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    the VIP e x i t .“ I think a bunch of immortals arguing about time is the essence of irony. Only the short lived humans should worry about time .” This garnered a snicker from the crowd as they meandered toward the front of the club.
    “ Everyone knows we live a long time. But we’re not immortal. Too many have gone down recently for us to forget .” Sadness shaded Jacque’s eyes.
    Xavier nodded in agreement .“ That’s very tru e, my friend. This war will take a huge toll on our kind. And for what ? ”
    One word said it all .“ Freedom . ”

 
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
     
    Freedom. What a novel idea. Are any of us truly able to choose our own lives? Or are we all slaves to Fate? Fate could be a wicked bitch when she wanted to be.
    The group huddled on the sidewal k, waiting for the valet to bring the vehicles around. Xavier observed his brother and Angel. Their love was obviou s, their happiness even more so. His inability to find the kind of joy they shared pained him. Karma was more of a bitch than Fat e, but he reaped what he had sown.
    Bell leaned against the light pos t, chatting with her brother and Etienne. Her blonde tresses shimmered under the lamp light. Her milky skin held a soft sheen like fine silk. She tossed her head bac k, amused by whatever banter she and the vamp exchanged. A pang of something akin to jealousy stabbed at Xavier. He ignored the feeling and diverted his attention elsewhere.
    An odd scent wafted through the air. The hair on his arms stood on end from the electric currents hovering over his skin. A power stronger than he ever experienced before drew near. The night fell silent. Confused expressions and the shifts into a defensive stance evidenced the others in the group also felt something amiss. Even the humans sensed the danger in the air. The presence of evil crept over Xavier’s skin like fog rolling in from a swamp.
    “ Holy hell! What the fuck is that ?” the witch they called Nat exclaimed.
    The males protectively stepped in front of the females. He backed closer to Bell although Laurent shielded her from the direction of the danger. Xavier’s natural warning system screamed within his body although the threat wasn’t evident. The power wielded by this being was fierce enough to make him want to run for his life. He had encountered some serious badness in his lifetim e, but nothing to this extent. Fear sent a wave of nausea through his stomach. This intruder made Death seem like a cuddly puppy.
    A cloud of energy descended upon them. It struck hard and fast. Blood showered down like rain. The zing of metal slicing through air compelled Xavier to throw his body in front of Bel l, knocking down both her and Laurent. Pain blazed a trail across his chest. His bloo d, warm and thic k, oozed down his abs. Bell’s breath caught in a gasp as she struggled under his bulky form.
    Deft hands clasped him under his arms and dragged him toward the door of the club .“ Everyone get the fuck insid e , ” Jacque barked.
    The sounds of feet hitting pavement and gunshots clamored behind him. Xavier struggled to maintain his shift. The extra energy expended for his disguise increased the healing time of his wounds. He willed himself to stay awake and not give into the darkness luring him away. He had no idea what would happen if he passed out. He couldn’t reveal his identity and leave Bell to answer to the consequences. Picking up his head to survey his surrounding s, he searched for her fac e, something to keep him grounded to consciousness.
    Had he lost his mind? What the fuck was he thinking jumping in front of them like a crackhead diving for a dollar bill? Bell scurried to his side as Jacque lugged his limp body into the club. She released the air trapped in her lungs when he raised his head and scanned the area. As their gaze me t, her sad eyes smiled at him. He found fortitude in the relief in her expression.
    The thump of the music matched the intensity of the