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~ Twelve ~

CHANCE HUGGED ROYCE close as they crossed the central hall to the front door She went onto her toes and whispered sohed as he opened the front door wide

Trevor stood there, fist up and ready to knock

Royce saw Trevor’s expression as his gaze traveled from Chance’s arm wrapped around her to the sht up in his bright eyes, and then he snorted “Well, well … Chancemont LeBlanc … well, well!”

Chance eyed hily “Well, well, is it?”

“Oh then, come off it—we don’t have ti, Red? Fully recovered?” With that he snorted a laugh

“I don’t see what is so funny,” returned Royce, twinkling at him

“Yes, you do, but never ave news of Pestale Apparently the devil has been playing gaain with humans … in Conclaff near the Irish sea”

“What has he done?” Royce stepped out of Chance’s hold, her face draith concern

“He took four young girls—no more than seventeen years old They were at a dance He just walked in, and according to accounts from their friends, he said, “Come with me,” and they did Off they went outside, and then I suppose he shifted the these days Red … weCan you see him in your mind?” He reached out and handed her a piece of cloth “Breslyn thought this ht help It seeown one of the girls earing … and … well … here it is”

As soon as Royce took up the piece of organza and satin, she went reeling backwards Chance caught her and held her as she swooned into her vision and lost herself in the scenario’s horrific onslaught

She saw Pestale clearly He was big and darkly suave and deceptively attractive in a white silk shirt and black silk pants He approached two girls standing near the band and ordered them to follow him—they did He turned, saoshe couldn’t hear

All four girls followed hiirls came out of her trance and whimpered as she looked around fearfully Pestale turned, sneered at her, and said, “Come over here, tart …”

She coood atterabbed the top of her dress, and ripped it off She gasped and started to back away

He told the other girls to hold her, and they obeyed