But I...

I liked this side of him.

Frowning, I set my foot on the floor, testing my weight. "Thanks, and sorry about your glass."

"It's fine. I didn't mean to scare you this morning. I was surprised to see you up so early. Did you have some plans?"

Opening my mouth, I hesitated. "Yes. I was going to work on the mural so I can finish it before next week."

He kept his face neutral, but nodded quickly. "I see. Have you given any thought to my offer, then?"

I can't, I just can't stay.

"I... think it would be better if I just got ready to focus on college, my classes. If that makes sense."

Seth was a wall; I couldn't read him. His lips-lips I still itched to kiss even now-were as neutral as the color grey. The only thing that gave me a hint he was upset, was the extra second of silence that slid between us.

Standing, he offered me a hand, his expression stoic. "Ms. Starling, I have nothing but respect for your pursuit of knowledge. I hope you'll decide to come back in the future, when you have the time."

Is he upset? If he is, just wait until Opal never returns.

Warily, I slid my palm in his, noticing how small it felt in his grasp. He helped me up, and I took a careful step. It stung, but it didn't hamper my movement.

"If you'll excuse me, I have some things to attend to. I have an important event in a few days that I need to prepare for." His smile was tight as a drum, his back facing me far too quickly.

I stood there, watching him vanish down the hall. As he left, I turned my head, catching a glimpse of that cursed golden door.

Its surface was shining, mocking me.

Yes, I thought sadly, I know exactly what event you're planning for, Master Onyx.

- Chapter Twelve -.

Naomi.

With long, labored strokes, I painted the mural.

It was the first time I could remember not enjoying my art. For days it had held no joy, no satisfaction. Knowing the piece would be completed soon felt like a guillotine above my head.

Filling my lungs, I pushed air between my tight lips.

This sucks.

There was no better way to frame it. The situation was unfair, I'd been forced to walk away from the thing I wanted most. The thing I hadn't even thought I could want.

Dragging the brush over the wall, I saw I'd run out of paint. Scowling, I pulled out my phone to look at the time. Almost eight. Dammit. I'd wanted to be done, gone out the door before anyone arrived for this evening's event.

Guess I messed that up, too.

Rubbing my neck, I massaged my knotted muscles. I ached all over, mostly from how awful my sleep had been. All those nightmares.

I couldn't stop thinking about his angry eyes, and in my dreams, he would shackle me to a wall, walking away without once looking back.

Abruptly my phone came to life, I almost dropped it in my surprise. Eyeing the number, I brightened up and answered it. "Hey Veronica, what's up?"

"Naomi! Hey! Just calling to check in, see how things were progressing."

"Well," I sighed, facing the painting. "The mural is pretty close to done and-"

"No, silly." Veronica's voice dropped an octave, burning with humor. "I meant the progress with you and Seth."

Tightening my fingers on the phone, I scanned the foyer below. No one had entered the house yet for the auction, but I still felt this conversation was better in private. Scurrying over the floor, I slammed the door of the guest room behind me. "Right. That whole thing."

"'That whole thing.' What a way to phrase it!"

"Veronica, listen. The stuff between me and Seth?" Sliding down the door, I sat on the ground. "It isn't going so well."

The girl on the line made a sympathetic sound. "Do tell."

"It just isn't going to work out. I-I guess you could say I messed up, thought he was someone else."

For a long minute, the willowy woman was quiet. When Veronica spoke next, she was dubious. "Okay, so is the person he really is someone bad, someone you don't like?"

Looking down at my feet, at the bandage, I wiggled my toes. "No, he isn't bad. He's just more than I bargained for, maybe? I don't even know. Veronica, there's more to him than I initially suspected."

Her hard laughter wasn't unkind. "Who the hell doesn't have more to them than we think at first? Naomi, you're looking at this all wrong."

"I am?"

"Yes! So your crush has more to him than on the surface. If it's good stuff, what's the big deal?"

What's the big deal?

The big deal was that Seth had a secret life, one I could never be a part of-because he would never let me. At least now I understood why a rich, dashing man like him was single.

The sinister side of him, the person who wanted to claim and dominate, didn't belong in his everyday life.

But then, he apparently doesn't want to keep anyone in his Dom life, either.

What the hell did he want?

A man who hides from everyone...

My attention roamed over to the closet. "I think," I said softly, "He might be ashamed of a big part of himself."

Veronica 'hummed' for a minute. "Then ask yourself this. He might be ashamed, but are you?"

