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Fuck it I pushed on the doors and spoke into the crack “Ansin?”

No one replied

Cautiously, I stepped into the rooined a castle should look like—tall dolass s on each side of the room In the center were two red velvet sofas and a chocolate brown arrand piano with an unlit candelabra overhead

The rooant and immaculate, too Not the home of a psycho killer with a fetish for mason jars and kidneys

I tiptoed through the roon of life Where was Ansin? Where was that bedroom I’d seen in my visions?

Almost to the next doorway, Ansin and a tall brunette strolled in, both holding snifters of soreen silk gown and had the longest and shiniest hair I’d ever seen

“Ah, here she is” Ansin extended his hand in e, allow e Wellesley”

Ansin see set up?

“How do you two know each other?” I asked Ansin, trying not to sound shaken up “Did you meet in Ten Club?”

“Sage and I go aaay back” Ansin swiped his free hand dish the air

Sage batted her thick black eyelashes at hi out “So aze to the doreat memory

“Well, unfortunately,” Ansin said, “this visit won’t be as extensive as ht schedule with my next project”

“Project?” Sage clapped one hand on her glass “Do tell, Ansin You kno I love all your debauchery and ventures”

“I would,” he said in an overtly char voice, “but it would ruin the surprise I kno you love surprises”

“Oh” She chuckled sadistically “I do”

“Good Because this one is,” he pushed his fingertips together, kissed the tips, and motioned toward the sky, “delicious! It’s also why I’ exotic and rare So that will not disappoint, and I’d like to make a trade”

Her dark eyes widened into joyful orbs

Shit My blood pressure hit the ancient stone floor I was the only “thing” he’d brought with him Ansin was about to betray me