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with silver handcuffs. She heard one of the officers putting in a call for the vampire liaison office. Just as Vlad had feared.
    Medics came and took the blonde woman away in a special ambulance geared to deal with vampire emergencies. Police officers escorted them into the club's office and requested they stay until the liaison officer arrived. They left the club's vampire owner, Alix Greenberg, in charge of making sure they did. The newly turned vampire looked extremely displeased to have trouble in her club. They sat in stony silence.
    Jaelyn glanced down, noticing that she'd torn her borrowed dress beyond all repair. The thigh-high slit in the side now exposed most of her hip. She shifted in her chair, trying to cover herself. Vlad was missing most of the buttons on his silk shirt. It hung open nearly to his waist, showing off his heavily muscled chest. The club owner didn't seem to have noticed, but Jaelyn gave him a pointed nod. He looked down, shrugged, and then covered his chest by crossing his arms. His dark curls stood out in all directions. It surprised her that she found the effect appealing. He had the air of a little boy who'd been caught fighting at school and was now sitting in the principal's office. She might have laughed if the situation hadn't been so dire.
    Someone knocked on the door. Still keeping an eye on them, Alix crossed the room and opened it. A blond man with golden eyes stood in the doorway, flanked by a tall woman with dark hair.
    Come in Dante, Xandra, the club owner said. The pair crowded into the small office. Jaelyn noted that Vlad followed Dante's progress warily.
    The vampire liaison flipped a badge in their direction. Vampire Liaison Officer, Dante Rodriguez. This is my associate, Xandra Wheeler.
    The liaison officer's golden eyes centered on Vlad, pinning him to the chair like an exotic bug. It looked to Jaelyn like Vlad was trying hard not to squirm under his scrutiny.
    Jaelyn studied the liaison officer. She was so new to being a vampire, she didn't really know how to judge him, but it seemed like what Vlad had said was true. He wasn't like any other vampire she'd ever seen, not that she'd seen many. For one thing, his coloring was all wrong. Golden eyes gleamed in the dim lighting. His associate studied the two of them blatantly. The tall woman wasn't a vampire, Jaelyn was certain of that much, but she didn't seem entirely human either. The way she stood still as a statue unnerved her.
    Alix gripped the door handle. If you have things under control in here, I ought to see what's happening out in the club.
    There had been a mass exodus when the police and the ambulance had arrived.
    That's fine, Dante said. I have a few questions.
    More than a few, Xandra added.
    Vlad sighed, I'm sure you do.
    Dante took Alix's abandoned seat behind the desk. He leaned back in the chair, making himself at home. Xandra rested one hip against the desk and folded her arms. Why don't you start by telling us what happened.
    Jaelyn glanced at Vlad. He still looked entirely uncomfortable, but he nodded for her to begin. She launched into the bizarre story of her last twenty-four hours.
    The office was silent when she finished. Dante glared at Vlad. You should have called us sooner. The moment Jaelyn landed on your doorstep, Xandra added.
    Vlad shifted in his chair. He pulled the edges of his shirt together again and re-crossed his arms over his chest. Yeah, well I've found out what happens when you involve the police. Even if you've done nothing wrong. Do you know how many police lineups I've been in?
    He threw the words down like a challenge. For a moment no one said anything, but tension hung thick in the air.
    Dante sat forward and gripped the sides of the desk. The wood groaned. Suddenly he seemed to become aware of it and loosened his hands. He crossed his arms, mirroring Vlad's defiant posture. I admit when vampirism first became public knowledge things got a little crazy. Fear ruled, I regret,