Page 27 of In Shadows We Dance

I stand up and face them. “It’s time for a game of chase.”

Their grins are immediate, as I knew they would be.

“Is Ghost Girl tonight’s prey?” Monty asks.

“She’s supposed to meet me at the end of her street at eight. We’ll see if she shows up willingly, or if I have to go and get her.”

“If she’s like the rest, it’ll be willing. They always are.” Monty drops to sit on the edge of my bed, stretching his legs out.

“I hope not. Willing would be predictable.Boring.”

“Youwantto go and get her?”

I smile, a slow curve that draws their full attention. “It would be more fun that way, don’t you think?”

“And then?” Nico’s grin widens, eager to hear the next part of my plan.

“And then, she dances for me.” The possessive edge in my voice makes them exchange glances, but they don’t comment. They’ve heard it before, but this time it’s different. They can sense it, even if they don’t understand why.

Monty raises an eyebrow. “And what if she doesn’t?”

“She will.” My response is immediate, certain. “She won’t want to, but she’ll do it.”

“That’s new.” Nico studies me. “You usually let them think they have a choice. What’s so special about this one?”

Our games have always followed a pattern. Find a girl, make her feel special, bring her here, and see what it takes to break her. The chase is different every time, but the outcome—that moment when fear turns into something else—that’s what we crave.

Kristen, pressed against a tree, her pleas to leave her alone turning into begging for Monty to fuck her.

Sarah, the gymnast, whose terror melted into desperate passion once Nico caught up with her.

They were easy. Too easy. Their fear crumbled too soon, theirsurrender forgettable. I played my part, made sure my friends got what they wanted. Tonight, it’s their turn to helpme.

“She’s different.”

“Differenthow?” Monty presses.

“She’s a challenge. There’s something under the surface. She doesn’t even know it’s there, but I do. And I want to see how far I have to push her before it comes out.”

“Or she fights back.” Nico grins.

“Either way, it’s entertaining.” Monty looks at me. “But you’ve had challenges before.”

“Not like this. She’s not like the others. They wanted to be part of the game, even if they didn’t want to admit it.Shewants to disappear. She’s trying so hard to vanish, and that’s why I can’t stop watching her.”

Monty laughs. “Always the dramatics with you, Carlisle.”

“You think I’m wrong?” My voice is deceptively calm.

His grin fades, and he shakes his head. “No, I just think you’re playing with fire.”

“Fire burns brighter.”

“After the dancing. What then?” Nico asks.

“Well, you know how much fun the woods can be at night.”

Monty glances at Nico. Nico laughs.

---