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“Have you found it yet?”
I blink, nausea rolling over me as I stare at the lion’s face.
“Miss? Hello??”
I blink again, flinching. It’s like someone’s just snapped their fingers to bring me out of a trance. I drag my eyes up to his, steeling myself as I force myself not to gag.
“Not yet,” I smile.
The man is a little older, of course, and wearing a mask. But I’d know him anywhere. He grins a toothy smile, his eyes dropping to my cleavage.
“Maybe I can help you find what you seek.”
I stiffen as he moves closer to me and he chuckles, tsking with his teeth.
“You don’t need to be frightened,mon petite.”
My blood turns to ice when his hand wanders over my hip, and I really do almost throw up.
“What is it you’re looking for tonight?”
“I…I’m not sure. I?—”
“Ah, then maybe you need to beshown.”
I start to close myself off. I have to. I need to put up walls between my soul—the real “me”—and the rest of my brain.
I fight back the nausea as I reach out and trace one of my fingers over his hand holding the glass.
“I like your ring,” I smile.
The man grins. “You like danger, then.” His eyes raise curiously to mine, peering at me from behind his matte black and gold mask. “You’ve seen a ring like this before?”
I’m not sure how to answer. Yes? And risk him cluing into my motives? Or no?
I throw caution to the wind.
“Yes,” I croak, trying to sound shy.
His lips curl. “Ahh, then youdolike to have fun.”
I lift a shoulder coquettishly. “Maybe.” I nod at the ring again. “What does it mean?”
He chuckles, a salacious edge to his laugh. “What do I get if I tell you?”
God,I feel sick. I want to throw up. Or scream. Or snap the stem of my champagne flute and stab him in the eye with it.
“My…gratitude?” I say hopefully, batting my eyes under my mask and flashing a coy grin.
His smile darkens, and for the first time, I notice that he’s wearing a red and black band on his wrist.
“And how will youdemonstratethat gratitude?”
It takes everything I have not to scream right here and now. My blood turns to ice and bile rises in my throat when he touches my wrist and leans close.
“Perhaps we should go somewhere and discuss it in private.”
Before I can even answer, he grabs my hand tightly and all but drags me behind him as he marches out of the main room. He hauls me down a dark hallway, a loud, whining sound filling my ears.
