“What kind of party is this anyway?” I asked as we trailed across the empty floor toward a bar that had been set up along one wall. As far as I could tell, no one actually lived here. No sofas. No dining tables. No TVs or comfy rugs. It was just an empty space full of fancy supernaturals in their pristine dresses and suits, clinking drinks and chatting animatedly, probably about how they wanted to steal a bunch of human souls.

“It’s a mixed party,” Az said, shifting closer to murmur into my ear. “Like the Covenant Ball, you’re not allowed in unless you have a human date. The host likes to call it a game. See how much we can get away with, all without humans finding out what we are.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Great. It’s one of those parties then.”

“What kind is that?”

“The creepy kind.” I glanced around and sighed. In the far corner, I spotted Serena’s familiar head of midnight hair. She was speaking quietly with a group of older, suit-clad men, and Noah stood beside her like a steady, calming rock. My face transformed into what could only be described as cringing awkward turtle. I shifted closer to Az, hiding myself from view.

“Oh, are we already to that then?” he asked in a low purr, winding his arm around my back.

“Is there somewhere else we could go? A hallway or something?”

He arched a brow, and that dimpled smile made an appearance. “No one would be able to see us then, Mia.”

The way he said my name shot a strange tremor through my gut.

“There are others in the hallway,” I whispered back and pushed up onto my tiptoes. Peeking over Az’s shoulders, I caught sight of Noah again. I really didn’t want to face him right now. For one, our last encounter had been awkward as hell. And two, I didn’t know how I could hold myself back if he gave me a smug smile and congratulated me on moving out of Serena’s apartment. He’d gotten what he wanted, and I hated that with a passion. As happy as he made my best friend, he’d still been a dick to me.

Az twisted sideways to follow my line of sight, but Noah had vanished into the crowd. “Wait, isn’t that your friend? Have you two had a falling out?”

“No, it’s the guy with her.” I grabbed his hand. As soon as my fingers touched his skin, his ice-flecked eyes zeroed in on my face. An electric charge passed between us. It ripped through my body, lighting my gut on fire. A sharp gasp popped from my throat, and the darkness in his eyes flared to life.

“What was that?” I whispered.

“I don’t know,” he murmured back. “I’ve never felt it before.”