Descent into Darkness (Crystal Sphere Book 1)

by Ingrid Fry

  ‘Yes, and then I can use them to defend myself against you.’

  ‘You’re right. I’ll back off. I’m sorry. I’m an idiot. I shouldn’t have started this; it’s my fault. We’re on a highway to hell—our sexual tension is off the Richter scale, right? It’s like a drug. You’re like a drug. I can’t help myself.’

  He made a good analogy. It did feel like a drug, and like a drug, it was exhilarating and intoxicating, but ultimately, exhausting and deadly.

  ‘Like heroin?’

  ‘Yes,’ Ashley said. ‘Speaking from experience, just like heroin.’

  ‘And you know what that does to people in the end.’

  There was a loud knocking at the door. Ashley responded like lightning. He retrieved a gun from under a cushion on the couch, released the safety and wedged the gun in the back of his pants. At least he didn’t stick it down the front. I always thought that was a dangerous place to put a loaded gun.

  He checked the peephole and gave me the thumbs up.

  ‘It’s Jon, the clothes dude!’

  He opened the door and Jon entered, beaming, pulling a wheeled clothes rack behind him. A number of suit bags hung on it, and shoe boxes were stacked neatly on the rack below, along with a couple of other smaller shopping bags.

  ‘Don’t I always deliver!’ Jon said. He shook Ashley’s hand. ‘Even in spite of your ridiculous deadlines.’ He took my hand. ‘And this must be the lovely Maggie. I hope you love what I’ve chosen for you. If you don’t, you can blame Ashley.’

  Jon was an exceptionally snappy dresser. Blue pin stripe suit, a matching waistcoat, and the crispest white shirt I’d ever seen with cuffs that sat perfectly under his jacket sleeves. He was accessorised tastefully with cuff links, a silk tie and a matching pocket-handkerchief. A pair of black Oxford dress shoes completed the look.

  ‘I’ve included a range of shoes in different sizes. Anything you don’t want, leave on the rack, and I’ll have someone collect them tomorrow.’

  ‘Ciao bella.’ He kissed me on each cheek. ‘Ciao, Ashley.’ He stood with hands on hips looking Ashley up and down. ‘What happened? You’re a mess!’ He laughed. ‘Send me a selfie in your new clothes so I can rest easy. Ciao!’ And he was gone.

  I examined the bags. ‘Oooh, it feels like Christmas, very exciting! Everything’s labeled. So organised.’

  Jason appeared wearing a white bathrobe and slippers. ‘Looks like the clothes dude has been.’

  ‘Yes! I can’t wait to see what we’ve got,’ I said.

  ‘Hey, Ashley,’ Jason said, ‘where’s the other bed?

  ‘Yep, I know. They said there’d be a rollaway. Must’ve forgotten. No dramas, I’ll get the lovely Melanie to arrange one. Okay if I have a shower now?’

  ‘Go for it. I’m going to kick back with a beer.’

  ‘Want me to put your clothes in the bedroom? I asked Ashley.

  ‘Yeah, thanks.’

  Jason kissed my check. ‘How good is this place?’

  ‘Simply divine.’

  He turned up the music. ‘Ash is amazing. An idiot, but an extremely generous one. He’s a good mate.’

  Sorting the labeled items into three piles, I took Ashley’s into the luxurious master suite, leaving his clothes and shoeboxes on a chaise longue near the window. The luxurious bed was extremely inviting, calling out to my bone-weary body. I would’ve been happy to go to sleep right then and there, except for the fact I was starving.

  I lay on the bed and dimmed the lights, enjoying the feel of expensive Egyptian linen. Evening was falling, and the lights of the city twinkled outside. The artworks, lighting, the furnishings, everything was incredibly beautiful—and then my mind turned to home and the mess awaiting us. No. Don’t spoil it. I forced myself to focus on something else. Then, at that moment, there was something else to focus on.

  Ashley had padded out of the bathroom in bare feet, so I didn’t hear a thing as he walked past me towards the chaise longue. When I opened my eyes, he was standing in front of it, stark naked, bending over to pick up the suit bag. His muscular body was silhouetted against the skyline. The soft down lights accentuated each curve and ripple of his muscles. Spellbound, I watched the fluid grace of his body as he unzipped the bags, removed garments, and laid them out neatly on the longue before him.

