Kiara scratched her head. Sometimes that was hard to remember. Butch was a hallucination, conjured from some part of her fractured mind. Kiara breathed deep and focused on Bane.
"Where is everyone?" she asked.
"Charity ball." Bane's voice took an oddly tight lilt.
"Awesome." Kiara clapped her hands and grinned. "Let's go catch the assassin before they all get back. He can't be far. You just passed him on the stairs."
When Bane laid his left hand on her shoulder, Kiara stiffened. She would rather he did not touch her at all, let alone with the hand missing a digit. Only a heavily scarred nub remained where his ring finger should be. It gave Kiara the creeps.
He bowed low so he could look her in the eyes. "Look, little one, there was no one on the stairs and there's no scent out of the ordinary. You're having another bad night. That new medication Lyons prescribed is obviously useless."
Kiara slid Butch a sideways glance. "Are you sure the assassin is real?"
"Yes, but stop looking at me!" Butch backed out of view.
Kiara asked Bane, "Where's Frankie? Who's supposed to be watching me?"
"I am," Bane said. "Which isn't at all fair. I had to cancel a date to babysit the likes of you."
"Disappoint another supermodel? Or was it a starbet?" Kiara said. "You should be careful. I think one of your last dates was part fairy. The queen frowns on hanging out with the enemy. But you go ahead. I'll be fine."
"It's starlet," he said with a lecherous smile. "Fairy? That would explain a few things. Now let's get you back to your room. I'll even tuck you in."
"Ew. No," Kiara cringed then backed away from Bane's touch. "Plus, it's against the rules, and Leontes wouldn't like it."
Bane shrugged. "Maybe not, but he's not here. And you know I hate rules."
"The queen left you with Bane?" Butch's voice was heavy with suspicion. "Something's wrong."
"I know," Kiara muttered. "Bane, help me catch him and you'll look good in front of the queen."
"I already look good," Bane smirked. "You're the one that needs to score points. Hey, if you want this killer so bad, go get him yourself."
Kiara narrowed her gaze. "You'd let me leave the mansion?"
"Sure. Because crazy is as crazy does, and if you want to prove you aren't crazy … " He stepped back and swept his arm down the hallway. "Have at it. I'm all about showing support."
"Sir," one of the guards said nervously. "That isn't sanctioned. I don't think-"
Bane slammed a fist into the man's face. The guard dropped flat on his back, unconscious, blood pouring from his nose. Another man started to help his comrade, but at Bane's steely look, the man put his hands behind his back and stared straight ahead.
Bane smiled at Kiara. "Go on, little one. Find this so-called intruder and prove everyone wrong." When Kiara hesitated, he added, "Unless you're really all talk. Don't actually have the guts to leave the mansion, eh? The Kiara I remember wouldn't be such a coward. But what do I know?" His smile widened, showing his fangs.
Kiara lifted her chin and threw back her shoulders in a defiant pose.
"No!" Butch cried. "Don't do it."
But Kiara ignored him and gathered her skirt. She strode past Bane and the guards, ready to jump out of the way if any of them tried to grab her.
They did not.
Bane gave a low chuckle that echoed off the stone walls. He told the guards, "Bring me the copper penny. I suddenly have an appetite."
Butch raced to catch up to Kiara. "You realize he just goaded you into this idiotic move, don't you? Bane never, I repeat never, has your best interests at heart. This is all kinds of bad. Leontes would not approve!"
"Like Bane said," Kiara shot back with heavy bitterness, "Leontes isn't here."
CHAPTER 6
Kiara pulled on a pair of heavy boots she kept hidden near the front door and ran outside. She took some time enjoying the smell of freedom before focusing on the intruder's scent, following it through the various modern buildings and into the woods that surrounded the compound.
The sprawling estate rambled over endless acres of rolling hills along the Malibu beach coastline. She easily skirted through the wilderness, unconcerned with the shrubs and branches that caught her nightgown. She headed away from the cliffs and the soothing sound of pounding surf. When she came to the high wall at the perimeter, she did not hesitate. In one great leap, she landed on top of it in a crouch, staring down at the road directly below.
"Kiara, don't do this," Butch pleaded from the ground.