A Stranger Feast

Copyright 2008 by Melissa Kesead

Smashwords Edition

Prologue

She walks in beauty like the night-

Lord Byron

William Bennington smiled as Stasha approached him, his eyes sparkling with delight at the sight of his companion, his lover. “The night suits you so well,” he growled as he pulled her close, feeling every curve of her body mould to his.

“I know,” she said haughtily and tore herself from him, her crimson silk dress swishing around her ankles as she walked swiftly away, not bothering to see if he was following.

“So you want to play, do you?” his disembodied voice whispered, never in the same place for more than a moment. “Well then, let’s do.” William’s laughter grew louder, she felt his breath on her neck and then he was gone.

Stasha walked on, past the closed greasy spoons and pawn shops, alone except for the occasional tourist who, if lucky, caught a fleeting glimpse of an extraordinarily beautiful woman with flowing auburn tresses and ivory skin. Otherwise, the night belonged to her.

She soon arrived at their destination, a club called The Conquest. The pink neon lights gave her skin a strange glow as she passed through the black double doors. The music’s rhythm coursed through her body and her lips curled into a smile of anticipation as to what the evening could bring.

Walking into the main bar she felt eyes upon her, among them William’s. She glided toward him, a seductive smile on her face, but at the last moment caught the eye of a beautiful man in black and so turned away in one swift movement.