She wanted him to be here.
She hoped to hell he wasn’t.
Jace stood in the doorway of The Club’s newest location, Halliday at her side.
“Cardozo’s gonna shit when I tell him about this outfit,” Halliday spoke next to her ear so she could hear him, his gaze traveling down the short red spandex halter dress.
“You’re gonna die if you do,” Jace warned.
He flashed a grin filled with mischief. “Oh, yeah? How can we settle this, Jace? Hand-to-hand combat?”
She poked him in the ribs. “I’ve whipped guys bigger than you.”
“Probably because you flashed those legs, and they went blind.” He laughed, dodging her elbow again.
“Shut up, Halliday. Let’s get to work, but remember what I told you about the smoke. Take frequent breaks and stay away from where it’s thickest.”
“Yes, Mom.” He flashed her a grin and grabbed her hand and made for the dance floor. “One dance first.”
“I’m serious, Halliday.”
“I know, I know.”
But he didn’t know. Couldn’t. As she danced with him, her gaze scanned the crowd and she wished she could forget the threat of Dante. Some of the faces, even masked, were becoming familiar to her by now; she’d try to talk to some of them about the girl, Sarah Brown. See if anyone remembered her.
When the music segued, she waved goodbye to Halliday, crossing the floor to see what attention she could attract. Somebody in this place was bound to have seen Sarah Brown.
She danced with several partners, the task of avoiding groping hands and brushing bodies occupying her nearly enough to forget for brief stretches to look for Dante.
She should be glad—she was glad he didn’t seem to be here. Neither was Cassandra, it appeared, though someone so tiny would be hard to spot in this madhouse. Jimmy was nowhere to be found, either.
Someone moved in too close, and Jace glanced up with a ready retort.
Her friend from the first visit, the blond man, smiled at her. Hi there, he mouthed.
Jace seldom blushed, but embarrassment surged through her body at the thought that it could have been his hands on her that first night, whatever she’d imagined. She forced a smile. Hi, she mouthed.
They danced together, him very close but making no move on her. The heat was overpowering, and Jace began to feel dizzy.
Want something to drink?
Sure. She’d get a bottled water, the contents of which she could monitor. He was as good a place as any to start asking questions.
Grasping her hand, he led her off the floor. He looked surprised when she wanted only water but didn’t complain. She watched carefully to see that the bartender took it out of a cooler, gesturing that she would open it herself.
Her companion glanced down. “You’re very cautious.” The music was still loud over here, but she could hear him.
She shrugged and broke the seal, lifted the bottle to her lips and swallowed several long pulls. Sighing, she wiped one hand across her sweating forehead. “Pays to be careful. That girl was here, I heard. The one who died.”
“Yeah, I saw the news on TV.”
“You ever notice her?”
He pushed out his lower lip as if thinking hard. “Not that I can recall.”
“You must come here a lot.”
One shoulder lifted. “I guess so. You?”
She didn’t want to discuss her own visits. “Not so much.” To change the subject, she went on. “Surprising number of kids. Isn’t that a little dangerous?”
“Why?”
“Well, I mean, this isn’t exactly the most wholesome place. A young girl could get into trouble.”
“They aren’t as young as they seem. They know what they’re doing.” Something in his smile chilled her. “They’re reclaiming their power.”
Jace went rigid. “What did you say?”
“They’re claiming their power as women. Women have their own might, you know.” His words showed respect, maybe even admiration. His tone indicated something very different.
She made a stab in the dark. “Goddesses and priestesses…they’ve been around as long as mankind has told stories.”
His head moved almost negligently in her direction, but his eyes could have sliced her to the bone. His voice, however, was neutral. “You’re interested in priestesses?”
“I heard of a religion once where the priestess initiated the young men of the tribe. Led them to the Light, I think they called it.” She observed him carefully for any sign of recognition.
His eyebrows rose. “Hmm…sounds interesting. Exactly how did she do this initiation?” Leaning in, he placed one hand at her back.
