Hazel and Gray (Faraway collection) by Nic Stone

Author:Nic Stone [Stone, Nic]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-13T16:00:00+00:00

Hazel wakes to the smell of vanilla and clove. Her entire face is tingling.

She tries to lift her arms but can’t. Her legs won’t move either. At the discovery that she can’t move her head—nor open her mouth to scream—panic sets in.

She’s in a room with flowers painted on the ceiling, and if the circle of warm light coming from somewhere behind her is any indication, it’s daytime. She’s lying faceup on a soft(ish) surface that seems to have molded to the contours of her body, and there’s silky fabric against her skin from the tops of her breasts to her midthighs.

“Ah, you’re awake!” comes a throaty voice, from somewhere beyond her feet. “Welcome to the Treasure Chest . . . Hazel, yes? I am the Grande Dame.” The face of a woman appears above Hazel, and Hazel’s eyes open wider.

Long, silken blond hair frames a vibrant blue right eye. Whether the left one is the same color, Hazel can’t say because . . . it’s missing. The entire left side of the woman’s face is a tangle of scars, and where an eye should be, there’s a sealed, puckered pink slit.

“I know, I know. My appearance can be a bit jarring,” she says, vanishing from view. “You’ll get used to it. They all do.” Hazel hears the scrape of the Grande Dame’s stool against the floor before her marred face appears again. This time even closer to her own. “Shut your eyes,” the woman says. Her smile is the most horrifying thing Hazel’s ever seen.

So Hazel complies (because of course she does). The tingling sensation is replaced with soft warmth as the Grande Dame wipes a damp cloth over her skin.

“You’ve been bathed and steamed, and after this facial, you’ll be returned to your quarters,” the woman says. “The paralysis will wear off shortly thereafter, and then a meal will be delivered to you. You are to eat every last bite. You’ve got a bit of meat on these bones, but could definitely use more. Our customers prefer something to hold on to.”

Alarm bells clang in Hazel’s head.

“Tomorrow morning,” the woman continues, “you will be waxed from head to toe, and after mandatory stretching, you will be bathed again, dressed and made up, and then presented to the head of patronage for examination.”

Hazel’s pinky twitches.

“If he likes you, fantastic. You will begin training with the other girls and can start servicing customers as early as next week.”

And if he doesn’t? Hazel thinks.

“If he doesn’t . . .” The woman leans closer and locks Hazel in the gaze of her one eye. There’s a wicked glint there now. “For your sake, and mine, let’s just hope he does.”

There’s a knock past Hazel’s feet, and the woman looks up. “Ah! Perfect timing!” She quickly applies a cooling cream to Hazel’s face and thick balm to her unmoving lips. Then she pats Hazel’s cheek. “Your escort is here.”

The Grande Dame stands and walks away for a word with whoever just entered the room.

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