The Dark Forest: A Collection Of Erotic Fairytales(65)

Ella bit her lip. She had more questions than she could have counted, but didn’t dare say a word. Just what the hell sort of party was this going to be? For a moment she considered leaving. Finding Anastasia and the boys and getting a sure ride home.

To Griselda.

Lifting her chin, she stood firm, determined not to betray her nerves. Besides, there was every chance she would actually get to meet Zainon. And she would do whatever it took to make that happen.

If I go home now, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.

“All right, ladies. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” The blond man stalked out and the room once more erupted with nervous chatter.

“I knew I’d get chosen if I wore this,” a brunette was saying excitedly, indicating her skintight dress.

Her heart in her throat, Ella glanced at the paper which was fluttering in her trembling fingers. She scanned it, her pulse ratcheting higher with every sentence or phrase she saw.

… over the age of eighteen on this date, the …

… certify that I am not a member of the press…

… I will not speak of anything or anyone…

… entering into this agreement of my own free will…

… will not hold Zainon Matthews or any related parties accountable for damages incurred…

She was also asked to provide her full name, address, email and phone number. For a moment she considered lying but then saw the small print. ‘ID will be verified before attendance,’ it said. Why? With every minute which passed, the less this looked like it was going to be a regular party.

If only I were more experienced. People will only have to glance at me and they’ll realize just how out of my depth I am, Ella thought glumly. Nathan and Anastasia were the social butterflies, not her. She’d never even been to a party. But then an image of Zainon flashed in her mind; his voice, his body, those spectacular eyes. She’d probably barely get two seconds with him—if she were lucky—and not even she could betray her complete naiveté in so short a time, surely? Before she could lose her nerve, she gripped the pencil with sweaty fingers and scribbled her signature.

There. No turning back.

There was a muffled roar of applause. Zainon must have finished his encore. Ella was sorry to have missed it. Still, she was there now, backstage, while everyone still in the audience would be thronging their way back out of the stadium and to their various cars. About to meet her idol; the man she had been fantasizing about and lusting after for more nights than she cared to acknowledge.

The mere thought was enough to make her want to pass out.

After what felt like an eternity and also no time at all, the man had returned and everyone’s forms were collected. Ella estimated the group at about twenty people—all women.

“Because he’s straight.” Greg’s voice suddenly echoed unbidden in her mind.

Surely this wasn’t going to be some sex party?

Ella’s fears did not abate when the blond guy began handing out masks. “Just in case you’d rather remain anonymous,” he said with a faint trace of amusement in his tone. “This sort of thing can ruin a girl’s reputation.”

Ella slipped the mask on without even thinking about it. It was the type people wore to fancy balls, and covered only half her face. She figured she could always remove it again when she felt more comfortable. If she ever did. But for the time being, it gave her a comforting sense of anonymity. It was covered in silver glitter and her inner child felt like a princess about to attend a ball. Glancing around, she realized that most of the girls had eschewed the masks. Maybe they didn’t want to ruin their make-up.

“All right, form an orderly line. Your carriages await,” the blond man said, indicating a door.

Obediently, Ella shuffled along behind some of the other girls. She wished Anastasia had agreed to accompany her. At least then I’d have somebody to talk to. On the other hand, I can understand her wanting to stay with Joshua. It is their first date, after all.

Not wishing to dwell on any line of thought which might remind her what was waiting for her once the night had ended, Ella forced her mind to go blank and took a deep breath of the crisp, cool night air as she emerged with the others. They were at a loading bay of some kind, and a couple of minivans were waiting, engines idling.

The sight brought her up short; this was her last chance to back out. If she got in one of those vans, she would have no choice but to follow through and attend the party—with no way of knowing how she’d get home. But yet again she was reminded how the unknown was almost definitely a better prospect than what she had to return to, and after another deep, calming breath, she clambered into the second van beside a very pretty redhead.

“I love your corset,” the girl said as Ella took a seat beside her.

“Thank you. I love your hair.”

“It took me ages,” the redhead admitted, fingering one of her ringlets, pulling it straight and letting it bounce back up over her shoulder. “I hope Zainon likes it.” She flashed Ella a big grin. “I had a feeling I’d get picked tonight.”

“Do you know anything about where we’re going?” Ella tried to sound nonchalant.

The girl shrugged. “One of the better hotels in town, I assume,” she said. “Zainon usually reserves at least a whole floor so no-one complains about the noise.”