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Asit, I found Jeralass of wine in one hand He was shirtless and wore dark pants, si I noticed the tattoo of a black cross etched into his right bicep

"I hope you weren’t sleeping?" he asked, a slight slur to his voice

"No"

"Good I wanted to introduce you to so I felt like doing was going down to meet a crowd of people, but I couldn’t just refuse They were lettingsociable

"Sure," I said

I followed hilass elevator

"We’re out in the open tonight," he said

We ascended one level in the elevator and stepped out onto the glass-walled platform that overlooked the entire atriu ide open, the light of thein As we climbed the stairs toward the exit, the teh as we stepped onto the sand it wasn’t as hot as I had expected There was a cool desert breeze

Looking around, I was surprised at how many uessed itches Exotic music filled the air froed instrunize and a ta table filled with containers of blood and alcoholic beverages Men and wo, and scattered loosely around the dance area were large cushioned chairs Dozens of va our way toward the drinks table Fivedrinks

"What do you want?" Jera, thanks"

"Oh, colass of blood then," I said "But don’t add alcohol I don’t drink"

Jera tentatively at us from behind the table "You heard hio and take a seat over there" He gestured toward an e yours over"