Chapter 7
“Miss Latimer, wake up. It's time to go.”
Celine stretched and cracked open an eye to see A’idah standing at her bedside, wringing her hands in front of her.
“It's okay A’idah, I'm up.” She needed to put the girl at ease. She always seemed to be looking over her shoulder, but for what, Celine hadn't figured out.
“I will lay out your clothes for travel while you shower. Can I bring you some coffee or juice?” A’idah stepped back from the bed and Celine sat up and swung her legs over the side.
“You don't have to bring me anything, A’idah.” Having someone at her beck and call had been nice, but now it was too much. She could take care of herself, just like always. “I can take care of myself.” She spoke it aloud, even if only to convince herself.
“Please, allow me to serve you –”
“Go get her coffee and for heaven sake, stop simpering and pouting like a whipped dog.” Solana strode into the room like she owned it, startling A’idah, who shot Celine a fearful glance and darted from the room.
Irritation chased the last bit of sleepiness from Celine and she stood, careful not to move too fast and strain her still sore muscles. A’idah might cower to Mankel's daughter, but not Celine. “You didn't have to be so rude to her.”
“She is a slave. Not that it will be your concern any longer. Transportation will leave in an hour. I am here to see that you are bathed and dressed properly.” Solana barked out her commands from behind the blue screen of her hood.
The dress, meant to hide a woman’s shape, only made Solana seem more domineering.
Not that Celine had any intention of backing down. “I can bathe and dress myself.”
“Then hurry. We are on a schedule.”
A’idah rushed back into the room, carrying a large gold tray, and Celine bit back her retort. Instead, she spun and strode into the large, luxurious bathroom, shutting the double doors behind her and wishing for a way to lock them. But she'd discovered yesterday there was no lock.
She went to the shower and turned on the water with a sigh.
She wasn't going to miss much about this place, but the bathroom, which was large enough to fit her entire apartment back home inside. The shower was completely made from glass and took up the center of the room, almost like a masterpiece. She eased the satiny low-cut nightgown off and stepped inside. The deep V of the gown had clearly exposed the deepening bruises on her chest, but she hadn’t cared.
Merely wearing something that felt like home had been worth having to fight to ignore the evidence of her near rape.
That thought spurred her into motion and she washed quickly.
No matter how much she wanted to savor the hot water, she wanted to go home more.
When she emerged, wrapped in a towel, Solana stood waiting.
“I've brought your clothing for today. You must keep yourself covered from the moment you leave the room.”
Celine glanced at the blue garment laid out on the bed and cringed. “No way. Your dad brought me new clothing to wear today.” She glanced around for the fashionable jeans and blouse.
“You want to go home, then you put it on.”
“Where is your father? He said he’d take me to see Caroline.”
“My father has wasted enough time on you.”
“I'm not wearing that.”
“Then you won't leave this room,” Solana said, and Celine got the distinct impression the girl smirked behind her mask.
“I demand to see Mr. Mankel.” Celine crossed her arms and lifted her chin.
“What more do you want from him? He saved your life, you expect him to completely interrupt his schedule for your every little whim? You Americans are so full of yourself.” Solana stepped forward, her gown floating around her like a ghost.
Celine clenched her hands into fists at her sides and tried to remember that this was not her home.
She would be on a plane to the United States today and never have to see this horrible place or this horrible girl again.
“Fine. I'll wear it over my new clothes and as soon as I'm on that plane, I'm trashing it. Now take me to Caroline.”
Solana hovered so close to her she caught a glimpse of her wide eyes through the fine grill of material and felt the first surge of satisfaction. “Here.” Solana opened a nearby mahogany trunk, pulled out Celine’s clothing and tossed it to her. “You can see the other girl on the plane.”
Celine caught her jeans mid-air, grabbed the burka off the bed and marched back into the bathroom to dress.
Before she knew it, she was standing before the floor length mirror staring at herself through the masked head scarf, fighting off the grips of claustrophobia. Breathe. Just until you get on the plane.
Celine emerged from the bathroom and stood stiff while Solana walked in a slow circle around her. “Good. Follow me. Keep your eyes lowered and do not speak to anyone.”
“How would anyone know if I had my eyes lowered or not in this thing?” Celine countered.
Solana kept quiet for once and strode from the room, leaving Celine to chase after her. Caroline might already be waiting and then they'd be on their way home, together.
Solana hurried down the hall and Celine limped along behind her, catching quick flashes of tall marble statues and beautiful paintings.
“Keep up, I don't have all day.” Solana's sharp words snapped Celine back to the present.
Solana turned a corner, her blue robes swishing behind her and then they were outside, surrounded by potted plants and bright tropical looking flowers.
Huge fountains dotted the courtyard and a black Land Rover, like the one that brought her here, sat parked and waiting, two burly men in black suits standing guard.
“Where is Caroline?” Celine stopped a few feet away.
“She's being escorted down. Get in the car.” Solana gestured to the open back door.
“I'm not getting in there without Caroline.” Everything about this morning was wrong. Mr. Mankel should have been here. Caroline should be here. Solana gestured to one of the men and Celine's chest tightened as she stumbled back a step.
“Stupid Americans, always so stubborn. Well, you won't be for long; your new owner will certainly see to that.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You'll find out soon enough. Trent, put her in the back, but be careful not to bruise her further.”
The blond man with a scar running down his jaw crossed the distance between them so quickly that Celine didn't have time to react.
He hauled her to the car and tossed her in the back seat.
Celine scrambled for the other door, but he grabbed her foot and yanked, sending her sprawling on the seat.
The door in front of her opened and Solana stood there.
“You should learn to keep your mouth shut, it will make your life much easier in the future. Dmitri doesn't like mouthy women.”
Celine started to shake as she realized she wasn't going to meet the senator, or even going home.
“My family will find me,” she lied, though she knew her words were meaningless.
Whatever forces she was dealing with could wipe her name off the face of the planet in the amount of time it took to snap a finger, and she knew that.
Her situation was as hopeless as believing that Aaron cared enough to find her.
“Your family doesn't care about you.” Solana hissed and leaned down over Celine. “We only wanted the other girl, not you. No one wants you.”
Something sharp pricked her arm. She saw Solana holding a needle and her terror returned.
“Caroline.” Celine's tongue turned thick and heavy, her body hot.
“You want to see your precious Caroline?” Solana slowly lifted the veil covering her face.
Celine tried to scream but all she could do was moan and stare up helplessly into the girl’s face.
There was no scarred skin or even the dark hair and skin like she'd expected. No, Celine stared up at the picturesque blond beauty of Caroline Cotter.