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Opening it, she let out a soft laugh “I sinore this date”

Michael sift Just a bottle of wine” She stepped aside, but sorin faded “What is that?” he asked as he brushed aside the material of her sweater at her throat, where the top button was undone

Jade flinched Michael’s eyes popped “Jesus Christ,” he said “Those are diaer to possess

Closing the door behind the deal out of this”

“Really?” He huffed as he set the bottle of merlot on an end table Her sword occupied the coffee table She left it out of its protective casing, ready for use if needed His gaze landed on it, and Michael raked a hand through his hair “What is going on with you?”

With a draave me the sword”

He spied an object under the chair in the corner and knelt to retrieve it Holding up half of a tapered candle, he sneered at her “And you’ve been practicing with it”

“That’s where that went” She’d accidentally lopped off the top of the candle in its holder when she’d lost her balance the other day

Standing, he handed her the remnant and then crossed his arms over his chest “And what about the necklace? I’ive that to you”

“No, of course not” She dropped the candle in the box from the wax maker’s shop

Turning back to Michael, she found hi her response, crooked brow and all

“It’s just a necklace,” she said, in hopes ofthe piece of jewelry ht to re on her patio

“That is not just a necklace And no human we know could afford one that ostentatious Not even a Delfino”

Frustration tinged her voice as she told hio”

“Jade” He stared at her with an incredulous look on his handso?” He said it exactly as she had at the ed the explanation of Jinx’s death—and had found it inconceivable he’d struck up an amiable association with a vampire