Jace forced herself not to react, not to tell the creep to get lost. “There seems only one way to make it truly a powerful experience.”
He pulled her closer, his erection unmistakable. “You’re interested in powerful experiences?”
“I’m intrigued by more than sweaty sex.”
The gleam that flared was not simple lust. The hairs on Jace’s neck rose.
“There is much I could show you, if you’re interested.”
“Oh, I am,” she all but purred. His gaze turned avid.
“Could we go now?” Jace asked.
His eyes went cold. “You do not understand.”
“Then help me.”
“I don’t believe you’re serious. I don’t waste my power on someone frivolous.” He scanned the room, then dismissed her. “Excuse me, please. I see someone over there—”
“Wait.” Jace grabbed his arm.
With barely leashed contempt, he dislodged her. “You’re no different than most of them.” He nodded at the crowd.
“I am, I can prove it.” She couldn’t let him get away. “Look, let me meet you someplace where we can talk without all this noise.” When he remained skeptical, she adopted an air of penitence. “I do care about what you’re saying. I—I’m sorry if I offended you. I didn’t meant to.”
“I don’t know. Give me your phone number and perhaps I’ll call you.” Superiority rang through his every word.
He wouldn’t call.
“Listen, I don’t have a phone yet. I’m new in town, and I’m saving up money. Leave me a note at that place, Hearts…something.”
“Hearts Speak True,” he supplied.
“That’s it! You know it?”
“I go there from time to time.”
“Leave me a note on that bulletin board, giving me a time and place we can meet.”
“What’s your name?”
She hesitated only an instant. “Justine. What’s yours?”
“Simon.” He scanned the crowd, edged away.
She put out a hand, watched his expression change. Jace held on. “I really mean it, Simon. I want to know more. Please teach me.”
“Perhaps. I have to go.” Setting his glass down, he disappeared into the crowd.
Jace watched him leave, her scalp crawling. She’d ask around about him. There was definitely something off with this one.
Two hours later, dizzy and head pounding even with frequent breaks, Jace sought out Halliday, ready to depart. She hoped he’d found out more. Despite her best attempts, she’d learned next to nothing about this guy Simon or Sarah Brown.
But the night hadn’t been totally wasted; this Simon had Jace’s hunches itching like crazy. She wished the masks weren’t part of the scene, but she’d remember what she’d seen of his face and she’d keep looking. Santa Fe wasn’t so big.
And maybe he’d come through and leave a note at Myra’s. Despite the lack of concrete results, she thought she’d just found a way to track down Jimmy’s cult.
She only hoped it wasn’t too late for either Cassandra or Jimmy.
Jimmy Carroll leaned against the building across the street from tonight’s venue of The Club, his vision blurred, stomach rebelling at the cheap whiskey he’d drunk. Two days spent searching for Cassie, to no avail. Two days wasted in useless wondering how to get himself out of this trap over Sam’s death.
With bleary eyes he watched people enter and exit, hoping he was here for no reason, that Jace had found Cassie and she’d heeded his warning. If only he knew Cassie would be safe, he’d split town right now and never look back.
Just what Jace would expect of you. What you’ve always resorted to before—run when the going gets tough.
Not this time. Drunk as he was, the liquor had not dimmed his understanding of what he’d done. He hadn’t killed Sam, but he’d damn sure introduced Cassie to the dark underbelly of life. He could try to tell himself that she’d been so determined, she’d have found her way in here whether he helped or not—but he knew different. Another time, she might never have attracted the eye of the Keeper. If he hadn’t brought her here when he did, she could have had one night of fun and been satisfied to leave it at that.
No, Cassie was his responsibility. He’d walked away from it often enough in his life—Jace had always been there to handle things, so he’d been superfluous.
But this was squarely his mess to clean up. He was tired and hungry and weary to his soul, but as soon as he was sure Cassie wasn’t in The Club tonight, he’d resume looking for her again.
