TRANCE, Inc. 21

Chapter One

There were four of us in the elevator.

Across from me, leaning back on the low railing, was Victoria. Despite the long, fraught night, she still looked ravishing in that skintight purple dress. The deep V-line offered up the enticing curve of her tits, and her olive skin seemed to glow in the dim light. Her dark eyes were settled with interest on the older man standing across from her.

He was smiling pleasantly, and wagged a finger at her as he spoke. "I thought I recognized you," the man said. "All it took was seeing you all together just now to really put the puzzle pieces together. How do you know my girls?" He glanced from Victoria to Amber to me and back.

I still can't believe it, I thought, staring back blankly.

Charles Evans was the easygoing businessman who Victoria, Amber and I had met at the rooftop bar of the Bowman Hotel, all those weeks ago. The man who had shared half a dozen stories of world travel with his wife, and who had gone our entire conversation without once mentioning his daughters. Victoria had had time to give me a single, significant look — silently apologizing for not being able to warn me — before a cowed Matthew summoned the elevator and our little group shuffled in.

"Well," Evans said, tugging at the lapels of his heavy woolen jacket and quirking his mouth in a wry smile. "What a pleasant surprise. I'm afraid I really must apologize for my behavior downstairs. Usually I'm not such a ferocious attack dog. It's been a stressful night. Waking up after a few hours of sleep to a mysterious phone call. Being invited to surprise Carmen and Day on their birthday. Dealing with last-minute flight details and then not being able to even nap on the jet down the coast." He paused, then leaned in towards Amber and gave her a stage whisper. "Mostly," he said. "It's nerves."

My girlfriend, who had been holding back in the corner with folded arms, arched her eyebrows. "Is that so?" she asked. Her voice was cautious, and I could tell she was having the same problem I was. It was difficult to reconcile this man with the image I'd built up in my head of a strict, distant and uncaring parent.

Evans nodded earnestly, then smoothed back his hair and straightened his jacket again. "It's been almost a year since I've had the chance to see my girls. And they rarely seem interested in talking, or even texting. I miss them a lot, and I want to make a good impression. Do you think they'll be happy to see me? You did say this was a surprise, after all..."

The goal was to put Seth off-balance by bringing the twins' parents into play, I thought anxiously as we slowly came to a stop. But what if all I did was surprise myself?

Ding.

The golden glow of sunrise crept through the huge windows and across the main floor of Seth's penthouse. The party was clearly over, but the warm light illuminated the leftovers. By day, the space looked less alluring, mysterious and inviting, and more like a fancy penthouse that someone had converted into a nightclub. The expensive, artful decor clashed with remnants of the teenage rave, contributing to a discordant feeling. The big, open room was empty, too, which gave the stacks of red plastic cups, rows of bottles and smattering of streamers an odd sense of loneliness.

"Well..." Evans said, nodding to himself as he led the way out of the elevator. "Certainly doesn't look quite the same as the last time I visited. Of course, it was his parents who were throwing the party that night, wasn't it? And the Torrances are usually quite restrained." Taking off his overcoat and draping it over a nearby bar stool, the man seemed unfazed by the evidence that his daughters had been taking part in underage drinking and festivities. Charles Evans seemed ready to continue monologuing, but it was at that moment that a biting voice cut through the air and echoed quietly in the still air.

"What the hell are you doing he— Wait, Chuck is that you?"

My gaze swung up instinctively and darted across the room. Anger flared in my chest in response to the hated voice.

Seth stood at the top of the staircase, leaning over the thin railing and peering down into the foyer. He was shirtless, and had changed into a pair of red joggers. Even in the relative dimness, I could see he sported the ripped physique that his chiseled jawline and cheeks advertised. In the hall behind him, for just a moment, I thought I could hear the soft sound of retreating footsteps.

"Seth, my boy!" The twins' father seemed unsurprised to meet the tousle-haired teenager half-undressed. Then, I realized that as far as "Chuck" was concerned, Daisy was dating this douchebag. She had never made their breakup officially known to her family. "Throw on a shirt and get down here! Where are the girls? Chance and Victoria said that you were in on my surprise visit, but it looks like they were just pulling my leg."

I couldn't help but feel a surge of triumph as Seth visibly grimaced, glanced back down the hallway, and then seemed to weigh his options.

"Surprise!" the older man added brightly, almost as an afterthought, and I didn't bother to stifle my laughter.

