“It won’t take the police long to figure out you killed those women,” she said. “Your DNA was on two of them. Sooner or later it’ll be traced to you. And the police already have their doubts that Rawlings killed himself.”

“Cops give themselves too much credit. Besides, I can justify the DNA. I can admit to consensual affairs with the women. All the real evidence linking Rawlings to the killings is in his apartment.”

“Why kill him?”

“He was a means to an end. By the way, your sister’s head tipped forward. She’s losing consciousness.”

Jordan moved toward the sound of Rogan’s voice. She curled her fingers into a fist and hoped Avery still had access to her knife. “You’re attracted to addicts who are like you. Your drug is killing. Sexual heroin.”

Footsteps advanced quickly toward her, but she was able to sidestep, and his wild swing missed its mark. Still, even in the darkness, he had the advantage. He reached out, but she dodged his hand.

Avery had grown too silent, and Jordan’s hope that she could provoke Rogan was crumbling.

“Let Avery go. Work out whatever shit you have with me. And stop hurting the innocent.”

“They aren’t innocent. They gave in to weakness, and now they’re dead because of it.”

“You give in to weakness!”

“It’s ironic, isn’t it?”

“Avery isn’t using drugs. You forced her.”

“How do you know she wasn’t high when I arrived?”

“Because I know my sister.”

This time his arm shot out with lightning speed. He grabbed her right arm and then her left. He roughly hauled her toward him, his familiar scent warring with this reality. He dragged her toward the fuse box and switched on the main breaker.

Faint flashes of lights appeared around her.

He yanked her into the living room, and she tripped over a strip of plastic. Shoving her down, he drove his knee into her chest and anchored her to the ground. She struck out aimlessly, hitting him on the legs, belly, and arms.

“Showing me how much you love me?” Jordan demanded.

He grappled for her left hand. “No more love here, Jordan. I’m truly going to enjoy watching you die.”

Jordan swung her fist, connecting with his jaw. He howled a curse, but the blow was only enough to enrage him. She drew her knee up, tried to connect with his groin, but missed.

Out of the darkness that was always with her came a rush of energy and mass. “Bastard!” Avery howled like a wild animal.

Rogan yelled, “Bitch, you’ve cut me!”

Avery grunted and then her knees dropped to the ground. A knife clinked against the floor and was swallowed by the shadows.