Maybe he’d even call Jace.
Jace. Suddenly he saw her and straightened. She was here. Coming out of The Club with some guy.
Jimmy retreated into the shadows. He could walk right over and talk to her, and maybe she’d…
He was drunk. To know he was drinking would hurt Jace more than anything. After all they’d suffered at the hands of their mother, he couldn’t let Jace see him this way. As he shrank deeper into the darkness, a movement in the doorway of the club caught his eye.
The Keeper. Watching Jace. Staring at her receding back, the lines of his body revealing his true nature, not the façade most people saw.
He’d told Jimmy he knew who Jace was. He could hurt her, too, and he would. Sure, she was a cop, and probably a very good one. Jace never did things by halves.
But his sister was fair, and the Keeper was pure evil. Still, she’d been around.
Cassie hadn’t. Strong-willed, adventuresome Cassie was far too innocent to understand her danger.
When the Keeper left in a different direction, Jimmy followed. If he couldn’t warn Jace or locate Cassie, he could at least keep an eye on the man who would do them both harm.
Jimmy could barely see to stay on the road, but he squinted intently, determined to follow Simon to his destination. When the other man’s car pulled behind one of the larger old homes near downtown, Jimmy stopped on the street, noticing too late how crookedly he’d parked.
Never mind. Have to find Cassie. Got to make Simon leave her alone.
He stumbled, crossing the driveway in the darkness. Leaning heavily against the back corner of the house, Jimmy glanced around the corner to spot the Keeper ascending a set of stairs to a garage apartment.
Was she in there? Should he leave and get Jace?
No, man, what are you gonna tell her? You don’t know if Cassie’s here. She could be anywhere. Go up the stairs and find out.
Grasping the banister with both hands, squeezing his eyes shut, then opening to clear them, Jimmy lurched upward, biting back a groan when his shin hit the sharp edge of one step.
The doorway at the top was open, the screen moving outward. A figure appeared in the spill of light on the landing.
“What are you doing here?” Menace mingled with contempt.
“Cassie…where is she? Leave her alone.” Jimmy blinked again, swaying.
“She’s not here, you fool. Go home and sleep it off.”
“Can’t—got to find her. Warned Jace to keep her away from you, but she might not be in time,” he muttered. The ground below seemed to spin. He grasped the banister for support.
“You did what?” Simon moved down to stand before him.
“Won’t let you get away with it. She’s…virgin. Can’t let you hurt her…my fault.” Simon’s face blurred; Jimmy blinked. He looked bigger, arms reaching out toward him.
“What makes you think I want to hurt her?” The soft, dangerous voice barely reached Jimmy’s ears.
“Heard you…Priestess. Can’t let you hurt her…know you want to blame me for Sam. You did it, though, didn’t you?” His knees felt soft…too weak to hold him. “Maybe Jace—”
“You told your sister?”
Jimmy shook his head. Wish he had, but Jace—would she believe him? “Fucked up…got to fix it before tell her—”
He swayed. Simon steadied him. Jimmy looked up, head spinning. “Thanks.”
Simon’s face loomed before him. “So exactly what did you tell your sister about me?”
Simon’s fingers felt too tight. Jimmy shrugged, trying to dislodge them. “Nothing,” he hedged. “Just…warn Cassie to stay away from Club.”
“Nothing more?” His tone turned silken.
“Not…yet. Got to find Cassie first…then talk to Jace. She’ll help me…” he mumbled. Tried to focus on Simon’s green eyes. “I’m leaving…soon as Cassie’s safe. No more Light…no True Path. You’re evil, Simon.” His body folded; he struggled for balance, gripped Simon’s arm. “Tell me where Cassie is, Keeper. Let her go.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Jimmy.” He smiled sorrowfully, removing Jimmy’s grip from his arm.
Then pushed at the center of Jimmy’s chest.
And watched him tumble all the way to the ground.