Perception

Part 90

Sang POV

I wake to smooth, warm fingers running through my hair and a thumb brushing my earlobe.

"Princess," Victor whispers as I force my eyes to crack open.

His hand skates down my neck and over my arm until it reaches my hand. Lacing his fingers between my own, he tugs gently to indicate I should follow. I don't really want to leave the warm cocoon I have between Mr. Blackbourne and Kota, but I haven't spent much time with Victor lately either.

He pulls me up and laces his arm around my waist to steady me while I find my land legs. His moss and berries scent is potent on his sleep warmed body. I open my mouth to ask what is going on, but his slim finger glides over his lips in a shushing motion.

Victor holds my hand and guides me through the maze of sleeping forms until we reach the door that allows scents of a basement to waft through that I've never opened. He flicks the light switch on, then opens the door to show wooden stairs. I hold his bicep and the banister as we descend.

"What's going on, Victor?" I ask, while feeling apprehensive.

"Luke has a surprise for you," he whispers calmly.

"Then why isn't he here?" I ask with confusion as we reach the cement floor at the bottom.

"He's already down here," Victor says, then walks towards the far wall and gestures towards it.

I blink in confusion, wondering if Victor is catching the same flu Luke and I had. I bring my hand up to feel his forehead, while questioning him, "Victor, do you feel okay? Are you hot?"

"No," he laughs and grabs my hand, gently kissing my knuckles before gesturing again towards the wall. This time, however, he grabs a small latch I hadn't seen at first glance. It practically blends in with the wall! I watch as he grasps the latch and twists, hearing a soft 'snick' as he pulls the hidden door open, only to be met with Luke blocking a bright room. He looks tired, but happy as he smiles widely.

"Good morning, Sugar. The guys and I have been working on something. Wait until you see!" Luke jabbers as he tugs on my hand to pull me into the room.

Pulling me farther inside, I am only barely able to register what appears to be shelving units along one wall. One of the units holds blankets, towels and ten bags that are similar to the ones the boys keep at each other's houses. The tenth looks newer and is a dark pink that I can only assume is for me. A second shelf has rows of canned goods, water, a large first-aid kit, and a few smaller boxes of which I am unable to identify the contents. I see another shelving unit along with several pieces of furniture scattered throughout, including a few bunks in the corner. Interesting, I think to myself. I will have to remember this room and explore it more completely.

Luke squeezes my hand, focusing my attention back on him. He has stopped in front of another door along the opposite wall of the first. This time I am sure it is a door. This one is much more sturdy and has a fancy electric security panel next to it. While this surprises the stuffing out of me, I don't stop to examine it closer. I can come back to that.

This door is already open and Luke leads me through, the bright overhead lights glinting off of his blond hair as he leads me to one side of a small room. Victor passes us once I clear the threshold of the new room. The wall is painted a soothing mixture of colors, sea foam green, coral pinks, and gradients of sand colors, all artfully placed to give the impression of being at the beach. I can see it's Gabriel's work right away.

Victor's measured footsteps sound over the hard floor behind me, and music fills the room. The sound seems to be piped in on all sides. When he catches me watching, he smiles and holds his hand out for me to step nearer.