The Art Of Corruption ~ A BBC Sherlock Fanfiction {Book III}

Chapter 4- Black Lace

Emily's POV

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I stare at this strange woman, taking in the reactions around me. Sherlock looks momentarily surprised, but masks it quickly. Millie looks very uncomfortable. John's blushing scarlet- probably because her black lace negligee leaves nothing to the imagination. In fact, I don't think she's wearing anything underneath it at all.

She radiates sex; her attire, her expression, her posture- which gives me some indication of her occupation. Prostitute? No, her limited clothing is more expensive than any prostitute could possibly afford. Something similar, but of a much higher calibre. Dominatrix? Much more likely. She scans us all, a coy smile curling the corners of her painted lips. 

"Irene?"

"Are you going to come in or not? "

We file in past her, into the marble entrance. She closes the door, and turns round to face us, hands on her hips-

"Let's get a look at you all."

We hover, uncertain, as walks around us in a slow circle, in a way that reminds me of a feline predator. I subconsciously stand up a little bit straighter, crossing my arms and trying to return her analytical glance with hostile defiance. This woman sets out to intimidate, to domineer.

I don't like being dominated.

Her eyes settle on Millie, who looks the most vulnerable of the group. However, when she speaks, her tone is surprisingly soft-

"Millie, darling, we haven't had the chance to catch up since...well, in months, have we? I haven't properly thanked you for-"

She breaks off as Sherlock moves: a step towards Millie. He's just shifting his weight, but Irene's pretty face darkens, for a moment. Her eyes dart across them both, and then the smile is back again, but it's different; it's colder this time. She doesn't finish her sentence. Instead, she just nods curtly at Millie, and moves on to Sherlock.

Irene closes in on him, until she is pressed up against his chest, completely undeterred by our looks of disbelief-

"My, my, Sherlock- I see the detective still has his looks."

She tilts his chin down so that he is looking at her, and she raises both eyebrows-

"Do thank your brother for letting me stay here, won't you? When he sent me out of the country, I must admit, I thought my time was up. But this is a very comfortable prison cell, don't you think?"

Sherlock makes a noise that I think was meant to be "I will". Her smile widens, and she lets go, winking at John, who subsequently lights up in another violent shade of red. She continues her analysis, her stilettos tapping on the cold, marble floor as she walks. She looks up at me-

"So you're the hacker girl Mycroft warned me about, hm?"

I smile internally at the verb 'warned'. 

She scans the length of my body, and I try not to feel self-conscious.

"Well, I suppose you'll liven this place up. I hear you've got a...colourful history."

I decide in that moment that I do not like Irene Adler.

She steps away-

"I'll show you around."

She doesn't ask if we want to look around the place, she just states it, like it's a command meant to be obeyed. But everyone seems to be following her, so I don't say anything in protest.