“Hell,' Shane spit in disgust. 'I can't hit a girl. Here, Claire. You hit her.' He tossed her the bat.”

“Hell, I can't hit a girl. Here, Claire. You hit her.”

“Don’t!” Lillian yelled, and put up her arms when Shane pulled back the bat.“Hell,” Shane spat in disgust. “I can’t hit a girl. Here, Claire. You hit her.” He tossed her the bat. Claire grabbed it and came to a clumsy batting stance, wishing she’d paid more attention in phys ed. Lillian screamed again and ran into the open doorway of Eve’s room. Eve, coming up the stairs, screamed, too, for different reasons.“Hey! That’s my room, bitch!” And she flew in to grab Lillian by the hair, swing her around, and throw her out into the hall, then shoved her toward the stairs. “Michael! This one needs to go out!”

“Oh, he is cute!” Shane said in a fake girly voice. “Gee, maybe we can ask him out!”“Shut up, you weasel. Claire, hit him!”

“I heard this girl worked for Bishop,' said one of the guys, who had a tire iron resting on his shoulder. 'Carrying around his death warrants. Like one of those Nazi collaborators.' 'You heard wrong,' Shane said. 'She’s my girl. Now back off.' 'Let’s hear from her,' said the leader of the pack, and locked stares with Claire. 'So? You working for the vamps?'Shane sent her a quick, warning glance. Claire took in a deep breath and said, 'Absolutely.''Ah hell,' Shane breathed. 'Okay, then. Run.”

“Michael had to pound me a couple of times to convince me not to go stage a rescue." Shane shrugged. "He hits like a girl, for a vampire.”

“Shane said, "Don't worry. I'll protect you."Claire hit him in the shoulder. "I don't need you to protect me.""Then why am I going first?""So you can take the first punch while I throw the second?""So I'm bait? Ouch. You've been in Morganville way too long, girl.”