Number Thirteen
Page 23

“I understand,” I say, feeling my heart pound.
He’s letting us serve? He’s letting us interact? It’s been only a few days since we arrived here, but already he’s letting us have the chance to prove ourselves. I can’t let this go wrong. We need every chance we can get to slowly gather Master’s trust. It’ll be our only chance of escape.
“Very good,” Bill says. “The group is waiting for you in the library with uniforms. Go.”
I nod, knowing the library is just down the hall. I turn and run out, excited and frightened. Will I see him tonight? Will this be the moment I finally get to see William? I’m not sure if that frightens or excites me. My stomach fills with a strange, fluttery sensation as I run. I miss the hall that leads to the library, but I don’t realize until I get to the end of the long corridor. Sighing, I turn, and begin running back.
I’m halfway down when a man steps out of the hall.
I crash into him, unable to stop myself in time. His hands steady me quickly, but I scramble backwards, gasping when I lay eyes on him. I only take in a quick glance, because I’m so panicked that I’ve come too far, and I shouldn’t be here. I don’t want to lose my privileges, and I don’t want to get into trouble. Most of all, I don’t want to let my girls down again.
“Benjamin,” I stammer, quickly recognizing the man in front of me. “I’m so sorry, I was looking for the library.”
I go to turn, not wanting to go through the “What’s your name?” thing again, only to see as I’m going, that his hair is too ss hter long to be Benjamin. It’s tied, and hanging down his back. Benjamin had short hair; I distinctly remember it. I stop, and my eyes widen as I take him in. He’s equally as tall as Benjamin, and his body just as muscled and powerful. He’s wearing a tux that perfectly sculpts around his large, muscled body.
His black hair is long, but it’s tied at the base of his neck with an elastic band. His face, oh God, it’s breathtaking, even though he’s wearing a fancy mask that covers one eye fully, curling off his face in almost an angel-wing style, while the other half just wraps around his eye, allowing only one to be seen. His skin is that silken olive color, and his jaw is strong and masculine. I move my gaze up to the eye I can see and...oh...oh my God.
It’s the exact same crystal-blue that Benjamin’s are.
Now I think of it, this man looks exactly like Benjamin. Only his hair is longer, and he’s a little more built.
But there is no doubt in my mind that this man is Benjamin’s twin.
“I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else,” I murmur quickly.
I can’t stay here; I’ve already been caught running into someone before. I don’t want to bring any more trouble onto myself.
I turn and begin rushing off; when he rasps so quietly I can hardly hear him, “No problem, frumusee.”
No...
I skid to a halt, and quickly turn back, only to see the back of him disappearing down the hall. Master William. That’s Master William? Master William and Benjamin are twins? Brothers? I stand, staring at his retreating form for the longest moment, with my mouth hanging open. He’s walking away quickly, as if he doesn’t want me to figure out who he is. I open my mouth before I can think, and I yell, “William?”
He stops, stiffens, and turns. His face is scrunched, and his jaw is tight. From here, he is the image of beauty. With the elegant mask curling off his face, and his perfectly pressed tux, he looks like he’s fallen from the heavens. He’s divine. He’s what woman would call perfection. Why is he hiding himself from us? Why would anyone hide themselves when they look so...so...breathtaking.
“I’m sorry I ran into you,” I finally squeak out, and then before he can answer I disappear down the hall towards the library.
I press myself against the wall as soon as I’m out of sight, and press a hand to my heart. I cannot believe that just happened. I saw him, the man who has captured my life and put it at a standstill. I expected a lot, but something I didn’t expect was for him to be so completely stunning. It doesn’t add up in my mind now, though. Why would someone who is as gorgeous as he need to keep thirteen girls captive? It doesn’t make sense.
I feel like I’m missing something.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
WILLIAM
I rub my temples, unable to ease the throbbing behind my eyes. She saw me. She knew who I was. That girl is toying with my mind. She’s challenging me. I set tasks out, expecting her to react and she doesn’t; she deals with it all so gracefully. She let Number Eleven go. She didn’t dig deep for that cruelty inside; she just let her go.
She surprised me.
A strange feeling of pride swells in my chest.
She’s shocking me with each day that goes by. There are moments I feel like she’s not g s#82ectletting what I’m trying to teach, and then as if she suddenly understands, she’s doing heartfelt, warm things, like she did today with Number Eleven. I’m not let down by her decisions, but I am torn over them. A great part of me needed Number Eleven to learn her lesson, yet at the same time, I think—surprisingly—she did.
“Master, the guests have arrived.”
I turn to my door and nod at George. He’s wearing a full mask that only leaves his mouth on view. He’s standing straight and tall, his arms settled by his sides.
I nod at him. “I’ll be right there.”
I’m putting every ounce of my trust in those girls tonight. It’s their chance to let me see that my lessons are beginning to pay off.