"I haven't thanked you properly for the whole ... saving-my-life thing."

"Oh. That." His heart pounded. "Don't even think about it."

"I can't help thinking about it. Alec, what you did, it was amazing. You saved us. But then you left without a word. I get that you like your privacy, but why did you disappear like that?"

Okay, Alec thought. Still a harmless enough question that he could deal with. "I'll tell you the same thing I told the police when they called me. I just didn't want the attention."

"Because of what you did?"

Alarm flickered through him. "What?"

"That scaffolding was going to hit us-we were all toast. But I saw you raise your arm as if you were pushing it away, and the whole thing wavered and crashed off to the side. Then you lifted us to safety and vanished like a superhero in a comic book. How did you do it?"

Well. There it is, Alec thought. She did see, after all-and she certainly isn't beating around the bush about it.

The first bell rang, giving him the reprieve he desperately needed. "I don't know what you mean, Claire. I didn't do anything," he said quickly, as they both stood up. "Maybe I held up my hand protectively for one confused second, but then I just acted on instinct to get us all out of danger."

Claire nodded slowly. His reply clearly disappointed her, but she seemed to accept it. "Okay." Before she could say more, the kitchen supervisor appeared. He signed their detention slips, releasing them. They dropped their bags of gum in the trash and made their way to the door, where Claire paused, turning to him.

"Well, whatever happened, Alec, thank you again for what you did. I'm really, really grateful." Unexpectedly, she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug.

The action caught Alec totally off guard, and he froze again, his heart going wild. No one had ever hugged him before-except his parents, and that had been so long ago, he'd almost forgotten what it felt like. "You're ... welcome," he stammered, raising his arms and awkwardly hugging her back.

When she drew away, their gazes met briefly. He saw that her cheeks were as flushed as his felt, and there was a new expression on her face that seemed to mirror his own confusion.

"Bye," she said quickly. Averting her eyes, she darted off without another word.

twelve.

Claire hurried down the ramp toward her first cla.s.s, her pulse pounding in her ears. What had just happened?

She didn't believe Alec's version of the events on Friday-there was no way he or anyone else was going to explain them away as natural-and there were so many other things about him that still didn't fit. But that wasn't the uppermost thing on her mind at the moment.

All she'd intended was to give Alec a quick, friendly hug, but while she was in his arms, the feelings that had risen within her had taken her completely by surprise.

Through the thin layer of Alec's T-shirt, she'd felt the rapid beat of his heart. In response, her own heart had begun to race so fast, she'd felt as if it might suddenly burst out of the too-confined s.p.a.ce of her chest. The firm touch of his hands against her back, the sensation of his body in contact with the length of hers, had caused a heat to rise deep inside her that-as far as she knew-had nothing to do with the psychic weirdness that had been happening lately. When the hug ended, she'd been so self-conscious, she could hardly look at him.

She recognized these feelings; she had them-or used to have them-in a somewhat less intense fashion whenever she was around Neil, or was thinking about Neil. Why was she feeling like this now, with Alec? Was she attracted to him? If so, when the h.e.l.l had that started, and why hadn't she noticed it before?

Claire was still mulling the questions over later that morning when she entered the theater building for Concert Singers.

"You hugged him?" Erica grinned when Claire brought her up to speed. "That's a clever tactic. Did you get a vision off him?"

"What? No! It wasn't a tactic," Claire insisted, blushing. "I'm just grateful to him. I wasn't even thinking about visions."

"Did you touch his skin when you hugged?" Brian chimed in. "Or just his clothes?"

Claire thought for a moment. "Just his clothes."

"You must be right," Brian told Erica. "Her powers operate strictly by skin-to-skin contact. Except, on rare occasions, when she's touching an object whose owner is involved in a traumatic-"

"Will you please stop talking about me like I'm a lab rat?" Claire interrupted, annoyed.

"How did Alec react to this hug?" Erica was still smiling. "I'll bet he swooned."

"Why do you say that?" Claire's blush deepened despite herself.

"Because"-Erica rolled her eyes-"Alec is clearly nuts about you."

Claire stared at her. "What?"

"You mean you didn't know that, CB?" Brian shook his head. "I swear, girls are so clueless sometimes."

Claire took her seat and warmed up along with the rest of the cla.s.s, processing this news. Was it really possible that Alec liked her? The thought was so new and unexpected, as were the feelings rioting inside her, that she wasn't sure what to believe.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Brian surrept.i.tiously scribbling on a sc.r.a.p of paper. Folding the note into a tiny square, he silently pa.s.sed it to the boy on his left, nodding in Claire's direction. The note made its way down the row, finally arriving on Claire's music stand.

Still singing along with the choir, she covertly opened it and read: So, when you hugged-did you feel Alec's heartbeat?

Claire stifled a laugh. She looked at Brian from her seat and nodded emphatically, patting her chest one-handed with a rapid drumbeat. He grinned triumphantly and made a motion with his hand for her to turn the note over. She did. It read: See. Told you. He's not a vampire.

thirteen.