  ‘Are you going to leave before I turn around?’ he asked softly.

  My body jerked with surprise. Oh hell. I felt my face flush.

  ‘Oh, um, sorry, ah, you surprised me, I was having a rest, shut my eyes for a bit and then, there you were, and I didn’t know … what to...’

  His shoulders shook with silent laughter.

  ‘I’m outta here,’ I mumbled, jumping up. My foot caught in the bedclothes and I landed flat on my face on the carpet.

  Ashley ran over to help me. ‘Jesus, are you all right?’

  I lifted my head from the carpet to see a buck naked Ashley extending one hand to help me, while the other covered his private bits.

  I giggled. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t seen his bits before. ‘Since when, ever, have you been worried about your modesty?’

  ‘I didn’t want to scare you,’ he said, with a mock serious face. ‘It’s happened to girls before you know. And besides, I couldn’t do it to you.’

  ‘Do what?’

  ‘Leave you with the feeling nothing else could compare, that everything else would be second rate, and leave you wanting what we’ve decided you can’t have.’

  ‘I seriously hope you’re kidding, you ego maniac.’

  ‘I’m deadly serious.’ He laughed. ‘Now, Miss Voyeur, are you going to leave, and let me get dressed, or are you in here because you really do want a long, slow, hot shower?’

  ‘I’m gone,’ I said, leaving the room without answering his question.

  * * * * *

  Jason was in the lounge looking out at the view. He turned when I entered and gestured at his body. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘You look amazing! Do you like?’

  ‘Yeah, I like. The clothes dude did a spectacular job.’

  He was dressed in smart casual pants, fashionable pointy-toed black Oxfords, and a white T-shirt under an expensive looking thin knit. It was like he’d stepped out of a men’s fashion magazine.

  ‘I like the jacket he picked as well,’ he said.

  This was surprising, as Jason wasn’t into fashion; he liked functional, practical clothes, and only shopped once a year when his jocks reached gossamer stage.

  ‘Yes, not over the top. It’s like you’d choose for yourself, but better.’ I wrapped my arms around him. ‘You look hot. Hotter than hot.’ I held his face and kissed him.

  Ashley stepped into the lounge. ‘Bedrooms free.’

  I turned to see a stranger standing before us.

  Ashley laughed. ‘Pick your chin up off the floor, Maggie.’

  ‘Oh my God, talk about a transformation! Army Biker dude to Man-About-Town!’

  ‘Not bad, eh?’ He gave me a twirl. Sporting a black suit jacket made from a stunning material, he turned, providing glimpses of a luxurious silk lining. A thin V-necked, grey-black knit hugged his body, and his dress jeans were accessorised with a leather belt and silver buckle. The whole look was finished with point toed, black, low-heeled boots.

  He gathered my clothes bags together and took them to the bedroom. I followed him. ‘Right, it’s your turn now. Get ready. Time is ticking. Oh, hang on a minute.’ He disappeared and came back with a glass of champagne. ‘You may like to have something refreshing while you’re getting dressed.’ He handed me the glass and smiled.

  ‘Thanks, Ashley, you’re very thoughtful.’

  When he left, I closed the door and unzipped the suit bag. Inside was a red, mini silk dress covered with fine, red lace. It was an elegant piece of clothing but I wasn’t happy. I hated wearing dresses.

  Throwing it on the bed, I rummaged around in the other bags to find something with pants. Nothing. Bloody Ashley! It seemed like I had n
o choice. Bugger it.

  Underwear. I didn’t have any underwear. Noticing a lingerie bag, I took out a thin black box with Honey Birdette written on the front. Oh jeepers, I knew what that was. I pictured the Maestro.

  Putting on the flimsy, silken wisps of material, I was amazed at how soft, supportive and gorgeous they felt. Not wanting to go bare legged, I ferreted around in the packages looking for leggings. All I could find was a box containing stockings and suspenders. Oh puh-lease! Ashley was so dead. I could imagine him laughing his head off in there thinking about this. He was truly evil.

  I put on the suspender belt, attached the bits and bobs, rolled on the stockings, and fiddled around trying to attach the stockings to the belt. The whole process was tricky and annoying. Who had time for this!

