They casually meandered through the main room, and cognizant of the people around her, Bennett kept her voice low. “Guardians are what we call mortals who assist and protect my kind,” Bennett said, dipping her head slightly. “Lisa and her brothers are three of mine.”

Ruby looked across the room. “You mean those two Sven-looking guys?”

“Yes,” Bennett said, her eyes twinkling.

“I wouldn’t think…uh…I wouldn’t think your kind would need anyone’s protection.”

“It’s not that kind of protection, at least not usually in the physical sense. Lisa and her brothers, like others across the world, help run my businesses. They ensure everything operates smoothly and protect my privacy, keeping the footprint of my very existence to a minimum.”

“I see,” Ruby said as they came to a stop near a sculpture. “And by the way she acted, I’m assuming you and she hooked up, and it didn’t work out?”

“No, that’s never happened, and it never will,” Bennett said, her expression darkening. “I will not cross that line with her—ever.”

Bennett’s harsh tone wasn’t lost on Ruby, and she turned her attention to the statue atop the pedestal, hoping for a subject change. Instead, she found herself looking at a sculpted woman on her knees, giving her marble partner a blow job. “Yikes.”

Bennett snorted, and placing her hand on Ruby’s lower back, she guided her away from the alabaster display. “As I said earlier, we have several rooms, and each contains work centering on particular interests. The front area revolves around heterosexuality, and the room to our left targets those who are into bondage. Our largest room, the one to our right, has artwork revolving around gay men and their lifestyle, and the one down and to our left contains all things lesbian.”

“Why do the guys get the biggest room?”

“Because the guys, as you call them, believe they have more to lose than the girls. They don’t, but when you’re a politician trying to further your career or an athlete on a team of brawny and macho men, revealing your true self could come with consequences.”

“It does for all of us.”

“I agree, but I’m not here to judge their choices. I’m here to provide them what they seek without fear of the paparazzi snapping a compromising photo.”

“Which is why you took my phone?”

“Actually, we take the phones so no one can photograph the artwork. Not that I don’t trust my clients, but most are wealthy enough to find artists to copy what others have created, and I try to protect my artists’ rights as much as possible.”

“You’ve really thought this through.”

“I’ve had years of practice.”

Ruby broke into a wide smile. “Yeah, I guess you have,” she said, looking around. “And not that I don’t want to see everything, but can we start in the lesbian room?”