“Will we?” He struggled for aplomb, but his heart raced, his blood pounded. “Then we should begin our friendship with a drink.”
“Of course.”
He walked to the bar, poured whiskey for two. Taking charge, taking control—he thought—by not asking what she’d prefer.
He came back, sat across from her. They touched glasses.
“And what brings you to me, Nerezza?”
“Your reputation, of course. You’re the man I need, Andre.” She sipped, watching him. “You will be the one I need. And for my needs, when fulfilled, I can offer you more than anything you’ve had. Dreamed of having.”
“I have much, have dreamed of more.”
“If it’s money, I have all you require. But there are things worth more than gold and silver.”
“Such as?”
“We’ll speak of that, but tonight we’ll speak of stars. What do you know of the Stars of Fortune?”
“A myth. Three stars, fire, water, ice, created by three goddesses to honor a young queen. And cursed by another.”
Her lips curved into a smile sharp enough to slice bone. “What do you think of myths?”
“That many are uncommonly real.”
“As these are real, these stars, I assure you. I want them. You will find them and bring them to me.”
Her eyes were bottomless, lured him into the black. But pride demanded he resist. “Will I?”
“You will. Six stand in your way.”
“No one stands in my way for long.”
“So I have seen, or I would not waste my time, or yours. If you accept the challenge, if you wish to know what I will give you in return, come to the address on my card, tomorrow at midnight.”
“There’s no address on the card.”
She smiled, rose. “Come there, and know your own fortune. Until then.”
She glided out before he had the wit to stand. But when he strode to the doorway, she was gone. As if she’d vanished.
He pulled the card out of his pocket, saw he’d been wrong.
An address was clearly printed on the card.
Fascinated, baffled, more than a little unnerved, he pressed the house intercom. “Lucien.”
“Sir?”
“Where did she go?”
“I’m sorry, sir, where did who go?”
“The woman, the woman in black, you idiot. Who else? Why did you let her in without permission?”
“Sir, no one has come to the house tonight. I let no one inside.”
Furious, he strode away, calling for Nigel. His anger grew until he stormed downstairs, following temper into the butler’s apartment.