I could see Seth's eyes narrow as he shot me a barbed glance and came to a decision. "Just give me a minute, sir, and I'll go... wake them up." The teen gave a laugh that sounded a little forced, and then disappeared back down the hallway.

As soon as he was gone, Victoria shot me a look and took several quick steps to my side.

"I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to warn you," she muttered, glancing back over her shoulder at the twins' father. "I didn't realize who he was until we were halfway here. Then, I didn't want to freak him out, so I just kept up the story that we're friends with his daughters."

I nodded several times, still processing. So much had happened in the past few hours that I was having trouble keeping it all straight. "Right," I agreed. The lie came rushing back. "We're friends of the twins, and they've been feeling guilty about missing family Thanksgiving this year. So we stole Daisy's phone and invited him down for a special family birthday surprise."

I could still hear the sleepy excitement that had been in Mr. Evans's voice when he answered the call from Daisy's cell. He'd been confused when he realized I wasn't his daughter, but when I laid out the lie he responded with enthusiasm. Apparently Mrs. Evans was away for a week-long "shamanism retreat," but Mr. Evans was delighted to be included. In the moment I'd had other things to worry about, but now it struck me as one more note off key. This was a man so desperate to see his daughters that he would fly down, no questions asked, after a midnight phone call from a stranger.

Something doesn't add up here, I mused.

Amber's heels clicked up beside Victoria and the buxom blonde rested a hand on the brunette's shoulder. "No hello, Vi?" she asked, but her smile said she was just ribbing her companion.

Victoria flashed a smile, and reached up to squeeze Amber's fingers. "I'm so happy you're back with us, babe," she said. "But right now we need to focus on Carmen. Daisy's home free if we can just get her sister out from Seth's influence."

I'd laid out the situation for Amber on the drive over from the Academy, and my girlfriend murmured her understanding. Her sky blue eyes were determined. Before she could answer, though, a thoughtful voice interrupted.

"They'll be okay with the surprise, won't they?" Charles Evans's voice was less certain than before, and as we turned to face him he gave us a shrug and a sheepish chuckle. "Sorry if I seem tense," he said. "But I'm sure the girls have told you how they feel about our relationship. I'm excited that you invited me, of course, just nervous that they'll be less happy than one might hope." The man's chuckle turned into a pained smile. "And, after all, a father's only wish is to make his daughters happy."

"Don't worry, Mr. Evans," I said. I tried to give him an encouraging look. "When Daisy finds out why we called you, she'll be so happy you showed up."

Daisy's father squared his shoulders and gave a firm nod. Then, he reached out his hand to shake mine. "You'll have to forgive me," he said, furrowing his brow. "I know Victoria, of course, and if I remember right your girlfriend's name is Amber. But..." He shook his head. "Your name, again...?"

"Chance!"

It was Daisy's voice that interrupted this time, and all heads swiveled in her direction. The crimson-haired 19-year-old was standing at the top of the stairs, with Seth drawn up behind her, and there seemed to be genuine pleasure in her voice. "How sweet of you to invite our father!"

I tried not to let surprise show on my face as the teenager flashed us a bright grin and then scampered down the stairs, barely holding onto the railing. Turning the corner at the bottom, Daisy practically ran across the expanse of hardwood floor and came to a breathless stop in front of her father.

"Hello, Daddy," she said in a quiet, syrupy sweet voice.

"Hello, sweetheart. Happy birthday." The man seemed uncertain what to do, but the girl preempted him by dashing forward the last few feet and wrapping him in a hug. Mr. Evans grunted softly, then hesitantly hugged her in return.

I was as surprised as he was until Daisy caught my eye.

What's happening? she mouthed, holding onto the hug for several extra seconds.

I widened my eyes, then glanced back up the stairs. Seth stood on the landing, watching intently with Carmen by his side. "Daisy," I chided, holding up my arms and interrupting the picture-perfect father-daughter moment. "Don't overwhelm the guy. Get over here and share the birthday cheer."

The girl's father gracefully surrendered her, and when she wrapped her arms around my chest Daisy squeezed extra tight. I had to muffle a groan as pain tweaked through my side. But, if I was worried about how the young woman had held up under a night with Seth, her voice dispelled my fears.

It was quiet but calm. "Is Seth still on the stairs?" she muttered.

