‘Fear.’ Lilith stands, allowing her hand to casually tease Sia’s hair as she walks by. ‘I was raised by fear. For as long as I can remember, fear dominated my dreams and every waking thought in between. It robbed me of my childhood, stole my innocence, and left me its victim. Fear of death. Fear of abuse. Fear of being abandoned, of being alone. Fear of losing love.’

She settles on the sofa opposite Daniel. ‘You know what the worst thing about fear is? It keeps us from recognizing our one true power … that each of us possesses free will. Fear kept me in check for fourteen years, feeding off me, until it pushed me to the brink of suicide. And that’s when I grew angry. Anger mobilized me to take risks. From that moment on, I stopped being life’s victim. I learned to use the powers of the flesh to get what I want.’ She motions with her hands.

Danny nods, mesmerized by her words and his Ecstasy-laced cocktail.

‘You married wealth,’ Sia states. ‘What risks did you ever take?’

Lilith spreads her legs slightly and winks at Danny, offering him a tantalizing view of her crotch. ‘It takes talent to marry into wealth, Sylvia, especially when you come from nothing. Wealth must be seduced … teased. Power requires trust, trust—deception. Look at Daniel. He took a risk tapping into his company’s funds, no doubt seduced by your own greed and ambition. I admire that. The ability to seduce makes us powerful, don’t you agree?’

‘And thank God for it,’ Danny says, feeling giddy.

‘God may have given us our sex organs, Daniel, but it was Lucifer who taught us how to use them. Now show me yours.’

‘Huh?’

‘My presence makes your wife jealous. Use it to your advantage.’

Danny’s pulse throbs. ‘I … I don’t understand?’

‘Show me the new Daniel Diaz, the man you always dreamed you’d be. You have your money, now take control of the moment. Order Sylvia to perform oral sex.’

‘You’re nuts, lady.’ Sia stands to leave. ‘Keep your damn money, I’m nobody’s whore.’

‘We’re all whores, sister. Watch me, I’ll show you how it’s—’

‘No!’ Sia pushes Lilith aside. Quivering with anger and adrenaline, she stumbles around the coffee table to her husband. ‘Take off your pants.’

‘Sia—’

‘Shut up and do it. She paid for a show, we’ll give it to her.’

Danny moans as his bride takes control, burying her face in his groin.

Lilith moves closer. ‘It’s all about power, isn’t it, sister. Who controls who.’ She grabs Sia by her hair and yanks her face away before Danny can climax.

‘Hey—’

In Lilith’s free hand is a small box. Sia opens it.

Inside is her engagement ring.

‘Sisters share.’