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This time I did hit my head on the desk I’d bent down to hunt beneath, but that wasn’t the source of the sudden, overwhelming pain. Instead, my entire body spasmed as if someone had grabbed both ends of my pelt and twisted, trying to wring it dry.
For one millisecond, I let the agony consume me. Then I pushed the weakness away.
That scream meant someone was in danger. Tears obstructed my vision as I ran flat out toward the circular staircase that led down to the party below.
Because that’s where the scream had originated from. It had been full of horror or fear or pain or maybe all of the above. Something that broke through the ordinary human impulse to stick to inside voices.
The shriek cut off as abruptly as it started. Still, I kept running. She—whoever she was—needed help. I....
“Stop.”
I’d barely made it ten steps when a hand on my arm slung me around so fast I ended up chest to chest with the man who’d spent all night dogging my footsteps. For one split second, I noted the muscles rippling beneath pulled-tight fabric. Noted his scent—rich and woodsy and oh-so-subtly sweet.
Then he pushed me in the opposite direction from the one in which I’d been running. Body-blocked me as I tried to go around him. Dragged me along as easily as if I was a child’s wagon. Slammed the door behind us as we re-entered the guest room.
“Someone’s hurt...” I started.
“From what I heard, I’d say she’s dead.”
His words were so shocking I didn’t protest as I was tossed onto the bed. The mattress bounced beneath me. Luke’s shoes indented the softness as he stood, pushing the lone window up.
“What are you doing?” I rose to my knees, swiping fur from my unruly pelt out of my mouth with one finger.
“Are you on the guest list?” Luke paused long enough to pierce me with eyes that revealed nothing and at the same time knew far too much about me.
“No.” I grabbed the windowsill and clawed myself to standing. Luke wanted us to jump out the window—that much was clear. But—“It’s a long way down.”
He raised one eyebrow and sidestepped the height issue. “The police will be very interested in what you’re doing in the Smythewhite’s private quarters.”
I don’t know why I answered what wasn’t even a question. But I did. “I’m hunting for a physical item. I haven’t found it yet.”
He raised one eyebrow. “And that explanation for your presence won’t look suspicious at all.”
His sarcasm wasn’t appreciated. But Luke had a point, unfortunately.
Still, I pulled away as he started lifting me toward the opening. His hands on my waist were gentle. At the same time they burned like brands.
“No. Stop it. My twin....”
“Twin?”
“Yes.” My tongue wasn’t quite working properly. “Grace.”
“Ah.” His mouth quirked up, his eyes twinkling. “Graceful Grace. I saw her. Definite family resemblance.”
“We look nothing alike....”
A door slammed against a wall, far too close for comfort. A staccato knock from the other side of the hall.
“Who is it?” The question came in a teenaged boy’s pitch-seeking quaver.
“Security. Are you alright in there?”
“I’m busy.”
Would Clarence keep the searchers occupied? No, there were too many. Because more doors banged opened, one across from us and one beside us. We had seconds at best to escape.
Or to make another choice.
I pushed myself up to perch on the windowsill so I could reach Luke’s perfect coiffure. Then I mussed his curls for all I was worth.
“What are you...?”
He got the picture when I ripped open his tuxedo jacket. Left buttons dangling. Went for his fly.
His hand covered mine. “Okay, enough. I don’t put out on the first date. Your turn.”
He grabbed the hem of my dress. Ripped upward so fast I couldn’t push his fingers off me.
“Stop!”
“Gotta make it look believable.”
“No, I mean it....”
A twelve-inch dagger revealed itself at my hip.
***
I HALF EXPECTED LUKE to examine the weapon, searching for bloodstains. Instead, he flung himself on top of me as the door to the hallway opened. Caught my lips in a mind-altering kiss.
Rose petals and granite. Electricity and honey.
Stars and fireworks exploded, supernova style.
We might never have come up for air if a snort from the doorway hadn’t reminded us both what was at stake.
I peeked around Luke, saw the same woman who’d ushered me up the servant stairwell. Clipboard lady was flanked by two men in black suits. Private security? But she was the one who did the talking.
“I need to see your ID.”
“My ID?” Luke rose to his feet with the grace of a panther. He huffed out hauteur, and I thought he’d forgotten all about me until one heel slipped backwards to nudge against my ankle.
Right. The dagger. My fingers twitched.
“Or your name. So I can check the guest list.” The woman was polite but firm. Luke shrugged and pulled out a wallet, giving me a chance to draw my clothes together like a woman caught making out in her hostess’s private space.
In the process, I nudged my thigh sheath sideways until the dagger was hidden beneath the ripped fabric. If I was lucky, the officials would think the elasticized bands holding it in place were some kind of garter....
I glanced up, caught one of the male security guards’ eyes trained on my exposed flesh.
“Mr. Acosta. I didn’t realize. I’m so sorry to bother you.” The woman in charge was flustered. I peered at her clipboard, caught a crazy number of zeroes in the donation column beside Luke’s surname.
“No harm done. Don’t apologize.” Luke’s charm soothed her. He reached out to touch the woman’s hand, just the tiniest flitting contact before retreating. “You’re doing your job. Is something the matter?”
“There’s been an incident. I’m afraid the party’s over. But you and your date are free to go. We’ll have a valet bring around your car.”
“No need. I parked on the street.” A keychain twirled around Luke’s index finger. He was as smooth as Grace and would be out of here in seconds.
I, on the other hand, had a twin to find.