Suddenly, I’m no longer in the street, but back in the darkness. I’m no longer dancing with Trudy, but Macareus. His hands have me captive, his mouth taking hold of the flesh along my shoulder blade. “You are too sinful for your own good, cherie. Even your skin tastes wicked.” His hands caress their way down my body. Gentle, feather like touches until he’s not gentle anymore. Rough and quick, he pushes my thighs apart and disappears into my jeans. Two thick fingers push inside me.
“Macareus,” I moan, losing myself to his touch, the madness of his sharp teeth scraping against my neck.
“Such a delight.” He thrusts into me so hard, my knees give out and I collapse. My eyes shoot open, the sun almost blinding me.
“Holy shit, are you okay?” Trudy freaks, hovering over me.
“What…what just happened?”
“You were dancing and then you just collapsed.”
I look around. “Where is Macareus?”
“Who?”
Fighting the dizziness, I sit up. “He was just here. He was dancing with me.” Touching me. “I’m not making him up.” The wetness of my panties confirms I’m not crazy.
Trudy peers at me, worry settling across her face. “Here, let me help you up.” When I stand, I survey the crowd. People are staring, but I couldn’t care less about them. I stalk out into the crowd, searching for him.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Macareus. He was here. Dancing with me.” What’s wrong with me? I fight back the tears. Am I crazy? I grab at my head, needing my mind to clear. That damn tarot reader. She did this to me.
“Katie, you were dancing alone.”
“I wasn’t!” I’m creating a scene. More people gather, taking interest in my sudden crazy.
“Okay, okay! Let’s just…maybe go back to the hotel. Maybe you should lay down—”
“I’m not crazy, Trudy.”
“And I’m not saying you are. I’m just telling you what I saw. I’m not sure what’s going on with you all of a sudden, but we can just call it a day—”
“No. I’m not ruining our trip.” Just because I can’t stop hallucinating. “I’ll be fine.” I brush off all the dirt and muck from my jeans.
A woman pushing a cart of drinks stops in front of us. “Drinks! Spiked to your pleasure. Drinks! Let the party come to you. Drinks—”
“Hey, we’ll take four!” Trudy yells, pulling a bunch of cash from her purse. She pays the woman, handing me two. “Bottoms up. To new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings.” I toss back the first one, then the second right behind. The second one is stronger. I squeeze my eyes shut as the cheap booze burns down my throat. The instant my eyes close, the darkness returns—and so does the overwhelming scent of ambrosia and spice.
My eyes shoot open, and I’m saved by the light.
“Yum! Let’s get another round.” Trudy buys four more, and we do a repeat, slamming both shots. When I close my eyes, he returns. He’s standing in front of me, his silver eyes devouring me. I become angry at his intrusion inside my head. I rip my eyes open, the light erasing him.
This is so messed up.
“Hey, look!” Trudy points to a sign. “That’s the club the guy from earlier was telling me about!” She grabs my hand and pushes us through the crowd. There’s a long line and she sighs. “Shit. Do you want to wait? I kinda want to see what it’s all about.”
I groan at the line, a good thirty people deep. I’m about to convince her to try another club when a man wearing a masquerade mask approaches us.
“Ladies, if this place fits your fancy, please let me welcome you inside. No waiting required. My pleasure. And free of charge.”
Trudy’s eyes light up. “Seriously?”
The man nods. “Of course, madame. May I fancy your presence?”
Trudy looks at me, full smile, then back at the man. “Sure! Fancy us inside!”
He nods once more and escorts us past the line. When we enter through another set of velvet drapes, the darkness settles in around me.
“Hey, I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll meet you by the bar. And when I do, we are getting insanely drunk.” She smacks my ass and blows me a kiss before disappearing down a long, narrow hallway.
I walk toward the bar, excusing myself past a couple making out. The club is dark, but unlike the one Macareus took me to, this one doesn’t require your identity to be hidden behind masks or have a stage with two women luring me in. Hello! That was all in your head! Thank God. Going to keep it to myself about my temptation to have a threesome with two women.
The music playing is a nineties hip hop beat as I make my way up to the bar. An open spot calls my name, and I squeeze in, waiting my turn for the bartender’s attention. The four shots are starting to kick in, and I’m feeling more at ease. My hips sway to the beat, while my fingers tap on the bar.
“Hey, did you want me to grab the bartender?”
I bring my attention to the guy sitting next to me. Blonde. Great smile. Seems harmless. The stool on the other side of me opens, so I take a seat and twist to face him. “Um…sure, thanks.” There’s a twinkle of satisfaction in his eyes. He nods, waiving down the bartender.
“Joe, can I get…” He turns to me.
“Two lemon drop martinis, please.” He eyes me, probably wondering if he just ordered for me and my date. “It’s for my girlfriend. She’s in the bathroom.” The relief across his face makes me chuckle.
“Phew. I was going to say. Not that I mind ordering you and your possible date a drink… You’re gorgeous, and I thought…well, I’m Vince.”
I return his quirky smile and reach out to shake his hand. “Katie.”
His hand feels nice. Gentle. Friendly. We pull
