Forbidden Days (The Firsts) by C.L. Quinn Page A

grand for the likes of her.  With no volition, the little girl in the dark returned.
    “I think there’s enough room.  Pull up to the main entrance.”  He pointed.  “There.”
    Like she could miss it.  She wasn’t too surprised when six men came out.  They greeted Bas warmly and smiled at Park, who responded in kind and wondered how many of them were not human.
    A tall remarkably built man in his mid twenties, (well, he appeared to be in his mid twenties, could be two or three hundred) approached her.
    “I’ll take the keys, mum.”  Lovely accent.
    “Why?” Park asked defensively.
    He smiled tolerantly.  “So I can park the vehicle for you when we’ve unloaded it.  Don’t worry.   Mr. Sebastian has very safe facilities.  Please.”  She handed them to him when Bas told her to.
    “I’d like them back after you park her,” wanting to maintain some measure of control when it seemed every aspect of her life was flinging wildly out of control.
    “Yes, ma’am,” he said politely.  One of the other men was pulling Bernie out of the backseat.   She had her eyes covered and was still moaning.
    “Take her to lockup six.  She’s in transition.  I’ll join you later.  Have any of the others arrived?”
    “Ms. Desiree is in the Brown suite.  She asked to be notified when you arrived, sir.”
    “Fine.  Give me about half an hour to get settled, and then have her meet me in the conference room.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Bas turned to Park, whose head was swiveling, watching Bas’s efficient crew take care of business.
    “Park, I’m having my housemaster show you to the Lavender suite.  I think you’ll like it, based on the colors in your own bedroom.  And it’s very near to mine.  If you want to unpack and clean up, then let him know when you are ready to join us. He’ll bring you to us.  Don’t worry.  You’re safe here.  I’ll make sure Bernie is secured.”
    “I heard you tell him to lock her up.  Are you putting her in a cell?”
    “No, but it’s a secure room for her situation.  I know she’s done well so far, but it’s going to get exponentially more painful over the next few days.  She’ll need to be secured for her own safety.”  He came to her and held her face.  He liked to do that, and as it turned out, she liked it too.  “Park, you’ve trusted me this far.  Trust me now.”
    She smiled softly.  “I do.  This is just…it just got so real in the past two days.”
    “I know.  You’re handling it well.  I’ll see you soon. Enjoy the bathroom in your suite.  It’s incredible.”
    144
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
     
     
    Her entire bedroom in her house would have fit in the bathroom alone.  And the waterfall shower…well, she didn’t want to leave it.  It felt so wonderful after the last few days of limited chances to clean up and dealing with a lot of blood being exchanged between three people.
    After the shower, she dried off with what had to be the plushest, softest towels in the world, wrapped the large lavender bath sheet sized one around her, and strolled barefoot back into the brightly lit lavender scented bedroom.  Her favorite part of the room was the large balcony that ran the entire length of the outside wall.  She could see the well lit gardens below her window as she wandered out to the railing, where brilliant white moonflowers covered high trellises all around the courtyard beneath the windows.  It was only when she saw one of Bas’s security men moving about down below that she realized she was wearing only a towel, so she retreated into the room and went to her small overnite case try to find something to wear.  It was sitting on a bench at the foot of the bed and as she approached it, she noticed a note on the top.  She tore it free and read it.  It said, Mr. Bas wanted me to let you know to look in the closet before you dressed.  If you need anything, my name is Cherise, and I can be here if you dial 120 on