Cassie ran down the alley, frantic at being so late. Dante was out of town, but Mrs. Montoya, for once, had been in no hurry to go to bed. Cassie wouldn’t involve Melinda anymore, so she’d had no choice but to delay until she was certain Mrs. Montoya was asleep.
But now as she entered the last doorway and donned her mask, she relaxed, her spirits rocketing. She was here, and no one would make her leave until she was good and ready.
The place was jammed with people, the strobe light so piercing that Cassie felt as if she’d walked into some sort of dream. When a guy near her age grabbed her hand and pulled her into the gyrating mass of bodies, she laughed with delight.
This was what she’d been waiting for, the real life, the one she’d been denied. Grinning at her partner, Cassie threw herself into the dancing, loving the surge of the beat through her body.
She lost track of time, of her changing partners. She didn’t much care, at this point, about pursuing a relationship. She was free, and she wanted to revel in it. Closing her eyes, Cassie gave herself up to the music, to the pure pleasure of being young and bursting with energy.
Warm hands settled on her waist, and she jerked open her eyes. The friendly blond man from before smiled at her and mouthed, I’m glad you’re here.
Cassie smiled back, casting aside memories of his strange abandonment the other night. Heaven knows she could use a friend.
For a while they danced, then he leaned forward, raising his voice to be heard. “I’m thirsty—want to get something at the juice bar?”
She nodded, realizing she was parched. Her long hair stuck to her neck with sweat.
Grabbing her hand, he led her through the crowd. Cassie wanted to crow—if Jimmy had been around, she would have. This guy was no monster.
When he pulled her into his side and wrapped one arm around her waist, Cassie couldn’t help but feel flattered. This was an older guy, after all, and even with the mask, she could tell he was good-looking. He could probably have his pick of the many beautiful, sophisticated women in this place, but for some reason, he’d picked her.
This club definitely rocked. She was in heaven.
When she stumbled over someone’s feet, he pulled her closer, the green eyes looking at her with concern. “You all right?”
She felt her cheeks warm and demurred. “Just clumsy.”
His mouth was close to her face, his words clear. “Not a bit. You are, however, gorgeous.”
Wow. He thought she was gorgeous. This was great. Then a thought occurred to her. “I don’t know your name.”
“What’s yours?”
She wanted him to see her as sophisticated, glamorous. “Cassandra.”
His gaze warmed. “Mm…seductive.”
Seductive. Better and better.
Before she could ask his name, he bent and kissed her softly on the lips, just one light kiss.
But it was Cassie’s first. Her toes curled at the sensation, and she felt strangely light, almost dizzy.
“What would you like to drink, Cassandra?”
She lifted her shoulders. What did she care? She wanted him to kiss her again. “Anything wet.”
“Be right back.” With that, he plunged into the crowd around the bar.
Cassie stood there, her senses reeling, hugging to herself the delicious secret. He’d found her appealing enough to kiss her—what a night this was.
Sooner than she would have expected, he returned, handing her a glass of a strange blue liquid. “It’s so pretty—what is it?”
“The specialty of The Club—but I’ll let you in on a secret,” he leaned closer, “It’s dyed with food coloring.”
He grinned, and Cassie grinned back. Striving for nonchalance, she drank only a sip when she wanted to guzzle it all down. “So you come here a lot?”
He nodded. “But you don’t.”
“I just found it.”
“And what do you think?”
She flung one arm out. “I love it!” Belatedly, she realized that she didn’t sound very sophisticated, gushing like that. She settled back into silence.
He leaned forward, kissing her lightly again. Against her lips, he murmured. “Ah, lovely Cassandra. There’s so much more I could show you.”
Her breath caught. Was he talking about this place—or his kiss? “Like what?”
“Please finish your drink.” His eyes took on a glitter. “You have no sense of your power, do you?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Cassie took a long swallow, staring at him.
“There are sources of power available for the taking, Cassandra. Worlds to explore, universes to experience. This…” He swept one arm to take in the room, “This is nothing.”
She didn’t know what he meant, but it didn’t matter. She wanted to get back to something she could learn pretty quickly. Glancing up at him, lashes lowered, she smiled faintly. “I am sure that I’d like another kiss.”
A quick frown, then he bent to her. He forced her mouth open, stabbed his tongue inside. The savagery had Cassie pulling away, heart thumping wildly.
She retreated, and he moved in on her. Cassie’s drink sloshed over her hand.
