1
CLARA
“Iknow, I look ridiculous.”
The woman next to me in the elevator glances over, then quickly looks away. I can’t help but feel ridiculous standing next to her New York-glam ensemble in my sexy, deep green fantasy elf costume, made of silk and chiffon, and with a ribbon-laced front corset.
I’d drawn the line at the fake elf ears.
“My best friend spared no expense in planning her bachelorette party, even though I’m the maid of honor and it’s my duty. I tried talking her out of it, but I was unsuccessful. She gets an idea in her head and runs with it. Emily and her treasure hunts, escape rooms, and magical quests. Why couldn’t she just let me throw her a traditional bachelorette party?”
The woman has no answer for me other than one more odd glance before stepping out into the hallway as soon as the doors slide open.
Once the doors close again, I realize the button for my floor is no longer illuminated. I go to push it, annoyed, when my phone buzzes, causing my annoyance to increase tenfold.
“Leave me alone,” I snarl under my breath, ignoring the call yet again as the elevator starts its ascent, shoving the phone back into my purse.
The doors slide open with a ding, and I make my way to the only door.
My crazy bestie has a dozen of us scouring New York City for clues, drinking fruit shots at various bars in exchange for hints to the next location given in ridiculous riddles, while she watches intently with an amused sparkle in her eye.
I’ll do just about anything for my best friend, and I have to admit, the journey to this door, what Emily called “Fantasy Land” in one of the city’s grandest hotels, was kind of fun.
I double-check the invitation, take a deep breath, and ring the bell.
The door opens to reveal a penthouse suite at the top of the world, with floor-to-ceiling windows thatoverlookthe glowing cityscape of Manhattan.
A man stands there, tall, ruggedly handsome, and imposing. The glass in his hand reflects the flickering light of candles burning nearby. Music plays softly in the background.
“Oh! Hold on. I have to put this on,” I tell him.
I tug the strip of cloth from my clutch and tie it around my head and over my eyes, making the room disappear.
“It’s part of the challenge, but you already know that, right?”
The man remains quiet, though I can hear ice swirling in his glass.
“Sorry. I’ve had a few shots already. Okay, so, here’s the rhyme:
I have followedthe Queen’s scroll to this high gate, a final journey from the grassy dell
For the Lady’s revel, I can no longer wait, where champagne flows, and magic starts to swell
Say to the keeper, ‘The Fellowship is here,’ and banish all your fears.”
The silence continueswhile I wait for whatever answer is supposed to come, until the slow tapping of approaching footsteps mark the man’s movement.
“And you are?” His voice reverberates across my skin, a deep baritone with a thick Russian accent that leaves a breath of a shiver running through me.
“I’m Clara. So what do we do now?”
“You tell me,” the sexy voice says. I can hear the ice clink as the glass is placed down. He moves
closer, thescent of woodsmoke and amber filling my nostrils.
What kind of bachelorette party dare is this? I was expecting someLord of the Ringsfantasy cosplay but nothing like this.
“So I’m supposed to figure it out then. I guess the ‘Lady’s revel’ could be the bachelorette party.”
