“Yes,” Kisten said, almost having to shout over the noise from the people for him to take the mike. “She’s been bitten, but she’s not bound to anyone. Maybe that’s why.”

“Vampy, vampy pher … uh … pher—” I licked my lips, frowning. “Pheromones,” I said, my eyes wide. “Mmmm, nice. How come Ivy never feels like this?”

“Because Ivy is a tightass.” Kisten frowned. A sigh shifted him, and I reached for his shoulders. He had nice shoulders, all hard with muscle and possibility.

Kisten took my hands from him and held them before me. “Steve, stay with her.”

“Sure, boss,” the big vampire said, moving to stand beside and slightly behind me.

“Thanks.” Kisten peered into my eyes, holding them. “I’m sorry, Rachel,” he said. “This isn’t your fault. I didn’t know this would happen. I’ll be right back.”

He shifted away, and I reached out after him, blinking at the tumult that rose as he took the center of the room. Kisten stood for a moment, looking sexy in his Italian suit as he gathered his thoughts with his head bowed and waited. He was working the crowd before he even said a word; I couldn’t help but be impressed. A closed-lipped, roguish smile quirked his mouth when he pulled his head up, eyeing them from under his blond bangs. “Holy shit,” he whispered into the mike, and the crowd cheered. “What the hell are you all doing here?”

“Waiting for you!” a female voice shouted.

Kisten grinned, moving his body suggestively as he nodded in the direction of the voice. “Hey, Mandy. You here tonight? When did they let you out?”

She screamed happily at him, and he smiled. “You are a ba-a-a-a-ad bunch of vixens, you know that? Giving Mickey a hard time. What’s wrong with Mickey? He’s good to you.”

The women cheered, and I covered my ears, almost falling over as my balance shifted. Steve took my elbow.

“Well, I was trying to go out on a date,” Kisten said, dropping his head dramatically. “My first one in I don’t know how long. You see her, over there by the stair?”

A huge spotlight slammed into me, and I winced, squinting. The heat from it made my skin tingle, and I straightened, almost falling when I waved. Steve caught my arm, and I smiled up at him. I leaned into him, and he shook his head good-naturedly, running a finger along the underside of my jaw before gently standing me upright.

“She’s a little out of it tonight,” Kisten said. “You are all enjoying yourselves far too much, and it’s rubbing off on her. Who knew witch runners needed to party like us?”

The noise redoubled, and the pace of the lights quickened, racing over the floor and up the walls and ceilings. My breath came faster as the beat of the music grew.

“But you know what they say,” Kisten said over the rhythm. “The bigger they are—”

“The better it is,” someone yelled.