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I jerked forward, suddenly wary How did he know , "I’ve seen you around the clubs You and your pretty friend"

Of course he meant Brooklynn Everyone noticed Brooklynn

It was hard to iine that I’d never noticed him before He was hard toyou, Xander, but I really need to find my friend now" And it was true With my head clear, I realized the position I was in: that no one knehere I was, or who I ith

For a ue, or try to convincebetween , tense pause I heldto calm my heart

But then the ain I was struck by that sense that there was sorace hich he moved and the way his silver eyes remained trained--focused--on me But I squeezed the container of salve in ht this way"

He led me back into the darkened hallway, and to the club beyond He stayed withhis hand on my elbohether to steady me or to keep me within arm’s reach, I didn’t know

We stood there for athe crowd "There she is" His voice was so low and deep that it very nearly blended into the bass of the music

There was a sudden burst of activity near the entrance, and everyone see Xander’s fingers tightened on my arm I was certain it was unintentional I doubted he even realized he’d done it Beside id, anxious and alert within the span of a breath

As atched, bodies shifted and the crowds parted Even without seeing who’d just arrived, their appearance charged the air like static electricity

And then threethe entryway, and as they caht in the back ofI had when I’d firsthere

Not in the way someone like Xander did Not like I did

I was scarcely aware of his coazeif--even hoping that--it was me he searched for

I re darkly But his hesitation was so slight, so fleeting, that I could have easily convinced aze stopped on round as I stared back at hi I heldto happen, as I hoped to see soht there was so of his eyes and the slight lift at the corners of his mouth But it was over so quickly I could barely process it, and his long stride never faltered