A'S

into the main body of OCTĀGON, I felt the heavy

e and violet laser light across a massive, packed dance floor. On

r of the crowd, grabbing my hand and pu

o the second security guard at the top of the stairs, who

own private bar and intimate leather bo

ng through the crowd toward the marble bar.

s across the counter toward us, flashing me a lingering, dazzl

ng to find Ari wiggling her

d, taking a sip

ow what," A

Clara. The man is a fine specime

n, a strange, prickling warmth sudde

we walked into the building. Driven by an irresistible pull,

was a tall figure staring intently at me. His pierc

some Ru

Did he know I was the girl who had woken up in his bed a few days ago? I pressed m

dance?" I asked desper

ready!" Ari squeale

s among the moving bodies until I could no longer feel his eyes on me. We danced for three straight

cked out of the moving crowd toward an empty booth nearby. Before I cou

led out loudly, assuming she was

't Ari. Standing over me was a broad-shouldered man in a crumpled suit, smelling hea

think you're going?" he slurr

d firmly, attempting to pry

!" he hiccuped, lean

want to danc

t. Let go!"

that" He tightened his hold, his fi

red past my peripheral vision. A sickening crack

ly as he collapsed to his knees, his arm

ough the immediate

ed and carried on, treating the sudde

er the fallen man. As the tall man turned his head toward me, the dark violet lights

rain. The shock violently fractur

errifying, vivid rush. The dark alley, I've unconsciously bee

ed, my hand flying up to cover the exact spot on my throat where the skin

ly felt suffocating, I felt

h the VIP doors and down the stairs, d