Out of nowhere came Jimmy. He shoved the blond man, then took a swing. “Leave her alone, I told you!”
“Jimmy, no!” Cassie yelled.
The blond man dove forward, driving his head into Jimmy’s belly. They crashed to the floor, knocking down chairs, rolling over and over. Jimmy came out on top and smashed his fist into the blond man’s face. The blond grabbed his nose, his mask knocked askew. Then he leapt up, going for Jimmy again.
Someone screamed over the music; people cleared out a space for the fight. Cassie rushed forward to stop them.
A hand grasped her arm.
Cassie whirled, jerked away. “Let me go!” She stopped as she recognized the face behind the mask. “Markos?”
Saying nothing, he removed her drink from her rigid grasp with his free hand and set it on a table behind him. Silver winked on his finger, and she shook her head, trying to focus.
Just then, she was jostled as someone pushed past and forced the two men apart. The blond man glared at Jimmy, body rigid with challenge. He shook off his captor, then grabbed Jimmy by the throat.
Cassie felt light-headed from the fighting. She’d never seen one in real life.
“Come along, Cassie. This is no place for you.” Markos glanced from the brawling duo, his jaw flexing. “Come outside with me, please.” Clasping her arm, he turned to leave.
“Wait.” Her own voice sounded funny to her. Why couldn’t she think straight, decide what to do? “I can’t leave them like this.”
“I don’t think your brother will be too impressed if you wind up in jail. This fight could bring the police.”
“I’m not doing anything wrong.” But her stomach sank as she pictured what Dante would have to say.
Markos towered over her, looking as if he were considering throwing her over his shoulder—or over his knee and paddling her, she couldn’t be sure which. Finally, with an exaggerated sigh, he leaned forward. “Cassie, don’t be childish.”
She glanced over at the two men. “But they—” She started toward them and stumbled.
Markos caught her arm and steadied her. “They’ll brawl it out like two young stags, then probably wind up buying each other drinks. Or they’ll share the same cell. Either way, this isn’t the place for you.”
Leaning against Markos, she was secretly pleased that Jimmy would fight over her. Not that she’d needed it. Cassie’s head spun, remembering that last kiss. Okay, so the blond man had scared her a little, but—
She wished she weren’t so dizzy. She tried to remember what he’d said about her power.
“Cassie, come on. This way.” Markos took her by the arm, leading her out. “I’ll take you home.”
“Can’t—my car—” Leaning against him, Cassie felt safe, tucked under his arm.
“I’ll take care of it, little one.” Drawing her close, Markos headed for the door.
Cassie nestled gratefully against him.
In the dark chamber where they’d both been taken, Jimmy glared at the blond man. He rotated his jaw and winced at the pain. He stood straighter, biting back a gasp as his ribs protested.
“You leave her alone, I’m warning you.” Where was Cassie now? Was she all right?
The blond man snarled. “You’ve said that before.”
“She’s too innocent to be a pawn in your games.”
His eyes chilled. “Games?”
Careful. “Something happened to that other girl. To Sam.”
“Need I remind you that Sam was with you when he died?”
“I didn’t—I don’t know what happened that night.”
“Yet you want to point fingers? It would seem to me that you have more to lose than anyone in the investigation of Sam’s death.”
Jimmy’s gaze narrowed. “I didn’t kill him.”
“You can prove that?”
“My—” My sister could, he wanted to say. But would she, given how they’d parted, how little faith she had in him? No, he’d never ask her.
“Yes? You were going to say, perhaps, that your sister could help you?”
Stunned, Jimmy only stared.
The blond man smiled. “You think we know so little of the outside world? How would it look for you to become the prime suspect in a murder investigation? What would your dear sister the detective think?” He leaned forward, lip curled in a snarl. “Don’t fuck with me, Carroll. I don’t think you want to risk that, just for the sake of a silly little virgin with adventurous leanings.”
Christ. What was he going to do?
The door opened; the Priestess swept into the room, red robes swirling around her long legs. Behind the feathered mask, her eyes glittered dangerously.
She chose Jimmy first. “What was your reason for initiating a fight with a member of the faithful? We do not turn on one another.”
“Priestess, I—”
“He’s thought better of his conduct, Priestess,” the blond man interrupted, cutting his gaze over toward Jimmy, the warning clear. “He’s already apologized to me for losing his temper.”
She studied the blond man carefully, then turned her sharp gaze back to Jimmy. “Your explanation?”
“I—I thought a young woman was in danger.”
