of absolute security.
This place is its own little world.
As the door slides open, I climb out of the car.
The air’s still hot but there’s a breeze from somewhere, and the gold and red plants give everything a fall vibe.
Small groups of young girls walk along the pathways chattering to one another, all dressed in simple, elegant robes that flutter in the breeze.
They move with self assurance, their little hands gripping sleek, shiny devices, or hoisting themselves into hover cars without a second thought.
It’s clear they’re perfectly at home here, as if they’ve never known fear or danger.
One of the youngest, a tiny girl with golden curls and wide, curious eyes, skips right up to Samara.
“Hello, Prif!” she chirps, flashing her a bright smile. Around us, more young girls echo the greeting in cheerful voices.
Samara’s cold demeanor softens instantly. She smiles down at them with genuine warmth.
“Hello, my darlings,” she replies, her voice motherly, a far cry from the hard-edged woman who sat opposite me in the car, measuring every single one of my responses. She places a gentle hand on the little girl’s shoulder as she passes, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
The contrast throws me for a moment. Samara, who moments ago was sneering at me and dismissing Dom, now looks almost… tender. This place, this walled haven, is a kingdom ruled by women, a place where they can exist without threat, safe and secure. And I see the appeal.
But they’re also in a bubble, walled off from any challenge to their authority. They’re growing up in a world that’s built for them and them alone.
Is that better than what we have? It's dizzying to think about.
Samara makes her way down the path to the mansion, her friends beside her. Girls turn their attention to me, a few of them whispering behind their hands, casting curious glances in my direction.
I'm utterly alone here apart from my emotional support plant, but I hang back at the car, where Dom is.
Then the doors hiss shut behind me.
“Hey!” I shout, and when that doesn't work I slam my fists against the windows. “Open up!”
But I'm speaking nonsense to these aliens. I try to grab hold of the seal around the door but it's all smooth metal now, cold and unyielding against my fingernails.
Then it moves.
Shit.
As it takes off, I jerk forward, dumped on my front in the courtyard. The ache in my chest vibrates with the engines as they roar away, splintering my heart to pieces.
I can't panic. I have to think, have to do something. I have to do it now.
I get up and take off running after Samara.
“Stop!” I yell at her.
The golden haired woman glances back at me with that same piercing look from before, her face settling back into its usual cool mask.
I draw up panting, trying to breathe through my panic. “Where's the car going, where are you taking Dom?”
“Where he belongs.”
“And where's that?”
She smirks but doesn't answer.
Shit. He's fucked, unconscious in the trunk of a flyer headed who knows where. They could shoot him now and I'd be helpless to do anything. I've utterly failed to protect him as I so blithely stated I would.
My original reason for coming seems so stupid as I lean into the connection between us. ‘Dom, wake up!’
Nothing.
The other women regard me with amusement in their eyes. “Let's show you some real jewels of Oloria,” Blondie says, and they lead the way inside.
With no better ideas, I follow, my grip on Shade shaking.
As we reach the entrance to the mansion, Samara pauses. “Welcome to my home. This is the heart of our sanctuary, where we raise and protect our future.” She gestures toward the massive doors, which slide open silently, revealing the gleaming interior beyond.
The inside is just as immaculate as the exterior—high ceilings, polished stone floors, walls lined with artwork glowing softly in the ambient light. Everything is pristine, beautiful, and sterile, like a show home, designed to be admired rather than lived in.
I take a deep breath, my gaze shifting between Samara and the fortress around me.
Her eyes narrow slightly, a gleam of pride mixed with something darker. “Here, we’re in control. We’ve learned from the mistakes of our ancestors, human. We won’t let our society fall into chaos.”
Along with the worry for Dom, I suddenly realize what's rocking my world view. I'm not in command here, I'm being tossed around.
She motions for her friends to precede us, stepping close to me. Her voice dropping to a whisper meant only for me. “Stay close, human. You’re about to learn exactly what it means to live in our world.”