"Just then, a telltale scent reached Trez's nose and rocketed through his blood, the impact wrenching his head and his body around ... Whereupon he lost all thought. All breath. And all of his soul. Selena stood at the head of the bloodred-carpeted steps, her lovely hand resting on the gold-leafed balustrade, her body held stiffly, as if she weren't sure about her shoes, or her dress, or maybe even her hair.