“Ah…so you leapt to her defense?”
“Yes, Priestess.”
“You thought the need so great?”
“I did, yes, but…” Jimmy glanced over at the other man. “I—I guess I was wrong.” He swallowed, the sour taste of defeat heavy on his tongue.
“This mistake will not be repeated.” Her tone was not a question.
Jimmy lowered his eyes. He couldn’t let Cassie be hurt, but what was he to do? He’d go crazy in jail, and how could he ever clear himself? They’d been so good to him—except the Keeper. They’d given him a family, a place to belong.
He had to get away and think. His jaw clenched, his tone leaden. “No, Priestess.”
“Leave us. Think long upon what you have done.”
Jimmy left the room, heart heavy with dread.
The Priestess whirled on the blond man. “What are you trying to do, Keeper? You go too far.”
He sneered. “He’s no danger to us.”
“You’re a fool if you believe that. Two people have died, must I remind you?” Dark eyes snapped her fury.
“He’s our fall guy, if we need one.” Shrugging his shoulders, the Keeper continued. “But we won’t. It won’t happen again.”
“How can you be sure? We don’t know why it happened before. We’re all at risk.”
He smiled, feeling the balance shifting. “But you’re the Priestess. You’re in charge.”
One long finger pointed. “You’re the Keeper of the Chalice. The Elixir and the Sacred Waters are in your care. You can be replaced. The Magos has only to order it.”
His gut clenched. He was vulnerable still. Until his power eclipsed theirs, caution was required.
“You’re right,” he injected a faint apology in his tone. “We’re in this together. I wanted no trouble tonight, but the girl—she’s perfect.”
“Perfect for what?”
“She’s a virgin, I’m certain of it.” His voice vibrated with his excitement. “And very sheltered. Can you imagine the power of a ceremony with a true innocent?”
“That’s what attracts you? Her purity?”
Of course that wasn’t all of it. Cassandra’s inexperience wouldn’t last long—not sparked by the greed for adventure he’d seen beneath her coy, lowered lashes. A provocative virgin whose life force was strong…he would drive into her sweet body and his own power would grow.
But best of all, she was Dante’s pampered sister…a lovely, naïve, succulent pawn.
He moved closer to the Priestess. “Innocence has its place,” he shrugged one shoulder. “While it has a certain charm, it is, however, crude and inelegant.” Lowering his tone, he gazed into her dark eyes. “I far prefer polish and…” He stroked the feathers of her mask, sliding his forefinger down one silken black tip to her scarlet lips, drawing a slow path along the seam between them. “A more worldly patina.” Holding his breath, he watched her lips part slightly, her eyes darken with lust.
The tip of her tongue circled his finger and drew it into the wet warmth of her mouth. She sucked it in imitation as she closed her hand around his straining length. He thrust against her hand and heard her low, husky laughter. With one slow swirl around his finger, she pulled away, squeezing his sac with a quick, painful clasp.
He managed to hold her gaze without wincing. She smiled, her hands sliding up to caress her own breasts.
“Perhaps a virgin could be amusing. I’ve never initiated one before.” She took his hands, placing them where her own had just been. “Tell me more about this girl, Keeper.”
He squeezed her generous breasts in his hands and began speaking.
Outside the door, Jimmy’s stomach turned. He didn’t know Cassie’s last name or where to find her. He hadn’t learned Melinda’s last name, either. But how many rich girls named Cassie could there be in Santa Fe?
Easing away from the wall, he stifled a groan. Shuffling along like an old man, he made his way as carefully as possible to the door.
He had to find her. What he’d heard…it was sick. They wanted to make her a plaything, and she could wind up dead like that other girl.
Like Sam.
Was it something in the Elixir that had killed them? But he’d taken it the same night as Sam. He hadn’t partaken of the Sacred Waters yet—was that it? But lots of other members had consumed them both and were fine.
And the other girl had never been to a ritual, to his knowledge.
Jace. Would she help him? Or would she lecture him about getting his act together? Could she set aside being his big sister and just be a cop? Help him find Cassie?
Suddenly he remembered the Keeper’s threat to make him the fall guy. He had no alibi for that night. Shit. Jace would see the same fuck-up he’d always been. She’d tell him that he was screwed. Worse yet, she’d have to arrest him because she was on the force. She couldn’t hide a suspect.