Something clicked, as if I had a clock inside of my skull. It made me think of the pocket watch, the way I'd identified Onyx as Seth. When I'd learned the truth, I hadn't run away. Hell, the closer I got to Seth's shadowy persona, the more addicted I became.

Maybe he was ashamed of his secret.

But was I?

"I'm not ashamed of any part of him," I said thoughtfully. "Not even a little bit."

"Then maybe you should tell him."

Again, I stared at the closet. Tell him? Onyx had made it abundantly clear that I wasn't worthy of belonging to him. I'd been a fool. There was no place for him at his side.

Except... if I forced him to choose...

"I need to go, Veronica."

"What? Already?"

"Yeah," I whispered, rising with determination. "I just remembered something I have to do."

Standing in front of the gold door was harder than it had ever been before.

But I'd made up my mind.

I wasn't about to back down.

Stepping through, my silvery flats made no noise on my descent. Corbin waited by the curtain, I hardly gave him a glance. With my mouth in a tight line, I scribbled down my name.

My dress was close to matching the curtain, a deep violet hue. Inside the main room, there was a clear, excited vibe.

I know the reason. The auction is tonight.

Glancing side to side, I spotted Roseli. The taller girl was clad in a flowing, wispy thing the color of burnt caramel. Her hair was wound up, elaborate and lovely. She looked proud, radiant as she awaited her fate.

If I follow her, I'll know where to go, what to do.

It wasn't a long wait.

Helm strolled into the den, standing tall with a surety possessed only by kings. He was as intimidating as Master Onyx, but no where near as thrilling. Looking over the crowd, he gave a curt jerk of his head.

Instantly, Roseli and a few other girls began to follow him. I took a slow breath, trailing in among the tiny group slyly.

Onyx had told me I needed more training before being auctioned, but I had other ideas.

We moved down a hall I'd never explored, a path that opened up into the largest room so far. It was wide, brighter than the rest. Candles illuminated the round platform in the center, a place that drew my attention and held it.

That must be where we'll stand. We'll truly be like items in a showcase.

How right I was.

Helm motioned to Roseli, then one by one, the women began to ascend to the stage. I shook down to my marrow, avoiding the Master's gaze as I climbed the stairs. I thought he might say something about me being there, but he only smirked instead.

The second we were all lined up, a new group of collared slaves entered through the doors. I didn't know who they were, or why they were there.

"All of you are up for auction," Helm snapped at us. "Disrobe, then hand off your clothing."

Closing my eyes, I forced myself to relax. Of course, of course they'd want that.

The serene noise of fabric filled the air. Looking down at myself, I peeled away the purple gown. I wouldn't show fear.

I was here on a mission.

When everyone stripped off their under-garments, I held my chin high and copied them. The air was cool, my nipples firming in seconds. My small strip of soft curls between my legs was the only protection I had. I realized the other women were all completely shaved.

Bending down, I offered my clothing to one of the slaves, watching her her collar glinted. "Your shoes as well," the brunette whispered.

Reluctantly, I crouched to tug off my flats. The first was uneventful, but the second...

Oh shit, I almost gasped out loud.

There, wrapped around one heel, was a tiny bandage. My wound had healed over the past few days, but I'd kept it covered out of habit.

If Seth saw it, would he connect the dots between Opal and me?

Handing off my shoes, sweat slid down the middle of my chest. Calm down. It's just a little bandage. No way he'll notice.

"Now," Helm called out, hands folded like a general. "All of you will kneel, and all of you will be silent. The Masters are about to arrive, assisting you in the grandest of your journeys. You will be sold tonight, you will become property. Do not speak unless spoken to, do not act unless instructed."

Drained from tension, I was grateful to crumble to my knees. Turning sideways, I saw the other girls all held a particular position; backs straight, chest thrust, hands on their thighs.

Had they received more proper training that I had? Licking my bottom lip, I emulated them as best as I could.

It felt strange, sitting so quietly, my body exposed to the eyes of any who wandered around the circular stage. We were elevated, chest level with any Master who wandered close.

For what felt like forever, we sat there. My muscles began to cramp.

Helm spoke softly with his group of collared women, and they began arranging chairs around the room. They'd barely finished when the first footsteps down the hall reached my ears.

Holding my breath, I looked up.

They entered with cool grace, heads held high and jaws squeezed tight. Each of them masked, each of them a vision of pure, male dominance. Any one of them would have made me squirm.

But only he could make me quiver to my core.