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TWENTY-ONE

"Ah, once again, I have perfect timing. What a good little girl, drinking all that champagne. Now you're exactly where I want you, so I can start enjoying my night. Ah, but before I forget...I brought another drink for you. A little something that will go nicely with your hangover tomorrow, just in case you do remember any of this. This potion will ensure you don't remember a thing." He paused. "I should probably tie you up, first. Can't have you leaving that bed until I'm finished with you."

Something clinked – him setting the potion bottle on the table, Eden decided, peering through her lashes – before he turned to rake her reclining body with his calculating gaze.

Then Craig Tremotino, taking the fairytale theme to the ultimate extreme, began monologuing all the degrading things he intended to do to her body. Supervillain, much? Ugh. Eden hoped Candace married the man, then divorced him and took him to court for every penny he owned.

If Blaze didn't kill him first.

Where was Blaze? He'd promised to protect her, but Tremotino was getting closer and closer, reaching for her...

A growl ripped through the room, the sort of sound that couldn't have come from anything human.

"Who the fuck are you?"

"Where's my sister?" Blaze demanded.

"You? What are you doing in my house? I don't know how you got through my security, but I'll throw you out myself. Then, when I'm done with her, I'll find your sister and do exactly the same things to her. Only I'll take longer, and enjoy it more."

"Cut the bullshit," Blaze growled. "You had Eden locked in here like a prisoner, and my sister disappeared without a trace the night she attended a ball here at your castle. I know you're behind it."

"You don't know nearly as much as you think," Craig replied, thrusting out his hands. A cloud of stinging smoke billowed out, making Eden's eyes water. Then she inhaled a breath of the stuff, and once she started coughing, she couldn't stop.

Arms scooped her up and carried her out to the balcony, so she could fill her lungs with fresh air. The smoke apparently hadn't affected Blaze. Maybe dragons were immune to that, too.

"Are you all right?" Blaze asked.

Eden barely had time to nod once, before he set her on her feet and raced back inside.