Trust him, a part of it whispered. You know he loves you…you can sense it…. And how long have you waited to be loved?

No! That was crazy. The drug talking.

But she wanted to succumb to the feel of his fingers, slipping a little, edging lower, a hot trail along her breasts, ever-closer to her aching nipples.

Deep inside, she tingled. Ached.

But this was wrong. Wasn’t it…?

He leaned closer, his nose against her hair, his lips touching the shell of her ear as he whispered so quietly only she could hear, “I love you.” She melted inside. Wanted him. A warm throb rose through her. His fingers rubbed the skin beneath her collarbones a little harder, pressing into her flesh. For an instant she forgot that she was on stage. She was alone with him and he was touching her…loving her…. He wanted her as no man had ever really wanted her…. And…

He pushed hard.

A strong finger dug into her flesh, jabbing against her rib.

A jolt of pain shot through her.

Her eyes widened.

Fear and adrenaline spurted through her bloodstream. Her pulse jumped madly, crazily.

What had she been thinking? That he could seduce her?

No!

Love? Oh, for the love of Jesus, he didn’t love her! Rylee, don’t be fooled. Don’t fall into his stupid trap.

The damned hallucinogen had convinced her that he cared for her but he, whoever the hell he was, intended only to use her for his sick show.

She glared at him and he recognized her anger.

The bastard smiled, teeth flashing white.

She knew then that he reveled in her impotent fury. He felt her heart pumping, the blood flowing hot and frantic through her veins.

“Hers is the untainted blood of a virgin,” he said to the unseen crowd.

No!

You’ve got the wrong girl! I’m not a—

She threw all her concentration into speaking, but her tongue refused to work, no air pushing through her vocal cords. She tried fighting, but her limbs were powerless.

“Don’t be afraid,” he whispered.

In horror she watched as he bent downward, ever closer, his breath hot, his lips pulling back to show his bared teeth.

Two bright fangs gleamed, just as she’d fantasized!

Please God. Please help me wake up. Please, please…!

In the next heartbeat she felt a cold sting, like the piercing of a needle, as his fangs punctured her skin and slid easily into her veins.

Her blood began to flow….

CHAPTER 1