"Come here, lover." Tristesse kissed Lola, sparking a slow, lustful burn in her. She remembered the last time Tristesse had done this, and this time she felt the moment the demon duchess bit into her lip. The brief stab of pain was nothing compared to the torrent of power crashing into her. Dark, deep, slick magic, headier than any alcohol could be. It filled Lola as if she was an empty vessel, stretching her awareness and tugging the world out from under her.

Reality was stripped bare. The Red Lotus was suddenly a shimmering, living thing, the very bricks breathing. The lights dazzled, and the scents and memories of countless men and women who'd had their pleasure here piled in on Lola's senses. She gasped, lust, love, and greed ricocheting through her. She clutched at Tristesse for support even though they were both still sitting down.

She'd forgotten it felt like this. She'd made herself forget, because this was utterly addictive.

Wild magic rushed around them, beckoning Lola with an irresistible call. Her heart sped now. Her entire body buzzed and she wanted to throw herself headfirst into the stream of magic, and simply let it carry her wherever it would go, unfettered and mindless.

She reeled that thought back. Intent mattered here, more than in any other kind of magic. She looked at Tristesse, trying to ground herself. Tristesse smiled, unearthly and dangerously beautiful.

"Well?" Tristesse said pointedly. "Where are we going?"

Right. Lola wiped her bleeding lip and flicked a droplet into the ley line. It glowed red for a second, and she felt a fresh rush of power inviting her in. A snaking cord of black light speared through her, and she gripped it firmly, feeling energy crackle along her skin. She marshaled her thoughts, trying to ignore the power rolling around her.

Yvette. She wanted Yvette. She wanted safety for her friends, for Tristesse. She caught Tristesse's hand and squeezed it hard as the ley line whipped them away from the Red Lotus.