For a moment, Jimmy remembered being six years old and scared to death because his father was dead and his mother sat in the dark and drank. Jace hadn’t panicked; she’d taken over and made sure things got done. She was right; she had been all that had stood between him and a foster home.
He couldn’t tell her about any of this, not until he could figure out how to assure her that he hadn’t killed Sam.
But he had to stop them from harming Cassie.
He’d look for her…and he’d send Jace a tip that something in this place was rotten.
Evil to the core.
Jace awoke to the sound of a blue jay scolding, her eyes opening to the pale blue at the edge of morning. Restless hours of fevered fragments drifting through her dreams had left her more tired than when she went to bed.
Drawing in a deep breath, she stretched, the covers falling—
Over bare breasts. She was naked…and her nipples ached slightly.
No. She sat up quickly. It had only been a dream.
But she spotted the black dress draped neatly over the foot of her bed, its gleaming metal zipper a reproach. She clutched the covers to her breasts. Scanning the room, she listened carefully for sounds that she was not alone.
An empty hush greeted her. No one was here.
But—
Open yourself to me. Surrender.
Oh, God. She hadn’t dreamed him, had she? A sudden flash memory of her bare breasts gleaming in the flare of laser lights made Jace shudder.
She rose from the bed and grabbed her robe.
What have I done?
She wrapped her robe tightly, tying the belt with unnecessary force. Clutching the lapels in stiff fingers, she stared at the floor, trying to bring order to a tumble of shutter-fast images.
Take a deep breath. Today is…Saturday. You went to work yesterday. You—
She’d awakened naked. She never slept naked when she was alone.
Someone had undressed her, put her to bed.
Remember, damn it. How did you get home?
Panic rose in greasy waves. Her fingers tightened on the robe, but the dread wouldn’t back down.
Fear propelled her out of the room, into the kitchen, her gaze swiftly scanning to confirm that she was alone. Walking to the cabinet beside the sink, she pulled down a glass and filled it from the faucet, holding it in trembling hands as she swallowed greedily, moistening her sandpaper throat. Small rivulets of water slid from each corner of her mouth and trailed down her neck. She didn’t stop gulping until she’d drained the glass.
Wiping across her mouth with the back of her hand, Jace set the glass down and dried the water trickling over her body with the lapels of her robe, too late to stop one track across her left breast.
A flash of a dark masked head in her vision, his tongue licking hot trails over that same curve, then fastening on her nipple…
Jace felt once again the raw moan that had seemed to writhe upward from her belly, the hunger that had been a living thing inside her.
She moaned aloud now, and sank to the floor, huddling into a ball.
What have I done?
Sometime later, the floor grew chilly, her muscles stiff. Jace arose unsteadily, muscles protesting. Shower, dress, have breakfast, just a normal—
She sagged against the doorway on the way to the bathroom, cold dread sinking in. Shaking her head roughly, she straightened and kept walking.
Don’t think right now. Get your armor on, get the day going—it will all come back.
If only she could forget her drunken mother scraping for memories of nights she’d never recall.
Did I drink too much? But she didn’t remember drinking anything.
Easy, Jace. Take your shower. Just…shower. One step at a time.
Somehow she got dressed and ate standing up, tasting nothing. All the while she pushed at the borders of cotton batting numbing her brain, but the harder she pressed, the less she could unearth.
Her last clear memory was of changing clothes that night to go to The Club to look for Jimmy. She’d wanted to warn him, to get him out of that place—
A dark figure looming over you…Myra’s words.
Dante Sabanne knows more than he’s telling.
An explosion of stars. Whirling, tumbling…bone-deep terror…
Trust yourself…let go…I have you… The man behind her, his hands all over her, had any of that been real? Jace shoved away from the counter. She might be off duty today, but she had work to do. Digging into Dante Sabanne’s life was item number one on her list.
What was his involvement with The Club? Did he get a kick out of playing games?
She couldn’t discuss her fears over last night with anyone. She was too new on the squad, and the captain was just waiting for her to screw up. She had to know more before she talked to anyone. Had to work this out herself.
But if Dante Sabanne thought she would be an easy mark, she had news for him. She wasn’t that person, not a flake like Myra. She was smart and logical. Driven. She was good at her work and she would get better.
Her focus now would be to unravel the mystery of the man.
Then the balance of power would shift.
Feeling a little stronger, she shoved her feet into her boots, threw the black dress into the bottom of the hamper, grabbed her car keys and strode out the door.
I don’t know what game you’re playing, Sabanne, but you picked the wrong woman to play it with.