FORTY

IMOGEN

I am floating on air. I love everything about this. The staging, the costumes, the lighting and the general buzz of excitement that surrounds me. As instructed, we split up and I haven’t seen any of my friends, not that I can recognize, anyway.

I am stopped occasionally. A husky word in my ear that is quickly rebuffed. Guys coming onto me who chat shit and throughout it all, I still haven’t found my gladiator.

I notice Summer and Luca already making out in the corner of the room, and I smile to myself. Of course she found him. He may as well not have worn a costume because his aura gives him away every time.

I resume my search for Jesse and as I stumble across Siri, she whispers, “I haven’t found Jack yet. Have you seen him?”

“No, the only ones I’ve seen are Luca and Summer.”

“That figures.” She rolls her eyes. “Where do you think they are?”

I detect a familiar pair of sneakers and whisper behind my hand, “I’m guessing that’s your man.”

Siri grins. “Well spotted. I’d know those laces anywhere. Why didn’t I think of looking down rather than up?”

I follow her with my eyes and chuckle softly as she kisses him on the cheek and he immediately spins around and grasps her hand, kissing it gallantly before pulling her into his arms. It’s such a sweet act it makes my heart flutter and I’ve got to hand it to Frankie, his imagination is second to none.

A gladiator brushes past me and the familiar aftershave gives him away and as my eye lower, I note the red socks with gold circles on, telling me this could be Jesse.

He’s so OCD and loves to match his socks with his outfit.

His costume is red and gold and the guy who purposefully brushed past me is of the same build.

My heart hammers as I reach out and stop him by placing my hand on his arm and as he turns, I plant a soft kiss on his cheek. Immediately, he raises my hand to his lips and half bows and, without another word, grasps my hand tightly and pulls me after him.

I love the mystery of the occasion, and as the music switches to a slower tune, he pulls me into his arms and holds me flush against his golden breastplate.

It’s sexy as fuck and yet I must remind myself that it’s Jesse behind the mask and as we dance, I close my eyes against the music as we sway in time to the seductive song.

I imagine Drake is now holding me. We are dancing among the clouds, his hand stroking my back, dusting the skin, sending shivers through me as I imagine him in the place of Jesse right now.

I am intoxicated by the music, the mystery and the man holding me as if I am the most valuable piece of china and as the song ends, I shake myself as he grasps my hand and leads me through the open door onto the terrace outside.

“Jesse, I–” I glance over my shoulder because I’m not permitted to leave with him. Drake was firm on that, and we are alone out here.

He says nothing and pulls me into his arms and as I make to resist, he raises his hand and presses a soft cloth over my mouth. My eyes widen as a low voice that I don’t recognize growls, “Don’t fight this baby. Welcome to your final act.”

I struggle but the door slams on the music as he pushes me hard against the wall and hisses, “Such an innocent soul to corrupt. Jesse has chosen well and will be rewarded.”

My mind is hazy and my eyes unfocused and as his voice fades slowly away, the last words I hear are, “Welcome to The Serpent Society, angel. You’re in for the night of your life, and your death will be my pleasure.”