All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,11

I wasn’t in danger when I was there. The opposite, in fact. Something about the place made me feel safe. Even if I can’t remember everything. “It was okay. I had a nice time.”

“You don't go to Toxic to have a nice time,” Aurelia says. “But I’m glad you did. Next time, Charlie and I will go with you.”

For some reason, I have the idea I wasn’t going to go back there again, but her words open up the possibility. Yes, I’m definitely going back.

“How about tonight?” I ask. “For Halloween?”

“Wow, you really did have a good time. Okay, I’ll check with Charlie, but I think that works.”

It’s after dark by the time I arrive at Club Toxic. I’m in a tight black bondage dress. I’ve never owned a dress like this—I went out and bought it at noon. I don’t even know why; I just really wanted to wear something black and kinky to the club.

There’s a line at the door, but the bouncer does a double take and beckons me to him. I get the biggest feeling of déjà vu, staring up at his rough-hewn face.

“Hello,” I say.

“That your costume?”

I touch the hairband I’m wearing and fondle the little ears. “Yep, I’m a cat.”

“Well, little kitty, there’s a special dress code tonight.”

“Oh.” My happy bubble deflates.

“Masquerade.” The bouncer steps aside, opening a red cord to allow a fancy couple to swan inside. Both are women, one with long blonde hair, the other with short pink hair. The blonde is wearing a fancy ball gown and the other a tux. Both are wearing elaborate white and gold masks. The pink haired lady in the tux winks at me.

“Love the ears, kid,” she says as she disappears inside.

I turn away and start back to my car. I wanted so bad to be at Toxic tonight. I just felt like it was meant to be.

I’ve gone only a few steps when a dark form blocks my path.

“Are you lost, babygirl?”

I look up and see the man from my dreams. The man looms over me. He’s in a tux, with a black mask obscuring some of his face. The black fabric gives a dramatic frame to his beautiful dark eyes.

“H-hi.” The word falls from my lips.

He looks me up and down and raises a brow. “Black tonight.”

“Yeah.” I hesitate. “Do I know you?”

He tilts his head to the side. “Do you want to go inside?”

“More than anything,” I say.

He chuckles and I have to laugh at myself. I sound pretty desperate. He offers his arm. “Do you trust me?”

“No.” I shouldn’t, anyway. The truth is, I do. Because I feel like I know him. I take his arm. “But I’ll go with you, for a night.”

“My name is Dimitri,” he says. Its seems familiar.

I want to tell him I knew his name, but there’s no reason to say that. “I’m Gwen.”

His gaze flicks over me, taking in the kitty ears. He guides me up to the bouncer.

“This is my guest for the night,” Dimitri explains.

“She needs a mask,” the bouncer says.

“Ah, yes.” Dimitri pats his pocket and draws out a silky mask. White. I’d worn white last night. The color makes me pause. For a moment, I think I remember something about him commenting on my white dress, but it passes.

I tip my face up and let Dimitri secure the mask. He ties it into place and offers his arm. “Shall we?”

Inside, the dark space feels both new and familiar. I stare at the dance floor where I danced last night, but still can’t quite remember actually dancing.

Dimitri starts to lead me to the bar and I hesitate. He senses it and stops, waiting silently. I get the feeling he’s waiting for me to say something.

I glance around and see the door to the coat check. A memory skips through my mind, scampering just out of reach.

I lick my lips. I’m not sure what I’m going to say next, but I trust my instincts. “I want to go downstairs.”

“Have you been before?”

I wrack my memory. I should say no, but there’s something resisting the word. “I have,” I say slowly.

He seems on the verge of saying something. But without protest, he leads me through the coat check area, past two huge bouncers, and down a hidden set of stairs. The scent of the place, a mild but sultry perfume that tickles my memory, rises up to greet me.

When we reach the bottom of the stairs, I step forward eagerly, greeting the sight