Hollowed by Kelley York Page A

thinks better of it and shakes his head. " Sorry, but I can ' t let you go. Even if you don ' t know where she is, I bet she ' ll come running when she knows we have you. " As he ' s reaching for my arm again I hop back a step, out of reach.
    " Touch me again and I ' ll scream rape. "
    He glowers. " You would not. "
    I offer my arm. " Try me. " His gaze flicks from my arm to my face and back again, wary. But no grabbing. Wow, he ' s easy. " I ' m willing to bet you don ' t want to make a scene in public; even you guys aren ' t dumb enough for that. So get out of here before I scream anyway. " This is all bravery I ' m going to regret the next time I run into any of them in a dark alley, but I ' ll savor it while I can.
    Fred gives a quiet snarl, and for a second I ' m worried he just might try something despite my threats. But as quickly as that look crosses his face, it ' s gone again, and I realize someone is approaching from behind.
    " Briar! I ' m late, I ' m so sorry. "
    That smooth voice entwined in a silky French accent isn ' t one I ' ve heard before, but when I turn around and fix my eyes on the person it belongs to, there ' s no questioning it. I just know .
    " Al — Daniel? "
    I shouldn't be surprised. He can turn into every other animal under the sun, why not a human? He ' s tall, pale-skinned , and his chocolate-colored hair hangs in his face. He ' s slender and devastatingly handsome. Never, ever the kind of guy I could really get a date with, and by the look on Fred ' s face, he ' s thinking the same thing.
    " This is the guy you were waiting for? " he asks.
    I flash Algonquin — Daniel — a grateful smile as he slides his arms around me in a tight embrace. He even goes so far as to press a chaste kiss to the corner of my mouth, and my face starts to burn. Really, was that necessary?
    " Ma belle . I hope you were not waiting long. " Daniel hugs me to his side and looks questioningly at Fred. " I am sorry to interrupt. You are...? "
    Fred glares sullenly and I can tell he ' s debating whether or not to make a grab for me anyway. I wrap an arm around Daniel ' s skinny waist, clinging too tightly, and silently pray that Oliver is nearby in case something goes wrong.
    Finally Fred averts his eyes, scuffing his heel against the sidewalk. " No one, " he mutters. With his metaphorical tail between his legs, he shuffles off up the street. Daniel coaxes me to turn around and we walk the way he came, with me casting glances over my shoulder. I don ' t relax until Fred is out of sight.
    " God, today sucks. What were you doing, anyway? "
    Daniel gives me the most patient of smiles. " You wer e taking too long. It might have looked suspicious if another vampire rushed to your aid . So... moi . "
    I stop walking and stare up at him. Wanting to ask why now of all times he decides to let me see him like this. In the grand scheme of things, though, I guess it isn ' t important. Daniel gives me a quizzical look to which I shake my head and start walking again.
    Oliver is waiting for us right where I left him, pacing the alley. He halts, whirls, looks both of us over to make sure we ' re okay before letting out a sigh. " One of them was nearby , weren't they? I could feel it. "
    I raise an eyebrow. " So you waited for me to run into him first before sending Daniel? "
    His expression tightens. Daniel laughs. " Well, I could not stroll down the street naked . Oliver had to fetch me clothing first. "
    What? Oh. Oh... I hadn ' t... thought about that. Awkward.
    " The darling even had it in him to pick me out undergarments. " He smiles sweetly and Oliver goes an amazing shade of red. I can ' t help but laugh.
    " Shut up! Would you have rather run around without them?! " Apparently, Oliver doesn ' t want an answer to that because he spins around and stalks off down the alley. Daniel and I exchange amused smiles and follow.
    I walk between them, taking comfort in their presence and at least knowing there ' s no way Fred would double