he skin. Aria wandered the slick streets, her bare feet numb against the concrete. She had managed

wandering barefoot in a trench coat at midnight was

ow of a neon sign: The Blind Tiger. It felt less like a public bar and mo

wn. He saw the frantic look in her eyes, but he also s

ic and body heat hit her like a physical wall, disorienting her sens

the well-dressed patrons who swirled their marti

asped. "The stro

d tired eyes, eyed her skeptically. But he reache

the glass down. The liquid fire settled

," she d

ges of her pain began to blur. The image of Igna

said, tapping the bar.

Her hands felt clumsy, di

pt

hone. No wal

, tasting of bile and wh

ached for the bottle to pull it away

al suit settled onto the stool next to her. He didn't loo

aid. His voice was a deep bar

d instantly. He nodded respectf

ne. Dark, intelligent eyes that seemed to absorb the light rather than refle

sessing the gold cufflinks

s personal space. She smelled rain a

wobbly finger. The fabric of his suit

row. The corner of his

xpensive,"

ok at him, but her legs, betrayed by the

impact of the floor

around her waist, the other supported her back. The contact sent a jol

ghed nothing. Her head lolled against his

e bartend

ok his head

e back of the room, towa

pel, her words slurring together.

he door to the private lounge, shutting