“The woman stayed on her stool, silent, concentrating, watching the man's movements with an air of declining sadness. Watching him as a lamp about to go out might have looked at a man.”

“I have watched him as only a woman can watch a man upon whom her fate depends, but it has always been in vain.”

“Man must look after man sicne no god watches out for us.”

“He was skinny with soft hair, and his thick, murky eyes watched as the stranger played one more song in the heavy room. From face to face, he looked on as the man played and the woman wept. The different notes handled her eyes. Such sadness.”

“Jax gave him a look, and he nodded, silently agreeing he wouldn't do anything stupid. Like kiss her. Or go to her house to watch Star Trek outtakes.”

“Tabitha checked her watch. It was almost ten.“I don’t know about you, but I’m famished. Want to go grab a bite?”Valerius gave her an amused stare. “You have to be the only woman alive who would ask a man with fangs that question.”