Majya hadn't felt cold for five years, not since the change had happened. But something in this man's eyes sent cold shivers down her back. This was no ordinary dude at a party.

Trying not to be too obvious about it, she scanned the room for her friends. At least two were in some other room, and Itya was too far away and too preoccupied with dancing at a cute redhead to signal.

They reached the drinks table, and Majya walked around it, placing it between her and the man she was beginning to regret speaking to.

"So what brings you to these parts?" she asked, more to find out what he'd say than to fulfill any expectation of an honest answer.