Page 34 of Dance of Madness

More real.

More exciting.

More…everything.

And obviously, it made me think of the one other time I ever did anything like that…

I shake the thoughts away as I turn toward the hallway leading to the restrooms. I walk past a low-lit alcove, ignoring a guy sitting with two girls, snorting a line of who-knows-what off a little mirror.

A security guard is posted halfway down the hall, arms folded over a black dress shirt that strains against his chest.

He steps in front of me when I approach.

“I’m just looking for the ladies room?” I smile.

The security guy shakes his head. “Upstairs restrooms are closed for maintenance,” he says flatly.

I try again. “I'm, uh, withLaz?”

Okay, I’mnot. But he did say we were “permanently on the list,” so…

The guy’s brow furrows, then he nods in acknowledgement.

“Apologies, miss. It’s technically closed tonight, but if you like, there’s a ladies room downstairs in the event space.” He nods to a roped-off staircase. “Go straight to the back. You’ll see the signs.”

I smile. “Why,thank you.”

My heels click loudly on the steps as I descend. The music gets muffled as I move away from it, and the air turns a little colder without the swarm of dancing, sweaty bodies.

A few dim sconces flicker on the walls, barely lighting the path.

At the bottom, I reach a huge, empty ballroom, the tables pushed to one side with chairs flipped upside down on top of them.

For a second I hesitate, my nerves prickling.

Everything down here feelsoff. It's too quiet. Too still. Like the building’s holding its breath.

Then I catch sight of the door on the far side marked “ladies”, and I head over.

It’s dark inside, but the flick of a wall switch turns on elegant, trendy Edison bulb lighting. The bathroom is all fluffy white hand towels and brass accents, with a huge, gorgeous filigree mirror above a low, marble counter with an inset sink.

I move to it and let the water run before splashing my face a few times.

My hands are shaking.

Get a fucking grip, girl.

I reach for a towel and start patting my face dry just as the door clicks open behind me. I pull the towel away and start to glance up, expecting to see another girl who’s come down here since the restrooms are closed upstairs.

I never get the chance to raise my eyes all the way. Instantly, a hand fists my hair and slams me against the counter, pressing my cheek to the mirror as pure adrenaline explodes through my system.

The scream lodges in my throat as my breath fogs the glass in front of my face. I thrash, trying to shove back against the rock-hard body holding me. I flail, and fight, and kick?—

Then I freeze.

Because the voice that growls in my ear is familiar. It's one I’ve been hearing in my nightmares and my fantasies since the other night.

“We didn’t get to finish,little princess.”

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