Page 25 of Bonds of Starfall

And the only place she could everexistwas when everything was too loud, and she couldn’t hear her thoughts over the telltale roar of life.

The concrete warehouse enveloped them. Their steps echoed, mingling with the other bodies crammed inside.

The inside had clearly been renovated.

The center was hollowed out, tall concrete pillars holding up the roof, and an exposed set of stairs along the far wall, stone chipped and crumbling. A crude bar was set along one wall, made of rusted bits of tin and metal. Strobing lights were fixed to the ceiling, flashing randomly.

Here, everyone was forced to be the same under the constant glow of neon.

Xara’s hand tightened on her arm. "Did you say your friend’s name was Keir?" Xara had to yell to be heard over the music.

Rin nodded, eyes wide as she leaned close to say, "He said he’d meet us by the… rise."

At least, that was what his text had said.

"What rise?" Xara looked around.

Rin scanned the space, squinting as the lights burned her eyes and played tricks on her.

Something heavy draped over Rin’s shoulders. She stiffened.

"What’s a pretty thing like you doing here alone?" a masculine voice crooned, far too close to her ear.

With the corners of her lips tipped downward, Rin turned, finding a tall man standing at her side, one arm thrown casually around her shoulder, pulling her close to him, as if they werefriends.

"Can I help you?" Rin arched a brow, eyeing his arm.

"You certainly can, beautiful. Want to get a drink?"

Rin sighed and stepped out from under the man’s arm. His dark brown hair was dyed a deep blue at the tips, falling around his temples and casting shadows on his skin.

The side of his lips quirked up, and she took him in—from the tip of his studded boots, to his ripped jeans and distressed shirt.

She couldn’t help it; she frowned.

His slanted, blue eyes grew wide in feigned shock. "Ouch, you’re a bit of an ice queen, huh?"

Rin didn’t know what to say to that.

She reached out for Xara’s shoulder, fingers tangling with hers. She squeezed in a silent plea for help, but the other girl only looked at her with mirthful eyes, content to watch Rin flounder in the face of flirtations.

"No, thank you," Rin said coolly, using her grip on Xara’s hand to lead her around the outskirts of the crowd in the center of the building, sticking close to the shadowed edges with tall, cement pillars.

But the stranger did not get the hint.

"Come on, at least tell me your name," he said, following after her.

Xara tugged her hand free, nudging Rin back. "Just try. Remember, meet people."

Rin’s heart kicked up with nerves, and her face became uncomfortably hot. She hated romantic interactions. Was something wrong with her? She just… didn’t care. But maybe she should. Maybe Xara was right—the only way to meet people was to get out there, and what better place than under a shroud of neon?

Rin rolled her shoulders back and turned, facing the man. He smiled, and Rin saw tiny fangs poking his lip.

"Oh, that?" he said, running his tongue over the tip of a fang. "I’m a half vampire. My mom is from Sangreal."

That made Rin take a step back. Vampires were feared. Dangerous. It was a wonder he even got clearance to live on Earth. Beings from other planets had to undergo a strict background check and meet a multitude of various requirements to obtain Earthen citizenship.

"Don’t worry, I don’t bite. I’m Jasver." He held out a hand.