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"Let's see" Roland pointed at the hippie kids in the druroup of guys trying to iirls with a few very bad thrusting danceFro, I hope they're on leave for the weekend" When Jasmine and Dawn sidled up next to him, Roland put one arm around each of their shoulders "These two, I believe you know"

"You didn't tell us you were such big friends with the celestial social director, Luce," Jasmine said

"Seriously" Dawn leaned in to whisper loudly to Luce, "Only o to a Roland Sparks party And ht," Roland joked

"Is there no relish at this party?" Shelby popped up behind Luce with Miles at her side She was holding two hot dogs in one hand and stuck out her free one to Roland "Shelby Sterris Who are you?"

"Shelby Sterris," Roland repeated "I'm Roland Sparks You ever live in East LA? Have we raphic , which was not her favorite, but a nice gesture nonetheless "I'm Miles Cool party, by the way"

"Very cool," Dawn agreed, swaying with Roland to the drumbeat

"What about Steven and Francesca?" Luce had to practically shout to Shelby "Won't they hear us down here?" It was one thing to sneak out under the radar It was another to plant a sonic boolanced back toward the ca at Shoreline At least for the Nephili as we stay on campus, under their umbrella of surveillance, we can pretty much do as we please"

"Does that include a li, thick branch fro to hold the other end for me?"

Seconds later, the branch was raised, the drued, and it see to for, animated limbo line

"Luce," Miles called to her "You're not just going to stand there, are you?"

She studied the crowd, feeling sti and rooted to her spot in the sand But Dawn and Jas for her to squeeze into line between the two of them Already in competitionout her back Even the buttoned-up hed and got in line

Once the gaan, the line moved quickly; for three rounds, Luce shimmied easily under the branch The fourth ti to tilt her chin back far enough to see the stars, and got a round of cheers for doing so Soon she was cheering on the other kids too, only a little surprised to nd herself juh There was so out of the limbo stance after a successful turn--the whole party see rush of adrenaline

Having fun wasn't usually such a sihter had usually been closely followed by guilt, so herself for one reason or another But so it, she'd been able to shrug o the darkness

By the tini cantly shorter Half the kids at the party had already gotten out, and everyone was crowded around either Miles or Roland, watching the last kids standing At the back of the line, Luce was giddy and a little light- headed, so the hard grip she felt on her arm almost made her lose her balance

She started to screaers clamp over herher out of line and away fro down her neck, his lips brushing the side of her cheek For just a ht violet glow of his eyes, and her days-old rising need to grab hold of hio--it allhere?" she whispered She meant to say Thank God you're here or It's been so hard to be apart or what she reallyhere?" she whispered She meant to say Thank God you're here or It's been so hard to be apart or what she really meant, I love you But there were also You abandoned ht it wasn't safe and What's this about a truce? all knocking around in her brain

"I had to see you," he said As he led her behind a large volcanic rock on the beach, there was a conspiratorial s its way onto Luce's lips too The kind of s Daniel's rule --but that they were enjoying doing it

"When I got close enough to see this party, I noticed everyone dancing," he said "And I got a little jealous"

"Jealous?" Luce asked They were alone now She threw her arms around his broad shoulders and looked deep into his violet eyes "Why would you be jealous?"

"Because," he said, rubbing his hands across her back "Your dance card is full For all eternity"

Daniel held her right hand in his, wrapped her left around his shoulder, and started a sloo-step in the sand They could still hear the music from the party, but from this side of the rock it felt like a private concert Luce closed her eyes andthe place where her head t into his shoulder like a puzzle piece

"No, this isn't quite right," Daniel said after a moment He pointed down at her feet She noticed he was barefoot "Take o your shoes," he said, "and I'll show you how angels dance"