Free Nightshade by Andrea Cremer Page A

and my low-slung jeans. A sudden quivering filled my limbs. I hated how weak I felt.
    Ren leaned forward, his thumb tracing the line of my lower lip. I was almost drowning in the heat and mist when I realized he intended to kiss me.
    “No.” I darted out of his reach. My body ached for his touch, but my mind was in a frenzy. “Seriously. We can’t.”
    My heart slammed against my rib cage as I pushed through the intoxicating mist and the wall of dancers to escape his advances. I glanced back once, cringing at Ren’s thunderstruck expression. I was about to turn back when I saw arms slink up his chest. Sabine curled her body around him, pulling him into the swaying crowd.
    That is exactly why you can’t have me yet, Ren. I’m not going to share.
    I turned away from the press of bodies, slinking back to the couches we’d occupied. I snatched my jacket and made a break for the stairs.

SEVEN

    I COULD STILL FEEL THE BASS VIBRATIONS from the club as I stood on the sidewalk, wondering if I should just call a cab and go home.
    “Um, hi. Calla?”
    Shay Doran emerged from Eden’s doorway wearing a shy smile. The cold night suddenly felt balmy. I thought about bolting.
    The Keepers want you to take care of him. Don’t freak.
    “Hey,” I said, returning his smile. “How are you, Shay?”
    “Good. I’m good.” He pulled nervously at the lapel of the slim-cut blazer that covered his white T-shirt. “Do you hang at Eden a lot?”
    “Not really. My friends and I were invited tonight. I’m mostly here out of obligation.” I wished I were at home in bed, instead of standing outside with this strange human.
    A relieved laugh emerged from Shay’s throat.
    “Yeah, me too. This isn’t my scene. Bosque thought I’d have a good time, but I’m not really a club kid.”
    “No?” I asked. “What are you?”
    “Well, I think I have my uncle convinced that I’m a wannabe Greenpeace member.” He flashed a grin, then he sighed. “I’d always rather be outdoors. I hike. But I guess you know that.”
    He suddenly looked fearful. I ran my tongue along my lips but didn’t reply. He hurried to speak again. “And I like to read. Lots of philosophy, history, comics.”
    “Comics?” The unexpected image of Shay surrounded by volumes of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Spider-Man amused me.
    “Yeah.” His eyes brightened. “Sandman has always been my favorite, but that’s really more of a series of graphic novels. I like a lot of Dark Horse stuff: Hellboy , Buffy: Season 8 . . .”
    He trailed off when he caught my blank expression.
    “You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”
    “Sorry.” I shrugged. “I read novels.”
    “Works for me.” He grinned. “What’s your favorite?”
    I watched a cab pass us on the street. I really should just get out of here.
    “Ah. Too personal.” He raised his eyebrows. “The relationship of a girl and her favorite novel can be complex indeed.”
    The cab turned down the next block. So much for escaping. “No, it’s just strange to talk like this outside of the club.”
    “Agreed.” He looked back at the massive bouncer who hovered by the door. “Wanna go get coffee?”
    I wondered if I’d heard him right. A boy just asked me out; that can’t be right. No one asks me out. It’s forbidden. I felt warmth creeping up my cheeks. Then I remembered that he didn’t know any better.
    He spoke again. “I’ve been making a habit of finding the best late-night reading spots in Vail. There’s a twenty-four-hour Internet café two blocks from here.”
    I nodded. “I know the place.” If I’m supposed to watch out for him, then this wouldn’t really be breaking the rules, would it?
    He shifted back and forth on his feet as he waited for my answer.
    I considered Ren and the dance floor one last time before saying, “Watership Down . ”
    “What?”
    “My favorite novel.”
    He snorted. “Isn’t that about rabbits?”
    “It’s about survival,” I said.