Roland showed off the dimples that had charmed many girls back home. “Come on, Sara. Live a little.” He looked over his shoulder at the nymph. “Try something new.”

“No, thanks.” All I was interested in was talking to Adele and finding out if she knew where Madeline was. The club scene was not my thing, even if the people in this one were fascinating. I just wanted to get what I came for and leave.

We made our way to the bar, and I waved down one of the bartenders who, surprisingly, turned out to be human. I asked him if Adele was here, and he said she usually got in around eleven, which wasn’t for another forty-five minutes. Jordan and I ordered sodas and the boys got beers to sip while we waited. A few people approached us for dances, but we decided to stick together. The place didn’t look dangerous, but trouble had a way of finding us.

Before long I noticed a tall, well-built, blond faerie with dark blue eyes and finely chiseled features watching us. I squinted to see beneath his glamour, and I was surprised to find there wasn’t one. Our eyes met, and he smiled and started toward us. I suppressed a groan. Aine was the only faerie I’d met and she was very good to me. But it was common knowledge that faeries in general were nothing but trouble. They were bored immortals always looking for amusement, and they had rather unbridled appetites for fun and pleasure.

“I did not expect to find such fresh young beauties at Adele’s tonight,” the faerie said when he reached us.

My eyebrow rose. “Does that line really work?”

Instead of being offended, he laughed huskily. “Most of the time.”

I couldn’t help it, I smiled back. Stupid faerie charm.

“I am Eldeorin.” He extended a hand, and I took it automatically.

“Sara.” I studied his face. His voice sounded vaguely familiar to me even though I was sure we had never met. “Excuse me; do I know you from somewhere?”

Eldeorin’s grip was firm and he covered my hand with his other one. “We haven’t formally met, but I’d know you anywhere, little Cousin. I tended you when you were in Faerie.”

“You healed me?” Memories surfaced of soothing faceless voices I thought I had dreamed. “I remember hearing your voice...”

His smile widened. “I stayed with you until you were through the worst of it. I have never seen anyone fight to live as hard as you did. And here you are.” His gaze moved past me to my friends, who were oddly quiet. “You keep unusual company, but I can see why. Your friends are quite fetching.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as I turned to introduce him to the others. Roland and Peter stared at him with a mix of fascination and wariness. Eldeorin turned his dazzling smile on them, and I saw a glazed look enter Roland’s eyes.

“Hey!” I smacked Eldeorin on the arm. “None of that faerie mojo on my friends.”

“I apologize. I got carried away.” He leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Is he...?”

“No.”

Eldeorin sighed. “Pity.”

I made the introductions. Roland and Peter nodded, and I had a feeling that neither of them realized how close they had been to falling under a faerie’s charm. I’d have to watch Eldeorin and make sure he didn’t try it again. Cousin or not, faeries had their reputation for a reason.

Eldeorin turned his attention to Jordan, who took a step back. I stared at her pained expression in confusion for several seconds before it dawned on me that her Mori probably wasn’t too happy to be close to a full-blooded faerie.

“My apologies, Mohiri,” Eldeorin said to her. She merely nodded in reply.

Just then a group of faerie males paused behind Roland and Peter. Eldeorin gave them a small shake of his head. One of the faeries gave me a disappointed smile before they moved on.

“Hey!” Roland spun around to stare after the departing faeries. “Someone just grabbed my ass.”

I bit back a smile. “Roland, no one here wants to grab your butt.”

“I would. It is a very nice one,” Eldeorin said.

“What?” Roland croaked. The look on his face was priceless.

“Well, you did say we should live a little,” I said. “Maybe try something new.”

Panic filled his eyes. “That’s not what I meant!”

Laughter burst from me, and it took me a full minute to be able to speak. “We’re just messing with you, Roland.”

He did not look convinced.

Peter glanced around warily. “It’s five after eleven. Shouldn’t that woman be here by now?”

“What woman?” Eldeorin asked.

“Adele. We came here to talk to her.” I looked for the bartender I’d spoken to earlier.

Eldeorin’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. “Now why would you young people want to see Adele?”

“It’s business,” Jordan stated coolly, not bothering to hide her dislike for the faerie.

Eldeorin’s rich laugh drew the attention of several human women nearby and they smiled appreciatively at him. “I know what kind of business Adele deals in, and I doubt the four of you would want any part of it.”

I shrugged. “I need to talk to her; that’s all.”

“Then allow me.” He waved toward the stairs. “Adele and I are old friends, and I’d be happy to take you to her.”

I hesitated. “Why do you want to help us?”

His smile dimmed. “I am helping you, little Cousin, because you are too innocent for your own good. I could not permit you to face someone like Adele on your own. She has sweet little things like you for lunch.”