Page 48 of Sacrifice

She had said nothing about power. They eyed each other for a long moment, Lucien’s gaze flicking around her face, taking in every detail. Eve didn’t know if she should say what she was thinking.

“Go on,” he coaxed.

“You’re going to think this is crazy,” she began, “But it was different this time. When I put on the crown in your chateau, it gave me a buzz, like there was an energy in it.” She faltered, considering how to phrase her next thought. “It affected my vision. I saw… shadows. Extra shadows.”

“Double vision?”

“I suppose. In a way.” Eve chewed at her lip. “I think I was tired, over tired. It had been a big weekend.” She smiled at him and the memories of Paris seemed to flow between them.

Lucien sighed, clearly remembering it, too. “Yes.”

Yes.A flash of him bending her over the car erupted in her memory, both erotic and alarming. She liked the power he wielded over her, but wondered if she was biting off more than she could chew. Eve pressed her lips together, thinking.

“And today?”

“Today,” she searched for the right words, “It felt amplified. Today I imagined I could feel the power of the sun.” She looked at him, wide-eyed, and waited for him to scoff. He did not.

“And the star?” Lucien looked hungrily at the star-shaped bulge beneath Eve’s sweater and she brushed her fingers over it to reassure herself it was still there.

“My grandmother’s. And almost certainly made to be with the crown.”

“The star is an unexpected bonus, I must admit.” Lucien licked his lips. “More proof of who you truly are. Your lineage is at the heart of this. I think you have special powers, Eve.”

A month ago, she would have laughed herself silly at the suggestion of her havingspecial powers, but everything had changed since she’d met Lucien. She was starting to feel like anything was possible. The crown of Ishtar had released something powerful inside her.

Lucien fixed her in his gaze. “I believe you to be the reincarnation of Ishtar, Eve.”

She raised her eyebrows at him and laughed. “You can’t be serious.”

Lucien did not smile.

“You’re actually saying I am a reincarnated goddess?”

He nodded. “Generation after generation, through the maternal line. The crown confirms it.”

Eve goggled at him. “That’s insane. You know that’s insane, right? And what exactly does that mean? Can I fly? Conjure up storms? Turn men to stone?” She laughed nervously at the idea.

The waiter returned with their caviar and champagne, then set about the precise procedure of laying the table. Delicate silver pots of caviar and sour cream, a salver of blinis, tall sparkling flutes, and the champagne itself. Lucien nodded his approval of the bottle and they waited, Eve rather impatiently, for two glasses to be poured, very carefully and very slowly.

Once the second the waiter had bowed himself out of the room, Eve snatched up her glass and glugged it down.

“Chin chin,” said Lucien. He looked amused.

Eve couldn’t help but be irritated. It was all very well for him to dish out these comments, all silky smooth and relaxed about it, but it was her that was having the out-of-body experience.

Thoughts of derision growled in her mind.

How the fuck would you like it? You’ve got no idea!

I know more than you think.Lucien’s voice interrupted her thoughts, and their eyes locked across the table.

Eve cocked her head.Say what now?

You’d be surprised by what I know.His lips weren’t moving.

“Now that’s good.” She wagged a finger at him. “How are you doing that?” She’d looked around the room looking for—what? A little speaker? A techno gadget that only deranged women could hear? A mind probe?

You’re getting hysterical.

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