"When did you develop such a keen interest in my private life, Selby?"
"The whole family has an interest in your private life. Especially since you surprised everyone by showing up here tonight with an agency date in tow."
Rafe did not bother to correct the small misunderstanding. He wanted everyone to believe that Orchid was from a marriage agency, not a focus agency. "Why does that come as such a big surprise?"
Selby took a long swallow of champagne and then slowly lowered the glass. "There are some who think you may have decided to play the prodigal grandson. They have a quaint vision of you returning to the fold to take control of Stonebraker."
"Don't worry about it."
"I won't." Selby's mouth curved with cool certainty. "It's too late to stop me, cousin. I've got everything in place. In two months I'll be the new C.E.O. of Stonebraker."
"You sound very sure of yourself."
"I am."
Selby's conviction resonated on the metaphysical plane. Rafe had no trouble picking up traces of it. His cousin believed every word he was saying.
Selby's wife, Briana, appeared at her husband's side. She was an attractive blonde with a social polish refined by three generations of family money. She smiled politely at Rafe but he could see the troubled look in her eyes.
"Hello, Briana." Rafe inclined his head. "Nice to see you again."
"How are you, Rafe?" Briana took Selby's arm in a gesture that was curiously protective. "It was good of you to come tonight. I know your grandmother is very happy."
"I'm glad someone is," Rafe said.
Briana slanted a glance toward the terrace. "Is this your first agency date with Miss Adams?"
"No," Rafe said. "We've gone out together several times this week. The agency thinks it's a good match. We've got a lot in common."
Ten minutes later Rafe drifted past the open terrace doors a second time. The argument outside still raged, although the subject had shifted.
"Why in five hells should Stonebraker increase the size of its charitable endowment arm?" Alfred G. snarled.
"Companies the size of Stonebraker have obligations to the community," Orchid said crisply. "The Stonebraker Foundation is puny, given the size of Stonebraker Shipping."
"Our only obligation is to stay profitable."
"Nonsense. You are a part of the community. Your precious profits are made possible because of it and you, in turn, have responsibilities to it."
"I'm not going to give away any more money than I already do."
"Talk about your basic first generation values," Orchid retorted. "The Founders understood that if a society is to be successful there must be a harmonious, synergistic balance between corporate profits and civic philanthropy. Why they even went so far as to—"
Rafe started to slink off toward the buffet table. What was taking place out on the terrace was an accident waiting to happen. He did not want to be the first one on the scene.
"Rafe?" Alfred G. bellowed. "Is that you? Come on out here. I'm having trouble talking sense into your agency date."
Alfred G.'s booming command stopped Rafe in mid-slink. So much for trying to slip away unnoticed. He occasionally forgot that his grandfather was also a strat-talent, albeit not as strong as himself.
Reluctantly, he went through the doorway. He did not need the lantern glow to see the bright gleam in his grandfather's eyes. Alfred G. practically hummed with energy. He was enjoying himself.
Orchid smiled cheerfully. There was a sparkle in her eyes, too, Rafe noticed.
"Didn't want to interrupt your conversation," Rafe said warily.
"What conversation?" Alfred G. snapped. "We're arguing like a couple of cat-dogs. Where in blazes did you find her, Rafe?"
"I told you. An agency."
"Which agency?" Alfred G. demanded.
"It's called Psynergy, Inc.," Orchid murmured.
Rafe gave her a warning look. She shrugged one shoulder and munched another canape.
"Never heard of it," Alfred G. said.
"That's hardly surprising," Rafe said smoothly, "given the fact that you've been married for over fifty years to grandmother. You haven't needed a matchmaking agency."
"True."
"Which reminds me, grandmother is looking for you. She said something about you having promised her a dance."
"Don't remind me." Alfred G.'s gaze slitted. "What have you been up to while Orchid and I chatted out here?"
"Selby and I renewed our childhood acquaintance."
"I'll bet seeing you here tonight gave the little twerp a jolt, eh? He must know now that you've come back to save Stonebraker from his confounded merger plans. Give him something to sweat about for the next few weeks."
The fact that Alfred G. spoke so freely in front of Orchid gave Rafe considerable pause. He glanced quickly at her and saw that she was completely unfazed.
She probably did not realize the significance of what had just happened, he thought. Alfred G. had as good as announced aloud that he had accepted her as a suitable bride for Rafe.
Waves of energy the color of old blood slashed across the psychic plane, questing for a prism with the relentless ferocity of a true predator. The vampire was close, so close.
Tonight was the night. He would find her this time. She could no longer hide. There was no point resisting any longer. She would only exhaust herself.
Fear lanced her. She knew that if even a flicker of her own power revealed itself the creature would seize it in jaws of raw energy. She would be trapped forever.
Closer. Closer. Why not have done with this terrible game of hide-and-seek? Why not surrender to her fate? It would be so much easier that way.
She felt the powerful draw of the vampire's talent. It reached into the smallest hiding places on the metaphysical plane, searching for prey. She saw one of the tentacles of para-energy unfurl toward her with hungry intent.
Tonight was the night.
She screamed.
"Orchid. Damn it, wake up. Now."
Rafe's voice cut through the unnatural darkness of the dream, cleaving impossible shadows with the blazing efficiency of a sword.
Orchid opened her eyes to the natural shades of night that filled her bedroom. Moonlight spilled across the bed. She could feel the dampness of perspiration under her breasts and on the back of her neck.
She looked up into Rafe's taut face. His hands were clamped fiercely around her shoulders.
"Sorry." Her voice sounded thick. She swallowed a couple of times and tried again. "The dream. Bad. Very bad."
He hauled her into his arms, cradling her against his bare chest. "The same one?"
"Yes."
"Damn." She dashed the back of her hand across her eyes to get rid of the tears of frustration that welled there. "I didn't have it last night at your house. I was so sure that the stupid dream had finally finished."
Rafe rocked her gently. "I guess this blows my theory that great sex is a sure cure for nightmares."
She gave a choked cry, half laugh, half sob, and wrapped her arms around his hard, warm body. "It was a good theory while it lasted."
"Yes, it was. One of my best." He stroked his fingers through her hair. "Maybe it's time to see a doctor."
Orchid tensed. "No."
He eased away from her and searched her face. "Why are you so averse to getting some help?"
"Two reasons. The first is that I don't think there's much a syn-psych shrink can do about weird dreams."
"What's the second reason?"
She bit her lip. "I think I know the advice I'd get. I wouldn't follow it, anyway, so there's no sense listening to it in the first place."
"What advice would you get?"
"The first thing a doctor would do is consult my para-psych profile."
"So?"
"As soon as he or she discovered that I'm an ice-prism, I'd be referred back to that research lab where Theo and Morgan and I went through all those stupid tests."