  Finally, done. I caught sight of myself in the mirror. Jesus, I actually looked hot—like something out of Bras Monthly. Laughing to myself, I stepped into the dress. It fitted like a glove. The neck was low cut, with three-quarter sleeves and it sat tight above the waist, flaring out slightly to finish mid-thigh. Not my style, but surprisingly cute. I spun around in front of the mirror.

  Now, shoes. Opening all four shoes boxes, I found they contained exactly the same shoe in different sizes. I took one out. It was a black, six-inch heel stiletto. It had a raised platform toe and six eyelets on the outside threaded with black ribbon which was tied in a tiny bow at the top. A bloody hooker’s shoe!

  ‘Damn you!’ I hurled it at the door. I hated high-heeled shoes with a passion. They were uncomfortable; they hurt your feet, and your back, you couldn’t walk far or fast in them, and you risked breaking your goddamn ankles. Basically, they made you feel hobbled, the absolute antithesis of a freethinking, independent, strong woman.

  ‘You right in there?’ Jason asked through the door.

  ‘Yes!’

  Having excellent radar ears, I heard him whisper to Ashley. ‘I hope she’s not getting angry in there. You wouldn’t like her when she’s angry.’

  In response, anger rose, hot and vicious. No! Breathe, Maggie. Breathe.

  Sitting on the bed, I closed my eyes and thought of dolphins—dolphins swimming in crystal blue waters, streams of air bubbles flowing around them catching the sunlight, rolling and spinning for the sheer joy of it.

  A calmness flowed through my body, and like the waves of my imaginary ocean, the anger receded and didn’t return. I focused on the city lights until I felt calm and in control.

  Phew! I’d caught it in the nick of time. I danced around the room and bounced up and down on the bed. I’d finally had a win against the rise of darkness. For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of hope for the future.

  I’d wear the goddamn silly shoes; I slipped them on. Jon had included some makeup in a little bag, so I fixed my hair and put on some eye shadow, mascara and lipstick. There was one more velvet-covered box. I flipped it open to reveal a beautiful set of matching earrings, necklace and bracelet.

  I gasped. They were gorgeous! They must have been worth a fortune; though surely, they couldn’t be diamonds; they had to be dress jewellery. Even so, dress jewellery could be hellishly expensive. These were definitely going back in the morning.

  Putting them on, I walked, or should I say, tottered, to the full-length mirror in the bathroom. Bloody hell. Who was that woman? I turned around slowly on the ridiculously high shoes. The outfit wasn’t really me, but I looked amazing. Holding onto the wall, I made my way back from the bathroom. It was like trying to walk on stilts.

  Okay. Deep breath. The grand entrance. I hated being the centre of attention, and in this outfit, I knew they’d laugh at me.

  ‘Are you ready yet?’ Ashley called.

  ‘Coming.’ I opened the door and slowly stepped into the lounge.

  Jason gasped as he turned and saw me. I don’t think Jason had ever seen me in a dress before. Ashley stood, hands in pockets, with an expression on his face I’d never seen before. Maybe he thought he’d just accomplished a ‘Mission Impossible’ and was quietly reveling in his achievement.

  He held up a glass of champagne in the gesture of a toast. ‘I approve.’

  Knowing exactly where he wanted to go with this, I asked, ‘You like the wine?’

  ‘Oh, not the wine, your frock. Tight in all the right places, not too many buttons,’ he said, doing his James Bond impersonation.

  ‘You arranged all this to use that James Bond line?’

  ‘Of course not, but it was the perfect opportunity!’

  Jason and Ashley shared similar tastes in movies, and they could quote scenes word for word. I’d been brainwashed—the line was from The Man with the Golden Gun.

  ‘It was my line, but he beat me to it,’ Jason said. ‘I hardly recognise you! You look stunning.’ He gripped me around the waist, lifted and twirled me around. My dress rode up in the process, and Jason’s eyes nearly fell out of his head as he caught a glimpse of my lingerie in the mirror.

  ‘Stockings and suspenders! Oh my God, we are so not going anywhere,’ he said, steering me back towards the bedroom.

  Ashley was doubled up with laughter. ‘Did you happen to realise the underwear was crotchless?’ he said.

  ‘What? No way. You wait. Making me wear all this stuff. You’re laughing at me. Wait till I get my hands on you,’ I said, trying to break free of Jason’s grip.

  Ashley grinned. ‘I can’t wait for you to get your hands on me.’

