Page 47 of Sweet Nightmares
“You’re not.” He sat on the chaise and pulled her into his lap, kissing the top of her head. “You’re not ready.”
“I am,” she sobbed.
“No, little doe, you’re not.” Then, without warning, he disappeared into smoke, leaving her reeling in his absence.
She reached a hand out to thin air like she could catch him and keep him near—but of course, it didn’t work. It would never work.
Jane stood up and lowered her skirts back to the ground. Then, she began to fix her hair.
Jane tried to process everything that had happened, but it was too much. Blood Mirrors, wicked witches, and an orgasm. It was too much. Yet she knew she would have to look into all of it when the storm calmed.
She needed to find out what happened to her parents and who Helene was. Somehow, she knew both things were vital.
Jane let out a squeak as Periwinkle appeared behind her. Oh gods, had she seen what had just happened? Had she heard?
“Gosh, you scared me.” Jane placed a hand on her chest.
“The information you seek lies in the rooms you cannot find.”
“What?” Jane’s brow furrowed as Periwinkle once again disappeared.
Fucking vampires and Mirror Gods. Were they all the same?Utterly confusing.
Chapter Sixteen
Age 27.
The Russet sparkled, a night formed from daydreams, tension, and seductive mysteries. Every night at the casino was an experience, glittering with sin and magic, but tonight was special. It was like the place hummed with sparks.
Like most nights, Jane was overseeing the casino floor, ensuring that no one was stealing, cheating, or causing fights. Jane, Gabriel, or Alexandre typically acted as the Pit Boss. They took turns doing it, with Gabriel being the main Pit Boss, especially since Jane was given rule over the Mirror Black Market. However, Jane had full command tonight.
There were no events, no special singer or even a tournament, yet the floor felt different. Two of Jane’s closest friends were at a table, but that still didn’t explain the energy. Patrons were louder, cheering as people won, and even gossip and chatter increased.
Jane walked over to her friends, Constance and Jevon. At this point, Jane felt terrible that her sister was the only one fromtheir group who didn’t know Jane also worked at the casino. But Jane didn’t want her sister near the city’s underbelly.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t keep her other friends from discovering it. Giselle hadn’t returned since being caught in François’s bed, but Jevon and Constance were regulars at the Russet. Interesting, considering how connected Constance was to the Viridian.
But the girl loved a party.
“Do you sense something strange in the air tonight?” Jane asked her friends. “Something seems weird, but I often have those feelings.”
Jevon rubbed his chin. “You should listen to those feelings. You are typically right.”
Warmth spread in Jane’s chest. “Thank you.” She smiled
Jevon always had a way of making her feel better about herself. She loved all her friends—including that silly prince and François—but Jevon was a calm and warming presence that none of the others were. Constance was a firestorm, Giselle a tidal wave, and Quinn a blizzard. If Jevon were a storm, he would be a windstorm. All great and terrible in their own ways.
“Your scary, intense blond boyfriend is staring at you again.” Constance narrowed her eyes before waving across the room.
Jane’s gaze followed her movements and landed on Nightmare. “He’s not my boyfriend… And don’t draw his attention,” Jane moaned. The last thing Jane needed was Nightmare to ruin her night. He was both far too possessive and totally unconcerned.
It was too late. He had noticed and was stalking over to his prey. Stalking, and preening, like a peacock showing its feathers.
That was the thing about Nightmare. He was never just one thing. He was a multitude, and it was impossible to know all of him at one moment.
“Hello…” The word was said as if it were a delicious candy. Nightmare stopped his prowl at the edge of their table, towering above them, and sliding his hands into his damask silk suit pockets. The pattern was woven together from black and crimson spider silk.
Prince Emrys and Nightmare didn’t have much in common—other than both being powerful vampires—but the two men loved to dress like they were in competition for who could look the richest and deadliest.
