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Instead, I see Raffe

He leans casually against the wall in a shadowy corner, watching the crowd A brunette in a black dress with skin so white she looks like a va about her oozes sex

I’ht now, but I have ato give up the chance to find Paige just because I feel socially aard

I steel myself and walk over to him

The brunette puts her hand on his chest, whispering so across the roolass of a He places the elasses on a nearby table

He doesn’t look at ainst the wall beside hiirl who is now giving e isn’t already clear, she drapes herself onto Raffe

He grabs another drink fro waiter who holds a tray full of various drinks Raffe tosses that one back as well and grabs another before the waiter leaves He’s downed four drinks in the short tiether and find hion hard and fast Great Just el

Raffe finally turns to the brunette who gives hi smile Her eyes sparkle with an invitation that makes me embarrassed to watch

"Go find someone else," says Raffe His voice is distracted, indifferent Ouch Even though she gaveof syain, he only told her to go away At least he didn’t tell her he doesn’t even like her

She pulls back fro hioes back to people watching, she shootslook and leaves

I scan the roo The club is cozy and not as big as I’d initially thought It has the energy of a larger place because of the boisterous crowd, but it’s e than ain a booth as though it is a king’s dais and they are the chosen ones

There are certain kinds of groups who can do that: popular kids on lunch benches, football heroes at a party,in or around the booth They’re joking and laughing, each with a drink in one hand and a glairl in the other The area is thick oet their attention, or strutting by slowly as though they’re on a catwalk, watching the er than the others in the club--taller, beefier, with an aura of casual danger that the others don’t have The kind of danger tigers in the wild project They re out of the club, the ones Raffe wanted to avoid

They all wear swords with casual elegance I is were clean shaven and modernized Their presence and attitude remind me of Raffe He would fit in It’s easy to visualize hi with the gang Well, the laughing part takes a little iination, but I’uy in the white suit?" He nods his head aluy is not only wearing a white suit, but his shoes, hair, skin, and wings are dohite The only color on him is his eyes From this distance, I can’t tell what color they are, but I’ up close, just by contrast with the rest of him

I’ve never seen an albino before I’ albinos, his total lack of color is rare Hu he’s not hue of the round booth He’s the guy who doesn’t quite belong His laugh starts with a half-second lag as if he’s waiting for the cue frouys All the woet too close He is the only one without a girl draped over hi by but doesn’t reach out to any of the him that o over there and get his attention," whispers Raffe Great I should have known "Get him to follow you to the ? How am I supposed to do that?"

"You’re resourceful" His eyes roa"

"What happens in the bathrooure if I’h for the others to hear over the roar of the club, Raffe will surely let me know

"We convince hiri hireat

"What happens if he says no?"

"Game over Mission abort"

I probably look the way the brunette did when he told her to go away I look at hi But there is no humor in his eyes Why did I know that would be the case?

I nod "I’ll get hiet him to say yes"

I push away frohts

CHAPTER 30

I’ a seductress It’s hard to practice the art of seduction when you’re always pushing your kid sister around in her wheelchair Not to y sweatshirt do not a seductress et the albino’s attention Nothing coe, hoping to think of soe of wouards makes its way toward the warriors They follow in the wake of an angel who has alh norood-looking without being inti Toffee hair, war for his otherwise perfect face This one is all smiles and friendliness, a born politician

He wears a gray suit circa 1920s with polished shoes and a golden watch chain looping from his waist to his vest pocket He pauses here and there to exchange a word or two of greeting His voice is as warm as his eyes, as friendly as his smile Everyone smiles back at him