“I'm sure it's not what it looks like.” Sophie's meek voice held a note of pity. Brooke's, on the other hand, was laced with anger. “What the heck is he thinking?” “There must be a reasonable explanation for his actions.” “Ugh. Could that dress be any shorter?” “She's probably just a friend.” “You're way prettier than her, Dawn.” “Maybe she's his cousin?” Sophie asked hopefully. Brooke snorted. “Yeah, if you mean kissing cousin.”

“Brooke groaned. “Couple or not, isn't he like from the 1800's? Chivalry isn't dead, you know.” “I can't believe you actually know what the word chivalry means,” Sophie said, laughing. “Brooke's vocabulary is very extensive when it comes to talking about guys,” I teased, relieved that the conversation had shifted away from Sebastian.”

“Sophie nodded. “She’s right. It’s almost like they were…zombies.” “Zombies?” I asked in disbelief. “I know how it sounds, but it’s the truth,” Brooke said. “We were attacked by zombified vamps and weres.” She paused. “Okay…now that I’ve said it out loud, it does sound really stupid.” “It’s not like they were actual dead zombies, though,” Seth explained. “More like, robots.” Brooke rubbed her temples. “Now you’re bringing robots into this? You think that will help our case?” “Yes,” Seth growled. “Better than zombie vamps.”

“Are we going to do this again?” I grumbled. “Do what?” “The damsel-in-distress and knight-in-shining armor bit.” Pain flashed in his eyes. “That's not how I see us,” he murmured, sliding his hand to the side of my neck. “I told you before, you're no damsel. You're more like a butt-kicking dragon.” He caressed my cheek with his hand. “Oh, thanks.” I attempted to sound annoyed, but his touch melted away the irritation in my voice. “Plus, I've worn armor before, and trust me, it's not my style.”

“Sebastian then turned to the redhead. I didn’t want to know her name. I already had a perfectly fitting nickname for her in my head. “This is Selena Alvaro.” “Please call me Lena,” the girl smiled, extending a manicured hand. I shook it politely. Whatever Sebastian's issue was, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of showing that I cared. “Do you know Bast well?” she asked me. Ugh. That nickname again. “I guess not,” I replied curtly, shooting him a pointed look. “He's just one of the vampires in town.”

“They managed to describe fifteen different weapons you’re an expert in, but they couldn’t even mention that I’m running for prom queen?” Brooke moaned.”

“And…Dawn?” “Yes?” “Be careful.” “Be careful dancing?” He smiled. “The way you dance, that wouldn’t be bad advice.” Then he lost the smile and his cool eyes blazed with a strange current I’d never seen. “Be careful…always.”