eight The westering sun had already dried the stormwater from the bare earth as Rachel pushed through the screen door once more. Dust stirred from rain-pounded craters as she stepped down, then swirled tetchily aside as the hem of her borrowed bathrobe followed to drag listlessly about her bare feet. Rachel paused, her eyes on the ground, and took a breath. Beyond the peeling whitewash of the nearby corner of the villa, s...

six Rachel was so wrapped in her thoughts that she did not register the familiar baritone rumble of the bike until it was right beside her. She jumped at the startling clatter of its disengaged clutch as Syn guided it to a halt: sharply angular, pillar-box red fairings like armour on an insectile steed. The social nuances of greeting were beyond Rachel, so she contented herself with an ambiguous smile while Syn dismounted...

four ‘C’mere,’ Rachel growled, as she pulled Kristen’s hips back down to her face. Her neck was beginning to tighten from thrusting her tongue upward. It seemed that every time she managed to begin a rhythm Kristen would pull herself away, kneeling up until Rachel had to lift her head ever higher to maintain contact. To make matters worse, Rachel was beginning to be annoyed by the girl’s almost desperate gasping. If only...

three Rachel jumped at the demonic bark that resounded from the enclosed space of the garage. It sounded both feral and musical; but died quickly to a high, gravelly idle as something edged into sight. A sharp white point, diminishing on either side to gaping air intakes beneath and rounded headlights above. The short bonnet gave way to windscreen, and then Susan’s beautiful face. Rachel could not help hopping on the spot...

zero There was something about that moment, when the taxi wallowed away from the kerb leaving Rachel standing alone, that would stay with her. The sun was setting behind hills glimpsed at the end of the street, and while the air would be warm all night, Rachel felt a shiver — as though she stood on a precipice. She let the feeling explore her for a moment longer. How incongruous it was, to be standing here outside the hou...