Beloved Forever Read Free Page A

show anything in detail, except the fact that there was nothing to show in detail.
    They must have run out of money when they got to this room—either that, or the trick was so terrifying, they didn’t need window-dressing. She shrugged and walked on, waiting for whatever had frightened Sara and Ron into screaming. Emily was determined to be prepared, but still screamed when the floor opened under her when she stepped on a trapdoor.
    She went flying down a chute, and it wasn’t until she landed on a soft foam floor that she realized the conveyance was a twisting slide. Her entire body trembled, and she had a hard time gaining her feet. She could hear her heartbeat racing in her ears and clutched her chest, as if trying to keep her heart from escaping.
    When her knees were steady, Emily moved across the spongy floor. The owner of the funhouse was in the business of scaring people, but what she had gone through was beyond fun. She should have her father sue the company. It was too bad he was a tax attorney.
    She opened a heavy metal door, expecting it to lead her outside the funhouse. Instead, she entered another room. This one had soft carpeting of indeterminate color, dark walls and a metal light fixture hanging from the ceiling. The illumination was dim, with a pinkish cast.
    How had they gotten all this into one portable trailer? The better question was, why had they gone to the trouble to add this room? Emily moved slowly, not certain what to expect. It was logical that the climax should have been the unexpected drop and slide. Whatever finished out the experience must be bordering on truly terrifying.
    She saw a misshapen bundle ahead and tensed, preparing for whatever the designer of the funhouse had dreamed up to scare her. She kept walking, trying to determine what was on the floor, until she heard a sound behind her. Emily turned, expecting the group who had followed her. Instead, the man who had modeled for all the vampire pictures stood in front of her. His features were just as perfect, but the light lent his skin the illusion of a flush. He wore a white flowing shirt tucked into black trousers. His hair had grown out from the short length in the paintings, but he was obviously the same person. She found her voice trapped in her throat as fear crawled up her esophagus and strangled her from the inside. She took a few steps back.
    He followed, walking toward her slowly. “Have you enjoyed my funhouse, Emily?”
    She shook her head.
    He took another step forward. The carpet muted the click of the low heels on his leather boots. “Why not?”
    Emily coughed, clearing her throat. “I don’t like to be scared.” She frowned when she realized he knew her name. “How did—”
    He smiled, but the quick slash of his lips appeared to hold little amusement. “You were frightened?”
    She nodded. “I was terrified. Especially with the last part.”
    He smiled. “The slide. It always increases the adrenaline.”
    “Uh-huh.” She scanned the room around her, wondering if the owner interrogated everyone who paid to enter his funhouse. Had he gotten her name from Sara when he cornered them? “I’ve had enough fear today. How do I get out of here?”
    He took two more steps forward, until he stood in front of her. “Silly girl.” He reached out to touch her face.
    Emily jerked away, taking a step back. She tripped over something on the floor and fell backward. Her eyes widened when she found herself sprawled across Troy . His lifeless eyes stared up at her. His mouth hung open in an aborted scream, and an expression of terror would remain frozen forever on his face.
    “Forgive my attendant. He hasn’t disposed of the remains of my most recent meal yet.” The man stepped forward and lifted Emily into his arms.
    She struggled to pull away, straining against his hold. “Where’s Sara?”
    He licked his lips. “Delicious. The adrenaline always gives the blood such perfect flavor.”
    Emily whimpered, even as she