  Jason’s face clouded over. ‘As per usual, Ash, you’ve gone too far.’

  Ashley’s smile vanished. ‘I just wanted to make you happy. Take your mind off everything by spicing things up a bit. I’m sorry, Jace. I didn’t mean to upset you. Maggie, sorry. I have a spare pair of jocks you can have if you’d feel more comfortable.’

  ‘Are they clean?’

  ‘You could turn them inside out.’

  ‘I’ll pass, thanks.’

  Jason laughed, rolled his eyes at Ashley, and took my hand. ‘We don’t have to go out, Mags. I know you don’t like dresses and high heels, and with the knickers an’ all … but you look so hot, I’d love to take you out.’

  My feelings were mixed, but I made the decision to be good humoured and let Ashley have his fun at my expense. Jason kept looking at me like a love-struck schoolboy, which I found quite amusing. It’s odd how much men could be affected by some high heels and a bit of lace.

  It gave me an idea. To ward off any psycho killers, who generally seemed to be male, I should ensure I was wearing a short dress and high heels. Mention the words crotchless knickers and they’d collapse at my feet and explode in a puff of black dust.

  With this in mind, I let Jason and Ashley help me along the marble hallway in my killer heels. Despite my sore feet, this was another moment I would treasure forever.[22]

  Chapter 23: The Syringe

  ‘Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.’ — Edgar Allan Poe

  We felt a million dollars as we strode along the corridors of the gorgeous hotel, and judging by the attention we got, I reckon we looked it too. Divine aromas wafted from the restaurant and my mouth watered. I felt like I hadn’t had a decent meal in decades.

  The waiter, being particularly attentive to me, showed us to our booth. The lights were low, open fires flickered, soft music played, and someone handed me a glass of champagne. It didn’t get any better than that.

  Sitting between Jason and Ashley, I felt safe and relaxed, mesmerised by the beautiful décor, lighting and artworks. It was such a tonic after everything we’d been through, and it made me realise what a long time it’d been since Jason and I had done anything like this.

  Ashley leaned towards me. ‘That guy keeps checking you out, Maggie.’

  ‘No wonder,’ Jason said. ‘She looks hot.’

  ‘That woman keeps looking at you, Jason.’

  ‘Which one?’

  ‘The blonde with the long legs
.’

  ‘Not interested. Why would I be when I’ve got you.’ He kissed my cheek.

  The woman was supremely attractive and kept glancing over. I waited for Ashley to make some sort of quip but he remained oddly silent. Say it ain’t so. Bond had lost his edge.

  We ate, drank, laughed and talked. The champagne flowed freely for me, while the guys enjoyed icy cold beers in tall frosty glasses. For entrée, we had sushi, then I had salt and pepper calamari, while the guys enjoyed South Australian Coffin Bay oysters—au naturel, on the half shell with a dressing of fresh chopped shallots, peppercorns, dry white wine and lemon juice.

  Still hungry, we carbed up on pasta. Jason chose linguine with an assortment of seafood, white wine, garlic, mild chilli and rocket. Ashley chose the handmade potato gnocchi with braised lamb ragu, green peas and parmigiano reggiano. I couldn’t resist the gnocchi with four cheeses— Gorgonzola, Fontina, Mozzarella and Parmesan baked in a cream sauce with zucchini ribbons and caramelised leeks. OMG. I was in cheese heaven.

  It was as if we were escapees from some godawful prison, and we had to make the most of this before we were eventually recaptured and dragged back to our cells in hell.

  An attentive waiter ensured my glass was never empty, and I began to feel tipsy. The complimentary Espresso Martini he gave me made my head spin. I shouldn’t have had it but it was delicious. A glorious mix of coffee liquor, vodka and espresso finished off with a thick, creamy froth.

  Jason watched me down the final drop and lick the froth from my lips.

  ‘What?’

  ‘It’ll blow your head off. You know you can’t handle cocktails.’

  Ashley laughed. ‘You’re not kidding there. The drink you downed was invented in the late eighties by a London bartender. The story goes a young lady asked for something that’d “wake me up, and then fuck me up”, so he created the Espresso Martini to do just that.’

  ‘I’ll be fine.’ My head was spinning even more.

  As I sat listening to the music, a hand touched my left knee. It rested there for a while, before sliding slowly up my inner thigh.