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eBook Category: Dark Fantasy/Fantasy
eBook Description: Innocent bystanders. That's their story and their sticking to it because it's not Scarlet or Josh's fault that a night at the opera becomes a night never to be forgotten.

eBook Publisher: Mystic Moon Press, Published: 2008
Fictionwise Release Date: January 2008

This eBook is part of the following series:

• Kate Smith's Wolf Hollow Series

8 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [232 KB], eReader (PDB) [45 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [18 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [17 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [114 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [91 KB], hiebook (KML) [99 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [80 KB], iSilo (PDB) [15 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [19 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [81 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [30 KB]
Words: 5021
Reading time: 14-20 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

"Look, if I have to be here for opening night, I need you here for moral support." Kelly studies his companions and sighs deeply as he runs his hand through his hair. "Or immoral support."

Scarlet raises an imperious brow. "We're here, aren't we?"

"How bad can it be?" Josh hooks a thumb inside the open collar of his black shirt, tugs, uncomfortable in his fancy-fine suit.

Kelly stops at the door of the third tier theatre box. "I'm glad you feel that way. Will make it easier to hand it over."

"What are you babbling about now?" Scarlet demands.

Kelly twitches his fingers. "Come on. Hand 'em in."

Scarlet looks at Josh, her lashes glinting in the low light. "I think the pressure's finally blown his mind."

"It was bound to happen eventually," Josh says. "Especially when you bought those shoes."

Scarlet smiles lovingly at her footwear. "Mmmm, they are just soooo daaarling."

Little more than a sole, three-inch spike heels, a token curve across the toes, and long ribbons that wrap round her calves, the Kushinsky shoes are lethal, lovely, and Scarlet's namesake colour.

"They're shoes, Scarlet." Kelly snaps his fingers. "This is Tia's opening night, and you should respect the skill, training and discipline it takes to reach this level. That means no iPods or MP3s, so don't make me pat you down because I promise," he pauses to glare at Scarlet, "you won't enjoy it."

Scarlet's lips plump into a pout. "He's so mean to me."

"Yeah, and I'm prepared to cut up all your credit cards and make a sculpture for the front lawn out of your slingbacks, so don't push me."

Wearing her bone-deep bad temper like a crown, Scarlet makes a production of opening up her purse and rummaging. Lipstick, Wept & Crocodile's Demon Delight. Key. Throwing star. Hanky. Vial of her Christmassy-cinnamon perfume. Metallic aubergine iPod.

Which Kelly promptly confiscates before turning to Josh.

Josh works on his glower but he passes over the MP3 from his inside breast pocket.

Angular face stern, Kelly narrows his eyes at Scarlet.

Scarlet bumps out her hip, the picture of boredom.

Kelly pantomimes snipping motions.

Scarlet's pout returns as she hauls her skirt up a fraction of an inch and slides the turquoise iPod from her garter. She inhales and jiggles until the ear buds slither free from under her clothes. Scarlet slaps the iPod into Kelly's palm.

"Thank you. That wasn't so painful was it?"

Scarlet sniffs. "Opera, babe ... opera." She kicks the door open and stalks into the velvet cocoon of the box.

Josh shudders. "Argh, she said the O word. I was doing okay until it was said. Now all my attempts at denial are shattered." He balks at crossing the threshold, one hand locking so tight on the doorjamb his knuckles show up, brittle as nautilus shells.

The final bell sounds.

Kelly rolls his eyes and shoves Josh inside. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

"No, it just leaves you maimed and bleeding."

"It's music," Kelly stresses.

"Bleeding from the ears, then."

The house lights go down, taking Scarlet's and Josh's protests with them.