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spider-like. She felt deadly.
    Davin stopped and flattened himself against the ropes, his eyes full of fear. Only his pale, slender neck lay exposed as he arched his back and stretched his head back. He appeared trapped on the sticky web. She hesitated only a second.
    One leg reached across his waist pinning him. Her knee felt the muscles in his flat stomach. She leaned across and trapped one of his arms with her hand. Then she pressed her lips onto his white neck flesh. His skin was cool, but she felt the throb of his pulse under her warm mouth.
    Suddenly she was aware of what she was doing. She tensed. How long did she have to hold this pose? Pale cobwebs of light pinned them to the web. Surely there would be a blackout after this moment.
    There was, but it seemed minutes coming. As soon as the darkness engulfed them, she swung back and away from Davin.
    But to her surprise, he spun toward her and now captured her. His mouth came down gently and warmly on her lips. Then his kiss asked a question and she answered without hesitation. She couldn’t help herself.
    She was the one truly captured.

Seven
    R OMNEY’S GIGGLE BROUGHT Miki back to the real world. She pulled away from Davin, embarrassed that the whole troupe had seen what happened.
    Barron didn’t seem to care. “Good work, Miki. I think you are going to fit into our little family quite well. I take it you agree, Davin.” He smiled at Davin, then glanced back at the notes he was making.
    â€œOf course, Barron. Miki will have no trouble with the routines.” Davin smiled at her.
    She couldn’t keep her eyes off him, and it both frustrated and puzzled her. She hardly knew this man, yet she was magically drawn to him. If he had said, “Come, run away with me,” she would have willingly gone.
    But when her eyes came to rest on Rima, she understood that the woman was jealous after all. Her green eyes were hard and brilliant with hatred. Arms crossed over her chest showing her purple fingernails, like claws poised to attack. Miki shuddered at recognizing the intensity of her feelings.
    Had Rima been Davin’s dance partner in the past? Had there ever been a sixth dancer? What had happened to her? Miki didn’t feel she could ask right now, but maybe later. Both Romney and Kyle seemed willing to gossip, to tell her their secrets. They would be more likely to give Miki the history of this group of dancers.
    â€œIn this next number, Miki,” Barron interrupted her musings about the relationships in the troupe. “You are an innocent victim. You are frolicking in the park at night, enjoying the moonlight, when the vampires find you.”
    A shiver flitted up and down Miki’s body at the idea.
    â€œYou are afraid, of course, especially at first, but you are hypnotically drawn in. At last you give yourself willingly to nourish your newfound friends.”
    â€œWhat should I do to show I have given in to them?” Miki dared ask.
    â€œIf you will relax and look lovely, the troupe will do the rest.” Barron stepped away and signaled for the music.
    Miki found herself alone, center stage, with a soft spotlight creating a pool of golden moonlight for her “frolicking.” She smiled at Barron’s old-fashioned word.
    Giving herself over to the perfect music, she moved in happy spins and circles, skips, and even a cartwheel.
    Then, suddenly, the music darkened, became threatening, as in a movie where the main character is going into an empty house, a dark hall, or a cave, and the viewer knows something evil waits for her. Miki had no problem letting the fear build inside her, reflecting the somber, trembling notes.
    She found her fear real when she was surrounded by the troupe. All wore capes and used them like bat wings. They swooped and circled around her, getting closer and closer.
    Soon she was confined to a tight circle where she turned slowly, staring at them. When had they painted their faces ghoulish