periphery. He didn't recognize the energy source. Waves of unease ruffled his calm exterior. He detected a paranormal aura, masked before he could determine its origin. Anger flared in his obsidian gaze.
*
A bell rang. Conversation ceased as Grace broke the silence. “Welcome everyone. It's time to go through the weekend’s events.”
A buzz of conversation resumed. Everyone rummaged in pockets and bags for their event program. Grace waited for the room to fall silent again. “Chairs are behind the buffet tables.”
“ I'll introduce you to Zane and Xavier after this,” Jasmine said to Fleur
Everyone's attention focused on Grace. Fleur looked for Lukas, still absent, among the guests. She controlled her frustration and concentrated on Grace. The conservatory door opened. The charged air around her crackled with static electricity. She shuddered, and her skin covered with goose bumps as her spine tingled with sparks of awareness. She couldn't breathe. Be calm. It can't be him. But no one else would cause this violent a physical reaction. She straightened her back. The heat spread to all her body's secret places. Her agitated movements disturbed Jasmine. She mouthed, you okay? Before Fleur could answer, the cause of her inner distraction sat next to her. Lukas. Their gazes clashed. Heat radiated from him in waves. She glanced round the room. Xavier looked bored. Zane smiled at her. Everyone else focused on Grace. No one witnessed her meltdown.
*
Lukas settled back into his chair. He opened his mind. Despite his long, turbulent history with the demon, Lukas didn’t know how it looked in this world. His late arrival should pique the demon's interest. A subtle intrusion at the periphery of his consciousness alerted him. He sensed waves of dark paranormal energy, withdrawing when he focused on them. Disappointed, Lukas drew a protective cloak around his own aura. He sensed malevolent energy. Somewhere in this room, the demon hid behind a human mask.
Lukas looked at Zane. His gaze flickered with recognition. A slight movement at Zane’s side drew Lukas' attention. A dark stranger stared in his direction. Unsettled, Lukas glanced at Fleur. A powerful aura shone around her. Its potency pulled him towards her with the force of a powerful magnetic field. Lukas concentrated all his psychic energy to pull away. Why did Fleur have such a powerful aura, and why did it attract him? The click of Fleur's bag as she closed it interrupted his muse. The plan of activities rested on her lap. Lukas smiled. His gaze registered her rose-blush cheeks. Her nipples pebbled under her thin mesh top as his gaze rested there. Shallow breaths made her breasts push against the neckline of her top. She shifted in her seat. He withdrew his gaze. His arrogance was satisfied by her obvious arousal.
Lukas' attention focused on Grace. He discovered his character in the murder mystery event a philanthropist who would be the host of the house party, a party given as a reward to Nathan Ryder's friends and supporters of his homeless trust. Grace cast herself as his mother and hostess, which increased the probability of a private conversation this evening. The other characters' names and roles held no significance for him.
*
“So who might you be in this little intrigue?”
Fleur turned to face Lukas. His hand brushed hers where it rested in her lap. Startled, she resisted the urge to move her hand away. It didn't mean anything. Why draw attention to it? Fleur's gaze followed his fingers as he caressed the delicate skin of her inner wrist. Lukas' troubled gaze met hers. The sensations he aroused captivated her. Her knees trembled. Heat pooled between her thighs. His touch stripped her of her usual self-control. She remembered he'd asked her a question. “I’m Megan Wilde, a successful business woman. I own coffee shops and devour admirers like after-dinner mints, if I recall the details of my character.” Her voice sounded soft and husky even to