I realize it's only been a couple of days since I posted the first chapter, but I've had some free time lately, and I've been having a good time writing this. I wouldn't count on all my chapter updates being this speedy though.

If I don't turn around, maybe I'll be lucky, and he'll just go away. But luck isn't really on my side tonight. When he speaks again, his smooth voice comes from right beside my left ear, though I never heard him moving closer.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were less than thrilled to see me."

I spin around to face him, my breathing shallow from the feel of his breath on my neck.

"Y-you…why are you here? Who's that woman you're with?"

I can't stop the second question from tumbling out of my mouth, and I instantly regret it. Why do I even care? Jareth has done nothing but cause me trouble. The smug grin on his face makes me want to slap him.

"My my, Sarah, are you jealous?"

"No! I just…I met her when she was going to the restroom, and she seems far too nice for the likes of you."

He throws back his head and laughs. I move back a step, but he quickly closes the distance.

"That's right. I'm the villain, aren't I?"

He looks at me with laughter in his eyes, but there's something more there too that I can't quite place. I give him a look of what I hope is brave determination.

"Well, you play the part so well," I reply. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go home. I have work to do."

He ignores my words and begins to circle me, his eyes roaming over every inch of my body. I'm wearing black skinny jeans and a gold sequin crop top, but the look in his eyes makes me feel completely naked. When he comes back around to face me, I release a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"You're looking well, Sarah. I especially enjoy the glitter," he says.

Of course he does. I glare at him.

"Why are you here?"

He moves closer to me, and I suck in a shallow breath as he puts his hands gently on my waist and leans in conspiratorially to whisper in my ear. The touch of his gloved hands sends an electric shock through me, and I curse my traitorous body for reacting so much to him.

"I'm trying to impress a woman." He steps away again, and grins at my confused frown. "The human world is a bit of a novelty to the Fae. My lovely companion was anxious to come, and I, ever obliging, agreed to bring her. Imagine my surprise when I caught a glimpse of my old adversary."

I can feel my face flushing. What exactly was I expecting? I ignore the little voice in my head that tells me it's disappointment I'm feeling. I won't let myself even consider that thought. I can see in the goblin king's delighted look that my blush hasn't gone unnoticed.

"Oh dear, Sarah. You didn't think I came here to see you, did you?"

He is infuriating. But I won't let him make me feel stupid for thinking that maybe he had come for me.

"Well, it's a pretty big coincidence, goblin king. What was I supposed to think?"

He gives me a look of mock pity.

"Oh, poor Sarah. Is this the first time you're discovering that not everything is about you?" His lips turn up in a smug grin at my look of indignation.

"You're an arrogant bastard. Have fun with your date." I spit the last word. "I'm sure it'll only be a matter of time before she realizes what an asshole you are."

I turn to walk away, but he grabs my arm and spins me around. The playfulness is gone from his face, replaced by a look so serious, it sends a chill through me. He says nothing for a long moment, only staring intently at me.

"This isn't the last you'll hear from me, Sarah. Now that I've found you again, I fully intend to see more of you," his tone is firm and matter of fact. I open my mouth to speak, but no words will come out, and his look seems to warn me against trying to argue with him.

I don't understand why he would want to see me again after he's just called me his adversary; after I beat him at his own game. When I'd run the Labyrinth, he'd been a proud, over-confidant jerk, and I have every reason to believe he hates me. I can only assume that he wants revenge. The thought makes me shudder…until I remember the last words I spoke to him when I was in his kingdom. I pull my arm angrily from his grasp.

"You have no power over me," I say before spinning around once again and leaving him behind.