Alec sat in his car, watching as the other students vacated the junior parking lot. All day, he hadn't been able to stop thinking about the hug he'd exchanged with Claire in the cafeteria.

The sensation of Claire's warm body pressed against his-her arms locked around him-her face nestled against his shoulder-the fragrance of her shampoo-it had all been so incredible and so intoxicating. He'd been distracted ever since, unable to concentrate in cla.s.s, much less on the a.s.signment Vincent had given him. He sensed that Claire had felt it, too, but he couldn't be sure.

At least Claire seemed placated enough after their conversation to stop asking questions about the incident. Alec sighed and leaned back in his seat. It was time, he reminded himself, to stop thinking about Claire and focus on the task at hand. His very freedom depended on it.

Vincent's digital tablet felt heavy in his hand. Alec still dreaded the thought of turning it on. Once he started a hunt, it became all-consuming, and he knew he wouldn't feel comfortable at school anymore-or with himself. It wasn't just the idea of going back to work that bothered him, however temporarily. It was the possible consequence that awaited the target, especially if he was actually a Halfblood. The Council's decision, however, was out of his hands-and would occur whether or not Alec got involved. In fact, it would be much worse for the Awakened if Alec didn't find him before the Fallen did.

Reluctantly, Alec pressed the tablet's power b.u.t.ton. The screen lit up, and with one click Alec restored it to the last file Vincent had opened: a series of detailed notes with bullet points culminating in a surveillance photograph of Vincent's prime suspect. Alec almost dropped the device in astonishment.

It was Neil Mitchum.

Alec leaned on the rooftop railing eighteen stories above the sleeping city, watching the ribbons of empty, illuminated streets stretch away westward toward the distant, endless expanse of dark ocean.

Could it be true? Was Choir Boy the Awakened that Vincent was looking for? If so, it would make sense.

Everybody said Neil had a beautiful singing voice, which of course came with the territory. Apparently he was the fastest sprinter in the school and a superstar soccer player-that could be a sign. Plus, the kid had unbelievable charm and influence-a definite potential talent. Somehow, Neil had managed to convince a music teacher to add an untested singer to an exclusive honors choir at the eleventh hour. And Alec couldn't forget how incredibly shy and tongue-tied Claire had been around Neil on Book Day, or how swiftly that shyness had evaporated under Neil's influence in the two weeks since. The last time Alec had been around someone with such presence, it was his mark in Panama five years ago. Who knew what other hidden abilities Neil might possess?

Alec shook his head, frowning, and leaned against the wall, his back to the city. Taking his guitar from its case, he began plucking away at the strings, filling the air with a melody of his own creation.

It could just be the jealousy talking, Alec admitted to himself. It seemed that every time Claire had expressed even the remotest flicker of interest in Alec, Neil had shown up and diverted her attention. If Neil really was the Halfblood, it would be very convenient. In one fell swoop, his compet.i.tion for Claire would be gone.

Alec's blood ran cold at the thought of what the Council might do once Vincent turned Neil in. Alec wouldn't wish that fate on anyone, not even Neil. But Vincent was right. Humanity was probably safer if the Halfblood was in the custody of his own kind. He'd give Vincent what he wanted. He'd identify the Awakened, protect him during Vincent's absence, then turn over the information and be done with it.

Alec's mind worked on his strategy as he played faster and faster, a musical frenzy, like a train racing down a track. It wouldn't be enough to just keep a lookout at school. The Fallen made it their business to corrupt the innocent. If they'd caught wind of this fledgling, they were likely to descend at any time to sway him to their side. Generally, they favored meetings in public places, where-with so many onlookers-it was difficult for someone like Alec to exercise any overt protective powers. Alec doubted, however, that they would dare to make an appearance at a closed campus like Emerson Academy, where they'd probably stick out like a sore thumb. No, he thought, they'll choose some other location to make contact.

Alec struck a final chord, the note reverberating in the stillness of the night.

He'd just have to be on hyperalert, and keep a particularly close eye on Neil.

fourteen.

Muted sunlight filtered down gently through a canopy of tall trees, which sheltered Claire in a realm of delicious coolness. She was strolling through a forest, wearing a beautiful, filmy white dress that reached her ankles-a dress she'd never seen before. The ground, strewn with pine needles, felt springy beneath her sandaled feet. From somewhere not too far off she heard the crash of ocean waves and the cry of a seagull, and when she inhaled, she smelled the salty tang of the sea.

What is this place? Claire wondered. How did I get here? She'd never been in a forest so close to the ocean before. She was possessed by the need to find something-or someone-but she didn't know who or what.

About ten yards ahead, a soft golden light emanated from between the trunks of two trees. She ran toward the light, which seemed to be calling to her. As she drew nearer, a figure appeared: a dark form surrounded by an aura of gleaming yellow.

Claire stopped, crying out in astonishment. It was Alec. He glided closer, until he stood immediately before her.

