Page 56 of Stolen Summer

He lifted the fabric to my face, fitting it just over my nose so only my eyes were visible, tying the ribbon behind my head. “Not quite, but identities are protected.”

I trailed my fingers over delicate lace and faced the mirror again, taking in my reflection. “This little mask doesn’t seem like it would conceal who I am very well. You better not be taking me to some cult bs. I’m down for crazy but not that crazy.”

His lips twitched as he brushed a curl off my shoulder and sent electric tingles through my skin. “I promise no one will tie you to a stone slab, force you to drink sheep’s blood, and sacrifice you to Lucifer.”

“Well fuck, there goes my night.”

“Get in the car, Killer.”

The car turned out to be a black stretch limo big enough to fit ten people. “This isn’t a car, Cole. It’s a fucking statement.”

A muscle flexed in Cole’s jaw as he slipped in beside me. “You can thank my father. He insisted as he always does.”

I twisted a ring on my finger. “Maybe I should have worn a dress.”

He hit a button, closing the privacy window between us and the driver, before reaching for a bottle of champagne. “And miss seeing you in that corset? I’m afraid not.”

I rolled my eyes, but I did have to admit I looked like the nickname Cole coined for me—Killer.

The drive was longer than I anticipated, an hour at least, but the champagne eased the time. I limited myself to one fairly full glass, knowing I had to pace my consumption. My attempts to extract useful information tonight were a failure. Cole was tight-lipped and in a foul mood. I didn’t understand why we didn’t stay home.

His moody expression shifted when the car stopped in front of a Gothic-looking building. I peered out the tinted glass, taking in the pointed peaks, the iron railings, and the eerie windows. “You failed to mention we were going to Dracula’s house.”

Cole pulled out a skull mask and slipped it over his face, and suddenly it felt like All Saints’ Eve. “Welcome to the Devil’s Night at the Mirrored Mansion, Killer.”

I scowled at the house. “Rich people do weird shit.”

The driver opened Cole’s door, and I inched to the edge of my seat, scooting toward the exit and getting a better view of not just the house but the entrance. A black carpet was rolled over the pathway to the front door. The house was a deep chocolate brown, and under the coverage of night, with only a sliver of moonlight, it looked black. A veranda sat on the right side of the two-story section with a balcony above it. On the other side was a bay-like tower climbing to the second level, and in the center, above the front door, a square tower scaled at least three stories.

Every window in the house, and there were freaking many, glowed in amber, warm, and spookily inviting light.

The house was ghoulishly gorgeous.

I kind of secretly loved it.

Cole took my hand when I stepped out of the car, leading me up a short set of stairs to the door. Two attendants or bodyguards, I couldn’t tell which, stood outside the double doors. Nothing about their expressions or rigid bodies was cordial.

I smiled in greeting, but they remained motionless like stone statues. My smile faded. Not a friendly bunch. I guess I shouldn’t expect to meet any new friends.

“Password,” the guard on Cole’s right prompted.

“The devil sent me.”

Nice.

Cole squeezed my hand as if he sensed something sarcastic was about to tumble out of my mouth and wanted me to keep quiet.

I gave him a sidelong glare he ignored, guiding me inside as the guard opened the door.

“What was that about?” I hissed when we were out of earshot.

“Me saving you from yourself.” His lips aligned with mine, a mere breath separating us. “You look stunning by the way.”

I hated to admit he looked good too. I preferred him in shorts and a tee. Seeing him like this made him more intimidating and dangerous, which apparently, I really, really liked. “Flattery will get you nowhere with me.” Dragging my gaze off Cole, I glanced around the room.

What the?—?

Maybe it was because I hadn’t gone to many Halloween parties, and I’d definitely not been to any masquerade balls, but I’d expected the posh dresses. It was the masks that threw me. The lace one I wore was tame compared to most in the room.

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