I gave another glance. "Yep."

Seth and Carmen were descending, and the young man was still shooting suspicious looks in our direction.

"You said you wouldn't come back until you could save Carmen. Do you have a plan?" Daisy pulled away and let her hair fall across her face. It obscured her expression from the others, and the look she gave me was concerned.

I nodded, and spoke quickly. "Use your dad to distract Seth. Get Carmen by herself. I know what I need to say to talk her out of it."

"Are you sure?" The girl seemed to be taking father's unexpected arrival in stride, not even stumbling. Victoria stepped forward to embrace the teen, but Daisy kept her forest green eyes on me.

I gave her a brief smile, pushing down my uncertainty. "It's worked twice so far," I told her. And it's all we've got.

The redhead nodded as her arms encircled Amber's neck, and she finally looked away. The girl raised her voice, then, speaking for our audience.

"What a great surprise!" she said, stepping back from the blonde and gesturing at all of us. She turned to her sister and her fake boyfriend, who had just made their way to the group. "Carmen, Seth... Isn't this great?"

Seeing all three of them side by side, it was evident that both of the girls wore Seth-sized tee shirts. Beneath, they had nothing on but sleeping shorts that left bare plenty of pale thigh. Seth, himself, had thrown on a thick blue bathrobe over his bright red joggers.

The snake was the first one to answer. "Yeah," he agreed. "Totally. Isn't it always lovely to have surprise visits from relatives?" There was no particular tone to the words that made them biting, but they had an undertone of insolence.

As well as I could, I ignored Seth and watched Carmen closely, trying to catch her eye. She seemed fine, and I had to remind myself that she wasn't acting of her own volition when she blatantly ignored the rest of us and approached her father.

"Hi, Dad," she said quietly. "It's nice to see you."

"Hey, baby girl," her father answered, putting a hand on her shoulder. He hesitated, then took it away as she stepped back.

Damn. Now, Daisy's greeting seemed almost effusive.

There was an awkward silence that Seth filled with that irritating voice of his. "So, Chuck," he said, raising his eyebrows and folding his arms. "How do you know this gang?" He reached out and slipped an arm around Daisy's waist, pulling her closer. The girl murmured softly and rested her head on his shoulder, rubbing a hand across his chest. His eyes flicked over to meet mine, and a bit of a sneer curled the corner of his mouth.

Despite my hatred for the teenager, I had to keep my expression composed. It's all an act, I reminded myself. Just an act.

"Well, it's a funny story actually," the older man answered, oblivious to the power games at play. "Say, do you have any coffee in this place? I didn't get much sleep. Let's have a sit down with everyone and catch up."

I saw the instant of struggle in Seth's face. Then, his bright smile flashed innocently. "Sure thing, Chuck. Carmen, why don't you go start coffee for us? Day and I will help your dad find a seat in all this mess." He laughed, giving Mr. Evans a conspiratorial look. "Should I worry about you judging me, sir? I hope not. I know the place is a mess, but I was throwing the party for our girls, after all."

While the twins father chuckled good-naturedly, Carmen turned and headed toward the bar. Beyond it, I saw a doorway that I hadn't noticed last night. I assumed it led deeper into the apartment, probably to the kitchen.

If Mr. Evans was surprised at the sight of Seth giving his daughters orders then he showed no sign of it. In fact, the man had been glancing from Carmen to Day and back with an expression of uncertainty. I had to be grateful he was so worried about making a good impression with his daughters. If he were less desperate to see them, he might be more suspicious, and we didn't need him asking uncomfortable questions.

It was a dance, now. A secret chess match between me and Seth, with both parties keeping Charles Evans in the dark. I seemed to have figured correctly when I guessed that the twins' parents would be some of the few people Seth would feel trapped into the responsibility of entertaining. Anyone else he might throw out, and us along with them, but even this slick, playboy douchebag couldn't escape his girlfriend's parental unit.

Seth seemed about to speak when Daisy raised her head from his shoulder.

"Seth, baby?" she said, eyes wide and innocent. "Why don't we take my dad out onto the balcony? You're right, it's a mess in here, and the view outside will be much nicer. The sun's coming up, and it's probably not too chilly."

"Great idea," Seth agreed. He leaned down and kissed her deeply. When he broke it off, I managed to keep my clenched fist down at my side. "A great idea," he repeated. The handsome teen flashed us all a guilty smile that I thought seemed more than a little smug when he met my stony glare. Then, he gestured across the living room and toward the balcony. "Out we go."