"You wondered what I am?" Alec said gently, his voice echoing as if they were inside a cathedral. "Go ahead. Find out." He opened his shirt, grabbed her hand, and pressed it to his beautifully sculpted chest.

As their skin made contact, the light surrounding Alec increased in intensity, growing so bright that she was forced to shield her eyes with her other hand. Claire gasped again as a sizzling heat ran up her arm and spread through her entire body. Trembling, she saw that she was now glowing, too-although the light around her wasn't yellow. It was a shimmering emerald green. She felt as if her very blood were on fire-but it was a delicious sensation, an electric intensity more exhilarating than anything she'd ever felt in her life.

Alec's eyes were filled with undisguised affection as he took Claire firmly in his embrace. "Now you know," he whispered, his face just inches from hers.

"But... I don't know anything." Claire's heart drummed in her chest as his lean body molded against her own. Was he going to kiss her? Suddenly, desperately, she yearned for it.

Alec lowered his head closer, until their lips nearly touched ....

Claire awoke with a start, sitting up and breathing hard, her pulse thundering.

My G.o.d, she thought. That was the most vivid dream she'd ever had. Scooting back in bed, she collapsed against the headboard as she struggled to return to reality.

Where did all that come from? she wondered. Why was Alec glowing in her dream? Why had she been glowing? What in the world did it mean?

She'd been so focused on Neil for the past two years that she hadn't noticed any other boys, or considered that anyone else might like her. Neil was finally showing a hint of interest in her, but at the same time, here was this other gorgeous, intelligent boy with whom-she couldn't deny it-she felt a genuine connection. Ever since their hug in the cafeteria, she hadn't been able to stop thinking about Alec.

Claire knew she should be excited. But Alec was such an enigma. It'd be one thing if he was just a normal guy who was maybe a little secretive about some things. However, despite his protests to the contrary, something definitely was different about him, and no one could explain it away to her satisfaction. She had never seen anyone glow in real life, but after the way Alec had saved their lives on Friday, she was beginning to believe he was capable of it, and maybe a whole lot more. Whoever-or whatever-Alec was, he was s.e.xy, powerful, brilliant, fascinating ... and frightening ... all at the same time.

Claire's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her door quietly opening. Her mother stood silhouetted in the doorway.

"You all right, honey?" her mom said. "I thought I heard you call out."

"I just had a weird dream."

Her mom crossed the room and sat down on the bed beside Claire, regarding her in the slice of light shining in from the hall. "What was your dream about?" she asked, brushing back Claire's hair from her eyes.

Claire felt her cheeks grow warm. She sometimes told her mom about her dreams, but she didn't want to share the details of this one. "I don't remember much. Just that I was lost in a strange forest."

"Well, you're safe now." Her mom hugged her tightly.

There she goes again, Claire thought. Always talking about being safe.

Her mom's voice broke as she continued, "All week, I've been so upset about that horrible, horrible accident. I keep thinking about how I almost lost you."

Claire returned her mom's intense hug. "I'm totally fine, Mom."

Her mom sat back, wiping the corners of her eyes. "Are you? Are things okay at school?"

"They're great," Claire rea.s.sured her. "Even history is starting to look up. So many kids got low grades on that first paper that my teacher said it wouldn't count. He devoted a whole cla.s.s period to the basics of the a.n.a.lytic writing style that he wants, and how to avoid overwriting. I think I get it now."

"I'm so glad."

"How are things with you, Mom? You okay?"

"I am. More than okay, actually. Work is going great. And ... well... I wasn't sure whether or not to mention this, but-"

"What?"

Her mom took a breath, and despite the low light in the room, Claire thought she saw a blush creep up her cheeks. "I thought about what you said the other day. About me living like a nun. And how maybe it's time for me to start ... going out a little."

Claire's jaw dropped in surprise. "Did you meet somebody?"

"Yes. Well, sort of. It was at Peet's Coffee Shop on Sunday. I was just leaving, and I forgot my laptop bag on the table. This handsome man came running after me to return it, and after I thanked him, we chatted for a few minutes. His name is Dennis and he was ... nice."

"Mom, this is major!" Claire cried, ecstatic. "Did he ask you out?"

"He asked me to meet him for coffee sometime and gave me his email address. I didn't want to do anything, though, until I'd talked to you first, to see how you'd feel about it. All these years, it's just been the two of us-I want to make sure you're comfortable with the idea."

"Of course I am! It's just a coffee date, Mom. Say yes, for G.o.d's sake! Go! Have a good time."

"Thanks, honey. Maybe I will. Go back to sleep now." She kissed Claire's cheek, hugging her again, and then stood up and moved to the door. "I hope you have better dreams."

"Good night, Mom." Claire settled back beneath the covers, closing her eyes. She couldn't stop smiling. It'd be great to see her mom have a boyfriend. Maybe she'd lighten up and let Claire date, too.

More importantly, it might keep them in L.A. a little longer.