The Dark Forest: A Collection Of Erotic Fairytales(64)

It was so loud, the man had to repeat himself before she could comprehend what he was saying. “Are you over eighteen?”

She nodded, wide-eyed.

His sudden grin was disarming, and relief washed over her. “Want to party with Zainon after the show?”

Ella wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. “What?”

“After party,” the man bellowed in her ear. “Want to come?”

She glanced at Greg, who was pointedly staring ahead. Was this what he had been talking about? An after party? With Zainon? Is this really happening?

The next moment felt like an eternity, as what seemed like a hundred thoughts at once shot through her brain.

I’m a virgin.

How will I get home if I go?

Is this a trap?

Did I misunderstand him?

Am I really being asked to attend an after party with Zainon Matthews?

As she stared, dumbly, at the security man, he tapped his wrist, indicating that she should hurry up and reply.

“Okay,” she croaked. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “Yes.” She nodded for emphasis, in case he couldn’t hear her.

The man’s huge paw shot out and gripped her upper arm, already steering her away from Anastasia, Joshua and Greg.

“Wait,” she said desperately. “Can I bring my sister?” She pointed at Anastasia.

The man glanced in her stepsister’s direction, then gave a curt nod. “Not the boys,” he added brusquely.

Hurrying to Anastasia’s side, Ella’s words came out in a breathless tumble. “Oh my God, we’ve been asked to attend the after party—with Zainon,” she gasped in Anastasia’s ear. “But we can’t take Josh and Greg. You coming with me?”

Anastasia looked every bit as stunned and incredulous as Ella felt. “Seriously?”

“Yes! But hurry, he’s waiting to take us.” Ella pointed at the security guy.

“We can’t! How will we get home? And what about Josh? I don’t want to leave him!”

Ella didn’t have time to argue. “You coming, or not? Otherwise I’ll go alone.”

Anastasia folded her arms across her chest. “Are you mad? You’re already going to be in a whole world of trouble when we get home, do you want to make it worse?”

The mention of her stepmother was all the persuasion Ella needed. “Fine,” she said. “I’m going. I’ll see you later.” And without another word, she returned to the big man and allowed him to lead her away.

Her heart was in her mouth and she felt a pang of pity for Greg, who had been kind to her and whom she was leaving behind, but Ella knew with every fiber of her being that this was an opportunity she would never have again, and she would do anything to take advantage of it. Besides, what did she have to lose?

Mere minutes earlier, she had been wishing for a chance to prolong this evening of happiness and freedom. Now she had been granted that opportunity, and she wouldn’t miss it for the world.





Chapter Three





As if in a dream, Ella followed the burly security man through a side door into a stuffy, threadbare room. Her heart was hammering hard against her corset, and she had to remind herself to breathe as he told her to wait and disappeared again.

She hardly dared to look around, but was vaguely aware of a few other people milling about; most of them young, pretty women around her age or a few years older, at most. Those who had been selected in pairs were chattering excitedly; the others who, like her, had come alone, were standing about awkwardly.

She wished she’d had more of Greg’s whiskey.

Every so often, a security guy would appear, deposit another female into the room, and leave again.

How many of us are they collecting? she wondered idly. It seemed like there was a faint sense of competition in the air but she told herself she was being silly. After all, it would hardly be a party with just a couple of people. Then again, they could at least have included some men. She was just wishing Greg had been able to accompany her when another man entered. He was tall, with short blond hair and an unmistakable sense of authority.

“First off,” he began in a loud, clear voice, “this is your last warning. Anyone who is under the age of eighteen had better get out. Now.”

Ella found herself looking down at the sickly green carpet. Her toes looked red and pinched in her mother’s peep-toe sandals.

“Next, I need all of you to fill out and sign these waivers and NDAs. No fields are to be left blank, no exceptions, no excuses. Am I clear?” the blond man went on.

Someone was handing out forms and pencils, and Ella took one of each.

“Please have the paperwork completed by the time we come to pick you up in five minutes,” the man barked. “No doubt you’ve heard the rumors about Zainon Matthews after parties.” His lips curled into a positively sadistic grin. “Believe me when I say that they’re probably wildly under exaggerated. If you’re in a committed relationship, prudish, timid, or prone to childish outbursts, this is not the place for you, and you’re welcome to leave. In fact, we ask that you do.

“These parties are supposed to be fun for all involved. No negative consequences for any participant. No drama, no regrets. It’s unfortunate that we have to have you all sign forms but it’s for everyone’s protection, including your own. Any questions?”