Seth and Daisy led the way, with the girl's father starting up the story of how he'd met the rest of us. Amber, Victoria and I were following close behind, but I hung back.

She gave you an opening, I thought, staring at Daisy's back. Carmen is alone. Seth is occupied. This is when you slip away. So, shooting the group a final, parting glance, I turned and hurried in the opposite direction.

I'm coming, Carmen! I silently called ahead of myself. Everything is going to be alright!

In my heart, though, I steeled myself for the encounter to come.

Chapter Two

My suspicions had been accurate. The door behind the bar opened into a large dining room with a kitchen beyond. Through the open doorway, I could see the red-haired figure of my 19-year-old lover, moving with quiet assurance. It was obvious that Carmen been here before, and I felt an unexpected twinge of uncertainty. Seth had known the twins for years. TRANCE had spent dozens of hours conditioning their minds to be his, forever. Did I even stand a chance?

But my feet hurried me ahead, around the dining table and to the doorway, where I hesitated.

While I looked on, the girl opened a cupboard, removed a package of coffee grounds, and then stood on her tiptoes to reach for something on a higher shelf. Her shirt rode up, so I could see the smooth, enticing skin of her midriff. The teen gave a muffled sigh, then fell back on her heels. She glanced around the open cupboard door.

Carmen's green eyes were sparkling when they met mine, but there was no hint of the sexual allure that usually sparked between us. "Are you just going to stand there watching?" she asked, a teasing grin on her red lips. "Or can you get over here and reach the French press for me?"

I took a breath.

It's all an act, I thought. And this time the words brought me no comfort. Carmen was acting like we were friends because that was what Seth had told her to do. Her smile was a mask. It made me wonder, with a flash of cold discomfort, how much he'd been able to screw with their heads in a single night. There's really no time to lose.

I took several steps closer, then hesitated. Easy does it, Chance.

"Carmen," I said, holding up my hands. "I don't know what's going through your mind right now, but I need you to listen to me..." While I spoke, my brain scrambled. I knew that what I said next had to resonate with her on a profound level. I had to call up her true feelings, remind her of her real identity so that she could break through the false persona that Seth had imposed on her mind.

To help Victoria, I'd reminded the woman of her deep-seated sense of responsibility and caring. With Amber, it had been her loving nature and open heart that had let the truth in. But what would I say to Carmen...?

The girl was watching me though, with a strange look, and I knew I didn't have any more time.

I just had to go for it.

"Do you remember me?" I asked, no longer trying to hold back the worry from my voice. I took a slow step forward. "Really remember me, and who we are to each other? I need you to remember, Carmen. I need you to remember that Seth isn't your sister's boyfriend. We came here for the party last night to break up with him, and he used trigger phrases implanted by TRANCE to bring you over to his side."

Carmen's eyes were narrowed, darting between me and the door. She had taken a step back, edging around the counter in the center of the kitchen. "What are you talking about?"

"Please," I said. "You are a determined, passionate and independent young woman. You're not some maid for Seth to order around. You don't even like the guy. You went upstairs last night with every intention of tearing him a new one because he tried to mess with your sister."

I was watching Carmen's face, and I could already tell there was something wrong. Something was missing, from my words or my delivery or her reception of them. All I knew was that I wasn't getting through to her.

Crap. I had to trigger a powerful memory. Something meaningful that would bring up the emotions and the will strong enough to break Seth's spell.

"Remember when you tried to trick me into thinking you were Daisy?" I asked. I was channeling the last vestiges of confidence into my voice, forcing myself to sound calm as I felt my opportunity slipping away from me. "You couldn't fool me then, and you can't fool me now. This isn't you, Carmen. Please. This isn't you."

"Chance." The girl's voice had a bit of an edge, and her vibrant green eyes had hardened. "I don't know what you think you're talking about, but I need you to explain yourself. What do you mean 'Seth isn't Day's boyfriend' and 'you don't like the guy'? They're in love. All three of us are in love. We've pretty much been living here for weeks. Seth is my boyfriend as much as he is Daisy's. We just haven't told my parents about it because they'd freak out. Your girlfriend is one of my closest friends, but my relationship is really none of your business. And what the hell are 'trigger phrases'?"